One of the most famous cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro has for years captivated the hearts of all who visited it. The Marvellous City lives up to its name in every sense of the word.

With its beautiful beaches, mountains and bays, a daily life that revolves around the beach and lively bars and restaurants with a warm and welcoming vibe, it is a place that sweeps you up into its inexorable sense of fun combined with a laidback attitude to life. There is a glamourous side to Rio as well and this is often seen in the places to stay.

Humboldt Travel specialise in luxury travel to Brazil. Read on for our favourite hotels in Rio de Janeiro.

The Belmond Copacabana Palace

The Copacabana Palace is one of the most iconic hotels in the world. Its gleaming white façade sits proudly facing Copacabana beach, and it has for decades been the top spot for celebrities, royalty and all who want a taste of the golden age of Rio. The hotel exudes old-world elegance with suited doormen, wooden and brass revolving doors and polished marble lobby. The enormous floral centrepiece, always fresh and eye catching, greets guests as they enter the property.

The rooms are bright and classy with fresh white bedlinen, thick carpets and large windows, many of which offer ocean views. The pool is spacious and another main feature of the hotel. During the day it is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip or relax on a lounger to catch some sun. In the evening it becomes a romantic spot for cocktails and drinks in the adjoining bar.

The hotel is home to some of the city’s best restaurants including two with Michelin stars, Ken Hom’s Mee and the Cipriani, for fine Italian dining. The latter also offers a chef’s table experience which is the ultimate indulgence with your own personal menu crafted in the kitchen by the chef and accompanied by a wine flight served by your own sommelier.

No-one staying at this property could be disappointed and there is no better choice for an elegant, luxury stay in Rio de Janeiro.

The Emiliano

A few doors down from the Copacabana Palace is another of Rio’s top luxury stays, the Emiliano. Distinctive for its unusual wooden white façade, it was the first boutique luxury property on Copacabana beach.

The Emiliano exudes cool luxury with polished wooden floors and a décor that hints at the Bossa age of Rio de Janeiro. The rooms are spacious and bright with wide windows offering views onto the city or the ocean.

The Emile Restaurant serves contemporary cuisine in a beautiful setting including a striking living wall which brings the outside in. The menu makes excellent use of Brazilian ingredients with organic produce and seasonality at the forefront of the dishes.

The spa at the Emiliano is a real oasis of calm away from the city. Offering an indulgent menu of treatments that focuses on the three pillars of relaxing, detoxifying and invigorating, it is a beautiful wellness addition to any guest’s stay.

The Emiliano is a welcome boutique addition to the Rio luxury hotel scene.

The Fasano

The Fasano is located in Ipanema and is truly an excellent choice for a luxury stay in Rio. This brand is known in Brazil for its cool elegance and this property is no different. The building is the first in Brazil to be designed by Philippe Starck and combines his distinctive style with the Bossa Nova era of the 50s and 60s.  

The rooms are large and airy with elegant wooden floors, crisp linens and stylish amenities, all calling on the elegance of Bossa Nova for inspiration. The Gero restaurant is one of the hottest spots in town and combines mouth-watering Italian cuisine with cool architectural design, a hallmark of all Fasano hotels.

The rooftop bar is the place to be seen for drinks and incredible views over Ipanema and beyond. Guests can enjoy the pool or just soak up the vibe at this effortlessly chic hotel.

The Janeiro

The Janeiro sits facing the beach in Leblon, Rio’s coolest neighbourhood. The property fits perfectly withs surroundings offering understated style and an effortlessly chic vibe.  This is another boutique luxury offering and an excellent choice away from the more obvious neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema.

The rooms here are simple and stylish with wide windows that make use of the natural light and offer views out across Leblon, Ipanema and Arpoador as well as the Christ the Redeemer statue.

The public spaces are no less alluring with a restaurant dedicated to traditional dishes with a modern twist and a stunning rooftop bar complete with infinity pool.

The focus at The Janeiro is on personalised service with concierge and butler at each guest’s disposal. Extra touches include access to a nearby gym and personalised training on the beach, for those that really want to embrace the Carioca lifestyle.  

The Fairmont

One of the newest luxury properties, the American Fairmont brand brings its trademark luxury style to the Marvellous City. The property is large and sits perfectly located on the end of Copacabana, giving easy access to this beach and Ipanema around the corner.

The rooms are tastefully decorated with polished wooden floors and elegant, muted tones. Balconies offer views over the ocean, the city or the pool and the beds ensure guests relax into a soft cocoon for blissful sleep.  

At the Marine restaurant guests can enjoy fresh seafood, salads and grills in a simple brasserie concept that captures the elegance of the property.

The Tropik beach club is the spot to enjoy the world famous Copacabana beach. To soak up the sun without leaving the hotel, there is no better spot than the Fairmont’s infinity pool. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy views over Copacabana and the mountains in the bay.

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

More than just luxurious places to stay, today’s chicest hotels are redefining themselves as some of the most distinctive places to shop. Their highly curated boutiques reflect each hotel’s unique identity and taste, spotlighting works by local designers and one-of-a-kind pieces for travelers who’ve seen—and bought—it all. Whether inside posh beachside resorts or cool urban havens, these stores are not merely window dressing. They’re stylish destinations in their own right.

Tokyo: Trunk (Hotel) Cat Street

This hideaway in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood blurs the lines between highbrow design and youth culture. That extends to its Trunk (Store), a luxe konbini—a Japanese convenience store—stocked with eco-friendly clothing, food, and beauty products. Collaborations include striped pajamas by the work-wear label Steteco. “Discovering a new local brand is part of the fun,” says Kasumi Naito, the hotel’s merchandiser. 

