Five Favorite Hotel Stays Around the World

most memorable stays from paris to greece to japan, and more.

I’ll admit: it feels like I am the least hotel-focused travel writer I know.

For many, the accommodation they stay in is a significant, if not the most significant, puzzle piece of a trip. For me, whether it’s a friend’s couch (less so these days), a budget guesthouse (so long as it’s clean…!), or a five-star luxury property, my priorities lie elsewhere when traveling. A hotel/hostel/guesthouse, to me, has long been “just a place to sleep.”

Historically, I’d rather spend my money on food and drink or experiences than where I’m staying. But there are, of course, exceptions — properties or rooms that become the highlight of your experience in a place. There truly are hotels and Airbnbs worth traveling for alone.

For me, what makes a place to stay part of this exception is either location or cultural immersion.

A stay can also be an experience in itself. A houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala, a ryokan with a private onsen and homecooked omakase in rural Japan, a room at the back of a mezcal bar in Oaxaca (note: I actually don’t recommend that one lol.) I’ll cover these as well, but here I want to highlight five of the most memorable stays I’ve had while traveling that are an experience enough in themselves.

To do this, I looked back at nearly two decades of travel (saying that makes me feel old) on nearly every continent. I’ve, sadly, omitted places that are no longer operating (because who wants to read about a place they’re never been and can’t even book.) I’ve included direct links (non-affiliate) so that you can easily find them to book or bookmark for later.

Nothing that accommodation has never been my top priority…still, I’ve had the divine pleasure of experiencing many memorable places, including over-the-top amazing hotels and Airbnbs.

Here are the places to stay that this traveling writer has enjoyed most while traveling.

Europe

Fisherman’s house in Milos, Greece