Sure, it’s a cliché, but for good reason: The Ritz has been synonymous with effortless Parisian glamour for decades, an insouciant ultra-luxe spot for the world’s most luxurious travelers since Cesar Ritz and chef Auguste Escoffier opened it in 1898.

A full renovation a few years ago brought back a lot of the burnish that the years had faded; its public spaces - among them the Bar Vendome and the storied Bar Hemingway - have been rebooted without losing any of their fin-de-siecle grandeaur, and are as much a lucus of Paris social life as ever.

Since the completion of its multi-million dollar renovation, the Ritz Paris has brought renewed energy to its historic interiors, along with Michelin-starred dining and a redesigned spa.

Sorely missed during a nearly four-year closure and renovation, the reopened Ritz Paris is grander then ever before.

In novels, songs, and common parlance, there's not a word that evokes the romance and luxury of Paris better than the Ritz.

It added a Chanel spa and an underground ballroom, and thankfully kept those swan faucets.

It was all worth the wait. Four years after closing its doors for renovation, the new-and-improved Ritz has kept the Belle Époque glamour but added some modern necessities: speedy Wi-Fi, new plumbing, and a one-of-a-kind Chanel spa.

Legendary it is, and a four-year £175m makeover has made it only more so... The staff are still brilliant: charming, intuitive, proud to be there. It's all just a little fresher. A little breezier.

Along Amsterdam’s storied canals, Putlizer is an homage to its city. Its 225 rooms are spread throughout 25 historic canal houses with quirky, local touches in every nook and cranny.

Stay in one of the exceptional Collector's Suites. Inspired by four distinct characters (an art devotee, an eccentric book lover, a composer and an antique collector), these unique accommodations have stunning design features, such as a floor-to-ceiling archway of books (Book Collector's Suite) and a wall of trumpets (Music Collector's Suite).

A large, though privately owned, stand-alone hotel that stretches through 25 houses, between two canals. The Pulitzer is in a prime location in the canal belt, close to the Anne Frank House. Gracious service, a garden courtyard and good cuisine add to the mix.

Glass greenhousey tunnels link the 400-year- old buildings, and we love the Music Collector's Suite with its wall of trumpets and private canal entrance... The much-loved Pulitzer's bar (a neighborhood gem) escaped a complete overhaul - it just got a lick of paint. If it ain't broke...

Surrounded by rivers, marshes and maritime forests, Montage Palmetto Bluff is the bucolic, Spanish-moss-draped setting for a picture-perfect getaway.

The decidedly upscale accommodations blur the lines between indoor and outdoor luxury. Interiors boast pine floors, fireplaces, massive plush beds, and palatial bathrooms with separate steam showers and bathtubs, while the screened, furnished terraces and balconies afford unparalleled views of the surrounding forest and lagoon.

The Lowcountry's most luxurious resort sits on 20,000 acres that have been transformed into a perfect replica of a small island town, complete with its own clapboard church.

This renovated resort still has a gorgeous Lowcountry look... But it got an upgrade last year: a new inn that serves as the hub, with guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a stellar spa.

You won't want for anything here - the resort offers up everything, from a paddle boarding adventure, to a luxuriating neck massage at the Spa Montage Palmetto Bluff, and even a chance to brush up on your U.S. history at the Wilson Village ruins.

Among the attractions are the Hawanawana Spa and the spectacular Jack Nicklaus Manele Golf Course; excursions include Jeep rides, catamaran tours, horseback outings, and much more.

Overlooking Hulopoe Bay, this sublime retreat offering beachside urban chic with stunning views of the deep blue sea and astonishing rocky coastline has reopened after a major renovation.

Head to the Four Seasons for the away-from-it-all feel that Lanai does best, but with plenty of amenities—two pools, four restaurants, and an excellent spa

Meanwhile the Asbury’s Soundbooth bar also operates as a café and a music venue, and one of its two rooftop lounges doubles as an open-air cinema — and, in the warmer months, look for a beer garden and food trucks.

This colorful property is Jersey's hot new gathering spot.

This hotel sets itself apart with its intimate feel and exclusivity. For example, the luxurious pool, which has some amazing views of Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills, is for hotel guests only,

This local legend has returned to its roots as the only independent luxury hotel in town, and it remains the quintessential Hollywood insider’s hotel — and it’s designed to be at its best when you’re inside looking out.

