Sol Wave House

There are plenty of places to go if you're looking for a soothing, outdoorsy, or even cuisine-filled vacation. But if you're looking to party, the Sol Wave House is a top choice. Opened this summer on the shores of the Mediterranean, this 184 room property claims to be the "First Tweet Experience Hotel in the World". How so, you might ask? By allowing you to tweet the hotel using appropriate hashtags to contact the concierge, get your minibar refilled, or even start a conversation with fellow guests by targeting their poolside Bali bed using the number on top. Add in two different wave-producing machines, multiple bars and restaurants, and a large stage that plays host to live entertainment, and you've got yourself an ideal spot to have a non-stop stay.

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas

You'd expect great treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas — it is a Ritz-Carlton, after all — but it still offers a number of surprises, both expected and unexpected. Touches like the world-class Fearing's restaurant, the massive 12,000 square-foot spa, the salon, the largest ballroom in downtown, the Chauffeured Bentley house car, rainfall shower heads, and luxurious beds in each of the 218 rooms and suites. But perhaps the biggest surprise is the complimentary Guacamologist experience at 6 pm every night in the Lobby Lounge, where a seasoned chef will teach you how to make spot-on guacamole while you savor the samples and mini martinis, courtesy of the hotel. Now that's what we call a Happy Hour.

Solar Do Castelo

There are plenty of things that make Solar Do Castelo a truly outstanding hotel. There's the fact that it's the only hotel within the walls of St. George's Castle. There's the fact that all of its 14 rooms are uniquely decorated, providing a different stay in every room. There's the included breakfast, the free Wi-Fi, and the Molton Brown bath amenities. There's the outstanding views provided by the hotel's location atop Alfama. And there's the inner courtyard and garden, which play host to flocks of peacocks, making this the preferred hotel for NBC executives.*

*We're not really sure about that last bit.

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Judging by its solid stone construction, you'd be hard pressed to guess that the rooms at Tsala Treetop Lodge are actually, in fact, located amongst the trees. Located between the coastal towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, this one-of-a-kind resort features stone-masonry details in the entrance and in each of the 10 suites and six villas, which also feature fireplaces, under floor heating, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable, setting-appropriate furnishings. The resort also features a glassed-in lounge and dining room, large open decks above the forest floor, a restaurant, and a hidden wine cellar. But most importantly, it offers views that you simply won't find at your average, dirt-anchored hideaway.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Situated on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel isn't just an ideal luxury beach resort — it's also a classic piece of architecture. Opened in 1965, its open-air design allows natural ventilation thanks to the trade winds, and has since been updated to allow for 258 rooms featuring more spacious floor plans and upgraded interiors. Also on-site is a golf course, multiple restaurants and bars, a tennis club with 11 ocean-side courts, a large fitness center, and, of course, the beaches, with soft white sand and beautiful views back up towards the mountain for which the resort is named.

Hotel Domestique

France is a familiar place for George Hincapie — considering he competed in the Tour de France 17 times — so it only makes sense that he's the force behind Hotel Domestique, a French-inspired spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This 13-room property has been completely restored with contemporary furnishings while keepings its Provence-style bones, and now offers luxurious bathrooms, iPad concierge service, a two-story restaurant, a large swimming pool, a fitness studio, a library, a vineyard, and a sleek bar. Perhaps more important for cycling enthusiasts are the frequent cycling clinics and guided bike tours, which offer an ideal way to enjoy the nearby scenery — and perhaps providing a little friendly competition at the same time. [via]

Juviet Landscape Hotel

Plenty of hotels provide views of the surrounding landscape, but few take it as seriously as the Juviet Landscape Hotel. Located along the river Valldøla near the edge of the Norwegian Sea, this unique hotel offers seven ultra-modern, detached guest rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that let you take in the views from all angles. Outside, you'll find an on-site spa area with hot tub and sauna, access to winter sports, hiking, rafting, and camping, and a restored farm that now serves as a dining room and cabin.

Limes Hotel

Some hotels are all about location, others about old-school luxury. Limes Hotel is all about design. Fittingly a member of Design Hotels, this striking facility is located in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, placing it close to nearby nightlife, restaurants, and bars. Each of the 21 rooms features stark, clean modern appointments, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso Citiz espesso machines, and black-tiled bathrooms. Also on-site you'll a rooftop cinema and bar, and a comfy lobby.

Fogo Island Inn

Lots of hotels are built to blend in with their surroundings. The Fogo Island Inn was designed to stand out. Featuring stunning modern architecture and filled with equally clean-lined furnishings, this grand space serves as a public building for the island, sporting a dining room, bar, lounge, library, gym, and cinema, the latter through a partnership with the National Film Board of Canada. As for the rooms themselves, there's 29 of them, most with wood-burning stoves, all with minimalist bathrooms, and varying in size from 350 to 1,100 square feet. Oh, and there's one other thing they all share: fantastic views of the North Atlantic and the Little Fogo islands.

Villa Yin

Escape from the daily grind in grand fashion with a stay at Villa Yin. This high-end rental property sits perched on a cliff overlooking the Andaman Sea, and offers four bedrooms — including a king-sized master with outdoor hot tub and deck and a separate guest house — spread across five Thai-style pavilions, an 18-meter marble swimming pool, a huge outdoor area for entertaining, a full-time chef, and a home theater. But nearly as spectacular as the amenities are the views and the stunning architecture that perfectly blends local antiques with modern art and furnishings to create a distinctive look all its own.

El Colibri Hotel & Spa

Can't decide between the beach or wine country for your getaway? Get the best of both worlds with a stay at El Colibri Hotel & Spa. This upscale establishment offer 34 rooms, each featuring comfortable beds, a fireplace, a soaking tub, free Wi-Fi, and modern appointments. As the name suggests, there's also a full-service spa on site, as well as a rooftop jacuzzi and a wine bar in the lobby. But perhaps the best part is the location, which puts you just a short drive from Paso Robles wine country and a short walk from the beach.

Treehaus Resort at Schlitterbahn

So you want to take a trip to the water park. But you also want to stay in some unique accommodations. Well, the Treehaus Resort at Schlitterbahn solves both those problems. Open year-round — even when the park isn't — this unique lodging option sits on the banks of the spring-fed Comal River, and features seven suites that sleep between seven and twelve people, making them ideal options for groups of friends or families. Of course, your stay includes unlimited use of the waterpark and extended access to select popular attractions; during the off-season, the resort serves as an ideal launching pad for a Hill Country getaway.