For this year's Hot List Traveler's definitive picks of the best hotel openings around the world our editors and contributors scouted hundreds of properties across six continents. What follows are the top 75 those that define why we travel now and determine where we're going next. Our team of editors and contributors criss crossed the globe to put together this year's Hot List . We started with nearly 500 hotels, and whittled it down to the 75 below, found in 33 countries: in major cities, the dreamiest beaches, and places travelers have rarely heard of before. Our army of hotel sleuths assessed everything from Wif-Fi strength to rooftop pool scene. Ultimately, the hotels that land on this list are the absolute best of the best; the game-changing, boundary pushing, vacation-making openings that are so good, we're already dreaming about going back. Scroll down to see the complete list. And peruse all of our Hot List galleries to find out what we loved most about each winner. Omaanda, Ondekaremba, Namibia Set the scene. In Namibia's remote, soul-stirring wilderness one of the least inhabited places on earth French hotelier Arnaud Zannier has created a new breed of hotel. Instead of a typical safari-style lodge where guests recuperate between game drives, Omaanda is a beautiful place you want to linger and wallow in the savannah scenery. It is set on a raised elevation to take advantage of views across the savannah all the way to the distant mountains, so you can soak in the show stopping infinity pool (a fire pit at one end, and a bar at the other) while watching wildlife drink at a water hole below. What's the story? Angelina Jolie, a long-time Namibia fan, helped save this threatened piece of land near Windhoek airport by introducing Zannier to conservationist friends Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren, who run the N/a'an Ku Se Sanctuary next door. When Zannier saw the property, it was a genuine coup de coeur . Now guests of Omaanda have privileged access to the Van Vuurens's important community and conservation projects, which include rehabilitation of injured or orphaned rhinos, elephants and big cats. What can we expect in our room? Huts may look traditional, but inside the design is dangerously dreamy. You may have had ambitious plans to go looking for rhinos or watch cheetahs snag a meal on the 9,000-hectare reserve, but the soaking tub is perched in front of a window framing the panoramas, and decks for lounging with a glass of wine. Despite off-grid surroundings, rooms come with wifi and TVs. No. 4 has the best views. How about the food and drink? Omaanda does food really well. Breakfast starts with a bang: a shot of pineapple, ginger and lemon juice; a plate of charcuterie; a wood platter of warm baked breads; a bowl of fresh fruit. Still hungry? Order a hot dish as well. Lunch is mezze-style sharing plates and copious salads. Even the sundowner snacks packed in leather coolers for game drives are extravagant. Tip for dinner: go for the oryx steak. Anything to say about the service? It's great some 40 staff for 10 huts. Nothing is a problem. Skilled spa therapist Gideon trained in Bali (memorable massages), plus the guides for game drives are knowledgeable and fun. Steven Jacob, the general manager, and his wife Annelie, who heads up the food side, take really good care of everyone. Who comes here? Stylish couples on epic breaks, as well as families and groups of friends celebrating a big day. How does it compare with others in the region? Omaanda is among a handful of smart new lodges upping the game amid the remote and magnificent landscapes of Namibia, a rising star on the African safari circuit. One advantage Omaanda has is its convenient proximity to the international airport, so it's not a slog to get there, in a country so enormous that many visitors opt for sky safaris using bush planes. Anything we missed? The two-room spa is a standout. Treatments start with a local ritual: a foot scrub with salt and lemon. The air is perfumed with Namibian myrrh, and massages use local ingredients like Marula oil. And soon Zannier will open Sonop Lodge, his second property in the country, at the edge of the Namib Desert. Is it worth it and why? Absolutely: a dreamy hide-out in a spectacular savannah setting. The Jaffa, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Tel Aviv, Israel Set the scene. A 13th-century fortress wall, excavated during construction, cuts through The Jaffa's slick modern lobby. Furniture is mid-century modern; on the wall is one of Damien Hirst's spin paintings. But this hardly prepares you for the rest of The Jaffa, a one-time convent-hospital could claim to be the world's most glamorous nunnery; all grand archways, plaster walls and neo-Roman flourishes, but with modern flourishes. The Chapel, where nuns once worshipped, is now a grand setting for Tel Aviv's coolest bar, with its soaring vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows. What's the story? When it was built in the 19th-century, Jaffa's iconic French Hospital was a mix of neo-gothic and neo-Renaissance styles. Now, it's clearly symbolic of neo-Jaffa, the city's ancient Arabic district, which grows ever-more hip. The renovation took 10 years of excavation and preservation, overseen by British designer John Pawson and Israeli architect Ramy Gill. They've stayed true to the ornate old space, with its Arabic and Roman influences, while turning it into a 120-room hotel filled with mod-cons and cutting-edge art and design, from Hirst to Japanese furniture designer Shiro Kuramata. What can we expect from the bedrooms? Rooms are convent-minimal, but stylishly so; the chilly plaster walls and arches offset by chairs by French designer Pierre Paulin. A single panel controls the blinds, lights and air-conditioning, and there's just a shower in the Travertine marble bathroom. The minimalism is accented by minimal photographs of trees by Israeli artist Tal Shochat. How about the food and drink? For somewhere so of its place and time, the food leans heavily towards New York City, despite being run by local chef Roi Antebi. Brooklyn-ish all-day deli Golda's serves up bagels and lox, and great coffee; Italian-American restaurant Don Camillo, which spills onto a candlelit private patio, is excellent but makes only the merest nods to local cooking. Anything to say about the service? Could be improved, but will warm up. The concierge is an authority on genuine cool bars and galleries in Jaffa. What type of person stays here? The in-the-know global design crowd (who are the people attracted to Jaffa in the first place). Lots of elegantly maxi-dressed women and men with bare ankles and tortoiseshell glasses. What's the neighborhood scene like? Hip, rapidly gentrifying areas in cities tend to be in formerly unloveable areas: red-light districts, boondocks, actual docks. Jaffa is a hip quarter, but a beautiful one that has a 4,000-year history stretching back beyond The Bible (Jonah, St Peter) and Greek mythology (Perseus, Andromeda), with more Arabic than Jewish residents. The art galleries, boho bars and chic boutiques are houses in ancient stone structures, which glow with golden light; while the flea markets and Arabic cafés and bakeries are as they've been for centuries. Anything we missed? The rectangular aquamarine pool pops from the white loungers around it, and the fact that sunscreen is provided is a nice touch. The lobby features sheshbesh boards, the Turkish equivalent of backgammon. Is it worth it why? Like Jaffa itself, it's a thrilling mix of old and new, which somehow works. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Set the scene. Rows of towering bronze trees with leaf-shaped crystal bulbs, shimmering like fireflies, a woodland of light leading from lobby to the beach. Outside are walkways and bridges and teak decks, with cabanas for poolside lounging. Staff appear in bright blue fedoras and frock coats. There are artful embroidered flowers on the walls, marble and wood throughout, and floor-to-ceiling windows for mesmerizing views out to sea. What's the story? Part of the Asia-based Mandarin Oriental group, this is their first property in the United Arab Emirates, open since March 2019. The architecture is by Jeffrey A Wilkes, whose other big-marble projects include The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, and the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. What can we expect from our room? We had a Junior Suite. The TV rotated on its axis frame so I could comfortably watch it from my huge bed or any seat in the room. The tea was by Jing. And the bath potions are by Natura Bissé, the Spanish equivalent of La Prairie. The tech was frustrating though over-complicated electric control panels offering lighting moods. How about the food and drink? There are six restaurants and bars, but head straight to Tasca for a menu from José Avillez, the Portuguese chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Belcanto restaurant in Lisbon. Highlights here include the Algarve prawns: prepared ceviche-style, red Mediterranean shrimps served on lime halves pack more flavor into their little bodies than lobster. The citrus marinade doesn't overpower and the silky texture feels as decadent as an oyster. After dinner, down a Smoking Gun the aroma is as intoxicating as the drink and it gives the bar staff a chance to play with their coolest toy, a smoking gun that gives the bourbon, Campari, and chocolate cocktail its name as well as its taste. Anything to say about the service? Staff seem genuinely excited to be part of Mandarin Oriental's Middle Eastern debut. Celebrating birthdays is easy here as the hotel houses its own cake shop, with freshly made and very photogenic creations. Who comes here? Locals flocked to the hotel from the get-go, gathering in the lobby's Noor Lounge and the cake shop, their pristine kanduras and abayas making a very Emirati first impression. Off-duty Financial Centre professionals, fashion-forward holiday makers, and one or two female DJs in ankle boots and sequin dresses add to the mix. How does it fit into the region? Sharing a neighborhood with Four Seasons and Bulgari, it's not the only beachfront hotel in Jumeirah, but the others don't have Tasca or youth on their sides. Anything you'd change? We'd love to rewrite the flowery, uninformative spa menu. Anything we missed? There's the Nomad Kids' Club, plus the Middle East's first-ever Outrace frame-gym rigged with ladders, suspension ropes, and punch bags. Plus, a tempting selection of ice cream is served at breakfast. Worth it and why? Yes: for its pool space, private beach, central location, and lots of reasons to stay in, including a spa with wigwam-like relaxation pods, instead of plain old recliners. Shipwreck Lodge, Skeleton Coast National Park, Nambia Set the scene. In Namibia's remote Skeleton Coast National Park, Shipwreck Lodge's angular wooden cabins seem to rise out of the middle of nowhere. Strung along a sand dune that faces the distant Atlantic Ocean, they look as though they've quite literally been shipwrecked. What's the story? It's a hotel from Natural Selection, which owns a string of conservation-minded lodges across Africa. Shipwreck Lodge is the first and only permanent lodge in the Skeleton Coast National Park. Like most of the resorts in the portfolio, conservation is key and Shipwreck is a brilliant base from which to explore the park, magnificent, wind-etched dunes and foggy coastline. What can we expect in our room? No better place in the world to curl up during a sandstorm (which is highly likely) than in one of the 10 cosy wooden cabins. Love it or hate it, the interior drips with ship bric-a-brac like ropes, wood and porthole windows. There's also a warming wood-burning fireplace. How about the food and drink? You don't go to Shipwreck Lodge for the food: It's all about the setting. That said, there are some delights such as the gooey chocolate cake served at afternoon tea and freshly caught fish at dinner. Every meal has two to three options, but you're in the middle of nowhere so it's not the place to get finicky about food. Anything to say about the service? Service can be sluggish at times but there are some staff members who truly shine. Alex, a guide, is remarkable. He'll drive guests up and down sand dunes, to see real shipwrecks, and pass on his expert knowledge about local wildlife. For those brave enough to take on the freezing, tumultuous Atlantic, he'll even bring gin and tonics, biltong, chairs, and towels down to the beach for a post-swim sundowner. Who comes here? The khaki clan. Incredibly practical safari-goers clad in utility trousers and Gortex jackets. How does it fit into the region? Don't expect any signs of nightlife, or even any life, other than a few elephant and antelope. This is a completely individual hotel and currently the only one on the Skeleton Coast's northern shores. Namibia has come of age with a fleet of off-grid conservation-minded lodges and this is one of the best. Is there anything you'd change? Remove a few scatter cushions from the lounge and the giant thrones in the dining room. Anything else we should know? Although the coastline is one of the roughest in the world hence the amount of shipwrecks on a warm day there's something quite wonderful about dipping your toes and entire body in wild water. Is it worth it and why? From the remote location to the weird and wacky design of the lodge, there's really no other place like this. Mombo Camp and Little Mombo, Okavango, Botswana Set the scene. At the edge of a sweeping feeding plain, right in the heart of the Okavango Delta, where hundreds of animals can be seen grazing, playing, sleeping. This is a tale of two camps. Little Mombo has just three tents, the main Mombo has nine, but what tents they are each almost as big and enveloping as a circus big-top. Both camps are connected by a boardwalk. Twenties-style chandeliers dangle near the gin bar, where everyone gathers sharing stories about what they've seen after rolling back in their personal Land Cruisers. What's the story? Wilderness Safaris, founded back in 1983, is southern Africa's leading eco-tourism group, with an enviable collection of camps in the region, including Rwanda, South Africa and Namibia. And Botswana, which is one of the most glorious places on the planet to see wildlife. Mombo, in the Moremi Game Reserve, is more than 30 years old and it's been reimagined by architect Nick Plewman and designer Caline Williams-Wynn, who have combined vintage pieces such as Chesterfield sofas and antique brasses with handmade ceramics and local fabrics   spot the Pygmy beds from the Congo that have been turned into coffee tables. You may recognize the boma from previous trips it's been made from recycled wood rescued from the old camp. Mombo has an impressive track record for its protection of both white and black rhino, with a wall of fame dedicated to each creature that has been saved due to guest sponsorship. What can we expect from our room? The design seamlessly walks the line between colonial, Art Deco and modern. Eleven of the twelve units in Mombo and Little Mombo (they share the same property, known as Mombo) are identical; the 12th was added as a family unit and includes an additional bathroom and bedroom, as well as an extra-large terrace, designed for multi-generational travelers. It's almost a shame having units designed so beautifully, as your whole schedule is designed so you spend as little time in them as possible. Guests can see out onto the savannah from every spot in the tent: even the mirrors in the bathrooms reflect the outside, so you can see giraffes and zebras while blow-drying your hair. The small salons with full bar carts and leather sofas are a lot of fun, but nothing beats the plunge pools on the terraces, so close to the savannah that elephants at times mistake them for drinking holes. How about the food and drink? The food is very good; menus don't teeter into gourmet, but rather serve a thoughtful selection of food that will appeal to pretty much anyone; lots of pastas, wraps, and grilled meats (cooked over traditional coals). Ostrich and apricot tagine, wild-mushroom lasagne, harissa chicken skewers. There's also a pizza oven. The liquor list includes South African gins and mezcals alongside bottles from London and Mexico at the bar. Dining is not communal and unlike other camps, you do have a menu from which to choose. In-tent dining can easily be arranged; the tent is so gorgeous that doing so is a nice way to spend more time there. How does it fit into the region? You could probably judge a safari camp not by the sheets but by the stories you take away once you leave. By that measure, if you do one safari in your life, it should be here. Our game drives were phenomenal. It was not about volume, but rather, activity. After each drive we'd come back with stories about what we saw: a pride of lions strategizing then pulling off a kill; a sickly mother leopard feeding her cub an impala, a honey bird directing us toward a beehive. Anything to say about the service? The staff are the type who'll enlighten you all day, then chat until that last drop is gone from the bottle of whiskey and the fire has turned to embers. O.B. was our guide and turned something memorable into something extraordinary. He got excited, almost as much as the guests would, when coming across a pride of lions or some cheetah, which showed just how much he loved the bush. Back at camp, there were long, informative chats with Tsebo. Such a great ambassador for the camp and Botswana. Anything we missed? Arrangements can be made to visit local schools and villages if requested, and canoe safaris can be done during certain seasons. Worth it and why? The game viewing is some of the greatest on the continent. And the location means you don't even need to leave the plunge pool to see the elephants, giraffes, and zebras. If you are toying with the idea of Mombo but are unsure, just do it. Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort, Tanzania Set the scene. Ocean zephyrs kick up scents from the nearby spice garden, hammocks swing in the breeze, pendants light the way up winding paths to teak, grass-roofed bungalows that appear out of nowhere, like elephants hiding in thick clumps of jungle and palm trees. But the beach is just steps away, a wondrous private curl of sand facing the Indian Ocean with thatched umbrellas. What's the story? This opened in July 2018, a personal project by Czech-born Renaissance man Vaclav Dejcmar, whose CV includes a documentary on psychopaths in business and organizing Prague Fashion Week. He asked Prague-based design studio Jestico + Whiles to sort the interiors: It brought in lots of African textures and Sixties-style chairs and lamps to the party. Woven-basket pendants, lights made from bottles and carved wooden tables upcycled from old dhows. In the bathrooms, handmade curtains have been made by local social enterprise Chako Zanzibar, and bath products are from female seaweed farmers Zuri has set out to support community projects from the start. What can we expect from our room? We stayed in a garden bungalow, which has a private terrace with hammock and an outdoor shower off the bathroom. There's a sliver of a view of the ocean, but we didn't need more than that the gardens are so well maintained, it's as if each room is hidden in its own private jungle. The room key is a silicon bracelet that you can wear in the pool (don't lose this though, as replacements are expensive). Everything that could be considered unsightly can be tucked away behind local art. Wi-Fi is free, but our favorite detail is the eco-friendly air-con the mosquito-netting canopy acted as a small cooling chamber, so the entire room didn't need to be ventilated. How about the food and drink? Each of the three restaurants and four bars has its own personality and menu but all are laid-back. Upendo is the main place to eat, with views out to sea and sand. Feel free to ask for a meal or sundowner set up on the beach for you. How does it fit into the island scene? Zanzibar hasn't had much of a shake up to its hotel game in some time hotels nearby are fine at best which is a real shame, as Zanzibar is the perfect bush-to-beach island to land on. Zuri has everything that places in the Seychelles or Maldives serve up (glorious beaches, palapas that you don't have to fight over, and several creative restaurants), but this is much closer by air. Anything we missed? Don't skip the spa and yoga pavilion, tucked behind curtained pergolas. A deep-tissue massage after a day of sun is pretty unmissable. The hotel map is impressive the small, gravel-paved paths are set out and named after spices to help you navigate around. The plants are so spectacular you can't really tell how close you are to another room. And anything you'd change? The rooms may have felt hidden behind deep gardens, but they did very little to block sound things can get a little noisy at night. Worth it and why? There is nothing else like this on Zanzibar, and shaving off six or so hours of travel time after a hot few days on the African plains is nothing to sneeze at. andBeyond Tengile River Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa Set the scene. Hit the safari running by driving past giraffe, kudu, and warthog to a lodge that's almost invisible with low-slung looks, shaded by riverine forest on the banks of the Sand River. From from the communal areas there are unobstructed views down the wide, sandy riverbed where elephants are often seen feeding. The lodge flows effortlessly from one exquisite space to the next. There's a true sense of serenity here. Sitting on the veranda, it feels as if you have the entire river and surrounding bush to yourself. What's the story? Tengile is set in a prime concession in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, where AndBeyond have run Kirkmans Kamp for many years. With this new lodge, the group has re-established itself in the safari pecking order. Tengile was designed by safari architect Nicholas Plewman, known for his environmental sensitivity and for maintaining a strong sense of place. Some of his recent designs include the new-look Mombo Camp in Botswana and the ground-breaking Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, both for Wilderness Safaris. Plewman also designed Sandibe for andBeyond in Botswana. The lodge is built to the highest eco-friendly standards with impressive sustainability practices (no single-use plastics, for example). Interior designer Michelle Throssell was inspired by the dappled shade, the indigenous tamboti trees and original safari pioneer Harry Kirkman, with masculine materials such as unrefined dark steel, sandblasted timber and stone, and burnished cane. What can we expect from our room? All 10 suites are identical, although two are linked by a passageway to form a nifty family space, with full-size swimming pool, veranda and outdoor shower. Boundaries between outside and inside are blurred, thanks to large sliding doors. There's a fully stocked bar, a living room with board games and books, a spacious bedroom with a charging station of device-friendly plugs and connections. A linear bathroom leads past a deep tub to a walk-in shower then out onto the deck to an outdoor shower. Spot the bird cage housing the Africology bath potions. The private pool is big enough and deep enough to swim short lengths in. How about the food and drink? Everything is included. The small team create an endless stream of Ottolenghi-style small plates that can be mixed and matched lots of fresh pestos, dips, and dressings to add to plant-based salads, falafel, lamb kofta, beef fillet, and seared fish. Breakfast is a feast of fresh fruit, homemade granola and yogurts, smoked salmon, homemade muffins. It's easy to stick to gluten- or dairy-free or vegan diets. Special mention should be made of the pastry chef's incredible afternoon tea treats and homemade ice creams. Bush dinners, picnic breakfasts and boma dinners, and a barbecue served around a fire pit, are part of the experience, always with a surprise element. There's a beautiful showpiece bar, for interesting cocktails using local craft gins. Anything to say about the service? There's a can-do approach to everything. Check-in is an informal chat with the manager and chef. The chefs love nothing more than to invite you into the kitchen, and will even set aside time to teach guests how to make their favorite dish patisserie-worthy macarons perhaps. Who stays here? AndBeyond devotees who have stayed at other lodges in Africa or South America. But also safari first-timers. How does it fit into the region? Sabi Sand is a highly competitive arena when it comes to safari lodges Londolozi, Singita, and Lion Sands are all here. There are no fences between the reserve and the Kruger National Park, so wildlife roams freely between the two. The density of lodges in the Sabi Sand means that extra traversing rights set one lodge apart from the next. Tengile has exclusive access to a large chunk of neighboring Mala Mala, as well as a portion of Lion Sands. Game-viewing is superb and you don't have to drive for hours to see animals. We encountered a leopard in a tree, which alighted a dozen feet in front of our vehicle and sauntered across the veld to another tree in which she had stashed a fresh kill. Anything you'd change? The wine list includes some stellar South African labels but the red wines are being served too young. Anything we missed? There's a full-length lap pool, a Techno-gym workout room, and a small spa. This is the first lodge in the Sabi Sand to have introduced golf carts for gadding about. Is it worth it and why? Absolutely. It's as if andBeyond has taken the best of everything it's learned over the past 20-odd years and distilled it into this new lodge. Bulgari Hotel Shanghai, China Set the scene. Cross the Suzhou Creek, pass beneath the grand gateway that leads from the street to the old Chamber of Commerce building, through what appears to be a Roman triumphal arch, and into a gleaming 21st-century tower of steel and glass, brass and marble and bronze, all Bulgari-styled within an inch of its life. If you were not in Rome a moment ago, you are now, or as close as you can be, considering this is, after all, Shanghai. Feeling dizzy or disoriented? Take a seat, a restorative Negroni is on the way. What's the story? For a resolutely Roman jewelry and luxury goods brand, Bulgari has proved exceptionally portable, with goodness knows how many hundreds of boutiques and concessions around the world these days. And six hotels to boot. This latest addition does not exactly mark a radical departure from those that came before it, but, like them, it does adapt to local conditions well and tailor the typically hard-edged, dark, woody, and rather masculine Bulgari-hotel aesthetic (Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel once again) accordingly. What can we expect from our room? They're all about the views, which are, by and large, sensational. The Shanghai skyline, particularly though not only by night, is among the most dramatic in the world. Because of the shape and orientation of the building, however, there are a few duds. So be sure to ask for a room with a view across the Huangpu River to Pudong. It will cost you dearly, but it (the view, that is, not the bill) will probably be the thing you remember longest after your visit. How about the food and drink? You may quibble with the imported design sensibility. You would be mad, though, to quibble with the imported kitchen know-how. Whether you are nibbling a chocolate in the in-house sweet shop, lapping up a gelato on the terrace, snacking with an aperitivo in the bar, or feasting like a god in the restaurant, the Italian food here is the best in town. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, come for drinks and dinner. Anything to say about the service? Notably warm, enthusiastic, personalized, and respectful a winning combination. Who comes here? First and foremost, the tribe of Bulgari. Lovers of the great Roman jewelry brand will see their own enthusiasms (and possibly their own jewelry) reflected at every turn and on every wall, for the place is practically covered with charming old advertising material prints, photographs, and posters celebrating their particular version, colorful and carat-heavy, of la dolce vita . What's the neighborhood scene like? The location is extremely interesting, as well as convenient. This section of the Suzhou Creek used to be a largely industrial neighborhood and, though it is changing quickly now, it retains some of the texture and tone of old Shanghai. Lots of hotels have sprung up in Shanghai recently Capella, Edition, Middle House, and Amanyangyun  so there's a lot of competition. Anything you'd change? Doubt it could be changed but would certainly like to ask Lord Foster, whose architectural firm was responsible for the main tower, why exactly they needed quite so many bits of steel running both horizontally and vertically across some of the upper-floor windows. I suppose he would say "to prevent the building from falling down" or something along those lines. But it seems a shame that, here and there, those splendid views have been partially obscured in this way. And anything we missed? The pool is a marvel. Natural light has been somehow directed down into the basement, to cast the pool in a gorgeous and serene emerald-green glow. Is it worth it  why? If you like your views as big and sparkly as your jewelry, then it is definitely worth it. Soho House Mumbai, India Set the scene. Half-past-one in the morning, opening night. Bollywood in full bloom, with a cast of thousands, all singing, all dancing. Like a scene from The Great Gatsby on the Arabian Sea. Nervous twitches about the Jehu setting are soon replaced by a little frisson of pleasure at the sight of this hotel, with its dainty awnings and palm trees, which would not look out of place in Nice or Miami. What's the story? Though clubby since the Brits made it that way, Mumbai has never had anything remotely like a club along Soho House lines a gap in the market that Nick Jones, with the prescience for which he is admired, spotted some years ago. There were hold-ups galore but he got there in the end and the result is impressive. What can we expect in our room? Those familiar with the brand will be surprised to the point of stupefaction by the size of the rooms here (actually perfectly decent) and delighted by the way the familiar Soho House look has been ramped up with the clever use of local fabrics and accessories. On a more practical note, rooms on the street side are noisier than those on the beach side, though the views from either side are terrific. How about the food and drink? The place is full of nooks and crannies in which you will be not merely allowed, but actively encouraged, to stuff your face. Some, like Cecconi's on the ground floor, are open to the public; others, such as the luscious upstairs bits, are for members only. Cecconi's was not yet open for business during our visit, so absurd quantities of insanely moreish Indian food were consumed instead. Butter chicken this good should come with a warning about its dangerously addictive qualities. Anything to say about the service? Young, excited, eager to please, bubbling over with good will. Who comes here? Mumbai has had a thriving club culture for centuries; just not this kind of club. It will be extremely interesting to see what the uptake on membership is like. The location, in Juhu, in the thick of Bollywood and the city's creative industries, is propitious. What's the neighborhood scene like? See above. South Bombay has always had, and always will have, its denizens and devotees who would rather put pins in their eyes than spend two hours in traffic to get up to Juhu for a drink. But that is changing, and Soho House is likely to accelerate the process. It's conveniently close to the airport, by Mumbai standards, but an hour or so from the more familiar, more photogenic, and historic precincts to the south. Anything you'd change? The footpaths in the streets outside, which are like the rubble left over from a terminal moraine. This could be a nice neighborhood to walk around. And anything we missed? Juhu Beach has been cleaned up miraculously. By all means go down and mingle there with the local families and the cricket stars of tomorrow. Is it worth it and why? An amazing bargain, really. A proper Soho House with all the trimmings, in one of the most rapidly changing neighborhoods in one of the most exciting cities on earth. With samosas. Amanyangyun, Shanghai, China Set the scene. A hushed dream of tea ceremonies and ancient camphor trees, brought into the 21st-century with a calligrapher's touch by late Australian architect Kerry Hill. Hill's team designed a zen-geometric modern estate around 14 Ming and Qing dynasty villas, shipped 434 miles from Jiangxi province and painstakingly restored. Ma Dadong, the shy philanthropist behind it all, is often whispered-about and spied on the grounds, but rarely spoken to. What's the story? In 2002, 29-year-old property millionaire Ma went home to see his parents in Fuzhou City, Jiangxi province, southwest of Shanghai. It was there that he heard of plans for a new reservoir that would submerge a series of nearby ancient villages, and thousands of even older camphor trees, some of them worshipped like deities. Horrified by this cultural desecration, he struck a deal with the government to uproot 10,000 trees and 50 ornate dwellings, some up to 500 years old, moving them piece by piece to a series of warehouses outside Shanghai. In 2005, Ma rebuilt one as an experiment, enlisting a crack team of experts to put every stone, relief, and beam in its correct place, but tweaking and adding new rooms for airy modern purpose. When Aman founder and former head Adrian Zecha came round for dinner in 2009, he was wowed into a big idea: why not make the ancient buildings the foundation of a new Aman resort, surrounded by replanted camphor forests? In 2018, the idea at once bold and restrained finally came to fruition. What can we expect from the bedrooms? Every one of the 13 walled antique villas you can sleep in is wholly individual, but each has four or five bedrooms and a thin rectangular pool. Angular modern wings and courtyards were added to the original gray-stone Jiangxi buildings, in which Kerry Hill's mod-minimal interiors work in harmony with dark nanmu wood pillars and ornate carvings. The 24 newly built suites are classic Aman/Hill all muted cedar and slate but with touches like lattice screens and private courtyards nodding to the dynastic vibe. How about the food and drink? Dining, in a row of temple-like minimalist spaces, is about precision rather than culinary fireworks. Lazhu Cantonese, with hints of Jiangxi seems primarily aimed at a local market, with sea cucumber and abalone along with more Western-friendly favorites such as a rich crab xiaolongbao . Both kaiseki restaurant Nama and Italian Arva stick broadly to the classics think oo toro tuna belly sashimi at the former, ravioli cacio e pepe at the latter. All beautifully prepared, of course. Anything to say about the service? The standard Aman ratio is four staff members to every guest, and the multicultural crew here seem extra eager to please. Usually, it's charming; just occasionally, it borders on intense. What type of person stays here? Well-heeled 30- and 40-something Shanghainese couples fleeing the old French Concession for the weekend. Hong Kong bankers and designers who wouldn't be out of place in a Patek Philippe ad. The odd stiffly formal business group. What's the neighborhood scene like? There isn't one. This is Minhang, a Shanghai boondocks; fragments of billboards and urban sprawl can be seen through Amanyangyun's precision-planted camphor forests. Anything we missed? Nanshufang, the 14th of the ancient villas, is the spiritual heart of Amanyangyun a cultural center inspired by the scholars' studios of 17th-century China, which reflects China's growing appreciation of its imperial past. Airy, incensed rooms filled with dark nanmu furniture host master classes in everything from calligraphy to brush painting and the guqin , the seven-stringed instrument favored by Confucius. The instrument's wave-like vibrato is the background to tea ceremonies that fall somewhere between liturgy and meditation. Morning yoga is at the angular spa, one of the largest in the Shanghai area. Is it worth it, and if so, why? It's one of the most astonishing restoration projects of any hotel on the planet, executed down to the last stone. But the sheer formal restraint of it all can feel chilly. It's a hotel to inspire admiration, even awe, but not always warmth. