Forget the Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton: The most luxurious hotel brands in the world are ones you've likely never heard of

• Trevor Morrow explores the world and writes about his travel experiences for his blog, Trevor Morrow Travel.
• While the Four Seasons and The Ritz Carlton are great accommodations, the hotel brands aren't located in every destination.
• Here, Morrow rounds up his seven favorite Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton alternatives — all of which are one-of-a-kind, luxurious, boutique hotels — and tells you why they should be on your travel bucket list.

When it comes to planning a luxury vacation, whether it's a honeymoon, a celebration, or that's just how you roll, it's easy to think first of the large, luxury hotel brands you're familiar with and the destinations in which they have properties.

You wouldn't be wrong to consider brands like The Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons, which have many stunning properties around the world, provide excellent service, and exclusive experiences (like learning beach volleyball from a two-time Olympic gold medalist at Four Seasons Santa Barbara or practicing Muay Thai with a pro and an ocean view at Four Seasons Koh Samui). I'm simply here to remind you to consider all your options — whether in
the same destination as your initial go-to hotel or in a destination you haven't yet considered.

Why? Because there are many one-of-a-kind, smaller, luxury, boutique hotels out there that deserve your attention too. I know because I'm a travel writer who has been lucky enough to experience several such places.

And while my luxury, boutique hotels bucket list is still a mile long, here are some of the best
I've visited so far that you should know about.

SEE ALSO: The 20 best honeymoon destinations in the world, according to newlyweds and travel experts

Deplar Farm: Troll Peninsula, Iceland

Don't call Eleven Experience'sDeplar Farm a hotel.

That term would be too impersonal. Just like the private company's other remote, adventure-centric hideaways, staying at Deplar Farm is more like staying in a friend's home (if that friend employed a full staff, thought through every last detail, and had impeccable taste).

I ventured here, to this distant valley in the county's north, for three reasons: to feel truly far, far away, to get off Iceland's well-worn tourist track, and to go heli-skiing in the surrounding mountains.

Having been, I can say with certainty that you will feel like you're living in a fairytale, you will take home memories and photos almost no other traveler to Iceland has, and there will be plenty of over-the-top adventures.

Deplar Farm has its own helicopters and resident, expert guides to take guests skiing, fly fishing, and more.

One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at Deplar Farm were the helicopters parked on the front lawn. During my winter visit, we used them to land on nearby mountaintops and ski virgin terrain (no chairlifts needed), but they can also be used throughout the year to fly guests to remote fishing steams or to hidden hot springs.

And while there are endless activities to take part in nearby, be sure to budget time to simply relax and enjoy the property itself, from the comfortable great room with its fireplace and full bar, to the well-appointed bedrooms complete with steam showers, to the sleek lower level featuring a spa, fitness facilities and indoor and outdoor pool with swim-up bar.

Pikaia Lodge: Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

When it comes to truly remote places, chances are you won't find any of the big hotel brands
you're familiar with. Why? Because the more remote, the more difficult and expensive it is to
build and operate a hotel — especially an ultra-luxury one.

Thankfully, this challenge didn’t stop the pioneering souls behind Pikaia Lodge, who built from scratch the Galapagos Archipelago's first and only true 5-star hotel. Perched atop an extinct volcano with expansive and inspiring 360-degree views, the 14-room property features a beautiful infinity-edge pool, a stunning spa, and a gourmet restaurant.