...the real sell is the suites: with dressing rooms, cushy couches, and deep soaking tubs, they're like an A-list home away from home.

Not many lodges offer such a diversity of activities, in such style and in such a wild, UNESCO-protected destination. Which makes this place pure gold.

Guests have first-hand access to the largest waterfall in the planet and prime viewing of the freely roaming wildlife, plus luxury suites and private villas to come home to.

Even if you never leave your room, the scenery - a watery landscape teeming with wildlife - will keep you enthralled.

Matetsi is a rare beast. The lodge itself - brand new, brilliantly run, hip as anything - is rare in itself... But what makes it properly, jaw-droppingly extraordinary is its location... The real stars are the staff: All highly educated, all highly dedicated.

The hotel blends into its surroundings thanks to the “light” building, with its many windows awash with sunlight reflected by the lake. The garden, with around 183 varieties of plants, creates a gorgeous floral landscape that syncs up with the environment.

Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola reimagines what a vacation on Italy's most cinematic lake should look like with vertical gardens, geometric armchairs, and a floating staircase.

Il Sereno is a restrained antidote to Como’s gilded grandes dames... The layout puts all eyes on the water, with a 450-foot shoreline and lakeview terraces in every room.

Il Sereno is a whippersnapper set to shake the lake. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola is famed for her use of colour and texture - here copper, wood and stone - and her furniture: the hotel's lofty lounges and sundecks are crammed with her curvaceous sofas and wicker chairs, to glorious effect.

Don’t be fooled by the small scale of this downtown Healdsburg hotel — though it weighs in at a mere five rooms and suites, SingleThread Inn offers what might be one of the most luxurious experiences in California.

The food is hyper-seasonal, and the rooms are outfitted with understated high-end amenities, like Ratio coffee-brewers and Zalto wineglasses.

When the property debuted earlier this month, it immediately joined the ranks of esteemed destination restaurants across the country centered on farming their own ingredients

Get ready to swoon–a private island in the middle of the turquoise Indian Ocean is the stuff of daydreams and fantasies, and they actually come true at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli, the glamorous accommodations of would-be honeymooners worldwide.

A private island set a 35-minute seaplane ride away from Malé aiport, The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is as close to heaven on Earth as you can get, with powdery white beaches and a private lagoon.

Like a page in a holiday brochure, jewel-blue Indian Ocean waters ring this petite plot of white sand threaded with swaying palms. One of six places to wine and dine, the Whale Bar beckons with magnetic allure at sundowner o’clock. By day, lose yourself in the Blue Hole, a tour de force in hydrotherapy pools.

Forty-four-overwater suites with dolphins and manta rays swimming under your deck.

You come here for two reasons. One, for the impeccable St. Regis service. And two, because the look of this private-island resort will leave you speechless.

Its tree house-style spa, high in the canopy and away from the shore, is the most serene place for a massage this side of Ubud.

Come for a romantic escape (the ocean-inspired scheme is glamorous, not kitschy) or a group vacation (the 6,239-square-foot penthouse has a huge terrace and hot tub).

... Guests are thrilled to find a property that is exclusive, serene, and accents custom amenities not found anywhere else.

On the edge of a canyon with soul-stirring views of the rugged Hajar Mountains, the hotel has sleek rooms with balconies and villas with private pools. It offers a plethora of activities, from hiking and abseiling to cooking and photography, and a truly sensational spa.

The locale makes even simple pursuits, vertiginous swims in the infinity pool or dinner on a glass platform cantilevered over the chasm, thrilling.

It's been five years in the making, and the buzz around this mountaintop five-star was so feverish that they had an Omani royal turn up unannounced on day one. Now you can explore this isolated, craggy wilderness, where goats scamper and wolves roam, without skimping on in-room massages or Amouage lotions.

A secluded jungle retreat tucked away in Mexico’s tropical Yucantán peninsula with a mystical cenote at its heart, even the most “basic” villa at Chablé Yucatán boasts a stunning outdoor plunge pool, two bathrooms including a moon shower, and a king-size bed.