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, India Set the scene. Cloaked in green, shaded by coconut, jackfruit, and banana trees, amid mangrove forests like a jungle lair or a scene from Lost . There are stilted villas with rounded thatched roofs and polished wooden interiors made from sustainable timber, all set around the delicious curve of Radhanagar Beach. Getting here is a mission in itself fly, ferry, and drive across bumpy roads to this archipelago outpost amid a fragile eco-system. What's the story? This is part of India's well-regarded Taj hotel group and was nearly a decade in the making thanks to various challenges with permissions and construction. The location makes the most of its setting on one of Asia's most incredible beaches, a pristine white strand surrounded by lush jungle. The hotel has been built with minimum impact on its surroundings, and no tree was felled; it's leading the way in the region with a commitment to solar power, bio-gas, and organic produce from local farmers. What can we expect from our room? Climb white wooden steps to the standalone huts with U-shaped thatched roofs, inspired by the homes built by the islands' Jarawa people. Each has a long patio with seating, and sliding doors open to reveal a huge angular four-poster swathed in mosquito netting and enough floor space to hold a dance recital. Hidden behind a pair of sliding doors behind the bed is a spacious bathroom; to one side is a standalone tub and a large walk-in shower. If you are looking for clear ocean views, though, you may be disappointed: The beach is protected from sight by dense foliage. How about the food and drink? Excellent. The Turtle House restaurant is where breakfast is served, and also has a delicious global menu. But the standout is Settlers: The chef spent months traveling throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, discovering local dishes inspired by the regions that the islands' settlers came from (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and more). Anything to say about the service? Warm and dedicated courteous enough to make sure you're taken care of, but relaxed in a manner befitting a beach hotel. Who comes here? Indian families and experienced travelers who've already been to much of the continent; serious scuba divers and the occasional Bollywood star. How does this fit into the region? Havelock Island is the main island of the archipelago, and has a rustic, Costa Rica-meets-Maldives feel. It's also filled with lots of hostels, backpacker retreats, and two- to three-star hotels. This is the smartest place on the island, although there's also a lovely, chic boutique hotel in the interior, and a more rustic beach hotel nearby on Radhanagar but this is by far the most significant one in the region. All of the restaurants and dive shops are a short drive away. Anything we missed? The pool is great high up and peeking out through the treeline for a glimpse of the ocean. The gym is also huge. But this place is all about fun on the water, and the Taj can arrange kayaking through the mangroves at night to see the bioluminescence, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and forays to see turtles nesting. Is it worth it and why? Definitely. Some of the most beautiful beaches and dive spots in the world are in the Andamans, and this game-changing Taj makes a lovely base from which to explore them. Shinta Mani Wild, Southern Cardamom National Park, Cambodia Set the scene. A zip-line brings you soaring through the canopy of trees to a bar beside a waterfall, and a flamboyant tented camp, vintage in style, as if pegged there for passing royalty back in the day. A shot of tequila in an iced pineapple cordial is offered before you have time to step out of your harness. What's the story? Cambodian hotelier Sokoun Chanpreda and daring hotel architect Bill Bensley won a parcel of hardwood forest in a logging auction. Their goal: to not chop down the rosewood, ironwood, and teak trees. So they set about drawing plans for this tented camp. Shinta Mani Wild is the fourth property for Chanpreda (his first three are in Siem Reap) and the second in partnership with Bensley. What can we expect in our room? There are just 15, each flamboyantly designed with a vintage feel and a few contemporary pops of color among the brass fittings, dress-making mannequins, old-fashioned fans, trunks, and leather-bound books. Room 1 is the furthest from camp, which also makes it the most private, and there's a seductively romantic roll-top bathtub on the deck beside the white-water river. It's all sumptuously comfortable; there's even a maxibar with cocktail accessories and the tech is remarkably good across the property. How about the food and drink? Perhaps the biggest surprise is how good the food is here, given the remoteness of the hotel and Cambodia's lesser-known reputation for cuisine. Under the guidance of the culinary director, Patricia Yeo, there's an impressive daily changing menu. Breakfast is irresistible; lunch is crisp cold soups and salads such as pomelo, shrimp, and cashews; while the Khmer menu in the evening has greens, mushrooms, and fruits foraged from the forest. Everything's included in the rate. Anything to say about the service? Endearingly eager-to-please. Check-in and check-out is unnoticeable; one simply arrives by zip-line and the adventure begins. There's a dream team of guides on hand for activities and excursions: mountain-biking on dusty trails and kayaking down narrow streams, orchid-hunting and anti-poaching patrols, and fly-fishing with Tulga, Bensley's personal attendant in Mongolia, who is based here for stints throughout the year. Who comes here? Experienced travelers fresh from the temples at Angkor, comparing notes at the communal dinner table and sharing stories about backpacking in the 1980s. Anything you'd change? Air-conditioning seems incongruous in a tented camp, especially one that espouses sustainability. Anything else we should know? There are unlimited spa treatments (included in the room rate) and a sensational black steel bathtub-shaped pool. No spa; instead there's hiking, mountain-biking, and kayaking. The minimum age of guests is 13 and there are always butlers around if supervision is required. Is it worth it? Why? It's expensive but worth it. This pioneering tented camp is raising the bar for the region, as well as pledging serious commitment to conservation. Rosewood Phnom Penh, Cambodia Set the scene. Set on the top 14 floors of a 39-story steel-and-glass monolith in the city's central business district and shaped like a Chinese dragon, all the better to symbolize health and prosperity. Walk in under a burnished copper canopy and you'll find yourself being watched by larger-than-life wire sculptures of Hanuman and other gods and animals. Step outside and there's a fleet of leather-lined tuk-tuks to whisk you around. What's the story? The Rosewood group has been scoring hits since Caroline Rose Hunt opened The Mansion at Turtle Creek in Dallas way back when in 1979. This is one of the group's first hotels in southeast Asia, and joins international names such as the French-accented Sofitel and colonial-style Raffles but there's nothing else like the skyscraping Rosewood, which has become a destination for local power movers. Interiors are by Melbourne-based BAR Studio, which also worked on Rosewood Phuket and Beijing, along with various Park and Grand Hyatts, and mix Cambodian design with riffs on French colonial style. What can we expect from our room? Let's start with the views, out over the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, the capital's old town, the Royal Palace, and the National Museum, as well as a hodgepodge of russet-red rooftops. The style is very much contemporary classic with ikat carpets and rust accents here and there. How about the food and drink? Five restaurants in all but there are two real stand-outs. Sora, the cantilevered sky bar, has become Phnom Penh's party central. For a sundowner, order a Cambodian a blend of gin, absinthe, Prosecco and cucumber and take in the 360-degree panorama, soundtracked by a DJ. And at Iza, the Japanese izakaya-style open kitchen, you can watch the chef preparing sushi or a barbecue of fish, chicken, and vegetables on the charcoal grill. There are many, many varieties of sake and shochu to work through. Anything to say about the service? Seamless from start to finish usually there's a laundry list of glitches with new openings. Who comes here? Suits and stilettos. An intriguing mix of business travelers and black-leather-clad millennials. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Phnom Penh is a noisy city buzzed by swerving scooters and street sellers. The landscape is one of crumbling colonial villas, brutish modern architecture, and an ever-growing number of cool bars, cafés, and restaurants. You don't have to stray far for luxury labels plenty of familiar names in the tower below the hotel but just opposite is the Old Market, for Cambodian designs, fruit and veg, religious accessories, and even motorcycle parts should you wish to stock up. Anything we missed? The spa and most importantly the Khmer herbal massage, which will leave you walking taller. The therapist kneads and pummels out each kink and knot then places a hot compress of fresh ponlei , turmeric, and flower of salt on areas with the deepest muscle tension. Is it worth it and why? Yes, and it deserves more than a whistle-stop tour. Working your way through five restaurants, the whisky varieties, and the spa menu takes time. Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos Set the scene. Butterflies zigzagging around the gates, the sound of water tumbling down the mountainside, cutting through the greenery. Buildings are so well hidden into the landscape they are barely perceptible. What's the story behind it? Thai-born owner Rena Udomkunnatum fell in love with this wild enclave outside Luang Prabang, where her sister owns a smaller hotel. She bonded with Rosewood's CEO, Sonia Cheng, and together they chose Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley, who has developed a reputation for his quirky tented camps in the region (see also Capella Ubud and Shinta Mani in the 2019 Hot List). The design isn't entirely groundbreaking, but Bensley carries his narrative across all aspects of the hotel, and it's endearing. What can we expect from our room? Each of the tents, villas and rooms are set by the waterfall, so you fall asleep to the white noise of water and spring awake to birdsong. Bensley infuses his design with imaginary stories in this case about colonial adventurers, their steamer trunks emblazoned with fictitious initials. The craftsmanship is lovely, with wall frescoes and trompe l'oeil . Beds are exceptionally cloud-like; the outdoor bathtub a relief in the tropical heat, as is the traditional bucket and ladle. How about the food and drink? Served in the open-air Great House, where chef Sebastien Rubis has a passion for reviving ancestral and forgotten royal Lao dishes, many served with the black sticky rice that was reserved for aristocracy such as the Lam braised buffalo stew with puréed eggplant, dill, and herbs. Guests can trek with the chef into neighboring farmland to forage alongside the Hmong hill tribe for wild herbs such as mint, butterfly pea flowers, mushrooms, and acacia leaves. Sweets are delivered to the rooms every night, made with honey and sesame seeds like the ones scarfed down by local children. Anything to say about the service? Laos is still very much a developing country but the level of service here stands out. Spotless rooms; English spoken fluently. Sommaiy, a former monk, leads private meditation sessions and treks to remote forest temples where abbots still practice the esoteric art of Sak Yant Buddhist tattoos. "Allow thoughts that come into your head to know that you will come back to them later," he tells you, sitting on a cool stone floor beneath saffron-colored candles. Who comes here? Urbane seekers who know they cannot abandon their material worlds completely to live a Buddhist monastic life but who appreciate small moments like watching butterflies flutter and wear hand-loomed dresses picked up on forays into town, accessorized by cotton cross-body pouches and scarves (the most kaleidoscopic of which can be picked up at the Special Education Handicraft School Shop next door). What's the neighborhood scene like? There's a concentration of smart, colonial-era hotels closer to town, including the former French officers' quarters now known as AVANI+ Luang Prabang, near the Indochine-era hospital that the Adrian Zecha restored in 2009 as Amantaka. Guests at the Rosewood can easily visit the local wats or shops such as Anakha Lifestyle, for local finds including sustainable buffalo-horn jewel boxes, hair clips, and chokers finished with silver filigree. There's also the Asiama gallery, a comprehensive repository of Lao history through its tribal textiles. Travel by long-tail boat down the river, past gilded stupas, and electric emerald rice fields, for wanders below towering bamboo stalks at Pha Tad Ke Botanic Garden. Anything you'd change? No, but be aware that the oft-photographed tents are incredible but you have to climb for several minutes at a significant incline, which can be especially challenging in rainy season. And anything we missed? Hand-carved Buddhas from Celadon, the hotel's white-washed boutique connected to the Buddhist Heritage Project, which can also arrange for guests to join 800 novice monks in a procession down the banks of the Mekong and a shared meal afterwards a highlight of Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart's visit in 2018. Sommaiy can sort a Sak Yant Buddhist tattoo, if that appeals. At the hillside Sense Spa, Mr Xong, a village healer and trance dancer, prepares Hmong remedies using rare forest herbs. Is it worth it and why? Unreservedly, yes. Even if you think other Rosewood properties are a bit buttoned up, this one is an exceptional outlier. The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia Set the scene. Macaques amble past rainforest-villa windows, fist-sized butterflies skitter through the air. A pair of majestic white steeds 150-year-old teak horses found in a Mumbai flea market stand under a high-vaulted ceiling, guarding the lobby. Behind them, framed by towering pillars, is an open-air courtyard and pond, carpeted with hot-pink lotus flowers and copper frogs frozen-in-time versions of the real-life critters who provide a baritone chorus. What's the story? When the late, great architect Kerry Hill built The Datai in 1993, he wanted it to blend in with the astonishing surroundings, with rooms set back from an untouched golden swoop of sandy Datai Bay amid thick rainforest. This was a relatively unknown island at the time, and his idea was considered a little out-there but it was an overnight hit. It's changed hands several times over the years, but for its 25th anniversary in 2018, one of Hill's co-collaborators, Didier Lefort, freshened up the interiors while retaining its original architectural DNA and spirit. What can we expect from our room? How wild do you want to be? Entry-level bedrooms have views over the treetops and are close to the forest-side pool. More in the thick of it are the rainforest villas calm spaces in the midst of the thrum, buzz, and chirp with beds draped in white muslin, deep-brown timber floors, ceiling beams, and pop-open-and-close window blinds. Vast windows in the bathrooms keep things light and airy. There's plenty of seating for wildlife spotting but lock the door to your patio, otherwise the clever macaques will sneak in to swipe mangoes from the fruit bowl. The rainforest villas would always be our pick, for the sense of being right in the forest, but also consider the larger beachside ones for the lappable swimming pools. How about the food and drink? The Pavilion restaurant is set on stilts so you can spot colugos shy, flying lemurs that glide through the canopy while snuffling down creamy massaman curries and pandan custard with coconut sorbet. Breakfasts included in the rate are a feast of everything from pain-au-chocolat hybrids to rainbow-colored juices and wok-fried noodles. There's classic Malaysian and Indian plates such as cauliflower masala, palak paneer, and beef rendang at the Gulai House restaurant; head to the poolside bar to graze on Wagyu burgers and chocolate and coconut sundaes. Anything to say about the service? Many of the staff have been here since the very start and go to great lengths to make things memorable whizzing guests off in a golf buggy if it rains; helping the kids set up cricket stumps on the beach. Try and catch at least one talk at the new nature centre: Wildlife guru and TED-talker Irshad Mobarak rhapsodizes on the island's inhabitants then leads walks to spot flying squirrels and dusky langur monkeys. What sort of person stays here? Tropi-cool families in a parade of brightly-printed sarongs, wide-brimmed hats, and Orlebar Brown swim shorts. Teens dodge hair-ruffles from family friends, then race to the beach to paddleboard and kayak in the shimmying waters, younger siblings watching while licking vanilla ice-cream cones and dipping their toes in. How does it compare to others on the island? Langkawi's hotel scene has come on leaps and bounds in recent years with big-hitters including Four Seasons , St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton rubbing up against smaller, more established favorites such as Bon Ton and Temple Tree but The Datai's jungle-beach setting and attention to detail sets it well apart. Anything you'd change? Other than making it a little easier to get to the best route long-haul is via Kuala Lumpur, then it's about an hour-long hop flight from there not really. And anything we missed? Conditions on the turquoise-teal warm waters of the Andaman Sea range from mirror-flat making swimming, kayaking, and paddle-boarding possible to a little more rough and ready. Of the three pools, one is serene and adults-only, the other two have families splashing about with balls and floats. The dinky five-room spa is good for Bastien Gonzalez pedicures and forest-view massages that begin with traditional Malay floral-cleansing rituals. Is it worth it and why? Yes. It's a seriously smart eco-hotel (permaculture garden, on-site water plant) that gives you access to Langkawi's prettiest beach and makes its awe-inspiring rainforest your own, along with various furry/scaly/feathered inhabitants. And the service is second to none. Capella Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Set the scene. Deep in the higgledy-piggledy Keliki Valley, Capella Ubud is easily missed only the eagle-eyed might spot the dark pitched roofs of tents beside a river in this steep patch of Balinese jungle. Brass monkey statues among the foliage are the first clue that imaginative designer Bill Bensley has been at play here. Step inside the front portico and the immersive, theatrical experience begins, transporting guests back to the early 19th century and the era of spice-trade explorers. What's the story? It's the first hotel from Suwito Gunawan, a Jakarta steel magnate, who wisely asked Bensley (the designer behind Shinta Mani Wild, The Siam , and the InterContinental Danang ) to take over the creative reins the two met while antique-hunting in the Netherlands. Bensley took inspiration from Marco Polo's expedition from China to Indonesia, as well as 19th-century Danish explorer Mads Johansen Lange (the restaurant is named after him), who was nicknamed The White Rajah of Bali and became a successful trader in coffee, rice, and spices. What can we expect in our room? Each tent has an individual personality with curios that match; the Cartographer's Tent has parchment, compasses, and telescopes; the Carpenter's Tent has all sorts of artisan tools; the Princess Tent has a dramatic four-poster bed, fabric cascading down from the roof. Balinese culture is in evidence in the handmade batiks and ikat textiles; and there are treasures from Dutch auctions and Balinese antique stores. How about the food and drink? There are two restaurants. Api Jiwa is a Japanese robatayaki restaurant with eight- to 10-course tasting menus, with cuts of seafood and meat seared on the grill then customized with spices. In the Mads Lange bistro, plates include crab tacos, Wagyu brisket, duck in coconut bark, and red snapper. Aussie chef Matthew McCool's methods are local and sustainable and cocktails are often house brewed and barrel aged. Try The Cistern, made with vodka-infused yogurt, almond syrup, cardamom, and rose water. The Sunday jazz brunch is pretty special. Anything to say about the service? The friendly and well-trained staff seem genuinely delighted to work here and around 60 percent of them come from the immediate area. Anything else we should know? There's also a gym, a tented spa, and a pool in what looks like a giant cistern. Is it worth it and why? It's expensive but truly one of a kind and a successful modernization of a colonial style that's rare for Bali. Six Senses Maxwell, Singapore Set the scene. The Maxwell does not particularly resemble a hotel at least not your typical 21st-century Asian hotel. It's only three stories, for one thing, clad in rust-colored brick and creamy white woodwork, with lion's-head rain spouts and elegant Art Deco details. In the lobby are a massive brass singing bowl and a set of soothing Chinese gongs to play yourself. The cloister-like public rooms unfold like a series of gallery spaces, with huge, hand-loomed silk carpets, and Jacques Garcia's signature damask and brocade furnishings. The personable library bar/restaurant/salon is filled with shelves upon shelves of books you'll actually want to read. The whole place feels like a very exclusive private club. What's the story behind it? Six Senses Maxwell is the second Singapore property from the eco-savvy, wellness-forward group, and only its second urban hotel. Its first Singapore opening was the nearby Six Senses Duxton, which opened in 2018 just a few streets further west. Both are owned by Satinder Garcha, an India-born, Singapore-based entrepreneur and occasional polo champion (his father Kuldeep is a polo legend). The younger Garcha also owns the Vagabond Club, a cheekier, offbeat, art-driven hotel, also in Singapore. Garcha has made a point of restoring and transforming historic buildings with original architectural details; the Maxwell continues that approach, occupying a 1929 landmark in Tanjong Pagar, Singapore's Chinatown. What can we expect from our room? Though the Maxwell has nearly three times as many bedrooms as the Duxton, the rooms are not exactly generous with space. What they do have is a surfeit of panache, thanks to Jacques Garcia, whose interiors at New York's NoMad Hotel sold Satinder Garcha on the French designer. Given such a minimal footprint to work, Garcia has made the most of the space with yacht-like cabinetry and clever, space-saving configurations. Ruby reds and emerald greens give the rooms a regal glow. The organic Natualmat mattresses are supremely comfortable, as are the Hanse duvets and pillows (also organic). And the minibar is as maximal as they come: a marble-topped setpiece stocked with William Yeoward crystal. How about the food and drink? Cook & Tras, in the library rooms, has better food than the Murray Terrace Brasserie, including a terrific, thick-and-hearty laksa and some very crave-able satay skewers. There are several bars and, an appealing touch, a retro ice-cream cart mounted on a tricycle and parked outside the hotel, serving home-made flavors including chili-chocolate (free for guests). Anything to say about the service? It's attentive enough but not forced or overbearing. Who comes here? Bohemians seeking luxury and style with a conscience. Six Senses draws a very international crowd, from North-east Asian to South Asian; North American to Brazilian; Spaniards to Swedes. The room sizes aren't ideal for families. How does it fit into the neighborhood? It's a landmark in Tanjong Pagar (aka Chinatown), key to the historic fabric of the district so yes, it definitely fits in, quietly and elegantly, as it has since the 1920s. The neighborhood itself is much livelier than it was even just a decade ago; Tanjong Pagar has fast become one of the city's coolest and more vibrant districts, not least for its food and drink hangouts (Japanese, Korean, Indian, Iberian, Australian, and Thai restaurants abound, with countless craft coffee bars and cocktail boites mixed among them). And of course there's the famous Maxwell Food Centre , just across the street, which houses some of Singapore's best food-hawker stalls. Is there anything you'd change? Outside space though a 25-meter rooftop pool and bar/restaurant (complete with an edible garden) will open for summer 2019. Hopefully it won't be overwhelmed with crowds and queues like other rooftop bars in town. And anything we missed? The proximity to the Duxton (just a four-minute walk away) means guests have access to the latter's excellent Chinese medicine physician, who works in an apothecary-like space off the Duxton's lobby and is available for consultations and for purchasing herbal medicines. The Duxton also has one of the better mod-Chinese restaurants in town, The Yellow Pot, which has a smashingly good Peking duck (with skin so crisp it shatters like glass) and an excellent, nearly molten braised aubergine. Worth it and why? Yes, for a shorter stay and as a base for exploring Tanjong Pagar by day and night. Architecture aficionados and design junkies will love the interiors and Jacques Garcia's exquisite fabrics and furnishings. You might start to feel a little cooped up if you're here for a lengthy spell. The Oberoi, New Delhi, India Set the scene for us. A gleaming black-and-white lobby floor you could skate across, a beautiful art installation studded with semi-precious stones, boutique shops for browsing silks and jewels. Bursts of red, pink, and peacock-blue fabrics; Italian marble, hand-crafted rugs, and the soft, manicured greens of surrounding lawns. Delhi's grande dame is back and everyone's returning to see how it's changed. Take a gulp of air thanks to a purification system, it's cleaner here than anywhere else in the city. What's the story behind it? The Oberoi New Delhi opened in 1965, and for five decades it's been the most beloved hotel in the Oberoi portfolio, and something of an institution in Delhi its Tabela club became a go-to after-hours destination. There are so many illustrious names in its guestbook that rather than name them, it would be easier to assume that if someone of note passed through the city, they stayed here. So it was quite a shock when the group shuttered the hotel for a two-year renovation. When they reopened in January 2018, it was with a lighter, roomier feel courtesy of ace designer Adam Tihany (Le Cirque, Apsley's, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas) whose design was inspired by another local icon, Edwin Lutyens, who designed the layout for modern New Delhi. What can we expect from our room? Ours was a deluxe suite, with a spacious living room and study with views of Humayun's Tomb, and a bedroom and bathroom overlooking the golf course. You're overlooking so much greenery that it's easy to forget you're in the heart of Delhi. Furniture and details have an Art Deco slant. The tech is great the in-room iPads have the Oberoi Enhance platform, which lets you do everything from order room service to pillows and when it arrives at your room, you can see who's at your door from the camera and tap a button to let them in. How about the food and drink? The restaurants are what made the hotel a destination for Delhi's elite and some old favorites have returned along with some intriguing new additions. The 360 restaurant/bar has had a sleek new update, and a breakfast menu that hops from Indian to European to Asian dishes. Brilliant London chef Andrew Wong (of Michelin-starred A Wong) curated the menu at the Baoshuan Chinese restaurant, while Tamarind chef Alfred Prasad is behind Omya, for smart Indian plates. And the new rooftop bar, Cirrus 9, is giving 360 a run for its money as a rendezvous point for local movers and shakers. Anything to say about the service? The Oberoi is known for its service everyone was helpful and everything was flawless, but it never felt cloying or over-the-top. Who comes here? The power set. Justin Trudeau was arriving when we stayed. If anyone of any influence is in town, there's a good chance you'll run into them in the lobby. But it also attracts a who's-who of Delhi society, from impeccably turned out grande dames and industrialists closing deals to fashion designers. How does it fit into its neighborhood? It's centrally located in a great part of Delhi right next to sights such as Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery, and Nizamuddin, and it's an easy drive to Connaught Place. The sights of Old Delhi are a bit farther, but still straightforward to access. Is there anything we missed? The spa and gym are great, and the hotel offers free yoga. During the renovation the pool was moved from a central location in front of the hotel to a more secluded area, which makes for more privacy. Is it worth it and why? Definitely. You're staying in a landmark hotel for the city and are likely to brush shoulders with some fascinating people and the location and service help maximize every minute of your time in Delhi. Joali, Maldives Set the scene. Wooden walkways curving over the lagoon; villas thatched with palm fronds; a Zaha Hadid-inspired pavilion that looks like a manta ray. Talcum sand, palm trees, and otherworldly blue it's a