Shanghai has always been a city of reinvention. Its historic waterfront, grand Art Deco buildings and traditional neighbourhoods exist alongside a skyline that seems to change by the year. Right in the middle of this fascinating contrast, The Shanghai EDITION (@editionshanghai) brings together the character of old Shanghai and the modern social energy for which the EDITION brand is known. Set just a short walk from the Bund, the hotel combines striking architecture, considered interiors, destination dining and a collection of bars that make it as much a place to spend an evening as somewhere to stay.

Created by hotelier Ian Schrager in collaboration with Marriott International, EDITION hotels are known for their individual identities, and Shanghai is no exception. The property occupies two distinct towers on Nanjing Road East, bringing together a historic building and a more contemporary structure. The result is a hotel with a strong architectural personality, where heritage details meet a distinctly modern approach to hospitality.

Shanghai is a city of contrasts. Historic lanes and traditional tea houses sit alongside glass skyscrapers, fashionable restaurants and some of the most recognisable architecture in Asia. On the quieter northern stretch of the Huangpu River, Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund (@banyantreeshanghaionthebund) offers a different way to experience this energetic metropolis. Here, the city feels close enough to touch, yet the atmosphere inside the hotel is distinctly more relaxed. River views, generous suites, thoughtful Asian-inspired design and the signature Banyan Tree approach to wellness create an urban retreat with a particularly memorable setting.

The hotel's position in Hongkou District places it beside the Huangpu River, with the historic Bund and the modern skyline of Pudong providing a spectacular backdrop. It is a location that makes the most of Shanghai's defining feature: the meeting of old and new across the water. Whether watching the illuminated skyline from a suite, enjoying a slow afternoon at the spa or heading out to explore the city's neighbourhoods, the experience begins with the river.

Some destinations are so extraordinary that the place you choose to stay becomes part of the experience. Mövenpick Resort Petra (@movenpickresortpetra) has one of the most remarkable hotel addresses in Jordan: directly opposite the entrance to Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved into the rose-coloured rock of the desert. For travellers coming to discover one of the world's great archaeological wonders, the location is hard to beat. Yet the resort offers plenty of reasons to linger after a day spent exploring the ancient trails, from its intricate Arabesque interiors and welcoming restaurants to a rooftop garden made for watching the sun disappear behind the mountains.

First opened in 1996, the resort has developed a distinctive identity that draws on the region's architectural traditions. Natural stone, handcrafted wood, intricate ornamentation and rich Middle Eastern fabrics create an atmosphere that feels closely connected to its surroundings. There is a sense of arrival here, with the hotel's grand interiors offering a striking contrast to the rugged landscape beyond its doors.

Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare (@hyattcentric_ohare) brings a contemporary, design-conscious feel to Rosemont, just outside Chicago, and makes a convenient base for discovering the wider city. Close to O’Hare International Airport, the hotel is particularly well placed for travellers arriving on international flights, attending a convention or planning a longer stay in the Chicago area. But this is more than somewhere to spend the night between connections. Following an extensive revitalisation, the property has been refreshed with inviting interiors, a restaurant inspired by Mediterranean cooking and the kind of practical touches that make travelling a little easier.

Its location is one of its strongest advantages. The hotel sits in Rosemont, a lively suburb northwest of downtown Chicago, with the airport less than two miles away. A complimentary airport shuttle operates around the clock, making arrivals and departures straightforward, while the nearby entertainment district offers plenty to do without travelling far. Rivers Casino is close by, as are the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont Theatre, Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District and Fashion Outlets of Chicago. For guests keen to explore the city itself, the nearby transport connections make downtown Chicago accessible for a day of architecture, museums, shopping and memorable meals.

A weekend for two at @domainereinemargotmgallery, just outside Paris and a world away from it 🍂

It started in the spa, which welcomes no more than ten guests at a time, and on our Sunday visit we had it entirely to ourselves. From there we drifted into the garden: herbs picked for the restaurant, a glass of wine in the afternoon light, and a champagne bar waiting under the trees 🥂

Mornings began with proper fresh coffee (a rarity in Paris if espresso isn't your thing), croissants and a slow breakfast. The room had the best bed we've slept in for ages, and from the balcony we could see the Eiffel Tower. Metro line 12 is almost at the door, so Paris is easy to reach, and even easier to leave behind.

Five-star calm, with the city on the doorstep. We'd go back in a heartbeat.

If you’re staying in Chicago and want somewhere that feels less like a hotel and more like your own apartment in the city, save this one. 📌@stayinglevel

I stayed at Level Chicago – River North in a two-bedroom residence on the 30th floor, and it had everything I needed for a longer stay.

A full kitchen, proper living and dining areas, incredible city views, and even an in-unit washer and dryer, which becomes such a game changer when you’re travelling for weeks at a time.

But what really made the stay stand out was how much you could do without even leaving the property.

There’s a pool, sauna, fitness centre, wellness spaces and conference rooms, so you can literally work, live and reset all in the same place.

Morning workout.
A few hours of work from the conference spaces.
Explore Chicago.
Come back for the pool or sauna.
Do your laundry.
Repeat.

