Rising out of the dunes like an opulent sandcastle is the
honey-coloured fortress of Suryagarh. Inspired by ancient temples
and forts, the property’s intricate latticework, stone-carved
pillars and lantern-lit courtyards provide a striking contrast to
the surrounding desert shrubbery. Bounce across the blonde dunes
and explore the bustling sand city of Jaisalmer, just 12km from the hotel. As part of
the Silk Route, the Thar Desert is scattered with remnants of
abandoned villages said to be haunted by chudails (evil spirits).
Chase them on a moonlit tour taking you through abandoned ghost
towns and across dark lakes.

Since the 1960s, creatives have escaped the glare of Hollywood by way of Joshua Tree. Follow in the
dusty footsteps of rock stars and rebels at this creative crashpad
in the barren Mojave Desert. Originally created as an artist retreat by an LA-based film director, the hip
campsite consists of a crazy collection of customised trailers,
including a fortune teller’s wagon equipped with tarot cards, a
galactic-themed Airstream and a freak-show caravan housing a
terrifying collection of horror-movie classics. The exact location
of the trailer park remains a secret until your booking is
confirmed, ensuring your only neighbours are desert cacti, a show
reel of shooting stars and the odd rattlesnake.

Worthy of Bond-villain status, the ultra-luxe hideaway Amangiri
is hard to spot, blending seamlessly into the extra-terrestrial
terrain of the American Southwest. Drawing inspiration from
traditional Native-American architecture, polished concrete has
been subtly tinged with pinks, purples and reds to match the
palette of the surrounding canyons. In a complex that is in
complete harmony with nature, each room offers endless views from
king-size beds. Continuing to blur the boundaries between inside
and out, the heated swimming pool hugs the curve of the sandstone
land, oversized loungers nudge the water’s edge and a fire-pit
terrace hovers beside spectacular rock formations.

Rich in Aboriginal culture, the Northern Territory is home to
the world’s largest monoliths and the sacred red domes of Kata
Tjuta. Longitude 131’s white tented cabins give an illusion of wilderness, but, once
inside, the works by Indigenous artists, cutting-edge mod cons and
bespoke furniture dispel any feeling of roughing it. Set off on an
expedition packed with all the necessities – such as a champagne
picnic and freshly baked pastries – to watch the sunset over
Australia’s spiritual heart, Uluru (Ayers Rock). Want to explore
further afield? Take a Harley Davidson, helicopter or camel out for
a spin across the desert sands.

If the thought of a 12-hour trek into the Sahara makes you feel hot under the collar, then a
stay in the nomadic Scarabeo Camp is a comforting option. Never
pitched more than a 45-minutes hike outside of Marrakech (the
summer heat brings the camp to a shadier spot), the15-tent cluster
sits in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the medina. As
night falls, silence envelops the Agafay stone desert. With no
light pollution, the camp is illuminated by the flickering lights
of candelabras and romantic Moroccan lanterns. Break freshly baked
bread straight from an earthen oven over the communal dining table,
then take advantage of the clear, cosmic skies and have your stars
read by a professional astrologer.

Built inside the clay walls of an old cattle settlement, Tierra
Atacama is an ode to Chilean tradition and spirit. As part of a
centuries-old community that used intuitive distribution methods to
share the land’s precious resources, locality is integral to the
ethos of this sprawling desert oasis. Dry adobe bricks, bamboo and
clay were used to match the terracotta volcanic landscape, with the
hotel having been built exclusively by local craftspeople. The
majority of the restaurant’s produce is grown on-site and the sleek
wine bar champions the very best in Chilean grapes. Spend the day hiking the Moon
Valley or soaking in the hot springs of Puritama, followed by a
desert-herb facial and volcanic-mud treatment to ease muscles sore
from exploring.

Feynan Ecolodge lies in the Dana Biosphere Reserve along the
face of the Great Rift Valley, where over 800 plant species
challenge the preconception of a desert being barren. Expect a warm
welcome from one of the last remaining Bedouin communities as
you’re transported along the final part of your journey in a 4×4.
The simplicity of the property is a testimony to the design of the
historical inns where the caravanserai (camel caravans) would stay
during long journeys across the Silk Route. Entirely solar powered
and with all water coming from a local spring, Feynan Ecolodge is a
lesson in sustainability.

Located on the edge of Salar de Uyuni, the world’s biggest salt
flat, Palacio de Sal is crafted from the only accessible material –
salt. Like a mirage, it appears suddenly out of the glimmering,
crystalline crust. Pale, igloo-shaped rooms cocoon guests, with
walls, floors, sculptures and furniture all constructed using the
gleaming white material. Drive out to Incahuasi to marvel at huge
cactus candelabras sprouting from the scorched earth, or call ahead
for your pop-up golf course to be erected using, yep, you’ve
guessed it, salt.

Sitting pretty in the heart of Namibia’s rugged Skeleton Coast
National Park, Shipwreck Lodge’s 11 buttercup-coloured cabins are
wrapped in a blanket of sand and sea. Brought to life by talented
architect Nina Maritz, interiors draw on the landscape’s nautical
roots – think chipboard walls, porthole-shaped windows and rope
furnishings. This is the sort of place you visit to properly
recharge and reconnect with nature, so don’t expect to find any
state-of-the-art spa facilities. What you will find, however, is an
attentive team on standby to whizz you through dunes, or better
yet, take you for an invigorating splash in the Atlantic Ocean.

Backed by dramatic sandstone mountains within the boundary of
Jordan’s Wadi Rum, Sun City Camp gives a whole new meaning to
“glamping”. Inside the martian-like domes, printed rugs, lantern
lampshades and king-size beds make for a stylish and snug stay.
Choose to draw the curtains or opt to drift off to the distant
sparkles of the Milky Way, slowly rising to coral beams of
sunlight. Either way, be sure to start your day with a traditional
Bedouin breakfast from the comfort of your private terrace.

The brainchild of Pablo Carmona and Joshua Kremer, this 35-room
property was purposefully built to blend into its surroundings.
Picture the scene: a botanical garden flanked by a series of
brutalist-inflected cabins, each sharing the same minimalist
palette, with brushed-concrete and different woods and metals
chosen to evoke a sense of calm. Interiors, meanwhile, look like
black braided hammocks, potted plants and bamboo furnishings. Slip
into the infinity pool or borrow one of the surfboards and head to
the nearby Baja California Sur shore. There are also guided hikes,
bike tours and an art walk, and complimentary yoga sessions that
take place at sunrise and sunset. The food? Farm-to-fork dining
meets Mexican classics.