The Ritz-Carlton, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt This is an ideal base for divers to explore the straits of Gubal and Tiran and the wrecks of the Thistlegorm and Dunraven.

Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro Only one bay away is Ipanema Beach, a year-round centre for wakeboarding, wakesurfing and windsurfing.

La Bastide de Moustiers, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France This country inn is only 10 kilometres from the Gorges du Verdon, where the best canoeing or kayaking is said to be found on the stretch through Moyen Verdon, from Castellane to Aiguines.

Bed on the Arkansas, Johnson Village, Colorado Stay four kilometres from challenging whitewater rafting down Brown’s Canyon, culminating in the infamous Seidel’s Suckhole.

Nimmo Bay Resort, Mackenzie Sound, B.C. Use this as your base for heli-fishing: daylong quests for trout and wild Pacific salmon along the central coast of British Columbia or the Klinaklini River.

Maui, Hawaii
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, with 377 rooms, is right on the ocean. Enjoy the public jogging footpath that follows the water’s edge. Pool cabanas are complimentary, and there is a popular 16-room spa, which specializes in craniosacral tension release. Also memorable are the indoor-outdoor gym and dinner under the stars at Ferraro’s Italian restaurant. GM is Thomas Steinhauer.
www.fourseasons.com

Palliser Bay Cap Palliser, New Zealand
An 1840s sheep station has evolved into the 12-villa Wharekauhau, one of the country’s most popular lodges. There are still thousands of Romney Marsh sheep on the 5,000-acre site. Villas look out on farmland and ocean as well as wetlands with superb wildlife. Enjoy the indoor pool, a black lava mud wrap in the spa and dinners by chef Hemi Tahu. GM is Liz Dawson.
www.wharekauhau.com

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Mandarin Oriental has the unique advantage of being adjacent to KLCC Park, with a 1.5-kilometre running track and beautiful gardens. The hotel also has a most stylish club lounge on the 24th floor, so ask for a club room overlooking the park (any one in the 06 series is ideal). There is a Thalgo spa and a fitness centre with excellent complimentary yoga sessions. GM is Jonas Schuermann.
www.hilton.com

London, United Kingdom
At the 263-room Savoy, now a Fairmont Hotel, immerse yourself in history dating back to 1245, when the Earl of Savoy and Richmond first built a palace here. Choose a room that faces the Thames, just a few metres away, and look across to the famous London Eye Ferris wheel. After trying the indoor pool and spa, enjoy a martini in the American Bar. GM is Mark Huntley.
www.fairmont.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Dylan, formerly known as Blakes, is on the site of a 17th-century wooden theatre, which burned down during the performance of an operetta. The Stein Group hotel has 41 rooms; a favourite is number 22, in white and taupe, with a view of Keizersgracht canal. The outside courtyard is popular year-round, thanks to three giant standing umbrellas. GM is Richard van Batenburg.
www.dylanamsterdam.com

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Mary Gostelow is one of the world’s top authorities on luxury hotels and the editor-in-chief of the Wow Traveler newsletter for elite travellers. You can reach her by writing to mgostelow@enroutemag.net or visiting www.wowtraveler.net.