For any connoisseur of luxury, the five star hotel is an essential component of their holiday. No matter where you go in the world, it is possible to stay in hotels that redefine opulence and create the ultimate environment to relax and be pampered. In this article, I will take a look at what are often described as the ultimate collection of hotels in the world by travellers.

As you will see, it is not necessarily the most expensive, or the most opulent hotel in a particular destination that is considered the best, it is more than this; the hotel must be a reason for travelling to a place as well!

10: Kanuhura, Maldives
If youve ever wanted to stay on your own desert island to get away from it all, the chances are that youve thought about visiting the Maldives. Made up of coral atolls spread out across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a unique country, and the Kanuhura, is a stunning hotel that offers visitors the chance to enjoy their own luxurious villa that stands on stilts in the ocean itself to create the illusion that you are on your own!

9: The Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA
The Bellagio is the jewel in the crown of Las Vegas as the USAs premier holiday destination. The rooms are fantastic, the spa is out of this world, and the casino is the place to be seen, but it is the catalogue of stars that perform in the hotels vast auditoria that elevate the Bellagio above its rivals on the Las Vegas Strip.

8: Pitti Palace, Florence, Italy
There are few destinations in the world like Florence; this stunning city is the home of fine art, and the birthplace of the renaissance. The Pitti Palace is one of the most impressive hotels in Europe, and offers visitors the chance to enjoy the opulence of a renaissance palace that was once home to the Medici family, and boasts a number of masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo on its walls!

7: Lion Sands Resort, Kruger National Park, South Africa
For anyone wanting to get close to nature at its most impressive, the Kruger National Park in South Africa is a great place to visit, and is home to all of the so-called big-five animals. Lion Sands is one of a number of private lodges in the park, and is undoubtedly the best. Visitors get to enjoy two safaris a day, and the resort is so exclusive that less than 20 people can stay there at any one time!

6: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
While it might not be the most luxurious hotel in Hong Kong any more, the Mandarin Oriental is still the most stunning place to stay in the city. Offering incredible views of the famous harbour, along with great cuisine and stunning rooms, but it is the attention to detail and attentive personalised service offered by the staff that marks the Mandarin Oriental out as truly special.

5: Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Chiva Som is probably the top spa destination in the world right now, a resort entirely dedicated to the concept of wellness. Upon arrival, all guests are assessed, and your menus, exercise programmes and beauty treatments are planned for the duration of your stay making for a truly exceptional experience.

4: Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia
On the surface, the Park Hyatt, Sydney is nothing special. It is undeniably luxurious, offers high quality service, and boasts a number of exquisite restaurants, but so do any number of other hotels around the world. What marks out this particular 5-star above all others in the city is its location over looking the beautiful harbour, and offering the best views of the Opera House and iconic harbour bridge that you will ever see.

3: The Waldorf Astoria, New York, USA
The Waldorf Astoria is the grand old lady of New York Hospitality. The Waldorf Astoria is the flagship property of the exclusive Hilton Group. It may no longer be the largest, most luxurious, or most exclusive hotel in the city, but it remains the most famous, most enchanting, and down right best with its perfect mix of luxury service, and glamour

2: The Ritz, London, UK
The original 5 Star hotel, the Ritz is a byword for tradition and luxury in one of the most exciting cities in the world. It offers truly majestic levels of service and accommodation, and has a well-earned reputation as one of the finest places to eat out in the UK, with several world-class restaurants for guests to choose from.

1: Al Maha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The iconic Burj al Arab on Jumeirah Beach may be the last word in overblown opulence in Dubai, but the Al Maha desert resort is without a doubt the best hotel you can stay in. It offers levels of exclusivity that are unrivalled, exceptional accommodation, and above all, unmatched privacy and personalised service that will ensure that no matter how high your standards, this hotel will always exceed them.