magical combination. What's the story? Joali is not part of a large hotel group. It's lovingly owned and operated by Esin Gurul Argat, a Turkish woman who first visited the Maldives in 2000 and was instantly smitten. "Whenever I'm in a seaplane flying over the Maldives, I feel a shimmering sense of awakening and excitement," she says. She chose Istanbul-based design studio Autoban (which created London's Duck & Rice and the extraordinary airport in Baku) to create beach and overwater villas. What can we expect from our room? Overwater villas are dramatic but strong sunlight reflecting off endless blue sea can be weirdly stressful, while the change in tides and waves can also be adversely mood altering. Joali's suites are vast; particularly impressive are the bathrooms lined with swirling Engima Verde Lapponia marble from Norway. As for the tech, running your fingers across an iPad to swish curtains open can be rather addictive. There are many sizes, but our favorite is the three-bedroom overwater villa at the tip of the jetty, because of its astonishing sunset view. Or the east-end villa where the beach fattens and the sunrise is all yours. How about the food and drink? Blue-eyed Australian head chef Ashley Goddard was at Soneva Fushi for years and oversees all four restaurants and the organic fruit and herb garden. The French pastry chef is new to the Maldives, but he's worth seeking out because his coconut and pineapple spring roll with lychee granita and banana chutney is paradise on a plate. Anything to say about the service? Welsh general manager Stephen Phillips is the kind of man you long to sit next to at a bar. Having worked at Gilli Lankanfushi for nine years, he pulled himself out of retirement as the potential for "this project that made my eyes twinkle." Many of his adoring staff have followed and it's their warmth and excellence that guests will keep returning for. Who comes here? High-low. They want the best... but they want it barefoot (with a pedicure in Chanel's latest Poppy Red, naturally). How does it fit into the region? Joali is the local Dhivehi word for a hammock. And the mood of this place is cradling. It isn't the fantastical castles-in-the-sea of Soneva Jani , nor is it the barefoot dream of Soneva Fushi, or the high heels and diamonds for dinner of Reethi Rah . Joali is a hybrid. Joali is solid luxury with an appropriate Mediterranean twist, falafel burgers, and shisha pipes at the pretty, blue-shuttered Mura Bar, a nod to the owner's Turkish heritage. Is there anything you'd change? Global warming. Turn the reefs back to the underwater rainbow worlds they were 20 years ago. Anything we missed? Don't miss the spa; off-menu reiki healing, the grey and white striated marble hammam, and a floating yoga pavilion that satisfyingly frames the morning-glory sunrise. Is it worth it and why? Yes, because there's been no scrimping. And details that might have been ditched by a big group (the decadent marble, slippers like fluffy clouds, Ardmore-designed silk gowns) are the details that make you feel special and extra spoiled. LUX* North Male Atoll, Maldives Set the scene. There you are, coasting through the empty ocean, and suddenly there's this shining, floating city of white, modernist South Beach cubes. Utterly, dumbfoundingly unexpected. What's the story? The Maldives needs more of this slick architecture. In place of rustic thatched huts are sophisticated whitewashed villas, their curves emulating yacht hulls. A genuine first. It's from the Mauritius-based Lux* group, which has developed a reputation for doing things a little differently since being newly invigorated in 2011, bringing cool urban touches and a pop-up ethos to its beachside hotels. What can we expect in our room? Overwater villas have a beach-house-deluxe vibe, with a nice balance of ocean-themed folk art and high design. There are expansive sun decks, infinity pools, and rooftops decks for barbecues and sundowners. Huge, comfortable beds have lagoon views; modern bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor showers. How about the food and drink? After a scoop of coconut ice cream, it's onto a feast of small plates. Ceviche at Japanese-Peruvian INTI, or oysters and everything else at Beach Rouge grill and cocktail bar. The Saltbush dukkah lamb burger with beetroot relish big enough for two is incredible. Breakfast's best served while you're floating in your private pool. Anything to say about the service? Pretty seamless. Any filament-thin cracks (setting up the hotel's mobile phone; Wi-Fi dropping off) and the villa butler swiftly papered over them. He also arranged dinner for two on a neighboring sandbank surreal and splendid. Who comes here? The jet ski elite. Muscled, tanned, bejeweled, and born to ride small recreational vehicles. How does it fit into the region? There's a Maldives hotel for everyone this is far more dress-down than, say, Cheval Blanc Randheli or Reethi Rah , and has a bubbling party sensibility. Anything you'd change? Bluetooth speakers in the villa would be ideal. Anything else we should know? If you're up early enough, grab a flat white (or breakfast ice cream) and head to the sunrise platform. The Maldives does it best. Is it worth it and why? Yes. It's just preposterously good fun. The Middle House, Shanghai, China Set the scene. In Shanghai's Jing'an District, the Middle House name references its central setting within the historic Dazhongli area. There's lush bamboo landscaping outside, and the hotel comprises two tinted and curvy towers, linked by a vast subterranean realm. A stunning Venetian chandelier takes pride of place in the foyer, with low-slung sofas and artwork all around. What's the story behind it? A majority shareholder in Cathay Pacific Airways, the Swire Group has gone all in of late with its quartet of luxurious House Collective hotels, all of them from the Opposite House in Beijing to the Upper House in Hong Kong and the Temple House in Chengdu committed to showcasing the best contemporary art that reflects Chinese traditions. The collective wisely turned to celebrated Milan architect and designer Piero Lissoni for managing to make a large hotel feel as intimate as a boutique property. What can we expect from our room? Floor-to-ceiling windows make even the smallest rooms feel larger. For all that brightness, dark wood floors keep the room atmospheric, while the espresso machine and spirits are hidden away to preserve the uncluttered ambiance. There's a large walk-in closet and a fun tassel that hangs over the bed to switch off the lights. Middle House aesthetics owe a great deal to gorgeous works of photography, including images by William Furniss, whose shots of vases and other objects are cleverly hung just above the actual subject that adorns your room. How about the food and drink? From Sichuan to Shanghainese to Cantonese, the shared-plate food themes range far and wide in Sui Tang Li restaurant, set in the Residence tower. In the same tower, and also shared-plate, the Italian-inspired Frasca nails it with its fried calamari and wood-grilled wagyu beef. The talent behind its incredibly long bar never fails to impress either. Chef Gray Kunz from Hong Kong's Upper House has brought his talents to the Middle House with the Café Gray Deluxe, whose breakfast menu is a proverbial mix of east and west and whose cocktail lounge is the drawing room you wish you had. To mingle with the pretty young crowd of Shanghai, head to the outdoor wraparound terrace. Anything to say about the service? The young, multilingual staff impress with their knowledge of foods and wine. And the concierge team are all well-versed in the artists represented in the hotel. They can quickly organize bike rides and walking tours through Shanghai's historic areas, from the waterfront Bund to the French Concession. Who stays here? An even mix of visitors from Asia, Europe, and North America. Bring your sartorial A-game you'll wonder which of the guests passing by are international business folk, film actors, or prominent architects. Discretion reigns for the most part in the public spaces, yet the dining and cocktail settings are welcome places to let loose. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Just below the Middle House, the HKRI Taikoo Hui mall is another Swire Properties venture, where you'll stroll among all the luxe brands that you'd expect to find in the new China. The new Starbucks Reserve Roastery has people lining up outside and has become a big hit on the youth scene. For a glimpse at what's left of Shanghai's legendary libertine epoch of the 1920s and 1930s, the city's famous French Concession is just minutes away. Is there anything you'd change? One would be hard pressed to find anything that needs changing in the Middle House. Anything we missed? You'd never guess that deep below the Middle House is a 33-meter-long pool. If a massage or beauty treatment isn't enough for you at Mi Xun Spa, try jumping into one of the futuristic Hypoxi-Method fat-burning machines. With all of the House Collective properties being art galleries of a sort, the Middle House has hundreds of stunning modern artworks, many of which pay homage to Chinese traditions. In the lobby, Caroline Cheng's Prosperity consists of a black robe with thousands of white porcelain butterflies sewn into the fabric. In the Residence tower lobby, a six-foot-tall padlocked metal crate called Escape Attempt is filled with traditional ceramic vases. Its quirkiness is matched by its sheer beauty. Worth it and why? In a city that has been going through as big a development explosion as any on earth, negotiating Shanghai can be daunting. The Middle House is the cure, and its secluded realm is a revelation to anyone who has spent time in one of the world's biggest cities. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Maldives Set the scene. A teeny-tiny island fringed with luminescent white sand, with a small forest of palms hung with hammocks. The villas are arranged in a glorious sweep around one side of the island, while the coconut-shaped main lodge is on the other, its eco-credentials writ large on its folded roof 984 solar panels in all. It feels like a desert-island house party though if you choose it's easy to go through a day without seeing another soul. What's the story behind it? Swedish-born Lars Petre first came to the Maldives in 1985, when there were only about 15 laid-back hotels here. The Swede fell for not only the sunshine but also the possibilities, and since then he co-founded the country's first sea-plane outfit and looks after nine other hotels. With Kudadoo, he wanted to take the idea of an island all-inclusive to another dimension. What can we expect in our room? Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki (known in the U.S. for designing Armani stores) has created a tranquil place that feels part ryokan, part super-luxe pad. All 15 villas are enormous and arranged around an oval walkway, with wooden walls and floors, stone bathrooms and marble dressing rooms. Outside is a deck with a pool and day beds, connected by sliding doors to an open-plan living space. There are fresh fruits in the fridge, a table piled with books, and vases filled with jungly leaves and flowers. Everything is precisely where it's needed, from hooks by the showers to chargers by the bed. And, smartly, the shower door opens out onto the deck, so you can swim, shower, then slip into your room. How about the food and drink? Chefs have time to make what everyone wants, when they want it whether that's ginger and mango smoothies with chia granola at breakfast, stone-baked pizza and avocado salad at lunch, or teppanyaki, sushi and Maldivian curry at night, served on the deck beneath a skein of stars. The head chef, Antoine Lievaux, has worked with Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse, and his seasonal menus dip into recipes from around the globe. And guests can dine where they like in swimsuits, nibbling sushi by the sea, if they prefer. Anything to say about the service? Most of the staff are Maldivian, which isn't the norm, and they're very proud of what they've built. The butlers seem particularly caring and are the point of contact for everything, from laundry to fun things like swimming with manta rays, blue-light snorkeling, and kitesurfing so get to know exactly how you like things. Who comes here? People who want to take their energy levels down a notch hanging out in a hammock or in the Himalayan salt room, trying new wines and cheeses, performing downward dogs on the sand. Floaty kaftans, swimsuits, and flip-flops are the island uniform. The size of the island makes it great for a party or multi-generational take-over. How does it compare to other places in the region? It's part of the Lhaviyani Atoll in the northern spread of the Maldives. Those who aren't taking over the whole place and enjoy more of a scene can flit over in the island's speedboat to neighboring Hurawalhi , with its buzzy bar, big gym, and underwater restaurant. Anything else we should know? Although every room has its own private pool, the main swimming pool is where most people hang out on loungers, a cocktail in hand, and with a view of pale blue seas stretching to the horizon. And those cocktails are very well made, shaken or stirred. Is it worth it why? The food is exceptional, and there are white beaches to lie on and bubble-like suites to escape into. This is a hugely enjoyable, totally private island escape. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Neyphu Valley, Bhutan Set the scene. Just 20 minutes from the airport yet utterly remote, this is an under-the-radar find. The arrival is pure ceremony. After driving past Bhutan's ubiquitous dzhongs (fortresses) and along a steep dirt track, you reach the large red gates of a replica. Walk through a meditation labyrinth in the courtyard, across a golden bridge ("the gateway to heaven"), then light a butter lamp and make a wish. The final set of doors open to reveal the Great Room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook an emerald green valley. What's the story? The vision of Dutch hotelier Louk Lennaert, this independent hotel was built from the ground up to look like a traditional fortress. It combines cultural immersion with an all-inclusive approach to wellness which means spa treatments are part of the price. What can we expect in our room? All 24 are enormous, with lots of natural light and views of the valley as well as Eutok Samdrupcholing Monastery. Fittingly minimalist in design, they are decorated with neutral tones and local tapestries. Beds are positioned so feet do not face the monastery, which is considered disrespectful. Those on the upper floor have a balcony; the ones on the ground a garden terrace ideal for morning coffee and reading the copy of The Restful Mind left in the room. Organic bathroom toiletries are handmade by a local artisan and guests can choose from a selection of scents. How about the food and drink? _ The set menu is a tad too European-centric, but the Bhutanese chef has plans for guests to be able to customize meals during their stay. The hotel's aim is to be entirely organic by 2020, both growing fruit and vegetables and sourcing produce locally. The most memorable dish is the typical momo dumplings, washed down with Bhutanese whiskey or craft beer. Anything to say about the service? The staff are local, lovely, and intuitive. Check-in and check-out were seamless. The hotel can organize day trips to Tiger's Nest and lesser-known temples. Who comes here? Goopers. Gwyneth Paltrow types who want spiritual fulfillment without sacrificing any of the luxuries. They care that the hotel gives back to the community and aren't scared of strange-sounding therapies such as moxibustion (a traditional Chinese therapy which involves dried mugwort) and kunye (a Tibetan massage). Up at dawn for silent meditation before hiking the trails, head-to-toe in Lululemon. Key topics of conversation include Michelle Obama's memoir and the most recent detox retreat. How does it compare to other hotels in the region? Secluded, with sweeping views of the valley below, the setting is much like the COMO and Six Senses hotels in Paro. What sets this place apart is the added bonus of the neighboring monastery vistas (guests can meditate with the monks a truly special experience). It is also brilliantly close to downtown Paro should you want to sample the nightlife. Anything else we should know? The 50-foot indoor heated pool with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the valley is a first for the area; the two hot stone baths a neat nod to local tradition. There's also an art/pottery studio with an in-house teacher. And the hotel really does give back to the community, setting up projects like a local dog-care program to tend to stray pups. And anything you'd change? It would be nice if the spa locker rooms could match the comfort of the rooms. More space please, and more hairdryers. Investing in better massage beds would also be an improvement the head rests are rather uncomfortable. Is it worth it and why? The initial instinct when visiting Bhutan is to cram in as much as possible, but then hours are spent in the car and you end up unpacking every couple of days. This place encourages guests to stay put, really soaking up the must-visit sites and connecting with the local culture. Wa Ale Island Resort, Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar Set the scene. Amid dozens of uninhabited islands covered in jungle and skirted by sandy shores, a three-hour speedboat ride from mainland Myanmar in a maritime nature reserve, Wa Ale Island feels like the elusive Thai island you never quite found, lost in time and sea haze. Beach villas and treetop dens have been crafted using sustainable materials. What's the story? Wa Ale Island Resort is a truly independent hotel, founded by Christopher Kingsley and his wife, Farina, on land owned by the national forestry department. The mood is unpretentious, earthy, and wholesome, geared towards people who want to unplug and zone out. The place is so new, the team are still discovering dive sites and carving out hiking trails. What can we expect from the rooms? Sleep in luxe safari tents under frames of khaki canvas, each pointing towards the ocean. No air conditioning, just a fan and the sea breeze through screen windows. Beds are draped in mosquito nets; outdoor bathrooms have showers under the stars. The sound of the waves soothes in the heat of the afternoon, and turtles nest a few feet from your pillow. How about the food and drink? Fresh, wholesome, and nutritious, and consistently astounding quality, considering the remote location. Three meals a day are served communally in the main pavilion. Greens come from the organic garden, and there's a brick oven for delicious pizzas and roasted meats. Anything to say about the service? Friendly, chatty, never overbearing. Want to poke your head into the kitchen to find out what's in that spicy sauce? Go for it. Staff seem genuinely interested in what you have to say. Maybe it's the island rhythm everyone lives here full time. They're not in a rush to escape at the end of the day. Who comes here? Successful dropouts in t-shirts and tie-dye. Fifty-somethings taking early retirement to roam the planet. Well-read creatives seeking authentic experiences rather than social-media followers. How does it fit into the region? From the water, it's almost impossible to spot it blends in so well with the jungle. A true refuge from the world in serene, pristine surroundings. You can snorkel and dive at sites untouched by other human beings and kayak through mangroves. The water is crystal clear. Myanmar is only emerging as a travel destination, and the Mergui Archipelago around 800 islands on the country's southern tip has long been inaccessible to visitors. Anything else we should know? The jungle gym is fun a small yoga shala with kettle bells and medicine balls, backing onto greenery. And anything you'd change? Air conditioning in the rooms would be nice though not particularly eco-conscious. Is it worth it and why? At its price point, this place blows other private islands out of the water. Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia Set the scene. Teetering at the edge of the earth, well, a high clifftop overlooking the Indian Ocean on Bali's southern coast. The views arrive in three stages. After the topmost lobby basically a patio en plein air with startling vistas of ocean and surrounding cliffs a vertiginously steep road is navigated by buggy to the second lobby. Behind this lies the pool (all three of them), the blue swath of water merging with sky and clouds. Peer over the side and you'll see the rugged surf crashing on the beach hundreds of feet below. What's the story? Six Senses has long been on a mission to champion sustainability and wellness. Uluwatu opened in mid-to-late 2018, and is the only hotel in Bali with a Certificate of Sustainability: It composts food, bottles its own water, and recycles grey water; its terraces are landscaped with indigenous plants and villas built almost entirely of sustainably farmed timber. There's also an organic kitchen garden which supplies many of the ingredients, as well as an organic mushroom hut and beehive. What can we expect from our room? Inspired by traditional village homes, with carved wooden doors leading to a small courtyard and a ceremonial altar. Ours was a two-bedroom villa about halfway down the hill, with bamboo-weave rugs and contemporary-style furniture covered in fabrics that reflect the shifting ocean light yellow, white, blue, grey. Mini-bars are stocked with arak, the local spirit distilled from coconut palms, and Balinese coffee. Bathrooms have egg-shaped tubs with a view, and an indoor-outdoor river-stone-floored rain shower. They're easy to dawdle in especially given that each has its own plunge pool on a private deck. Aside from villas, the entry-level rooms in the main building are a great alternative, with a similar design aesthetic but even better views. How about the food and drink? The main restaurant, Rocka, serves the kind of healthy breakfast that's become standard in Bali with, count them, 21 types of juices that detoxify and energize, and seriously good French press coffee. For dinner, there are modern takes on Indonesian classics, such as lawars (veg, coconut, minced meat) and nasis (rice dishes). But Crudo has something totally different: Nikkei-style food, created by Japanese immigrants to Brazil, served both raw and grilled over an open fire. This style of cooking would seem entirely out of place, except, as Mexican chef Ricardo Luján explains, Indonesia has great raw materials for this sort of food, from excellent fish to spicy peppers. After a chipotle margarita and a Sambal on the rocks with arak, you might be served Peruvian-style ceviche with sea bass and coriander, pork belly tacos, and steamed coconut buns. And the spa? Given that Bali is itself a destination for health-seekers, this is the Six Senses playing its A-game. Massages, scrubs, and wraps are inspired by Balinese traditions, using herbs grown in the organic garden. If you're staying a few days, consider the Integrated Wellness Screening, a signature holistic measurement of key bio-markers that the team uses to create an individual program. There's also a lovely air-conditioned glass yoga pavilion with harnesses for aerial yoga, which isn't too hard to pick up as a newbie. You can also pick up a few moves in selat , a local kung-fu, which is taught here. Anything to say about the service? The vast majority of staff are Balinese, many from the surrounding villages. All are extremely friendly and solicitous, if a little over-eager. Who comes here? Hard-core wellness seekers and those just looking for a holiday in the sun. What's the surrounding area like? Uluwatu is legendary in surfing circles Rip Curl holds annual championships on the breaks beyond the yellow-sand beaches, and smart hotels such as Alila Villas and the Bulgari have been opening in response. Six Senses is more isolated than the others, though you can easily get to, say, Pedang-Pedang Beach, to drink Bintang beer while watching the surfers. Uluwatu Temple, where crowds come to watch the sun set behind the cliffs, is also close, as is the enormous (unfinished) new Garuda Statue, Bali's icon of greatness and unity, that's already taller than the Statue of Liberty. Is there anything you'd change? The roads up and down are steep so steep, in fact, that they can be challenging for someone with any walking impairments to negotiate, and downright hair-raising on a loaded cart. Anything we missed? The kids' club is characteristically focused on mindfulness no electronics allowed. Children can participate in an Earth Lab to learn planting and recycling. Equally appealing to kids and adults is Cinema Paradiso, which screens movies outdoors, watched via wireless headsets. Is it worth it and why? Those who are down for a serious wellness program will especially enjoy it. And the views are incredible. Lon Retreat, Point Lonsdale, Australia Set the scene. A long, winding driveway leads to farm fields and a collection of sandstone buildings on the Bellarine Peninsula, outside Melbourne. There's the rush of the surf. The sense of space. Inside is a wood-burning stove and smooth concrete walls that contrast with timber ceiling panels and hand-made furniture. You'll spot lights crafted from ostrich eggs, wallpaper inspired by indigenous artists, heirloom vegetables on the plate, and local gin in the honesty bar. What's the story? With more than 200 acres of rural and conservation land, tucked away on a hillside by the ocean, this place once the orchard has been in the Gemes' family for more than 100 years and across six generations. It was always Claire Gemes' dream to turn it into a home-hotel they could share; and this is exactly what she's done, spending two years on the project her father-in-law was the architect and the whole family was involved. What can we expect in our room? The Alto Suite is the pick of the bunch; though all seven rooms are atmospheric each named after a cloud with sunset views of the woolly farm land, dunes and ocean. Hot mineral springs are fed directly into your bath. With a private balcony complete with barbecue, it goes without saying you can settle in for several days. Windows frame views over the fields and woodland. How about the food and drink? There's no restaurant yet though one is in the pipeline so breakfast baskets are left in each suite (banana bread, yogurt, granola), and you can order in dinner-style platters (simply cooked vegetables from the garden, cheeses, wines and beers) in the evening if you don't feel like venturing out. Anything to say about the service? Vivacious and passionate, Claire greets guests like old-time friends, warmly welcoming everyone and happily sharing local recommendations. Check-in is casual, efficient and friendly (and if you're lucky, involves one of Claire's mother's freshly baked muffins), setting the tone for the days ahead. Who comes here? Overworked urbanites in jeans and loose linen looking to slow down and recharge. How does it fit into the region? Five minutes' drive from Point Lonsdale, it overlooks farmland and ocean, with Lake Victoria not far away. The Bellarine peninsula is, like the Mornington peninsula across the bay, making a name for itself as a foodie escape for weekending Melburnians head to Merne at Lighthouse or Igni diner to tap into local menus. Anything else we should know? The private walkway down to the beach is great for early evening walks up to the lighthouse. And there's a spa, tapping into the natural waters with jet massages, mineral soaks and body scrubs. Children are not allowed; this is an adults-only affair. And anything you'd change? An on-site restaurant will elevate the food experience a whole lot further. Views away from the sea overlook a newish housing development, so best not to look. Is it worth it and why? Lon Retreat is an incredibly warm, welcoming escape surrounded by nature and a quick and easy drive from Melbourne. The Calile Hotel, Brisbane, Australia Set the scene for us. The city's most anticipated opening. From the outside, it's all geometric white brick and concrete blocks; inside, the first thing that hits guests coming in from the glaring sub-tropical sun is the cool of the lobby in both senses from the marble of the check-in counter to the young staff wearing linen uniforms designed by hip Aussie brand Bassike. What's the story behind it? Brother owners Cal and Michael Malouf are the developers behind the James Street district, and have transformed it from a light industrial zone into a must-visit shopping and dining destination. The hotel is named after their great grandfather who came to Australia in 1892 and created his own retail empire in Brisbane. What can we expect in our room? A gorgeous mash-up of materials: a raw concrete ceiling, leather day bed, marble table and cork-lined walls. All the honey-hued timber joinery is bespoke and brass light fittings add a dash of glamour. Even the smallest Essential rooms are a decent size; some, such as Poolside, have a generous, curved balcony overlooking the action below. How about the food and drink? Greek restaurant Hellenika (the original is on the Gold Coast) is all pale timber, marble and brass light fittings. But the best bit is that it serves poolside, both on its own terrace and to the cabanas. The menu is full of classics flaky spanakopita, aubergine moussaka, chicken souvlaki which somehow taste much cleaner and fresher than typical taverna fare. For breakfast, try The Onassis: streaky bacon, loukanika (Greek sausages), olive-oil fried eggs, fresh tomato, a lamb cutlet, and toast. Anything to say about the service? Staff are crisp and efficient, like their uniforms. Who comes here? Fortitude Valley ladies who like to shop. All the best local fashion brands Dion Lee, Camilla & Marc, Bassike are to be found at the base of the hotel. What's the neighborhood scene like? The James Street precinct is the epicenter of Brisbane cool and there are around 130 boutiques, restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity. The lively lobby bar is accessible from the street, making it the go-to for shopped-out locals in need of a spritz-fix. Anything else we should know? The 30-meter-pool is lined with palm trees and smart cabanas. The gym and spa are both designed with the same extreme attention to detail as the rest of the hotel. No fuss, but it's far from basic. Is it worth it and why? Among a raft of Brisbane hotel openings, this one stands out for its contemporary architecture and considered design. United Places, Melbourne, Australia Set the scene. An almost cubist façade amid historic red-bricks and mansions, with textured concrete walls and dangling light sculptures inside, and criss-cross velvet sofas by Patricia Urquiola. Few Melbourne addresses have a location as compelling as this 12-suite hotel a highly personal project overlooking the Royal Botanic Gardens in chic, residential South Yarra. What's the story? United Places was born after its founder, real-estate developer Darren Rubenstein, realized he never had the right hotel to recommend to friends and colleagues passing through Melbourne. So he created a space that had the best in design and food, as well as one that was sustainable and overlooking the city's beautiful Botanic Gardens. This is the first in what Rubenstein plans on developing into a small group of hotels. What can we expect from the rooms? Unlike many Australian hotels, which lean on old-fashioned design motifs, this riffs on the best interior-design trends from Scandinavia and New York with tactile materials such as deeply colored velvet, Italian marble, and polished hardwood. The rooms are generously sized and whisper-quiet. There are Le Labo bottles in the bathroom and organic iced teas in the mini bar. The two-room suites have deep soaking tubs overlooking the treetops. An intuitive tablet takes care of most controls. How about the food and drink? Downstairs, local hot-shot chef Scott Pickett has opened Matilda 159 a restaurant based on charcoal and wood-fired cooking to instant acclaim: The smoked spanner crab with charred flatbread and prawn butter is already being called a Melbourne classic. Guests also get exclusive, complimentary breakfast baskets with yogurt and chocolates from Pickett. Who comes here? Glam Australians with exceptional taste, as well as those visiting Melbourne for its strong arts and cultural scene. They wear McQueen, sip whisky, and likely have a string of rose-gold studs up one ear. What about the neighborhood? The hotel is about two-and-a-half miles from the CBD in South Yarra but the surrounding streets contain plenty of great independent shopping and dining. The Botanic Gardens are vast, with plenty of open green space and a scenic running path. Is it worth it and why? This is one of the few truly luxurious small hotels in Australia and will delight those with cosmopolitan tastes. Paramount House Hotel, Sydney, Australia Set the scene. This is sneakily housed in the back of Sydney's former Paramount Picture Studios building and more than a bit of history remains. Now the brick-built