Jebel Akhdar, Oman

This luxury clifftop retreat high in the Hajjar Mountains enjoys what must rank among the most spectacular vistas of any hotel in the world – a vast panorama of precipitous canyons and soaring desert ridges. You can soak up the views through the picture windows of your own stone-lined cabaña, sprawled on a lovely private verandah, or from the seclusion of a divine, water-carved marble tub in the bathroom. The constant juxtaposition of cosy interiors and epic scenery is what really makes the hotel special. It’s far from cheap, but none of our guests have ever regretted the indulgence: the food garners consistently rave reviews; and if you’re a keen walker, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the tangle of trails winding from the property to nearby villages, swathed in rose terraces and peach orchards. For the less energetic there’s a heated infinity pool with more astounding views, and a spa specializing in Balinese massage (using specially imported coconut and kukul oils).