The resort is home to countless iguanas and diminutive Yucatecan deer, and an astounding variety of birdlife. You’ll feel like you have escaped to a unique Eden, only with gracious service.

Prepare to enter a higher state of relaxation through the magnificent spa, thoughtful dining options and understated luxury that fills every nook and cranny.

If you've never visited Uxmal, truly a wonder of the world, and you want somewhere luxurious to stay, with world-class cooking and a first-rate spa, this is your best bet.

To the Yucatán and 38-casita Chablé Resort on a colonial estate near Mérida, where the cenote-centered spa is the draw.

Just an hour from the coast, Chablé marries Méridan hacienda hospitality with beach-resort-style amenities (like the glamorous, palm-tree-lined pool that could've been plucked from Tulum).

Ten years in the making, it's a hotel of two halves: a stunning modern spa and painstakingly restored 19th-century hacienda.

Clean-lined minimalism with crisp white bedding, mid-century furniture, and teak shutters overlooking the cyan waters of Grand Cul-de-Sac.

...the stylish accommodations are awash in white, aquamarine and tan. Dark teal throws and pillows, aqua desks, sand dollar imprints on dresser knobs and white coral sculptures remind you of the sand and waves just outside (the more private garden-view rooms have pops of magenta).

This Grand Cul-de-Sac newcomer is at once glamorous and unpretentious.

Feel like splurging on a suite? You’ll be rewarded with every New Yorker’s dream escape–a sprawling outdoor terrace. A NYC gem and another gorgeous and one-of-a-kind jewel in the Thompson portfolio, The Beekman is The Big Apple at its best.

Gorgeous design, two excellent restaurants, and a location in a newly revitalized downtown NYC neighborhood.

With dark wood floors, vintage furnishings swathed in velvet, and distressed leather headboards, the room feels almost more English country house than downtown Manhattan.

You can't help but look like a million bucks at the emerald-and-brass Deco bar, under a skylight that's nine stories up.

You could just have a drink in the restored atrium of the Beekman, but you should spend the night to appreciate this architectural wonder from all angles—and at all times of day.

And in FiDi, nowhere's hotter than the Beekman... it has been brought stunningly back to life by Martin Brudnizki, and everything that could be preserved has been. Add in restaurants Fowler & Wells and Augustine, and, well... this place is off the scale.

The comforts, naturally, are anything but austere, from the bedrooms and bathrooms to the lavish Pumacahua Bath House spa and the extraordinary Peruvian and international fare served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Explora's philosophy emphasizes nature, and their latest addition is designed accordingly: Wi-Fi, TV, and mini-bars are replaced with soothing spaces ideal for relaxing after a day spent exploring craggy peaks and Incan ruins.

It's less a hotel, more luxe base camp - 20 'explorations', most on two feet or two wheels, will take you to Inca ruins and up snow-tipped peaks for views of turquoise lagoons and sparkling glaciers, startling doe-eyed llamas on the way.

The whole place is designed to melt into the landscape... The opportunity to understand local customs and beliefs is one of the joys of the Explora experience.

This is one of the most luxurious hotel experiences to be had anywhere, yet the feeling of luxury, somehow, never crosses over into excess.

The Peninsula exudes old-world glamour.

Last year, the Peninsula waved its magic wand and - bibbidy-bobbidy-boo - a new hotel. Well, practically a new hotel. Its Beijing outpost has been glamorised to the tune of £90m, and is barely recognisable from its old, austere self.

It’s an unreal world, where children and adults alike trail about the jungly interior on bikes, hang in hammocks on Robinson Crusoe beaches, throw themselves down slides, splash about on technicolor reefs and watch dolphins race through iridescent baby-blue waters.

Twenty-four palatial villas jut into a gin-clear lagoon in the Maldives; all have private pools, and some even have waterslides!

No other resort combines the treehouse fantasy, the honeymooner's overwater villa and the pluses of a ski-in-ski-out chalet - only, make that windsurf in and solar-powered-pontoon out. It's pure, unmitigated fantasy, and all sustainably sourced, built and operated... It's a dream.

But for now, this is absolutely the new place to stay, for the creativity, the sensitivity, and above all for somewhere happy to act as both backdrop and foil to the outstanding beauty of the islands of the Maldives themselves. Which might just be the greatest compliment of all.

