When you have spent nearly 40 years designing travel, you sleep in a lot of very good beds. You see a lot of infinity pools, taste a lot of tasting menus, and walk through a lot of grand lobbies. But there is a difference between a fine hotel and a memorable one.

The architecture of memory

When we asked Panache World Founder-Director Sanjar Imam to name the five hotels he has fallen in love with, his answer revealed something interesting about how discerning travellers actually evaluate luxury. It is rarely just about the marble. It is about the context.

“I tend to fall in love with most hotels that I stay in, and that has to do with choosing them well,” Sanjar says. “But the ones that are most personal to me are defined by the experiences I had there.”

Notice how many of his picks are lodges rather than full-blown hotels, and how often a stay is anchored by a specific view, a meal, or an emotional surprise. Here are the five properties around the world that have stayed with him long after checkout.

1. Huka Lodge, Taupo (New Zealand): Artistry on a plate

Located on the banks of the Waikato River near Lake Taupō, Huka Lodge is practically royalty in the world of luxury lodges. What started in the 1920s as a humble fisherman’s camp has been transformed into an 18-villa sanctuary that regularly tops global award lists (including Oceania’s Leading Boutique Hotel). It has hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Bill Gates.

But for Sanjar, it wasn’t the guestbook that left an impression—it was the quiet, meticulous beauty of the place, and the sheer artistry of the kitchen: “I wasn’t expecting what I saw there. It’s set in these lush green lawns, and while a lot of money has been put into the transformation, you can see exactly why. Every detail has been looked into. But the thing that surprised me every single time I went to the restaurant was the meals. It wasn’t just about what I was eating; it was what I was looking at. It was like artistry on a plate. I would say the finest meal I’ve ever had in my life was at Huka Lodge.”

Why we love it: Huka Lodge proves that true luxury doesn’t need scale; it just needs flawless execution.

Bonus: Read our review of Huka Lodge

2. &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (Tanzania): Drama at the rim

Perched on the edge of an ancient volcanic caldera, &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is often described as “Masai meets Versailles.” It is a property that leans into theatrical romance—think banana-leaf roofs, beaded chandeliers, and silk curtains framing one of the most dramatic landscapes in Africa.

For Sanjar, the lodge will always be tied to the emotional high of a long safari day that finally delivered: “We had a long day driving from the Serengeti, looking for lion, which we hadn’t seen yet. The day was almost done, we were nearing the lodge, and our guide suddenly whispered, ‘Simba.’ And there it was, walking towards us. My day was already made, but the lodge is what blew my mind. I walked straight into the bathroom, and there was a huge bathtub filled with rose petals, positioned in front of a massive window looking right out over the crater. That stay will stay close to me for my life.”

Why we love it: &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge understands that in a place as primal as the crater, the architecture should be equally dramatic.

3. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London (UK): Grandeur in the Big Smoke

London is Sanjar’s favourite city in the world, and if you want to understand English grandeur without the stiffness, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is where you stay. Recently awarded Three Michelin Keys (the highest possible hotel distinction) and named ‘Sustainable Hotel of the Year,’ the property balances historic Edwardian elegance with contemporary intelligence.

But sometimes, a hotel becomes memorable simply because of how it makes you feel when you open the curtains. Sanjar’s Insight: “When I checked in, they bumped me up into the Presidential Suite. That was the treat of a lifetime. The balconies opened right up to Hyde Park. From there, as a regular feature, you can watch the Household Cavalry trot by every morning on their way to the Changing of the Guard. That is as grand a sight as you can get in a city like London. The expanse of the suite, the views of the park, the address—it just did it.”

Why we love it: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park offers the most privileged perspective of London’s daily pageantry. As Mandarin Oriental Fan Club members, we are able to provide our clients exclusive perks like complementary upgrades, early check-in’s and late checkouts.

4. Forestis, The Dolomites (Italy): Alpine minimalism

High in the Italian Alps, surrounded by dense forest, Forestis is a masterclass in how to build a hotel that doesn’t compete with its environment. This eco-conscious, adults-only retreat was constructed using local timber, stone, and glass, creating a serene, minimalist frame for the UNESCO-protected peaks outside.

It requires effort to reach, but as Sanjar notes, the payoff is immediate: “It had been on my bucket list for a long time. It took a couple of train changes overnight, but driving up, I knew exactly why I wanted to do it. It is the most magnificent scenery you will come across in all of Italy. The pièce de résistance is the view from every single room. The Dolomites are so up close you feel like you can almost touch them, and they change colour during the course of the day. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, and the meals are a gastronomic delight. If you haven’t done the Dolomites, do it—and stay at Forestis.”

Why we love it: Forestis strips away alpine cliché and replaces it with pure, elemental elegance.

5. Samode Palace, Rajasthan (India): A heritage masterpiece

We finish in India. Nestled in the rugged Aravalli Hills about an hour outside Jaipur, Samode Palace is a 475-year-old architectural marvel. Unlike many heritage hotels that feel like museums, Samode feels vibrantly alive, with its intricate frescoes, mirror-work, and courtyards maintained with remarkable care.

For Sanjar, the connection here is personal—forged not just through stays, but through celebrations: “It is very close to me because I’ve stayed there several times and had the opportunity to organise several weddings there. For someone who has never been, you drive through rugged country, and then it just comes up like a grand stage set. You don’t expect anything like this. It is a stunning palace, almost out of a picture book. The rooms, the public areas, the hand paintings, the pool—all of it is preserved architecture, and you get to actually live in it.”

Why we love it: Samode Palace is regal Rajasthan without the commercial crowds, operating on a deeply personal scale.

