Your guide to the world’s most unique stays

Hotels are as diverse as destinations themselves. Kasbahs, riads, palaces, these properties not only reflect the places you’re visiting but are a bridge to a deeper understanding of local culture and history. This is why B&amp;R’s award-winning <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/meet-the-designers">Experience Designers</a> scope out the best of them, from historic dwellings to futuristic eco-lodges, uncovering hidden gems and authentic stays (some even before they’ve hit Google!).&nbsp;&nbsp;Here is a guide to some of our favourites—where a night spent offers a truly special and immersive experience. This is also a sneak peek of where you will stay on your next B&amp;R trip.&nbsp;RyokansRyokans are traditional Japanese inns that date back to the 8th century CE and are found throughout Japan. Honouring traditional architecture, decor, cuisine and hospitality, they feature tatami-matted rooms with sliding doors, futons and communal baths. Typically located in areas with natural hot springs—onsen ryokans specifically refer to those with hot spring baths—ryokans offer a tranquil escape and a chance to fully immerse yourself in Japanese lifestyle and culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Ryokan Images

Some are intimate, family-owned inns like the exquisite 10-room Kayotei, nestled in a forest—a masterclass in Japanese minimalism. Others are larger, like The Meibia Miyazaki and Shogawa-onsen Yumetsuzuri, both offering the traditional ryokan experience with a contemporary twist and modern amenities. The latter serves a traditional kaiseki dinner, where guests can dine in a yukata. As is customary, kick off your shoes and enjoy these exceptional stays on one of our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/destination/asia/japan">Japan adventures.</a>RiadsThe word "riad" literally translates to "gardens" in Arabic, and these traditional Moroccan houses (or palaces) are centered around an interior garden or courtyard. Known for their intricate tile work, carved wood and Tadelakt plaster, riads are typically built in a classic rectangular shape that divides rooms and common areas into four quadrants, all focused inward on the central courtyard. While you’ll find riads throughout Morocco, the most authentic are found in the old medinas of Marrakech, where their rich history dates back to the 11th century, when the city was first founded.

Ryokans 

The design of riads is intentional, shaped by the local climate and culture to provide privacy and comfort. The central courtyard helps regulate the temperature inside, while the modest exterior offers privacy to the extravagant interior—where family life and connection can truly flourish. Many riads have been restored, offering travellers the chance to experience the intimacy of an authentic stay. For example, Riad Fes Relais &amp; Châteaux was once home to one of the most distinguished families of Fez, and its majestic design blends tradition with modernity. The boutique Riad Farnatchi in Marrakech boasts intricate Moroccan design and unique works of art, offering a calm refuge in the heart of the city. Take your pick and experience the magic of these exceptional riads on a <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/destination/africa/morocco">Moroccan adventure.</a>KasbahsAnother traditional Moroccan property, a kasbah differs from a riad in that it is designed to face outward. Colloquially translated to “fortress,” kasbahs are built from adobe with thick, high walls. Kasbahs in the south, in particular, are the ones most travellers are familiar with and typically stay in. Richard Branson loved Morocco so much that he bought and restored Kasbah Tamadot. With B&amp;R, you can stay there on either a <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/morocco-bespoke">Bespoke</a> or <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/ultimate-morocco-multi-active">Small Group trip</a>.

Kasbahs

Eco-lodgesThese nature-focused, sustainable stays are redefining responsible tourism. Built in remote, natural locations and powered by renewable energy sources, eco-lodges are designed to have minimal environmental impact, while also supporting local communities and conservation efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/costa-rica-bespoke">Costa Rica</a>, renowned for its luxury eco-lodges, is home to many, but none perhaps embodies this better than ORIGINS Lodge and Pacuare Lodge. ORIGINS, nestled in the heart of the northern Costa Rican mountains, features adobe and bamboo lodges—including a suspended treetop villa—that blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Pacuare Lodge, combining Indigenous Cabécar-inspired architecture with pristine rainforest, offers a front-row view of the ecosystems along the Pacuare River. The fact that it’s only accessible by raft makes it even more spectacular.&nbsp;

Eco-lodges

<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rwanda-bespoke">Rwanda</a>, also known for its luxurious and exclusive eco-lodges, boasts the award-winning Bisate Lodge. Situated within the Rwandan rainforest and lodged in a natural amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone near Volcanoes National Park, its villas pop out like giant birds’ nests tucked into the trees, offering an unforgettable experience.&nbsp;PalacesIn <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/india-bespoke">India</a>, heritage accommodations take the form of former royal palaces and mansions. Many of these historic residences have been transformed into luxury hotels, preserving intricate designs, lavish amenities and regal history. One of the most iconic of these is the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, which once served as the summer home to the Mewar Royal Family. A tranquil retreat located in the middle of Lake Pichola, it’s a short boat ride from the bustling streets of Udaipur. Umaid Bhawan Palace, once the official residence of the Jodhpur Royal Family, is another standout. It took 15 years to build and features a stunning sandstone design. Set on 26 acres of lush gardens and perched atop the highest point in Jodhpur, the palace offers breathtaking views of the historical Blue City, the Mehrangarh Fort and vast rolling sand dunes.

These properties are more than just luxurious hotels; they offer a window into local culture and communities. With B&amp;R, we’ll open the doors to the best of them—literally.&nbsp;

Eco-lodges, riads and ryokans—these hotels offer an authentic connection to the local cultures and communities you visit.

Your guide to the world’s most unique stays

By Butterfield & Robinson

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