White Pod Resort. Swiss Alps.
The Swiss are too exacting to build igloos, so they prefer perfectly precise geodesic domes. Tres chic and cozy, these pods are neatly nestled in a ski resort with a newly constructed spa to melt away in. All pods are equipped with wood burning stoves, organic luxury bedding and full bathrooms.
About $500/weekend night.
(Source: whitepod.com)
URBN HOTEL. Shanghai, China.
After a depressing stay at the tastelessly designed Radisson (smokey dining room, breakfast buffet 5 days in a row, and blinding beige marble, brass and glass), I needed a clean breath of air.
After an effortless check-in at Urbn Hotel on the quieter side of downtown in a historic residential neighborhood, I was in smokeless and eco-focused nirvana. An enclosed bamboo courtyard opens into a 26-room boutique hotel, complete with organic cleaning products, warm wood against cool stone, chic menu and crowd.
My ‘atrium’ room had a bamboo and stone garden window, an endless runway bathroom, and a sunken TV area. Fast free wireless internet - who needs a ‘business hotel?’ Next came a free in-room massage, quick room service that arrived in an laser-etched box, and they even packed me a free breakfast to go for my early morning departure.
URBN rules. About $220/night.
(Source: urbnhotels.com)
Hector’s Apartments. Kent, UK.
The apartments’ decor is understated and minimalist, with neutral milk and cream shades providing the perfect foil to the dazzling green and blue views, be they seafront, gravelly garden or castle-facing. Yes, a castle right outside your doorstep. Hit this place up on your way to the Chunnel.
About $550/3-day weekend.
Point Reyes Station. Northern California.
One of my all-time favorite things is oyster-shucking in Tomales Bay and this is where I would like to shuck them. A massive, modern getaway, with a 92” projection screen, 75’ lap pool, spa and steam room. Slurp.
About $700-800/night for 4,000 sq ft.
(Source: homeaway.com)
Lute Suites. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
This gives me a bit of a spooky feeling i.e. getting trapped in the attic, but it is cool nontheless. A former gunpowder factory, the interiors were designed by Marcel Wanders. I hear the food is amazing (chef Peter Lute), hooray for Amsterdam.
About $400/night.
Bulgari Bali. Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia.
*sigh* This is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon. It was the most special and romantic splurge, perched on a cliffside overlooking an endless sea. (We even saw whales from the restaurant on our last day!)
We often wonder why we opted for Italian instead of Balinese…but as you know, I’m a fool for modern.
About $800/night. Andiamo!
(Source: bulgarihotels.com)
Little Kulala. Damaraland, Namibia.
Angelina and Brad aren’t the only reasons to stargaze in Namibia, home of the oldest desert in the world and the tallest sand dunes. Eco-luxury defies logic sometimes.
About $864/night. Gorgeous.
Marataba Safari Company. South Africa.
Set in 240 sq. km of private reserve, you’ll have wild game all to yourself: lions, leaopards, elephants, cape buffalo, rhinos. Oh my!
About $475/night. Airfare is another story.
(Source: kiwicollection.com)
Longitude 131*. Northern Territory, Australia.
You know I’m a sucker for a glamorous tent…next to the hallowed Aboriginal site of Uluru, this is a spectacular kind of camping.
About $1350/night. A mere $150 more expensive than an overwater bungalow in Fiji!
(Source: kiwicollection.com)
HOMA Chateau. Guilin, China.
The interiors are a tad flashy, but the exteriors and views are jaw-dropping. About 3 hr. flight from Hong Kong, past Guangzhou.
About $250/night
