Mutianyu, China's Main Sights, China

We’re always on the lookout for special places to stay in off-beat locations where you can experience bucolic pockets of rural China in stylish comfort, and were thrilled when we discovered this wonderful boutique hotel at the foot of the Great Wall. Created by an expat couple, its hub is an old glazed tile factory, where former kilns and workshops have been converted into luxury guest rooms. Recycled bricks and ceramic-mosaic panels create an earthy, homely feel, while picture windows frame views of the nearby wall. Private grounds with fruit trees and a discrete hot tub enfold the property – a heavenly base for wall treks and leisurely bike rides.