Tom's House

Situated on a small hillside near Kawarau Falls in Queenstown, Tom's Cabin will please architecture and adventure buffs alike. The off-grid cabin's mix of modern asymmetrical lines and blackened timber cladding has racked up numerous architectural awards, including New Zealand's Best Small Home 2016. Surrounded by mountains, the plywood-lined interior takes advantage of the views while offering a cozy retreat with enough beds to sleep six. A wood-fired stove and a cedar hot tub allow for relaxing moments on the property or you can opt to head off-site to explore the hiking trails and bike tracks nearby.

Photos: Airbnb

Casa Xolotl

Housed in historic colonial residence, the Casa Xolotl offers an authentic stay in Mérida. The preexisting structure serves as the main house containing the living room, dining room, kitchen, and a guest suite. Inside, its ancient aesthetic is contrasted by a mix of graphic tiles, bold artwork, and modern furniture. At the rear of the property, a detached villa serves as the master suite. The linking factor between the old and new constructions is the central terrace. Enclosed by the remains of the original stone walls, the patio draws guests to the outdoor space with a sitting area, hammock, and free-flowing swimming pool.

Photos: Tamara Uribe / Punto Arquitectónico

Hotel Misincu

You can add Corsica to your Mediterranean wishlist thanks to Hotel Misincu. The first five-star accommodations on the island, the waterfront retreat occupies 70-acres on the Cap Corse peninsula. The 29 rooms and suites infuse traditional Cycladic style with modern furnishing offering warm neutral hues and sea views. An additional 11 villas provide extra privacy and are fitted with private pools, gardens, and a personal concierge. The property also hosts a pair of restaurants, including a Michelin-star seafood eatery, as well as a spa with a Turkish bath and pink pool.

Black H House

Combining big landscapes and minimal design, the Black H House is the ideal way to take in Scotland's Isle of Skye. The two black boxes are situated on the waterfront. Its interior offers an open living and kitchen area with a single bedroom. White walls and concrete floors continue the exterior's muted aesthetic, allowing the views to take center stage. Loch Vatten towards Macleod's Tables can be seen through north-facing floor-to-ceiling glazing while Loch Bracadale is highlighted to the south.

Photos: Felix Mooneeram / Urlaubs Architektur

Hotel Pacai

Formerly the residence of Lithuanian nobles, Hotel Pacai lets you live like royalty while in Vilnius. The 104 guest rooms are housed in the Baroque palace. Built in 1677, the property is overflowing with ancient statues and authentic artifacts, including a mysterious staircase and restored outdoor courtyard. These historic elements are balanced with modern finishes throughout the rooms and suites creating a regal atmosphere. Along with a full-service spa, the property also hosts a lounge and a brasserie. The 40-seat eatery is head by Noma co-founder Claus Meyer and features Baltic-inspired dishes that highlight locally found seasonal ingredients.

Flophouze Hotel

Everything is bigger in Texas except when you're at the Flophouze Hotel. The property consists of six tiny homes laid out on a farm in Round Top. Each unit is made from a recycled shipping container that has been decked out in salvaged goods. Everything from the reclaimed distillery timber to the bowling alley floor countertops has been repurposed and given a new life. Interiors are furnished with vintage rugs and global artwork provided by their "mothership" Recycling the Past. During your stay, guests can enjoy the cozy atmosphere while running through the curated vinyl collection or lounge around on the hammocks and sip on a complimentary Mexican Coke.

Healing Stay Kosmos

Harnessing the celestial energy of South Korean's island of Ulleungdo, the Healing Stay Kosmos offers the ultimate balance of yin and yang. The hotel is situated on a cliffside surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and the Sea of Japan. Comprised of two structures, the white concrete buildings blend into the alien landscape with arched roofs and fluid forms. The main structure houses a series of guest rooms each with their own water views while the spiraled Villa Kosmos offers a more secluded stay. At the center of the property is an exterior courtyard. Fitted with a pair of ringed chairs representing yin and yang, the seaside seat will lead you to your inner chi.

