Basecamp: Best luxury hotels and resort reviews by OutThere magazine

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Known as one of Edinburgh’s palatial landmarks, the Balmoral’s reputation precedes itself. But if you’re expecting starchy service...

Swissotel
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Dam Square is at the very heart of this exciting Dutch capital, a mecca for both history buffs...

Kensington Place, Cape Town, South Africa

You’ll find this jewel of a property at the top of Leeuwenhof Street, one of the main roads...

Shangri-La Bangkok, Thailand

On the banks of the Chao Praya River stands this majestic hotel synonymous with Bangkok luxury. The Shangri-la is a...

The Greenwich, NYC, USA

In downtown NYC sits the grown-up goddaughter of New York pedigree, Robert De Niro. But ‘she’ is talented in her...

Townhouse Hotel, Manchester, United Kingdom

On the intersection of two of Manchester’s best-known streets, Princess and Portland, you’ll find the Townhouse Hotel. As...

The Widder, Zurich, Switzerland

Nine ancient townhouses were refurbished to form this magnificent property, accented with contemporary interior design, but with some great original features left...

Seaside Palm Beach, Gran Canaria, Spain

You’ll find this retro-chic Design Hotels member property in the infamous Maspalomas area of Gran Canaria, the haven and seaside destination...

Windsor Arms, Toronto, Canada

It was hard to picture a place called the Windsor Arms in downtown Toronto. We had visions of clashing...

Park Hyatt, Chicago, USA

If you like contemporary, chic luxury, you’re going to love the Park Hyatt. Right at the top end of Chicago’s...

Waldorf Astoria
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

We found this piece of just off-the-strip luxury in the heart of the brand new and bustling city...

Mercer, NYC, USA

In the cosmopolitan chaos of Soho is a designer oasis of calm, a city escape, a sophisticated hotel...

Shangri-La Singapore Valley Wing, Singapore

In answer to the competition from an increased number of modern boutique hotels, this stalwart of Singapore luxury...

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Driving through the Cotswolds, we couldn’t imagine anything more storybook than the surrounding scenery – till we arrived at Ellenborough. Set...

The Wellesley
London, United Kingdom

We arrived in high style, chauffeured in the hotel’s custom Rolls-Royce, to a property with stunning views over Hyde Park and...

The Scarlet, Singapore

There’s something really sensual about this property. Set in a series of old-world Chinatown heritage shop-houses, it’s less romantic and more sexually charged – and...

Casa Marina
Key West, USA

This charming heritage property on the National Register of Historic Places has barrels of charm but has been...

New Majestic Hotel, Singapore

In the depths of Singapore’s once seedy Chinatown, now the place to be seen and just a short hop,...

NYLO Southside, Dallas, USA

In this up and coming part of town, next to the infamous hipster loft redevelopment in the Southside-on-Lamar building, sits...

Ink48, NYC, USA

Midtown westside is road less traveled for the average visitor to New York City. A strange place to find a...

The Cambrian, Adelboden, Switzerland

Up in the Swiss Alps, the lesser known Adelboden is as remote as you can get. Talk to...

Dambale Boutique Chalets
Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Dambale is a lodge resort located on the edge of a sprawling teak estate. It is set up...

Radisson Blu, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

As chain hotels go, the Radisson Blu in Port Elizabeth is an amazing find. You’ll recognize it from...

Taj
Cape Town, South Africa

There’s nothing that screams luxury more than jumping in a taxi when you arrive in a city and...

Alila Villas Soori, Bali, Indonesia

No wonder they call Bali the ‘Island of the Gods’ – this piece of paradise is guaranteed to charm every...

The Joule, Dallas, USA

At a discerning downtown Dallas address, sits the Joule, a Luxury Collection property that’s part of the Starwood family...

Mondrian, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA

Years in from its last refurb, this place is still fabulous. Despite becoming somewhat of an LA landmark, it retains so...

Intercontinental San Francisco, California

InterContinental Moscone Center, San Francisco, USA

This is an unconventional choice for us, but there’s something really charming about the suites in this hotel....

Ponta dos Ganchos
Santa Catarina, Brazil

Where do Brazil’s rich and famous and international megastars of the music scene get away to on their...

Intercontinental, Hong Kong, China

Now, let’s just start with the view of Hong Kong harbour – simply jaw-dropping. Add to that the...