How to choose a hotel that remembers you

“The hotels we stay in become a part of our memory,” Sanjar says, “and that’s because of the experiences we have within them.” That is the philosophy behind how Panache World designs travel. We don’t just read reviews; we go, we sleep in the beds, we eat in the restaurants, and we take notes. When you come to us, we match the hotels we know intimately to your specific tastes. So when you finally walk through the lobby doors, you aren’t hoping it’s a good hotel—you’re walking into a place you already know you will love.
Ready to find your own unforgettable stay? Get in touch!

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Panache Founder Director, Loveleen Arun stayed at the remarkable Mandarin Oriental Palace in Lucerne and what struck her most was how the hotel manages to feel both grand and intimate. Every detail, from the art collection to the personalized service, reflects a commitment to creating experiences rather than simply providing accommodation.

The lake stretches before you like liquid sapphire, framed by Alps that seem close enough to touch. Your balcony at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne overlooks this scene, but something more intriguing catches your eye. A contemporary sculpture stands in the lobby below, its bold lines deliberately clashing with the ornate Belle Époque architecture. This tension, this conversation between 1906 and today, defines one of Europe’s most compelling luxury hotels. The palace that once hosted European aristocracy now invites modern travelers to experience something rarer than opulence: the thoughtful collision of heritage and innovation.

Built at the height of Lucerne’s golden age as a spa destination, the Palace Hotel welcomed royalty, artists, and industrialists seeking Alpine air and lakeside tranquility. When Mandarin Oriental acquired the property, they faced a delicate challenge. How do you preserve a building that represents an entire era while creating spaces that speak to contemporary sensibilities? The answer lies in what they chose to keep and what they dared to change. Original stucco work remains untouched. Grand staircases retain their marble balustrades. Yet walking through the corridors, you encounter striking modern art installations that refuse to whisper respectfully in the presence of history. They speak boldly. A canvas of vibrant abstracts hangs opposite gilded mirrors. Minimalist sculptures occupy corners where potted palms once stood. This isn’t renovation. It’s curation.

“The hotel houses over 200 pieces of contemporary art alongside its Belle Époque heritage, creating a dialogue across centuries.”

Rooms where mountains meet water

The 136 rooms and suites understand their greatest asset: those views. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Lake Lucerne and the surrounding peaks like living paintings that change with every passing cloud. Many rooms feature balconies where morning coffee becomes a ritual of watching mist lift from the water to reveal the Rigi, Pilatus, and Bürgenstock mountains in succession. The décor strikes that same historical-modern balance. Rich fabrics and classic furniture acknowledge the building’s heritage. Sleek bathrooms with rain showers and soaking tubs nod to contemporary comfort. Suites offer separate living areas where you can work on a modern desk while surrounded by crown molding and parquet floors that have supported a century of footsteps. The Lake Deluxe rooms provide the most dramatic vistas, their terraces becoming private observation decks for sunsets that turn the Alps pink and gold. Some suites even feature panoramic roof terraces with 360-degree views encompassing both lake and mountains.

A base for alpine discovery

Lucerne sits at the strategic heart of eastern Switzerland’s most spectacular landscapes. The hotel becomes your staging point for journeys that range from gentle to exhilarating. Take the cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus, where 360-degree views reveal the entire central Swiss Alps. Drive forty minutes to Engelberg for the rotating cable car to Mount Titlis and its glacier cave. The Rigi, just across the lake, offers hiking trails through Alpine meadows in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Cultural explorers find Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument within walking distance, while day trips to Interlaken, Zurich, or even Italy’s Lake Como remain easily achievable. The concierge team excels at crafting itineraries that match your pace, whether that means helicopter tours over the Jungfrau or leisurely boat rides to lakeside villages where time seems suspended.

Four culinary worlds under one roof

Executive Chef Gilad Peled, a Michelin-starred veteran who once helmed Gordon Ramsay’s Le Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux, oversees the hotel’s four distinct dining destinations. Each reflects a different facet of culinary artistry.

Colonnade earned two Michelin stars for its modern French haute cuisine. Here, seasonal ingredients transform into innovative compositions that honor French techniques while embracing contemporary creativity. The elegant dining room provides the perfect setting for culinary journeys that unfold across multiple courses.

For intimate experiences, Minamo offers something truly rare. Just eight seats at the counter. One chef. Traditional Japanese omakase where every guest receives the same meticulously timed courses, prepared before their eyes. The restaurant holds one Michelin star and has become Lucerne’s best-kept culinary secret. Watch as nigiri takes shape, ask questions, savor the exceptional sake pairings. This is dining as theater and meditation combined.

MOzern serves as the hotel’s vibrant all-day destination. Mediterranean delicacies and Western classics flow from the open kitchen. Breakfast here is generous and international. Afternoon tea arrives with British precision and Swiss refinement. Evening transforms the space into a lively scene of sharing plates, creative cocktails from the circular bar, and views across the lake that make every meal memorable. Personally, i highly recommend the rainbow Salad.

When warm weather arrives, Quai 10 opens on the lakeside terrace at water level. Think 1920s charm meeting Mediterranean sunshine. Fresh focaccia emerges from the wood-fired oven. Grilled fish from the lake arrives alongside locally reared meats from the barbecue. Local herbs and vegetables brighten every plate. An aperitif here as the sun sets over the Alps becomes the kind of moment you revisit in memory for years.

Ready to experience this synthesis of past and present? 

Contact Panache World to book your stay at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne. As Mandarin Oriental Fan Club members, we ensure our clients receive exclusive perks and upgrades that elevate an already exceptional experience into something unforgettable.

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