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We don′t put much stock in the concept of star ratings for hotels; often it′s just an exercise in list-making, where some phenomenal hotels lose out to boring and predictable ones, for the crime of lacking a swimming pool.

It′s useful, though, for understanding the unique situation of the Angleterre Hotel. This is the older yet slightly less decadent four-star sister of the five-star Astoria next door; and while the rooms may be less opulent and the amenities list shorter, it′s got every bit as much personality as its famed sibling.

The Angleterre benefits from the same absolutely central location, on St. Isaac′s square, and is just as close to the cathedral and the Hermitage museum. Where it differs is in the rooms, which are ever so slightly smaller than their siblings next door. The décor depends less heavily on antique furnishings and historical artifacts, and more on the keen eye of decorator Olga Polizzi, the stylish sister (this time we mean it literally) of the proprietor, Rocco Forte.

As for services, the Angleterre is hardly lacking, especially considering that the amenities of the Astoria are available and at guests′ disposal. Unique to the Angleterre is the English-style tea service, as well as the Borsalino Brasserie. There′s a combination nightclub and casino too—and if you strike it rich, head next door to Davidov′s restaurant for generous helpings of the finest caviars and vodkas.

Visa Information for Russia

Most travelers to Russia need to obtain a Visa from their local Russian Consulate prior to departure. Applying for a Tourist Visa is easier and cheaper than applying for a Business Visa. This can be a frustrating process so allow at least 10 days prior to departure to apply.

The process can only start after you make a Hotel Reservation. You will need a Certificate/Voucher from the hotel where you have a confirmed reservation in hand before you can go to the Consulate to apply for a visa. This Certificate/Voucher will be faxed or emailed to you by the hotel.

As soon as you have your Confirmation from TabletHotels.com, please contact customer service. We will assist you in obtaining the Certificate/Voucher from the hotel for your visa application.

When we talk about the California wine country we’re generally talking about the Napa and Sonoma valleys, just north of San Francisco. But the more southerly region from Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, shouldn’t be overlooked. And while central California’s lodging options may be fewer, it doesn’t mean there’s any compromise in quality; the Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles is proof positive of that.

It’s a new build, which means that each of its sixteen rooms has plenty of space to spread out, and all the necessities are built in: many feature gas fireplaces, deep tubs, and/or outdoor patios or sun decks. The look is contemporary-luxe, and it’s not without personality — there’s a bit of stable-house ruggedness and some well-chosen splashes of color.

There’s no spa per se, but massages and treatments are available in-room. And if there’s no restaurant, it’s just a further enticement to sample the burgeoning Paso Robles culinary scene. It’s roughly the same drill as in any wine-producing region: winery tours, gourmet meals, and when all is said and done, a small, tranquil and luxurious hotel to act as a home base for a weekend of wining and dining.

The Nita Lake Lodge starts with a prestigious location in the Creekside area of the Western Canadian resort town of Whistler, outside of the main Village area. It’s part of a growing movement toward modern ski hotels, something that’s catching on perhaps more quickly here (perhaps owing to the 2010 Olympics) than elsewhere in North America. And if it means more luxurious modern-rustic lodges like this one, then it’s a trend we have no problem endorsing.

With 77 suites, it’s fairly modest in size, but the accommodations are anything but cramped. The smallest is a studio suite, and it still comes with a fireplace and a 40-inch LCD television, not to mention geothermally heated floors and oversized modern bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. The look is contemporary, a little bit minimalist-chic, but still warm and inviting, in earth tones and natural wood and stone.

A spa and fitness center are part of the modern ski-resort package, as is a restaurant serving dishes drawn from largely organic and local B.C. produce. The distance from Whistler Village turns out to be a plus; Creekside is quieter, a bit more of an escape, and the lift from Creekside goes to the top of the very same Whistler Mountain.

