10 Unique Hotels That Turn Every Stay Into a Story

A Cycladic dream, Cali Mykonos is perched above a private beach, away from the island’s lively party scene. The 130-meter infinity pool, the longest in Mykonos, blends seamlessly with the Aegean, while suites come with private seawater pools. Dining is equally exquisite, with a zero-waste philosophy and farm-to-table ingredients starring in Mediterranean and sushi creations. The hotel is also entirely self-sufficient, drawing on solar energy, purified seawater, and natural stone architecture for an eco-conscious luxury experience.

An icon of Venetian splendor, Hotel Cipriani has hosted everyone from royalty to Hollywood legends since its opening in 1956. Tucked away on Giudecca Island, this Belmond gem offers postcard-perfect views of St. Mark’s Square, Michelin-starred dining, and a lush retreat where Casanova once roamed. The Dogaressa Suite, with its pink marble bathroom and exclusive rose-infused toiletries, is an ode to Venice’s noble past. And let’s not forget, this is the birthplace of the Bellini cocktail, best enjoyed at sunset on Cip’s Club terrace.

The Lana is a towering work of art by Foster + Partners, seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with old-world glamour. Inside, rooms are bathed in soft pinks and creams, with panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa. Guests can indulge at Jara, where a 12-time Michelin-starred chef brings Basque flavors to life, or sip cocktails at Bitter Honey, an intimate 20-seater cocktail haven. The Dior Spa offers couture-inspired wellness, including Dior Stone Therapy and D-sculpt treatments. Don’t miss their stunning pool, it’s one of a kind.

A wild paradise far from Bali’s crowds, Cap Karoso is a sanctuary where coral reefs, turquoise lagoons, and megalithic tombs create a one-of-a-kind retreat. Built with sustainability at its heart, the hotel features a biological farm and an artist-in-residence program, where global creatives collaborate with Sumbanese artisans. Guests can unwind in nature-inspired suites with ocean views, or savor rotating chef-led experiences at Julang, an intimate dining concept where the menu changes with each visiting chef.

This Studio 54-inspired luxury hotel occupies a former 19th-century townhouse in Fitzrovia. A mix of old-world grandeur and minimalist sophistication, The London EDITION is famed for its marble-lined bathrooms with bespoke Le Labo amenities and the Punch Room, an intimate, speakeasy-style bar serving over 30 variations of punch. The highlight? Berners Tavern, where Michelin-starred dishes are served beneath a ceiling that could belong in a Renaissance painting.

In the heart of the Marais, one of Paris’s oldest and most artistic districts, Le Grand Mazarin celebrates the literary salons of the Enlightenment. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the hotel is a masterpiece of frescoes, mosaics, and bold Parisian colors. The hotel’s hidden gem is its indoor mosaic-tiled pool, a rare indulgence in central Paris. Boubalé, the signature restaurant, reimagines Eastern European cuisine, bringing a nostalgic yet contemporary twist to Parisian dining.

An Alpine fortress fit for royalty, Gstaad Palace has played host to kings, queens, and international icons since 1913. Hidden beneath this fairytale castle is a WWII-era bunker that once stored Swiss gold—now transformed into La Fromagerie, where guests can enjoy fondue in a former war vault. After skiing, guests dance the night away at GreenGo, a nightclub untouched since the 1970s, preserving its retro-glam allure.

One of Italy’s most storied family-run hotels, Belvedere has been passed down through five generations of women since 1880. This lakeside escape exudes warmth, with each room uniquely designed using handcrafted Italian furnishings. The wine cellar, curated by an expert sommelier, houses rare vintages, including bottles from Valtellina’s Nebbiolo producers. Guests can unwind in cascading spa gardens, where the air is scented with lemon blossoms and ancient olive trees.

The only hotel inside Iguazu National Park, this pink-hued Belmond masterpiece offers a front-row seat to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Guests can experience the falls in serene solitude before the park opens, take a helicopter ride over the waterfalls, or embark on moonlit jungle treks. For ultimate relaxation, the spa features treatments using indigenous Brazilian plants, surrounded by the vibrant calls of toucans and capuchin monkeys.

The world’s first “7-star” hotel, Burj Al Arab is a $1 billion architectural marvel, standing on its own island. The 202 duplex suites are adorned with gold-plated accents and Hermès toiletries, while the Skyview Bar offers sunset drinks at 656 feet above the Gulf. Art lovers will marvel at the hotel’s 21,000-crystal Swarovski ceiling, designed to mimic the Milky Way. The most exclusive experience? Dining inside an aquarium at Ristorante L’Olivo.