Make the most of your next getaway.
One of the best parts of checking into a hotel is enjoying all the little—and sometimes not-so-little—perks that come with your stay. While the prime benefits of a five-star hotel usually include design-forward interiors and silky-soft bedding, those luxuries are only the beginning. Some properties go far beyond the expected, offering amenities that turn an ordinary trip into a truly memorable experience. (A caviar hotline? Yes, please.)
Travel is often about stepping away from the routines and responsibilities of everyday life, and choosing a hotel that offers more than plush robes and high-end beauty products can make that escape feel even more special. The right stay can transform a trip into something indulgent, relaxing, and completely unforgettable.
These standout hotel amenities might just inspire your next booking. From a surreal underwater suite in the Maldives to soothing sound baths overlooking the California coastline, these 13 extraordinary stays offer bespoke experiences that are a travel lover’s dream.
You’d think the dual-level suite at The Muraka is of another world. Technically, it is. The almost 6,000-square-foot suite comes with a primary bedroom that sits 16 feet below the Indian Ocean. The room is cocooned by living coral and is enclosed by a 180-degree curved acrylic dome, so it looks like you’re inside an aquarium. As if this extravagance isn’t enough, you have access to two overwater bedrooms that lead out to a private infinity pool and soaking tub.
Holistic rituals and designated “Sauna Masters” are just a few reasons to book a stay at Hotel Nesslerhof and enjoy its expansive 54,000-square-foot wellness center. You have five saunas to choose from, including one with infusions of Alpine herbs such as Swiss stone pine and sage. A saltwater steam bath that relies on mineral salt steam instead of dry heat is what you need to give your skin an extra boost of hydration. Then there is the pine sauna, an outdoor sauna with a splendid mountain view, and the milder family sauna that’s only heated to about 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bibliophiles can escape to Andaz 5th Avenue, just across from the New York Public Library. With the Lion in the Bedroom package, you’ll be greeted with a NYPL tote filled with a trio of surprise titles from the library’s Best Books list. But the best perk is that, unlike a typical book loan from a library, these are for keeps.
Sleep packages are the amenity du jour, but Post Ranch Inn elevates the experience by hosting a special sound bath session in a yurt as part of their experience.
House Beautiful Style Editor at Large, Lucy Bamman, experienced the private guided sound meditation firsthand: “I lay on a cushion, and the sound healer began the sound bath, using crystal bowls, rattles, and drums to guide me into a trance-like deep-breathing state,” she says. “I left the yurt feeling my heart rate had lowered and I had officially escaped reality.”
Sedona is not only gorgeous for its red rock vistas, but it’s one of the top spots for stargazing—it’s designated as the world's eighth International Dark Sky Community. You’ll want to take advantage of the private roof deck atop your Ambiente suite. The adult-only hotel caters to couples with extra perks like alfresco massages and private astronomy sessions. And if you need to tap into your inner self, the chakra-balancing session at the spa will give you ultimate calm.
The 20-room Hotel Saint Cecilia is an audiophile's dream. After all, the property is named after the patron saint of music and poetry. Fun fact: The Foo Fighters recorded and named an album after the hotel. Whatever room or suite you choose will be equipped with Rega turntables and Geneva sound systems. You can then browse the hotel’s record library of vintage LPs. There is no shortage of 1960s and 1970s classic rock picks from Neil Young, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. And if that weren’t enough, you’ll sleep on an opulent Hästens mattress.
The bubblegum pink Candy Bar cocktail lounge is one reason to stay at The Siren, but to truly feel at home, you can book a flower delivery to your suite. The local florist, Melody Sharrak of MESH Detroit has an exclusive collection for the hotel’s guests. Her bouquets are far from ordinary blooms and have an almost abstract aesthetic. It might just inspire you to snap a few pics of your posies. Coincidentally, the hotel offers a film drop, should you want to do a throwback photo shoot using film rolls.
If you’ve never slept on sheets from the heritage Italian bedding brand Frette, you’re missing out. Luckily, New York’s Waldorf Astoria is offering guests the chance to experience the luxury firsthand. Its Sleep Couture package outfits both you and your bed in Frette essentials, including pajamas, eye masks, robes, and slippers. For the bed itself, you can choose your preferred sheet weave to suit your sleeping style, along with a personalized selection of pillows. The experience is topped off with a curated wellness menu designed by a Harvard sleep expert.
Vacationing at the vineyard retreat at Bernardus Lodge & Spa is something like out of a movie—and you can live out your fantasy of driving into the sunset thanks to the property’s complimentary fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which include swanky convertibles. If you happen to already own a Benz, you get a $100 resort credit and a complimentary upgrade.
Shinola—the Detroit brand known for its watches, leather goods, and bespoke bicycles—offers guests an up-close look at its craftsmanship at the brand’s namesake boutique hotel. Guests staying in select suites can book a private appointment with a watch concierge who guides them through the details that make Shinola timepieces unique. During the expert-led session, you can choose from 10 different styles to wear for the evening—and if you’re staying a few nights, you’ll have the chance to try more than one.
For those with Champagne taste, Park Lane New York is the place to be. The property’s posh appeal nixes the basic minibar for a 24/7 Caviar Hotline that will have you eating Royal Ossetra in bed. As if that’s not enough, you can also order the off-menu Caviar Martini at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Darling. The panoramic views of Central Park aren’t too bad either!
When you’re staying 11,000 feet above sea level in the Rockies, adjusting to the altitude can take some time—but a stay at The Little Nell helps you acclimate in comfort. Start with a freshly pressed juice and your own oxygen tank, or opt for a magnesium-rich recovery soak or ice bath. Then wind down with a nap on an AI-powered Bryte bed, complete with sleep-inducing audio.
At the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, color takes center stage, from rainbow-hued cabanas to guest rooms designed to resemble an artist’s palette. After exploring the on-site sculpture garden, guests can tap into their own creativity by decorating buttery sablé cookies with passionfruit and strawberry curds, silky white chocolate, and crunchy hazelnut and almond drudges.
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