My Ultimate Hotel Bucket List
From Aman Tokyo and Taj Lake Palace to Kokomo Private Island and Soneva Jani, these are the 10 luxury hotels at the very top of my travel bucket list.
There’s something about getting home from a trip that always has me thinking about the next. Having just returned from a two week trip to California, I got to thinking about all of the places on my (very long) bucket list. Some have earned their place because of the hotel itself, others are in destinations I’ve been dreaming of travelling to, but more often than not, it’s a combination of the two.
So, with that in mind, here are the 10 luxury hotels currently sitting at the very top of my bucket list. Hopefully they provide a little inspiration for your own future travels.
1. Jnane Rumi, Marrakech, Morocco
Hidden within Marrakech's palm groves, Jnane Rumi looks more like a private estate than a hotel. The combination of earthy Moroccan design, art-filled interiors and lush gardens makes it look impossibly chic. Better still, it's close enough to the Medina to experience Marrakech at its most chaotic, before retreating to a perfect, peaceful oasis.
Image Credit - Conde Nast Traveller
2. AndBeyond, Kenya
If it were possible to dedicate an entire hotel wish list purely to AndBeyond properties, I would. After spending part of our honeymoon at AndBeyond Ngala in December 2025, I can say with absolute certainty that they are the best hotel group I’ve travelled with. The service was exceptional, the attention to detail unmatched, and that’s before even mentioning the wildlife sightings.
The challenge now is deciding where to go next, but one of their Kenyan properties feels like the obvious choice. Few travel experiences compare to a safari, and I'm already dreaming of getting back out on a game drive.
Image Credit - AndBeyond
3. Aman Tokyo, Japan
Few hotels have achieved the cult status of Aman Tokyo. Sitting high above the city, the minimalist design, enormous suites and sweeping skyline views make it one of the most iconic urban hotels in the world, not to mention, that pool!
Image Credit - Aman
4. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
I fell hard for India when I first visited in 2015 and have been lucky enough to return twice since. Udaipur remains one of the destinations I'm eager to visit, with the Taj Lake Palace sitting firmly at the top of my hotel wish list for the trip.
Set in the middle of Lake Pichola and only accessible by boat, the former royal palace appears to float on the water. A stay here would feel totally unique and magical!
Image Credit - Taj Hotels
5. Six Senses Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
Thailand has no shortage of beautiful resorts, but this is the one I keep coming back to and saving on Instagram. Perched among the jungle with uninterrupted views of Phang Nga Bay’s limestone karsts, it feels peaceful, tropical and stylish. A perfect choice for some winter sun!
Image Credit - Conde Nast Traveller
6. Nekajui, Costa Rica
Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart. I spent time backpacking there when I was 18 and have wanted to return ever since.
Nekajui recently found its way onto my radar after appearing on Riley Harper’s Substack. Perched above the coastline in Guanacaste, it looks like the sort of place that captures the magic and wild nature of Costa Rica, just with considerably better accommodation than my gap year days.
Image Credit - Forbes
7. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
Every photo I’ve seen of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay looks almost insanely beautiful. Set above Kauai’s famous Hanalei Bay, the hotel blends sustainability, wellness and some of the best views in Hawaii. The 1 Hotel Group really nail it, and having only visited their city properties previously, this beachside hotel is seriously high on the wish list.
Image Credit - Conde Nast Traveller
8. Kokomo Private Island, Fiji
If heaven on earth really did exist, I’d imagine it looks something like Kokomo. Set on a private island surrounded by Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef, the resort combines insanely turquoise water, beachfront villas and the kind of barefoot luxury I love.
Image Credit - Kokomo Private Island
9. NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
NIHI Sumba has spent years appearing on lists of the world's best hotels, and it's easy to see why. Between the empty beaches, surf breaks, wild horses and effortless luxury, it's the sort of place that would be worth every second of the long journey to get there!
Image Credit - Nihi Sumba
10. Soneva Jani, Maldives
Perhaps an obvious choice, and call me basic, but I genuinely can’t think of anything better than waking up in a water villa, opening the bedroom roof to the stars and launching myself down a private slide into the Indian Ocean. Some bucket-list hotels become obvious choices for a reason.
Image Credit - Michelin Guide
I’m fortunate enough to already have one of these amazing hotels booked for 2026, the only question is which one gets booked next? I’m curious to know, what’s on your hotel bucket list? I’m keen to add to my ever growing list!
I can dream 🤗
What a great list. It’s inspiring!