10 unbelievable bucket list hotels around the world [2024]

Hotel lovers – this is one for you! This is your definitive list of 10 of the world’s most incredible bucket list hotels.

For me, staying in a hotel is an event. An occasion to be savoured and enjoyed to the max. Despite staying everywhere from 5* hotels to the grottiest hostel on my travels, I go through the same excited ritual in each half-decent room I come across, exclaiming at every detail and giving my compaion a verbal review of the facilities. You can’t blame me – one of my earliest Marketing jobs was working for a stunning 4* spa hotel in Cheshire and my love for the industry has never quite worn off.

So, now that I’ve admitted that I’m some sort of freaky hotel obsessive, it’ll come as no surprise to you that I have a hotel bucket list of incredible places to stay across the world. Many of them are big dreams (I’m more of a budget gal by force rather than choice!) but I’m determined to make it to these destinations however I can!

Prepare yourself for some pretty awe-inspiring destinations: here are 10 unbelievable bucket list hotels for your once-in-a-lifetime getaway.

Lux South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Sorry to start with a cliche but unless you’re really not a beach person, the Maldives are more than likely on your travel bucket list too.

Working for a luxury travel company has only made my obsession worse as I’m now seeing photos of these incredible bucket list hotels almost daily and this is how I discovered the incredible Water Villas at Lux South Ari Atoll. Just look that infinity pool! Being nestled on the swing, reading a book and dipping into the water whenever it gets too hot is my idea of total bliss. Plus, could you imagine the views when you come into land? If I ever got to stay here, I’d be a lucky girl indeed.

Book the 5* LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas from £973 per night.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA

I first saw this stunning NYC eco-hotel in a vlog years ago and it’s always stuck in my mind as the place I’d like to stay in New York. As well as the gorgeous furnishings in the hotel rooms (designed by local artists which is so much better than a mass-proudced chain), the crowning jewel of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is…well, the view of Brooklyn Bridge!

Seeing right across the river to the lights of Manhattan as you drift off to sleep sounds pretty damn perfect to me.

Book the 5* 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge from £537 per night.

The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Thailand

I discovered The Sarojin through work too and it’s been one of my bucket list hotels ever since!

This luxury resort in Thailand’s Khao Lak looks like the most serene place to kick back and enjoy some relaxation. Our experience of Thai accommodation was on the significantly cheaper end but one day, maybe I’ll get to go back and experience this – especially considering it’s on the more affordable end of hotels in this article.

If you really want to be in for a treat, check out all the dining experiences they offer – I guarantee you’ll be blown away by the photos! A romantic stay wouldn’t be complete without treating yourselves to private dining on the beach, next to a waterfall or in the jungle.

Book The Sarojin 5* hotel in Khao Lak from just £148 per night!

Sultan Cave Suites, Cappadocia, Turkey

Ah, remember when this had its day on Instagram? If a picture of Cappadocia makes its way onto my feed, it’s almost always shot from this rooftop where influencers flock to get the now-famous rooftop brunch snap overlooking masses of hot air balloons.

It’s not just about the sunrise though – although that would be an incredibly sight to witness! if you look below this well-known spot (literally, right below), the cave-like bedrooms are pretty damn cool too. Sultan Cave Suites is actually on the more affordable end of the scale so who knows, maybe this will be one of the next off my hotel bucket list.

Book the 4* Sultan Cave Suites in Turkey from £173 per night.

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, England, UK

While I’m often focused on what’s beyond the UK’s borders, we’ve got some cracking hotels here and Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is just one of many.

With a beautiful mix of classic and modern design, the hotel has definite similarities to where I used to work – perhaps that’s why it’s tugging on my heartstrings – but the incredible looking spa area speaks for itself.

Book the 4* Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa from £140 per night.

Hanging Gardens of Bali, Bali, Indonesia.

This infinity pool of dreams lives in my imagination and a stay at this incredible bucket list hotel would complete any trip to Bali.

Waking up to Ubud’s lush jungle surroundings, swimming through the tranquil waters suspended in midair or luxuriating in a cooking class, jungle yoga or a spa treatment: the Hanging Gardens of Bali promises an experience that’ll have you floating out of Bali, light as a cloud. It’s a hard life.

The Hanging Gardens brand now has two other hotels in the area, meaning you can enjoy a slice of luxury at multiple destinations across Bali.

Book the 5* Hanging Gardens of Bali from £618 per night.

Riad Yasmine, Marrakech

Yep, it’s another Instagram favourite – I dare any of you travel addicts not to recognise the beautiful Riad Yasmine in Marrakech.

There are so many stunning Riads and hotels in Marrakech – La Mamounia is another world-famous wonder – but Riad Yasmine’s outdoor courtyard captured the hearts of Instagram and it’s stayed lodged itself in my brain as somewhere I’d love to stay one day. It’s always the pool that draws me in – anybody else base their choices almost solely on this?! – so this courtyard area never fails to give me wanderlust.

Looking for things to do in Marrakech? Get Your Guide has some amazing activities, from overnight trips to the desert to hiking in the Atlas Mountains.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

We actually spent a lot of time in Singapore’s most famous building but alas, none of it was swimming in their renowned rooftop infinity pool. Our lodgings were in a much more modest – although still pretty cool – capsule hostel but in a desperate bid to escape the cloying humidity of the city, we’d frequently duck inside for a shop, sit down and even a peek inside the casino.

However, I do still dream of swimming through the sky with a backdrop of skyscrapers so the Marina Bay Sands remains on my wishlist of places to stay, as only hotel guests are allowed pool access. It’s a super clever selling point for sure!

Book the 5* Marina Bay Sands from £507 per night.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

So, holidays where the temperatures are below freezing aren’t usually my thing. I’d opt for sun and a pool over snow (no matter how beautiful) almost every time. But if I was staying in one of these beauties, I’d be investing in some thermals ASAP because there’s no way I’d ever turn down an experience like that.

Seeing the Northern Lights is pretty high up on my bucket list and being able to watch the colourful skies dance WHILE in bed? That sounds like the dream to me. Anybody else want in?

Book the 5* Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort from £286 per night.

Aqua Dome, Austria

This is the newest discovery on my hotel bucket list but I’ve become a little bit obsessed with it. The sparkling winter backdrop of snowy mountains makes this spa look that little bit more etheral, with huge plumes of steam twisting around the domes and into the air. The spa is undoubtedly the star of the show at Aqua Dome but the hotel rooms look beautiful too with a neutral colour palette that just screams relaxation. I’d love to explore more of beautiful Austria, especially since the one day I spent there was full of damp mist and rain, so hopefully I’ll manage to go back one day!

Book the 4* Aqua Dome 4 Sterne Superior Hotel & Tirol Theme Langenfeld from £377 per night.

me know if you’re dying to visit any of these amazing places too! I’d love to hear where you dream of staying in your lifetime – there’s always room for more bucket list hotels on my to-visit list.

Laura x

Disclaimer: this post was brought to you in collaboration with the wonderful Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa! Affiliate links are used throughout and as I haven’t stayed in these hotels, full photography credit goes to their websites!

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