The best luxury hotels in the world and where to find them

We’ve handpicked a selection of the best luxury hotels in the world to inspire your next vacation, so you can pick the perfect place to pamper yourself while exploring a new destination. 

From couples-only resorts, to historic properties, ultra-luxury spas, safari lodges in the middle of the African savanna and some of the world's most beautiful hotels, these luxury hotels around the globe rise above the rest for their impeccable design, exceptional resort amenities, amazing swimming pools and stunning locations.

No idea where you want to go next? Let us help you decide with our carefully chosen pick of the best luxury hotels in the world right now...

Our pick of the best luxury hotels in the world in 2022

1. Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco

An exclusive getaway designed by talents like Karl Lagerfeld and Jacques Garcia, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is one of Monaco’s most ritzy addresses. The five-star Belle-Époque hotel dates back to 1886, and with 126 sophisticated rooms and suites, marble bathrooms featuring Hermès toiletries, and a heated salt-water pool, you’ll be hard-pressed to leave this place. Plus, there are two Michelin-starred restaurants onsite: Robuchon, serving gourmet Mediterranean fare, and Japanese restaurant Yoshi. 

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: The Hotel Metropole is built on land which previously belonged to Pope Leon XIII.

Room prices start at €357 (£304/$402) for the night. Find out more about Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo and book a stay here.

2. Shangri-La Paris, France

Paris is one of the best places to visit in Europe and the Shangri-La is one of the city's most famous hotels - and of the best luxury hotels in the world. Th grand hotel in the 16th arrondissement of Paris won Global Hotel of the Year in 2021 at the World Luxury Hotel Awards. Equipped with marble bathrooms with heated floors, terraces, and views of the glittering Eiffel Tower in the upgraded spaces, the 100 rooms and suites at the Shangri-La Paris emanate sophistication. Among its three onsite dining options is Shang Palace, a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant led by Chef Samuel Lee. 

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge:  Shangri-La Paris occupies the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grandnephew. 

Room prices start at £1,173/$1,609 for the night. Find out more about Shangri-La Paris and book a stay here.

3. The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Indonesia

Offering sweeping views over the Indian Ocean, and surrounded by a verdant tropical garden and white sand beaches, The Apurva Kempinski Bali was the overall winner of the 2020 World Luxury Hotel Awards–and deservedly so. Take a refreshing dip in the property’s 60-metre swimming pool, enjoy breakfast in the exclusive Cliff Lounge, or escape to the hotel's private beach. In the evening, dine under the night sky on the second floor of the sophisticated Pala Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, and feast on the array of local and international cuisines made at the live cooking stations. 

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: The Apurva Kempinski Bali boasts three oceanfront chapels that are equipped to host intimate wedding ceremonies of up to 100 guests with world-class views.

Room prices start at £157/$215 for the night. Find out more about The Apurva Kempinski Bali and book a stay here.

4. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Spanning 30 acres in the US Virgin Islands, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas reopened in 2019 following a $100-million renovation after 2017’s Hurricane Irma. The property sits on the fine white sands of Great Bay on the east end of the island. Lounge in the remodelled 38-meter long, infinity edge pool or board Lady Lynsey II, the property’s own catamaran, for daily trips to nearby islands, breathtaking sunset sails or snorkeling tours.

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: Take part in daily rum tastings at the resort, which includes locally produced spirits infused with pineapple, mango, and passion fruit.

Room prices start at £808/$1099 for the night. Find out more about The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and book a stay here.

5. Singita Pamushana, Zimbabwe

Eight elegant villas and secluded suites make up Singita Pamushana Lodge, a remote getaway set within the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe’s southeast. Each villa has its own private plunge pools, plus there’s a communal infinity pool where guests can swim while enjoying the expansive views of the lush forests and Malilangwe Dam below. To reach the property, catch a direct flight from Johannesburg to the Buffalo Range airport, or board a privately chartered plane for the Lonestar airstrip, an easy 25-minute ride from Singita Pamushana. Surrounded by wild landscapes, guests can observe elephants and white-backed vultures in their natural habitat.  

Stars: 4*

Luxurious insider knowledge: This lodge is also home to a wine cellar that boasts some of Africa's most sought after vintage wines.

