This time around, its looking at places which offer seclusion. And a jaw-droppingly awesome one at that.
1. 360 Leti, Uttarakhand Himalayas, India
Himalayas is good enough. Add to that a journey that involves a couple of hours of hiking to get to the place, and seductive little stone cottages with drop dead gorgeous views. I've already started saving up for this one.
Hotel Site
2. Bangaram Island Resort, Lakshadweep, India
Basically a set of clean rooms which occupy the last bit of virgin paradise on planet earth. Thank the setting, or the spartanism would have made you homicidal, especially after the parting cheque.
Hotel Site
3. Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway
Minimalist wood boxes with floor to ceiling glass facades + Stunning Norwegian Landscape + No sign of human habitation all around = Multiple Orgasm.
Hotel Site
4. Explora en Patagonia - Hotel Salto Chico, Patagonia, Chile
Another perennial favourite with a location thats stunning enough to make you want to give up everything on earth, and luxury to help you in your quest.
Hotel Site
5. Explora en Atacama - Hotel de Larache, Atacama Desert, Chile
The driest desert on the planet, its awe-inspiring landscape and the stylish luxury of another of explora's noble renderings to mankind. If only somebody had the brains and sensitivity to do that with the unexplored swathes of India.
Hotel Site
6. Vigilus Mountain Resort, Tirol, Italy
Whats more charming than a stylish Italian Alpine Hideaway? One that is reached via a short walk from a hamlet accesible only by cable car. And the views... ah...
Hotel Site
7. Ultima Thule Lodge, Alaska, USA
For a name that sounds like it, Ultima Thule lives it up. No cell coverage and access only via red planes, along with a protected Alaskan wilderness. Makes you forgive the hotel's not-so-bad but horribly-americanized-rustic design sensibilities.
Hotel Site
8. Turtle Island, Fiji
A South-Pacific legend, this tropical gem is served only by seaplanes or boat. Getting there is a short ride, but getting aways seems impossible, if only for the 'Blue Lagoon' type natural extravaganza it beholds.
Hotel Site
9. Denis Island, Seychelles
As if a relatively obscure Indian Ocean Creole island wasn't enough, this gem is located on a smaller isle that has just recently been upgraded to a '6-flights-a-week' status. All luxuries present. Just hope all the flights stand cancelled.
Hotel Site
10. El Questro Homestead, Northern Australia
All those who have seen Australia (the Luhrmann-Jackman-Kidman one) know how gorgeously desolate Oz's northern territories can be. Add to that a romantic collection of ranches equipped with tropical gardens, balinese beds and even a couple of tennis courts.
Hotel Site
11. Shompole, Great Rift Valley, Kenya
Seductive forms, cliffside setting, african wilderness, safari chic, private pools. Sex me up big time. And an ultra luxe property.
Hotel Site
And here's a sampling of places that could've done much better in terms of locational attributes.
1. Four Seasons Mumbai - Worli doesn't deserve it. Yet.
2. ITC Sonar, Kolkata - A heartfelt favourite, yet it sits in a stinky marshland, opposite a garish 'Science City', not to mention an urban highway on two sides. A rare case of context not following the (rather fine) architecture.
3. ITC Grand Central, Mumbai - Another ITC folly. Yes, its central. But what views does the country's tallest hotel offer? The central railway line? or maybe the more authentic dhobi ghats? or the chaos on the Bombay street? bafflements galore.
4. The Manor, Delhi - Friends Colony is posh, agreed, but the trunk rail line to Bombay behind the backyard isn't quite the uppity thing. Spoils the otherwise amazingly serene ambience.
5. Radisson, Delhi - A literal plonk. Think Haryanvi urban village. Think illegal construction brick walls. Think a flyover. Think airport trauma. And just add a Radisson in between. Voila, even by the chain's low standards.
