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The Most Epic Hotels 2017

Book your stay at the most epic hotels of 2017

By Afar/

We all have our travel wish lists, but a wish list just for hotels? You'd better believe it. When it comes to the 15 epic properties in this year's AFAR Travelers' Choice Hotel Awards, the hotel is the destination. With superlative settings from Bora Bora to Botswana, and from Big Sur to Bhutan, these wanderlust-inducing properties not only epitomize their destinations, but they also provide guests with extraordinary experiences, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime. No wonder the winner in this category earned the most votes of any hotel in this year's awards. 

⑮ Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

Photo: Six Senses Zighy Bay

For more information: Six Senses Zighy Bay

⑭ Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island, Chile

Photo: Explora Rapa Nui

For more information: Explora Rapa Nui

⑬ Singita Grumeti, Tanzania

Photo: Singita Grumeti

For more information: Singita Grumeti

⑫ Nihiwatu, Sumba Island, Indonesia

Photo: NIHIWATU

For more information: Nihiwatu 

⑪ Jack's Camp, Botswana

Photo: Jack's Camp

For more information: Jack's Camp

⑩ Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Photo: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

For more information: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

⑨ Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Photo: Pikaia Lodge

For more information: Pikaia Lodge 

⑧ COMO Uma Punakha, Punakha Valley, Bhutan

Photo: COMO Uma Punakha

For more information: COMO Uma Punakha 

⑦ Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

Photo: Fogo Island Inn

For more information: Fogo Island Inn

⑥ Ion Adventure Hotel, Iceland

Photo: ION Adventure Hotel

 For more information: Ion Adventure Hotel

⑤ Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Photo: Southern Ocean Lodge

For more information: Southern Ocean Lodge

④ Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu, Peru

Photo: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

 For more information: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

③ Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Photo: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

 For more information: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

② Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

Photo: Post Ranch Inn

For more information: Post Ranch Inn

① Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Photo: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Epic might be an understated description for this collection of thatched-roof bungalows built on stilts over the crystalline waters of the Bora Bora lagoon. This luxury resort in French Polynesia is nestled in the dreamiest of settings: Wooden walkways link palm-dotted islets fringed in white sand, as the craggy green peaks of Mount Otemanu loom in the distance. Guests can alternate between milky sands at the beach and the palm-skirted infinity pool with oversize thatched cabanas. As for the bungalows, chic honey-hued teak interiors are peppered with Polynesian touches, and indulgent soaking tubs sit beside shuttered picture windows that open onto the sea.

For more information: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

This article originally appeared on AFAR.

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