Few hotels in the world can compare to andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, located in a 31,420-acre reserve in the Namibian desert. The lodge’s surroundings are more like the surface of Mars than anywhere on Earth. The hotel has just 10 suites; the Star Dune Suite features two large, separate bedrooms connected by a communal living area. The lodge and the Star Dune Suite are contemporary, with flecks of local influence. A huge bed sits in the center of the room, overlooking floor-to-ceiling windows framing the rocky views beyond; keep an eye out for passing oryx and zebra. Each suite has its own outdoor terrace with a pool. The number of amenities is too long to list but all-inclusive mini-bar, daily cookie jar replenishments and Swarovski binoculars in every room give a good indication. There are daily game drives, but don’t expect your usual safari sightings — at Sossusvlei it’s all about awing over the resilient nature of the animals that do survive here.