One&Only Reethi Rah

Maldives

To get away from reality, head for this newly opened resort on an island that has been enlarged to six times its previous size. Led by charismatic GM Michael Luible, 630 employees look after 130 Asian-style villas, either overwater on stilts or on the beach with private pools. I loved overwater villa 101, watching idyllic sunsets from my private deck. The island also houses 10,000 palm trees, exciting restaurants, a spectacular infinity pool and a spa with a lush green central garden.

www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Baglioni Hotel London

London, United Kingdom

The 66-room Italian-style hotel has a black and gold lobby that leads into a bar, with black Murano chandeliers, and the Brunello restaurant, with possibly the best Italian food in town. Bedrooms feature gold-leaf walls and prints of Roman sculptures. Best rooms are 104 and 105-106 (a two-room suite), which have working fireplaces and views of Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace. There is a Caroli spa with a 24-hour gym and, not surprisingly, GM Luca Virgilio wears Ermenegildo Zegna.

www.baglionihotellondon.com

The Fairmont Kansas City at the Plaza

Kansas City, Missouri

The hotel is an ideal base for some of the best shopping in the United States, at the 180-outlet Spanish-style Country Club Plaza. Favourite bedrooms are those with access to the 11th-floor lounge, overlooking Brush Creek. This is the hotel to take your dog, who will be showered with amenities from Three Dogs Bakery. Pianists love suite 1032, whose grand piano has been played by Cher, and foodies know that the Oak Room serves outstanding Kansas City strip steak. GM is Danny Crowell.

www.fairmont.com

Le MÉridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

This ultimate beach resort is the ideal escape. The stunning 21-floor blue glass sculpture stands alone on a kilometre-wide strip between the rugged Hajar mountains and the deep blue Indian Ocean. There is a private, pristine beach and a supervised kids’ club with shallow pool, as well as tennis, squash, Ayurvedic and Cleopatra spas, an 80-metre-long free-form pool and a myriad of water sports. Access to the four-floor-high Royal Club lounge is on the 15th floor. GM is Patrick Antaki.

www.lemeridien-alaqah.com

Cassimir Lodge

Tauranga, New Zealand

Dating back to the 1890s, this fully refurbished white colonial house is set on 60 acres of parkland. Current owner-manager Reg Turner has personally decorated the four suites. The Sunset Suite, in lemon and violet blues, has a balcony with woodland and sea views. Reg’s golden Labrador, Princess, can guide you through local farmland to see emus, sheep and deer. Dinner is family style, and other guests are fascinating world travellers. Reg cooks the best breakfast on the North Island.

www.cassimir.co.nz

Plateau at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Cocoon yourself in this 23-room hotel within a hotel, and you may never want to leave. Designed by John Morford, the 11th-floor lobby, corridor and rooms are a haven of golden sassafras wood, dark granite and mirrors. Suite 1110, with a view across the harbour to Kowloon, has a ceiling-high glass wall between the white futon bed and the granite Jacuzzi bathtub. You can have spa treatments right in your room, and breakfast in the courtyard. Plateau manager is Niamh O’Connell.

www.plateau.com.hk

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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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