Perfect Gift: A citrus-lemongrass diffuser. “Every Trunk property has a unique scent,” Naito says.

Italy: Le Sirenuse

Set on a cliff overlooking the Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse embodies Italian glamour. Guests can take home a slice of the Riviera at Emporio Sirenuse, which carries an array of merch, including towels, beach bags, and hats. The boutique also releases four resort-wear collections a year, which are sold at Net-a- Porter and elsewhere. “The shop began as a desire to translate the hotel’s understated elegance into clothing, and it evolved into a global brand,” says Francesco Sersale, the head of marketing and grandson of the hotel’s founder. 

Limited Edition: Ceramics by Lucio Liguori. “Every time his products come in, they are gone almost immediately,” Sersale says. Camille skirts are another favorite. “They come in a few styles and always sell out.”

Marrakesh: El Fenn

This arty retreat founded by Vanessa Branson brings the vibrancy of a Moroccan souk into its tadelakt walls. “Everything is in the colors of the medina,” says Yann Dobry, the shop’s creative director. Most items are unique to the store, including embroidered clothing made in collaboration with Moroccan designers and tangerine-colored ceramics by Poterie Serghini.

Best Seller: Colorful graphic T-shirts by Hassan Hajjaj, a Moroccan-born, London-based artist. 

Los Angeles: The Peninsula Beverly Hills

It started in an apartment behind The Peninsula Beverly Hills in 2022. Fashion veteran Cio Soler opened a pop-up store, Sita 1910, showcasing lesser-known designers “for women who don’t want to look like everyone else,” she says. When the Peninsula noticed that guests kept returning with Sita 1910 bags, it offered the store a permanent home. “We spoil our clients with an edit of one-of-a-kind pieces,” Soler adds. A second outpost recently opened at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Exclusive: Fringed metallic knit jackets by Tim Ryan. “We’re his only retail partner,” Soler says. “He makes every cardigan and jacket by hand, some with 5,000 silk ribbons.” 

São Paulo: Rosewood São Paulo

The hotel occupies a landmark building attached to a modern tower teeming with greenery. Its Art Library is both a museum-quality gallery, with 50 site-specific works by Brazilian artists, and a boutique with rare handcrafted objects. Vinicius Romancini, the hotel’s art concierge, says his favorites include wooden stools carved in the shape of jaguars, tapirs, and other native creatures. 

Buy Local: An ashtray by Patrícia Bianco. “The frog holds deep symbolic meaning for many Brazilian Indigenous communities,” Romancini says.

A version of this story first appeared in the October 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Charge It to the Room.”

My lungs burned as I bent forward, gasping, my hands on my hips. I had known that the air would be thin at 11,800 feet, but I was surprised at just how tough the altitude was making my climb to Chhema Lake. Still, I was hiking in the Mustang District of Nepal, so my temporary struggle was worth it: I was surrounded by the Annapurna range of the Himalayas, where peaks glistened in the sun and mini avalanches sent snow down distant chutes.

The adventure reminded me of a trip to Bhutan a few years ago, when I made the two-hour trek to the famed cliffside monastery known as the Tiger’s Nest. The Himalayas have become for me—and for a growing number of travelers—the antidote to city living and work stress. A trip to what some call the roof of the world is an opportunity to unplug, slow down, and swap screens for prayer flags flapping in the wind.

In recent years, the region has also been transformed by the opening of luxurious, design-centric hotels in places where high-end lodging has historically been nonexistent. These thoughtfully conceived escapes, all new since 2023, emphasize cultural immersion—an alternative to the “peak bagging” crowds that have choked up routes to some of the Himalayas’ legendary summits. Nepal, for example, has lately notched record-setting international arrivals, and the country’s tourism board describes Everest Base Camp as “extremely popular.”

Read on for a closer look at some of the best lodging in the region, as well as the outdoor activities and community-conscious tours they can unlock.

Bhutan

Known for its Gross National Happiness concept and unspoiled natural beauty, in 2022 the country inaugurated the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail, which is open to both day hikers and serious trekkers. While brands including Aman and Six Senses have been long-standing fixtures in Bhutan, newer on the scene is Pemako Punakha, which has 21 luxurious tented villas, each with a private pool. Guests can access the trail, meditate with the resident Buddhist monk, go whitewater rafting on the Mo Chhu river, and visit the picturesque Punakha Dzong, a centuries-old fortress. In Paro, Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton is the country’s largest hotel, with 87 rooms featuring private balconies and views of the surrounding peaks; its indoor pool is a nice amenity after a flight into Paro International Airport, the country’s sole international gateway.

India

The Himalayas stretch across a huge sweep of northern India, making it a challenge to know where to start. One enticing option is traveling with the tour and guesthouse operator Shakti, which has pioneered community-centric tourism in states including Uttarakhand. Shakti Prana, for example, is a new lodge reachable only by foot. It has seven rustic-chic stone cottages where yoga, meditation, and hikes in the surrounding countryside are the main activities. To the northwest, in Himachal Pradesh, Sitara Himalaya has 10 suites looking out over the Dhauladhar range that have bright Banarasi silk walls, handwoven pashminas in every room, and under-floor heating. A part of Relais & Châteaux since 2024, it also arranges excursions, such as waterfall hikes and visits to Hindu temples.