One of the last of Europe’s traditional grand hotels, Lausanne’s Beau-Rivage Palace recalls the days of aristocrats traveling by coach; from within the gardens of the hotel’s ten-acre grounds, pressed up against Lake Geneva, it would be easy to feel a little bit lost in time. Views are spectacular, with the better rooms looking over the lake and the French Alps, and the hotel itself is rather easy on the eye—though recently renovated, the exteriors remain faithful to the 1861 conception and the 1908 addition.

The rooms can hardly have changed much in the intervening years; if not for the televisions and the central air conditioning, they could pass as period reconstructions. This hotel predates the modern trend toward egalitarian room design, and the rooms vary widely in terms of space and orientation. Needless to say, the most desirable are on the lake side, looking out at the Alps from private balconies—so if the view matters to you, you may end up paying a touch more. Leisure activities include the full host of luxury hotel offerings and then some, from tennis, golf and sailing to reflexology, lymph drainage, and Chinese medicine.

The hotel’s Rotonde restaurant serves gourmet French cuisine with a view of the parklands and Lake Geneva, and a Parisian-style brasserie fills in for less formal duty. The Bar Anglais is the more traditional social venue, with an intimate drawing-room atmosphere, and Le BaR is billed as the place to see and be seen. Presumably this means something different in Lausanne than in, say, Berlin—there are plenty of hotels all over Europe for the would-be hipster, but the Beau-Rivage is one of the few remaining for the modern aristocrat.

How to Get There

Beau-Rivage Palace is approximately a 40 minute drive from Geneva International Airport (GVA). Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Bordering on South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park is the Manyeleti Game Reserve, encompassing nearly a hundred square miles of wild bush, populated by all manner of game, up to and including the Big Five. It’s home to some humans as well, namely the Mnisi tribe, who own and manage the lands. And now it’s open to a select few visitors as well, guests of the Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps.

They’re more or less exactly what the name would have you believe — on one hand there’s the Mantobeni Camp, the slightly more rugged and retro-romantic of the two, and on the other there’s Khoka Moya, the slightly more comfortable and contemporary of the two (also notable for being the one which allows children).

The appeal is exclusivity, but only to a point. The park is private, which means Honeyguides guests are unlikely to cross paths with much outsider traffic. But within the camps there’s a refreshingly egalitarian, community-oriented vibe — meals are taken communally, and there’s every opportunity to indulge in a bit of camaraderie, especially at Khoka Moya.

Aesthetically it’s as authentic as they come, and the offerings, from the food and drink to the twice-daily game drives, are first-rate. It’d be an excellent introduction to the world of the modern safari, and a fine alternative to anyone whose experience is limited to the big public parks.

How to get there:
Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps are approximately a 6 hour drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria. Transfers can be arranged from Hoedspruit Airport and take approximately 40 minutes. Check in is at Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is the city’s biggest and grandest hotel, with a sprawling Belle Epoque facade that dominates the lakeside, itself almost enough to keep Montreux architecturally anchored in the 19th century. Inside it’s more of the same, enough meticulously preserved opulence to stun the most jaded jet-setter, making pretenders out of the majority of so-called “grand” hotels.

There may be a certain homeliness lost to all this determined splendor, but there’s something to be said for a return to the days when a hotel felt like a hotel, rather than an overgrown bed and breakfast. As in any grand hotel, there’s a certain caste system to the guest rooms, the cheapest rooms being a touch crowded, the better ones more spacious, and the best overlooking the lake rather than the mountains. Rooms on either side open through French doors onto small private balconies.

Beneath all the old-world elegance, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a fully modern business hotel, with all the trappings: wireless LAN in all rooms, extensive meeting facilities, and a distinctly un-Swiss Amrita spa, offering the latest treatments and a well-equipped fitness center. There are several restaurants to choose from, and plenty more out in the city, but if you only have one night, you won’t go wrong with the Michelin-starred Jaan restaurant followed by a drink in Harry’s New York Bar.

