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I still remember my first. The roaring fireplace. The sumptuous sheets. The bubbling bath. I’d splurged for a private bungalow at San Ysidro Ranch, a five-star boutique hotel in the foothills of Montecito, California (where one might rub shoulders with Oprah and Harry and Meghan), and soon after that, I became a certified hotel snob. Shouldn’t every hotel suite offer deep soaking tubs, outdoor rainfall showers, king-sized four-poster beds and a collection of antiques and artwork sourced from around the world? As the adage goes, once you go luxury, you never go back.
So, take it from us: 2025 is the year of aspirational travel. Now worth an estimated $1.5 trillion, the global luxury travel market has boomed in recent years, growing as travelers seek high-end experiences in bucket list destinations.
Not only do travelers want to visit exotic locales and embark on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, but they also want to do so in the most spectacular settings. And with so much competition in the high-end travel market, the world’s top hotels have begun introducing showstopping suites that can only be described as dream-fulfilling. From amenities like 24-hour butler service and personal wine sommeliers to private 10-person cinema rooms and Michelin-starred dining, these suites prove there’s no better time to travel than now.
Luxury can be defined in myriad ways. For some, it might mean an encounter on the annual wildebeest migration route in the Serengeti, as one might enjoy during a stay in Singita’s Milele (Swahili for “forever”) Villa. For others, it translates to a primary bathroom in The Colony Hotel’s Goop Villa, complete with pink and green Botticelli marble and no shortage of fan-favorite Goop beauty products. Or perhaps it’s a professional-grade recording studio with your own grand piano (the Cave Royale suite at Six Senses Ibiza)? Or, better yet, a 1,000-square-foot private garden in the heart of the City of Lights (Saint James Paris).
Whether you’re looking to commune with nature, scratch an itch for extreme adventure or jetset in style with your closest group of girlfriends, you will find everything you could possibly dream of in this year’s roundup of Artful Living‘s most luxurious hotel suites around the world.
Forestis Dolomites
From $21,052 per night for the Forestis Villa (up to 10 guests)
Located opposite the Italian Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, Forestis is a former tuberculosis sanatorium turned ultra-luxurious mountaintop hideaway with a new villa that debuted in December. Envisioned as a secluded hideaway that blends an intimate connection to the landscape with the natural beauty of the Dolomites, the Armin Sader–designed villa maintains the integrity of its historic roots but with modern amenities.
Occupying a 19th-century structure originally built by the Austrian monarchy as a residence for the doctors of the neighboring sanatorium, the five-bedroom Forestis Villa “builds upon the house’s original purpose as a place of healing by carefully handling the landscape and adopting a clean architectural language that lets nature shine through,” said Günther Kofler, hotel manager.
Surrounded by some of the most stunning and unobstructed nature scapes the world has to offer, Forestis is devoted to the four elements of the Dolomites: clear water, pure air, ample sunny days and mild climate. A one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired wellbeing refuge, Forestis pays homage to Celtic wisdom, offering treatments based on the principles of the Forestis Tree Circle, forest cuisine that emphasizes ingredients sourced from the earth and local farmers, and an endless array of adventures.
In keeping with the traditional design of alpine holiday residences — and reflecting a commitment to sustainability — the villa features historical design elements like solid-wood furniture sourced from old parlors; refurbished interior doors and wooden floors; wood beams dating back to 1912; an abundance of natural materials, including wood from the forest, regional stone, glass and lime plaster, local sand and clay floors; and box-type wooden windows crafted from heritage design templates. “The minimal, nature-inspired interior ensures the backdrop of spectacular views is the villa’s main focal point and design element,” said Kofler.
That said, there’s still a lot to appreciate beyond the view. A nature-inspired Celtic spa has its own treatment room, heated indoor-outdoor pool, sauna, steam bath, relaxation space and Technogym-outfitted fitness center. A fully-equipped kitchen is restocked each morning to guests’ desires. There’s even an outdoor garden and a cinema. The villa is an “opulent setting with infinite opportunities for personalization,” said Kofler. “Guests staying here will be the curators of their most perfect stay.”
