Sumahan – On The Water
Istanbul, Turkey

Stay on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and look across to the beauty of the European city. The newly opened Sumahan, run by general manager Tuba Tekeli, is a renovation by the Butler family of a raki distillery built in 1875. Most of the 21 rooms have working fireplaces and all face west across the water. The integral Kordon Seafood Restaurant, a favourite with locals, features bluefish and bonito this month. Chef is Mustafa Calik.

www.sumahan.com

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion
Saint James, Barbados

Chef Ric Lee’s braised lamb shank and potato mash goes well with the upright servers in starched white uniforms in the elegant open-sided Palm Terrace Restaurant. Afterwards, walk between towering palm trees in the gardens planted by Sir Edward Cunard in the 1930s. Room 223, in the pink building nearest the sea, has a balcony, with lounge chairs, overlooking the beach. GM is Nick Emery.

www.fairmont.com

Georges Blanc
Vonnas, France

Georges Blanc is a culinary institution, and not only in his hometown in the Ain region. As well as his local restaurants and his winery, he has brasseries in Bourg-en-Bresse and Lyon, and he is the European culinary consultant to Singapore Airlines, a member of Star Alliance™. At Blanc’s 30-room eponymous hotel, a favourite is room 14, which has a Jacuzzi and a river view. In the restaurant, do not miss his Bresse chicken with garlic and foie gras sauce. GM is Marcel Perinet.

www.georgesblanc.com

Hotel Victor
Miami Beach, Florida

Designer Jacques Garcia’s jellyfish theme extends to real jellyfish in a tank in the restaurant, with a large show kitchen manned by theatrical chef James Wierzelewski – even his salads, on 50-cm-long plates, are works of art. Do not miss the arabesque-shaped terrace pool, or the sexy basement spa. Ocean Suites have infinity tubs overlooking the ocean and jellyfish-like wall lamps by the bedside. GM is Ilan Segal.

www.hotelvictorsouthbeach.com

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Work up an appetite with on-site golf, biking or water sports and then enjoy an epitomal Arabic mezze at chef Stéphane Duvacher’s La Fontana lunch buffet. Families are happy in the main hotel block, but the neighbouring Palm Tree Court & Spa area is kids-free. Royal Jasmine suite 180 includes a butler, a complimentary massage and a spectacular view over 20 metres of grass and sand to the blue Gulf waters. GM is Gerhard Hardick.

www.jebelali-international.com

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, England

Dogmersfield, United Kingdom

It seems appropriate to choose fish and chips on a rolling English estate where the future Henry VIII met his wife, Catherine of Aragon. (Chef Jamie Jones’ version is near-tempura cod and suitably soft fries.) Room 1107, in the main 1728 brick manor, looks out over 500 acres of parkland, ideal for horseback riding or biking. Revel in the in-conservatory pool and vitality pool, and what some say is the best spa in the UK. GM is Michael Newcombe.

www.fourseasons.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.

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