I too loved Esthar. The colours of that place were pefect, and the general aesthetics are the most attractive I've seen in a FF location. The technology just seemed to be beyond science-fiction even. It is for me a truly magical part of Final Fantasy VIII. However, such love led to a broken heart after it was invaded by creatures thanks to Lunatic Pandora.

Therefore, I'll have to choose somewhere else. And, despite the feeling of disappointment in playing Final Fantasy X, I'm going ot nominate "Zanarkand Ruins" as my joint favourite place ever in Final Fantasy. The pyreflies and the apparitions were fantastic. It's one of the eeriest locations in a Final Fantasy game.

I say joint favourite, because the "City of the Ancients" is Final Fantasy perfection too. Also involves the only event in a Final Fantasy game that brought me to tears...