It doesn’t take a cartographer to notice that the Orient Express hotels have spread a bit beyond the reach of the original railway line. But there’ll be few complaints as long as they’re up to the standard of Las Casitas del Colca. The location would be impossible to find fault with — the Colca Valley is one of Peru’s natural wonders, a region high in the Andes that’s home to everything from bucolic farmland to active volcanoes and a canyon that’s grander than the Grand. And the hotel is no slouch either: this estate spans twenty acres, one for each of its casitas, resulting in a small-villa luxury experience that would be difficult to top.

They’re rustic enough so as not to feel gratuitous or out of place. But once inside they lack for nothing in the way of comfort. Modern amenities like wireless internet and iPod docks are accounted for, as are old-fashioned charms like soaking tubs, plunge pools, and under-floor heating. The packages include room, full board, and any of a range of activities, which means the Colca Canyon is your playground. Spa treatments are available as well, and might just be necessary after a half-day’s trek on horseback. It’s a destination that’s slightly off the radar, but not for lack of quality — and as long as the hotels continue to be as small and luxe as Las Casitas, it might just stay that way.

How to get there:

Las Casitas del Colca is a hundred miles to the north of Arequipa Airport (AQP). Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Ten thousand feet up in the mountains of China’s southwestern Yunnan province, Banyan Tree Ringha is a bit of a departure for the Singapore-based hotel company. Though the coastal outposts of the franchise share a Balinese style, the Ringha version leaves that behind in favor of a Tibetan lodge style — this corner of Yunnan is largely Tibetan, ethnically and culturally.

Space, you’d imagine, is in no short supply out here — each of the 32 two-level suites is appropriately palatial. The Spa Suites come with their own mini-spa treatment rooms on the lower floor, and the Tibetan Suites and Tibetan Lodges positively sprawl, under high ceilings held up by timbers from authentic Tibetan farmhouses.

Despite the ruggedness of the locale, no comfort is spared; though rustic in style the bathrooms are ultra-modern, as are the entertainment centers, and rooms come with terraces and astonishing views of the mountain landscape. The spa, naturally, is a big draw, and an especially welcome respite in the freezing winter months. As for local flavor, you’re in luck — the restaurants serve local specialties in addition to Chinese and international favorites, and tours are available at all levels of difficulty, by foot, horseback, or four-wheel drive.

How to get there:

From Kunming International Airport, Banyan Tree Ringha is a 40-minute flight to Diqing Airport in Shangri-La. The hotel is then a 30 min. drive from Diqing Airport. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Just how little do you want to do when you are on holiday? If you don’t want to cook, explore, push through crowds, or even leave a luxurious villa, then there are more than a few upscale Thai coastal resorts that will meet your needs. But if you don’t even want to bother putting on clothes in the morning, then Phuket Pavilions’ “all-over tan” policy might settle the issue for you.

The idea is that your villa is so private, and its luxuries so comprehensive, that you’ll never have to leave, instead passing your days lounging naked in the sun. After you collect your iPod on arrival, which has playlists with names like “chill-out” and “make-out,” you can marvel at the size of your bathroom and the design of your own private infinity pool before finally examining the room service menu. It’s at this point the thinking behind the resort starts to make sense.

If at some point cabin fever does strike, the Laguna shopping and entertainment center is a short complimentary car ride away, as are various beaches and golf courses. Do remember that guests should remain clothed when outside of the hotel, as the rest of Phuket doesn’t quite share the Pavilions’ enthusiasm for the clothing-optional traveler. And if all that activity (or clothing) sounds like too much, then a number of spa treatments can be enjoyed in your villa’s dedicated spa room. As you can see, the Phuket Pavilions will go to almost any length to ensure nothing spoils your quest for total relaxation.

The Hotel Nelligan is named for Émile Nelligan, one of Quebec’s most celebrated poets, and his face and quotations adorn the interiors of the hotel. It’s a detail that stops well short of outright gimmickry, but it contributes to the sense of history that is thick in the halls of this 1850 building.