Think personal chef services, in-villa spa treatments, and ski-in, ski-out access to the Plose ski region. Guests receive dedicated 24-hour butler service, VIP concierge, laundry service, a daily guide for all outdoor activities and a trainer for fitness sessions, “ushering in a new era of hospitality and capabilities for the hotel,” said Kofler. And while Forestis is typically an adults-only (14+) property, the villa will be open to guests of all ages. “The villa will give guests the same luxury and opulent experience as the rest of the Forestis resort in a more exclusive setting,” explained Kofler.
“From its refined simplicity and nature-inspired design to a spa that harnesses the healing elements of the forest, every detail of the villa has been thoughtfully crafted to epitomize sustainable luxury and historical charm,” said Kofler.
Singita Milele
From $27,300 per villa per night (up to 10 guests)
A consistent and enduring shift in travel over the last few years inspired hospitality group Singita to debut Milele in May, a new and expansive private villa in the Serengeti ecosystem of Africa. “Guests are increasingly seeking space and personalized service,” said Singita Public Relations Manager Lisa Carey. “The demand for exclusive-use properties prompted the creation of Milele.”
The name perfectly encapsulates the villa’s setting and the vast expanses of unspoiled savanna that surround it. The Serengeti spans the Mara and Arusha regions of Tanzania, and the protected area includes approximately 30,000 kilometers of land, including the Serengeti National Park and several game reserves.
Intentionally designed to minimize the barriers between guests and nature — visually, acoustically and physically — the villa celebrates Africa’s creative energy and wildlife through locally sourced design and craftsmanship.
“We have proudly made and sourced about 90% of the items locally,” said Carey. “All of the pieces have a beautiful narrative, and it’s been a remarkable experience to work on a project with such a focus on local African art and furniture.”
The villa features a collection of South African works by contemporary multimedia visual artist Trevor Stuurman, mirror and light-based installation sculpture artist duo Water Dixon, Cape Town–based abstract artist Tarien Bruwer, weaver Marguerite Roux and more.
“Sourcing is a core consideration when conceiving and creating these spaces,” explained Carey. “Our teams feel a sense of responsibility to choose and support local artists and artisans, even though the process can be more challenging. Our collaborators are crucial to this and bring soul and a sense of place to our spaces.”
Accommodating up to 10 guests in five individually designed suites inspired by the region’s most iconic species, the villa comes with a dedicated staff, complete with a field guide, chef, butler and housekeeping team. In addition to an infinity pool overlooking the Serengeti plains, there are four separate spa pools, a 10-person cinema room and a fully-stocked wine cellar with award-winning wines.
Singita’s highly skilled wine team in Stellenbosch, the Western Cape Winelands, is responsible for managing the selection and service of all Singita wines. Guests can even order their favorite wines from their trip to enjoy at home, either packaged as checked luggage or shipped directly. “Personalized wine tastings in the villa’s temperature-controlled cellar are a favorite guest experience,” says Carey.
Despite its remote location in the heart of the wilderness, the villa offers unsurpassed luxury. Set high on Sasakwa Hill with uninterrupted views of the endless plains below, a front-row seat to the Great Migration and year-round game-viewing experiences, the villa is surrounded by 350,000 acres of the world-renowned Grumeti Reserve in northern Tanzania. Here, visitors can experience exclusive encounters on the annual wildebeest migration route in the Serengeti, along with game drives, community visits, wine experiences, guided safari walks, bird watching and more.
“A golden thread throughout every Singita experience is a deep reverence for the wild and its healing power,” said Carey. “Singita’s lodges, camps and villas across Africa have been intentionally designed to offer guests the freedom to reflect and awaken their senses, inviting a sense of wonder and wholeness that comes from truly leaning into nature. At Singita Milele, a contemporary villa pays tribute to its surroundings through design and an extraordinary experience of the Serengeti.”
The Colony Palm Beach
From $4,000 per night for the two-bedroom Goop Villa
In a heartfelt tribute to the elegance and romance of Paris and the natural beauty of Palm Beach, Florida, The Colony Hotel debuted the 2,524-square-foot Goop Villa in October 2023. Reimagined by Gwyneth Paltrow–founded wellness and lifestyle brand Goop and designed by New York City–based architecture and design firm Ronen Lev, the villa mirrors the modern, feminine Parisian aesthetic that Goop is renowned for, blended with the vibrant spirit of Palm Beach.