Nepal

The climbing capital of the world, Nepal has been luring mountaineers for decades, including up the busy South Col route to the summit of Mount Everest. But a more culturally rich experience can be found at Shinta Mani Mustang, a 29-suite lodge from prolific hotel designer Bill Bensley that has floor-to-ceiling views of Nilgiri Himal, which tops 23,000 feet. Daily outings take guests to alpine lakes and nearby villages; a Tibetan-medicine doctor can help guests work out any altitude-related aches and pains. To the southeast, the latest addition to the Mountain Lodges of Nepal portfolio is Deboche, a 13-room lodge situated above 12,200 feet—but below the iconic Tengboche Monastery, with its showstopping views of Everest and the surrounding summits.

Tibet

Traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, which is part of China, can be difficult for Americans: at a minimum, visitors need both a Chinese visa and the assistance of a specialist tour operator to handle other formalities. The U.S. Department of State estimates that fewer than 10,000 Americans make the trip annually—but those who do will find the trend toward more interesting, higher-end accommodations has also touched this corner of the Himalayas. Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso, for example, is situated on an emerald lake surrounded by towering peaks. The hotel has 122 rooms and access to activities such as monastery visits, incense making, hikes, and cycling.

A version of this story first appeared in the October 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “The High Life.”

Welcome to your essential round-up of the latest in luxury travel! This month’s edition brings a wave of innovation and indulgence, from groundbreaking partnerships in private aviation and yachting to the highly anticipated debuts of ultra-luxury cruise ships and hotels.

Over the past few years leading up to the Paris Summer Olympics, the French capital experienced a building boom as some of the biggest names in the luxury world (Bulgari, Cheval Blanc) moved into the Rive Droite’s Golden Triangle and near the Louvre.

Sliced in half by the Seine, Parisians identify themselves based on which side of the river they live on. The Right Bank, or Rive Droite, is dominated by the majority of the city’s historic palace hotels, such as Le Meurice and the Ritz Paris, as well as quintessential Paris Fashion Week haunts like Hôtel Costes. Meanwhile, the Left Bank, or Rive Gauche, lies on the more discreet side with its hôtels particuliers, mansions, and grand townhouses built by French nobility when Louis XIV’s court traded Paris for Versailles.

For its first hotel in France, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s curated collection of destination-focused luxury stays, looked in a different direction, transforming a landmark 1899 neo-Gothic building formerly home to the Ségur telephone exchange into Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts. “This is an important opening for us since it’s our first in Europe,” says Feisal Jaffer, global head of LXR Hotels & Resorts. “When you’re building a brand from scratch—there was only one hotel when I started, and now there are 16—to have a luxury hotel in Paris is a great achievement. It makes a statement.”

While I’ve lived in the rapidly developing Rive Droite neighborhood of Belleville for the past six years, the Rive Gauche was my—and many travelers’ and students’—introduction to Paris, as well as my first home in the city. When I moved here in 2018, I quickly settled into a chambre de bonne in Saint-Germain-des-Prés that was not nearly as spacious as Emily’s in Emily in Paris, but it definitely had the classic Parisian charm that infatuates so many Americans.

Arriving on the leafy Avenue de Saxe—less tourist-trodden than nearby Rue de Sèvres with its cavernous Hermès flagship boutique and Le Bon Marché department store—I looked down at Google Maps, thinking I had made a wrong turn. The only hint of the hotel was a porter who greeted me before my bag was swiftly exchanged for a glass of champagne at check-in. Like most of the Left Bank, luxury here is of the quiet variety, and it would be easy to stroll right past Sax Paris without realizing it’s even there—and that’s part of the appeal. Once you step inside, however, it’s immediately clear you’re in Paris.

The meticulously restored building captures a distinct time in French history while giving it a modern spin with sculptural chandeliers, such as Venetian artist Christian Pellizzari’s piece from Murano, which hangs in the ground-floor restaurant. In L’Iconic Galerie, a lounge and event space for fashion shows and private dinners, designed by the hotel’s design studio led by Karine Journo, digital artwork from Belgium-based Drop The Spoon is projected onto the 200 mirrors and walls.

“There are very few luxury hotels on the Left Bank—we saw that as an opportunity,” adds Jaffer. “Sax Paris sits on an unassuming avenue and feels like a hidden gem of a hotel, but you have these moments of complete surprise, like The Galerie [L’Iconic Galerie] and courtyard swimming pool.”

Here’s what it’s like to stay at Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

The Rooms

Sax Paris’s 118 guest rooms and suites are swathed in earth-toned abstract rugs and wood paneling, but the showstopper is the bathrooms, covered in striking, floor-to-ceiling striped marble. From my spacious King Prestige Junior Suite (which can accommodate a rollaway bed), expansive windows overlook the Avenue de Saxe from the bedroom and the standing tub. My favorite part, however, was the cognac-colored leather banquette and marble table in the living area, a design-savvy way to incorporate a dining space into the suite.

Other rooms overlook the courtyard and gardens, and some even sport a terrace—a true luxury in Paris, where even hotel balconies are a rarity. Signature suites, such as the Winter Garden Suite, also feature a separate, lounge-like living space complete with a leather sofa and a dining table, overlooking the garden, as well as a full, standalone minibar where you can pour a glass of wine or a cocktail for an in-room apéritif.

Food and Drink

In a city with defined dining times, it can be a struggle to find a bite to eat somewhere that’s not a tourist trap between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Executive chef David Maroleau, who cut his teeth at haute kitchens from Paris’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée to The Ritz London, helms the all-day restaurant Le SAX. Here, you can dine on decadent canapés in the evening like lobster gyozas and foie gras with toasted brioche, as well as classics like linguine (which you can top with lobster, of course), cordon bleu, and the house burger.

At French garden-style Le Jardin de SAX, designed by Studio Ravn founder and Maison Ladurée artistic director Claudia Ravnbo, I noticed the checkered-tile patio filled with stylish guests throughout the afternoon. On my first evening, a Parisian friend met me for apéro—the French ritual of pre-dinner drinks. And as the sun was setting, she was just as impressed about this tucked-away terrace near the Eiffel Tower as I was.

