Vogue Travel – 10 Hotels to escape to

1. VAAMIKA, KERALA

Disappear into the backwaters. Fly into Kochi and take a speedboat to Vaamika Island, where each of the five recently revamped traditional Kerala houses—one is more than 200 years old—offers its own unique charms, from an original woodcarved shrine in the High Noon Residence to a shared massage room at the Sunrise Residence. The houses come with outdoor baths, and some even feature private infi nity pools.

2. CRUSOE ISLAND LODGE, CHILE

Play treasure hunter on your (almost) deserted island. The Juan Fernández archipelago inspired The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe, but things have, of course, changed since then. Yes, you can go fishing—but for lobsters! And you can go hunting—for treasure! Scout for chests of gold, rumoured to have been buried here in the 18th century, or just nose around an ancient shipwreck while diving. The eco-friendly hotel has 15 rooms and suites, each fitted using recycled materials and with a private terrace that offers a sweeping vista of Pangal Bay.  

3. LA BASTIDE DE MARIE, FRANCE

Savour the French countryside. Provence is known for its singular rustic charms, and the 15-room La Bastide de Marie offers every cliché you can think of, but in the best possible way. A vine-covered country house lies at the end of an olive-treelined driveway; rambling vineyards surround the inn on all sides; and the air is fragrant with notes of lavender and cypress. This is the Provence of your fantasies.

 4. RANVAS, RAJASTHAN

Meet your royal subjects. Live like a queen at Ranvas, Nagaur—a set of havelis that once housed the wives of Maharaja Bhagat Singh. Deep within the 12th-century Ahhichatragarh Fort, you’ll find rooms that have volumes of poetry on your table instead of a television. And if you’re a music enthusiast, the hotel is an absolutely magical place to stay during the Sufi Festival.  

5. PILLARS HOUSE, THAILAND

Feel right at home—away from home. Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, has cemented its place on the global luxury stage with gems like this French colonial mansion of 30 suites with locally-sourced cane shades, tiled verandas with daybeds, and rattan planter’s chairs. Guests are invited to amble around the banyan-tree-studded grounds and treat the property as their own.

 6. AMARYA SHAMIYANA, GOA

Discover a Goa that’s more 17th century than ’70s psychedelia . This lovely Goan getaway gets its name from its outdoor shamianas, a playful throwback to the imperial tents of the Mughal era. The suites are named after colours, and accordingly fitted in rich shades of plum, rose, teal and gold. Each has its own little private garden that’s perfect for breakfast or soaking up the sun. It’s also just steps away from trendy Ashwem Beach, so make a reservation at Il Capriccio for a delectable meal.  

7. UXUA CASA HOTEL,BRAZIL

Kick off your shoes—for good. Barefoot luxury is the unique proposition of Uxua Casa Hotel in the beach town of Trancoso. The boutique property has 10 candy-coloured casas, most of which are clustered around a historic square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Lounge in a hammock or stroll around the streets sans fl ip-fl ops, and for a truly bohemian experience, book the one-of-a-kind treehouse, Casa da Árvore, where you can sink into a spa tub under a canopy of trees.

8. KAURI CLIFFS, NEW ZEALAND

Journey to the edge of the world. Nestled in 6,000 acres of pristine beach, this lodge has 22 suites with private porches and panoramic views of the Pacific. If you’re looking to head to the ends of the earth, North Island does an excellent impression. This is a getaway for die-hard golfers and spa enthusiasts alike, but to venture beyond, have the staff pack a basket of sandwiches for a picnic at Pink Beach, not too far away.

9. TRIPLE CREEK RANCH, AMERICA

Plant your head in the clouds. Welcome to the new Wild West. This 600-acre adults-only Rocky Mountain retreat has 23 log cabins that mix glam with the good old days—private Jacuzzis on the decks and woodburning fi replaces. Play cowboy on a cattle drive or just take a helicopter ride over Montana’s stunning Yellowstone National Park. This is widely recognised as the top resort in the Western Hemisphere, and it’s the personal touches that strike a chord—like freshly baked cookies delivered to your cabin.

10. BABYLONSTOREN, SOUTH AFRICA

Return to the simple life. Rural chic is not an oxymoron at Babylonstoren, a working farm where you can book a whitewashed cottage that once housed the estate’s labourers. Of course, the 17th-century Cape Dutch property has been renovated; at the luxe retreat you can stroll through orchards, sip Cape Winelands’ famed wines and get pampered in the spa. As for cuisine, it doesn’t get more farm-to-table than this: almost all the food at the property’s Babel restaurant is from their gardens, beehives and fields.