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I knew to be thoroughly immersed in the brilliant red earth of the Kalahari Desert, in eastern Namibia, I was going to have to eat some sand. I thought it would be due to strong desert winds, or a big truck blowing by me and my girlfriend Holly Lohuis on a deserted washboard-riddled road.

The sturdy coast live oaks gently swayed during a light, southeast wind. Their crunchy leaves rattling with each wispy gust on the mostly shaded, 4-mile-out-and-back Cerro San Luis Mountain Trail, surrounded by a still slumbering San Luis Obispo (SLO).

More and more, men are breaking free from this sprint and deeply rooted stereotypes. They seek something deeper, something more nourishing for their souls. They prioritize their health and well-being, even while on vacation.

I had Atlantic puffins and burly waterfalls on the brain, but I was also anticipating Icelandic horses, glacier-fed lagoons, deserted beaches, and plenty of geothermal activity in frigid, far-flung landscapes and deeply stunning, windswept fjords.

In a world where luxury is a given, a select few hotels transcend the ordinary, becoming destinations in their own right. From the golden shores of the Arabian Gulf to the ancient souks of Marrakech, the region harbors luxury hotels that epitomize excellence in hospitality. We’ve compiled a list of premier properties inspired by Middle Eastern design.