The minimal resort is set in the forested hills of southern Mie Prefecture, complete with spacious villas, hot spring onsen baths, sea views, delicious seafood and expansive spa.

Go for a Watsu session (aquatic bodywork, for the uninitiated) at Amanemu in Ise-Shima National Park.

It's unique within the Aman family in that it offers a classic onsen experience, blending the traditional ryokan with Aman's sense of space.

This is picture-book Japan... All is very Aman: muted tones and natural textures, with sliding wicker walls you can move to create your own space.

Aman's first property in rural Japan is a contemporary reworking of the hot-spring tradition. The scale is Aman - villas and pavilions dotted among the shrubbery and connected by winding pathways - but the details are Japanese: slate roofs, wicker lampshades and hi-tech loos galore.

Its 652 acres of dramatic elevations and virgin forests are home to just 30 extraordinarily luxe timber villas, each of which includes a private sundeck and an infinity-edge plunge pool among its many, many high-end comforts.

One of the finest private islands in the Indian Ocean, certainly one of the most dramatic, run by the sure-handed spa specialist group, with rewilded nature that's been given the time and space to make a comeback.

The pièce de résistance is the spa, shoehorned between the archipelago's iconic black boulders, with a yoga pavilion so close to the water the sea spray cools you during poses.

There are many beautiful resorts here in the western Indian Ocean but nothing else feels quite like this... The resort is small and tucked into the lush vegetation of the hillsides providing total privacy and stunning ocean views.

This was once a coconut plantation, and it's taken nine years to regenerate. But, boy, was it worth the wait... the handful of villas are so well hidden you'll barely notice them, with private infinity pools, gobsmacking views of neighbouring islands and swings. Yes, actual swings.

It feels both connected and secluded; friendly but quietly respectful of one's peace and privacy; rooted in its environment and the broader social, cultural and regional context. If ever a place was aptly named, it is Félicité.

There’s gorgeous greenery and plenty of outdoor space for relaxing with a book or indulging in tapas al fresco. Indeed, there are multiple dining venues here, most notably Voro, with its two Michelin stars.

The village-style complex just inland from the Mediterranean, in a gorgeous but lesser-known part of the island, has smart rooms, excellent restaurants and a superb spa.

A five-star whizz-banger, with four restaurants, three pools, an ESPA spa with quartz-sand massage bed (trust us: it's awesome) and the Country Club for tennis and golf.

On 1,300 acres filled with animals and organic gardens, a Central American philanthropist has built one of the region's most luxurious eco-resorts.

But while staying inside may be tempting, the truly exclusive experiences await in exploration of the verdant surroundings... With all on offer, Nekupe, which means "heaven" in the tongue of the indigenous Chorotega tribe, is sure to live up to its name.

Get members-level perks (unlimited candy, rooftop pool, in-house movie theater) at this hip, design-forward Soho Club outpost.

The mixed patterns and club chairs are Soho House go-tos, but the brand's "cool frumpery" gets a refresh with terra-cotta barrel-vaulted ceilings and washed-out blues, reds, and golds that feel distinctly Catalan.

Catalan architecture cements the sense of place, but dedication to comfort makes this six-floor club a place you want to linger.

If there's one thing Soho House is really, really good at, it's detail. You will want to steal EVERYTHING in the bedrooms, from the fringed lampshades to the custom-made iron bedheads... Soho House Barcelona, in fact, is really, really good at an awful lot of things - and that's why we love it.

The Barcelona branch comes with locally-inspired touches such as traditional red bricks on the double-height vaulted ceilings — but it is still very clear that you are in a Soho House.

Contemporary and indigenous influences abound at Atix, like a façade of timber and Comanche stone and works by artist Gastón Ugalde. The restaurant, Ona, is among the city’s best, thanks to a staff recruited from Latin America’s top kitchens.

'Atix' means 'one who thrives' in the indigenous Quechua language and the hotel’s architecture and design is a celebration of native culture. Expert rating: 8/10.

Just two blocks from the Danube, the Ritz-Carlton captures Budapest’s blend of elegance and modernity.

The luxurious, centrally located Ritz-Carlton Budapest offers some informality with its elegance. While its décor nods to the grace of a bygone age, elements such as the casual blue-jeans-clad restaurant staff and the warm and welcoming service bring it into the 21st century. Expert rating: 8/10.

