The Most Epic Hotels 2017

We all have our travel wish lists, but a wish list just for hotels? You'd better believe it. When it comes to the 15 epic properties in this year's AFAR Travelers' Choice Hotel Awards, the hotel is the destination. With superlative settings from Bora Bora to Botswana, and from Big Sur to Bhutan, these wanderlust-inducing properties not only epitomize their destinations, but they also provide guests with extraordinary experiences, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime. No wonder the winner in this category earned the most votes of any hotel in this year's awards. 

Photo: Six Senses Zighy Bay

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Photo: Explora Rapa Nui

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Photo: Singita Grumeti

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Photo: NIHIWATU

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Photo: Jack's Camp

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Photo: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

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Photo: Pikaia Lodge

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Photo: COMO Uma Punakha

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Photo: Fogo Island Inn

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Photo: ION Adventure Hotel

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Photo: Southern Ocean Lodge

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Photo: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

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Photo: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

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Photo: Post Ranch Inn

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Photo: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Epic might be an understated description for this collection of thatched-roof bungalows built on stilts over the crystalline waters of the Bora Bora lagoon. This luxury resort in French Polynesia is nestled in the dreamiest of settings: Wooden walkways link palm-dotted islets fringed in white sand, as the craggy green peaks of Mount Otemanu loom in the distance. Guests can alternate between milky sands at the beach and the palm-skirted infinity pool with oversize thatched cabanas. As for the bungalows, chic honey-hued teak interiors are peppered with Polynesian touches, and indulgent soaking tubs sit beside shuttered picture windows that open onto the sea.

For more information: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

This article originally appeared on AFAR.