Yes really, we couldn't quite believe it at first sight either. For one night only - Sunday 10th October 2010 - you can stay at at all 12 Malmaisons and 13 Hotel du Vins (excluding Winchester) for just £30 per person or £60 for two.

The Hotel du Vin has fourteen spaces to choose from, like a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, or a hospital; Malmaison offers rooms in hotels such as a converted Episcopal church in Glasgow and a remodelled prison in Oxford.

So for one weekend only forget the Sunday blues and indulge yourself for just 30 quid...

To book call +44 (0)845 365 4247.

£10 Breakfast applies across Malmaison / £10 Wine applies across Hotel du Vin. Offer subject to availability, £20 single person supp applies (so grab a friend)!

Guest post by Escapio.com

Paradores are stunning luxury hotels that have been designed to celebrate the rich diversity of Spanish culture. They are located in key tourist areas and offer truly unique opportunities for cultural immersion in the historic architecture of beautiful Spain.

1) Parador de Granada, Granada
Granada is a beautiful region that has a number of lovely churches and historic buildings. The main attraction is the stunning Alhambra castle, which is widely considered one of the great ancient architectural marvels of the world. The Alhambra is the former residence of influential Arabic Sultans and offers all the opulence and glamour you would expect from such a grand ruling dynasty. The Parador de Granada offers the perfect base to explore the culture of this region and is located in a beautiful 15th century Franciscan convent inside the grounds of the Alhambra Palace.

2) Parador de Oropesa, Toledo
Toledo is a large province and is famous for its lovely windmills and beautiful countryside. The regional capital (also called Toledo) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has an impressive collection of fine historic buildings that reflect the rich Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultural history. The province also offers a stunning 14th palace, which is the location of the beautiful Parador de Oropesa. This is a great place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding areas of natural and cultural richness.

3) Parador de Leon, Castile-Leon
Castile-Leon is one of Spain's most lovely provinces and one of the cultural centres of the country. Castile-Leon has a number of attractions including stunning areas of outstanding natural beauty and many of ancient palaces, castles, cathedrals and monasteries. The Parador de Leon offers unique stays in a beautifully renovated 16th century former monastery. This is a peaceful and secluded site from which you can explore the region by car, on foot or by bicycle.

4) Parador de Vielha, Comarqa Vall d'Aran
The Comarqa Vall d'Aran is a beautiful area of the Spanish Pyrenees with breathtaking mountain scenery. If you enjoy outdoor activities then this is a wonderful location all year round with winter sports, hiking, mountaineering and more. The Parador de Vielha is a stunning modern hotel that offers easy access to this lovely part of Spain. It is also close to one of the area's most impressive winter sports destinations, Baqueira-Beret.

5) Parador de Puebla de Sanabria, Lake Sanabria
Lake Sanabria is an area of outstanding natural beauty near the Portuguese border. The Parador de Puebla de Sanabria is a stylish modern building with a cool, minimalist charm, which is the perfect place to wake up before a day exploring the landscape and villages of the local area.

For more information on Paradores, rates, and bookings, please visit escapio.com.

The 13th century explorer, Marco Polo, described the Chinese city of Hangzhou as the "City of Heaven" and "the most beautiful and magnificent in the world." Today, seven centuries on, keeping this cultural legacy intact in a city that is booming and growing is no mean feat, but it's one that several new hotels in Hangzhou are aiming to achieve - including the brand new Banyan Tree.

The Banyan Tree Hangzhou, which opened in January of this year, is designed in the traditional style of the Jiangnan region. Like the neighbouring XiXi Wetlands, the property is surrounded by channels and lakes, with picturesque bridges and a pagoda within the grounds.

Consisting of seventy-two suites and villas, The Banyan Tree Hangzhou feels almost like a (very luxurious) village. We stayed in a Premier Water Terrace - one of the suites within the main building - which with its own sitting room, balcony and spa treatment room, plus a bedroom with a free standing hot-tub, and vast bathroom, was both very spacious (120 sqm) and fantastically indulgent. I was able to view a Water View Villa too, which though more private in it's own mini-grounds and with better views, didn't feel as spacious as the suite.

All of the suites and villas in the hotel are themed according to the four seasons, with colour schemes to match. In terms of mod-cons, guests have access to free in-room WiFi, plus the hotel's DVD and CD collection.

The Banyan Tree's location, 15 minutes away from downtown Hangzhou and the famous West Lake within the Xixi National Wetland Park, should - and no doubt shall - spell complete tranquility. At the moment however, it's the first finished property amongst a number of new hotels going up in the Westbrook project, which means there's some construction noise. This was minimal during our three-night stay though, especially as visiting the city's famous sights keeps most visitors busy from dawn till dusk.

The hotel's concierge team can help to organise all sorts of tours and full- or half-day trips. Though these definitely do not come cheap (around 2,000 RMB for a full day) in the heat and humidity of summer, and with limited time on our hands, it was well worth splashing out on. Our guide spoke impeccable English and took us tirelessly from one hot-spot to another explaining the history and significance of each; no need to cart along a cumbersome guide book. Our day tour took in Hangzhou's main sights of Fei Lai peak, and its 300 limestone carvings; the Temple of the Soul's Retreat; Longjing tea village (pictured below) and the Dragon Well; Leifeng Pagoda; a private boat trip on West Lake; the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon; and a historic shopping street. Not bad for a day's work!

