By Tomika Anderson

With so many hotels to choose from, there’s no reason to stay somewhere generic. These new or improved properties set a theatrical  backdrop guaranteed to enhance your travel experience.

SIX SENSES, CON DAO, VIETNAM
The five-star Six Senses, which rests on one of the remote islands of Con Dao, has been open for less than a year, yet it’s already racking up awards, like the Asian Pacific Property Award for best hotel construction and design. Forty-five minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, 50 spacious private villas sit among lush mangrove vegetation. Each villa offers its own infinity plunge pool and unobstructed views of the South China Sea. Vietnamese noodles, rice, soups, rolls, and wraps are made-to-order in charcoal-flamed woks or wood-fired ovens by the resort’s chefs, who also offer cooking classes. From $601/night. sixsenses.com