8 Hotels with Spectacular Gardens
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-01-cliveden-house-england.jpg
Cliveden House, England
The National Trust looks after this Downton Abbey–esque estate in Berkshire, which was bequeathed by the Astor family in 1942. The formal gardens—featuring a breathtaking five-acre parterre and Renaissance-inspired topiary—span 74 acres, with sculpture collections, a yew tree maze (originally designed by Lord Astor in 1894), and scenic surrounding woodlands. As part of ongoing restoration work, a circular rose garden, filled with over 900 repeat-flowering yellow, orange, and crimson roses, recently bloomed for the first time this past June.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-02-unique-garden-brazil.jpg
Unique Garden, Brazil
An hour north of São Paulo, this modern spa contains 26 villas and chalets nestled among orchid nurseries, waterfalls, herb gardens, and vine-wrapped gazebos. And humans aren’t the only ones to roam the Edenic grounds: Thanks to a partnership with the Brazilian government, rescued dogs, ex-circus horses, and monkeys also make their home here.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-03-four-seasons-santa-barbara.jpg
Four Seasons the Biltmore Santa Barbara, California
Of the world’s known 2,700 palm tree species, 75 can be found at this acclaimed coastal California retreat, originally designed by landscape architect Lockwood deForest in 1927. The two-to-one gardener-per-acre ratio means the lush groves of camphor, Monterey cypress, and giant yuccas—plus a rare Moreton Bay fig tree dating from the 1800s—are impeccably maintained. To help navigate the dazzling array, guest rooms are equipped with a map for self-guided botanical walking tours.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-04-algodon-wine-estates.jpg
Algodon Wine Estates, Argentina
At this distinguished Mendoza wine estate, guests can hop in a golf cart and roam acres of cypress-lined allées, olive groves, and Malbec-yielding vineyards. The executive chef Gaston Langlois grows fresh peppers, squash, and leeks in the vegetable garden.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-05-parkroyal-pickering.jpg
Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore
This hotel’s four-story terraced sky gardens serve two purposes. The cascading greenery, which includes creepers, vines, tall palms, and leafy shrubs, beautifies the skyline, but the plants also help absorb heat and improve air quality. Downstairs, a soothing, forestlike lobby has rippling reflecting pools and a living wall of plants and mosses, while a fifth-floor infinity pool with cabanas completes the urban-oasis feel.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-06-rancho-la-puerta.jpg
Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
At the foot of majestic Mount Kuchumaa, in Tecate, this 3,000-acre resort shares in the rich botanical diversity of San Diego County just across the border. The layered canopies comprise mature palo verde, acacia, and almond trees, plus flowering plants like calendula and narcissus, and spiked agaves to which armies of hummingbirds flock each morning. Meanwhile, a six-acre organic farm supplies up to 80 percent of the kitchen’s ingredients each summer, resulting in dishes like poblano pepper soufflé and fresh lemon verbena rice pudding.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-07-babylonstoren.jpg
Babylonstoren, South Africa
Dating from the 1690s, this historic Cape Dutch farm in Cape Town brims with fun, interactive features, such as a covered walkway that snakes through wild olive groves, and a cluster of hanging woven “nests” for guests to crawl into and take a nap. Owner Karen Roos, whose gardening team cultivates over 300 varieties of edible plants, recommends sprawling on the fragrant chamomile lawn after a day spent picking raspberries and navigating the cactus maze.
dam-images-travel-2015-hotel-gardens-best-hotel-gardens-08-domaine-de-la-baume.jpg
Domaine de la Baume, France
This dreamy Provence hotel was once the residence of French expressionist painter Bernard Buffet—but you don’t have to be a master to find your muse here. Eighteenth-century-inspired rooms with parquet floors and Indian toile enjoy pastoral views of the grounds, which include a sun-drenched olive grove (yielding up to 3,000 liters of olive oil each year), chef François Martin’s vegetable patch, and labyrinthine gardens connected by winding stone footpaths.