Cliveden, Berkshire
Razed to the ground and rebuilt twice since 1666, Cliveden has enjoyed a long and infamous history. Owned at times by dukes, an earl, a Prince of Wales and the Astor family, it was the glamorous backdrop to the Profumo Affair in the 1960s. On a 376-acre estate with stunning views of the countryside and the River Thames, the hotel has 39 richly decorated rooms named after important guests or visitors. Spring Cottage, on the riverbank, sleeps six and has a personal butler.staff are allocated to each room.
The Ritz London Founded in 1906, this London landmark is lavishly decorated, with the emphasis firmly placed on opulence. There are 137 Louis XVI-style rooms and suites, decorated in peach, pink, blue or yellow and furnished with heavy silk curtains, elaborate light fittings and elegant antiques. There is a 'no jeans' rule and gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie in the restaurant and Palm Court. Facilities include a small spa and gym.
The Balmoral
The Balmoral is the grande dame of the Scottish capital, in a central location on Princes Street overlooking the train station. The Michelin-starred Number One restaurant and less formal Hadrian's are both popular; the Palm Court is open for afternoon tea and Champagne. There is a spa and 15-metre swimming pool. The 168 rooms and 20 suites are quietly elegant, decorated by Olga Polizzi using muted colours inspired by the Scottish landscape. X-factor The staff are unfailingly helpful and thoroughly charming.
A grand palace hotel built in 1928 close to the Champs-Elysées, the George V has gone from strength to strength under Four Seasons management. There are 245 rooms and suites, many with private terraces. Public areas are impressive with high ceilings, serious antiques, tapestries, and lavish floral displays by designer Jeff Leatham. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cinq continues to win plaudits for its classic French cuisine; La Galerie and Le Bar are popular for cocktails. There's a small pool and spa in the basement.X-factor The impressively efficient concierge team can arrange anything you want, and have been known to find and return lost items weeks after a guest has left.
Hotel Cipriani
The legendary Hotel Cipriani, managed by Orient-Express, is reaching the end of a massive, three-year refurbishment to renovate its rooms, spa and public areas. There are now 82 bedrooms and suites in the main building and 16 in the adjacent, 15th-century Palazzo Vendramin. Restaurants include the elegant Fortuny and less formal Cip's Club, which has a terrace with views across the lagoon to St Mark's Square.
X-factor The service is excellent and assured, from check-in to checkout. The waiters in Fortuny are particularly charming.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Close to both the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, this historic hotel is in a prime location. In business for just over 100 years, it burned down in 1945, was rebuilt in 1997 and renovated in 2007. Some of the 304 rooms and 78 suites have views of the Academy of Arts. Dining options include the Michelin-starred Gourmet Restaurant Lorenz Adlon and Japanese cuisine at Uma. There's also a spa, pool and nightclub.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
This Mediterranean-style resort on Jumeirah Beach is one of the smaller five-star properties in Dubai. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, it has 138 rooms, with either pool, garden or sea views. Dining options include the Bedouin-inspired Amaseena for Arabic dishes, signature restaurant Splendido for Italian and La Baie for classic French cuisine. Facilities include a Balinese-style spa and a kids' club.
X-factor With dedicated butlers and concierge, the Club Level's 38 rooms on the fifth and six floors offer unbeatable service.
The Oberoi Mauritius
Set in 20 acres of sub-tropical gardens on the north-west coast of Mauritius, The Oberoi has 71 villas and pavilions, all with four-poster beds and marble bathrooms. Each villa has a private garden; some have private pools. The restaurant serves a range of cuisines including European, Asian and Creole; the Lagoon Pool Restaurant is open for light lunches. There's a spa, tennis courts, a pool and a gym.
X-factor Oberoi Hotels and Resorts is well-known for its excellent staff and the Oberoi Mauritius is no exception: the service here is easygoing, helpful and charming.
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai
The venerable Taj Mahal Palace & Tower reopened its doors in December 2008, just a month after it was attacked by terrorists; the ongoing refurbishment will be completed this spring. There are 565 rooms including 46 suites, a spa, pool and a choice of restaurants including Shamiana for Indian cuisine and Souk for Middle Eastern dishes.
X-factor General Manager Karambir Kang and his enthusiastic team are admired throughout India; staff excelled themselves in helping and protecting guests during the terror siege.
The Peninsula Bangkok
On the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya River, the 37-storey Peninsula has 370 rooms and suites, some with balconies, all with river views. The decor is contemporary Asian, and five restaurants offer a range of cuisines, from Pacific Rim to Thai; the ESPA spa has Thai, European and Ayurvedic treatments.
X-factor The hotel promotes Thai culture with activities such as flower arranging at a local market, riverboat tours of the Chao Phraya and cookery demonstrations.
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