GQ

"GoldenEye's origin story is almost as good as the resort itself: Once the home of the man who wrote the Bond novels, the property was purchased in the '70s by record mogul Chris Blackwell (the founder of Island Records) and has played host to not just Blackwell but also his legendary circle of friends. Blackwell began adding cottages on the property, and slowly—almost by force of nature—his personal retreat became a hotel. That a trip to GoldenEye today retains the same carefree Caribbean ease of Fleming's day, or from before when Blackwell opened it up to strangers, borders on the absurd. How, one wonders, can this all still be so good—how, as the world changes around us, is GoldenEye so unbothered by time? Don't worry about it. These are questions for after you leave." —M.B.

"The first excursion delivered maximum payoff in almost no time at all: Algonquin Park’s 1.2-mile Lookout Trail, which rewards a fit hiker like Slotopolsky with a tremendous panorama after about 15 minutes of walking. “The trail took me along this massive cliff overlooking the whole forest,” he says. “It was breathtaking. So serene and peaceful—the opposite of the traffic, construction, subway delays, and other typical New York aggravations. I didn’t want to leave.”"

Easy Getaway: Muskoka, Ontario

"While Aman properties have become the darlings of a younger jet-setting class, this property is a wonderfully different beast. It’s its own island. There’s a bridge to the mainland, but no one is ever sure whether they want (or need) to cross it. It was once a whole town, so you’ll probably be sleeping in a medieval bakery or church. Lying on Montenegro’s coastline on the Adriatic Sea, Sveti Stefan is a boat ride away from ancient towns and UNESCO-protected sites." (Price upon request)

The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet

"The Royal Mansour is a place to escape. They refer to the four-bedroom Grand Riad as a “hotel within a hotel.” The accommodations are ridiculous enough to fully list: 19,375 square feet, a private library, two swimming pools, a cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms, and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof. It also smells like fresh jasmine everywhere. And if you get lost (or go dizzy by looking at your nightly room charge), you have your own chef, watchman, housekeepers, and butlers to help you out." (Starting $40,000/night)

The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet

"We all dream of dropping off the map. Here’s a place you can actually do that: the wonderfully isolated region of Patagonia. Awasi is the southernmost Relais & Chateaux in the world. The main attraction is the setting itself, and the 14 private villas are located between the Torres del Paine Mountain Range, the Patagonian Steppe, and Lake Sarmiento (all littered with guanacos, puma, and condors). The minimal footprint of the hotel on the grounds makes it all the more epic. Take your own private guide and 4WD vehicle for some serious exploration. Then head back for a raging fire and hot tub." (Starting $4,400/night)

The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet

"The point is, for seemingly everyone, it was an extremely singular and not-taken-for-granted pleasure to be in residence. For its reputation (and price...), the hotel's not super fancy, but everything is exactly right. If you've read this far into this magazine feature, you know what I mean. Because the difference between super fancy and exactly right is the difference between a one-off and a place you think about pretty much every other day, and put money in the piggy bank to get back to as soon as possible." —Daniel Riley

"With various accolades over the years, Singita’s collection of safari camps in the Serengeti are a permanent bucket-list ticket. They define opulence, legacy, and even conservation. In other words, they’re not fucking around. As of June 1, the Hillside Suite, alongside Sasakwa Lodge, featuring two wooden outdoor decks and a private rim-flow pool, is available for booking." (Starting $4,500/night)

The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet

"The most important aspect of Ballyfin is that it has been restored “to period” and the current owners went around to auctions and bought up furniture, silverware, and anything else they could find that was owned by the family that originally built the house back in the 1820s. So if you are the kind of person who dreams of researching Chinese Chippendale furniture on 1stdibs, or talks about your great-great-great-grandparents, this is the place for you. They’ve even got falconry. And with 614 acres of gardens, you should try to get out of the room at least once and have yourself a stroll. With a falcon." (Starting $1,833/night)

The Best High-End Hotel Rooms on the Planet

"Garito Café is a more lounge-y local pick for late night drinking and dancing."

"Then there's Brushland Eating House in Bovina, which specializes in Brooklyn-style comfort food—think ultra-doughy, anchovy-laced, hand-rolled pasta—without any of the Brooklyn pretense. Order the pork schnitzel, which tastes like the world's most luxurious chicken nugget, and balance it out with one of the few kale salads that have ever legitimately warranted a $10 price tag."

For Peak Fall Vibes, Head to the Catskills