The 18th-century farmstead has just a single communal table, where chefs April Bloomfield and Tom Adams serve incredible dishes like pork cracklings in cider sauce. Guests can even take baking or butchery workshops.

Coombeshead Farm is a cosy, contemporary 18th-century farmhouse that’s becoming something of a go-to escape among in-the-know foodies. Understandably, the food is the main draw, but the laid-back atmosphere and idyllic rural setting make it so much more than a restaurant with rooms.

This is the joint venture from chef Tom Adams of London restaurant Pitt Cue and April Bloomfield, English born chef/proprietor of The Spotted Pig in New York. Both wanted to get back to the roots of food and hospitality and the result is this relaxed communal dining farmhouse bed and breakfast. Expert rating: 9/10.

This property takes full advantage of its Seven Mile Beach location. Guest rooms—in colors inspired by flora on site—are all angled to face the sea, and the lobby has spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows.

There is a lot to love about the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa... the hotel cuts a dramatic figure—and a stylish one; from the modish décor, teeming with color and texture, to the swanky oceanfront bungalows, and sprawling Seafire Pool...

This Fairmont property upped its cultural cred with a restaurant from Marcus Samuelsson and an eclectic art collection with works by Warhol, Nelson Mandela, and Banksy.

The grand pastel-pink Hamilton Princess has been a landmark on the waterfront of Bermuda’s capital city since 1885. Nonetheless, it is a stylish and modern affair with a luxury spa, two outdoor swimming pools and three restaurants. Expert rating: 7/10.

The reigning royalty of Bermuda lodging, the Princess boasts some of the most comfortable rooms on the island and caters to its mainly business guests like no one else.

A refreshing irreverence makes QT Melbourne unique in the city. The lobby’s wingbacks and stuffed peacock set the tone; rooms are industrial-lite. Expect the unexpected—like saucy comments from the elevator voice—and exuberant service that verges on the theatrical.

It’s a match made in hotel heaven: the country’s quirkiest accommodation brand and a city renowned for its creative bent... It’s the sort of bolthole one could happily nose around for days...

Surrounded by thousands of acres of the Siswan Forest in the lower foothills of the Himalayas, Oberoi's newest spa resort is by far its best yet.

Of all the Oberois, this is the mothership.

Oberoi's newest addition is Mughal-inspired from top to bottom, with intricate hand-painted murals and gold leafing throughout.

Here the mood is decidedly nostalgic for the era of great Rajput and Mughal places and colonial tented encampments.

This boutique hotel in the century-old Model T Ford plant has filled the city’s void for an artsy place to stay.

Unique in size and configuration, the digs feature original artworks and oversize windows that fill the high-ceiling space with light and vistas of downtown... Indeed, it will leave you wanting more hotels like this artsy new boutique.

Amid a wave of fashionable openings, the Pontchartrain best captures NOLA’s spirit and history.

The interior hotel and its four restaurant and bar outlets pay homage to the hotel’s history in funky, lush decor, while sneaking in great food, service, and modern amenities.

Taj Safaris’ latest lodge has a prime location, so rhino-spotting excursions are relatively effortless. After a few hours astride an elephant, unwind with a private plunge pool, an alfresco massage, and a Tharu meal.

Who knew there were tigers in Nepal? Or rhinos? The place to see this animal spectacular is from the comfort of a liveried 4x4 as a guest of Taj's first safari lodge in Nepal, Meghauli Serai. Your room is a smart thatched villa overlooking the pretty Rapti River.

For wildlife lovers who want creature comforts alongside rhino, tiger and sloth bear sightings, Meghauli Serai provides pitch-perfect service— marrying hospitality from the Taj hotel group with ‘naturalists’ (park rangers) trained by South Africa’s &Beyond group. Expert rating: 8/10.

Ultra-personal service is the star at this freshly overhauled safari camp.

It's tempting to soak up the dreamy delta views from the made-for-sharing bathtub, glug a G&T and watch elephants yomping across the floodplains, or zone out in the spa with an Africology pummelling. But out you must go, for this is THE place in Botswana to tick off the Big Five.

