Worldwide spotlight: 5 great places to stay, 5 great walks

When you travel with HF Holidays, where you stay is as much a part of the experience as what you’ll see and do. Our expert teams go above and beyond to find unique places to sleep that put some of the world’s most incredible walking and sightseeing on your doorstep.  

Here are a few of our favourite places to rest your head and the wow-worthy walks you can expect when you join one of our worldwide guided walking holidays.  

Once the lavish palace of Nepal’s 19th century rulers, the Shankar is now a luxury hotel complete with antique furnishings, glittering chandeliers, and grand guest rooms. Expect an elegant restaurant and a lobby bar with ornately carved windows that are over 200 years old. There’s also an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens and a spa.   

The walk: Patan (also known as Lalitpur in Sanskrit meaning ‘City of Beauty’), is home to Nepal’s finest temples and palaces. Stroll between these spectacular monuments and stop by UNESCO-listed Durbar Square – one of Nepal’s three most significant royal squares.  

Book: Nepal: Walking in the Himalayas 

Wake up to the sound of gently lapping waves aboard a luxury boat on the waters of Hà Long Bay. Towering limestone karsts and tiny islets that glitter like jewels on the Gulf of Tonkin have made the bay northern Vietnam’s number one tourist spot. The boat features a restaurant and bar area, a sundeck, plus cabins with contemporary décor, panoramic windows, and spacious bathrooms.   

The walk: Though it’s not strictly a walk, when you stay on this luxury boat you can kayak to picture-postcard bays for a stroll along the sand, explore limestone caves, and swim in the emerald waters. 

Book: Walking and Sightseeing in Vietnam 

Stay in a traditional Bedouin camp and spend an unforgettable night in the Jordanian desert. Designed for maximum comfort without compromising on the authentic feel of living like a desert nomad, expect low-slung tents, plush rugs, and plenty of hospitality. Enjoy a delicious meal cooked in an underground oven known as a zarb, before sipping tea around the fire, and relaxing under the stars.  

The walk: Follow the Madras Trail to the Royal Tombs. At the High Place of Sacrifice, you’ll be rewarded with views over the whole Petra area from this rocky outcrop.   

Book: Treasures of Jordan 

Spend a week in the stunning surrounds of the Leutasch Valley, the recently refurbished Hotel Kristall boasts mountain views on every side. Dine at the award-winning restaurant serving Austrian cuisine using organic and locally sourced ingredients. There’s a newly renovated two-floor wellness centre, too, where you can relax in the heated rooftop infinity pool, steam rooms, and state-of-the-art sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Seefeld plateau. 

The walk: Wildmoos plateau is where you’ll come across the lakes of Lotten-see and Wildmoos-see. There’s no shortage of walks around here, including the mountain landscape of Unter-Leutasch Valley and idyllic valley towns like Mittenwald in neighbouring Germany at the end of the Leutasch Gorge.  

Book: Discover Austria’s Seefeld Plateau 

Perched on lava rocks overlooking the Pacific, this oceanfront paradise tempts with newly-renovated guest rooms with natural teak furnishings and colourful fabrics. Elsewhere, the atmosphere is classy and laid-back with light wood, modern, and coastal-inspired décor. Outside, you can explore lush gardens and sip cocktails on a cabana by the pool. There’s also an ocean-facing restaurant and bar as well as a spa offering restorative treatments.   

The walk: Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is home to sacred temples (heiau), ancient fishponds, and glorious beaches. You'll start your walk from the small ship harbour and follow the path to the end of the park to see traditional mountain to sea land divisions (and hopefully spot green sea turtles on the shore).  

Book: Hawaii Island Hopping