Landlocked between its giant neighbours China and India, Bhutan is a tiny country perched high in the eastern part of the Himalayas. It is the world’s last remaining Buddhist Kingdom and is also known as the world’s only carbon negative country. It is only one of many reasons why Bhutan is called the “last Shangri-La”. And it is where I am from.

Across continents and cultures, there are hotels that do more than host, they transport. They are living galleries, architectural love letters, and sanctuaries shaped by light, texture, and imagination. From the shimmering skylines of Tokyo and Singapore to the mist-veiled valleys of Bhutan and the cinematic shores of Lake Como, these seven design-led hotels distill the essence of place into experiences that feel both intimate and transcendent. Each property is a masterpiece in its own right, crafted for travelers who seek not just a stay, but a world to inhabit.