The landmark-heavy 7th arrondissement delivers when it comes to views, particularly from the two-story restaurant Kinugawa Rive Gauche, where the rooftop terrace overlooks the Eiffel Tower and major monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Rooftop restaurants are quickly popping up at hotels around Paris, but few have a view directly facing the Eiffel Tower like Kinugawa.

On a Friday evening in late May, just over a month after the restaurant opened, the dining room was packed with couples and groups sharing bottles of wine and sipping cocktails at intimate, crescent-shaped booths. Dishes infuse French touches into refined Japanese fare for plates like caviar-topped toro tartare and wagyu sliders stuffed with marinated pickles and drizzled with yuzu koshō aïoli sauce, buns beautifully branded with the geometric Kinugawa logo. Girafe has long been the go-to for its see-and-be-seen atmosphere and perfectly framed views of the twinkling Eiffel Tower, but I have a feeling Kinugawa Rive Gauche will quickly become a contender.

Activities and Experiences

Sax Paris is embracing its well-heeled locale on the Rive Gauche by offering tailormade experiences through its Pursuit of Adventure program—the “golden thread that runs throughout the properties,” as Jaffer puts it—that guests can only have at or through the hotel.

“When we look at Paris as a destination, it’s like a world in itself, an encyclopedia of art history and design, of major brands like Hermès and their workshops,” he adds. “When you have that much richness in a destination, it’s not whether the city should be part of [the hotel], but how?”

Options could include an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Eiffel Tower in areas normally closed to the public or a private pontoon cruise on the Seine. You can even arrange a day trip on the hotel’s private aircraft to ski in Gstaad or bask at a beach club in Saint-Tropez.

The property already partners with nearby Le Bon Marché’s La Grande Épicerie de Paris for its minibar snacks, but it can also arrange a personal shopping experience for guests at the lauded department store, considered the Bergdorf Goodman or Harrods of Paris. You can also set off and explore at your own pace, cycling along the river on one of the hotel’s designer bikes, or spend the afternoon sipping craft cocktails and soaking in Le Jardin’s heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi—one of the few in the city, especially on this side of the Seine.

The Spa

The subterranean SAX Le Club Fitness & Spa extends from the duo of treatment rooms (a single and a couple’s, both available by appointment only) to the sauna, hammam, and fitness center outfitted with Technogym equipment and a Kinesis machine. Open 24 hours to guests and members—a dream if you’re jetlagged—the brick-clad gym is a modern space with gorgeous leather swing dumbbells and a Pilates reformer machine. I started my mornings here doing a quick stretch routine before breakfast. During my stay, the spa program was still being fleshed out, but it currently offers massages and facials, both at the spa and in-room.

Family-friendly Offerings

Families and groups traveling together can take advantage of connecting up to three rooms and suites for a penthouse-like stay. Sax Paris pulls out all the stops for kids, from welcome treats like a lion plush toy (the hotel’s mascot) to teepees on request for young children ages two to eight or an extra bed for older children. While the hotel doesn’t feature a kids’ club, Sax Paris can arrange a babysitting service for parents who want a night out on the town.

Paris is an extremely dog-friendly city, and Sax Paris knows how to extend the royal treatment to pups. For my stay, the hotel set up a plush dog bed, a crystal bowl of dog treats, a branded striped bandana, and a welcome note for my pomeranian, Indiana Jones.

Accessibility and Sustainability

All of Sax Paris’s public areas like the lobby and restaurants are designed for wheelchair access, and both the King Accessible SAX Room and King Accessible Prestige Room feature mobility-accessible layouts, roll-in-showers, and spacious designs making it easy to move around in a wheelchair. Travelers with limited mobility can also take advantage of in-room dining options and concierge assistance.

Keeping in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose sustainability strategy, Sax Paris utilizes Hilton’s LightStay system to track and manage energy, water, and waste performance. The adaptive reuse of the historic building also reduced the environmental impact of new construction while preserving the architectural heritage of the neo-Gothic structure.

Location

Despite having lived nearby in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, I hadn’t strolled through this quieter part of the 7th arrondissement before staying at Sax Paris. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I got lost amongst the vegetable-piled stands in the sprawling Saxe-Breteuil marché a block away, behind the École Militaire.

Metro stations Duroc (lines 10 and 13) and Sèvres-Lecourbe (line 6) are five minutes away, but you’ll be within walking distance of Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Musée d’Orsay, and a scenic 35-minute stroll from the Champs-Élysées. From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), it takes about an hour to the hotel via taxi or rideshare services like Uber or Bolt. Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is a 25-minute drive.

Book Now

LXR Hotels & Resorts is part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program, allowing travelers who have accrued status and points to take advantage of benefits such as discounted room rates, daily food and beverage credits, room upgrades, and even complimentary nights. Through Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards, American Express, and partners like Lyft, you can earn and transfer points to Hilton Honors.

Sax Paris is also part of American Express’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program, meaning card members can enjoy perks such as a complimentary fourth night, noon check-in (when available), daily breakfast for two, and more.

Nightly rates at Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts start from $580. 

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.

Whether your perfect summer escape includes sunset sails, mountain breezes, campfire s’mores or all of the aforementioned, you don’t need to travel far to make it happen.

In fact, this summertime magic can be found within a few hours’ drive of big cities like San Francisco, Chicago and Boston. From Cape Cod to the shores of the Columbia River, these hotels beckon with oysters on the deck, hikes through wine country and glamping on the coast. And with each being located within quick driving distance of a major U.S. city, not only are they magical places to call home for a few days, but they’re delightfully convenient, too.