“Fundamentally, both Goop and The Colony are female-led businesses driven by personal vision, passion and curiosity,” said Sarah J. Wetenhall, owner and CEO of The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach. “At their core, both brands are committed to intentionality and wellness, while helping people live more beautiful and connected lives in an immersive, multi-generational fashion. We say that The Colony is more than a hotel, it is a way of life. And Goop is a brand that is also committed to the betterment of people’s lifestyles. In many ways, collaborating with Goop was a natural fit.”
Materiality is a glamorous thread in the villa design, which incorporates rattan, marble, antiqued mirror and mohair, while tones of blush, gray and green nod to Goop and The Colony Hotel’s signature hues. The design pays homage to the villa’s dual influences, seamlessly combining woven textures and floral motifs.
As you enter the villa, arched elements and organic forms create a visual narrative that celebrates fluidity and grace, exemplified by the Goop x Fromental botanical wallpaper. The villa is filled with a curated selection of designs from the online gallery Invisible Collection and its artisans, like Atelier Vime, Pierre Augustin Rose and Sandra Benhamou. Select furniture and fixtures come from design collaborators CB2 and Furniture Marolles, along with handcrafted wool rugs from Armadillo.
“I am absolutely obsessed with the marble and stonework throughout the villa,” said Wetenhall. “My personal favorite is the pink and green Botticelli slabs in the primary bathroom vanity and shower. They are the epitome of all things The Colony.”
Throughout the space, Goop opted for paint by Farrow & Ball, and Monogram appliances and fixtures by Brizo. A lofted space features a wicker daybed and a Re-jute Ruggable rug created in partnership with Goop. Guests will also find accents from heritage Palm Beach brands, like a hand-painted palm motif mural in the powder room by Lilly Pulitzer Studio and coffee table accessories from Cartier. Tappan Collective curated art is sprinkled throughout, including original works from abstract minimalist artist Ryan Snow and painter Marleigh Culver.
“The Goop Villa has a completely different look and feel than our other redesigned villas,” said Wetenhall. “It is also totally different from the guest rooms in the main hotel. Although the materials used are similar, like linen, jute, florals and restful colors, the effect is unique to anything else on the property, with a design language that leans more minimal, modern and earth-toned. Guests are drawn to this space’s modern, feminine, calming nature.”
Wetenhall and Goop aimed to design a space that showcases Palm Beach through the Goop perspective. Wetenhall envisioned a villa that would serve as a holistic retreat, where guests could immerse themselves in The Colony and the Goop ways of life. With that in mind, the bathrooms are stocked with Goop beauty favorites, including the Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator, the All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream, the Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser and the Nourishing Repair Body Butter.
“Launching the Goop Villa allowed us to celebrate the intersection of lifestyle and hospitality distinctively, providing guests with an opportunity to experience Goop’s philosophy firsthand,” said Wetenhall.
Saint James Paris
From $1,890 (one bedroom) to $4,700 for the Villa apartments; from $10,500 per night for the Longchamp Apartment (up to 7 guests)
Originally built in 1892, the same period in which French Emperor Napoleon III commissioned a vast public works program to renovate Central Paris into the distinctive look it has today (led by Georges-Eugène Haussmann), Parisian hotel Saint James Paris was once home to the Thiers Foundation, supporting young students with scholarships and comfortable living conditions. In the 1980s, the building became the gentlemen’s club Saint James Club of Paris and, as of 1991, has been run as both a hotel and club (the property joined Relais & Châteaux in 2011).
The hotel features a mix of historical design eras throughout, including neoclassical, Greco-Roman, oriental and art deco. Reimagined by French maximalist interior designer Laura Gonzalez starting in 2020, the decor features whimsical juxtapositions (like cherry blossom wallpaper mixed with Laurel & Hardy bedside tables).
“These would be the styles typically mixed in wealthy Parisian homes,” explained Nicolas Egloff, the director of sales and marketing. “Most of the walls are covered in Pierre Frey fabrics — white wool, in particular — and there are Pierre Frey carpets with Greco-Roman designs in the suites that do not have a Versailles hardwood floor. Wall lamps are the famous mushrooms from Jean Roger, and ceiling lamps are original plaster creations from artist Patrice Dangel, making Saint James Paris a tribute to French craftsmanship.”
Part-château, part-family estate — just steps from the Trocadero, L’Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées — the hotel is designed to evoke the spirit of a private collector who’d brought home souvenirs from their travels. Gonzalez used panoramic wallpapers, historic architectural elements, ornate furnishings and a vibrant mix of colors and textiles to achieve the effect.