It’s a boutique hotel, to be sure, but the interiors are far from the art-gallery sparseness that is the prevailing boutique design trend. Instead the Nelligan is heavy on function, with creature comforts ahead of aesthetic shock, and rich brick, leather and wood decor rather than white plaster or anything Zen. It’s easy on the eye, to be sure, but impossibly plush duvets and Frette bathrobes target the subtler senses. Gas fireplaces, spacious bathrooms, and the obligatory high-speed internet round out the package of conveniences, and as a bonus, many rooms have private terraces overlooking the St. Lawrence.

The Old Montréal location is convenient, and picturesque; it’s a historic district, full of landmarks and preserved buildings, yet also home to the city’s financial district and any number of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Verses, the hotel’s French restaurant, is highly rated, and usually buzzing with activity—and the rooftop terrace (in summer) and the atrium bar (in colder months) are perfect for a little relaxation with a drink, a book of verse, or quite possibly both.

In bureaucratic Brussels, home to the headquarters of the European Union, gargantuan business hotels are the rule. But the Stanhope is the exception — nothing megalithic about it, this hotel is sewn together from an old convent and the surrounding townhouses, and the result is possibly Brussels’ most exclusive and elegant hotel.

The interiors are, oddly enough, decorated in an English country house style, with classical furnishings and floral-print fabrics, and antiques cover every exposed surface. Facilities, though, are up-to-date, including internet access, laptop safes, and the obligatory marble bathrooms. New additions are slightly more contemporary in style, though still in keeping with the country house theme, and the Brighton restaurant is fashioned after King George IV’s Brighton Pavilion, and features a portrait of the man himself amidst its Chinese-via-England décor.

The location is central, just off the av. Louise shopping district, and close by the European Parliament. This is the perfect spot for VIPs to stow away, out of the public eye, in a small and discreet five-star alternative to the massive conference hotels. For the full celebrity treatment, try the Royal Suite in the new House of Ambassadors wing — that is, if there’s not a bona fide ambassador occupying it.

You might surmise from the name that the Spadari is just steps away from the Duomo cathedral, and you’d be right. But close proximity to tourist attractions isn’t what keeps the Spadari’s style-conscious clientele coming back again and again—designers and editors set up shop here during the furniture fair, and it’s a perennial favorite of the fashion industry as well.

Perhaps it’s the cool blues of the interior, a welcome break from the greys and beiges typical to Milan’s interiors (and exteriors, for that matter, though wishing for a cool blue sky might be asking a bit much). Contemporary works by local artists hang on the walls, and the American Bar features a fresco painting by Valentino Vago—this is the furthest thing possible from the typical uninspired hotel-room art, purchased by the square meter from art-college recycle bins.

Rooms are chic and comfortable, with custom-built furniture by Ugo la Pietra, and some rooms come with balconies, rich with greenery, and the junior suites on the seventh floor have views of the Duomo itself. Services are a bit stripped-down, in Italian boutique style; there’s no restaurant, just breakfast and some simple dishes in the American Bar. Still, that’s nothing to complain about—you can’t walk a block without stumbling into a fantastic café, not to mention what is, for many of us, Milan’s main attraction: not La Scala or the Duomo, but the Golden Quadrangle of designer shops.

Please note: Lemuria Resort of Praslin has a 10 night minimum stay policy between December 23rd and January 6th.

Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, a destination that was known until recently as a place whose hotels were a step behind the best Caribbean resorts. Of course, given the potential of this breathtaking corner of the world, this situation did not go uncorrected for long.

The Lemuria Resort is probably the most modern resort in the Seychelles. This is not to say that it’s overdeveloped or garish, because it certainly is not, but merely to say that in the laid-back Seychelles one is hard pressed to find service this efficient — many of the other resorts have not quite shed their three-star reputation. In fact if you are out to rough it, this may not be your place — it’s more a decadent, lift-no-finger sort of resort.

