The Most Incredible Hotels in the World

FODOR'S Travel, the leading name in travel recommendations for over 80 years, has revived Fodor's Finest: The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World, its definitive list of the best hotels in the world.

Reemerging after a four-year hiatus, the exclusive list differs from other "best hotel" lists by consisting entirely of Fodor's Travel editors' and hotel writers' personal picks, and featuring a wide range of hotel properties – not only high-priced or trendy locations. Editors made a particularly special effort to consider affordability when compiling the list.

"Travelers increasingly seek unique, memorable experiences when traveling – and that includes the hotels they choose to stay in," said Jeremy Tarr, Editorial Director of Fodors.com. "The 100 properties on this list are certainly some of the best hotels in the world – but they're also some of the dreamiest, most swoon-worthy, and sometimes, most unusual this world has to offer. Ultimately, each and every one is entirely glorious and utterly memorable."

The Fodor's Finest list divides the hotels it showcases into 10 geographic categories:

The Best Hotels in the USA
The Best Hotels in Europe
The Best Hotels in Asia
The Best Hotels in the Caribbean
The Best Hotels in Mexico and Central America
The Best Hotels in South America
The Best Hotels in Africa
The Best Hotels in the Middle East
The Best Hotels in Australia and the Pacific
The Best Hotels in Canada


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Sail for Free

BOOK any seven-night Fiji cruise and receive three nights free with small ship cruise specialists, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s, annual ‘Three Nights Free Sail’. Offering savings of up to AUD$2100 per person this deal is on sale until 28 February 2019 with travel valid until 31 March 2020 including school holidays. 

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s seven-night itineraries include the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands cruise which departs every Tuesday and Saturday and the 4 Cultures Discovery cruise and Colonial Discovery cruise which depart once a month on alternate months.

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Luxury hotel Shanghai Wonderland opens

SHANGHAI Wonderland is a luxury hotel masterfully built into the side wall of a formerly abandoned quarry in Southwestern Shanghai. Stretching 88 metres underground, the hotel was nominated as one of the architectural wonders of the world by the National Geographic Channel’s MegaStructures series due to its pioneering architectural design.

The new-build InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland combines the brand’s signature luxury with revolutionary design at a wonderfully unique location, creating an unprecedented experience. Located at Sheshan Mountain Range, this new hotel is mostly subterranean, with two floors above ground and 16 below ground, including two floors underwater. 

Individually designed to best reflect both modern elegance and the unique features of the quarry’s landscape, all 336 rooms and suites provide ample, luxury living spaces with spectacular views of waterfalls and the surrounding cliffs. 

The stunning underwater loft offers two awe-inspiring levels: the landing deck at water level houses the outdoor terrace and living room, whilst the underwater bedrooms are encased within a turquoise aquarium where guests will be surrounded by the schools of fish that swim by.

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Six Senses Fiji claims a top spot

TIME Magazine has released its first list of World’s Greatest Places and Six Senses Fiji is honored to have claimed a spot in the top 100. The feature highlights 100 destinations that are breaking new ground, leading industry trends and offering visitors extraordinary experiences that are unlike any other. It categorizes the winners into places to visit, places to eat and drink and places to stay of which Six Senses #Fiji features alongside 44 other resorts, hotels and spas. 

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Unique Maldives

MALDIVES is home to unrivalled exclusivity. Consisting of 1,192 coral islands spread out across 26 ring-shaped atolls, the #Maldives is an exotic necklace adorning the Indian Ocean glistening in the equatorial sunshine. Every resort in the Maldives is nestled in its own private island surrounded by mighty coral reefs teeming with marine life, and each offers breathtaking experiences to indulge the senses and create a truly unforgettable holiday. Take a glimpse at just some of incredible activities on offer. 

Undersea Dining Walk down a spiral staircase to the world’s largest, all-glass undersea restaurant, located 5.8 meters beneath the lagoon. Enjoy a world-class tasting menu and a selection of fine wines while being entertained by an exciting natural show of fish swimming around the magnificent surrounding coral reef. 

SKY – Overwater observatory Anantara Kihavah’s location, being above the equator, and its open skies make up a perfect place for observing constellations, with a telescope or just through the naked eyes. To complete this interstellar experience, recline on the circular outdoor daybed or gaze at the stars while sipping Champagne from the luxury cocktail bar. 

Baa Atoll The natural atoll is home to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, making it a peaceful haven for protected marine life. Plankton blooms during the months of May to November attracting mantas by the hundreds, often accompanied by whale sharks feeding alongside them. 