Read on for the 10 city-adjacent points hotels to book for a hassle-free summer getaway, no airport required. Because, as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald famously sang, summertime is about living easy.

Related: The best US glamping resorts for an outdoorsy summer getaway

Alila Ventana Big Sur

This romantic Big Sur resort offers a taste of Northern California at its very best. Picture rustic-chic cabin suites with towering ceilings and hot tubs, hikes through breathtaking coastal scenery and alfresco meals complete with hyper-local wines.

Located three hours from San Francisco, Alila Ventana invites you to “choose your own adventure” against the backdrop of ancient redwoods. This theme starts with where you stay, which could be a fireplace suite, an ocean view villa or a glamping tent under the stars. And during the day, guests can choose from an impressive roster of activities. These range from lively (falconry, axe-throwing, cold-plunging) to utterly relaxing (unwinding at the infinity pool).

And speaking of unwinding, the on-site Spa Alia is a destination in itself, with open-air cabanas and immersive treatments like Reiki healing and craniosacral therapy. As another plus, Alila Ventana is all-inclusive (with some exclusions, such as alcohol), which makes the experience that much more seamless.

Rates at Alila Ventana Big Sur start at $2,200 or 90,000 World of Hyatt points per night for double occupancy, including all meals and various activities.

Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge

With its safari-style tents and stellar settings across the country, Under Canvas has perfected the art of glamping. This summer marks the brand’s debut in the Pacific Northwest, among the lush forests, shimmering waterfalls and cascading rapids of Washington’s Columbia River Gorge — and, no surprise, the property was featured on our list of the most exciting hotel openings of the year.

A 90-minute drive from Portland, Oregon — and just under four hours from Seattle, for those who want to make a road trip of it — Under Canvas is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Guided by the on-site experience coordinator, guests spend their days hiking, biking, kayaking and white water rafting, or sipping their way through local wineries and breweries. (This region is known for its wine- and beer-tasting scene.)

Evenings bring live music and seasonal cuisine by the fire pit before guests retire to their tent accommodations. These glamping tents are expectedly cozy, with king-size beds, gas fireplaces and private bathrooms (each with a shower and flushing toilet, to be exact).

Rates at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge start at $249 or 22,125 World of Hyatt points per night. Please note that this resort is seasonal: The 2025 dates are May 29 to Oct. 27.

Paws Up, Montana

Ask anyone who’s been to Montana and they’ll tell you: The majestic mountains and open skies have to be seen to be believed. And this classic ranch resort gives guests a front-row seat to the magic of summer in Montana.

Located on a sweeping estate consisting of ranch, forest and river, Paws Up is just 30 minutes from Missoula, Montana, and within a four-hour drive of larger cities like Bozeman, Montana and Spokane, Washington. The resort offers a range of accommodations, including cabins, ranch homes and glamping tents, making it ideal for families and groups. Meanwhile, the adults-only sister resort, The Green O, offers utterly dreamy treehouses with floor-to-ceiling windows.

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But the real reason to stay at Paws Up is the experiences, which will satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie, nature lover and cowboy. There are classic activities like horseback riding and fly-fishing, along with high-intensity pursuits like all-terrain-vehicle tours, ropes course challenges and cattle drives. Evenings bring sophisticated cuisine at the resort’s several restaurants, which feature locally sourced ingredients, menus inspired by the surrounding wilds and, of course, fireside s’mores.

Rates at Paws Up are all-inclusive and priced by accommodation type (such as a one-bedroom home) and start at $2,588 per night. Rates include all meals and a daily selection of alcoholic beverages, as well as round-trip airport transfers. This property is available to book using Chase Ultimate Rewards points through The Edit by Chase Travel℠.

AutoCamp Cape Cod

Another top-notch glamping experience is found at Autocamp, which brings a retro vibe to your summer getaway. Located just two hours from Boston, AutoCamp Cape Cod offers classic Airstream accommodations that are decked out in a midcentury style without feeling kitschy.

In addition to the Airstreams, guests can choose between plush cabins and cozy glamping tents, all of which are equipped with kitchenettes, TVs and air conditioning (and heating, for those chilly Cape mornings). Most accommodations have private bathrooms, though some have shared facilities.

AutoCamp enjoys a prime location in Cape Cod’s Falmouth, providing easy access to the beaches of Buzzards Bay and the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for day trips. There are also opportunities for kayaking, biking and wine tasting nearby. On property, AutoCamp curates a lovely summertime atmosphere with live music by the campfire, pop-up oyster tastings and stargazing with a local astronomer (with a NASA-grade telescope, no less). For meals, guests can visit the general store for provisions and grill kits, and there’s an on-site restaurant with a delicious (albeit limited) menu.

Rates at AutoCamp Cape Cod start at $200 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

With its picture-perfect setting between lake and forest, this Ritz-Carlton resort feels worlds away from city life, but it’s just a 90-minute drive from Atlanta. And for the road-trippers, the Georgia resort is under four hours from several cities, including Birmingham, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina.

Guests come to The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds for the setting, but stay for the amenities. There are five (yes, five) golf courses, all offering dramatic scenery and design by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio. There are a 30,000-square-foot spa (CBD-infused body wraps, anyone?) and a tennis center, as well as fishing, boating and water sports on the lake. And the accommodations are ultraplush, with amenities like private patios and Asprey bath products.