Willow Treehouse

Perched on the bank of a small pond, the Willow Treehouse upgrades your childhood with this modern version of the backyard retreat. The lofted cabin is situated on 34 acres in the Catskills of New York. Within the timber-clad pod is an open interior with everything you need for a cozy weekend including an eat-in kitchen, living space, bathroom, and sleeping mezzanine. Glazed panels angled around the interior provide glimpses of the surrounding landscape while a full-height window offers water views to both the king-size bed and couch below. Soak in the wilderness from the outdoor terrace or go for a more literal approach with an evening dip in the wood-fired hot tub.

Photos: Peter Crosby

Starboard House

Just steps from the ocean, the Starboard House offers a remote retreat on Cape Cod Bay. The home sits on a small bluff, overlooking the Atlantic waves. Providing more than enough room for the whole crew, the lower level is occupied by a master suite and two bunk rooms that expand out to a screened-in porch. An additional master suite is located on the second story along with an open living space. Large glazed panels afford the whole floor sweeping views of the coast while also sliding open to a waterfront deck spanning the entire length of the exterior. Soak in the sun from the rooftop terrace or opt to head to the beach which is a short walk away.

Hotel St. George

Parked adjacent to Helsinki's Old Church Park, Hotel St. George adds contemporary boutique digs to the historic Finnish neighborhood. The site itself is a landmark in its own right with a history going back to the 1840s. While the vintage shell remains, the interior now offers 153 Scandinavian-inspired rooms and suites. Each one offers views of either the courtyard, city, or park, bespoke furniture, and a contemporary art collection curated by the Helsinki Art Museum and the National Gallery. The property also hosts a holistic spa facility, a Nordic restaurant, and the Bakery & Bar where guests can scarf down on fresh baked bread and pastries.

Viking 245-day Ultimate World Cruise

Visiting 59 countries on 6 continents, the Viking 245-day Ultimate World Cruise is the best way to travel the globe. The journey starts in London and over the next 35 weeks, the Viking Sun will make a round trip hitting every bucket list-worthy destination along the way. Each day will bring you to a new location with stops at Reykjavík, Iceland, San Juan, Rio de Janeiro, Bora Bora, Egypt, Sydney, Hong Kong and Egypt while the 113 guided tours allow you to get the most out of every city. When you're not at a port, your time inside the ship won't be disappointing either. The award-winning vessel offers spacious rooms— each with its own veranda, king-size bed, private bathroom, and flat-screen TV — as well as restaurants, an infinity pool, spa, theater, cinema, and an Explorer's Lounge serving craft beer and Scandinavian fare.

Photos: Viking Cruises

The Ramble Hotel

Located in Denver's River North Art District, The Ramble Hotel is bringing the speakeasy-style of Death & Co to the Mile-High City. This collaboration will be the first time the New York City establishment will venture out of the comfort of its East Village block. The lounge's Prohibition Era offerings will complement the hotel's French Salon-inspired digs by heading multiple venues throughout the property including a daytime cafe, outdoor bar, an intimate parlor, a small theater, and the in-room bars. All 50 rooms bring the Parisian styles of Madame Rambouillet to the modern day with moody blue hues, rich hickory floors, and vintage Persian rugs.

Photos: The Ramble Hotel

J.R's Eco Hut at Kimo Estate

Perched on a hilltop on a farm in Gundagai, J.R's Eco Hut at Kimo Estate offers a swanky way to enjoy the Australian wilderness. The one-room A-frame operates completely off-grid. Although they resemble a tent, the accommodations are anything but rugged. Their interiors are fitted with hardwood floors, wood-burning stoves, and a full bathroom. Full-height glazing allows you to watch the sunrise from the comfy king-size bed while a covered deck provides panoramic views of the surrounding Kimo Valley during breakfast.

