From The Peninsula Hong Kong to Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Marrakech’s La Mamounia to London’s Claridge’s, this beautifully illustrated collection unveils the grand histories, one-of-a-kind experiences, and lush hideaways of 100 of the world’s most remarkable hotels.

Visit the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, where a wood-paneled water boat brings you to the hotel’s front doors from St. Mark’s Square. Or spend a night in Ireland’s historic Ashford Castle, where you’ll live like a king or queen and try your hand at falconry on the hotel’s medieval grounds. Take in sweeping city views while you sip cocktails at the famous Long Bar at the Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai. Or listen to the rushing cascade of Victoria Falls from your room at the Royal Livingston in Zambia.

Your choice of hotel can often make or break a vacation. And often, it’s the hotel itself that is the destination. In this beautifully illustrated collection of 100 top hotels around the world, discover the extraordinary properties around the world—from Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville to Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn in California—that have become as iconic as the cities they’re based in.

Written by National Geographic travel expert Annie Fitzsimmons, each entry of this luxurious volume highlights the unique and storied history of the hotels, the intricacies of their stunning architecture and cozy interiors, the people who have put the properties on the map, and one-of-a-kind experiences to be had within each hotel, whether or not you’re staying as a guest.

You’ll find yourself creating a bucket list of the next places where you’ll want to stay in some of the most beloved destinations around the world. This is a coffee table must-have, and a travel resource you’ll turn to again and again.