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Luxury Getaways
Hotels Lausanne Palace & Spa Location The Palace, built in 1915, is about a 20-minute run down to Lac Léman and near the central business district and rail station. Thing to do Buy a Swiss Travel System pass for unlimited travel on trains around the country, and see picturesque vineyards on breathtakingly steep terraces. The pass also works on town buses and on lake steamers. Insider tip Reserve in advance for a session with Erik, the spa’s sports physiotherapist: You’ll be walking on air. Room to book The corner suites facing south to the lake and west into the treetops are divine. Rooms 154. GM Jean-Jacques Gauer. 41-21-331-3131, lausanne-palace.ch
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore Location Set among 15 acres of lush gardens, this luxury business and leisure hotel is off busy Orchard Road. Cuisine The Line, designed by Adam Tihany, has superb 16-station international buffets. For the best nighttime views of Singapore, dine in the 24th-floor elegantly casual Blu. Insider tip Relax by the enormous curvilinear pool and treat yourself to a foot massage. Room to book Any pool-facing Horizon Club room in the Tower Wing comes with lots of space, soft colours and access to the friendly 24th-floor Club Lounge. Rooms 750 rooms and suites in three blocks: the Garden Wing, the Tower Wing (best for business guests) and the Valley Wing (where presidents and CEOs stay). GM Thierry Douin. 65-6737-3644, shangri-la.com
Hotel Valley Ho Location Lovingly restored, this 1950s hotel is within a 10-minute walk of downtown Scottsdale and a new shopping centre with Nordstrom and other A-list stores. Highlight See the gallery of old photographs of famous guests from the ’50s – from Bing Crosby and Zsa Zsa Gabor to Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood (who held their wedding reception here). Insider tip Relax after business meetings or shopping with a Mary Coyle Ol’Fashion Ice Cream cone in one of the nine cabanas by the pool. Room to book End suite 1220 has a 430-square-foot terrace, original concrete or painted-brick walls, retro furniture, Red Flower toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms 194 rooms and suites, plus 35 apartments for rent. GM Andrew Chippindall. 480-248-2000, hotelvalleyho.com
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Mary Gostelow is the editor-in-chief of Wow Travel, the online magazine of