It genuinely works whether you’re travelling for business, doing a workation, staying with friends or family, or simply want more space than a regular hotel room.

And because it’s in River North, you’re still right in the middle of Chicago with restaurants, cafés and so much of the city close by.

For me, this is exactly the kind of stay that makes longer travel feel easier.

📍 Level Chicago – River North

Save this for your next Chicago trip. 🤍

There are places in Switzerland where the mountains do most of the talking. At Deltapark Vitalresort, the view changes with the light: Lake Thun glimmers beyond the trees, the Bernese Alps rise in the distance, and the surrounding parkland creates a welcome sense of space. On the edge of Gwatt, just outside Thun, this lakeside retreat brings together wellness, thoughtful dining and easy access to one of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions. It is a place for slowing down, whether that means spending an afternoon in the spa or heading out to explore the lake and mountains.

A little Parisian charm in the heart of Vienna. Welcome to @hotelmottovienna where timeless elegance meets bold design, velvet interiors, and a touch of retro glamour 🇦🇹✨

From the beautifully curated rooms to the vibrant atmosphere and effortlessly chic details, every corner tells a story. A hotel that feels like a destination in itself.

The perfect address for a stylish Vienna escape. 🥂

📍 Hotel MOTTO, Vienna, Austria

Patmos, one of Greece’s most sacred islands and often called the Jerusalem of the Mediterranean, is home to just one five-star hotel: Patmos Aktis @patmosaktis.

Set on sheltered Grikos Bay, the hotel feels almost inseparable from the Aegean. The sea is just steps away, while days unfold between swimming, boat trips around Patmos and walks through Chora.

Evenings are for Greek cuisine by the water at Plefsis or sunset cocktails beneath the bougainvillea at Barolo.

But what stayed with me most was the extraordinary hospitality. I felt genuinely welcomed and cared for, not only at Patmos Aktis, but across the entire island.

There is a sense of peace and grace on Patmos that is difficult to describe. You simply have to experience it.

📍 Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Greece

#patmosaktis #patmos #patmosaktisbeach #grikosbay #theluxurycollection

You can sleep under dreamy Firenze skies when you stay at Stella d’Italia (@stelladitaliaflorence), a gorgeous boutique hotel in Florence, Italy 🎱

Located perfectly central to explore Florence’s shops and food scene on foot, you’ll stay for the quirky, colourful charm Stella d’Italia has, making it an even more memorable trip

🗝Full of fun, character and a whimsical aesthetic, it’s no surprise they were just awarded one Michelin key

🌅The hotel serves a delicious breakfast to start the day, featuring delicious pastries, fluffy pancakes and a food spread that will make you want to wake up early– and it would be a crime to not get a cappuccino each morning

✨Whether you’re planning a girls trip or a romantic getaway, the design of each room will make your travels even more fun– and don’t forget to pack a bath bomb when you visit

☕️This boutique hotel feels right out of a movie and is truly unique, from its decor to its spectacular location to explore Florence– and on evening walks to take in the sunset

🏩 Stella d’Italia in Florence, Italy

Set in a beautiful Victorian home built in 1905, @pinot_boutique_hotel was transformed into a stunning design-forward boutique hotel set in a breathtaking location with impeccable hospitality. With less than a dozen rooms and suites, the hotel has that intimate boutique feeling we love ― personal, relaxed and full of character.

The interiors blend the history of the house with modern mid-century inspired design and provide cozy spaces to spend your day admiring the sunlight filtering through the curtains, writing, reading or just enjoying the outdoor spaces. 

Definitely a destination hotel to put on your bucket list if you’re ever visiting Quebec’s beautiful Eastern Townships 🇨🇦

📍Sutton, QC, Canada @cantonsdelest @tourismequebec

There are beachfront hotels, and then there are hotels where the ocean becomes part of the experience itself.

Surf & Sand Laguna Beach belongs firmly in the latter category.

Set directly along 500 feet of California coastline, Surf & Sand occupies an almost impossibly beautiful location in Laguna Beach. Here, the Pacific isn’t simply something to admire from afar. You hear it from your room, watch it from your balcony, dine beside it, sip cocktails beside it, and eventually fall asleep to its rhythm.

It is difficult to imagine a more perfectly magical setting for a coastal hotel.

A Roman escape in the heart of the Eternal City with @atlantehotels 🇮🇹✨ Our stay at Atlante Garden was complemented by an evening at @terrazzalesetoiles, bringing together authentic Italian hospitality, thoughtful details and unforgettable views over Rome.

Located just moments from Vatican City, Atlante Garden offers an intimate and welcoming stay in one of Rome’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Behind its classic Roman character, the hotel combines warm hospitality with contemporary touches, creating a comfortable retreat from the energy of the city.

Our stay began with thoughtful welcome details waiting in the room — a beautiful introduction to the experience and a reflection of the personal touches that make a stay memorable. From the interiors to the carefully considered details throughout the property, Atlante Garden provides a charming base from which to discover the Italian capital.

