Inside the world's most extraordinary hotel rooms - from Bali villas without walls to Andy Murray's Highland retreat

&Beyond Nxabega Camp, BotswanaComprising just three tents, this intimate camp gives you a front-row seat to nature right in the middle of the wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This remote region became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2014, recognised for its almost untouched wetlands and annual floods that transform the landscape into a watery playground for wildlife. Despite being surrounded by bush, the tents, which sleep two, come with super-king beds, power showers and speedy wi-fi. Meanwhile daily game drives and walking expeditions bring guests close to elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes and hippos. With wildlife roaming freely, during the day, guests must stick to the paths and keep their eyes peeled, and at night, guides escort everyone to their tent – which is zipped up.USP This is a proper jungle escape where your neighbours have four legs.Who’ll love it Older families – children must be over 12 – solo travellers and couples.Cost Tents from £1,055 per night (special rates are available throughout the year, so it is worth keeping an eye out for offers), andbeyond.comThe Banyan Tree, BaliIf your idea of paradise would be waking up high above a jungle, The Banyan Tree resort in Buahan, Bali, should be top of the list. Out of its 16 adults-only, one-bedroom villas (or bales as they are known), its Seven Peaks offering comes with uninterrupted views of its namesake mountains, tropical rainforest and winding rivers, as well as a private plunge pool. The hotel takes its ‘no walls, no doors’ concept literally, with only a curtain separating you from the jungle. It is gloriously immersive, although those with a fear of the occasional lizard or beetle making itself at home might want to look away now.USP Jungle life – with five-star treatment.Who’ll love it Adventurers and those in need of a digital detox.Cost Villas from approx £700 per night, banyantree.comThe Twenty Two, LondonFrom the outside, this Mayfair hotel looks like a traditional Edwardian mansion. Inside, things are considerably more flamboyant. This 31-room establishment, restaurant and private members’ club, which was created by former Blake’s hotel owner Navid Mirtorabi and billionaire Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben in 2022, is a wow-factor fusion of art deco opulence and 18th-century France. Think elaborate wallcoverings, black-and-white marble floors and velvet drapes that wouldn’t look out of place in Versailles – probably all best appreciated before cocktails at its bar rather than after. Tom Cruise, Kylie Jenner, and Jeff Bezos are just some of the famous faces who have been spotted here.USP Its the ultimate glamorous night out – you can go from chic bar to stunning bedroom without having to find a taxi.Who’ll love it Couples and, of course, revellers.Cost Rooms from £725 per night, thetwentytwo.comCromlix, ScotlandThis grand country house near Dunblane in Scotland has had a rather eventful life. Originally built in 1874 by Captain Arthur Drummond as Cromlix Cottage, it was destroyed by a fire just four years later. Rebuilt in 1880, it was turned into a luxury hotel in 1981. Then, in 2013, tennis star Andy Murray and his wife Kim bought it and used it as their wedding venue two years later. In 2023 the couple opened it as a hotel. This intimate 20-room retreat offers a taste of the Highlands without sacrificing the comforts of a country-house stay. Cromlix is set in 34 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens, and has its own chapel and lochan, adding to that secluded, old-Scotland feel. Each bedroom has a unique character, with antique Scottish furniture and views over the gardens and surrounding countryside. And, naturally, there is a tennis court for guests who fancy channelling their inner Wimbledon champion.USP The humble brag of saying you’ve been staying at Andy Murray’s.Who’ll love it Country-house romantics and tennis fans.Cost From £445 per night, cromlix.comThe Silk Lakehouse, ChinaSet on the northern shores of Hangzhou’s Unesco-listed West Lake, The Silk Lakehouse mixes the grandness of a traditional silk merchant’s residence with a more playful, maximalist style. Cue rich silks, handcrafted furniture, colourful murals and bold shades, with many rooms and suites looking out over the misty lake and surrounding hills. Hosts can arrange everything from cultural experiences and art sessions to wellness activities, while an indoor pool is on hand when you have marvelled at enough temples and teahouses.USP It has the sort of lake views that make sightseeing feel rather unnecessary.Who’ll love it Culture vultures and romantics.Cost From around £440 per night, shangri-la.com