space is a bright, plant-filled, multi-use arts and culture venue, with posters for the Tilda Swinton marathon at the Golden Age cinema downstairs and yoga classes upstairs at Paramount Recreation Club. What's the story? The Paramount has evolved gradually since 2013, when the Coffee Project and Golden Age Cinema (mainstream and cult classics; it draws a loyal Rocky Horror crowd once a month) opened, following by a co-working space, and now this 29-room hotel. The exterior is from the 1940s, restored Art Deco; the inside needed some love lots of dark, cramped spaces to protect all those old reels but architects Fox Johnston took their time over nine years to restore the place. The cool thing about the hotel is the way it works with sparky local outfits upstairs is a health club/gym that's independent from the coffee shop, the co-working space, the wine bar and bistro Poly (from esteemed local chef Mat Lindsay, also of Chippendale's Ester), and the cinema. What can we expect from our room? Ours was a Loft room (one of four categories here) with the bathroom in the bedroom so don't stay here with anyone not used to seeing you in the flesh. The ridiculously comfy bed is upstairs beneath a skylight that can be closed with the touch of a button; downstairs is a sun-lit room with a little patio behind a sliding glass door; the copper trellis on the outside offers privacy but plenty of natural light. There's a shower behind linen curtains and a Japanese-style wood soaking tub. Beautiful, handwoven rugs and linens, and merino throws made in Tasmania. There's Aussie-made Aesop bottles in the bathroom; local eats in the mini-bar. How about the food and drink? Breakfast (polenta porridge, bacon and kale roll) at the Coffee Project; Poly for small plates make sure you book ahead such as ricotta gnudi and courgette flowers, enoki with potato dashi, scallops with mandarin koshu. Head to the Golden Age cinema bar the Sicario mixes tequila and mezcal with chili liqueur and lime, or try the Purple Noon Negroni, with pea-blossom gin. Who comes here? Sydneysiders who work in fashion and the arts hang out at the Coffee Project, with a similar-looking similar (but international) clientele checking into the hotel as well. They probably want to take a photo of the millennial-pink elevator as badly as you do. Anything to say about the service? The super-helpful receptionists are happy to talk you through the different neighborhoods. How does it fit into the neighborhood? It's across the street from Thai hot spot Chin Chin, in the middle of a fun, artsy Surry Hills, with Hyde Park a short walk away, and Circular Quay about 20 minutes. The neighborhood is one of Sydney's most happening areas, but it didn't have an appropriate hotel until now. Anything we missed? The gym is more about yoga and stretching, with an indoor/outdoor space extending to a patio that's inspired by Palm Springs, and instructors who are interdisciplinary one's a dancer, others do Pilates and mindfulness. Worth it and why? You'll want to move into this hotel and this neighborhood of Sydney, after a day of being here. Casa Legado, Bogotá, Colombia Set the scene. A mid-century house that's nearly incognito from the street. Inside, natural-fiber furniture from emerging Colombian designers sits alongside antiques from the home of the owner's grandmother, below the watchful eye of family photographs on the wall. The decor toes the line between the curated and slightly whimsical, in a style that would make any Anthropologie fan nod in appreciation. Light and greenery spills in from the courtyard garden. What's the story? Owner Helena Davilá spent over a decade opening a string of small shops throughout Bogotá before turning her eye to the hotel scene. She soon realized that Colombia's capital was lacking chic stays. "Most hotels in this city are built for business travelers who fly in every week and go home on Fridays," Davilá said. "I wanted to give the city a place that would fill with people on the weekends." It's pretty clear she hit the nail on the head. What can we expect from our room? Each room at Casa Legado is named after one of Davilá's nieces or nephews, with individual decor to match the Natalia room is inspired by a niece who loves ballet, with delicate curtains draped over the soaking tub in a corner of the bedroom. Little details, such as herbal bath salts next to the tub or a hand-written note with local recommendations, make it especially personable the kind of room that makes you want to stay in on a Friday night. Word at the breakfast table was that the Lucho room is another highlight, thanks to its private balcony with a hammock. How about the food and drink? Breakfast is the only meal here but you probably wouldn't want to stay in for lunch or dinner anyway. Guests swap stories over a feast that includes fresh Colombian coffee, local fruits (make sure to ask for a granadilla) and just-squeezed juice. The communal kitchen is open so you can pop in and steal a snack at any hour of the day. Similarly, the honesty bar is just a nook in the dining room from which you can pour a drink at any time. Anything to say about the service? There's no check-in counter, just a friendly host and several helpers sitting in the living room or bustling about the kitchen who can call you a taxi or book an in-room yoga class. On arrival you're given fresh coca tea to counter the high altitude. Who comes here? Seasoned travelers and well-read middle-aged couples from the U.K. and U.S. who knew about this hotel from the minute it opened. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Casa Legado has a great location in the personable Quinta Camacho neighborhood, tucked into a side street. Walk a block from the hotel, though, and you'll find everything from buzzing wine bars with live jazz in the evenings to a fresh bakery that opens bright and early every morning. You will need a taxi and some patience to get to main sights in the city, but most folk will be glad to escape the grittier downtown areas to sleep here each night. Anything you'd change? Because this is a restored single-family home, you won't find a gym, all-day restaurant or rooftop pool but the personality you get instead is well worth it. Anything we missed? Design lovers: Ask for a tour of the common spaces, as many of the elements have a story behind them, especially the furniture and artwork that Davilá borrowed from her family to decorate. Worth it and why? There's no other place in Bogotá like it. Islas Secas Resort, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama Set the scene. The private-island hotel has been dialed way up. This takes over an entire archipelago, 20 miles off Panama's west coast. And on a palapa-covered dock, in a secluded bay, gracious staff members await with ice-cold drinks. The mood is eco-conscious and very intimate the entire place sleeps just 18. What's the story? Billionaire owner Louis Bacon is an environmental philanthropist, so it's all about conservation. Of the archipelago's 14 islands, 13 will remain undeveloped. A series of breezy pavilions and casitas with one, two or four bedrooms were designed by architect Tom Scheerer, a master of low-key coastal elegance; and the entire place is run on solar energy. What can we expect in our room? Knockout views of the ocean, private terraces and indoor-outdoor showers the largest rooms have private pools. Canopy beds are done up in crisp white sheets, and there are plenty of comfy chairs, inside and out, in which to sprawl with a book. There's no TV on the island, but wifi is robust. How about the food and drink? Terrazza serves classic beach food fresh, local, healthy and simple. Lots of fish, crisp veggies and tropical fruit. At the Hemingway-inspired bar you can try local rums   go for it, all food and drink is included and hole up in the games nook for a game of backgammon. Anything to say about the service? Impeccable: smooth, courteous, discreet and efficient. Particularly impressive when the staff take you out on a fishing trip, or to visit an undeveloped island, and ensure you have everything you need: a bottle of Pellegrino, a glass of wine, a fresh beach towel, just the right amount of shade. They're all passionate environmentalists who know the history and ecology of the place and seem genuinely excited to share it with guests. Who comes here? Couples who love adventure as long as it's air-conditioned; low-key young families who want to speed around on boats all day and have total silence at night. What's in the neighborhood? You're surrounded by the deep blue Pacific. Days are spent hanging out on the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or taking a boat out to Coiba National Park for diving and snorkeling. Anything else we should know? The Gulf of Chiriqui is known for its fishing, so make time for at least one day out on the water with an expert guide; and another playing castaway on a deserted islet with snorkeling gear and a well-stocked picnic. Anything missing? No TV, which might bother some but others dig the unplugged, escape-from-the-real-world vibe. Is it worth it and why? Absolutely. It's a rare combination of total privacy, complete luxury, real adventure, and untouched nature that really will stay that way forever. Easy to feel as if you're the eco-conscious billionaire who owns the place. Awasi Iguazú, Iguazu Falls, Argentina Set the scene. Into the thick Atlantic rainforest, down sticky clay-red tracks, enveloped by squeaks and squawks, creaks and croaks. Villas are built on a steep slope leading to the River Iguazú, so they feel like jungle tree houses at canopy level look out for those monkeys, birds, and tapirs. What's the story? Awasi Iguazú is the newest of a group of three hotels, along with two in Chile Awasi Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama and Awasi Patagonia down in Torres del Paine. The low-profile owner is Argentine/Spanish her family used to own Argentina's Quilmes beer. Iguazú's jungle lodges are all bare wood and light cotton to keep things fresh and cool the design was a collaboration between Argentine designer Eugenia Chorén (of Studio Chorén Diedrichs) and the Awasi team director Matias de Cristóbal has been involved since the beginning. And each lodge is designed to fit into its natural surroundings, hence lots of local stone and wood and decorations by the Guarani communities. What can we expect from our room? The 14 jungle villas are spaced along cobbled pathways from the main lodge. Each is white, light, and airy with a private decking and plunge pool. They're seriously spacious and very private, with botanical prints on the walls and a large bathroom with separate bathtub and shower. The villas are almost all split-level with a living area slightly lower (no missing the views from bed). Low tech-level this is a place to leave all that behind rather than battle with complicated gadgets. The Awasi group is famous for each room being given its own vehicle and private guide. How about the food and drink? The chef is a Venezuelan called Aarón Castillo Telleria, who was at Awasi Patagonia and came to Iguazú when it opened. He finds weird and wonderful ingredients in the jungle Iguazú is part of the Atlantic rainforest, filled with wonders such as yacaratiá bark, which is sweetened and softened and served for pudding. The amount of tastes and details in each dish is incredible: another favorite is the cream of maize, coriander, lime, and orange served with maize popcorn, lime, salt, and cacao. It's all Michelin-standard but not too fussy there are burgers on the lunch menu. Awasi is always all-inclusive, meaning all meals and alcohol. You can have lunch at the lodge or take a gourmet picnic into the wilderness if you're out and about with tablecloths and wine. Anything to say about the service? Attentive but not intrusive. They hired local (there was an alert that went viral via Whatsapp and local radio and hundreds of people turned up for the interviews). One nearby community sold a pig to raise money for one of their young men to buy a bus ticket to travel here for an interview he's now one of the drivers. There are six members of staff per guest, so shortage of service is not an issue here. Who comes here? The Patagucci tribe, the stamps in their passports their biggest trophies. Fit, healthy, and active (competing with their guides to be the first up the hill on the mountain bikes or first to the Upper Circuit of the Falls before the crowds spill in). Argentine president Mauricio Macri paid a visit, as did British shoe designer Penelope Chilvers (famous for Kate Middleton's boots). How does it fit into the region? It's a jungle out there. Although the lodge is close to the town of Puerto Iguazú (about 15 minutes away) it feels completely remote and surrounded by nature; the jungle villas blending in to the trees on the riverbank. The neighbors are a Guarani community half a mile or so up the road head over to pick up some local trinkets, a guided walk through the forest, or to take part in a weaving or art lesson to learn about their culture. Is there anything you'd change? The minimum length of stay is two nights; stay at least three to have time to do all the wonderful excursions Awasi has created. Anything we missed? The excursions. The team of guides is detailed, dynamic, and sensitive to the needs of different guests. Awasi guests get early access to the busy Iguazú Falls and the guides have a knack of getting off the beaten track. Head down red dirt tracks to find two Awasi boats to take you to different waterfalls on the Iguazú river not as big as the famous ones, of course, but you won't have to share it with anybody. It's incredible for birding and butterfly watching, there are kayaks, bikes, plus Awasi has a private reserve where scientists are investigating endemic species. Once you've tired of the Falls themselves, there are several other outings: the Jesuit ruins, boat rides and jungle treks, or visit Puerto Iguazú where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. Worth it and why? After a long day at the Iguazú Falls, there's no better feeling than getting back to Awasi, ordering a cold Mojito from the bar and settling in to a hammock on the terrace. Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden, Mallorca, Spain Set the scene. Duck through an archway in Palma's Old Quarter and arrive in a secluded courtyard, hidden in the thick of the city in a quiet, residential district that's well-connected to the fun parts. This is a former 16th-century mansion, with faux vines creeping past the chandelier on the ceiling in the living room, linking to the large walled garden at the back. Contemporary furniture is mixed with vintage finds, mirrors reflect light all around, and there's a lovely centerpiece stairwell as well as a suspended glass plunge pool. An extra floor has been added with a roof deck for panoramic sweeps of the city. What's the story behind it? Can Bordoy was originally a private family home, then a convent school in the 1970s. Four years ago Swedish developer Mikael Hall brought in award-winning architects OHLAB to repair and renovate the dilapidated building and create contemporary additions. What can we expect from the rooms? Grandeur and class. Top floor rooms under the eaves have views of Palma's rooftops and the street below. Bathrooms, bathtubs, and beds (with mattress control to adjust the firmness how cool is that?) felt decadently huge. Tech is there, but low-key and easy-to-use. How about the food and drink? In Botànic restaurant, accomplished chef Andrés Benitez cooks delicious food using locally sourced, seasonal and organic products plenty of seeds, fruit, and nuts at breakfast, and inventive vegetarian plates (barbecued avocado red curry, kale salad, and Menorcan cheese) along with tapas including moray fritters and surprising flavor combos such as pork shoulder with mussels and fennel. The toasted potato-bread sandwich with melted cheese is quite delicious. From the drinks menu, try the Sour Eva cocktail, made with local Mallorca gin. Anything to say about the service? A smooth operation. Low-key and friendly in keeping with the homely feel yet intuitive and efficient. Staff have good local knowledge and are happy to share. Who comes here? Quietly smart forty-somethings and well-behaved aging rockstars. What's the neighborhood scene like? Charming. Tucked away on a residential street in Palma's Old Quarter, the hotel is surrounded by some really good restaurants, a well-loved concept store, and other art and design galleries. The harbor and designer stores are a short walk away. Anything you'd change? The hallways are a little noisy during the night when heavy bedroom doors open and close; soft textiles in the corridors would help dampen the acoustics. Anything else we should know? The basement spa is small but sweet. A relaxation area has a steam room and hot tub and a horizontal shower; treatments (using all-natural Mallorcan GAIA products) can be taken inside or in the wellness pergola in the gardens. And the views from rooftop deck are lovely and the glass-bottom plunge pool acts as an oculus, sending refracted light down the main stairs of the building. Is it worth it and why? Palma is full of great discoveries, none more so than this secluded retreat, great for exploring the city. Hotel St George, Helsinki, Finland Set the scene for us. A 19th-century newspaper building overlooking a patch of green in the city center, which has been cleverly transformed into whimsical spaces with sculptures from Ai Wei Wei and slick Monocle-branded cafés (how very Stockholm of them). Pretty, sunlit, and grand; this is a tasteful hotel in a city whose tastes tends to skew a little... neon. What's the story behind it? The building is magnificent: a former printing works from the 19th century. It was reborn as a hotel in 2018, thanks to the homegrown Kamp group, which has a collection of smart hotels in the city. The others feel like cool little spots for Helsinki Lillia Roberts, for example, is poppy and fun, but lacks a certain maturity and outlook. But St George is grown-up and would be competitive among the great hotel cities in the world it would give Sanders in Copenhagen a run for its money. What can we expect from our room? The rooms may be where the design and the narrative of the hotel come together best, with white walls, lilac curtains, and blonde wooden furniture carved with functional simplicity that would make Alvar Aalto proud. It all works with natural light, which here tends to be sharp in winter and soft in summer. We had a Studio, the lowest category of room, but never felt a need for an upgrade it felt large, calming, and well-appointed. Exactly where you want to return to after a day island-hopping around the harbor. The tech nailed that Nordic sophisticated simplicity; the bed was plump with a marshmallow-like duvet that will swallow you up. And the Bruket bath bottles are so phenomenal you may feel like ordering some online for back home. How about the food and drink? An interesting fusion at the Andrea restaurant, with Turk-Finnish recipes from Istanbul-based chef Mehmet Gurs (he was born in Finland, so the connection is not too tenuous). Flatbreads and fish are elegantly plated. And at breakfast, there is quite possibly the tastiest rye bread in all Helsinki, paired with Gurs's note-perfect shakshuka if you're feeling adventurous. The bakery café is run by Monocle magazine, and risks feeling a little austere in that way Scandi-design can default to, but the aroma of cinnamon rolls softens it up. Anything to say about the service? Attentive, invested, but not particularly memorable no bad thing. The spa staff were especially helpful on Finnish beauty rituals, and able to talk you through various versions of creams and washes from homegrown brand Lumene. Who comes here? A sharply dressed, modest crowd Finns who have worked in Stockholm or Copenhagen and have returned home. Sharp denim. Tailored blazers. Good hair. Glasses that may be ornamental. Alongside Americans with money to spend (Russians would more likely be at Lillia Roberts around the corner). How does it fit into the neighborhood? This is right downtown. Helsinki is a walkable city anywhere on foot takes no more than 20 minutes. St George is set on a lovely little patch of green, flanked by large Beaux Arts buildings. It is lovely to begin your day with a stroll through the park instead of walking straight out onto Helsinki traffic. Anything you'd change? Some of the common spaces are so large and the hallways so long, that the cosmetic touches and art pieces get lost. Anything we missed? This is Helsinki, so the spa and sauna are more important than the restaurant. The pool and fitness rooms underground, very sleek are incredibly extensive. Is it worth it and why? Helsinki is becoming more confident as a destination to rival other Nordic capitals, with a fashionable sauna scene and excellent dining. St George is the hotel that cements its spot as capital of refined cool. Le Barn, Moulin de Brétigny, France Set the scene. A drive through the woods south of Paris leads to what feels like a Gallic Soho farmhouse, set amid meadows, with grain stores, big-roofed barns and a 19th-century mill transformed into a hotel, where Clark the dog supervises children modeling with clay from the games closet, and piles of brunch-time charcuterie await in the conservatory. What's the story behind it? It's part of Marugal, a Paris -based mini-group that white-labels some of its properties for their respective owners, and is planning to take Le Barn concept global affordable, well-designed family-friendly rooms set in compellingly natural landscapes, a short drive from the city. Shanghai may be next. What can we expect from our room? Parisian design studio Be-poles other projects include NoMad hotels in New York and L.A.  has repurposed several Fifties barns into bedrooms with waxed canvas curtains, Shaker-style furniture and Frédéric Forest horse sketches tacked to cork walls. Some have shared balconies overlooking a fishing pond. Bathrooms are sleek in matte black and white Metro tiles; white linen-sheeted beds were comfortable but the overall impression is one of Moonrise Kingdom summer camp rather than country pile. The tech is non-invasive and works well. How about the food and drink? Rustic French with brunch tables heaped with local meats and cheeses, oven-toasty baguettes, and croissants alongside French salted butters and organic fruit jams. An outdoor grill fires up at weekends as well, to the delight of carnivores, but there are plenty of fresh salads too. Breakfast is included. Anything to say about the service? This is more about the experience than the service, though it runs efficiently and living quarters are kept spotless. Food arrived promptly, the bartenders made excellent café au lait and, in the spa, the Indian yoga teacher will knead away travel aches in silence. Who comes here? Parisians from the 6th, 7th, or 16th arrondissements, who seem to know each other already but not in a cliquey way. Breton stripes and espadrilles won't seem out of place. Is there anything interesting nearby? Le Barn shares 500 acres in the Rambouillet forest with France's famous holistic horsemanship school, La Cense but it's best to explore the surrounding woodland and small villages by bicycle. Set the coordinates for Rochefort-en-Yvelines, Rambouillet, or Chevreuse. Anything we missed? There is no check-in or check-out time, and very often you will see guests leaving with vegetables from the organic gardens or a jar of homemade tomato sauce. Try your hand at horse whispering, cooking lessons in the grass-roof kitchen, riding Friesian horses in the sky-lit modernist barn, or just a clunk-click game of pétanque. Is it worth it and why? Yes. Guests feel comfortable enough to wear pajamas to breakfast, even to lunch. Nothing felt affected and the natural setting sparks that nostalgic glow of childhood summers. University Arms Hotel, Autograph Collection, Cambridge, England Set the scene. Clatter clatter ding ding! Curses. Nearly bowled over by a cyclist. Ah, Cambridge. Always a bikers' town. But what's this pristine, creamy, be-columned building on the corner, which looks as though it has just landed, intact and unsullied, from the 18th century? Ah, yes. This would be the new University Arms, which is practically unrecognizable, from this particular point of view near the main entrance, from its previous incarnation. What's the backstory? A looming, turreted feature of the landscape for more than a century, dominating one side of Parkers Piece, the windswept, mortar-board-flat common where the rules of soccer were drawn up. Tolerated rather than admired for much of its life, it has lately been transmogrified into something altogether marvelous and unexpected. It's down to the unlikely alliance of arch classicist John Simpson (The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace; Gainsborough Bath Spa) and interiors whizz-kid Martin Brudzinski (almost every fantastic place you can think of in London, including the new Annabel's and Sexy Fish); their distinctly different styles prove surprisingly complementary. What can we expect in our room? All are named after famous Cambridge alumni in our case, Christopher Marlowe. It's a glorious bedroom in a sort of perky Victorian style with a bathroom in one of the turrets and sweeping views across Parkers Piece. It's the best of the lot (and do be aware that there is considerable variety among the 192 rooms in terms of size and outlook). How about the food and drink? Parker's Tavern is the name given to the ground-floor restaurant and the bar, both of which are utterly wonderful: spacious, opulent, bright and sunlit by day, rather louche atmospheric by night, warmly and elegantly decorated. Chef Tristan Welch delivers classic English comfort food with aplomb (he may even persuade you that spaghetti Bolognese was invented in Cambridge), and the cocktails in the bar are pure dynamite. Anything to say about the service? Slightly hit and miss, but more hit than miss. The restaurant and bar staff were absolutely on it, as was the team at the concierge desk. Any wrinkles have probably been ironed out since our early visit. Who comes here? Cambridge is a surprisingly diverse place these days. Nor is it just a student town: people come here to do business and see the sights as well as to tell their kids to stop drinking so much and start going to a few lectures every now and then. The University Arms should sweep them all up out-of-towners, rubberneckers, townies, distraught parents, youngsters high on their new-found freedom. What's the neighborhood scene like? The revamp has not merely restored the old joint to its former glory but taken it to entirely new heights. This particular bit of Cambridge, on Regent Street near Emmanuel College, is by no means the loveliest; but the spiffed-up hotel nudges it in the right direction and there is no disputing its convenience. Is there anything you'd change? Some of the staff uniforms. There's a whiff of Sergeant Bilko about them. Anything we missed? The wonderful poster of Alec Guinness in The Man in the White Suit by the lifts. It encapsulates the joyous spirit of the whole place. Worth it and why? Definitely. Style, charm, location, cocktails. Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, Champagne, France Set the scene. From a hilltop, a broad sweep of cream concrete comes into view, vineyards rolling beyond. The lobby is a haze of blond wood that brings to mind the golden tint of Champagne; a glittering sculpture like a gilded tree hangs over the atrium below, while a curved staircase sweeps up towards the dining and wine-drinking floor. What's the story? A former coaching inn has been radically redesigned by Reims-based architect Giovanni Pace (who has designed several wineries, including one for Moët & Chandon) for Boston financier Mark Nunelly and his wife Denise Dupré, who also own Leclerc Briant, a 150-year-old Champagne house in Epernay that they bought from the fifth generation in 2012 and resuscitated. The excellent Champagnes, which are biodynamic (and vegan), are of course available at the hotel. What can we expect in our room? There are four suites here but the Royal Rooms are, if anything, even better: spacious and calm, with witty golden wall decorations that resemble Champagne bubbles. There's an indoor seating area for admiring the view or reading, a great balcony, plenty of storage, and a freestanding bath from where you can lie back and see the vineyards. How about the food and drink? Chef Jean-Denis Rieubland previously had two Michelin stars in Nice; he's won one here within six months. The food is all beautifully presented; the restaurant has screens featuring the four women in Napoleon Bonaparte's life, and the wine list, with its incredible Champagne selection, is off the scale. There is also a great selection by the glass in the bar. Menu picks include lobster roasted with piment d'espelette ; turbot with seaweed butter, seasonal vegetables, and chervil; sweetbreads studded with chorizo. And the wine pairings are just amazing. Anything to say about the service? Service is excellent the sommelier is charming, smiley and knowledgeable. Staff are uniformly lovely and helpful. Who comes here? Serious wine-lovers who appreciate their surroundings. Always elegantly attired, always thirsty, never drunk. Even the regulars who come for lunch on the terrace and get through two bottles of Champagne. How does it fit into the region? There are beautiful walks and cycle rides and pretty Champenois villages in every direction, including Hautvillers, with the little church where Dom Pérignon is buried. Champagne is oddly undersupplied with top-end accommodation. There's Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes. But nothing of this quality, and with a spa. Anything else we should know about? The pools. An outdoor infinity pool, a large indoor pool, and a hot tub all overlook the vineyards. The spa treatments are Biologique Recherche and excellent; but it's the thought of lounging around in that warm pool, with an uninterrupted view of Moët & Chandon's vines, that endures. Is it worth it and why? Totally worth it for the list of Champagnes by the glass alone. Heckfield Place, Hampshire, England Set the scene for us. Holing up for a U.K. weekend break used to mean leaky taps and curling wallpaper. But the landscape has changed. And now Heckfield Place is the most exciting British country-house hotel to have opened in the past 21 years. Intriguing. What's the story with this place? The former home of Charles Shaw-Lefevre, a 19th-century big Whig, the house and estate were bought in 2002 by Boston-based billionaire Gerald Chan. Chan decided to create a hotel, but its re-imagination has not been a smooth ride he wanted to get his country house hotel just right. Finally, he found the designer to get it over the finishing line, Ben Thompson (formerly at Studioilse), along with a GM, Olivia Richli, who had spent many years with Aman. Only Skye Gyngell, of Spring in London and previously Petersham Nurseries, has been with the project since the get-go. What can we expect from the bedrooms? The main-house signature rooms are spacious, with sweeping great views over the parkland. But rooms in The Corridors annex are cozy, stylish retreats with tiny dressing rooms, opening on to a private garden terrace. Mid-century pieces are pitched against contemporary furnishings by modern makers, with USB charging points positioned exactly where needed. Slim bedside volumes by Ruskin, Rousseau, and Woolf are careful details. What will we find in the mini-bar and the bathroom? A profusion of signature Wildsmith bottles (linden, sweet fennel, and cedarwood body wash) named for the Viscount's head gardener, William Wildsmith. The leather-lined mini-bar is rather elegant. How about the food and drink? Gyngell embraces the farm-to-fork ethos wholeheartedly, and at Heckfield Place she has an estate farm, kitchen garden, orchards, and livestock, all following biodynamic principles. Hearth, in a former stable, is for guests only for fireside dining but Marle is a destination in its own right, for poached short rib with coriander and horseradish relish, and walnut tart with poached pear, honey, and muscat cream. Anything stand out about the service? Staff are friendly and efficient, and many bring their expertise from top-flight hotels such as The Ritz and Lime Wood. When you book, enquire about an Aston Martin station pick-up. And ask the concierge for a farm and estate tour to discover the specimen trees planted by the 19th-century head gardener, and to meet the lovely sheep, dairy cows, and pigs. What are the other guests like? Although children are not permitted in the main house, families choose to hole up in the Gardener's Cottage and The Corridors rooms. Foodie adventurers and local aficionados are coming out of the hedgerow for Gyngell's extraordinary flavors at Marle. What's the area like? The hotel stands by itself, in the heart of rural Hampshire. Nearby Hartney Wintney has a village green and a characterful high street of pretty shops and inns. London is less than 50 miles away, although Reading's even closer. Anything you'd