If you do get sightseeing weary, the Banyan Tree Spa is a great haven. The pages-long treatment menu is full of solutions to ease you from stone into butter, and there's also a large indoor swimming pool and daily yoga or tai chi sessions to help you unwind. If you have a spa treatment room within your suite or villa you don't even have to walk to the spa - they will come to you.

What is worth heading out for though is dinner. Perhaps due to teething problems, the Banyan Tree's food is not its strong suit. On our first evening we tried the Chinese restaurant, Bai Yun, where Hangzhou and Canton flavours take centre stage. It's impossible to judge the food here as I am no aficionado of Chinese cuisine; some of the dishes on our tasting menu were fantastic - especially the West Lake fish - and others less so. It is the resort's Waterlight Court restaurant that really lets the side down. The breakfast buffet is average, and the a la carte menu a disappointment. I ordered a Caesar salad with "grilled chicken breast" and was served romaine leaves with processed chicken slices. On another occasion we asked for a vegetarian pizza and received something that can only have come out of a freezer packet. Let's hope it was the head chef's weekend off...

Food aside, the Banyan Tree Hangzhou was a great place to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong: scenic and indulgent with a young team keen to cater to your every need. Though Marco Polo's superlatives may not yet quite apply, they no doubt soon will.

Room rates start at RMB2,700 per night for a Water Terrace Suite and RMB3,700 per night for a Water View Villa (rates are subject to 15% tax and service charge).

Until 28 February 2011 enjoy the Romance in Hangzhou Package from RMB 5,998. Price includes a two-night stay in a Premier Water Terrace with daily breakfast for 2 people, plus:

- One set dinner at Waterlight Court for 2 people.
- One afternoon tea at Tea Lounge for 2 people.
- One 90-minute massage session (inclusive of a 60-minute massage and 30 minutes calm-time) for 2 people at Banyan Tree Spa Hangzhou.
- One in-suite Intimate Moments experience, inclusive of one bottle of red wine.
- Oriental bath experience in Onsen Treatment Room.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou: 21 Zijingang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310030, People's Republic of China; Tel: +86 571 8586 0000; Fax: +86 571 8586 2222; Web: www.banyantree.com.

Photo Credits: Pagoda on Lake by Mlq4296 (Creative Commons), Banyan Tree courtesy of Banyan Tree Resorts; Longjing Village by Simon Archer-Perkins.

By Christina Newberry

With so many vacationers booking their own travel packages online, or doing serious online research before contacting a travel agent, online review sites have become an essential part of the travel-planning process. But it can be frustrating trying to get a good picture of what a hotel is really like when there are great reviews mixed with terrible ones – leaving you wondering if the travelers could possibly all have gone to the same place.

When checking out vacation resorts in tropical destinations like Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, there are a few complaints that you can safely ignore, since they will not impact the quality of your vacation – or your tan. Here are the top 5 complaints you should ignore in any review of a tropical vacation destination.

1. My flight was delayed / the weather was bad

While a delayed flight and an unseasonable rainstorm will certainly impact how much you enjoy your holiday, these things are totally beyond your hotel's control. While the flight and hotel are often booked together for vacation packages, the hotel is not able to control the airline's scheduling or behavior (never mind the weather!). Reviewers' negative comments about flights and weather can be totally disregarded when choosing a hotel. For those who have had negative flight experiences, rather than take the problems out on the hotel, write a seperate flight review, contact your travel agent, tour operator, or airline for assistance or compensation.

2. There was a cockroach in my room
Welcome to the tropics! If you find a cockroach in an upscale hotel room in New York City, you should certainly call it to the attention of both hotel management and others who might be thinking of visiting that hotel. However, in warmer climates, cockroaches thrive outside, and often come in through open windows or doors. The presence of one in your room, while disturbing, does not mean the room is dirty or that the hotel has a roach problem. Giving a hotel a bad review because of a cockroach in your room in the tropics makes about as much sense as panning a hotel in Chicago because there was a little spider in the bathtub. Unless reviews mention entire families of cockroaches taking up residence in the hotel, this complaint is safe to ignore.

3. There were too many locals / the staff didn't speak enough English

If you want to be surrounded by your fellow countrymen, speaking your own language, you're best off traveling in your own country. It shocks me every time I see the "too many locals" comment in a review, but it pops up surprisingly often. Why not enjoy mixing with the locals instead of hoping for isolation from the culture you're visiting? In terms of English, any hotel catering to American, Canadian, or European tourists will have someone on hand with enough English skills to get you through any emergency situation. But for day-to-day interaction at the hotel, why not try to brush up on your abilities in the local language instead? Unless you want your vacation experience to be exactly like home, but warmer, this complaint can be totally disregarded.

