Gimme Shelter… and spoil me too.

The Fairview Inn in Jackson, Mississippi offers modern luxury in a 19th century mansion.

I’m not a fussy traveler. I don’t require the best of everything. In fact, I can be quite happy in a hostel or camping. Budget hotels can offer a local charm that is not found at a higher price. Yes, I like them all but…

…there are times when I want a more than a place to lie my head. I want to be pampered. I want beauty. I want elegance. I want to be spoiled.

Fortunately, I have been. My travels have presented many opportunities to stay in some extraordinary hotels. Here are a few that stand out.

The Art of Luxury – Montreal, Canada

The works of Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana and many other modern artists are featured at L’Hotel in Montreal. Experience the iconic Love by Indiana before entering the hotel. More sculptures are in the lobby and there are paintings on every wall – it is truly an amazing experience.

It is the art that makes L'Hotel stand out in my mind as luxurious.

Luxury by Design – Edinburgh, Scotland

Created by Missoni, the Italian fashion house with a reputation for stunning patterns, this hotel in Edinburgh stands out for its rich and interesting use of color. The luxury you can’t see in the photo below is the Missoni brand of hospitality which offers very personal service and a price that includes everything from minibar to video-on-demand so that there is no surprise in the bill at check out. You can read more about the Hotel Missoni here: When Fashion Designers Create a Hotel

The Hotel Missoni, designed by a fashion house.

Luxury in Transition – Havana, Cuba

Havana is a city in transition. In Old Havana, amongst buildings that are barely standing are luxury hotels run by the Office of the City Historian of Havana. I stayed at the Hotel Raquel which dates back to 1908. It’s  beautiful but you have to be careful. The first room I was given didn’t have a window. Once moved, I was in a fine room.

A gem in old Havana, not all of which is restored.

Sustainable Luxury – Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Hacienda Tres Rios on the Riviera Maya earned the Green Globe award for sustainable tourism practices and changed my attitude towards resorts. Learning the many ways in which this resort respects the environment and the local people made be feel pretty good. Your can read more here: Feel Good about Your Vacation: resorts can be sustainable.

The resort is beautiful and luxurious but what really sets it apart are things like the plant nursery where endangered species are nurtured.

Capital Luxury – Amman, Jordan

In the capital city of Amman, Jordan, I enjoyed the luxurious care of the staff at the Four Seasons Hotel. This is a classically beautiful hotel – though modern in design. Large rooms, wonderful amenities and staff that absolutely dote on you make the stay here very luxurious.

The stunning lobby at the Four Seasons Hotel, Amman, Jordan

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