Dunhuang, The Silk Road, China

This palatial five-star on the outskirts of Dunhuang is the standout hotel on China’s modern Silk Road – for more than one reason. Firstly, its appearance: made of exposed local stone and rammed earth, its giant sloping walls sport roofs with exotic upswept eaves. The building was designed to resemble a fortress palace from the Han and Tang era, and looks spectacular against its backdrop of huge sand dunes. But the real selling point here are the wonderful desert vistas of dunes and ribbons of poplar trees from the rooftop restaurant terrace – an inspirational scene to gaze at over supper or a glass of local Mogao wine.