Room prices start at £1535/$2087 for the night. Find out more about Singita Pamushana Lodge and book a stay here.

6. Fregate Island, Seychelles

Feel one with nature on Fregate, one of 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago. 17 stunning villas occupy this island, all complete with their own infinity pools that look out over the Indian Ocean. Fregate Island can be reached from Mahé Island via a 1.5-hour ferry ride or 20-minute helicopter trip. With seven beaches, two large, communal palm-fringed infinity pools, a luxury spa, and wine cellar among its long list of facilities, there’s plenty to do on the island. 

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: For complete privacy, you can book the entire 720-acre island for yourself and your closest friends.

Room prices start at £4,305/$5,852 for the night. Find out more about Fregate Island and book a stay here.

7. Casa San Agustín, Colombia

This upscale colonial-style hotel in Cartagena is designed with a 300-year old aqueduct as its focal point, and the property oozes with historic charm. It’s home to 31 airy guestrooms and suites and is flanked by the globally renowned Alma Restaurant, which serves a mouthwatering variety of traditional dishes, like ceviche and lobster tail. A rooftop solarium provides stunning views of one of the country’s most iconic cities, and elsewhere on the property, guests can splash in the courtyard’s hotel pool.  

Stars: 4*

Luxurious insider knowledge: Book a trip to Acasí Private Beach on the island of Barú, which is reserved exclusively for guests at Casa San Agustín.

Room prices start at £364/$495 for the night. Find out more about Casa San Agustín and book a stay here.

8. Hotel Colline de France, Brazil

This French-inspired luxury hotel was the highest-rated stay in the world on TripAdvisor in 2021. The 34 elegant suites that make up Hotel Colline de France are adorned in hand-carved furniture, marble bathrooms, and its beds dressed in the softest sheets made from 300 thread count Egyptian cotton. Situated in a quiet neighborhood some two kilometres from the centre of Gramado, Hotel Colline de France provides its guests with a slice of France in Brazil. Start your day with a breakfast buffet of croissants, baguettes, and brioches. Dine at the romantic onsite bistro and feast on quintessentially French dishes, like boeuf bourguignon, a beef stew braised in red wine, and canard aux framboises, duck breast with raspberry sauce. 

Stars: 4*

Luxurious insider knowledge: Their onsite spa offers a kids menu, with treatments like chocolate masks and foot scrubs for the young ones to indulge in.

Room prices start at £102/$141 for the night. Find out more about Hotel Colline de France and book a stay here.

9. Mahali Mzuri, Masai Mara, Kenya

Luxury safari camp Mahali Mzuri in Kenya was voted number one in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards survey in 2021. Mahali Mzuri means 'beautiful place' in Swahili and this luxury hotel certainly lives up to the name. Surrounded by endless plains in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, this all-inclusive lodge boasts twelve tented suites, each equipped with claw-foot baths, terraces with savannah views, and some with plush four-poster beds. 

During your visit, tour a local Maasai village, explore the Masai Mara National Reserve or book a hot air balloon safari to see the region’s sprawling savannahs and snaking rivers from above. 

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: Home to a range of wild animals like elephants, lions, and zebras, Mahali Mzuri also provides a front-row seat to the Great Wildebeest Migration, which happens between July and October each year. This luxury hotel is one of the best places to visit in September or October for adults-only vacations, while the kids are still in school. 

Room prices start at £889/$1220 for the night. Find out more about Mahali Mzuri and book a stay here.

10. La Mamounia, Morocco

Occupying a 12th-century royal estate, La Mamounia in Marrakech enjoys a convenient location less than 15 minutes on foot from vibrant Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s main market square. This widely awarded luxury hotel preserves its Moroccan heritage in its architecture and fine design details, with intricate mosaic tiles and ornate marble fountains displayed throughout the property. Enjoy a poolside breakfast each morning, dine at one of four diverse onsite restaurants, and cap off the night with a cocktail at one of the property’s four sleek bars.

Stars: 5*

Luxurious insider knowledge: The history of La Mamounia dates back to the 18th century, when the Alaouite Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah gifted 13 hectares of orchards - now the gardens of La Mamounia - to his son as a wedding gift. 

Room prices start at £370/$507 for the night. Find out more about La Mamounia and book a stay here.