Kiwi Curated
Hotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
by Joy PecknoldRight about now, when the comforts of home are all too familiar, we could go for something wildly different, as in see-it-to-believe-it landscapes and no-holds-barred décor. Be it a decadently ‘70s suite in Paris or a luxury riverside tent in the Cambodian jungle, these unconventional properties feel nothing like home—save for the fact they all come with big cozy beds.
Hotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
Perched atop boulders, Zannier Hotels Sonop is the very definition of desert oasis. Rising from out-of-this-world terrain, where wildlife oryxes, leopards and jackals roam, each luxury tent takes style inspiration from the early, well-to-do explorers, with four poster beds, clawfoot tubs and classic telescopes.
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On the Tmor Rung River between three of Cambodia’s oldest parks, Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild is wildly different in every sense. A stay here serves to support conversation of this lush river valley, and what a stay it would be, lazing about on custom furnishings surrounded by green and a symphony of rushing water.
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A playground for 18th-century Indian aristocracy, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur ticks all the wow boxes. Not content to just be alongside Lake Pichola, it actually hovers over the water delivering 360-degree views. Inside, it’s all intricate fabrics, fresco flourishes and artful woodwork.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
A monastery given new life, Argos in Cappadocia has turned its ancient tunnels and caves into a luxury hideaway. The Splendid suites are aptly named as they come with swim-through cave pools. Step outside around sunrise or sunset and see the sky fill with hot air balloons.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
“Unusual luxury” is the phrase they throw around at Sinner Paris. For starters, reception at the Marais hotel is scented with frankincense and features a Templars-inspired, candle-lit crypt filled with curiosities. The unexpectedness continues down the brooding hallways and up in the Justine Suite with its dark walls, red tiled tub and Michel Ducroy-designed Togo sofa.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
The work of famed interior decorator Jacques Garcia, Selman Marrakech has all the elaborate archways, rich textiles, eye-catching tilework and dramatic lighting one could possibly dream of in one place. Then they have their very own stud of Arabian horses.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
Once a hermitage, adults-only Eremito – Hotelito de Alma retains its rustic, monastic charms. Nestled in a natural reserve in Umbria, it’s positively pastoral, with yoga and meditation courses on offer to further ones disconnection from urban stresses.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
Billed as the world’s first five-star underground resort, Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is the closest one can get to living in the future. Built into the side of an old quarry, the hotel has nightly water shows and two underwater floors featuring suites with saltwater aquariums. It’s also an adventure wonderland—rock climb, zip line or bungee jump.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
Formerly a Baroque-style Baptist church, Central London’s L’oscar gleams in gold, jewel-toned velvet and birds lit from within—another opulent design dreamt up by Jacques Garcia. Fitting it should be so theatrical given the theatre district is just a stroll away.
VIEW HOTELHotels That Don’t Feel Like Home
Those who’ll never be royals can at least live like one at Ashford Castle. Once home to Lord Ardilaun and the Guinness family, this 13th-century castle on 350 acres is also royally outfitted with grand chandeliers, canopy beds, marble baths and bold, botanical wallpapers.
VIEW HOTELPerched atop boulders, Zannier Hotels Sonop is the very definition of desert oasis. Rising from out-of-this-world terrain, where wildlife oryxes, leopards and jackals roam, each luxury tent takes style inspiration from the early, well-to-do explorers, with four poster beds, clawfoot tubs and classic telescopes.
VIEW HOTELOn the Tmor Rung River between three of Cambodia’s oldest parks, Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild is wildly different in every sense. A stay here serves to support conversation of this lush river valley, and what a stay it would be, lazing about on custom furnishings surrounded by green and a symphony of rushing water.
VIEW HOTELA playground for 18th-century Indian aristocracy, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur ticks all the wow boxes. Not content to just be alongside Lake Pichola, it actually hovers over the water delivering 360-degree views. Inside, it’s all intricate fabrics, fresco flourishes and artful woodwork.
VIEW HOTELA monastery given new life, Argos in Cappadocia has turned its ancient tunnels and caves into a luxury hideaway. The Splendid suites are aptly named as they come with swim-through cave pools. Step outside around sunrise or sunset and see the sky fill with hot air balloons.
VIEW HOTEL“Unusual luxury” is the phrase they throw around at Sinner Paris. For starters, reception at the Marais hotel is scented with frankincense and features a Templars-inspired, candle-lit crypt filled with curiosities. The unexpectedness continues down the brooding hallways and up in the Justine Suite with its dark walls, red tiled tub and Michel Ducroy-designed Togo sofa.
VIEW HOTELThe work of famed interior decorator Jacques Garcia, Selman Marrakech has all the elaborate archways, rich textiles, eye-catching tilework and dramatic lighting one could possibly dream of in one place. Then they have their very own stud of Arabian horses.
VIEW HOTELOnce a hermitage, adults-only Eremito – Hotelito de Alma retains its rustic, monastic charms. Nestled in a natural reserve in Umbria, it’s positively pastoral, with yoga and meditation courses on offer to further ones disconnection from urban stresses.
VIEW HOTELBilled as the world’s first five-star underground resort, Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is the closest one can get to living in the future. Built into the side of an old quarry, the hotel has nightly water shows and two underwater floors featuring suites with saltwater aquariums. It’s also an adventure wonderland—rock climb, zip line or bungee jump.
VIEW HOTELFormerly a Baroque-style Baptist church, Central London’s L’oscar gleams in gold, jewel-toned velvet and birds lit from within—another opulent design dreamt up by Jacques Garcia. Fitting it should be so theatrical given the theatre district is just a stroll away.
VIEW HOTELThose who’ll never be royals can at least live like one at Ashford Castle. Once home to Lord Ardilaun and the Guinness family, this 13th-century castle on 350 acres is also royally outfitted with grand chandeliers, canopy beds, marble baths and bold, botanical wallpapers.
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