change? The Bothy spa is a temporary huddle of rooms in the annex. A real spa and pool are conspicuous by their absence. Work is underway beside the walled garden, but it won't reach completion until summer 2019. Sum it up for us. An English country house with its roots in tradition and sustainability, and a topcoat of cool, contemporary charm. Little Beach House Barcelona, Spain Set the scene. Compact and low-rise, and set on a sweet little beach that is already architecturally interesting for its string of freshly painted green-and-white cabanas, known as botigues . The Beach House has rattan chairs, white stucco walls and more pot plants that most conservatories, along with striped hammocks and parasols on the sand. What's the story? It's part of the Soho House Group, which took over a run-down '50s hotel in a former fishing village, gave it love and affection, and turned it into a low-key, seaside satellite hangout to Soho House Barcelona, which opened in 2016. What can we expect from our bedroom? The layout hasn't been altered from the '50s original so bedrooms are on the small side, but the designers have made a fabulous job of making them seem perfectly scaled. Much has been made of natural materials (hessian, ceramics, terracotta tiles) that blend in with the ocean views. Tech is dressed in analogue wrapping (old-fashioned radios, fans etc). There's not much space to spread out, but clever cupboards and drawers ensure everything has its place. How about the food and drink? Not an overly extensive menu, mainly seafood and tapas, with a few favorites from Soho House Barcelona such as pan-fried chicken. The restaurant lounge is a happy place with acoustic recitals, from flamenco to bigger name artists passing through Barcelona and grabbing the chance to perform in such an intimate setting. Anything to say about the service? The staff are mostly locals (you often bump into them around the village) and seem very happy. Service is the right side of informal. We like the way someone will come around in the evening checking you have enough ice for a sundowner G&T on the balcony. Who comes here? A lot of young families after all, the beach is right outside the door. It's a place to leave the designer threads in the wardrobe, unless you want to be too conspicuous. And Soho mini-breakers in flowing linen and designer flip-flops, talking about where they went last night in Sitges (you don't have to be gay, but it helps). How does it fit into the neighborhood? Garraf is a teeny-tiny place barely a village at all. This is the only hotel and there are only two other restaurants, both of which are very good though more traditional. It's a popular daytripper destination, so at night you have it all to yourself. Surprisingly, despite the Soho House's global presence, the hotel fits in extremely well. Most locals seem delighted it's here. Anything you'd change? Although it's common knowledge to members, non-members need to be gently reminded of Soho House's 'no photo' policy before they get ticked off by the staff (which can be a little embarrassing). There's no pool. And anything we missed? The private showers on the beach are a thoughtful touch, as are lockers to store stuff if you want to take a stroll (rather than taking them up to your room). The rooftop terrace has the makings of a cool evening hangout, but you may want to take a taxi to nearby Sitges for more of a night out. Worth it and why? Yes, for a different perspective on Barcelona far from the crowds. Belmond Cadogan Hotel, London, England Set the scene. The doorman in a bowler hat; the receptionist in a smoking jacket and dickie bow; the avuncular GM greeting what seem like old friends, guiding them from the airily marbled lobby into the tearoom for afternoon tea. This new-old elegance on a quiet corner between Knightsbridge and the King's Road feels like a refreshing departure from the recent slew of Soho House-ish openings in East London. The 53-room Belmond Cadogan is all about heritage and cosy service, like a smaller, re-tooled Claridge's. What's the story? The second U.K. opening from the swishy, increasingly ambitious Belmond brand (after Oxfordshire's Le Manoir ) is a reimagining of a London classic, which opened in 1887 and whose red-brick walls have quietly seen it all. The American actor and royal mistress Lillie Langtry lived next-door, Oscar Wilde was arrested in Room 118, and through much of the 20th century it was where rock stars and supermodels would flee the King's Road blur for a quiet cuppa. Belmond's painstaking four-year restoration of this tired petite dame wasn't just about merging five Queen Anne townhouses and getting rid of all that asbestos but planting a flag, and bringing some much-needed energy to the corner of Sloane and Pont Streets. What can we expect from our bedroom? Clean, mod-classic, shades of a Sloaney Peninsula. Heritage is done subtly: old cameras and Victorian hardbacks on the shelves; a framed butterfly in the minibar cupboard, a nod to the botany of Sir Hans Sloane, who founded the now-vast Cadogan Estate in 1712. Otherwise, expect cream, marble and mod-cons: slick, one-touch lighting, a TV in the bathroom wall, Bang & Olufsen speakers. Oscar Wilde's room is now part of the Palace Suite (the bedroom is marked 118). Indecency is optional. How about the food and drink? Adam Handling, the rising star chef, helms the eponymous restaurant and bar, as well as the Cadogan's tearoom, which slyly morphs into a Japanese whisky bar come nightfall. The food and afternoon teas are classic local British with a twist, a bit like Handling, who trained at Gleneagles before breaking out with a series of splashy London restaurants. Expect veal sweetbread or Highlands wagyu, but also Mother, a salt-baked celeriac starter with an egg yolk and truffled cheese. The strawberry version of the Old Fashioned comes with a homemade Jammie Dodger; theatrical afternoon teas also feature tea cozies knitted by Adam's mum in Dundee. Anything to say about the service? Uniformly excellent with most of the staff, most of whom are Belmond vets. Take impeccable bartender Josep Font, who looks like a Pyrenean Joseph Fiennes and talks just as engagingly about his family truffle-hunting business as he does the classic bar's 50-year-old Glenfiddich (yours for five grand a shot). What type of person stays here? People who read broadsheets rather than iPhones; sophisticated Europeans seeking a genteel English refuge; an older crowd who moved to the country but remember when the King's Road was London's beating heart. At the bar and restaurant, expect 30-something Sloanes in Chanel, but no sign of the Made In Chelsea crowd. What's the neighborhood scene like? There's one pub on Sloane Street, and a slew of faintly sepulchral designer stores, embassies, car showrooms and grand Georgian piles. This is a refuge rather than a scene, with access to the lovely Cadogan Place Gardens and tennis courts. It's only a short walk north to Knightsbridge or south to the King's Road. Anything we missed? The general vibe may be marbled classic, but there's also lots of Saatchi-ish modern art around the place including, in one corridor, a Swarovski-encrusted peacock called Oscar. There's also a side entrance on Pont Street so you can pretend this really is your townhouse. Is it worth it why? It sets itself apart from other grand London hotels by its intimacy. It's half the size of all the other important ones, so the staff here will know not just your name but how you take your Earl Grey tea. Épi 1959, Ramatuelle, France Set the scene. Laid-back, hippy, salty and sexy in a '70s Serge Gainsbourg way. From the eggshell umbrellas over the poolside daybeds to the rattan furniture, Épi is refreshingly restrained on a stretch of coast that has come to welcome excess. It's confident and cool. What's the story behind it? A pin-up hotel when the French Riviera was the most fabulous place to go on holiday especially for stars of the silver screen has been rebooted for a new generation. Épi was originally opened in 1959 to keep up with the jet-set of the day flying in from Paris and New York by nightclub owner Jean Castel. It had 10 cabins and clay tennis courts tucked behind the sand dunes. Guests included Johnny Halladay and Sylvester Stallone. What can we expect from our rooms? Airy and charming cabins, pitched at just the right level of sophistication. Italian designer Monica Damante went big on restoring the old-world charm, placing black-and-white prints and vintage furniture inside each of the white-washed cabins. How about the food and drink? Good French seaside classics such as langoustines and poulet roti mixed with Californian favorites such as 'gratitude' vegan bowls and, inevitably, avocado. All washed down with the lightest of rose wine. The name Épi is derived from the French word for grocery so the food is excellent, down to the fresh and healthful smoothies the attendants deliver poolside. Who comes here? Those that last summer were hitting up the utterly hip Roche Rouge a few beaches away. Think of the crowd as if Soho House did the French Riviera these are the young up-and-comers set to become the Bardots of their generation. Not obnoxiously hipster, but cool and sophisticated. Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton could easily be on those poolside day beds. What's the neighborhood scene like? This is away from any crowds, on Pampelonne Beach. The closest village is Ramatuelle, which is smaller and quieter than the other towns on the Riviera. Though guests can get to places such as the St Tropez Port and Navy Museum within a 10-minute drive, the hotel is really designed for you to stay on its grounds, strolling the designer gardens. Next door is Nikki Beach, but that's another world. Anything we missed? On top of the phenomenal pool and those clay tennis courts (tested by John McEnroe), the gardens are truly exceptional. Profuse with hydrangeas and lilies, they were designed by Madison Cox who did Marjorelle in Marrakech. You can smell the flowers in any part of the hotel. There is also an old-fashioned games room which is as charming as playing a game of pétanque on the lawns. Worth it and why? This is the Riviera as it used to be; consider it lucky this low-key, quiet glamour has been revived so we too can experience it. Laid-back, hippy, salty and sexy in a '70s Serge Gainsbourg way. From the eggshell umbrellas over the poolside daybeds to the rattan furniture, Épi is refreshingly restrained on a stretch of coast that has come to welcome excess. It's confident and cool. Hotel Vilòn, Rome, Italy Set the scene. A mansion-turned-boutique-hotel on a blink-and-miss-it cobblestoned street, with luscious, light-filled rooms and a lovely private courtyard. Botanical prints are propped up behind headboards, and through the windows you can peek into the formal gardens of the Palazzo Borghese next door, a rare privilege. It's a little like wandering into a scene from Sorrentino's The Great Beauty . What's the story behind it? This former nunnery next to Palazzo Borghese and once part of a mansion owned by the family, has been turned into an 18-room hideaway, with a restoration that took three-and-a-half years. Paolo Bonfini, a set designer for the cinema, could easily have gone over-the-top with details, but has quietly set mid-century-mod and Art Deco elements against original features, such as Rococo-style columns, along with contemporary portraits of the city from Florentine photographer Massimo Listri. What can we expect from our room? Mahogany floorboards and dark blue curtains; marble bathrooms and big, big showers. The Vilòn Charming Room has a king-sized bed and a velvet sofa for hanging out on or reading your morning newspaper. Views to Palazzo Borghese's gardens complete the picture the best are from the terrace of the Melangolo and Borghese Suites. How about the food and drink? Taken in the bar/restaurant on the ground-floor where tables lead out into the creeper-strewn courtyard. Breakfasts are vast and need a Mimosa to get to grips with. The menu has plenty of traditional favorites  paccheri with butternut squash and squid ink, cheese risotto, crispy pork, and chestnuts but isn't trapped in the past, with dishes such as artichoke hearts and almond milk. The black-and-gold jewel-box bar is just the spot for a well-mixed Negroni. Anything to say about the service? Discreet but happy to help with local tips such as the best places to shop on Via Condotti. And quite adept at flower-arranging. Who stays here? You'd want to invite any of the fabulous guests here to your next dinner party. They might have berthed their yacht down in Capri, and are on a weekend jaunt to Rome, or perhaps they're in the city to launch their latest film. They're stylish, so expect boat shoes, pressed linen, and lots of navy. Anything we missed? Hotel Vilòn is pet friendly, so feel free to bring your pooch. There's no gym or spa, but the staff can arrange your own private yoga session or jog with a personal trainer around nearby Villa Borghese. Is it worth it and why? Yes, this puts you in the heart of Rome, tapping into both a historical sense of the place and a fresh take on the city. Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Paris, France Set the scene for us. Unexpected and romantic. This is rather different for Paris, both in its bustling commercial boulevard position and the blink-and-you-miss-it passageway entrance. It feels like stepping into an alternate universe, leaving the din of the street behind for a leafy walkway, then an exquisite, glass-covered courtyard dining room. It's bigger and more beautiful than it looks. What's the story behind it? This is the second Paris property from the Experimental Group, the cocktail-kings-turned-hoteliers known for their Bed and Beverage hotels in France (Grand Pigalle, L'Experimental Chalet), England ( Henrietta Hotel ) and Italy (the Venice one opens in June 2019). As with all these, the design of the Grands Boulevards revisits the history of the building and its particular location: a pre-Revolution structure on the cusp of bourgeois and provincial Paris. The group's go-to designer Dorothée Meilichzon translated that past by mixing a (pared back) Louis XVI style with more rustic elements such as wooden stools and nightstands. What can we expect from our room? Rustic linen, worn wood furniture, bronze sconces, and best of all, the most comfortable bed of any boutique hotel the group works exclusively with an artisanal mattress maker in Brittany and it makes a world of difference. Even the smallest rooms are cozy, and some even have a private balcony or terrace, but the best use of space can be found in the Parisian Eaves room, just underneath the rooftop with exposed beams. How about the food and drink? The Shell cocktail bar is one of the big draws here, even for Parisians. It's tiny with low stools and short armchairs which means you won't linger over drinks all evening but then you can move to the restaurant and have a meal (the menu is overseen by chef Giovanni Passerini) and finish with a nightcap at the rooftop bar The Shed. The glass-canopy dining room feels far more relaxing at breakfast. Despite having Passerini's name attached to the kitchen, the results are inconsistent and a little underwhelming. Anything to say about the service? Friendly and warm when needed but staff remains largely at a nice, comfortable remove. Long delays in the dining room, however, are a different story. Who comes here? In-the-know American and European millennials some on their Paris stop on a jaunt across Europe, others clearly enjoying the benefits of their work-from-anywhere lifestyle. It's a sharply-dressed, attractive crowd with a few business suits in the mix. How does it fit into the neighborhood? It's in the beating heart of one of Paris's most dense commercial districts and the only hotel worth considering on the boulevard. In one direction, you'll find the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps stores, in the other chain restaurants, a handful of indie shops and a multitude of theatrers and concert venues. But you're also a short walk from the Passage des Panoramas, inside which you'll find a handful of incredible restaurants. Is there anything you'd change? In larger rooms, there was a deliberate decision to keep decorative touches sparse but that means that rustic wooden benches and night tables are left empty. A stack of magazines or a book or two would go a long way to make rooms feel more inviting. Anything we missed? There is no pool or gym. Is it worth it and why? The Grands Boulevards is a relaxing cocoon of a hotel in an area that rarely falls silent. The metro is right outside but you also have everything within arm's reach. And if you're into cocktails, there's no place better on the boulevard. Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi, Georgia Set the scene. This grand brutalist monolith in Tbilisi's up-and-coming Vera district stands out for its contrasts: an industrial skeleton of raw concrete beams brought to life with lush hanging plants and antique chandeliers; double-height spaces made cozy with buttery leather sofas and floor-to-ceiling shelves of vintage books. What's the story? Stamba is set in a former Soviet printing house, with quirky elements of the building preserved, such as the Communist-era print-drying beam in the atrium. It's the latest property by Georgian hotel group Adjara, the team behind Tbilisi's edgy design hostel Fabrika and Rooms Hotel Kazbegi in the Caucasus Mountains. What can we expect in our room? Impressive modern kit such as in-room La Marzocco espresso machines and McIntosh stereo systems. The centerpiece of the Aviator Signature Room is a freestanding brass tub; beside a salvaged wood wall is a king-size cloud of a bed and a woolly papasan chair for curling up in. How about the food and drink? Cafè Stamba sumptuously outfitted with mint-green leatherette booths, blue brick walls and loads of plants serves up a mix of Georgian comfort-food classics such as kharsho (braised veal stew) and familiar favorites (ceviche and risotto), to both guests and savvy locals. The on-site-roasted coffee is exceptional. Anything to say about the service? Staff can seem a tad stiff, but don't take it personally; there's no insincere smiliness in this part of the world. Who comes here? A motley crew that ranges from Russian bigwigs and Eastern European oligarchs to Japanese influencers and fashion models, via German back-to-nature types. Strike up a conversation in the breakfast buffet line and you might find a new travel companion or business partner. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Adjara Group has single-handedly turned the Vera neighborhood into Tbilisi's modern nerve centre for fashion, food and the arts. Wander the streets that wind uphill from the hotel and you'll come across experimental clothing boutiques, candlelit wine bars (Sulico is a favourite), and nouveau-Georgian restaurants such as Keto and Kote. Anything else we should know? Everyone's treated like a VIP in Stamba's Roaring Twenties-themed casino, whose crystal chandeliers and croupiers in red harken back to the louche gentlemen's clubs of the USSR. Drinks on the gambling floor and in the lobby-level Pink Bar spotlight locally distilled spirits like Georgian limoncello and Sarajishvili cognac. Want more? The hotel's Bell 505 JRX helicopter can whizz you over to Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, the group's super-smart chalet high in the Caucasus. And anything you'd change? Certain things, such as laundry and room service, are overpriced. Is it worth it and why? Stamba isn't just the best hotel in Georgia today it's one of the best urban hotels in the northern hemisphere. Casa Iris, Orbetello, Italy Set the scene. A handsome pale apricot palazzo in Orbetello's main pedestrian street. Inside is an old-fashioned Italian family apartment which is exactly what it was with just three bedrooms, decorated with historic frescoes and wall paintings. What's the story behind it? Owners Matthew Adams and James Valeri fell in love with Orbetello, which is about as far as you can get from their previous home in high-pressure New York. James had a family connection with the area: he's Anglo-Italian, and his parents have a summer house on the Argentario peninsula not far from Orbetello. It's in a palazzo built in bits between the 15th and 17th centuries, when Orbetello was under Spanish rule. It was a bit of a mess when they found it, but still stunning, with its frescoed and painted walls and ceilings. Impressively as this is at heart just a three-room B&B they drafted in a restorer who had worked on the Sistine Chapel (Maria Rosaria Basileo) and Giorgia Cerulli, the interior designer responsible for Rome's G-Rough hotel, which Matthew and James admire for the way it plays mid-century modern design off against a 'raw' historic container. What can we expect from our room? The largest of the three en-suite bedrooms is a lovely, luminous, high-ceilinged room called Aquamarina, with pale green-blue walls restored. All rooms have walls like this, restored using the scialbo technique carefully scraping back layers of paint to create a kind of restorer's Abstract Expressionist canvas. Beds are firm with crisp cotton sheets, the bathroom has both shower and tub (always a plus in our book) and some lovely hexagonal mirror tiles arranged in a kind of beehive pattern. What stands out in all the rooms is the eye for detail the blushing pink armchair in our room was a lovely touch, but every one had something similar. We'd be happy to room-hop. How about the food and drink? Breakfast is the only meal served here but what a breakfast. It's eaten perched on stools in the communal kitchen, which is one of many touches that makes you feel more like a guest at a very discreet house party. The apricot jam is made by James' father from fruit in the garden of his place on the Argentario peninsula, but pretty much everything on the table is either homemade or locally sourced and it changes seasonally too. Anything to say about the service? The service is Matthew and James: helpful, friendly, full of good advice on restaurants and things to do, but also aware of personal space. There's no room service but there are dozens of bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets including, just around the corner, Caccia e Pesca, a good upmarket trattoria that Matthew recommended. Who comes here? When you've lived in New York and have the kind of contacts in the fashion, design, media and art worlds that Matthew and James do, a steady intake of a certain type of clientele is guaranteed. The fun thing is that many of the international crew who come here have no idea where Orbetello is, they just know that if these two have done something there, it will be perfect. We're also guessing that there's a small niche of people who love Orbetello already but have never found the right place to stay there or who have actually never stayed there, only passed through, because there was never anywhere worth staying. How does it fit into the neighborhood? The walled town of Orbetello is the middle, bulging knuckle on an isthmus connecting rocky Argentario (once an island) to the Tuscan coast. This used to be an easily defended maritime outpost, under Spanish rule for centuries something that comes through in a certain Balearic vibe. Orbetello is all ochre and pastel houses, palm-edged piazzas, kids playing soccer in the streets, cafés and trattorias with outside tables. It feels like summer even in winter. And Casa Iris is right at the start of the main pedestrian street. Going to Orbetello is making a statement: It's rejecting the gated villas and the monied yawn of Argentario and choosing to be where people live a simpler kind of dolce vita. Anything you'd change? Not really. Perhaps some bicycles, as this is one of those rare Italian seaside destinations where it's better to cycle to the beach than drive. That said, there's a bike hire shop just around the corner. Anything we missed? Did we mention this is a luxe B&B? So don't expect room service, turndown or the rest. What you do get, in the owners, are two concierges who are even better than hotel concierges, because they're in tune with what most of their guests will like and enjoy. Worth it? Why? Definitely worth it, because this is quite simply one of the classiest retro-contemporary design accommodations to have opened in Italy in the last few years. High-season prices are creeping up however, so try to come outside of July and August for the best value. Casa Caminada, Graubünden, Switzerland Set the scene. Old pear and quince trees in a manicured garden and preserved stables surround an imposing butter-yellow castle, Schloss Schauenstein, in a small village in the food-forward Rhine Valley. Just beneath is this grown-up den, mixing clean-lined concrete and wood, dappled by sunlight streaming through the branches. What's the story? Casa Caminada is the new guesthouse and restaurant at the three-Michelin-starred castle hotel, one of The World's 50 Best Restaurants ll run by Swiss chef Andreas Caminada. It's housed in the castle's former stables, refurbished with interiors by Spanish-born designer Patricia Urquiola (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona; Das Stue in Berlin), and is more casual and affordable than the original schloss. What can we expect in our room? Exposed wood everywhere in the snug, loft-like rooms: the beams, the floors, the balcony with views of the medieval courtyard or the surrounding mountains and chairs designed for reading with a glass of wine. Beds are large and dressed in high-quality Italian linens. How about the food and drink? Excellent quality and rather good value. The informal restaurant with the same star-winning team as the castle has no-nonsense classics from the surrounding Alpine area: comforting potato maluns , trout from a local river. Breakfast is homemade jams and seeded breads are fresh out of the wood-fired oven. Anything to say about the service? Good, if slightly inexperienced; a little clumsy at check-in. But most staff are Swiss so they know all about the local food, culture and landscape. Andreas Caminada himself is often seen busying about, and he's super-friendly and approachable. Who comes here? Everyone here is talking about the food: designers and architects, a handful of young families, Gen-X dog-walkers, and a troop of empty-nest hikers almost all of them Swiss. English is the common language, though. What's the neighborhood scene like? Schloss Schauenstein and Casa Caminada are in the medieval village of Fürstenau the world's tiniest city due to an old Roman decree. It's a place for hiking, eating and reading that's the point. A car is ideal for exploring the region. Anything else we should know? Walking trails connect everywhere in Switzerland, so you can set off on foot to explore the region on easygoing, minimal-uphill routes ideal for multi-generational walks. And anything you'd change? Schloss Schauenstein has a pool, but Casa Caminada guests aren't allowed to use it. Maps and trails to the region's food producers would be useful. Is it worth it and why? Yes. It's all extraordinarily good value: a chance to try Swiss classic dishes cooked by a Michelin-star-winning team without breaking the bank. Switzerland has great high-end cooking, but it's rare to find elegant modern spaces like this. The Fife Arms, Aberdeen, Scotland Set the scene. From a distance, a classic Highland hunting lodge-turned-hostelry, solid and stony, in a similarly solid and stony little riverside village, the sort of place to which Robert Louis Stevenson might have retreated to dash off a masterpiece like Treasure Island . Which, in fact, he did. What's the story? Swiss gallerists Manuela and Iwan Wirth are the first to admit they know nothing about running hotels. But they know all there is to know about running the world's most successful and influential contemporary-art dealership. After which, how hard can hotels be? Not very, it seems, if the success of their previous property, Durslade Farm in Somerset, and the rapt response to the new Fife Arms are anything to go by. It was originally built as a hunting lodge and was for many years a successful if undistinguished B&B; it has lately emerged from a money-no-object restoration as a hotel of rare if not entirely unique charm, wit and substance. What can we expect from our room? If you go for the Duke of Fife Suite, a socking great corner room overlooking the fast-flowing Clunie Water, then full-on, swagtastic, no-tassels-barred Victoriana enlivened with some faintly surreal touches, such as a tidy, almost taxonomic display of 150-year-old baby shoes. But there is not a bad room in the joint. If you had enough time and money, you would want to try them all. How about the food and drink? The Fife Arms has long been the social heart of the village of Braemar. So it remains. There is a pub, a bar, and a restaurant on the ground floor, all open to the public as well as guests, and each of which is utterly mad and wonderful. The pub, the Flying Stag, actually features a flying stag a taxidermy one with massive swan's wings  preserved in mid-leap across the counter. The bar, Elsa's, is dedicated to Elsa Schiapparelli, who, believe it or not, used to come here (by no means the only or even the greatest surprise you are in for). And the restaurant, the Clunie, does superior Scottish comfort food in a dining room that might be mistaken for an art installation  which, in a sense, it is. Anything to say about the service? Faultless. It all flows from the manager, Federica Bertolini, who is Italian warmth personified. And beyond that, from the Wirths themselves, whose love for the people of the Highlands as well as the place itself is everywhere apparent. Who stays here? Pilgrims with Porsches. This is the sort of place where anyone might turn up. Anyone, honestly. The local gravedigger. The queen. Tilda Swinton and Tacita Dean. Art lovers with an adventurous streak. Come to think of it, neither the local gravedigger nor the queen would stay the night they have their own places to go to just round the corner. But the others would. What's the surrounding area like? Durslade Farm transformed the village of Bruton in Somerset. The Fife Arms looks set to do the same for Braemar. This is serious hunting-shooting-fishing territory, near the point where the Invercauld and Balmoral Estates meet, but the Fife Arms gives those of more pacific temperament something to get equally excited about. Anything you'd change? Get rid of the Picasso, the Freud, and the Richter and replace them with some nice Jack Vettriano prints. Just kidding. Anything we missed? This place is like the V&A. You are bound to miss something. Do not fret. You will just have to go back. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Pure pleasure. A reminder that hotels can be magnificent showcases for ideas and history and strong feelings as well as places to water the horses and bunk down for a night. Brach, Paris, France Set the scene. Art Brut prints, marble vases, art catalogues and African stools. Brach is more than a hotel: it's the most stylish new hang-out in the museum-staid 16th arrondissement  the right-bank district that's home to the Arc de Triomphe, Palais de Tokyo, and Bois de Boulogne. Since the star-studded opening party, its restaurants and terrace bar have drawn a cool local crowd. What's the story? Philippe Starck no stranger to hotel design, from Miami to Singapore  was enlisted by Evok Hôtels, whose first project was the belle-epoque Nolinski, which channelled Josephine Baker-era jazz looks in the Opera district. From the outside, there's nothing striking about this former Seventies postal sorting facility. But the inside is infused with energy, warm colors and conversation starters just take a look at those custom chairs made of leather and sticks. And those Masai beadwork tables. What can we expect in our room? Rooms are luminous, with bright lighting, lots of mirrors, and a wall of windows. In true Starck style, the decor is an eclectic mix: framed surrealist photographs next to African masks, lamps doubling as book stands, rich rosewood walls, huge leather headboards. In gorgeous bathrooms studded with on-trend cacti are soaking tubs and sinks hewn from unfinished blocks of marble. Guests get free smartphones for the duration of their stay; and an in-room concept store replaces the mini bar, dispensing games and pre-mixed cocktails by the Avantgarde Spirits Company. Suites have terraces with hot tubs and views of the Eiffel Tower, and access to the rooftop vegetable garden and henhouse. Go all out and book the Suzanne or the Georges suites. How about the food and drink? The Brach restaurant's scene lasts all day and night. Even breakfast (organic eggs Benedict with Label Rouge salmon; omelette with black truffle) is buzzing. Chef Adam Bentalha's Mediterranean cooking highlights fine ingredients such as Franco Guli's cured charcuterie. The soundtrack and casually attired waiters reflect the clientele. Anything to say about the service? Flawless, from the doorman to the fitness trainers. Who comes here? A chic Parisian in-crowd letting their hair down, cool-hunting locals, business power brokers over breakfast, and the neighborhood's elegant bourgeoisie, thrilled to have a new destination hang-out. What's the neighborhood scene like? Brach Paris is a game-changer for the 16th arrondissement, with its mix of grand residential streets and museums including the Palais de Tokyo and Fondation Louis Vuitton. Anything else we should know? The subterranean fitness club channeling a '30s boxing club had a waiting list the minute it opened. The swimming pool has a killer sound system, and it's flanked by a 35-person plunge pool. There's a salt grotto, hammam, sauna, and a barbershop. One to watch: Evok Hôtels' next project, the rock'n roll-decadent Sinner, opens in the Marais in summer 2019. And anything you'd change? Espresso machines in the bedrooms. Is it worth it and why? Absolutely. It's sexy, stylish, full of good energy, and a whole lot of fun. Experimental Chalet, Verbier, Switzerland Set the scene. Mon dieu, things have changed in the Alps, non? This is chic like something chic on the chicest bit of the Canal St-Martin. Only with mountains outside and an even better wine list. There is no lobby as such; the ground floor is almost entirely given over to spaces for eating and drinking tables and chairs as far as the eye can see, upholstered in slinky velvety fabrics in shades of peach, pistachio, and olive. What's the story? Not content with revolutionizing the Parisian bar scene with their superb little Experimental Cocktail Club, the Experimental Group (actually, at that time, just three bourgeois French guys who liked a drink) subsequently branched out into restaurants and hotels, in London, New York, Ibiza and elsewhere. The elsewhere now includes Verbier, a notably high-end and seriously sporty resort town in the Swiss Alps, which might seem an unlikely choice but makes perfect sense the moment you see it. What can we expect from the room? Mid-century modern with a few ironic concessions to the Alpine context. Simply but impeccably done this time by Fabrizio Casiraghi, in his first project for the brand. Do not neglect the small but remarkably well-stocked mini-bar. How about the food and drink? This is the best bar, restaurant and nightclub in town. The cocktails are as good as you would wish them to be, given the provenance of the brand. Ask head barman Anatole Boutant to make your favorite cocktail, whatever it might be, using local Alpine substitutes for the standard-issue ingredients. You will be amazed. The restaurant, overseen by Grégory Marchand, occupies most of the ground floor a bright, convivial, unpretentious space that is as delicious as anything on the menu (except perhaps the Baked Alaska with Chartreuse). The nightclub in the basement is none other than the legendary Farm, which the Experimental team inherited with the premises and have wisely left as they found it. Anything to say about the service? Simply delightful. You get the feeling that everyone is happy to be here, guests and staff alike. As well they might be. Who comes here? Tricky, this. Verbier is harder to pin down, socially, than you might imagine. Royals rub shoulders with roustabouts, pop stars pout at cheesemakers. Eclectic. What's the neighborhood scene like? There is no weirdness, no bling, just a sense of freshness and fun with a minimum of fuss. And the emphasis on social spaces bar, restaurant, club makes this a place for everyone, not just for guests. Is there anything you'd change? The numbering in the boot room. But numbers are always confusing, especially in boot rooms. Anything we missed? The "secret" passage that allows hotel guests to bypass the queue into The Farm. Also the ladies' bathroom in The Farm. Which is not really a ladies' bathroom. More like a club within the club. Worth it and why? Great fun, great attitude, great cocktails. Hôtel Lutetia, Paris, France Set the scene. With its curvy exteriors sculpted in cream stone and trellised balconies, the Belle Epoque Hotel Lutetia has never looked finer. The double-height Art Deco lobby buzzes with impeccably dressed locals here for pre-dinner cocktails at Bar Josephine. What's the story? Paris's singular Left Bank palace hotel, dating from 1910, has just reopened after a four-year renovation. In the '20s, Andre Gide dined here daily; both Picasso and Matisse called it home. The writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a regular guest, as was James Joyce, who played Irish ballads on the piano in the bar where Josephine Baker ushered Paris into the Jazz Age. The original Romanesque frescoes in Bar Josephine were discovered and painstakingly restored by Paris architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. What can we expect in our room? Some of the rooms face Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Sèvres, and from truly bijou balconies views stretch beyond to the Eiffel Tower. Navy walls bordered in white resemble a ship's stateroom; courtyard-facing rooms are decorated in neutral greys. Dark chevron parquet floors; Hermès silk pillows decorate the cosy Art Deco-style furniture by Poltrona Frau. Decadently oversized by Paris standards, bathtubs carved out of a single block of marble are reason enough to upgrade to the higher room categories. Tech was easy to master and intuitive. How about the food and drink? Six bars and restaurants, including one outdoors. Three-Michelin-starred seafood specialist Gérald Passedat from Marseille's Le Petit Nice commands the kitchen at marble-, glass- and wood-clad Lutetia Brasserie; his sea bar, with its marinated langoustines and oysters soaked in aloe vera, has had rave reviews. In Bar Josephine, caviar toasted sandwiches are made with 30 grams of Osciètre caviar, and inspiring cocktails use outlier ingredients such as fennel, rhubarb and ginseng honey. Anything to say about the service? Check-in was smooth; but service at breakfast was slow and a little old-school. The doormen are fantastic, helping carry shopping bags and hailing cabs in the rain, with the utmost grace. Who comes here? High-profile loyalists from politics, arts and fashion. Denizens of Saint-Germain-des-Prés Catherine Deneuve and Charlotte Gainsbourg among them have been counting down to the reopening of their regular boîte de nuit . And anyone not actually famous will be dressed to fit in among them in black, of course, accessorized with orange shopping bags from the Hermès boutique in the hotel's former indoor pool. What's the neighborhood scene like? Overnight, this Art Deco landmark went back to being key to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés scene. It is a two-minute walk to Le Bon Marché, five to the fabulous people watching and chocolat chaud at Les Deux Magots, and is surrounded by real Paris restaurants. On Sunday mornings there's an organic market outside on the Boulevard Raspail, where Kristin Scott Thomas gets her veg. And anything you'd change? The temperamental lifts; the staff at breakfast. The minibar is uninspiring, particularly given that La Grande Épicerie de Paris at Le Bon Marché is only a macaron's throw away. Anything else we should know? Make sure to look up in the Le Saint Germain salon at Fabrice Hybert's vibrant, nature-inspired stained glass. And don't miss the well-stocked library off the lobby. Is it worth it and why? It's expensive; but worth it to experience a true Paris palais hotel in its meticulously restored Art Deco grandeur, right in the thick of Saint-Germain action. Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection, London, England Set the scene. Inside a glass-fronted, six-story building that peeks out at the Thames next to the towering One Blackfriars is a miniature MoMA-style furl of white concrete, racks of bleached pottery, reclining Scandi-angled chairs, and Old Master paintings customized with skateboards and afro combs. Could this be a new, under-the-radar gallery that's sprung up unnoticed in the orbit of Tate Modern? What's the story? The Bankside Hotel is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection but is independently owned. L.A.-based Dayna Lee, a former film-set designer ( Spaced Invaders , Dances with Wolves ) has conjured bright, multi-textured interiors that reflect the hotel's proximity to all that South Bank artiness Sixties-style wooden room dividers like abacuses, angular teak carvings, jangle-geometry blue floor tiles, pixellated rugs. A mezzanine space leading to a summer terrace showcases teetering designs made from books and easels. There's even a maker in residence, curated by Contemporary Collective, with workshops that guests can take part in. What can we expect from our bedroom? A photographic print of a Corbusier tower block, acid-washed yellow rugs, sweatshirt-grey bathrobes, a nice box of pencils for scribbling at the desk, stripped-back bathrooms with just the right amount of clobber. We'll be honest: The views of the river aren't front row, but from some rooms (407 is a favorite, but also consider the American-style double queen rooms for families or groups) you can see its marble-grey waters and St. Paul's. What you won't find are any plastic water bottles; there's a water station on each floor instead (sparkling is an option). Key cards are made from paper, bathroom potions are organic, bees will soon be swarming on the rooftop, and the hotel has a zero-to-landfill policy. How about the food and drink? The open-plan restaurant and bar is set to the rear, with its own entrance, and slung with a film-set tangle of spotlights a ceramic mural depicting the area's history, from Vikings to the Great Fire, runs along one wall. Chef Lee Streeton came here from 45 Jermyn Street, and poaches market ingredients for a likable menu that taps into various trends without over-egging them English-made burrata, barbecued cuttlefish with squid-ink spelt, a sea-salty pizzette with mussels, bone marrow for dipping flatbread into, a bubbling pot of monkfish cataplana. The bar staff have fun with the cocktails: you'll be steered towards a Bicyclette (Campari, wine and soda), but start with a glass of the Hampshire fizz, and try the honey-washed Negroni. Weekend brunch (baked polenta with field mushrooms and wild garlic; smoked haddock hash and sea beets) is picking up steam. Who comes here? Thirty-something Europeans, mid-century moderns in Folk wear and statement glasses, weekend art hounds. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Remember the scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral when Charles tells Carrie about David Cassidy as they stroll past the National Film Theatre? Not many people about, were there? That was 1994. Now this stretch of riverfront is an ongoing festival, livelier than chucking-out time at an Elizabethan theater. Staying here puts you near Tate Modern, the National, the Globe, Borough Market. It would be remiss not to mention the larger Sea Containers hotel across the road, whose rooftop and Thames-side bars are adept at drawing a fizzy, local party crowd, or the fun, help-yourself CitizenM Bankside. Bankside Hotel feels a little more tucked away, though, a des-res rendezvous in one of the city's most easy-going, enjoyable areas. Anything to say about the service? Clad in denim aprons, good-natured and naturally chatty if a little slow on the uptake at breakfast. Anything we missed? Probably the vintage bagatelle collection in the basement. But not the vending machines on each floor, dispensing Charlotte Tilbury face masks and Tom Ford sunglasses. (And sparkly pants.) Is it worth it, and if so, why? This is a smart, likable, decent-value hotel, which goes above and beyond in its commitment to sustainability. At weekends you get to appreciate that refreshing, eye-of-the-storm calm of central London without the worker ants. Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla The Morocco-meets-Mykonos Belmond Cap Juluca resort sits on a white-sand beach on a Caribbean island known as much for its welcoming people as its haute resorts. Large enough to keep a couple or a couple of kids busy for days, but small enough to feel like home, the whitewashed island enclave has just reopened after a $121 million renovation by new owner Belmond, emphasizing chic, natural materials and local Anguillan heritage. The hotel remains unrivaled in the looks department white domes and archways frame views of vanilla sands and blue waters, backdropped by glossy gardens of palms and bougainvillea and boasts some of the friendliest customer service on the island. Rosewood Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas Set the scene. Waterfalls over swimming pools. Stingrays in the aquarium. Hand-painted walls, grand wooden bars, and an utterly peaceful tea room with large windows overlooking the tiers of pools and the sea. Rosewood is part of Baha Mar, a three-hotel complex on the northern shore of Nassau. While there is no denying the size of the place, it all comes together to feel intimate in that way Rosewoods tend to be. Plus in a way that's unusual for a Caribbean mega-hotel, Rosewood Baha Mar leans in and celebrates its Bahamian location through local art, and an interactive creative and shopping space. What's the story? This is one of the few Rosewood hotels in the Caribbean (upcoming properties in the BVIs and Antigua) and the group tends to focus on the destination without compromising the creature comforts that come with the price tag. Baha Mar lies outside Nassau in the Bahamas, with three hotels, acres of pools, a golf course and private coastlines with a huge stash of water toys (kayaks, paddleboard, overwater trampolines). It is the kind of place you would think would have a swim-up bar. And all-inclusive wristbands. But Baha Mar is more considered than that. What can we expect from our room? Huge balconies overlooking the pool and out over the ocean. Non-offensive. Not game-changing. Rooms are hi-tech and comfortable but the hotel is designed so they are the places you spend the least amount of conscious hours in. How about the food and drink? With 22 restaurants and bars there's everything from burgers and conch fritters by the pool to artful Italian plates. But reserve tables in advance. If you decide to just try your luck and nab a table at, say, Cleo (sister restaurant to the one in the Los Angeles), it will probably be fully booked. Some restaurants, such as Costa, which serves delicious Mexican seafood (ask for an outdoor table inside the gazebo over the pool), are guest only. The wood-paneled bar mixes excellent before and after cocktails. The Swimming Pig, off the casino, is open 24 hours and is fun for beers and pub food. Anything to say about the service? Inconsistent. The staff mean very, very well but were unnecessarily slow at times. But we were there in the first few weeks of opening, and this is likely to have improved. Who comes here? A mix of well-to-do families and Rosewood loyalists (a tribe in itself). It is not unlikely that you will fall into conversation about how the coffee-table book collection in Baha Mar's tea salon compares to the one over at Puebla, Mexico. How does it fit into the region? The resort is large in stature, sure it's part of a three-hotel complex across the bay from Atlantis, which looms large and brooding over its own end of the water as everything Baha Mar does not want to be dated, dark, and reminiscent of Spring Break Past. Is there anything you'd change? Sharpen the service. But the staff are so lovable it is forgivable. Anything we missed? The tea salon serves a Bahamian take on an English high tea, with a collection of glass jars filled with local herbs and bush leaves to brew into tea. Decor includes everything from old atlases to globes to hardcover books of Vogue . Worth it? Why? It is fun, easy, and manages to retain some taste in a place where that's generally lacking. For someone that just wants a holiday with no fuss and lots of beach and good food. Montage Los Cabos, Mexico Set the scene. In a part of Mexico packed with really great hotels, Montage Los Cabos feels both fresh and totally of place. Montage is a hotel that embraces, rather than tries to hide, the fact that it is smack in the middle of the desert, using native and drought-tolerant plants such as beautiful rock figs, all sorts of agave, and tall saguaro, instead of the area's default unnaturally green lawns and garden flowers. It's a lovely backdrop for the clean-lined local wood and sandstone buildings set on 39 quiet acres of beachfront. The hotel looks out on the calm, cobalt-blue Santa Maria Bay with its crescent of silt-fine sand it's one of the rare beaches in Cabo where there aren't crazy breaking waves and wily currents, where you can just wade right in and go for a swim. What's the story? The hotel is the first international hotel from the American-based Montage group, which also has properties in Deer Valley, Big Sky, Palmetto Bluff, and Laguna Beach. What can we expect from our room? Interiors reflect a new aesthetic that's coming out of Mexico City: traditional in terms of materials and craftsmanship but minimal and modern in execution. Here, that means lots of creamy sandstone and indigenous hardwood, updated equipale chairs, and woven throws and wall hangings. Buildings are low-slung and low density  which means privacy and quiet. All of the rooms have ocean views and huge floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead to large terraces with daybeds and dining areas, and outdoor showers. For sea breezes and optimal whale-spotting from your terrace, request a room close to the water. How about the food and drink? There are two main restaurants. Mezcal for reimagined Mexican cooking such as lobster ceviche, a beautiful local scallop tiradito with charred pepper aquachile, and nopal and calabaza salad. As is often the case in Mexico, the more everyday dishes are as good if not better than the big-ticket plates such as the poolside Baja shrimp cocktail and tacos al pastor, alongside a Michelada (order it with Victoria beer it's every Mexican's favorite and the staff will love you for it). There's also Paletas, which is more like a marketplace, selling handicrafts and gifts, but where you can also grab a quick cafe con leche and pan dulce if you're not feeling like a sit-down breakfast. Anything to say about the service? The staff are fantastic, especially the men and women who take care of guests at the pool genuine and quick to offer a tidbit about where to eat in town or what their favorite mezcal is. Sometimes the service at Mexican hotels can feel formulaic and either stiff or sort of false-friendly but the guest/staff interaction here feels natural and modern. Who comes here? West Coast industry peeps studio execs and creatives from L.A. or tech-heads from Silicone Valley or Seattle looking for a few days of sun and poolside palomas. Well-dressed but casual Isabel Marant and Eres but not without a little bling. If someone you meet in the pool asks if you'd like a ride home, it means they're happy to make an additional stop in their private plane. How does it fit into the neighborhood? The hotel is set on the Golden Corridor, an undeveloped stretch between the hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Its closest neighbors to the north and south are miles away and the city centers of both Cabos are each a 20-minute taxi ride away (if deciding between the two, San José is infinitely more charming). Anything we missed? The hotel doesn't hit you over the head with it, but it has a strong wellness game. Marea, the more casual restaurant, has a separate vegan menu; the hotel partnered with celebrity nutritionist Kelly LeVeque to create seasonal options, and the spa has some serious mind-body options, including guided journeys with the hotel's resident shaman. Is it worth it? Why? Yes. Cabo has no shortage of great hotels, but Montage's location alone on a quiet, undeveloped stretch and in front of the rare, swimmable beach makes it worth it. Hotel Amparo, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Set the scene. Compared with some of the stuffy neighboring hotels, this is warm and inviting and harks back to an era when writers and painters travelled in exclusive circles and stayed at each other's homes it's almost as if you're staying with the Fitzgeralds in the South of France or in one of Neruda's tucked-away Chilean enclaves. Yet the aesthetic is fresh and even edgy for the town with abstract art and mid-century pieces in bold prints and patterns. What's the story behind it? When a former mayor's residence went on the market in the cobblestone town center, first-time hoteliers Mariana Barran de Goodall and Taylor Goodall (they were married in town five years earlier and fell in love with it) jumped on the place. They wasted no time enlisting Texan designer Aaron Rambo to transform the 300-year-old property, refreshing original details such as Belgian-wood panelling, concrete fireplaces, and crystal chandeliers, and adding Aztec-inspired murals by local artist Lucas Rise and traditional textiles and needlework by Hibiscus Linens, Barran de Goodall's own textile brand. What can we expect from our room? Cross the central courtyard lush with bougainvillea, agave, and stately palms and through two sets of wrought-iron and glass doors to enter the spacious Amparo room, which opens onto a bronze four-poster king bed layered with bright Oaxacan textiles. Looming above an original concrete fireplace is an oil painting of dapper Porfirio Díaz, one of Mexico's longest-serving presidents, and whose presence not so subtly announces that you are indeed in the presidential suite. An orange velvet chair and a chaise lounge in a fresh palm print keep things modern as do the bedside USB ports and a Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker. How about the food and drink? Morning coffee and breakfast solid dishes such as huevos rancheros  are served in the courtyard, which opens into a coffee bar with San Miguel's first (and only) La Marzocco espresso machine. Lunch and dinner happen at the rooftop restaurant Bar Margaret, where Latino-Carribean small plates, including shrimp and grits topped with pico de gallo , pair wonderfully with selections from the bar's natural wine list. Locanda, opening later in 2019, will have a rotating menu of handmade Italian pastas and Sicilian wines. Anything to say about the service? Attentive no request seemed too large, from breakfast in bed to last-minute reservations at the city's top restaurants. Who comes here? Young and affluent. They've seen the world and their personal style and travel experiences prove it. Unpretentious but appreciative of the finer things. They know Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera only scratch the surface of Mexico's prolific art scene, and they appreciate top-notch interiors and top-notch mezcal. How does it fit into the neighborhood? It's located in the town center, where San Miguel de Allende's Spanish-Colonial heritage is on full-display, which makes its forward-looking design and unfussy hospitality in a sea of at times stuffy, deliberately nostalgic hotels all the more appealing. Is there anything you'd change? No, Mariana Barran de Goodall and Taylor Goodall nailed it. Anything we missed? The Le Labo bottles in the bathroom were almost as lovely as the mezcal-infused chocolates from Mexico-City based BUNA that were left during turndown. Is it worth it and why? Honestly between the attentive service, elegant rooms, and impeccable dining they could get away with charging more. Manapany, St. Barts Set the scene. Tucked away in the heart of one of St Barth's few true neighborhoods, Anse de Cayes once a Portuguese stronghold this hotel feels homespun and personable. There are wooden decks for dune- and wave-watching, a sky-reflecting oval pool and pretty rooms hidden like garden dens amid tumbles of greenery and peacock-bright flowers, palms and avocado trees. What's the story? Owner Anne Jousse proprietor of several hotels in France, including the groundbreaking Bel Ami and Domaine de La Bretesche in the Loire-Atlantique region has brought to the Caribbean a perfect one-off: an eco-responsible hotel with good bones. Manapany was one of the island's first to welcome guests and a hot spot in the 1970s and closed its doors well before the hurricanes hit the island in 2017. There's a clear commitment to the environment, with solar panels providing much of the power, a lack of chemicals, natural-fiber towels, and only electric cars allowed through its gates. What can we expect from our room? Breezy, easy white-washed rooms, many of which open directly to the sand; others are worth the climb for sweeping ocean views from enormous terraces. Ours even had an extra room with a twin bed, perfect for a small family. And look at those startling pops of color walls in peppery red, turmeric yellow, mint green, or ultramarine blue, and Mexican rugs and cushions. Buy and bring home one (or several) of the bamboo-fiber beach towels. How about the food and drink? Kick off your shoes. This is barefoot dining at its best and locally sourced to boot, much of it from the vegetable garden or orchard, some of it reeled in by the island's fishing boats. The over-water restaurant has a menu wrapping up flavors from both Brittany and the Caribbean. Anything to say about the service? Genuinely amiable. Who comes here? Those in the know, who know that Manapany is hidden only five minutes' drive from the airport and Baie Saint-Jean. How does it fit into the region? This is set on a semi-rocky, walkable beach with surf sounds to lull you to sleep. The island's other hotels have been brought back from the brink, with names such as Villa Marie Saint-Barth and Cheval Blanc St-Barth reopening. Manapany has been conceived from a similar DNA, though feels sharper and more focused on its eco-credentials. Anything we missed? The fact that they encourage you to rent an electric car. Just plug it in in the parking space, or adjacent to your room, and you won't have to worry about a fill-up en route to departure. Anything you'd change? Add a funicular to our favorite hillside rooms. Worth it and why? Yes, to see the island returning to normal with a recalibrated sense of direction. Punta Caliza, Isla Holbox, Mexico Set the scene. A whitewashed, thatch-roofed boutique hotel trying its hardest to keep a low profile despite the fact that it's beautifully designed, on a peaceful corner just a block from the beach. What's the story? Owned and run by a lovely family from Tabasco, Punta Caliza is a kind of slow-burn dream. The father had always wanted to own a home on Holbox. His cool-young-dude of a son, Cuauhtémoc, manages the hotel his sister, Claudia, studied architecture at university and asked her professors to submit plans. Two very progressive designers from Guadalajara came up with a vision. The final result: a Mayan-style modern beach home. What can we expect from our room? Rooms are individual A-frame cabins done up almost entirely in sustainable red cedar wood just rustic enough, and airy. One door leads to a private plunge pool, which in turn opens on to the hotel's flooded patio. The burnished wooden walls and ceilings don't require adornment, there's an area for hanging clothes, a few built-in drawers and shelves, and a jug of purified water. You really don't need or want much more on an island like Holbox. How about the food and drink? Breakfast is included and spotlights a daily special chilaquiles or omelettes and toast. The restaurant does snacks rather than a lunch service, but talented Tabasco-born chef Ricardo cooks up memorable dinners when requested in advance based around Mexican and Caribbean favorites (corn tortillas, sea bass, lobster, moles), with tropical fruits and exotic emulsions. The bar in the adjoining tower has some of the best views on Holbox, plus mean mezcal-based cocktails. Anything to say about the service? Laid-back and very friendly. No stiffness or stuffiness, which would never suit Holbox. Cuauhtémoc is keen to talk about the island's natural wonders and its environmental challenges and he can set guests up with kayaking guides and whale-watching trips. You feel well connected when you stay at Punta Caliza. Who comes here? In white, flowy tunics, in skinny jeans, in swimwear, or in not very much at all the Punta Caliza crowd is small and a little bit secretive and ultra-civilized, but they like a discreet, intimate party, too. Talk is bookish and ecological, but come dusk, conversation lightens in step with the cocktails. How does it fit into the area? Holbox is growing outwards but for now Punta Caliza occupies a serene liminal zone between the protected reserve and the bustling little township. A few cool shops lie several blocks away and the beach is a block to the north. Birdsong is still louder here than golf carts. Is there anything you'd change? More substantial, proper Mexican lunches this should be the go-to lunch retreat on the island. Maybe a little library in the tower? Anything we missed? No small kids allowed with the flooded patio, little ones would have too much (noisy) fun. The pool is rightly a source of peace, as well as a place for a cool dip. Is it worth it and why? It's memorable and that matters on Holbox. The island is changing and is at risk of losing its special vibe. Punta Caliza and a few other choice places enshrine the laid-back vibe and eco mission of the past. Casa Pueblo Tulum, Mexico Set the scene. A beautiful, oversized home with lush plants, antique Mexican pottery, the light flowing in from a leafy atrium, house dogs padding around. White hand-plastered walls and wood are softened by Yucatan textiles and patterned tiles. With its live music and wellness-focussed classes, it seems designed for a certain nomadic creative and global seeker, yet its appeal is much broader. What's the story? Casa Pueblo is an independent hotel that was envisioned and brought to life by Derek Klein, who, back in 2013 opened Gitano, Tulum's acclaimed jungle-chic bar and restaurant. What can we expect from our room? Rooms are spacious and soothing, pristine clean, and minimally furnished with hand-sculpted lighting, floor-to-ceiling slatted wooden shutters, oversized mattresses and floating bedside tables with purified water in glass bottles (no single-use plastics anywhere). Rooms all open onto a three-storey atrium leafy with potted plants and an enormous chaca tree that steals the show. How about the food and drink? Breakfast is not included and there is no minibar, but the restaurant downstairs serves simple and delicious food all day long, with local fruit breakfast smoothie, Mayan greens for lunch, and slow-roasted meat and vegetables for dinner. Anything to say about the service? Smooth and efficient, welcoming and effortless. Check-in and check-out were seamless and the hotel can arrange airport transfers and guided visits or transportation to nearby archaeological sites or cenotes. Who comes here? Globe-trotting creatives seeking true connections, collaborations and authentic experiences. Cool yet understated and elegant, wearing brands you want to know, but can't quite glean because there's not a label in sight. They talk about politics, the event they are in town producing, the sound-bath happening this afternoon on the beach, and where to find the best hand-woven hammocks. How does it fit into the neighborhood? The hotel is set right at the beginning of pulsing downtown Tulum, known as Pueblo. The street it's on can be hectic, day and night, but Casa Pueblo manages to create a sanctuary of serenity amongst the chaos. Is there anything you'd change? A few more shelves and hooks to help organize one's things in the room. And a bluetooth speaker for music would be nice. Anything we missed? Communal tables, quiet built-in nooks for lounging, a rooftop overlooking the city, and sun beds surrounding a 10-feet-deep salt-water pool. Worth it and why? Absolutely. This is a calm and super-comfortable hotel in a place that almost doesn't know what to do with its sudden popularity. Chablé Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico Set the scene. There's not a whole lot about the Riviera Maya that feels undiscovered these days, which makes having to try to find Chablé Maroma a refreshing adventure. There isn't a sign up yet on the highway, so be on the lookout for the little dirt road turnoff that leads to a gate and then to a paved road and finally to this jungle-meets-beach hideaway. The lobby, with its thatched roof and hanging daybeds, forecasts a certain haute castaway existence that's confirmed when the private, near-empty palm-backed stretch of beach comes into view. What's the story? This is the second Chablé property from Hamak Hotels. The original, the Chablé Resort and Spa, is located inland in the jungly Yucatán, and was a careful restoration of an 18th-century hacienda. It's admirable that they didn't try to duplicate the very successful original, with its palpable sense of history and colonial heritage. Instead, the hotel group embraced the beachfront setting and created a stylish resort 70 new-build casitas made from local stone and wood. That said, as at the original Chablé, the spa experience is deeply rooted in Mayan tradition. Also the food is just as ambitious, maybe even more so here with a tasting menu-only restaurant. What can we expect from our room? There's a mix of one- and three-bedroom villas, all with white-washed walls, thatched roofs, tropical wood floors and ceilings. Indoor and outdoor space is blurred draw open the wooden sliding doors and the large terrace with a hammock and a soaking pool becomes a seamless extension of your room. Bathrooms have both an indoor and outdoor shower. All of the crucial minibar beverages are complementary, and the tech is blessedly easy. Stand-alone villas offer the most privacy, but an upper-level room will get you more light and an ocean view. How about the food and drink? By day two, the staff will have your go-to cocktail and ceviche order memorized. Breakfast is a true highlight house-made pastries, vegan berry pancakes, huevos rancheros , chilaquiles served until 11 a.m. For super early risers, there's the 'eye-opener', a sort of pre-breakfast that's left on your terrace and includes coffee or tea, juice, fruit and a pastry. The ceviche is another standout there's an entire raw bar menu worth working through. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City's Quintonil oversees the menus. At the main restaurant, Bu'ul, the tasting menu can be a hard sell for more than one night (it's expensive and a serious time commitment) and the plates can be a little intimidating (beef tongue, oxtail, ant larvae) but trust the chef and all will be well. Anything to say about the service? Relaxed and engaged; staff members feel comfortable sharing stories about themselves and their families. Despite being a fairly large hotel, they are very attentive and go out of their way to get your name, habits (beach or pool) and preferences (tequila or green juice) down fast. Who comes here? Active and adventurous but also the sort of person who wants to kick back under an umbrella on the beach and sip a mezcal-spiked drink. They have a spiritual side and want to experience a two-hour sweat session led by a shaman but they also want to indulge in a six-course tasting menu. They're talking sports and politics and pop culture but also food and art. They're not afraid to go skinny dipping under the starlight. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Unlike its sister property, which is quite remote, Maroma is a 15- to 30-minute drive to Tulum's hipster scene and destination restaurants, archaeological sites, and cenotes. Even so, the hotel feels like a self-contained world of calm and privacy amidst the more obvious bits of the Riviera Maya. It's not as exclusive as Escencia but a close second. And the beach is a dream for runners perfectly packed flat sand for over a mile. Is there anything you'd change? Nice if a few more things were included breakfast, morning yoga and if the main restaurant had an à la carte option. The spa is incredible, but the small gym leaves room for improvement. Anything we missed? The hotel hooks up with a local dive outfit (there's incredible coral and reef life about 30-minutes offshore) and the owner, Pedro, is a dive wizard. Even if you're a nervous diver he'll have you on the bottom of the ocean doing headstands in no time. Worth it and why? Yes, especially if you're a beach person most guests opt to lounge poolside making it feel like you have your own private stretch of sand. The LINE Austin, Texas Set the scene. Honeycomb concrete modernism, black sliding doors that open right into the main restaurant and bar; rows of plants dangling from gold planters, a ceiling covered in textured canvas. The great outdoors has been brought inside with potted plants and floral chairs, along with a hand-carved wooden bar and an almost tribal-looking fireplace. What's the story? The LINE, set in a modernist mid-century building, originally opened in 1965 as the Crest Inn known for its in-house jazz recording studio. Before the Sydell group moved in (it's also behind NoMad in NYC and Freehand Miami), the property was a tired Radisson and for a long time its restaurant was a TGI Fridays. It was tragic, especially for a hotel in the middle of the city, with a water view. Sydell tore down walls, reconnecting guests to the leafy lakeside setting. What can we expect from our room? Rooms strike a balance between utilitarian and distinctive. There are 428 rooms so they can't all be unique, but the design does reflect a sense of place. Textured headboards mimic a dry riverbed, hanging light fixtures look like a cluster of fireflies when viewed from the outside, and rooms contain art by Texas artists (the hotel commissioned more than 500 original works) and books from local bookstore South Congress Books. There's in-room dining, and food is brought in on trays with square ceramic dishes, somewhat evocative of ordering at a barbecue. How about the food and drink? There are four places to eat the main one is Arlo Grey by Kristen Kish, who's classically trained in French techniques, though she has Korean heritage so her dishes often show an expert technique with Asian ingredients. The menu changes seasonally and jumps around a bit: rabbit and dumplings made with root vegetables and pesto; fried stem buns loaded with egg plant. The cocktails are mostly takes on the classics but are made with a single ice cube imprinted with the Line logo. Dean's One Trick Pony is kind of a bohemian dive bar double patty burger, chicken nuggets with a spicy honey with late nights or hangovers in mind. Then there's Alfred's, a walk-up lobby coffee shop, and P6, a rooftop bar, designed to feel like a greenhouse thanks to more potted plants. It has one of the best views of Congress Bridge and Austin's bats, which fly out from under the bridge at dusk in Austin. Anything to say about the service? Smart and efficient, but they don't go out of their way to serve you. Who comes here? The California Club. This hotel has a West Coast vibe, with guests channeling a slight Sixties look. There is a see-and-be-seen element to the bar and dining room, which is a little unusual for Austin. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Part of downtown Austin (versus South Austin), but right on the water, overlooking Lady Bird Lake and Congress Bridge. It's within walking distance of loads of great restaurants and bars not to mention other downtown hotels. It's breathed new life into this little corner of downtown, which has traditionally been a quiet pocket after people pack up and head home. Anything you'd change? The lighting in the bathroom is going for mood instead of practicality. If you care about putting on makeup or tweezing some sort of facial hair, good luck. Anything we missed? There is a ground-level swimming pool surrounded by plaid umbrellas. There is a small gym, and one room is also dedicated to an artist in residency program. Worth it and why? Yes. It's a renovated landmark that's breathed new life into a formerly quiet corner of downtown. The rooms are more fun and distinctive than at nearby competitors (JW Marriott and the Fairmont). It also makes an effort to introduce you to Austin's growing visual-arts scene, which has traditionally taken a major backseat to live music. El Rey Court, Santa Fe, New Mexico Set the scene. Tiny adobe huts that are charming in a way that road-side motels typically are not. Warm, traditional small-scale adobe whitewashed instead of the usual earth color for a more modern contrast with the geometric art and blankets. There's vinyl in the corner with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson records, and little kiva fireplaces. What's the story behind it? This place dates back to 1936; it's an old Route 66 landmark. It's a favorite with the community, which is rare for Santa Fe locals recommend it and hang out here with out-of-towners at the hotel's La Reina mezcal-tequila bar. The owners are Joshua Tree power couple Jay and Alison Carroll, who honored the hotel's original bones and narrative but gave it a 21st-century polish, on the right side of the hipster line. There is nothing loud or attention-grabbing about this place. It's quiet and unassuming, but nails it as a modern-day answer to a traditional motel. What can we expect from the rooms? Each one is original: There's a totally different charm to each, with artwork and local textiles on the headboard and the occasional patio, fireplace, and kitchenette here and there. You'd do well to return and try a different one each time. All are really quiet, great for sleeping (not always a thing at a roadside inn). And the showers are hot and strong. How about the food and drink? At La Reina they seem to have a dozen or so tamales on hand, and will serve them 'til they run out. The mezcal list is wonderful, recommended for sipping, or you can't go wrong with the King's Margarita, though the agave menu has a range of top-class tequila and mezcal that may be a splurge but won't break the bank. It's an all-female bar staff at La Reina, which means the queen (to El Rey's 'The King') in Spanish. Anything to say about the service? Just the right level for people who prefer to be self-sufficient, and not fussed over. (We mean this in the best way.) The great thing about a roadside motel is you can just pull up to your room you only need to go to the lobby or interact with anyone if you choose to, apart from at check-in. They're really responsive and kind when you ask, if needed (will send an extra blanket or coffeemaker to the room, even to boost the fire with a blowtorch if the matches fail…). Who stays here? There were a lot of beards and ponchos, an Austin 'back when SXSW was cool' crowd. But then again, a rare and unusual mix of ages (millennials and their parents hanging out). Talk of music and snow. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Great location, just far enough away from Cerrillos road (old-school, less precious, regulated Santa Fe center), but also right by all of that, the Plaza, a favorite for its Spanish-American style and a hangout spot for locals. You could walk, or drive in minutes to La Choza, then the Whole Foods across the street to stock up for the room. Anything we missed? Sounds like The Swim Club is really taking off in the summer. And it's exceptional in Santa Fe that they serve food and drink later than almost everyone else past 8 p.m.! Worth it? Why? Absolutely. Both the Santa Fe and the roadside classic, in a minimal, modern way. Perry Lane Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah, Georgia Set the scene. Perry Lane opened in May 2018 and is already a draw for those tapping into the city's increasingly creative happenings. It's set in two buildings facing each other across Perry Lane, and at first glance, you aren't quite sure if they're new structures or renovated historic ones the architecture blends in so well. Inside, you'll spot a library with a piano, leather chairs, and plantation shutters, updated with expansive art collection, a jewel-box of a lift dressed in tropical wallpaper, and a rooftop bar and pool with some of the best views of downtown. What's the story? It's part of the Marriott group, in the Luxury Collection portfolio, but not in an obvious way. The building is a new-build but manages to feel like it's been around for quite some time. A real effort has been made to connect with Savannah's culture and style, with input from local artisans. What can we expect from our room? A touch retro, yet crisp, clear, and uncluttered. Compared to rooms in main building, those in the tower feel more spacious and private. All have metal-framed artwork, Turkish rugs, and leather chairs. There's a rain shower but no tub, and a fluffy, sink-into-it bed next to a corner sofa. What about the food and drink? The ground-floor Emporium has a sit-down restaurant with an open kitchen plating up modern French bistro food but with Southern nods where appropriate pimento cheese omelette, smoked fish rillettes. But it also throws a wine shop and wine bar in the mix, along with a deli and gelato stand, coffee bar, and even a mini-market. And if there's nothing there that strikes your fancy, you still have the rooftop bar, and The Wayward in the second tower, which stirs killer cocktails and has Eighties arcade games to plug into. Anything to say about the service? Ian, bartender at The Wayward, knows his stuff and knows how to cultivate the crowd everyone fast becomes friends as the night unwinds. Who comes here? Mostly young and sharp folk, dressed Southern smart clean, pressed linen shorts and slacks, colorful short-sleeved shirts on men; bright summer dresses, sandals and hats on women and friendly with it. How does it fit into the neighborhood? It's on the southern side of Savannah's historic district away from the somewhat seedy waterfront and close to Forsyth Park, the many squares, the design district, and favorite attractions such as the Mercer Williams House and Flannery O'Connor's childhood home. Savannah is more approachable than, say, New Orleans or Charleston, and is home to SCAD, the cutting-edge arts school, which drives a lot of the social scene here though it's nowhere near the same level as Austin. Savannah has always fostered artists, writers, small fashion labels/boutiques, and a young and hipster-forward food and drinks scene (you'll see lots of tattoos and retro clothing and hairstyles, but folk are friendly instead of too-cool, like in Brooklyn). Anything we missed? The pool. It's one of the few hotel pools in Savannah, and one of the most attractive, with skyline views it feels a bit tropical and Sixties. As does the rooftop bar, which has Astroturf for games and events. Is it worth it  why? This newcomer to Savannah's hotel scene is already making a splash, and for good reason: the smart design would be enough, but it's also the way the hotel is so dedicated to integrating into the community from the architecture to its restaurants, so it draws a local crowd beyond its guests. This is a hotel that's intent on sticking around. Hotel Joaquin, Laguna Beach, California Set the scene. On the Pacific Coast Highway, this Laguna Beach motel has had a shiny-bright, white-lacquered makeover. There's an art-filled living room instead of a lobby; then, it's straight outside to the blue-sky-meets-Pacific-Ocean panorama. What's the story? Two local hoteliers bought this crumbling pile and undertook an extreme makeover to bring the Cape Cod structure in line with the expensive, barefoot-chic style of these SoCal surroundings, with interior designer Robert McKinley (who did Montauk's Surf Lodge) working his magic. What can we expect in our room? White lacquered walls, exposed beams, and McKinley's finds (mid-century modern chairs, naïve artworks) from the flea markets of Paris and Normandy. All are different. Some have bijou ocean-facing balconies, while two second-floor rooms, Mer and Ciel, are among the smallest yet have excellent blue views from the bed. Then there's a Marantz turntable in lieu of a television set and a selection from the 550-strong vinyl collection in the living room. Beach Boys or Eagles feel particularly apt. How about the food and drink? The guests-only Saline showcases the skills of chef Leo Bongarra (formerly of L.A.'s Sunset Tower Hotel), who adds shaved truffles gratis to his seasonal Med-leaning dishes such as grilled scallops on celery root and parsnip purée, and serves chlorophyll water with edible flowers. Much has been made on social media of his cerulean sea algae spirulina 'milk' which tasted divine over 'rawnola' with coconut and cacao shavings. Sous chef Kuo makes a mean seafood salad at lunch with the catch of the day plus basil, mint, and other herbs from the rooftop garden. Anything to say about the service? Uniformly impressive and seamless. It's very relaxed but guests are taken seriously. Who comes here? Everyone looks beautiful in the California sunlight. Up with the sun, early morning hiking, then back for 9 a.m. yoga in the organic garden. Handling surfboards, kayaks, diving gear, and Linus bicycles. Surf tees, no shoes, Celine slides for driving home in a convertible. What's the neighborhood scene like? This strip of coast is a laid-back bolthole for artists and surfers, with million-dollar beach shacks overlooking the Pacific. In-house 'adventure guru' George Vitolo will take guests up trails above Laguna, paddleboarding and sea lion-spotting at Shaw's Cove, or to the best surf breaks at Rockpile Beach, for serious wave riders only. Between the surf shops in Laguna, find the best empanadas at The Stand Natural Foods and tacos at La Sirena Grill. And anything you'd change? A few more Moroccan rugs in the rooms upstairs might muffle other guests' movements. Locals will wish they could dine anytime at Saline but guests will love the exclusivity of it. Anything else we should know? The Road is a very impressive little paper in-room guide. It was unusually well written and full of valuable addresses and local secrets, such as Dartmoor Hike for its sublime blue views and reggae nights at The Dirty Bird a few miles down the highway. Is it worth it and why? Yes this is one of southern California's most appealing beach towns, and the Joaquin is a true original. Freehand New York, New York Set the scene. This is a hotel that does young, hip, and affordable extremely well something so many places often fail at spectacularly. Open spaces, including the restaurants and the mezzanine lounge, are filled with music, color, art, plants and people enjoying craft cocktails that they've waited half an hour for. What's the story? It's the one of four Freehand hotels (there's also Miami , Los Angeles , and Chicago ) from the same team behind the NoMad and the Ace. It's set in a building that dates back to 1928 and was thoughtfully renovated by Roman & Williams, the supercool design duo who started out as Hollywood art directors, and who are known for their friendly, sometimes theatrical and often quite idiosyncratic interiors (they worked on various private houses, including one for Gwyneth Paltrow, and the new British Galleries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art). What can we expect from our room? Various sizes but one of the main draws if you're traveling with a group are the bunk rooms, which sleep four. The rooms are comfortable, relatively spacious for Manhattan, though a little bit dorm-y with simple wooden beds and low sofas. Ten artists from Bard College were invited to paint or draw original work directly onto the walls and ceilings. Bathrooms are small but neat with good lighting, slick green tiles and blonde wood. How about the food and drink? Plenty to choose from. There's an outpost of award-grabbing cocktail outfit The Broken Shaker (first a pop-up at the Freehand Miami, then with permanent bars in Chicago and L.A.) on the terrazzo-covered roof guests get to skip the line that often forms down the block at weekends. Just off the lobby, you can pick up kale and carrot sandwiches and sea-salt chocolate-chip cookies from The Smile To Go. On the mezzanine, there's the wood-paneled bar and the North African-influenced Studio. Downstairs is Simon and the Whale, a sleek New American spot for clam chowder and pulled-chicken spaghetti. Anything to say about the service? Chipper and to-the-point, but you can sense when they're overwhelmed by the occasional crowds. Who comes here? Well-traveled and young, out for a good time, and willing to spend more on a meal than they are on their hotel room. For Levi-wearing local creatives, it's becoming a hop-in-hop-out rendezvous before a night out. What's the neighborhood scene? This is strategically located more than anything else. The Flatiron district is low-key and just far away enough from the madness of Midtown or the cool-hunting fray of Downtown. The immediate surroundings aren't exactly hopping, but you're a quick 6-train ride from other places. Anything you'd change? The color palette in the rooms is a little bit forgettable, but then again you're not going to be spending that much time in them. It's all about the public spaces here. And anything we missed? Instead of in-room minibars there's a shop in the lobby with snacks and drinks (and chic candles, and throw blankets, and designer toothbrushes). Is it worth it and why? Yes. For genuine style and great vibes at a non-panic-inducing price for Manhattan, this hits the spot. Palihotel Culver City, California Set the scene. Although the hotel is tucked away on a side street in Culver City, just off the newly buzzy main drag, there's no missing it. It's painted a seriously bright, saturated turquoise-meets-teal blue, except, that is, for the one side that's entirely covered in a botanical mural that calls to mind Osborne and Little floral wallpaper. Bold, indeed, but in this part of town (Culver City was the birthplace of the movie industry), a little dazzle works well. The building's '20s façade, with its Deco signage, street numbers and light fixtures, feels both Parisian and classic Hollywood; the lobby has vintage artwork, ceramic tiled floors, and black-and-white striped wallpaper, and yet this isn't a period property in the way Wes Anderson's films aren't period films. The pastiche of references makes it feel totally fresh and modern. What's the story behind it? As the sign says, this used to be the West Side Hotel, but before that it was the Washington Hotel, which opened in the 1920s and was rumored to have been a favorite with Joan Crawford. The Palihotel is the newest member in the Palisociety group, owned by the sharp-suited, New Jersey-born Avi Brosh. There are three other hotels in the Los Angeles area (the first to open was Palihouse in Santa Monica) and one in Seattle, with others in Los Angeles, Miami and Portland, Oregon, set to open in the near future. What can we expect from the rooms? There are rooms with either one king or two twins across the hotel's four floors some ground-level rooms have doors that open onto a terrace while those on higher floors have views of the courtyard garden. The overall feel is very bright and airy; there's almost a Shutters on the Beach vibe coastal, with white walls, lots of wood, and, yes, painted wooden shutters. Rooms are a real mix of colors, patterns, and textures: Stuffed chairs are upholstered in floral fabrics, plaid camp blankets are folded on the beds alongside striped throw pillows and hits of baby blue or forest green. There are nods to the 1950s, such as the wooden headboards with built-in bedside tables that house old-school alarm clocks (feels very West Coast Cali meets Danish mid-century), pin-up prints, and Bakelite rotary telephones, but modern touches too (rain showers, large wall-mounted TVs, fully stocked mini bars, and free wifi). How about the food and drink? Simonette, on the ground floor, is the hotel's hopping, very charming French-style bistro. It's open all day and is equally good for a quick croissant and an espresso or a breakfast cocotte in the morning as it is for moules-frite and a glass of rosé for lunch or dinner. Dishes are classic and pretty straight-forward, yet this is California, so you know the ingredients in that Niçoise salad are going to amp things up. The Simonette Bar mixes some of the most technical craft cocktails in town, such as the Right Brigade (Ford's Gin, Campari, white vermouth and amontillado sherry, filtered through coffee). Anything to say about the service? Fantastic across the board. The staff were incredibly hard working they do show off a lot of tattoo ink and Breton stripes, but are far from dawdling hipsters. The hotel and the bar and restaurant can be busy but the staff can handle it; they're experienced players. Who comes here? There isn't one tribe and the guests are a real mix hipsters on vacation, young families, older, well-dressed couples in their 50s and 60s. Apple has an office nearby where its original content operations are housed, so there are visiting creative types; the Sony Pictures Studio is in walking distance, so there's a fair share of industry types milling about. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Culver City is developing fast and you can feel the westside cool of Venice expanding east into the area. It's a nice mid-point location between the beach and downtown, two parts of Los Angeles that you'll likely want to explore. There are great restaurants, like Destroyer, and really good shopping in the area. And there's the Helms Bakery District, a 1930s bread factory turned retail complex that's well worth spending a morning in Arcana Books is here, which has some fantastic photographic and art titles, and HD Buttercup, a warehouse-sized furniture store that has reclaimed pieces and new designs that you'll do the math on shipping home. Worth it and why? Absolutely worth investigating even if only for a night. Caldera House, Jackson Hole, Wyoming Set the scene: What's this place like? Unassuming. Next to a tram stop where candy-apple-red trams trundle to and from. Just the right touch of Western nods without the kitschy antler decor and taxidermy. Modern furnishings from designers such as John Pawson and Patricia Urquiola. What's the story behind it? This is an independent hotel, mostly the vision of Wes Edens, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, a former ski racer and longtime visitor to Jackson Hole. He and three partners all ski addicts spent six years and more than $100 million creating this passion project. Having Commune ( Ace Hotel Chicago and L.A. ) involved in the design is definitely of note the L.A.-based studio added a distinct residential feel you don't normally get in most mountain chalets. Edens' one directive was no As (A-hole guests or antlers). What can we expect from our room? NYC penthouse swank meets rustic, cosy mountain chalet. We were in the four-bedroom suite, Taupo (there are just eight rooms in total), with a heated terrace, firepit and a soaking tub in the bathroom, set up with candles and bath salts. The bed is like one big pillow; there's colored tiling in the bathroom and a boot room full of outdoor essentials (sunscreen, hand warmers). Loved the loaded playlists on the iPad that played throughout the room. The wood-burning fireplace is a nice touch and the kitchen is stocked with anything you could ever want. How about the food and drink? The grab-and-go, tramside Cable Cafe has $3 beers, pizza by the slice and sloshies alcoholic slushees that are a Jackson speciality. Old Yellowstone Garage is an outpost of a locally loved joint a few miles away, run by the same chef, Paulie O'Connor, recognizable from his tattoos and piercings. His New York-style Italian food is exactly what you want after a long day hiking or skiing, and it's fairly priced. The OYG lasagne is a must, and there's an all-you-can eat pizza night on Mondays. Try the Old Faithful (San Marzano tomatoes, basil, mozzarella) or the Father Guido Sarducci (provolone sausage, mushrooms, caramelized onions, kale, arugula, mascarpone, and mozzarella). The Italian-focused wine list runs deep. The hidden candy closet in the locker room is a favorite feature, stocked with old-school sweets such as swirled rainbow lollipops and candy necklaces. Anything to say about the service? You don't see staff walking around, though there is always someone at the front desk. Where Caldera House shines is its experiences it has partnered with locals to curate amazing off-property activities: Exum Mountain Guides for hiking and even a summit of Grand Teton if you're fit enough. Or an award-winning photographer for a photo tour of Yellowstone, or private SUP yoga lessons in the park (magical). They also offer heli-skiing and heli-hiking. GM Pamela Neci was head-hunted from Bela Coola Heli Ski and she is an absolute pro. Who else stays here? Badass pro skiers (Jimmy Chin, Bode Miller, and Tommy Moe are all regulars) along with some of Wall Street and Silicon Valley's biggest disruptors, bragging about skiing Corbet's Couloir. Wearing serious, technical clothing (North Face, Salomon) and talking about everything from the latest Warren Miller film to the newest SF start-up. How does it fit into the neighborhood? This is steps from the Jackson Hole Mountain Tram in the heart of Teton Village. The Mudroom, Caldera's on-site gear shop, is run by a local ski-tuning guru and can outfit guests with everything from splitboards and SUPs to fat bikes and road bikes. You could argue the Four Seasons is just up the hill and has a lively après scene but it attracts a very Four Seasons crowd. At the South Cable Café and Old Yellowstone Garage you get a true mix of locals and visitors. Anything you'd change? There are plans for a spa, which is missing. And would add some studios or one-bedroom options. Anything we missed? Overheard: Four Seasons guests commenting on how Caldera House has Peloton bikes in the gym and strategizing how they could get access. Is it worth it and why? It's a splurge, but it's worth it for the valet parking alone (Jackson Hole resort has zero parking) and the ski concierge. The Caldera House really makes you feel like a local rather than an outsider by connecting guests with local guides and adding touches like a costume closet so you can dress up for local holidays. The Hoxton, Williamsburg, New York Set the scene. A familiar name amid a landscape of converted warehouses and factories in post-industrial Brooklyn, set in a former water-tower factory with double-height ceilings and a broad, statement staircase sashaying down the middle. Walking through the front doors leads you straight into the restaurant and bar, where guests and curious locals tap away on laptops and gossip; afternoons and evenings are soundtracked by the DJ who's set up shop on a table by those big stairs. What's the story? This is the first Hoxton in North America. Born in the London district of the same name, outposts already exist in Holborn, as well as Amsterdam and Paris. And there are more to follow, with Portland close behind Williamsburg, then Downtown Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and London's Southwark   all in 2019. The Soho House Group was involved in the past, and it's easy to see the hand of Nick Jones here: those Art Deco touches, subway-style bathroom tiles and velvet headboards. But there's also local inspiration, such as bespoke linens by Brooklyn-based Dusen Dusen, ceramic pieces, and books curated by residents (our selection included 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: The Untold Story of the Wu-Tang Clan's Million-Dollar Secret Album'). And regular events with special guests underscore the community vibe, with titles such as 'Connection is Our Greatest Currency' and 'Women are Limitless.' What can we expect from our room? The Manhattan-view rooms really are all about just that: There are just a couple of low-rise buildings and the East River between you and the Empire State. It's tempting to stay under the covers of the big bed and stare at the changing colors of skyline all day long. Rooms are compact and clever, with slim brass shelves, hooks, and rails, while the bathroom fits in a brass rainwater shower and deep marble-top sink, with black, honeycomb patterns over the floor. Beds are big and high, so there's little leftover floor space. Pack your own moisturizer but everything else is here. How about the food and drink? Three restaurants, all curated by Jud Mongell and Zeb Stewart, the duo behind a clutch of hot Williamsburg eating and drinking spots (Five Leaves, Cafe Colette, Union Pool, Hotel Delmano). Rooftop hangout Summerly is shuttered through winter but from spring onwards serves New England-style seafood such as lobster rolls and clam pie while Backyard, on the second-floor terrace, cooks up wood-roasted nachos, BBQ shrimp sandwiches, and something called an Ozzie Dog, A.K.A. a chili dog with all the trimmings. Klein's is the only winter choice, and it's a strong one: New American comfort foods includes fried-chicken sandwiches with tasso ham and Swiss cheese, and chicken Cobb salad with pork belly, avocado, and blue cheese. Breakfast is not included but leave a paper bag on your door any time up to 3 a.m. and you'll wake to find it's been filled by an oatmeal breakfast pot, fruit, and orange juice. Anything to say about the service? Cheerful and personable. Check-in is quick and easy, and rooms are self-explanatory. There is no concierge service, although reception staff are very happy to give their local brunch picks. Who comes here? Similar to their London counterparts who visited East London after gentrification trickled through, people here have been regular Williamsburgers for some time. Now in their thirties, these days they desire a little more comfort with their Macbook-based creativity and vintage-clothes shopping. New parents bring their babies and own parents for brunch, late twenty-somethings meet for Sunday afternoon cocktails and to work on their dating profiles; digital nomads meet contacts throughout the day for flat whites. There will always be someone wearing a hat. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Williamsburg has been a haven for hipsters for two decades now, and has become the epitome of modern-day gentrification. Former warehouses and factories along Wythe Avenue are now home to Viceland offices, a museum dedicated to pizza, music venue Output and three relatively new cool hotels: the Wythe, the Williamsburg, and the William Vale. The Hoxton has chosen exactly the right spot to join the party, adding an upscale lounge culture to the table. Anything you'd change? More movies to choose from in the room, for when you really want to zone out from the cool kids downstairs. Also, for the service to have been a little quicker. Sometimes the vibe can get slightly too laid-back. And anything we missed? There's an additional apartment space available for parties. And, although closed during winter, the roof terrace adds a certain something special to Williamsburg's list of attractions. Is it worth it and why? The Hoxton, Williamsburg feels very London not only has the label transported very smoothly across the Atlantic, it's also full of Brits, as well as many creative locals. Stay here to feel like you're among the coolest New York tribe, with reasonable prices and phenomenal views. The Inn at Kenmore Hall, Richmond, Massachusetts Set the scene. A five-room Georgian manor house replete with personal touches, from piles of art books on tables to aged Persian rugs, modern art, and even a couple of mandolins propped up in the back parlor. While the Berkshires' best art galleries, cultural institutions, restaurants, and hiking trails are only a short drive away, you might be tempted to hole up in the room or fix yourself a drink from the free bar, flipping through vintage fashion magazines, playing chess, or keeping Dutch (the owners' dog) company. What's the history behind it? Opened in August 2018, this five-room inn (with adjacent carriage house) is the passion project of Frank Mutyjens, former head of menswear at J. Crew, and his partner, the artist and restaurateur Edward Scott Cole. It's an informal iteration of the traditional B&B, set on 20 acres of meadow and woodland in the Berkshires town of Richmond. Cole and Muytjens' 10-year plan to open B&B was fast-forwarded eight years when they fell in love with this grand but overgrown Georgian-Federalist residence, built in 1792 for Henry Sherrill, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The house went through various incarnations, including a parsonage and summer art school, and played host to a lot of artists, musicians, and performers. What can we expect from our room? Room 3 is the pick of the bunch, with two fireplaces one in the bedroom and the second in the navy-blue bathroom, which also has a freestanding soaking tub and a heated floor. With its velvet chaise, vintage Eames lounge chair and four-poster king bed, it's a room you could spend all day in. But every room is different (and hand-painted in masculine Benjamin Moore shades by Frank and Edward themselves), with lush Matteo linens, wool blankets from Faribault Mills, coffee-table books, and a solid selection of Aesop bath potions. How about the food and drink? There's no restaurant here, but the couple makes a mean breakfast, served in one of the pretty parlor rooms. We refueled with hot black coffee and local apple-cider doughnuts while perusing the morning papers, and then ordered poached eggs with smoked salmon and sourdough from a cooked-to-order menu that also includes granola and frittata. An enthusiastic baker, Cole is even known to turn out homemade pastries from time to time. The couple kindly provide a complimentary bar in the front parlor and a bowl of pistachios to snack on. Anything to say about the service? It's a special thing being looked after personally by the innkeepers and such warm, stylish, and interesting ones at that. The vibe here is super-intimate and feels like a well-kept secret, straight from the pages of an interiors magazine. Ask the couple for tips on where to eat and shop nearby, and they'll kindly oblige (and even disclose those gorgeous paint colors). You're left to your own devices here, which is highly relaxing, but if you're after butler-style service, look elsewhere. Who comes here? Creative urban professionals in need of country air and a world-class arts scene. The breakfast table may be shared with a cannabis entrepreneur or art director who has an appreciation for mid-century modern furniture and a casual hiking habit. It's the perfect pied-à-terre for those who love luxury but despise pomp and circumstance. What about the neighborhood? Kenmore Hall is tucked away from the action, with views of green hills and mountain peaks. You'll barely hear a pin drop. There's not much to do in the quiet pastoral village of Richmond, which consists of centuries-old farms, colonial houses, and not much else. But drive a short distance in any direction and you'll hit the buzzier towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Chatham. Anything you'd change? A few ice cubes and some soda at the fix-it-yourself bar would have been nice, but aside from that, no. Anything we missed? This stretch of the Berkshires is having its moment as a hub for world-class art institutions ( MASS MoCA , the Clark), foodie destinations (the Prairie Whale), and performing arts (Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, and Shakespeare & Company). Skiing and hiking are also draws. Just across the lawn, the inn's Carriage House Cottage is an even more private retreat, sleeping four people, with its own bar and reading nook. Worth it and why? It's rare to find such an intimate accommodation with inspirational interiors that provides a smart experience while being delightfully unstuffy. Blackberry Mountain, Walland, Tennessee Set the scene. Log cabins. Endless Smoky Mountain scenery. Extraordinary wine and food. The drive in from Knoxville's small airport goes past Baptist churches, collapsed barns, and ramshackle houses with trampolines and chicken coops and rusted pickups in front yards. Blackberry Mountain feels like an extremely well-managed summer camp for grown-ups. What's the story behind it? Blackberry Mountain is the long-awaited sequel to Blackberry Farm, one of the country's most acclaimed hotels and a pin-up for the New South. Both are owned and run by the Beall family, and fully independent. Blackberry Farm has been around for decades, and really began hitting its stride in the 2000s, as then-proprietor Sam Beall (son of the original owners, Sandy and Kris) expanded and refined the structures and seriously upgraded its food and wine lists. More than half of the 5,200 acres were given over to conservation, and it took many years before the family resolved what to do with the rest. Over time, the idea of a second hotel was born a sort of adventure-movie alternative to Blackberry Farm's Southern romance. The Mountain finally opened in February 2019. What can we expect from our room? Cottage layouts are all roughly the same, although four have a second bedroom and an outdoor spa. The best cottages are the ones lower down, which have complete privacy as no one can look in from below. Our one-bedroom cottage, Bittersweet, was set beside a babbling brook that you'd pay money for a recording of at home; the flagstone terrace had an outdoor fireplace and uninterrupted views over the treetops to the Smokies beyond. Steamers and curling irons stocked under the bathroom sink are a nice touch this is the South, after all; nobody's going to dinner without good hair and smooth linens. Up at the ridge top the six Watchman Cabins are smaller, with Egyptian cotton bedding, handwoven rugs and Bose smart speakers. Fashioned out of reclaimed timber from a 19th-century barn, the cabins have no TVs, just floor-to-ceiling windows facing north across the valley. How about the food and drink? Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rates, lunch billed separately, and you'll likely be eating on-property for the entire stay. Casual Whippoorwill Lounge does buffet breakfasts and simple lunches, while dinner spot Three Sisters is elegant. Up at the ridge top there's a third restaurant called the Firetower (inside a restored forest lookout tower) that's open from breakfast 'til sunset. The latter has fantastic 360-degree views from its glass-walled perch on the summit. In comparison to Blackberry Farm's hearty, Southern-style menus (buttery grits, fried chicken, pork belly, house-made cheeses, and charcuterie), the food at the Mountain is designed to get you energized and ready for action with a focus on nourishing, protein- and veg-forward dishes that nonetheless pack bold flavors. Venison, for example, is here for its creotene, which keeps muscles hydrated. There's also an exceptional braised rabbit, a superb game-and-fennel sausage, and, in season, at least seven varieties of wild mushrooms foraged from the mountain. At Firetower, guests feast on Vietnamese-style summer rolls with Gulf shrimp and braised kale and sweet-potato pizza with mozzarella. Anything to say about the service? The staff is simply some of the best and brightest in their field, whether their field is fitness instruction, nutritional consulting, fly-fishing, or nature guiding. From the sommeliers to the rock-climbing instructors, there's an ease and confidence among employees that you don't often find at a newly opened hotel. That also comes down to Blackberry's affable take on Southern-style etiquette polite but authentic and real; formal when called for yet folksy and easygoing when appropriate. You'll be on a first name basis with Hope (the yoga instructor), Polly Ann (master ceramicist), Chris (the resident sound healer) and Boyd (naturalist and trail guide) before the end of your first Mint Julep. What type of person stays here? The Active Aesthetes. The clientele are largely urban (many from New York, but also from Atlanta and Dallas and Nashville and Miami), overwhelmingly wealthy (you have to be to afford the three-night minimum here), deeply curious about and motivated by good food and wine and spirits, but also passionate about fitness, wellness, and the idea of a well-rounded life. The Mountain is, so far, a more casual scene than the Farm, which has always been more of a dressed-up, special-occasion place. The crowd here is more Lululemon and DayGlo lycra than seersucker suits and pastel dresses. But they're often the same people, or at least from the same social milieu. What's the neighborhood scene like? The surrounding area (aside from Blackberry Farm, the sister property seven miles west) is very rural and rustic, and there's not much in the way of restaurants, shops, or other man-made attractions to lure you off-site besides the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and perhaps one of the roadside antiques shops you pass on the way in from Knoxville. Is there anything you'd change? A more substantial, deeply informative guide to the property, with detailed maps and more information on the flora, fauna, the hotel itself, and the activities. The short field guide that each guest is issued is whimsical enough for a fun read but not quite enough to go on. Anything we missed? To come to Blackberry Mountain and just chill in your room or lounge by the pool or at the bar would feel… well, you'd feel fine , let's face it. But there are other places where you can do that. Here you'll want to sign up for every activity on offer, not least because the expert guides and instructors are some of the very best in the field. If Blackberry Farm is about sitting on a rocking chair on the porch, lazily taking in the view (as a horse-drawn carriage passes by), the Mountain is about getting out there and into the wilderness, pushing your limits, trying new adventures, and learning new skills, whether it's pottery or paddleboard yoga. Is it worth it and why? Absolutely, especially if you're looking to experience as much as possible. If a hotel is where you aspire to and pretend to be some idealized version of yourself, Blackberry Mountain is where you might actually encounter it. That part of you which wakes up a little earlier, to catch the first break of daylight over the Smokies; which pushes a little harder to climb that rock wall, puts down the phone and instead considers the simple wonder of a 200-year-old oak tree. This is where you find the part of you that still climbs trees and careens down hills at wild speeds on a mountain bike, shouting 'Wheeeee.' Kimpton La Peer Hotel, Los Angeles, California Set the scene. Kimpton's latest opening is set in West Hollywood's Design District and it fits right in. L.A.-based Icelandic designer Gulla Jónsdóttir was enlisted to create the stylish interiors, and the result is a mix of natural materials (concrete, leather walls, white oak flooring) and custom furnishings, such as six-foot light sconces in the lobby. She also collaborated with artists, poets and photographers, personally selecting each work on display. Outside, olive trees and a vertical garden make the pool feel secluded and intimate. What's the story? The latest opening from the California-based Kimpton outfit continues the boutique group's clever appropriation of original, keen-minded architects and designers, who are set to work in some striking locations Savannah, South Beach, Amsterdam . It never feels as if you're being hosted by a large hotel group. What can we expect in our room? Standard rooms are somewhat small but still manage to feel bright and airy, in shades of grey and white with bronze and wood touches. There's also a complimentary mini bar and an in-room bottle service for made-to-order craft cocktails. The fourth-floor penthouse is used to showcase pieces from Jónsdóttir's own furniture collection. How about the food and drink? There's the indoor/outdoor seafood-focused Italian spot, Viale dei Romani; a Gaudíesque tiled courtyard bar next to the pool; and a lobby bar, all run by chef Casey Lane, one of L.A.'s hottest talents, who opened The Tasting Kitchen in 2009 and Basque-inspired Breva, as well as several other hotel restaurants. Who comes here? Design-forward guests in creative fields, all feeling right at home. How does it fit into the neighborhood? This is right where you want to be in L.A.'s boho Design District, within walking distance of art galleries, cool coffee shops, and some top-notch restaurants you could start at the homeware shops on Melrose Avenue, keep an eye out for graffiti murals, then drop into Craig's for a vegan chicken parmigiana and a Skinny Amiga cocktail (tequila, lime, agave and pomegranate). Anything else we should know about? Open-air yoga classes are hosted on the rooftop; in-room JadeYoga mats make it easy to work out in private. Resident trainer Marco Reed runs fitness classes, personal training, plus diet and meal planning. There's no in-house spa, but the hotel has a partnership with the Ole Henriksen spa at the nearby Sunset Plaza. Guests can book in-room services. Is it worth it and why? Worth it for the feeling of a high-design hotel with all the Kimpton bells and whistles. Shinola Hotel, Detroit, Michigan Set the scene. The first hotel from Detroit-based Shinola gives a great initial impression with a fibre installation that looks like wallpaper in the lobby. Woven panels by local artist Margo Wolowiec feature pictorial snippets, dyed into the weft, from Detroit's storied past and present: the Kern's clock, graffiti, Martin Luther King's raised hand during his freedom march in 1963. What's the story? This flawless Shinola extension (Shinola, in case the name seems familiar, was originally a boot-polish brand but has now been reinvented as a watch and leather-goods label) marries together two historic buildings on Woodward Avenue: a brick-fronted former department store and the old Singer sewing-machine factory. Designed by New York's Gachot Studios, interiors strike a balance between elegant and playful with jewel-toned velvet sofas, marble surfaces, and art, curated by Detroit's Library Street Collective, adorning almost every square inch of wall. The design is impeccable, from the hand-painted gold-leaf ceiling in the Evening Bar to the tiles on the ballroom ceiling made from moulds of the original terracotta ones on the building's façade. What can we expect in our room? A palatial space with mid-century modern furniture, loft-style windows, and quietly impressive details custom-made wallpaper lined wardrobes, Frette linens on the bed, faucet handles that match Shinola watch backs that let the architecture shine. Runwell desk clocks, striped alpaca throws, and turntables are all made by Shinola (of course) and can be bought from the shop downstairs. When the shades go down and the blackout drapes close, all city noise is completely shut out. How about the food and drink? Heavyweight chef Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde and The Dutch fame, both in New York) heads up the southern-Italy inspired restaurant San Morello. The space is a playful riot of mismatched patterned wall tiles and white linen covering the bottom half of the windows that's reminiscent of a traditional trattoria. The menu is simple but interesting enough to lure local foodies: wood fired pizzas, homemade pasta and an antipasti feast featuring butter bean dip topped with wild mushrooms, creamy burrata on a bed of broccoli pesto, roasted beets with candied walnuts, and a charred cabbage salad. Anything to say about the service? Seamless, friendly, and meticulous without being overbearing. Upbeat staff, wearing perfectly co-ordinating outfits, anticipate needs in a synchronized Wes Anderson-like way. Who comes here? Old-timers and younger cool kids. A complete mix of locals and international guests, much like the vibe of the city itself. What's the neighborhood scene like? Shinola is in the historic downtown district of Woodward, a block away from Campus Martius Park. Rather than fitting in to a scene, it's creating its own. The casual Living Room is designed as a local hang-out for day and night; the sultry Evening Bar is the spot for cocktails. Anything else we should know? There is not one but 15 help-yourself libraries, brimming with architecture, design, and Detroit-related books. And 22 working fireplaces, all added during the renovation. Nab a seat in front of the one in the Living Room it's the best spot in the house. Other special touches include electronic key fobs attached to old-school Shinola-made leather key rings, rental bikes, and discovering chilled Vernors ginger ale in the mini-bar. Is it worth it and why? This is an impressive, thoughtful renovation (and reasonably priced) at a time when the city the original Motor City, birthplace of the Motown sound is making a real comeback as a travel destination. Eaton DC, Washington, D.C. Set the scene. Billed as an activist hotel when it opened in 2018, it combines the Eaton Workshop a hub for innovators, artists and grassroots social projects with a new-age approach to wellness and destination restaurants. Sliding doors separate the black brick exterior from the naturally-lit lobby, reportedly modeled on Swiss bus terminals from the 1960s. The influence shows in the earthy tones, swirling floor patterns and low-slung leather and velour furniture. There's a working radio station on one side which broadcasts discussions on relevant social issues, and the check-in desk is decorated with crystals. What's the story? The brainchild of Katherine Lo, the daughter of Lo Ka Shui, a billionaire businessman behind Langham Hotels. A sister property in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong shares the same social-change focus, and there are more projects in the pipeline. What can we expect in our room? Plenty of homely touches from colorful patterned rugs and cozy blankets to the record player with a curated selection of vinyl, family photos, and a hand-picked, mini library of books. There's also dark wood Scandi-inspired furniture; tastefully mismatched tiles and Grown Alchemist products in the bathroom. And everything in the mini bar is organic and healthy (no Kit Kats here): trail mix, apple chips, coconut clusters, kombucha, and yerba mate shots. The Study varieties are marginally smaller than The Cabin but identical in terms of design. How about the food and drink? American Son, the flagship restaurant from Tim Ma (also the chef-owner of Washington staple Kyirisan), serves American classics riffed on through the lens of an immigrant, such as a meat-free Big Mac. On the rooftop, botanical-heavy Wild Days has strong cocktails and small plates of pan-Asian tacos. Start the day with Red Rooster coffee and vegan pastries at Kintsugi, all floor-to-ceiling glass windows, hanging plants and worn rugs; end it at dimly-lit Allegory, the 'secret' bar, accessed through the lobby. Anything to say about the service? Smooth, from start to finish. The doormen are especially helpful, whisking away bags on arrival and flagging down taxis day and night. Who comes here? Creatives, social entrepreneurs, wannabe movers and shakers from all walks of life. Plus European visitors attracted by the affiliation with Langham Hotels. What's the neighborhood scene like? Located downtown, it's a five-minute stroll from the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Franklin Square Park. And only 15 minutes from one of D.C.'s main attractions: The White House. Anything else we should know? The wellness center offers a raft of alternative treatments inspired by new-age practices and classes (reiki, yoga, meditation). A cinema screens documentaries relating to social change, plus there's a library (with books on subjects such as gender, race, and women's rights), co-working space and Hometown, an original take on the lobby gift shop which sells magazines, books, and clothes. And anything you'd change? It's a small detail but the bathroom doors are quite heavy and can't be propped open, so they always have to be closed. Is it worth it and why? At its price point, Eaton is only marginally more expensive than a staid chain hotel and it offers so much more. More than somewhere to sleep, this is a window to a mini world of social justice and change, with opportunities for feel-good, self-improvement at every turn. Hotel Peter & Paul, New Orleans, Louisiana Set the scene. It's hard not to have a childhood flashback as you tug open Hotel Peter & Paul's heavy mint-green doors, painted with the words 'School House' especially if you were a Catholic school kid. Checking to see if your shoes are scuffed, you enter the foyer, which smells not of scolding and school lunches but of gardenias. What's the story behind it? In New Orleans's boho Marigny neighborhood, a former 19th-century Catholic church, school house, convent, and rectory have been reborn in the hands of wunder-design team Ash NYC. As with other Ash NYC hotels The Dean in Providence, in the shell of a 1912 clergy house; The Siren, filling a Renaissance Revival building in downtown Detroit the hotel doubles as a destination, with theatrical communal spaces that beg you to sit with a chicory coffee or a Sazerac and write something. Anything. What can we expect from the guestrooms? The apostolic chic extends to the rooms, where drapes and gingham chairs add coziness to the froideur (and stay the knowing side of kitsch). The design team went on several scouting trips to Europe and came back with more than 700 antiques to fill the 71 rooms; mostly in the old school house, but the grandest of them in the rectory, with antique fireplaces and four-poster beds. We stayed in a school house loft room, where a spiral staircase leads to a mezzanine bed with suitably crisp sheets. The sitting room downstairs features a stately hand-carved wooden desk, a rotary phone, and a series of monastic oil paintings. How about the food and drink? The Elysian Bar, on the ground floor of the former rectory, is a series of four warm, fantastical spaces run by the team behind pioneering New Orleans wine bar Bacchanal . Wine, coffee, and classic cocktails are predictably on point; the small-plate comfort food from local chef Alex Harrell includes smoked gulf fish toast and red corn grits with poached egg. Anything to say about the service? The mostly local staff are uniformly friendly and excellent. And bonus points for the Hotel Peter and Paul map of the neighborhood, handily marked with the staff's favorite local bars, restaurants, and shops. What's the neighborhood scene like? The Marigny is a gentrified old Creole neighborhood, with its bright pastel cottages increasingly home to new NOLA creative types. The area is packed with great bars and coffee shops, and the legendary jazz clubs of Frenchman Street are just a few blocks away. Anything we missed? Every corner of these old buildings has been thought about. The church, for example, has been turned into an events and community space, hosting everything from Vinyasa Flow yoga to flower-sharing and Contact Improv jams. Is it worth it why? It's beautifully done; theatrical escapism, but with due reverence for the history of the old buildings. Still, staying here does feel a bit naughty at times in a good way. NoMad Los Angeles, California Set the scene. Vintage Hollywood glamor with a hint of current West Coast cool. The building was built in the 1920s as the HQ for the Bank of Italy and many original neoclassical details remain, such as the soaring lobby with its blue and gold Italianate ceiling and the fluted Corinthian column façade. The atmosphere inside plays along with the period in the lobby, lights are dim and designer Jacques Garcia dialed up the moody opulence with lots of jewel-toned velvet and rich leather. Just off the lobby, there's the Giannini Bar (named for Amadeo Giannini, founder of The Bank of Italy), a Deco number mixing strong, classic cocktails the sort of place you can picture Bogart and Bacall unwinding after the day's filming. What's the story behind it? It's part of the Sydell Group, founded by Andrew Zobler, with various strands. The two other NoMad properties are in New York and, opened in 2018, in Las Vegas. Like the New York and Vegas NoMads, this one is also designed by French architect and designer Jacques Garcia. Sydell is also behind the very cool Line group, with hotels in DC , Los Angeles , and Austin , and the hipster Freehand properties (Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago), as well as part-owner, along with Nick Jones of Soho House, of The Ned in London . What can we expect from the rooms? Bedrooms are a sort of sunny modern-day California answer or a calm counterpoint to the more cinematic communal areas. In the classic queen rooms, an almost jet-black vestibule leads into a compact but light-filled space with oak floors and pale mint-green walls that are arranged with clusters of contemporary art and photography. The tech is enough and considered good wifi and USB outlets on either side of the bed but not overwhelmingly complex. How about the food and drink? The lobby-level restaurant is overseen by chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara, the team behind the original NoMad restaurant as well as the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in NYC . Plates with lots of fresh herbs and bright citrus notes star on the menus (lemon-Parmesan chicken, black-truffle tart), with now obligatory avocado toast and chia seed pudding make appearances on the breakfast one. Cocktails mix up Aperol and vermouths. The food is solid and the bar is great, but DTLA and nearby Little Tokyo and the Arts District are such great eating-and-drinking neighborhoods don't eat every meal in. Anything to say about the service? The staff was incredibly well-trained (and very good looking) and the service flawless on the right side of attentive without being claustrophobic. Who comes here? A smart after-work crowd hitting the ground-floor bar on the Friday night. On Saturday, things feel stepped up, with the crowd dressed and either stopping off for pre-dinner drinks or locked down for a proper, old-school night of drinking in a fabulous hotel. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Downtown has been changing at a rapid clip over the past five years, but it's still a far cry from feeling scrubbed and there is a major homeless presence here, as in Venice. But it is one of the most vibrant parts of the city in terms of food and art Grand Central Market and The Broad are both a half-mile walk from the hotel while the Arts District, with its bars and restaurants, shops and galleries, is an easy five-minute ride. Anything we missed? There's a small but well-equipped gym in the basement for guests only and a lovely rooftop pool area designed by Jacques Garcia with fantastic views of the city with a bar made for late-afternoon spritzes and snacks. The concept store Please Do Not Enter has a boutique on the ground floor for a tight curation of home items, fragrances, and clothing. Worth it and why? Absolutely. Los Angeles can be an over-priced city for hotels and this is real value for money. Sands Hotel & Spa, Indian Wells, California Set the scene. Pretty in dusty rose stucco and surrounded by royal palms, olive trees, and agaves. While it would have been easy for this former Fifties motel to default to mid-century nostalgia, its owners looked to another desert, the Sahara, for inspiration, and the kasbahs of Marrakech going all out with bright ceramic tiles and patterned textiles. But the swinging pool scene, cheery, suntanned staff, and locavore menu keep you unmistakably grounded in contemporary Cali. What's the story? A Los Angeles-based boutique hotel group, PRG Hospitality Group, which owns a collection of lifestyle-driven properties throughout California, including Sparrow Lodge and Holiday House in nearby Palm Springs, is behind Sands. The hotel opened in the late 1950s in the heart of Indian Wells and has been renovated with substantial interior and exterior renovations, and a complete redesign throughout by interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard known for his adventurous use of color and pattern as well as for his on-camera turns on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators . What can we expect from our room? The gilded palm-tree door knocker outside every room is a lovely, tone-setting touch. The Deluxe King, with its custom sofa lined with Moroccan textiles (and sprawling bed covered in more Moroccan textiles), full bar, and all-tile black-and-white bathroom with bursts of yellow, is the largest and, yes, the most luxurious. Some of the second-floor rooms have balconies, which are nice when they overlook the San Jacinto mountains and not the parking lot, but the ground-floor rooms with private terraces that open onto the swimming pool area are the way to go. How about the food and drink? The switched-on staff at the Pink Cabana restaurant is eager to tell you how chef Jason Niederkorn (protégé of Jeremiah Tower, who, along with Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck, pioneered California cooking) sources his poultry from the family-run Mary's Free Range Chicken and that his wild king salmon is rod-and-reel caught by Native Americans on the Columbia River. In whole, though, the menu and the experience isn't too precious or provenance name-droppy and the shrimp cocktail is a nice nod to the deliberate throwback country-club ambience as is the apple-blackberry popover. Breakfast is outstanding, especially the amlou toast, a thick almond honey butter served with cranberry jam and the Turmeric and Honey Granola with homemade yogurt, crunchy and just tangy enough. Anything to say about the service? Seamless, with a special nod to everyone in Pink Cabana who really knew the menu and what to recommend. Check out took less than five minutes and included sweet Moroccan tea served in glass cups. Even the car valets were considerate and extra helpful, giving directions and making route recommendations. Who comes here? Guests channel their inner Talitha Getty or Yves Saint Laurent or both at this modern embodiment of sleek desert bohemianism. These neo avant-gardes are fitter than their spiritual ancestors, eating their shrimp cocktails sans sauce and making sure the grapefruit on their ahi tuna crudo is organic, but no less stylish. Plenty of James Perse T-shirts by day and lightweight cashmere and Moncler for those cool desert evenings around the fire pits. How does it fit into the neighborhood? Indian Wells is a little more staid and more elegantly laid out than the rest of the Coachella Valley towns. It's a 20-minute drive to the vintage shopping and mid-century-modern institutions of Palm Springs, depending on traffic on Highway 111, which can get dense. As comfortable as the hotel is, it's worth heading next door to the The Nest, a still-swinging Rat Pack-era haunt, to dance until the small hours. Is there anything you'd change? La Vittoria coffee is available by the pool starting around sunrise, but given this is California (and the desert where days need to start early to beat the heat), it would be a good idea to offer breakfast earlier than 8 a.m. And anything we missed? Rooms have especially good local-leaning drinks cabinets stocked with Ballast Point Brewing Co's California Kolsch pale ale and Our/Los Angeles vodka. The fig, date, and harissa chutney served with the Pink Cabana's cheese plate is delicious. Is it worth it and why? Definitely. It makes for an easy weekend getaway from L.A. or a great place to come and thaw out during a Midwest or East Coast winter. While close enough to the vintage addresses of Palm Springs if so moved, it's lovely to just stay put and lounge by the swimming pool and eat at Pink Cabana, which has some of the best food in the area.