The resort is home to the first championship golf course in the Seychelles, and Lemuria, upon opening, snapped up two of Praslin’s finest beaches, Anse Georgette and Anse Kerlan. Suites are strewn along the coast, facing the Indian Ocean, each only 15 meters from the beach, and the enormous new villas, which open practically right onto the sand, are serviced by private villa masters, for even more fawning service than the suite guests receive.

Many of us are content merely contemplating the ocean, and out here the brilliant clear blue will make you forget all about the Caribbean. Those who can’t resist a dip will find the usual array of watersports, from snorkeling to windsurfing, and scuba lessons or deep-sea fishing expeditions can be arranged. On land the options are equally numerous, whether golf, tennis, or a day spent in the spa or lounging by one of the three cascading pools.

How to get there:
Lemuria Resort of Praslin is accessible from the international airport in Mahé. The flight takes 20 minutes. In addition, there is a government ferry service that links Mahé to the nearby island of Praslin. Contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Other Amsterdam boutique hotels get more attention, but the quietly stylish Vondel has become one of the city’s most desirable lodgings. And it’s easy to see why: a charming townhouse setting, located just off the nightlife-centric Leidseplein and close to the Museumplein and the shops on PC Hoofstraat, is a concept that doesn’t need much selling.

A recent renovation finds the Vondel looking lively, with some vibrant textile patterns and a fair bit of contemporary artwork. What’s distinct in its absence is the sort of logic-defying whimsy that has lately been tagged with the shorthand “Dutch design” — proof that there’s room in Amsterdam for more than one contemporary interior style.

Rooms are smart and comfortable, in most cases more on the sensible than the lavish end of things. Suites, however, do have jacuzzis, which is a luxury any way you look at it. There’s a meeting room, if you’ve got business, and a restaurant and bar for added convenience. However this is no five-star, and isn’t offering that kind of self-contained total hospitality experience — and anyway it would be a shame to waste this location by shutting yourself up in your room, with all that Vondelpark and central Amsterdam have to offer.

Please note: Longitude 131 cannot accommodate children 15 years old and under and has a 2 night minimum stay requirement.

The name Longitude 131° refers to the precise east-west location of Uluru, the rust-colored monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock, itself the primary attraction in Australia’s Red Centre, and the reason for this hotel’s existence. Not quite the only lodging within sight of this popular tourist destination, Longitude 131° is by far the most luxurious, and offers the best view — each of the tentlike guest cabins looks through full-length windows across six miles of desert at the thousand-foot-high Uluru.

Guest rooms are built on steel stilts, elevated a foot or so above the fragile brush, and guests are asked to keep to the paths, to minimize environmental impact. Inside the décor is a bit British Africa, of all things, each room themed after a different Australian pioneer, featuring a bit of memorabilia, perhaps a letter or some photos from the settlers’ time. Luxury carries the day, with vast plush beds and futuristic bathrooms, featuring views even from the shower and the bathroom mirror. And the front window’s blinds and screen are remotely operated — upon waking, you can let in the view and the breeze with the press of a button.

There’s a small pool, but aside from that, resort-style leisure activities are at a minimum. The rock is the main attraction, and guided tours to and around it and Kata Tjuta, its perhaps more dramatic sisters, are as close as you’ll get to any kind of sport or exercise. Some guests may prefer to contemplate the formations at a distance, and Longitude 131° is well suited to that, either from the guest rooms or from the Dune House restaurant and bar.

Best of all may be the sunset, when Uluru is at its most dramatic, changing colors rapidly with the setting sun. This location is among the world’s most spectacular, and it’s best enjoyed from an equally spectacular hotel. All of our favorite hotels strive to offer guests a unique experience — this one proves, if you’ll forgive the seeming absurdity of the sentiment, that some experiences are more unique than others.

