Sleep somewhere worth remembering

Favourite stays

Distinctive bases selected for their position, character and fit with our routes.

These are editor shortlists, not claims of a personal stay. Details were last checked in September 2026.

KG / High passes and open roads

Kyrgyzstan

Editor shortlistCentral Karakol££

A small guesthouse in central Karakol with simple rooms and an easy position for the town centre.

Best for: A calm base before or after the Ala-Kul trek

Editor shortlistKarakol££

A practical Karakol hotel with modern rooms, food on site and space to reset after the mountain section.

Best for: Extra comfort after several nights in yurts or tents

IT / Limestone towers and rifugi

Editor shortlistPlose, near Brixen££££

A quiet forest setting, direct mountain views and a strong focus on architecture, food and recovery.

Best for: A design-led mountain retreat

Editor shortlistCentral Cortina d'Ampezzo£££

A long-running hotel on Corso Italia that puts the town centre and onward mountain routes within easy reach.

Best for: Walking to restaurants and using one eastern base

JP / Cities, trails and slow trains

Editor shortlistKarasuma Oike, Kyoto£££

A design-focused city base with direct access to Karasuma Oike Station and a useful central position.

Best for: Design, food and simple rail connections

Editor shortlistNaoshima££££

A hotel within the Benesse art site, with rooms, galleries and outdoor work in the same coastal setting.

Best for: Building the Inland Sea stay around art

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