THE RITZ-CARLTON, JIUZHAIGOU

China

Jiuzhaigou is the stuff legends – specifically Chinese folklore – are made of, and now The Ritz-Carlton has just made itself a part of the story with its first villa-only property. Featuring 87 villas located 2,300m above sea level, the hotel looks out over the famous Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its clear blue green waters, many stepped waterfalls and ancient forest. There’s a spa, four dining outlets and the usual facilities expected of a Ritz-Carlton property, but the locale is the true attraction here. The hotel has many activities available to its guests, including day trips to nearby Tibetan villages, treks through the national park and horseback riding under the stars.

From afar, The Ritz-Carlton, Jiuzhaigou looks like a village set atop a hill, with rooms and suites flanking footpaths and roads.