8 Over The Top, Bucket-List-Worthy Luxury Places To Stay Around The World

Have you ever wanted to spend the night in an igloo? How about a hotel enshrouded in ice? Perhaps a more warm destination, relaxing in luxury just steps from a private beach, or residing in style while visiting Pismo Beach? I’ve written before about alternative hotel options, preventing the “miss” in “hit and miss” Airbnb properties, but let’s take things to the next level. These exquisite, unique hotels and resorts are just perfect for adding to your bucket list or fulfilling a lifelong dream. Check out the world’s most exotic, luxurious destinations and some tips for making your dream vacation a reality.

Icehotel – Sweden

Located in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, the Icehotel is a short distance from Kiruna Church, Town Hall, and Kiruna Mine. This hotel boasts 137 individually decorated rooms, free wi-fi, and concierge service. A feature unique to the Icehotel is the ski in/ski out access. It’s not all cold, there is a luxurious sauna to warm the chill.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is located right on the beach with 151 individually decorated rooms. All rooms have private furnished patios, minibars, premium bedding, and sofa beds in each room. If you’re in the mood for pampering, there’s a spa that offers massages, facials, body treatments. Aside from the beach, athletic amenities offered are two outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, and a 24-hour fitness center. The resort has eight different restaurants, including Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, plus four indoor bars/lounges as well as two poolside bars and a beach bar.

The Oberoi Rajvilas – India

The Oberoi Rajvilas is a spectacular 5-star hotel located in the suburbs of Jaipur, India. A short distance from Sisodia Rani Palace and Garden, Hawa Mahal, and Jal Mahal. Each of the 71 rooms include minibars, espresso makers, LCD satellite television, and free wi-fi. Each private bath has a luxurious deep soak bathtub and designer toiletries. After enjoying outdoor tennis courts, swimming pool, and steam room, relax at the full-service spa which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. The hotel offers two restaurants, including Surya Mahal, as well as 24-hour room service and a bar/lounge. Also, there is a daily free breakfast buffet.

85 Sky Tower Hotel – Taiwan

The 85 Sky Tower Hotel is located in Kaoshiung, about six minutes from the Dream Mall and three minutes from 85 Sky Tower itself. Featuring 592 air-conditioned rooms, each with a refigerator, complimentary wi-fi, satellite TV, private baths with separate shower and deep soak tubs. The property includes a health club and indoor pool. The hotel has six restaurants to choose from, as well as a cafe/coffee shop.

Jade Mountain Resort – Saint Lucia

When I hear about a “Mountain Resort”, I immediately think about skiing. Jade Mountain Resort in Soufriere is a luxury hotel situated right on the beach. The Soufrier Volcano and Gros Piton are just a short drive away. There are 29 luxurious rooms, each with a pillowtop bed covered with Egyptian cotton sheets, private patios, complimentary wi-fi, and private baths with separate showers and jetted bathtubs. Recreational amenities include a tennis court, fitness center, rentable bicycles, and full service spa. With all inclusive rates, you can dine at on-site restaurants or order 24-hour room service without incurring additional cost (some restrictions apply). There’s also a lounge bar and poolside bar.

La Dimora di Metello – Italy

Just steps from The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, La Dimora di Metello is centrally located in Metera. Other nearby attractions are the Cathedral of Matera, Convent of Sant’Agostino, and San Giovanni Battista Church. This luxury hotel is never crowded with only four rooms, all air-conditioned with minibars and flat screen TV’s. Other amenities include furnished patios, complimentary wi-fi, and private bathrooms. Enjoy the gorgeous view from the rooftop terrace, or relax watching TV in the common area. They offer room service and also have a bar/lounge on site. A complimentary breakfast buffet is offered daily.

Madonna Inn – United States

Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is a short drive from several California sightseeing locations, including California Polytechnic State University, Avila Hot Springs, Pismo Beach Pier, and Morro Bay State Park. Offering 110 rooms with LCD TV with satellite, pillowtop beds shrouded in premium bedding, and complimentary wi-fi. Massages, body treatments, and facials are offered at the spa. Other onsite amenities include two spa tubs, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Dining isn’t an issue with two restaurants, including the Alex Madonna Gold Rush, also a coffee shop/cafe, and a bar/lounge or poolside bar. Full breakfasts are also available daily until 1pm for a fee.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Igloos and Chalets – Finland

Last but not least: Finland. You’ve probably seen this image before and subconsciously added it to your bucket list already – but did you know what it’s called and where to book it? Now you do: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is a unique luxury offering in the Saariselkä Fell region of Finnish Lapland. Surrounded by the beautiful Finnish nature, this hotel offers either glass igloos or wooden chalets. Thermal glass igloos include a bedroom with a glass roof and luxury beds. Some igloos offer a sauna in the bathroom, while others have shared showers. The chalets include cooking facilities, sitting area, fireplace, and private sauna. Two a la carte restaurants offer local specialties such as reindeer and salmon. There’s also a restaurant within the world’s largest smoke sauna, aptly named Savusauna. Recreational offerings include an ice hole for cooling off after the sauna, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiles, cross-country skiing, Nordic walking sticks and snow shoes. Urho Kekkonen National Park is a stone’s throw away from the resort.

Where to next?

Which one of those (or all of them?) are you adding to your bucket list? You can click any of the property names and we’ll help you find the best rates and availability. Starting to tick off some items on your travel bucket list always starts with exploring options. Before you know it, you may have “figured out” that trip of a lifetime. If you’re curious to learn more about how I book and plan my travel, check out my bestselling travel hacking book The Freedom Project, or check out my all-inclusive travel hacking program The Travel Revolution. The choice is yours – let’s #justfly!

All descriptions and photos are provided by wilko.trvl.com and owned by the respective properties.