Little ones spend time at the resort’s clubhouse, where activities like tent-building and scavenger hunts are offered. Meanwhile, parents can relax by the adults-only infinity pool or, in the evening, savor filet mignon and bourbon pairings at the elegant steakhouse.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee start at $670 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

White Barn Inn

Seaside cottages, sails through the harbor, lobsters on the deck … there is nothing quite like a New England summer. And 90 minutes from Boston, the White Barn Inn serves up coastal elegance on a silver platter.

Located in the town of Kennebunkport, Maine — which offers plenty of eateries, shops and galleries to explore — the hotel has more than 150 years of history. As a result, it’s filled with antique touches like gingham upholstery, oil paintings and fireside reading nooks. The cottage-core theme continues in the rooms and suites, but the design is anything but stuffy (think: elegant four-poster beds, private balconies and soaking tubs). Alternatively, guests can book one of the resort’s private cottages that offer proximity to the peaceful outdoor pool.

Guests of the White Barn Inn spend their days exploring the coast via boat trips, lighthouse tours, hiking, fishing and canoeing. On the property, slower-speed activities like spa rituals and cooking classes beckon. And at the restaurant, guests are treated to elevated Maine cuisine paired with vino from the 7,000-plus-bottle wine cellar.

Rates at the White Barn Inn start at $945 per night. This property is available to book using Chase Ultimate Rewards points through The Edit by Chase Travel. It is also available to book using the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform.

Related: A beginners guide to visiting Acadia National Park

Miraval Austin

To escape the Texas heat, follow the cool breeze to this wellness resort in the Hill Country. Miraval Austin is located 30 minutes from Austin, but San Antonio, Houston and Dallas are all within a three-hour drive.

There’s a lot to love about Miraval, starting with its immersive wellness program. Structured around specific themes (or intentions), the experiences range from floating meditation and aerial yoga to beekeeping, ropes course challenges and — it would seem — everything in between. There’s also plenty to do beyond the spa: Guests can explore the surrounding landscape on foot, by bike or via kayak, or they can simply lounge by the infinity pool overlooking the rolling hills. And at mealtime, guests are treated to ultrafresh seasonal cuisine complete with sustainable wine courtesy of the resort’s sommelier.

To make the Miraval experience feel effortless, a number of all-inclusive packages are offered. These include meals and select wellness activities, as well as a nightly credit to be applied to spa treatments.

Rates at Miraval Austin start at $940 or 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

With its pristine setting and oceanview suites, this St. Regis resort makes a strong case for Florida as a summer destination (even for the most skeptical). The hotel opened in 2024 and brought a heavy dose of luxury to the Gulf Coast — specifically, Longboat Key, which is just over an hour’s drive from Tampa and under three hours from Orlando. A summer getaway here offers all the elegance but at significantly lower rates, including a number of packages through Marriott Bonvoy.

Related: A 500,000-gallon snorkeling lagoon and Champagne at the press of a button: A review of the new St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

Set on an 18-acre beachfront estate, the St. Regis is a true tropical playground. You’ll find a white sand beach, a lazy river, a snorkeling lagoon and an adults-only Cabana club in partnership with Vilebrequin. (Here, everything from the butler uniform to the cocktails is inspired by the brand.) Guests also have a 20,000-square-foot spa, elevated dining and butler service at their disposal.

Another plus: The St. Regis Longboat Key is very family-friendly, with a clubhouse, wildlife education and activities for little ones up to teenagers.

Rates at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort start at $730 or 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Troutbeck

This countryside resort is one of the best in New York’s Hudson Valley, where rolling hills and cultural riches are found just two hours from New York City.

Located on a 250-acre estate in the town of Amenia, Troutbeck has attracted artists and dignitaries for centuries — among them Henry David Thoreau and Theodore Roosevelt. This fact comes as no surprise, as the setting is nothing short of idyllic (picture stone cottages, walled gardens and a footbridge over a babbling brook). Inside, Troutbeck’s vintage charm is on full display with original wood paneling, velvet armchairs and roaring fireplaces.

Troutbeck is all about unwinding in style, whether it’s cocktails by the outdoor pool or yoga in the sun-soaked barn. Many guests come to Troutbeck for the wellness offerings, which range from astrology readings and sound baths to forest bathing and botany facials. And at mealtime, hyperlocal cuisine takes center stage thanks to chef Vincent Gilberti, who is a Hudson Valley local.

Rates at Troutbeck start at $550 per night. This hotel is available to book using the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform.

Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection

For Midwesterners, summer is synonymous with Lake Michigan — and this waterfront resort in Michigan is the perfect place to experience lake life. The Inn at Bay Harbor is a longer drive (four hours from Detroit and over five from Chicago) compared to other properties on this list, but the private beach and lake view accommodations make it worth the trip.

Located on peaceful Little Traverse Bay, the Inn at Bay Harbor offers amenities aplenty, starting with its sprawling setting. There are a sandy beach dotted with red-and-white striped cabanas, golf courses, lawn games and an outdoor pool, all within the property’s manicured grounds. Factor in the serene spa and waterfront dining, and it’s easy to see why guests may happily spend all their time at the resort.

The surrounding area offers tons to do as well, from vineyard-hopping through Michigan’s lush wine country to e-biking along lakefront trails. The resort’s variety of accommodations are another plus: These range from standard rooms to private cottages that sleep up to eight.

Rates at the Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection start at $494 per night. Points rates for this property are not currently available on Marriott’s website.

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Steeped in centuries of history and nestled high in the Andes, Cusco is more than just a gateway to Machu Picchu, it’s a destination worth exploring in its own right. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, the city is full of history, culture, and charm, with a mix of ancient ruins and colonial architecture around every corner – nowhere is that more evident than in its most exclusive hotels. From former monasteries to beautifully restored mansions, these five luxury stays offer not only great comfort and service, but also a real connection to the city’s rich and fascinating past. Read on for Humboldt Travel‘s favourite properties in this beautiful city.

