From the tropical rainforests of Indonesia to the Caldera in the Aegean Sea, we’ve spanned the globe in search of the timeless great escapes that are as luxurious as they are exotic

By Ayesha Khan

Adventure travel provides us that necessary reprieve from our vie quotidienne. There is something to be said about the thrill of being in a completely foreign land, delving into new cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. Whether your utopia sits in the Himalayan climes of Tibet or the lagoons of the South Pacific, our latest selection of suites will be sure to impress.

We begin our journey of enlightenment in the modern day remnants of the Lost City of Atlantis: the pristine Greek island of Santorini. Perivolas, the guesthouses of the Physhas family, is a quaint collection of 18 whitewashed caverns where ordinary rules of hotel room design no longer apply. In fact, there is nothing ordinary about Perivolas or its breathtaking cliff-side setting. Everything from the sweeping Aegean views over the world famous infinity pool to the sculpted interior spaces accented with island antiques and the Psychas family’s signature pinks and mauves epitomises the quirky charm that pervades the island of Santorini.

The Perivolas suite can only be described as a stunning cave palace where all the makings of exclusivity come together in the most unlikely way- the Psychas way. The suite houses two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a spa-style bathroom, complete with a sunken soak pool, massage shower, and hammam. But the most outstanding offering at the Perivolas Suite is its private indoor/outdoor swimming pool that starts in the bedroom and winds its way to the private landscaped terrace by way of a skylit “tunnel” that has to be seen to be believed.

James Hilton spoke of Shangri-La, a paradise nestled in the Tibetan mountains where peace prevailed. This enchanted place was to cast a spell on all who resided there. Perched at a dizzying 10,500 feet above sea level, the Banyan Tree Ringha brings the mystique of Hilton’s Lost Horizon to life. The true adventurer won’t let the fact that simply breathing at this altitude can cause nausea, heart palpation, headache, and shortness of breath, or that there are oxygen pods in the minibar keep them from enjoying this experience. It’s all worth it when you are enveloped in the entrancing charisma of Tibet, from its snow-capped peaks to its deep canyons and crystal streams.

In the property’s lavish 3,500 square foot Tibetan Spa Suite, guests are treated to customized spa treatments in a private couple’s spa room, complete with an authentic wooden Tibetan soak tub. The suite also features pine-decked balconies with valley or river views, the most exquisite local arts and crafts, and a rustic Tibetan fireplace, designed to conjure the authenticity of farmhouses in the Yunnan province.