Photos: Hilary Bradford / Kimo Estate

The Kumaon Hotel

Comprised of just 10 rooms, the Kumaon Hotel is a secluded retreat in the mountains of India. Much of the resort was handmade on site using local materials. Even the interiors are furnished with artisanal pieces including furniture crafted right on property and fabrics from around the area. Vast expanses of glazing offer views of the surrounding Himalayas as well as the Nanda Devi Range. During their stay, guests can take advantage of the property's library, lounge, and restaurant or spend their time trekking the mountains or exploring the nearby stone temples.

Photos: The Kumaon

Amanvari Resort & Residences

Some resorts are so good you wish you could just move in. Well at the Amanvari Resort & Residences you can. Located on the Eastern Cape of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, the luxury hotel group is offering a collection of private homes. The 24 wood and glass pavilions will be built on the water's edge. Each one will be unique in design and feature an open floor plan with a private terrace that overlooks the Sea of Cortez. The new beachfront community will also include access to a golf course, spa, two restaurants, a marina, and yacht club and is scheduled to open in 2020.

Photos: Aman

Truck Surf Hotel

The best waves aren't always right in front of the best accommodations. Unless you're staying at the Truck Surf Hotel. Located on the coast of Portugal and Morocco, the Mercedes Actros expands into a two-story retreat right on the beach. The interior offers a kitchen, living room, and bathroom with a show below while private bedrooms are above. Ample windows and an outdoor terrace keep the surf in full view, that is if you're not already out there riding it. Your stay comes with a buffet breakfast and a range of packages make sure you get the most out of your trip.

The Barn Gallery

Occupying four wooded acres, the Barn Gallery is a sustainable retreat on the coast of Washington's Lopez Island. The home is meant to inspire others with its eco-friendly design practices like its reclaimed timber facade and rainwater collection and filtration system showcased in the front entrance. Inside, a spacious main living area highlights the work of local artists. The space is shared with a Ferrari red kitchen where a chef can prepare farm-to-table-fare. Meals served on a live edge black walnut dining table, fabricated at the on-site workshop. Lined with a wall of south-facing glass doors, the room is afforded expansive views of both the private meadow and the San Juan Channel.

Photos: Steve Horn / OEX Club

Kokomo Private Island Fiji

Surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef, the island of Yaukuve Levu is a surreal paradise. That's exactly why Australian billionaire Lang Walker chose it as the location for his remote isle getaway. Dubbed the Kokomo Private Island Fiji, the resort spreads 21 waterfront villas and five residences across the 140-acre property. Each one mixes high-end luxury with traditional Fijian design while offering ocean views, beach access, and private pools. The landscape lends itself to a host of activities — ranging anywhere from fishing and surfing to exploring the world's fourth-largest coral reef — or if you're more into relaxing, there's a spa and pool cabana for that too.

Photos: Kokomo Private Island Fiji

Muraka Underwater Hotel Suite

Forget over the water bungalows. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort is flipping the script with the first underwater villa. Like sleeping in a fish tank, the Muraka is housed in a glass dome sitting 16-feet below the Indian Ocean. Turquoise water surrounds the bedroom, living area, and bathroom allowing you to gaze at the aquatic life as they swim by. Head to the surface and catch the sunset from the additional living room, bedrooms, and infinity pool. Continue the underwater theme with dinner at Ithaa — the resort's submerged restaurant — or opt for one of their other 11 eateries. The property also offers a range of other villas and suites, as well as two spas, three pools, and a wide variety of water sports.

Form Hotel Dubai

No matter where you are, there a few ingredients shared among great hotel experiences: a comfortable bed, a big TV, speedy WiFi, a tasty breakfast, and a great shower. At the Form Hotel Dubai, your stay starts with those amenities and goes from there. Via their weForm program, you can add anything from babysitting service to a safari or skydiving to your stay. The guestrooms are tastefully appointed with clean, modern furnishings, pour-over coffee, and a walk-in rain shower, and you'll also find multiple eateries, a rooftop pool, gym, and collaboration space on-site.