Shaded by jackalberry, sausage and rain trees, these thatched-roof pavilions have private viewing decks with hammocks.

A world away from the steely skyscrapers and broad avenues of Downtown Chicago, The Robey slots perfectly into its hipster setting, between the trendy neighborhoods of Bucktown and Wicker Park.

This Art Deco building with its moody lighting, Hopperesque palette, and glassed-in roof bar speaks to the sexier side of Chicago.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another Windy City hotel to rival the Robey's alchemy of great aesthetics, prime location, and thrumming atmosphere.

Not a trace of stucco at this hyper-futuristic resort where designer Miguel Angel Aragones makes you feel as if you're walking on water.

All the cube-shaped rooms front the ocean, but what sets the Mar Adentro apart from the pack is a specialist art and music programme.

A reflecting pool wraps around this striking seaside property... The rooms are divvied among stark white cubes that appear to float along the edges of the pool.

The design is intended to mimic the infinite linearity of the horizon, and so the fourth side of the pool is left open to a view of the sea... one of the most unique hotels south of border.

An exclusive, intimate and luxurious getaway set on nearly two miles of coastline. The intimate property offers the ultimate in privacy for high-profile visitors, hidden within a forest-lined cove and built to host no more than five couples at a time.

Helena Bay Lodge promises to be the world's best new luxury hotel... The six-course degustation dinner, served outside on the terrace by the lodge’s tux-clad maitre de, is not to be missed.

See brighter-than-bright green hills after helicoptering to your seaside villa at New Zealand's Helena Bay Lodge.

The kind of conscientious care you’ll get is clear from the staff-to-guest ratio alone: 53 employees for a maximum of only 10 visitors.

The journey (To Santani) reminds you just how nail-bitingly impatient you really are. Because when you finally reach it and bump along the rocky track to see purple roses floating in pools and birds flitting about the trees and misty hills in the distance, you immediately feel all stress melt away.

Set on a working tea estate, Sri Lanka's first high-end wellness resort has Ayurvedic-based spa treatments and a chef who serves exceptional vegan dishes (and plenty of biodynamic wine).

The first destination spa in Sri Lanka is all about wellness—and not the ascetic Western kind that’s all juicing and boot camps. Santani’s approach is more subtle, with ayurvedic spa treatments, meditation, and health food.

One of Sri Lanka’s best dedicated spa properties... It’s Eden for those battling stress, exhaustion, or weight gain, or anyone with a simple desire to put away the iPhone (Wi-Fi access is by request only) for an escape into the great, refined outdoors.

... The focus, clearly, is on healthy living; from the cleansing foods to the tailor-made spa, yoga and therapeutic programmes, including ones that deal with trauma and sleep deprivation.

A different view entirely from the geodesic dome-like tents at The Highlands, the only luxury camp on Tanzania's Olmoti Volcano, which has Africa's highest lion density.

It’s the first camp near the northern gate of the Ngorongoro Crater, so while most visitors queue at the southern end in the early morning, Asilia guests can sleep in, then take a leisurely descent to the crater floor.

With abundant wildflowers, solar lanterns and star-speckled skies, the camp feels like an enchanted garden, while at night wood-burning stoves, faux-fur throws and a good stock of malt whiskies make perfect sense when you're at a chilly altitude of 8,700 feet.

They look like something from a wacky New Age community but are, in fact, sturdy and comfortable... You can lie in your king-size bed looking at the stars and there’s a wood-burning stove, and a panoramic wooden deck.

The latest entrant in the Franschhoek valley has raised the bar and then some. It is perched on the slopes of the Dassenberg and there are just 17 elegant rooms. Expect sublime views of the landscaped gardens and oak-lined river, an arresting art collection and excellent facilities. Expert rating: 8/10.

Still dreaming about tempura langoustines with smoked leeks, wild garlic, and parsley, and that bottle of Mullineux & Leeu chenin blanc.

A beautifully landscaped, 17-room gem with its own wine cellar (tastings are gratis for guests), a spa, and a farm-to-table restaurant.

The view is nothing short of monumental, with its rolling fields of grapevines and ancient oak trees backed by jagged Lord of the Rings mountains. Every manicured inch of Singh's 168-acre estate has been tamed and polished...