Kyoto, Honshu, Japan

Don’t be fooled by the name. The Ritz Carlton is actually a very Japanese kind of hotel, and one that honours the unique cultural heritage of Kyoto in exception fashion. Harmonious and serene, its interiors are a fusion of natural elements and sleek, modern design. While bonzai trees, kebana floral arrangements, rockeries and waterfalls recall the aesthetic of a Meiji courtyard home, modern, soundproofed, floor-to-ceiling windows frame idyllic views of the Kamogawa River and Higashiyama Mountains. The rooms themselves are simply beautiful; go for one of the Tatami Suites, with its own Zen garden terrace. Offering four types of Japanese cuisine, the Mizuki restaurant is another highlight.