9 Hotels Around the World You Need to Know About Right Now

Seclusion and stunning marine life are the highlights at this 25-unit all-inclusive resort on Beqa Island. The upper-middle-range property offers excellent uncaged shark diving, in addition to snorkeling on the soft coral reef and free use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards in the calm lagoon. Daily cultural activities and entertainment such as hikes, visits to the local village, fire walking, and kava ceremonies keep those on land occupied. Spacious rooms have a traditional Fijian style and some have private plunge pools, but many are showing wear and tear. The restaurant offers well-reviewed cuisine, while Bula Bar serves wine, beer, and cocktails. There's a fee for Wi-Fi but most families and couples come to unplug anyway, hence no TVs or phones. Compare rates with Wananavu Beach Resort, another popular dive hotel with more charming rooms.

The 66-room Hotel Magenta 38 is a smart, three-pearl choice for travelers looking for chic design at affordable rates. It's located in Paris's 10th Arrondissement in Canal Saint-Martin, the city's epicenter of hipsterdom. The boutique hotel's rooms have minimalist chic decor, minibars, and flat-screen TVs; some offer balconies with views. Freebies include Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, happy hour, and Nespresso in the attractive, inviting lobby. But the breakfast buffet is an additional fee. The property isn't within walking distance of major tourist sights and doesn't have a full restaurant, bar, or business center. Business travelers might opt for nearby Holiday Inn Paris-Gare de L'Est, which may also be a better choice for families traveling with small children.

One&Only Palmilla is easily one of Mexico's most luxurious properties. The velvet-gloved treatment includes personal concierges, butlers, aromatherapy turndown service, and some of Cabo's best dining. The 160 rooms and villas blend classic Mexican design with contemporary accents like Venetian stucco and walls of windows to create bright, elegant spaces. All have terraces, many with direct ocean views, and some include private pools. Dining includes Asian-Mexican fusion and Mediterranean options, plus and a steak house by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The resort has one of the area's only swimmable beaches, an elegant spa, and two gorgeous pools, all of which are hard to top -- the manicured-jungle setting doesn't hurt either. Esperanza, An Auberge Resort is the closest competition. It has a more intimate vibe, though isn't as seamlessly luxurious.

The Southampton Village Motel is a bright and fresh budget property with a convenient location and a quiet atmosphere. The restaurants and shops of Main Street are a 10-minute walk away while beaches are within a short drive or bike ride. Renovated in 2014, the 10 rooms feature air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and comfy beds with Pottery Barn linens. This family-owned property has a spacious lawn and gardens with tables and seating, and offers free bicycle usage, beach passes, and Tate's cookies. There is no breakfast service or restaurant, however, and rooms are smallish. Wi-Fi is free. There's no pool; if that's a priority, consider the larger Southampton Inn, but lose the intimate feel here.

The 33-room Tigerlily is one of Edinburgh’s hippest, most stylish upscale boutiques. Known among locals for its young party vibe and whimsical decor, this historic hotel has few but outstanding features, including two bars with over 100 cocktails, and an excellent restaurant serving an international menu that changes seasonally. Sophisticated rooms are individually decorated with neutral hues, suede accents, wooden floors, and unique details such as wainscoting, four-poster beds, and working fireplaces. All rooms also feature high-end extras, including DVD players (with free loaner movies), free Wi-Fi, pre-loaded iPods with bluetooth speakers, and professional hair straighteners. The location in the heart of the New Town is convenient for shopping, dining, and sightseeing. Le Monde Edinburgh is another sleek boutique worth considering in the area.

Fort Recovery Beachfront Villa & Suites is a 30-room upscale hotel on Tortola’s west end. The hotel’s one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are tastefully decorated with beachy decor. Amenities include a small pool and beachfront, a casual restaurant, and a small spa and fitness center. There isn’t much to see or do in the immediate area, and the hotel’s atmosphere tends to be quiet — a little too quiet for some. Guests looking for a similar property with a bit more to do in the surrounding neighborhood might prefer Agape Cottages in Cane Garden Bay, though it has fewer on-site amenities.

The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa is a classic luxury business hotel in Central Delhi, near the shopping, dining, and transportation hub of Connaught Place. The 178 rooms and suites have simple business decor and run small, but the bathrooms feature big walk-in rainfall showers. Unfortunately, some bathrooms are separated from the rooms only by privacy-compromising frosted-glass walls. On-site amenities here include a lovely spa with Ayurvedic treatments, a decent gym, and lots of meeting space, but it's the dining here that really stands out. The hotel is home to one of the city's best-known Japanese restaurants, Sakura, and even the free buffet breakfast includes Japanese fare.

The 65-room, mid-range Hotel 140 is one of the most affordable hotels in Boston's central Back Bay neighborhood. It is set in a handsome 1920s building, and a 2016 renovation has modernized once austere decor, while maintaining plenty of the original period feel. Rooms all come with free Wi-Fi and premium cable, though they can be prone to noise. There's not much on-site besides the rooms, though the hotel does share the building with a decent Italian eatery. The only hotel in the area that's much cheaper is the Boston Common Hotel and Conference Center next door, but it's a budget hotel and much more dated. The Sheraton Boston Hotel has similar rates and far more features, but its massive size won't appeal to everyone.

The Hotel Ira is an adult-only boutique property pressed against the cliffs of Firostefani, known for having some of the island's best caldera views. Quiet and out of the way, the Ira is about 10 minutes on foot from the center of Fira. The 22 guest rooms are attractive, though some details are dated, with minibars and balconies, some with hot tubs. There's another hot tub in the spa, while the small outdoor pool and pool bar overlook the Aegean. The hotel and its restaurant, which serves a free breakfast, reflect traditional Greek style and have the feel of a tiny village. For something a little closer to the center of town, guests could try the Belvedere Santorini, which allows children and has a larger pool, although no spa or restaurant. 


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