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 4x4. 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.