We all love a bit of luxury, but there is so much more to making a hotel really memorable. I recently asked 5 well-respected travel bloggers what were their favourite luxury, boutique or eco-chic hotels. They replied with a very interesting mix, from the ultimate in luxury to something a little more unusual.
For the ultimate in luxury
For out-and-out luxury Paul Johnson the Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog recommends Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
“A Rolls Royce transfer from the station to the hotel, a live harpist at breakfast, its own ski store and boot fitting service in the basement, tennis courts that are transformed into an ice rink in the winter, and an original Raphael painting just off the main lobby, are just some of the things you can expect. Guests are extremely well catered for at Badrutt’s – at a price, of course – explaining why they have an impressive 75% of their guests are repeats.” Paul Johnson
You can read Paul’s feature on Badrutt’s Palace on A Luxury Travel Blog and follow on Twitter and Facebook.
Escape to the woods
Part-time traveller, full-time travel obsessive, Lucy blogs at On the Luce, helping inspire other independent travellers to make the most of their travel time, balancing it with time for family, friends and work. Lucy recommends O Bar O Cabins as the perfect place to escape to.
Your very own cabin in the woods
“After a hectic two weeks road-tripping the southwest USA, I was more than ready to retreat for a while, and found the perfect place at O Bar O Cabins in Colorado. They have nine self catering cabins, sleeping two–six people, tucked away among the pine forests on the banks of the Florida River. You might be in a cabin in the woods, but that doesn’t mean you’re roughing it – each cabin is stocked with Egyptian cotton linen, spa toiletries, fresh flowers and a cosy fireplace. But there are little decorative touches like the cow print curtains and antler light fittings to remind you where you are – the owners call it ‘Urban Western Style’. There’s great fishing and walks right outside, but I wasn’t going much further than the hot tub under the stars with a glass of wine.” Lucy
Comfort in your cabin
Read Lucy review in full at On the Luce and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Cosy comfort close to nature
Heather Cowper from Heather on her Travels recommends the Prince Hall Country House Hotel as a cosy base with Dartmoor on your doorstep.
“Prince Hall is a small country house hotel on Dartmoor, a part of England that I’ve grown to love for its wild landscapes and great walking. The hotel is furnished in an eclectic mix of country-house chic with exotic Moroccan touches and full of the work of local artists. The food is outstanding and you’re right on the moor with glorious walking on your doorstep, and of course your dog will be very welcome too.” Heather
The lovely view from the Prince Hall Hotel, Dartmoor
Heather shares her travel stories, videos and podcasts at Heather on her Travels and you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. Read Heather’s review of the Prince Hall Hotel here.
Eco-chic paradise
Monica Stott is the travel blogger behind The Travel Hack, a blog about her search for stylish adventures around the world. For comfort with a concience she recommends this stunning eco-resort in Jamaica.
“The most incredible eco-resort I’ve ever stayed in was called Great Huts in Jamaica. They describe it as ‘Paradise on the Edge’ and I can’t think of a better description myself. In north-east Jamaica this is a small eco-resort with tree houses, tents and bamboo huts carved into the landscape of the cliffs. From the distance you can barely see the huts are there because they blend in with the surroundings so well. Everything is very natural and my bathroom was hidden away in the garden with a bath carved into the rock overlooking the sea. We’d fill the bath with cold water in the morning and by evening it was perfectly hot. There are some luxurious touches like incredible food and drink, yoga and massages but who needs luxury when you’ve got views like this.” Monica
Monica’s cliff-top bathroom
Follow Monica on Twitter and Facebook and see more lovely photos of Great Huts in her post A photo journey through Jamaica.
The ultimate in quirky
If you love something a little different, Suzanne Courtney recommends Goreme – Fairy Chimneys and Cave Hotels.
Kelebek Cave Hote
Inside your fairy chimney
Further articles you might enjoy
Top 5 Central & South American Eco Resorts
The Modern Honolulu, one of Hawaii’s most fashionable boutique hotel
Nilaya Hermitage, Goa
Boutique Travel Blog’s founder and editor, Kathryn, also blogs at TravelWithKat.com where she shares her passion for discovering new countries, cultures and cuisines.
Could you tell me more about prices in cave hotel and st.Moritz. Thanks Alex
Hi Alex, The Kelebek Cave Hotel’s website states single rooms are from 44 euros and doubles from 55 euros per night. Here’s the link for more information Kelebek room rates.
And you can find prices for Bradrutt’s Palace here
I like this, lovely to see such varied suggestions. A favourite hotel is sometimes somewhere bling (loved the Chedi and Qasr al Sarab recently) and sometimes associated with good memories (got engaged at the Bull, Bridport) and then sometimes is just lovely because it is different (Strawberry Hill, Jamaica or Sycamore Avenue Treehouses in the Drakensberg, SA). Well done from drawing attention to the fact that luxury isn’t just about $$$!
It was really interesting to read each persons pick as they are all so different. And yes, luxury isn’t just about the glitz and glamour. Still can’t get over that bathroom in the sunshine!
Well, what wonderful experiences staying at any of those amazing places. I’ve stayed in Cappadocia in a cave hotel and the experience was truly unique and a real luxury stay.
Picking my favourite was between Great Huts and the fairy chimneys of Cappodocia. I’m always drawn to the sea but there is something romantic and fun about these cave hotels. I do hope I get to stay there myself one day.
Thanks for including A Luxury Travel Blog, Kat! You have a lovely varied selection here… that cave hotel looks like a lot of fun. Long time since I’ve been to Turkey and have never visited Cappadocia – somewhere I’d love to go one day.
Thank you so much for contributing to the post, Paul. We were really intrigued by people’s choices – great variety indeed!
Quite a mix of hotels here. Some great ideas, thanks.
I could see myself staying at any one of these places.
A great selection of places – thanks for including mine. I’d love to stay in any of them but the idea of the cave hotel is probably my favourite, such a unique experience!
Lovely collection of hotels and resorts. I’d love to spend some time there. All are look beautiful. Thanks for sharing.