The Ritz-Carlton, Baku

With its sleek, sail-shaped facade towering over the Baku skyline, The Ritz-Carlton, Baku might look more at home among the shimmering skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi than in Azerbaijan’s capital. But with its thoughtfully designed interiors and curated cultural experiences, the high-end hotel proves that luxury is more than meets the eye. Boasting a prime address adjacent to the Zaha Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Center, the latest Ritz-Carlton outpost puts the best of Baku at your doorstep, not that you’d want to wander far from your sumptuous digs. Imagined by Dubai-based Kristina Zanic Consultants, the sumptuous retreat’s interiors are a vision in marble that draws inspiration from Baku’s international trading history as an important stop along the Silk Road. Rich fabrics in bright colors keep the eye intrigued while contemporary artwork anchors public spaces firmly in the present. And when you’re ready to rest, skyline views from every room remind you that this Baku dream is indeed real.