The world’s most exceptional hotels are more than just luxury experiences as they seamlessly blend innovation and unparalleled allure.
Have you ever thought about traveling and staying at a hotel with an experience that is second to none? While opulent stays exist globally, there are also exceptional hotels that transcend mere accommodation as they intertwine innovation, stellar hospitality, and awe-inspiring designs. These places redefine the essence of hospitality through immersive experiences and scenic views that extend beyond traditional vacations.
Read on to explore exceptional hotels that are clad in 24-karat gold, ethereal hotels made of ice, thermal glass igloos, beautiful desert lodgings, and a palatial stay surrounded by a lake.
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Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel
If the idea of spending your vacation among gold entices you, Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel is for you. It boasts amenities and furnitures that are gold plated.
The five-star hotel offers 342 rooms and suites. These rooms highlight top-of-the-line mattresses and imperial-style interiors accentuated with gold-plated designs and furniture. Some rooms, like the Penthouse and the Premiere Lake View King, have gorgeous views of the Giang Vo lake.
Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake also has eight meeting rooms, a golden infinity pool, fitness facilities, and a spa.
It has three food establishments throughout the hotel. F29 Golden Beef Restaurant, from the name itself, specializes in beef dishes. The chef carefully selects and skillfully processes each piece. Majesty All-day Dining showcases diverse cuisine from Asia to Europe. Meanwhile, Golden Lake Palace Restaurant serves up sumptuous Chinese dishes.
The hotel’s prime location has convenient access to popular attractions such as Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, and West Lake.
Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Sweden’s Icehotel is the world’s first and largest hotel built out of snow and ice. Icehotel Winter makes new renditions every winter for the last three decades with brand new art to experience. It is available to book from December to April. Lucky travelers just might witness seeing the Northern Lights while on vacation, too.
Icehotel has up to 20 standard rooms with its decor and bed made of ice. They also have art rooms which consist of uniquely-themed ice sculptures.
The exceptional hotel, due to its dreamy and unusual structures, make it an ideal venue for special occasions, like winter weddings. The ice ceremony hall has its walls and ceilings made of snow and can accommodate up to 40 people.
During spring or summer, when the snow melts, they have a 365 structure which stays icy all year round.
Not a fan of winter? They have warm accommodations that cater to guests who prefer cozier vacations, which comprises themed cabins and the 44-room Kaamos hotel.
The hotel provides Nordic flavors made of fresh ingredients from the region’s rivers, mountains, marshes, and forests. These flavors seamlessly blend with international influences. Have drinks in their Icebar, where vacationers can sip cocktails out of ice glasses.
Visit their website for other details and activities.
Finland’s Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a family hotel in Finnish Lapland and is 250 kilometers from the Arctic Circle. Its surrounding environment is one of the cleanest places tourists would find anywhere in the world. The clean water is pure that anyone could drink from a running stream. Finland is also one of the safest countries in the world. These factors make Kakslauttanen one of the most exceptional hotels globally.
What makes the Kakslauttanen stay unique is that aside from their traditional houses and numerous chalets, their glass igloos make for a beguiling vacation. Its structures provide a strong shield against the faintest noise from the woods or the cold temperatures outside.
Their two restaurants, West Village Aurora and East Village Kelo offer local Lappish cuisine that includes elk and reindeer.
View Kakslauttanen’s art gallery and planetarium, Santa’s House, event venues, and summer, fall, and winter activities on their website.
India’s Taj Lake Palace
Taj Lake Palace is a jewel that floats in the middle of Lake Pichola. It is a building made of marble locally sourced from Rajnagar, India. Its location makes most rooms breathtaking through its breathtaking views of the lake, city, and hills. Taj Lake was the venue of James Bond’s film, Octopussy, which contributed to its popularity.
The hotel has 65 rooms and 18 grand suites. These rooms are all adorned with traditional Indian silks and dark teak tree furniture. Some suites also have Rajasthani artwork and sheer fabrics, adding a cultural touch within the amenities.
The Palace serves signature specialty restaurants for a choice of cuisines. Neel Kamal provides Indian dishes while Bhairo is the go-to for contemporary European food. Jharokha is an informal all-day dining restaurant with a fusion of global flavors. Guests may also indulge at Amrit Sagar, a bar with a vast collection of martinis, cocktails, and international spirits.
Guests arrive in a Badi Pal Jetty boat where they are welcomed like royalty. The hotel provides a heritage walk for tourists where they get an insider’s perspective on the structures. Spa boat sessions and arrangements for a city tour are also available onboard.
Visit their website for other activities and information about Taj Lake Palace.
Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah
Amangiri is a 900-acre property nestled within the desert landscape of Canyon Point, Utah. It embodies minimalist luxury in its design and ethos and it is surrounded by towering plateaus and rock formations. It provides a sanctuary for those seeking adventure and tranquility in the American southwest region.
What makes Amangiri among exceptional hotels globally is due to its world-class suites right within nature’s territory. Each suite has outdoor lounges, fireplaces, and expansive desert views. Some rooms have private pools or roof terraces. For adventurous travelers who crave for a wilderness experience, Camp Sarika has tented pavilions with indoor living and dining areas, fire pits, and plunge pools just nearby the main resort. All stays include daily meals for two, in-room beverages, wellness classes, guided hikes, and on-property trails.
Dining experiences at the hotel offer culinary traditions rooted in the region. Guests may indulge in a fusion of American southwest dishes with global influences at the main resort restaurant. Camp Sarika has a changing seasonal dinner menu with local offerings for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea at their main pavilion.
Amangiri also has fitness facilities and wellness activities like yoga on the rocks, therapies, pilates, and spas. They also have ATV tours, hikes, helicopter tours, and lake explorations, among other activities.
Banner photo via Instagram @kakslauttanen_arctic_resort.
