5 Luxury Hotels With Breathtaking Landscapes
From cliff tops boasting bird’s-eye views of historic villages to cave dwellings dating back to the Stone Age, it is through natural landscapes that we can experience travel most authentically. Add a dose of sophisticated luxury to the centuries-old charm and the setting becomes even more utopian. Prepare to become closely connected to the environment when staying at these idyllic properties blending into their landscapes.
Set your sights high above the Bay of Palma when entering Cap Rocat, a former military fortress dating back to the 19th century. Declared a heritage asset and listed as a national monument, meticulous care was taken to preserve the exceptional architecture of this ancient limestone complex. Maintaining the harmony of Mallorca without disrupting the Spanish island’s biodiversity was also part of the blueprints. This award-winning project by Antonio Obrador’s studio resulted in a uniquely secluded hotel, out of view from the mainland and the sea. Within the 28 plush rooms and suites, canopy beds billow softly against the delicate decor. Signs of a storied past include bullets used as door handles, and gun carriages as coffee tables. The drawbridges, bunkers, trenches, and excavated vaults for weaponry are still intact. Former surveillance points turned luxurious suites, the Sentinels include private terraces with plunge pools and uninterrupted views of the sea. Restaurant La Fortaleza sets a romantic mood in the courtyard with a rooftop aperitif timed to the setting sun, while the more casual Sea Club tastes of tradition. The sensory journey at this fortified citadel continues 12 meters below ground when you sink into the spa.
Carved from the caldera wall along the rim of Santorini’s volcanic cliffs, the rooms at Iconic Santorini formerly housed the residents of Imerovigli. The village bakery once stood in the place of the Iconic suite, the most lavish of the 19 suites boasting a generous terrace and plunge pool. Decades later, this landscape is honored by the architectural and design firm A&T Kontodimas, with cave dwellings presenting a glimpse into history, while offering the comforts of the present. Natural wood details paired with luxuriant beds decorate the sleek whitewashed rooms, laid out upon five levels. Generous terraces are complimented with jacuzzis and lounge chairs. Isolated from the donkey-riding crowds of Oia and the neighboring party scene in Fira, Iconic Santorini allows the mind to meditate upon the rugged landscape while inhaling the brilliance of the turquoise sea—when not taking a refreshing dip in the infinity pool or dining at the hotel’s terrace restaurant, that is.
Follow the scents of oranges and lemons along the Amalfi Coast until you reach Santa Caterina, overlooking the azure bay of Salerno. This 19th-century family-owned hotel neighboring the town of Amalfi perfectly enhances the beauty of the terraced landscape while preserving what makes it such a desirable destination. Newly renovated Villas della Marchesa offer an inviting addition to the 67 airy antique-infused rooms and suites spread throughout the property—detached Chalet Giulietta & Romeo included. Hand-painted majolica floor tiles in the bathrooms and living space recall a more artisanal era, one that is omnipresent, if you look close enough. Take the cliffside elevator down to the private beach club or lounge idly by the pool for a proper dose of la dolce vita. Helmed by Chef Giuseppe Stanzione, Michelin-starred restaurant Glicine serves innovative regional cuisine ranging from seafood tagliatelle to Amalfi-style lemon soufflé. Local lemons, flowers, and plants are also part of the spa’s wellness regime.
Dating back to the 18th century, hilltop gem Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, blends in with the Provençal landscape, ripe with olive and cypress trees. This perfect perch overlooks the historic village of Gordes, where artists Marc Chagall, Victor Vasarely, André Lhote, and Pol Mara found their inspiration. Echos of this former home’s illustrious inhabitants are found in the over 2,000 paintings, artifacts, cherrywood period furniture and leather-bound books filling the interior. Each of the 40 vibrantly appointed rooms and suites tells its own story with the help of meticulous renovations by interior designer Christophe Tollemer. For deeper seclusion, escape into the private five-bedroom La Maison de Constance. Prepare for hours of stargazing following meals at recently launched restaurant Clover Gordes, the creation of two-Michelin-starred chef, Jean-François Piège. Other options include L’Orangerie, La Citadelle, and trattoria-style La Bastide de Pierres in the village. The views are as remarkable as the menu at newly opened restaurant Le Tigrr, whose cuisine takes its cues from Asia. Meanwhile, step into what appears to be the Sénanque Abbey for a holy spa treatment, monks not included.
Matera, in Italy’s southern region of Basilicata, is world-famous for its cave dwellings, or sassi, as they are locally known. This UNESCO World Heritage Site remained well conserved and restored when Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita converted these 9,000-year-old stone dwellings into 18 enchanting accommodations. Local and recycled materials outfit the minimalist interiors with linen bedding and wood cupboards, chairs, and desks. Form unites with function, hiding nearly all traces of the modern world. Located in the oldest part of the sassi quarters—the Civita—the hotel includes the Cripta della Civita, an ancient church and common area. The Middle Ages come to mind when settling into this ancient monastic community where original features read like a history book. Candlelight sets the mood throughout the cavernous spaces, all the way to the stone terraces facing Murgia National Park. Notes of classical music add to the serene ambiance, where every effort is taken to preserve the fabric of the building and the soul of the sassi.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