Its location makes exploring Rome effortless, with St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican within walking distance and many of the city’s most celebrated landmarks within easy reach.

The experience continued at Terrazza Les Étoiles at the nearby Atlante Star, where dinner is accompanied by panoramic views across Rome’s rooftops and illuminated domes. The elegant setting, refined dining and spectacular cityscape created a memorable conclusion to our stay. 🌙🥂

For travellers looking to combine a central location, Italian character and warm hospitality, Atlante Garden offers a welcoming address from which to experience Rome.

Thank you @atlantehotels and @terrazzalesetoiles for hosting Hotels Library and for such a memorable Roman experience. 🤍

Pattaya has changed considerably over the years, but its relationship with the sea remains at the heart of the city. At Hilton Pattaya, that connection is taken upwards. The hotel rises 34 levels above Central Pattaya Beach, with sweeping views across Pattaya Bay and a location that puts the beach, shopping and the city's evening energy almost immediately outside the door.

The address is especially convenient. Hilton Pattaya sits above the Central Pattaya shopping complex, so you can move between the hotel, shops, restaurants and the beach without having to plan your day around transport. But the real reason to stay is what happens when you look outwards. From the upper floors, Pattaya becomes a long curve of coastline, sea and sky.

Melbourne is a city that rewards looking up. Behind the office towers and tram wires are ornate façades, hidden courtyards, tiny wine bars and laneways that seem to reveal something new every time you turn a corner. InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto puts you right in the middle of that story, inside one of the city's most recognisable historic buildings on Collins Street.

The hotel occupies the former Rialto buildings, where 1890s neo-Gothic architecture meets a more contemporary hotel interior. Original brickwork and ornate windows remain, while a soaring glass atrium brings daylight deep into the centre of the property. It is an interesting contrast, and one that feels very Melbourne: grand old architecture, but with a modern edge.

There are plenty of Bangkok hotels that promise a view of the Chao Phraya, but Riva Surya feels different because the river is part of the daily rhythm. Step outside and you are on Phra Athit Road, one of the more characterful corners of the old city. Walk a few minutes to the pier and you can be on a river boat heading towards Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace or further south into the city.

For travellers who want to experience Bangkok beyond the glass towers of Sukhumvit and Silom, Riva Surya makes a compelling base. It has just 68 rooms, a riverside swimming pool, several places to eat and drink, and the kind of location that encourages you to explore on foot, by boat and by tuk-tuk.

There are luxury hotels that impress with scale, and then there are those that make an impression by making the world feel smaller.

The Ivy Hotel belongs firmly to the latter.

Behind ivy-covered walls in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, this intimate 17-room hotel occupies a magnificent late-19th-century mansion where grand architecture, exceptional dining and remarkably thoughtful hospitality come together to create something that feels increasingly rare: a hotel where staying in can be every bit as compelling as going out.

As Maryland’s only hotel awarded Two MICHELIN Keys and a member of Relais & Châteaux since 2015, The Ivy arrives with considerable credentials. But what stayed with us most was not an accolade.

It was how effortlessly cared for we felt.

Bangkok is a city that rarely slows down. The traffic moves, the river keeps flowing, boats cross the Chao Phraya from morning until night, and somewhere nearby there is almost always another restaurant, market, temple or neighborhood waiting to be explored.

Capella Bangkok feels like the rare place where you can step out of that energy without actually leaving the city.

Set directly along the Chao Phraya on Charoenkrung Road, the hotel is low-rise, intimate and deliberately residential in feel. Rather than rising above the river as another glass tower, it stretches along the waterfront, giving its 101 rooms, suites and villas a much stronger connection to the river. The hotel's current positioning is very much about bringing the Chao Phraya into the experience, with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor spaces and river views throughout much of the accommodation.

And it works.

Bangkok is a city that rarely asks you to slow down. The traffic, the markets, the rooftop bars, the shopping and the constant movement can make even a short stay feel wonderfully full.

Then you arrive at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, and everything becomes quieter.

On South Sathorn Road, the hotel has long had a reputation for thoughtful design and wellness, but its recent transformation has given the property a fresh sense of purpose. Reopened after a six-month renovation, the hotel was reimagined by Italian designer Paola Navone, with refreshed rooms and suites, new dining concepts and a renewed focus on COMO's signature approach to wellness. 

The result is not a hotel that competes with Bangkok's energy. It gives you somewhere to escape from it.

Bangkok has no shortage of new hotels, but Valia Hotel Bangkok has taken a slightly different route. Rather than leaning entirely into the city's futuristic side, the hotel looks back to the old Silk Road, using Oriental-inspired details, rich textures and contemporary rooms to create something that feels more theatrical than the average Sukhumvit address.

On Sukhumvit Soi 24, the hotel has 279 rooms and suites spread across two towers, with the Emporium, EmQuartier and EmSphere shopping complexes nearby. BTS Phrom Phong is also within easy reach, and the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle every 15 minutes to the station and the EM District. 

It is a particularly convenient part of Bangkok to stay. You have the energy of Sukhumvit outside, but once you are upstairs at the rooftop pool or back in the room, the pace feels considerably calmer.