How to get there:

Longitude 131 is 4 miles from Ayers Rock Airport and the hotel offers complimentary tranfers. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

These days Lake Placid is perhaps better known as a Winter Olympics venue (and as the site of a certain Cold War–era hockey game) than as a holiday destination. Which is unfortunate — the same sublime geography that makes it so well-suited to winter sports means it’s none too shabby in the summer either. Not to mention that they’ve got a certain body of water there that’s, well, none too rough apparently. And now they’ve got the Whiteface Lodge.

It’s owned by carpenter-turned-luger-turned-developer Joe Barile, a man who’s clearly no stranger to timbers, snow sports or real estate. Here they all come together in a contemporary version of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks, the upstate wilderness retreats that were the height of luxury in the days before air travel.

Suites at Whiteface are equipped with a bit more than the typical hotel room. Many are privately owned, as is the custom with so many new hotel developments — which means owners’-quality amenities, like fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs and in many cases full kitchens. In this bracket a spa is all but required, and the Whiteface doesn’t disappoint there — and the dining, naturally, is at the same high level, in the Kanu restaurant, one of Lake Placid’s top tables.

Imagine the Saudi Arabian equivalent of the Waldorf-Astoria and you’re well on your way to understanding what sort of place is the Qasr Al Sharq. In fact there’s a good reason for the comparison — it just so happens it’s part of the Waldorf-Astoria collection. Of course this being Jeddah, rather than New York, you’ll find certain concessions made to the locality; the style, obviously, is more suited to the gateway to Mecca than the gateway to the Upper East Side.

In terms of scale as well it’s a bit different from its distant Manhattan cousin. While the typical seven-star hotel (if there is such a thing) spreads hundreds of rooms over dozens of floors, the Qasr Al Sharq holds just forty-six very lavish suites, some of them quite beyond what’s normally considered presidential — rather strengthening the case for its boast that it’s more palace than hotel. We could go on and on enumerating the amenities and the extravagances, but suffice it to say the Qasr Al Sharq has a legitimate claim at being one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

As for Jeddah, it’s not just a business destination, or a waystation on a pilgrimage. The Saudi second city is a popular holiday destination, with a seaside setting that offers some relief from the furnace-like heat of Riyadh and other inland capitals. As such the Qasr Al Sharq offers some serious leisure opportunities, including a women-only spa, a rare thing indeed in this part of the world. It’s probably not a value proposition, and it’s certainly not for the budget-minded, but for pure richness of experience it’s in a high class indeed.

Le Château du Domaine St Martin occupies the former site of a fortress, carved into the side of a mountain, overlooking the French Riviera — the location is just outside the town of Vence, midway between Cannes and Monaco, and just 20 minutes from Nice International Airport.

There are only a few “Châteaux” in Provence. You will not be overwhelmed by touches of Provence in this one — besides the fruit trees and lavender growing on its vast domain high above the riviera. Yet, it is classic, up-to-date French luxury at its best — complete with underground parking. A renovation in 1997 added a new wing to the main building, and six private villas surround the complex. All of the suites and villas face the sea, and the view is picturesque, due to the hotel’s spectacular position — but you won’t exactly feel the spray from crashing waves, as the ocean is 12 kilometers away.

Then again, if it’s ocean spray you’re after, the Riviera has no shortage of beachfront lodging. The Château du Domaine St Martin is an experience unto itself — here you may consider yourself (quite literally) above the bustling crowds, the throngs of sunbathers on the distant sands.The accommodations are, above all, spacious, with nothing smaller than a Junior Suite. The private villas are very large, with two or three bedrooms, and are located up the hill from the château, with unimpeded views from enormous terraces. All suites, villas or otherwise, are air-conditioned, with marble bathrooms, antique furniture, and the richest of fabrics (this being France, after all).

Lush gardens surround the château, ideal for a nature walk, and the swimming pool, the spa and the clay tennis courts should be enough to keep restless guests properly distracted — though adventure seekers might prefer a helicopter tour, departing from the hotel’s own private helipad.

