These design hotels are stunning feats of architecture, raised above the ground on stilts. The resorts on this list range from the sleek, contemporary structure of Fogo Island to Amankila's thatched-roof villas built above the terraced hillsides of Bali. All are outfitted with luxury amenities such as private verandas, sunken pools, lakeview hammocks and personal butlers. Continue reading for our choice of the 11 chicest hotels on stilts in the world.
North Island, Seychelles
Exquisite 462-acre tropical hideaway 20 minutes by helicopter from Seychelles International Airport. The resort comprises 11 air-conditioned two-bedroom villas constructed of local wood and stone. Each villa is a self-contained world (served by a dedicated butler) with a spacious lounge, separate dining area, kitchenette and small library.
Petite Anse, Mahé, Seychelles
Sixty-seven tree-house villas are set on a hillside overlooking an idyllic coral-sand beach on the main island of Mahé. The villas and suites echo traditional Creole design and feature natural timber and brick, with expansive outdoor spaces and private pools.
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Lavish jungle camp set on a picturesque hillside overlooking Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, 90 minutes north of Chiang Rai in the heart of the Golden Triangle. Fifteen air-conditioned “tented” accommodations feature every amenity, from beautiful handcrafted furnishings and polished hardwood floors to plush baths (copper tubs and handheld showers) and scenic decks with outdoor showers.
Granada, Nicaragua
Ingeniously designed hideaway on a lush private islet in Las Isletas, a remarkable archipelago in vast Lake Nicaragua under the shadow of Mombacho Volcano. Built with auburn-hued cedar recovered from hurricane-felled trees, nine airy duplex casitas (no A/C) have shoji-like walls, dramatic shower-only baths, irresistible lakeview hammocks and cozy daybeds suitable for a third guest.
Big Sur, California
Unique coastal resort set along a bluff directly above the Pacific in Big Sur. Thirty-nine contemporary guest lodgings include Cliff House, with a deck suspended over the cliffs; the circular Pacific Suites with heated floors, outdoor hot tubs and private entrances. Two clifftop basking pools, a heated lap pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center and guided nature hikes.
Newfoundland, Canada
Spectacularly sited inn with 29 accommodations in a modernist, white, oblong structure supported by steel stilts above the shoreline rocks near a remote island fishing village off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. Rooms, many with woodburning stoves, feature tall window-walls overlooking the sea, warm wood floors with in-floor heating, and colorful quilts and furnishings crafted on the island.
Bali, Indonesia
Enchanting resort descending a tropical hillside above the Badung Strait. Thirty-four stone/ thatched-roof villas are linked by a network of raised walkways, each air-conditioned unit featuring a pitched ceiling of woven bamboo, a terrazzo floor, a carved king canopy bed, an elegant bath and an inviting veranda.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
Unique desert hideaway straddling an isolated red dune and providing unobstructed views of Ayers Rock. Historic artifacts and photos of early pioneers embellish 15 air-conditioned, white-canopied tented guest quarters, each featuring a king-size bed, wood floors and solar-heated shower-bath.
Chiloé, Chile
New hotel in a magnificent setting on the Rilán Peninsula, a 30-minute drive from downtown Castro, Chiloé Island’s capital. Perched on a hillside, the main building houses a glass-enclosed lounge with an outdoor fireplace, a lovely restaurant and a small spa on the prism-shaped second floor with one treatment room, sauna and steam room
Praslin Island, Seychelles
Lavish resort on a 250-acre peninsula at the northwest tip of Praslin Island, reached via 15-minute shuttle flight from Seychelles International Airport. The 105 guest suites and villas fronting two white-sand beaches are constructed with wood, marble, stone and pink granite and are decorated in minimalist style. Request a second-floor unit. Villas have sunken dining rooms surrounded by private pools.
Have you visited one of these spectacular luxury design hotels? Or know of one that we missed? Let us know in the comments, below.
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