In 2023, Saint James Paris and Gonzalez unveiled Villa Saint James, a private townhouse with four luxury-serviced apartments next to the property. Designed as a true pied-à-terre, the apartments of Villa Saint James combine the intimacy of a private home with the comfort of a luxury hotel. Guests have access to all the services of Saint James Paris, including Bellefeuille (the Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Grégory Garimbay), the Library Bar (surrounded by leather-bound books and the original winding staircase from the Thiers Foundation library), a terrace and garden, the Guerlain spa and fitness and wellness activities.
Within the villa, the nearly 1,400-square-foot Longchamp Apartment is “a truly hidden two-story suite that’s peaceful and independent with a private garden in the most exclusive area of Paris,” said Egloff. Named for the famed Rue de Longchamp in the fashionable 16th district, the pied-à-terre combines Parisian chic and privacy and can accommodate up to seven guests. The living room faces the suite’s 1,000-square-foot green oasis, while the bedroom overlooks the architectural jewel of Saint James Paris.
In 2021, the hotel relaunched its wellness program with a two-story Guerlain Spa, which includes an indoor swimming pool with views of the Parisian skyline. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of the Greco-Roman thermal baths. In 2024, Bellefeuille restaurant was awarded the Green Star by the Michelin Guide, a nod to its environmentally friendly gastronomy and the ongoing efforts of the Saint James team to source local and seasonal products from places like their organic farm at the Nonville estate in Île-de-France.
“Saint James Paris sets itself apart by being both a hotel and a private club,” said Egloff. “Set in a private mansion in a walled garden that is a natural protected area in Paris, it is an oasis of peace and privacy in the city’s chicest district.”
Six Senses Ibiza
From $3,150 per night for the Cave Royale Suite (up to 3 guests)
French astrologer Nostradamus once predicted Ibiza, Spain, would be Earth’s final refuge. Since the 1950s, Ibiza has attracted a specific type of free-spirited seeker: artists, creatives and musicians who have chosen to settle in the northern tip of the island, where a live-and-let-live attitude pays tribute to Ibiza’s past.
At Six Senses Ibiza, the first BREEAM-certified resort (one of the world’s leading sustainability property assessment methods) in the Balearics, the entire property was envisioned and created by Jonathan Leitersdorf, who specializes in blending luxury with local authenticity, said Oriol Juvé de Yebra, Six Senses Ibiza’s resort manager. It’s the ideal setting for profound spiritual experiences rooted in local culture, celebrating the music, art, sustainable fashion, wellness and spirituality that has become synonymous with the island.
The pulse of the hotel’s effortless vibe is the Cave Royale Suite, a 3,368-square-foot respite built into the coastal cliffs of Xarraca Bay that pays homage to the Ibizan bohemian scene. With design elements that reflect both luxury and a strong sense of place — think a custom, oversized bed and a high-end sound system by McIntosh valued at $156,000 — “the collaboration with Jonathan ensured the suite feels both opulent and grounded in Ibiza’s coastal beauty,” said Juvé de Yebra.
Sustainable furniture pieces, a plunge pool and earth-toned finishes echo Ibiza’s natural landscape. Locally sourced stone, artisan-crafted light fixtures and spa-inspired bathrooms add layers of elegance. A secret door leads to a private professional-grade recording studio below the suite (with its own grand piano!) for when creativity strikes, no matter the time of day. The suite is built partially into the cliffside and combines dramatic Mediterranean views with a sense of privacy.
“I’m particularly captivated by the seamless integration of luxury and natural beauty, embodied by the suite’s unique design and innovative features,” said Juvé de Yebra. “The spacious, custom-designed bed and McIntosh sound system are my favorites. They bring both comfort and an elevated sense of atmosphere. The views of Xarraca Bay are another spectacular highlight.”
An array of unique experiences helps guests immerse themselves in the property. Try a private yoga class on the suite’s deck or stand-up paddleboarding in the bay. Join the culinary team as they harvest fresh organic fruit and vegetables from the hotel’s farm, Can Tanca, just north of Santa Gertrudis, then enjoy a hand-picked meal. Spot dolphins during a half or full-day trip to Formentera, a tiny island off Ibiza’s south coast. Catch a movie at Six Senses’ open-air rooftop cinema with individual bean bags, blankets and gourmet popcorn. Learn how to make your own toothpaste, deodorant or lip balm — all with natural ingredients and plastic-free reusable packaging — at the hotel’s Zero Waste Workshop. Take a sunset kayak tour.