 
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Aurora Adventure

THE enchanting aurora borealis conjures images of dancing night skies, sub-zero temperatures and mountainous landscapes blanketed in snow, like glistening vanilla ice-cream. In Canada’s north-west #Yukon Territory, you don’t need to wait until winter to experience this light show spectacular. As one of the few locations on Earth where the northern lights are visible from late summer all the way through to spring, you may not even need a jacket as you gaze up at Mother Nature’s best artwork. 

Head to Yukon’s scenic Southern Lakes Region during the autumn months of late August and September, and combine two of nature’s most colourful marvels. With autumn in full swing, the Southern Lakes Region transforms from lush green to rich crimson, orange, and sparkling gold, the ultimate backdrop for wildlife viewing. Keep the camera poised for grizzly bears, elk and mountain sheep along the way, stroll the shores of Bennett Lake, following the footsteps of the Klondike gold stampeders who blazed a torturous trail on their way to Dawson more than 120 years ago. 

As night falls, the autumnal glory makes way for spellbinding auroras splashed across the sky in a mind-blowing kaleidoscope of vibrant jades, reds, yellows, and purples. Check into a wilderness lodge, such as the luxurious Inn on the Lake, the Boreale Ranch at the base of the Seven Sisters mountain range, or Southern Lakes Resort overlooking placid Tagish Lake. Autumn evenings in the Southern Lakes Region are relatively mild, allowing for active night time adventures. Meander along the hiking trails to a secluded spot to capture the very best aurora photographs. 

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Picture Credit: By Anthony DeLorenzo from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada - Aurora Borealis, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org

Indonesia's most exotic destination

LOCATED in the furthest reaches of Indonesia's exotic far east, in West Papua, Raja Ampat is a series of islands famed for their remoteness, tropical beauty and unparalleled biological diversity. A big part of these island's allure is also the difficulty in getting there. It has always been just far enough out of reach to ensure that only well-heeled explorers, scientists or divers could go there. But times are changing. After the introduction of the archipelago’s first direct commercial flights in December 2016, it has become more convenient than ever to get there, and for lovers of remote adventures and tropical places, there may be no better place in Asia.

EXO Travel has two tours that streamline the process of getting there while highlighting the island’s incredible wonders. Our Stint in Raja Ampat (4 days, 3 nights) is the perfect add-on to tours in Java or Bali while our Raja Ampat Expedition is an immersive (7 days, 6 nights) journey by luxurious cruise boat through the island’s most spectacular offerings.

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Ice Architecture in China

HEILONGJIANG, #China borders Siberian Russia and in the two coldest months of the year January and February sees the most fantastic carvings made out of ice. Set in Harbin’s coldest months, Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival features breathtaking temporary works of art, all created with ice by hand or laser. 

Between the four primary parks and amusement zones, there are a few thousand pieces, not to mention all the ice architecture created throughout the city for the winter. This festival is a must-see for families and gives a whole new meaning to the name Winter Wonderland.

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Five star luxury in Tel Aviv

A new luxury hotel is due to open in #Israel in early 2018 and will be located at site of historic 13th century structure.

The Setai, Tel Aviv, a new five-star deluxe hotel joins The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd's prestigious collection of independent luxury hotels, will be located in the historic old Jaffa area of Tel Aviv. This will be the hospitality group's second Setai in Israel, following the recent opening of the Sea of Galilee property in May 2017, and third globally, joining The Setai, Miami Beach.

The hotel is located in the heart of the city, steps from the famous Clock Square and the city's coastline, at the historic site known as the "Kishle." It was originally constructed by the Turkish Empire to be a prison on the site of a historic Crusader fortress.

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Yoga in Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

IT'S hard to imagine a more fitting place to which to retreat for a yoga holiday than a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whether it is famed for its aesthetically pleasing landscapes captured by Renaissance painters (as is the case in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia) or for its distinctive mountains and exceptional natural beauty (as in the Dolomites). Simply being in these unspoilt natural surroundings instils calm, regenerating both the body and mind, which is further intensified through specific yoga exercises. 

Adler Spa Resorts is very fortunate to have hotels in these two Italian locations of note and both are offering yoga retreats in November/December 2017, with Adler Thermae repeating its retreats in February/March 2018. Adler Mountain Lodge is in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites.  Adler Thermae in Tuscany has three yoga holidays planned for November and December, which will then be repeated in February and March 2018. Yoga is an integral part of Adler Spa Resorts’ offering – complimentary classes are offered week in, week out by the in-house team at all the hotels, with dedicated yoga holidays such as those described above taking place at specific times. 

www.adler-resorts.com/en/yoga-retreats-italy

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