1 KHWAI RIVER LODGE, BOTSWANA Orient-Express’ 15-tent safari camp, overlooking the Khwai River flood plains, is ideal for viewing buffalo, cheetah, elephant, leopard and lion.

2 FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAUI AT WAILEA Watch the sunset while listening to the breaking surf on the lava rocks of Wailea Beach. The best perspective is from the 5,900-square-foot Maile Suite on the top (seventh) floor of the north wing.

3 GRAND HYATT TOKYO The hotel’s designers have provided countless fascinating surfaces to touch – from hoop pine in the Shinto temple and granite double Jacuzzis in the spa to the Jun Kaneko sculptures in the lobby.

4 LA MAMOUNIA, MARRAKESH Eight hectares of gardens are home to 128 navel orange and clementine trees. During the flowering season of February and March, breathe in the scent of the blossoms wafting up to your room.

5 SONEVA FUSHI RESORT, MALDIVES This tropical getaway, encompassing the entire 100-acre Kunfunadhoo Island, has its own organic vegetable garden. Enjoy the fresh tastes of chef Stephen Antram’s lunch.

PARIS Four Seasons George V Paris is home to the Michelin three-starred Le Cinq restaurant, headed by executive chef Philippe Legendre. (Table four is the most discreet.) At the property, stunningly decorated by Pierre-Yves Rochon with much-copied flower art by Jeff Leatham, duplex suite 815 provides the best view of the Eiffel Tower. GM is Didier Le Calvez.

BAGSHOT, U.K. Pennyhill Park’s amazing three-floor spa – which many say is the best in Europe – has five swimming pools. The business resort, 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport, has a golf course and rugby pitch (which is home to the world champions, the English team). Daisy 624 is a handy room for most facilities. GM is David Broadhead.

ATHENS The Hilton Athens was the official International Olympics Committee hotel last August, and the five-ringed Olympics logo hung everywhere. The Lycabettur Suite, number 1024, has sound by Bang & Olufsen, Philippe Starck lights, a Trussardi rug and a four-person Jacuzzi with a view of the Parthenon. GM is Gianni Riatsch.

BOSTON Hotel Commonwealth has five floors, with the best views from up high – namely of Commonwealth Avenue in the front and, to the rear, Fenway Park, home of World Series champions the Boston Red Sox. Rooms are decorated with vintage baseball photography, and players can often be seen relaxing in the adjacent high-energy Great Bay restaurant. MD is Tim Kirwan.

VANCOUVER The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, part of the main terminal, is now five years old – and you can even check yourself in for your flight in the hotel’s main lobby. Favourite rooms are facing the runway on the 14th floor, so handy to the Gold lounge. GM is Judy Adams.

Contact the editor-in-chief of Gostelow Reports, WOW: The Intimate Newsletter for Elite Travelers and www.WOWtraveler.net at MGostelow@enroutemag.net.