The resort also has a dedicated sustainability fund made up of .5% of total revenue, supporting local organizations that make a positive social and environmental impact. The property saved 40% of carbon emissions each year by producing its own renewable energy and used 298 solar panels to generate 10% of its electricity needs. A full-time sustainability team drives the hotel’s environmental efforts and continues to develop new initiatives to minimize Six Senses’ ecological impact and act as a regenerative force for good. “When you travel here, you not only arrive at a destination, you travel to a different frequency,” said Juvé de Yebra.
Eriro Alpine Hideaway
From $3,123 per night for the Himil Suite (up to 4 guests)
In July 2024, the Eriro Alpine Hideaway opened on the Austria-Germany border in Ehrwald, Austria, at the foot of Zugspitze, the highest peak of Germany’s Wetterstein Mountains. Designed by South Tyrolean–architect Martin Gruber, the intimate property, boasting just nine exclusive suites, is handcrafted with locally sourced, organic materials like stone and wood, paired with hand-knotted sheep’s wool and a nature-inspired color palette of gray, green and brown elements. It sits at 1,550 meters (more than 5,000 feet) above sea level.
Gruber deliberately rejects ornate decor to illustrate the idea of simplicity, a respectful attitude derived from building in the alpine region. Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors flood the space with natural light and position the pristine mountain surroundings as the centerpiece of Eriro’s design philosophy.
Nowhere is that more clear than in the Himil Suite on the property’s top floor, where guests enjoy unique elements like handmade lamps from stone collected in a nearby riverbed and water faucets crafted from repurposed driftwood branches. Dual terraces allow guests to observe the mountain views from multiple vantage points — like the private sauna or standalone bath carved from a single block of pine from the surrounding area. The calming shades further complement the landscape. A pitched ceiling allows for extra natural light, and a telescope in the room lets guests take advantage of starry night skies. The hotel dims all exterior lighting beginning at 10 p.m. to enhance the views.
“An essential part of the Eriro experience is immersing guests completely in nature. This allows them to feel like they’re in the mountains and meadows, even when staying in the suite,” said Eriro General Manager Henning A. Schaub. “While large [it accommodates up to four people], the suite still offers a feeling of coziness and warmth. We emphasize the immersion in nature by not incorporating televisions in the rooms to avoid distracting guests from the surroundings. They learn to find more peace observing the movement of the trees and the clouds floating across the mountaintops, a view they’ll never be able to see and feel through a screen.”
Upon arrival, the hotel gives each guest a pair of sheep’s wool socks to add an extra sense of hominess and comfort to any stay. Management recommends guests wear them when walking around the property to experience the tactile moments of uneven and natural floors and to feel fully immersed and grounded. Almost all of the architectural elements throughout the property were crafted by hand, including the 4,000 cotter pins (a locking mechanism used to secure other fasteners or bolts in place) and the long table in the lobby.
The interior is embellished with woven, bound and carved wood, pure sheep’s wool carpets and handmade coat hangers by designer Huanzn. Even the bathtubs are crafted by hand from tree trunks and sealed with resin. Hand-in-hand with the commitment to live each day with respect to nature, the design pays homage to the alpine ecosystem, emphasizing simplicity and craftsmanship.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients, favoring the shortest-distance delivery routes and traditional Tyrolean recipes inspire the kitchen’s creative cuisine. Whether coarse and robust, like the grilled butterflied trout glazed with a fish jus, cold-pressed grapeseed oil and tomato sugo or mild and delicate, like the alpine herb dumplings with forest mushrooms, dishes reflect the moods of the mountain. Served on wood, stone or in the form of a nest, each dish is a culinary work of art.
Nature’s rhythm, says Schaub, dictates how guests will spend their time, from the wellness treatments, like the fan-favorite detox massage using nettle oil from freshly brewed nettle tea, to the activities, including barefoot hikes through the forest moss, working with stone, wood and other materials from the mountains or drawing the crystal clear, refreshing water from the mountain spring and carrying it home. Experiences, much like the property itself, are meant to be savored with all the senses.