Belmond Monasterio

Right in the centre of Cusco, just a short walk from the buzzing Plaza de Armas, Belmond Hotel Monasterio feels like a peaceful escape into another era. Set in a former 16th-century monastery built atop ancient Inca foundations, the hotel blends centuries-old charm with modern comfort. With its peaceful courtyards and colonial artwork, the hotel gives you a real sense of the city’s past. 

Dining here is an absolute treat, with its restaurant OQRE offering true Peruvian cuisine with views across the leafy courtyard, and El Tupay, serving seasonal international cuisine with live opera in the candlelight lounge three nights a week.  

Monasterio is more than just a luxury hotel – it’s a place of total tranquillity to rest after your busy days exploring the surrounding area. 

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Tucked behind ancient stone walls in a quiet corner of Cusco, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is an urban sanctuary, filled with a discreet sense of elegance.  

Once a 17th-century convent, the hotel blends rich history with contemporary flair. Each suite feels like a private haven, filled with handwoven textiles, carved wood and colonial-style décor, each with access to the only outdoor heated pool in the city. The pool is the perfect spot to unwind after a day in the Andes, and the spa, inspired by Incan healing, adds a deeper layer of relaxation.  

Whether you’re dining on Andean cuisine at Mauka or sipping a refreshing pisco sour by the pool, the experience is intimate and unforgettable. 

Inkaterra La Casona

Located in a quiet plaza in the heart of Cusco, Inkaterra La Casona is a beautifully restored 16th-century manor house that feels more like a private home than a hotel. 

Surrounding the peaceful courtyard, its 11 suites each have chimneys, heated floors and extra-large bathtubs. The manor is decorated with colonial furniture, Pre-Columbian textiles and original murals, blending colonial character with modern touches. 

The service is warm and discreet, with no formal reception desk, just a dedicated team there to anticipate your every need. After exploring Cusco, you can unwind with a locally inspired spa treatment or enjoy a quiet tea in the lounge. It is understated luxury at its finest – quiet, soulful and deeply connected to the spirit and history of the city. 

Casa Cartagena

Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa is where history and modern elegance intertwine, offering an experience as rich and captivating as the city itself. 

Once a 16th-century colonial mansion and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel now features 15 spacious suites, each with private balconies, arranged around a serene courtyard. Each suite combines original architectural details with contemporary amenities, including oxygen-enriched air systems to ease the effects of high altitude. 

You can unwind at the spa, which offers treatments inspired by Andean traditions, or relax in the indoor hydro-massage pool and sauna. The on-site restaurant, La Bodega de la Chola, serves elevated Peruvian cuisine, cocktails and canapés for intimate dining experiences beneath Cusco’s starry sky. 

With its attentive service, historical ambiance and modern comforts, Casa Cartagena provides an intimate and memorable experience in the heart of Cusco. 

Palacio del Inka

Considered a historic landmark, Palacio del Inka offers a rich tapestry of history and elegance. The hotel is housed in a 500-year-old mansion set across from the ancient QoriKancha Temple, just minutes from the main square of Cusco. 

A bigger hotel, Palacio del Inka has 203 individually-designed rooms and suites with feature vaulted, hand-painted ceilings, baroque antiques and Hispanic art which embraces traditional Peruvian culture. 

After a day of sightseeing, you can unwind at the Andes Spirit Spa and dine at the on-site Inti Raymi restaurant which provides a culinary journey through Peruvian flavours, complemented by a selection of fine wines.  

With its blend of timeless architecture, thoughtful luxury, and unbeatable location, Palacio del Inka offers an immersive stay that captures the very essence of Cusco. 

Whether you’re visiting Cusco to marvel at the ancient wonders of the Sacred Valley, soak up the city’s colonial charm, or simply unwind, where you stay can shape your whole experience. These five luxury hotels offer more than just beautiful rooms – they give you a deeper connection to the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. With thoughtful service, stunning settings, and a strong sense of place, each one helps make your time in Cusco truly unforgettable. 

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Greece has been among the world’s most iconic holiday destinations for a very long time, yet many tend to skip Athens and fly straight onwards to one of the small islands which are dotted all around the mainland. However, the Greek capital has lots to offer so I made a list of hotels which you need to consider when visiting Athens.

Funnily enough, there’s only one in the city centre while all the rest are 20 to 30 minutes away in the Athenian Riviera, but these will give you so much more in return. Space, beach, tranquility… let’s dive into it.

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel

Located a mere 25 minutes from the Acropolis on its own privately owned peninsula, overlooking the bay of Laimos in Vouliagmeni, this hotel needs no introduction. The original Astir Palace built in the 60’s was the hotspot for national and international movie stars who would either come over to enjoy their holidays or to film their next production. Fast forward to recent times when Four Seasons took over and reopened the hotel in 2019 where it got voted number 35 in The World’s Best 50 hotels in 2023. Suffice to say that this place has it all. The location allows the hotel to use all the space it wants to, and as a result there are 2 main buildings (Nafsika and Arion) and on top of that there are several bungalows dotted around one of the many bays.

What immediately stood out to me when I first arrived, was the fact that it doesn’t look or feel like a 300 bedroom hotel, on the contrary. Of course, with the different buildings and bungalows spread out over the area, everything instantly becomes much more relaxed and less crowded. The busiest part is probably the main pool area which is surrounded by bars, restaurants and even a kids club, but then still it’s a nice place to relax. One of the highlights for me is the view you get from most of the property, which is stunning due to the fact that the hotel is built onto a cliff. Another part you can’t miss out on is the Athens Spa which is truly an oasis within the whole complex. If food is your thing then you better extend your stay to try all of the restaurants out cause there are more than a handful. And if that’s still not enough for you, they offer a free transfer within a 3 km radius to visit any of the restaurants in the area outside the hotel. All in all, a property that is hard not to like.