Ranwu Lake Campsite

Although you can camp at the Ranwu Lake Campsite, you're going to want to take advantage of the waterfront rooms. The remote retreat is located on 70 acres in the mountains of Tibet. Set on a foundation of stilts, eight individual structures extend out toward the lakeshore like independent hotels. Each one offers a secluded getaway with floor to ceiling glazing and private balconies that overlook the surrounding landscape. While the property also has tent camping and parking for RVs, the main building houses services for travelers and guests with an information center, snack bar, coffee, authentic Chinese good, barbecue buffet, and tea bar. From here, a long platform stretches out to a lakeside terrace providing a prime outlet for viewing the pristine scenery.

Photos: Arch-exist Photography

Pedras Salgadas Park

Situated in a spa town in northern Portugal, the Pedras Salgadas Park incorporates itself into a centuries-old forest. The resort is made up of 13 eco-houses, two tree houses, and a cottage. Each one was prefabricated and then assembled on site, not to disrupt the ancient trees. Housed in a modern shell, the accommodations provide guests one to two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchenettes, and plentiful glazing to take in the surrounding landscape. The property is also home to a thermal spa. Using water from the mineral springs, the renovated facility offers an indoor pool, a sauna, and a Turkish bath which may be needed after a day on their suspended obstacle course.

Photos: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG / Pedras Salgadas Park

Finn Lough Bubble Domes

Made from 180-degree transparent walls, the Finn Lough Bubble Domes keep the Northern Ireland landscape in full view long after you turn in for the night. The balloon-like retreats are located in a 50-acre forest on the remote peninsula of Aghnablaney. Totally immersed in the surrounding nature, each one features cozy cabin amenities with custom four-poster beds, ensuite bathrooms, private sitting area, and soft robes. But unlike traditional lodging, the crystal clear shell allows you to sip your morning espresso with the sunrise or gaze at the stars as you fall asleep, all without leaving the comfort of your tiny bubble.

Villa Lotus

When your idea of a getaway includes a remote location and impeccably designed digs, look no further than Villa Lotus. The three-bedroom stone and concrete home is situated on a hillside in Morocco's Essaouira. The natural facade is left exposed on the interior and framed with rough-cut timber beams. Although it's enveloped in rustic materials, the inside is adorned with a mix of contemporary artwork and iconic mid-century modern furniture. The whole thing is wrapped around a central courtyard where an L-shaped swimming pool offers views reaching the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

Photos: Le Collectionist

Relax Park Verholy

In a remote pine forest in Ukraine's Poltava region, the Relax Park Verholy has added a series of minimalist guest houses to their accommodations. The cottages were prefabricated and perched on stilts to ensure the landscape remained intact. They're clad in timber to blend in with the neighboring bark while mirrored glass reflects the surrounding trunks. From the inside, the glazing frames in views of the forest floor. Interiors are finished in warm wood planks and offer a secluded room with a double bed, shower cabin, sitting area with TV, and private outdoor terrace.

Photos: Andre Avdeenko / Relax Park Verholy

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana

Now that relations are starting to improve with Cuba, so are the accommodations. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana has beaten everyone to the punch by becoming the island nation's first 5-star hotel. Located in Old Havana, the resort is housed in a 100-year old European-style shopping arcade. The 246 guestrooms overlook the historic city while some even offer balconies. The rooftop is a hub for activities offering a pool and a restaurant with expansive views of the Capitol and the Great Theater of Havana. But the main attraction is their tobacco lounge which pairs the country's two specialties — cigars and rum.

Trunk Hotel

Located in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, the Trunk Hotel is an ode to its fashionable neighborhood. The hotel has a strong emphasis on local goods. Everything from the custom-made furniture to the coffee served at in the lounge is made in Japan. Throughout the 15 guest rooms, you'll find beds made from reclaimed wood, minibars stocked with Shibuya snacks and drinks, and local artwork on the walls. No two rooms are alike, meaning every stay will be unique. There are two ways to dine — the Kitchen, serving Japanese fusion, and Kushi, which specializes in Shibuya soul food. The property also offers a store selling a carefully curated selection of goods from around the area. Although the hotel brings the best of the district right to you, a selection of upcycled bikes is available to go out and experience it for yourself.