10 Amazing Bucket List Hotels

This cutting-edge mountain spa retreat is the ultimate escape for rest and relaxation in the Austrian Alps. The Aqua Dome hotel is part of an expansive complex located in the Ötztal Valley in the Tirol region. It includes Sauna World, Spa 3000 and an impressive fitness centre. You’ll find a range of hot springs, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy treatments.

In total, there are 3 indoor pools and 5 outdoors in the hotel complex, with certain areas dedicated to families and others for adults only. The water used throughout the spas has been filtered directly from the glaciers surrounding the hotel. Guests at Aqua Dome can enter the spa facilities 2 hours earlier than outside guests, meaning you can soak up the majestic Alpine scene in absolute tranquillity.

A glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is one of most magical places to enjoy unforgettable views of the night sky, potentially including the Northern Lights. With the entire roof made of glass, you can lay in bed and watch the swirling greens and purples dance overhead. 

The best time to see this natural spectacle is in the winter months, although the hotel is open throughout the year and has activities suitable for every season. The glass igloos are the most distinctive rooms at the hotel and are naturally best for seeing the aurora, but larger groups and families might prefer the rustic log cabins. 

The steep cliffs and winding roads of the Amalfi Coast are an Italian icon, and Le Sirenuse is one of the regions standout luxury hotels. It boasts jaw-dropping coastal views over Positano Beach and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The family-run hotel has only 58 rooms, so it can offer intimately personalised service that goes above and beyond.

The choice of facilities is no less remarkable, including an award-winning spa, outdoor pool, and a champagne bar on the rooftop terrace. The on-site restaurant, La Sponda, serves intricate Italian cuisine in a candle-lit dining room enhanced with seasonal flowers and vines.

The beautiful Azulik resort gives you the chilled-out beach hut vibe, but with first-class luxury on the inside. Some rooms feel like jungle treetop nests while others look out to sea over a private beach. It’s a very natural, peaceful place to decompress, both in the resort grounds and in the 48 rooms and suites. 

The facilities available to enjoy in this relaxing escape include 3 outstanding restaurants, a beach club, a full-service spa with sauna and steam room, and an outdoor pool. It even has its own fashion boutique, so you can dress the part.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is exactly what its name suggests—a castle right by the vividly turquoise water of a glacial lake in Banff National Park. The views are spectacular, as are the hiking trails around the lake and up into the mountains behind it. The town of Banff and all its great outdoor activities are just a short drive away, too. 

The hotel itself is old-world luxury from the early 20^th century but upgraded to modern standards. Think dark wood furnishings in light, minimalist décor, with facilities including an indoor pool, full-service spa, and ski rental. There are also 3 restaurants offering a choice of American and Alpine cuisines.

The Don CeSar has been an iconic feature of St. Pete Beach since it opened in 1928, but a stay here isn’t like spending a night in a museum. The rooms that once hosted the Jazz Age rich and famous like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone, and Franklin D. Roosevelt have been updated with modern styling and amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and Wi-Fi.  

The striking Pink Palace still boasts the sort of facilities that made it popular with the personalities of the time, including a large on-site spa, 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor pools, and a fitness centre. And, of course the sandy St. Pete Beach is just a few steps away.

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is an excellent choice for those who like to spend their holiday doing more than just topping up their tan. Being right on a beautiful white-sand beach in the Bahamas, sunbathing is certainly possible, but there’s also a golf course, tennis courts, a full-service spa, a casino, a water park with a lazy river, 10 restaurants, 3 beach bars, and a nightclub, all on site. With that much variety available, this is also a great pick for families. 

The list of activities and facilities available at this modern, stylish hotel goes on and on—there are far more than we can list here. The 1,800 rooms and suites also provide a peaceful and comfortable place to rest before you pick your next activity from the list.

The Enchantment Resort is absolutely enchanting—the clue is right there in the name! Its location in West Sedona, surrounded by Arizona’s iconic red cliffs, is tailor-made for relaxation and the resort has a home-away-from-home vibe. Think cosy sofas and fireplaces in each unit and some also have a kitchen. Some rooms are even pet-friendly, so you can bring the 4-legged family members. 

Enchantment Resort offers a good selection of facilities including 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and a gift shop. The resort is nicely isolated and remote in its own canyon, which is surrounded by delightful hiking trails leading to caves and heritage sites. There’s also a golf course just a short drive away.

If you’re thinking about a romantic holiday, Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux is a very compelling choice. While it is about 2 miles from the beach, its hillside position gives it really outstanding sunset views across the ocean, which you can enjoy with alfresco dining in the sculpted gardens. Or, you can take the romance to 11 at The Treehouse—sit under a canopy of mango trees with an uninterrupted Pacific Ocean view, enjoying a 7-course meal prepared by a private chef with expert wine pairings. 

Beyond outstanding dining, the resort has an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a fitness centre, a full-service spa, and a free shuttle service to the beach. 

Mithra Cave Hotel is in the centre of Göreme village—a popular tourist area in Cappadocia. The cave hotels of Cappadocia are like something out of a fairy tale, with ancient dwellings literally built into the rock. This one is filled with maze-like subterranean passages and stunning views from makeshift terraces poking out of the iconic fairy chimneys. 

This quaint boutique hotel has 39 individually decorated rooms, which come in a range of room types that vary in price and size. For an authentic stay, choose the Fairy Chimneys Room. Make sure you head to the rooftop patio for the stunning sunset, and get that iconic photo of hot air balloons taking to the sky throughout the day.