The featured attraction, though, is the cuisine. Le Saint-Martin is at the top of the marquee, where classic Provence cuisine is served on a terrace with a breathtaking view of Vence, Antibes Cape, and the Baie des Anges. Here hotel guests and local gourmets alike take in the panorama beside a gurgling fountain. La Rotisserie, with its open kitchen and panoramic terrace, was recently renovated, and L’Oliveraïe is the summer grill, with seating beneath a century-old olive tree.

Chewton Glen may be the country house hotel against which to measure all others. The location is spectacular, occupying 130 acres of parkland at the edge of the New Forest (once the hunting ground of Norman nobles, later the refuge of smugglers carrying Continental contraband). Nearby are Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and the Isle of Wight; closer still is the sublime, dramatic Dorset coast, and beyond, the Channel.

As scenic as the surroundings may be, many guests may never get to see them — the hotel is luxurious enough that to tear oneself from the grounds requires a supreme effort. The exterior may be simply that of a very big house in the country, but within the walls is a completely modernized luxury hotel. Those in search of authentic 18th-century interiors may be disappointed, but those who prefer comfort to rickety (however authentic) furnishings will be delighted. They simply did not make suites (and especially bathrooms) this large in the old days. And space isn’t the only luxury — the huge windows offer views of the grounds that are breathtaking enough to compete with the satellite TV and Bang & Olufsen entertainment centers.

An excellent restaurant may be enough to lure you from your room; Marryat features an eclectic and modern menu, with mushrooms and game from the New Forest mixing with seafood from Christchurch, and a variety of vegetarian options, as well as a remarkable wine list.

In keeping with the theme of decadent relaxation, and carrying on the Roman bath tradition in the South, is the Chewton Glen Spa — one of the best in England, and a consistent award-winner. A dizzying array of treatments are on offer, using products from Clarins, Thalgo, and Guinot. If a simple swim is more to your liking, then take a dip in the 17 meter indoor pool, in the central hall of the hotel. This pool is not just massive and photogenic, but ozone-treated as well, reducing the need for chlorination, and turning an everyday indoor pool into a spa-worthy luxury.

As for outdoor activities, there is everything one could wish for from a country house hotel, located between the forest and the sea. On the grounds one may indulge in golf, tennis, and croquet, and shooting and riding can be arranged nearby. If you are feeling adventurous, the hotel staff is happy to arrange fishing expeditions, 4×4 excursions into the New Forest, and even sailing the Solent (the channel between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight).

How to get there:
Chewton Glen Hotel is approximately a 1 1/2 hour drive from Heathrow Airport as well as London’s city center. London’s Waterloo Station to New Milton Station is a 1 hour and 50 minute trip by rail and a taxi can be arrange to meet you at the station. New Milton Station is 10 minutes from the hotel. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Naples, once Europe’s largest city, still sprawls—though long since surpassed in size, it remains a jumble of piazzas, ancient churches and winding streets. In the middle of all of this, in the heart of the Centro Storico, lies an 18th-century neoclassical house, and within, the Hotel Costantinopoli 104, a smart contemporary hotel whose bold lines and spare interiors are the perfect foil for the gilded splendor of the villa’s architecture.

Perhaps most delightful is the central courtyard garden, featuring one of just a very few swimming pools in historic Naples. A Liberty style stained glass window is the centerpiece of the building’s facade, and looks out into the courtyard, as do most of the guest rooms.

The Italians don’t see a contradiction between bold and simple modern interiors and ornate historic detail, but rather a complementary relationship. Like Naples itself, this place is a rich mixture of periods and styles. Rooms are furnished in bright white walls and vivid solid colored furnishings, without a hint of the rapidly tiring minimal style so popular elsewhere. Suites, appropriately, are a bit more ornate, featuring original architectural details like the occasional stone archway, as well as modern conveniences like sunken baths.

As for leisure, old Naples is a wonder to wander on foot, and the Archaeological Museum is close by, as are a wealth of cathedrals and churches. Shoppers are in paradise as well, as these historic streets, even in the old town, are lined with any number of designer boutiques.