Like so many Portuguese hotels, Aethos Ericeira almost seems too extraordinary to be true. Its clifftop location, in the middle of a nature reserve overlooking the Atlantic and the legendary surf beaches of Ericeira, makes for spectacular views and splendid isolation. And the hotel itself is eminently worthy of its setting; the design, by the Spanish studio Astet and the Portuguese architect Luís Pedra Silva, is impressively stylish and thoroughly tailored to the locale. Meanwhile the luxuries on offer are further proof that forward-looking design is perfectly compatible with high-end hospitality.

The idea of a hotel with a verdant, pastoral touch is at odds with the ultra-urban industrial vibe that this northern Italian city is known for. Aethos Milan achieves this improbable feat, with a location on a leafy courtyard next to the Naviglio Grande Canal. And what’s inside is equally unusual in the context of Milanese hotel design.

This rustic island isn’t exactly known for fashionable hotels, but Aethos Corsica breaks the mold in every way. Based in a 17th-century converted nobleman’s house, this chic property, now flying the flag of the Aethos “conscious exploration” brand, is a surprisingly sophisticated luxury boutique hotel — and one with an impressive art collection, featuring works by contemporary stars like Anish Kapoor, Daniel Arsham, and Paul de Pignol.

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