Anthology of Athens

This newly opened boutique hotel is the one to go for if you really want to stay in the centre of Athens. Not only is it right across the Temple of Olympian Zeus, it’s also a stone’s throw away from the famous Acropolis. It’s as if you would open up your history book and plant a hotel right in the middle of the Greek chapter. With only 12 rooms and 6 suites you need to be quick to secure some space, but when you do, you’ll be in for a real treat. The rooms and suites are modern yet you still feel at home from the moment you walk in. Too many hotels nowadays are clinical, cold and lack soul. Luckily that’s not the case at Anthology of Athens.

One of the absolute highlights of this hotel is The Botany, a fine-dining rooftop restaurant which offers some of the most incredible views over the Acropolis. The outdoor garden just adds to the overall feeling of dining al fresco. But what to do on a rainy day? No worries, the Balaneion Spa is the perfect place to spend some quality time while escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Boutique hotels often tend to forget how important it is to provide these relaxation options for their guests, but nothing of that at the Anthology of Athens. it might be small in size but it’s grand in service and style.

The Roc Club

Like some other hotels mentioned here, this boutique property is located in Vouliagmeni, a short drive from the city centre. With views over the bay, it’s the perfect place to wind down and truly soak up the local vibes of Athens in the area. It’s also right next to the Vougliameni Lake, which is a stunning lake surrounded by impressive caves and verdant nature. it even has thermal springs which suppose to have healing energy. However, it’s not only to be found at the lake cause from the moment you step into The Roc Club you’ll feel there’s an energy present. Smiles all around, a warm welcome and instantly a glass of bubbly to get you in the holiday moon. The Roc Club, which is part of the famous Grecotel brand by the way, nails the brief when it comes to first impressions.

The rooms and suites are light with beautiful interiors that go perfectly with the stunning outdoor vistas. But this is Greece so you want to be outside as much as you can, and The Roc Pool is one of my favourite places to do so. Not only is the pool partially surrounded by the rock on which the hotel is built, it’s also great to see the different small terraces all around where you can create your own little oasis with sun loungers and so on. The pool bar is just the cherry on the cake but who am I to go against it. Another gem is The Roc Rooftop, from which you have of course the best views over the bay. But, enjoying those while savouring some of the traditional Mediterranean cuisine which is served over here, makes it all the more special. And then there’s the art which is literally omnipresent throughout the property and adds a dash of colour. If you look for that hidden gem in the Athenian Riviera, then you must certainly put The Roc Club on your radar.

One & Only Aesthesis

This architectural marvel is located in Glyfada, some 20 minutes south west of the city centre. Much like the Four Seasons you feel like entering a secluded oasis within striking distance of the Greek capital. It offers room, suites, bungalows and villas up to 6 bedrooms so it will be tough not to find the ideal accommodation for you and whoever you decide to bring along. The style is a mix of sleek modern with a definite Southern European twist. On a culinary front you’ll be treated to some superb Mediterranean cuisine but if you like a change you’ll be able to transport your tastebuds to Peru or Japan thanks to Manko and Sumosan, their speciality restaurants.

In terms of experiences there’s very little that isn’t possible. From the gorgeous tennis and padel courts, to the stunning pools, amazing fitness centre and the fun-filled kids club, it’s all here. Speaking of which , the One & Only Aesthesis is truly a family friendly hotel where your little ones will equally enjoy their time as much as you do. And while your kids are having a good time all around the property, you’ll have time to visit the stunning Guerlain spa. It’s the first of its kind in Greece and allows for some superb tailor-made facial and body treatments. And if you fear getting bored with the property then there’s always the option to take the speedboat to the One & Only Kea Island which is located less than an hour away yet makes you feel like you’re in a whole new region.

The Margi

A final boutique hotel which you certainly need to consider is The Margi. A sleek property located in the same area as The Four Seasons Astir Palace and The Roc Club, but with a style of its own. Modern lines welcome you while an eclectic art collection spices things up to make sure you never get bored walking around this hotel. Over 10 room categories are offered, making sure there’s a perfect fit for every guest, and if you decide to come over with family or friends there’s the stunning 4-bedroom villa that will make your Greek holiday dream come true. If that’s not enough, I suggest you go the the wellness area where you’ll quickly pick up the eastern influences, unless you step into the gym which is located in the same spot, but here you’ll pick up weights instead.

One thing that stands out at The Margi is the food, which truly stands out. Why? Well, it’s because the hotel has its own organic farm just a few kilometres down the road, from which it gets all the fresh produce every day. And that freshness truly translates in amazing flavours on your plate. Add to that their amazing wine cellar (or cocktails if that’s more up your alley) and you know you’re in the right place. But why not take it a step further and visit the farm itself, pick some vegetables yourself and get them prepped by the chef on site while you enjoy a Greek bbq extravaganza. It doesn’t get more local than that, but that’s the beauty of Greek hospitality.

Of course there are still loads of other places to stay and enjoy your time in Athens and the Athenian riviera, but when you pick any of these 5, you can rest assured that the Greek Gods will be enviously looking over your shoulder!

Kristof Eyckmans

Kristof Eyckmans is a travel writer from Antwerp, Belgium. He’s been living all across the globe and while he loves wildlife and nature, he can still enjoy a good urban jungle.