4. The buffet was bland/repetitive (especially in Cuba)
There are two reasons why this common complaint can be ignored (and a third why it should be ignored if you're traveling to Cuba). First, a buffet is meant to serve a wide variety of tastes, and it's not reasonable to expect you'll like every item. Keep in mind that if things are a bit repetitive, you don't have to have every item you like every day – it's a buffet, so there are sure to be lots of choices, even with repeats. Second, no all-you-can-eat buffet is as gourmet as a formal restaurant – even at home. You should keep your expectations for gourmet dining in check at any all-inclusive. If things really are boring and repetitive, try some of the foods that are aimed at the local visitors – with new sauces, spices, and flavors to try, you should find the choices anything but boring.

Unless, of course, you're in Cuba, which is where that third reason comes in. When you travel to Cuba, you must remember that you are visiting a country that cannot get any goods from the United States, and lacks the infrastructure to transport perishable goods within its own borders. This situation, combined with a general lack of wealth in Cuba, means that many items you'd expect are simply not available. This is true across the board at Cuban resorts. If you can't handle a few green tomatoes and repetitive food, don't go to Cuba. If you do go, remember that no matter how bland your food may be, you are getting so much more than any local. Ignore this complaint and be thankful that you have so much at home that boring food on your vacation could possibly seem like something worth complaining about.

5. The bed was too hard
This is a cultural preference. Canadians and Americans seem to like their beds much softer than anyone else in the world, so when traveling we're often uncomfortable on hard beds. This does not mean, however, that the beds are cheap or the hotel is attempting to punish its guests – local visitors actually prefer the beds this way. Most hotels that cater to Canadians and Americans will have egg-crate-style foam mattresses available as mattress toppers. This softens the bed significantly, and deals with any discomfort for those used to soft beds. Just ask for one to be added to your bed on check in. Unless you have special chiropractic needs, this complaint can be safely ignored.

So there you have it – the top 5 reasons to ignore a bad hotel review. Use this list to help you get the real scoop on a hotel before you book, and know what to expect when you arrive. Keeping your expectations reasonable is the best way to ensure a happy holiday.

Photo Credits: iStockPhoto.com and ilhan gendron.

The gastropub phenomenon has inspired very mixed feelings amongst Brits. Some think it has reinvigorated pub culture and dining, whilst others believe it has stripped traditional boozers of their unique character.

One recent restoration that has been lovingly undertaken is that of The Orange on London's Pimlico Road. A year ago The Orange was a bit of a dark old flea pit; granted, it was atmospheric, but it was beloved of old timers who would sit embracing a pint for hours on end. Now it heaves with Chelsea's smart young things and you have to book in advance to guarantee a table in one of the bright and airy dining rooms.

The food at The Orange is simple and delicious. The wood fired pizzas are fantastically thin and crispy with delicious toppings such as spiced salami with artichokes and mushrooms, and torn chicken with pancetta, sage and pecorino. Salads are generous and come bursting with scrumptious ingredients. There is also a good selection of mains such as rib-eye steak, slow cooked shoulder of pork and herb crusted salmon.

Part of the restoration at The Orange included adding four simple and chic boutique bedrooms. Rates start at £155 + VAT per night, but that doesn't include breakfast. If you get well and truly stuck in of an evening it's good to know that you don't necessarily have to schlep home!

The Orange
37 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8NE; Tel: +44 207 881 9844; Web: www.theorange.co.uk; Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 8am to 11.30pm; Friday & Saturday 8am to Midnight; Sunday 8am to 10.30pm.

Photo Credits: Exterior shot by Emma Torry; Food shot via www.theorange.co.uk.

By Helena Iveson

Sometimes airports can be such a bore. What with crazy queues at security and cramped seats and cardboard food on the plane, it's no wonder that "staycations" are one of the travel industry's top trends.

For Singaporeans, the popular island resort of Sentosa, just a quarter of a mile from the mainland, is a very popular staycation destination, though up to now the attractions have been more family-friendly than fabulous. And while the newly-opened Resorts World is attracting all the publicity, the ultra-exclusive hotel Capella Singapore is where travellers in the know are heading, armed with Gucci bikinis and the latest copy of Vogue.

From the moment you glide up the meandering private driveway to the two colonial buildings that serve as the hotel's reception area, the hustle and bustle of Singapore feels a very, very long way away. Star architect Lord Norman Foster restored the dazzlingly white bungalows, and also added a stylish, undulating space behind them which houses the bulk of the hotel's fabulous accommodation and two restaurants. This earthy red building mirrors the contours of Sentosa's terrain, and guests enjoy spectacular views out to the South China Sea.

And it's not just the views that are dazzling: the Capella's spacious Modern Asian style rooms come with a state-of-the-art touch screen which controls every aspect from air-con to the blinds, iPod docking stations with Bose speakers, a wall-hung plasma TV, a Nespresso machine coffee machine, a private balcony and a open plan bathroom with a deep stone bath.

Staff are far too well mannered and discreet to name their celebrity guests, but when we were there, it looked as though a couple of local A-list celebrities, armed with huge sunglasses to keep out prying eyes, were lounging by one of the cascading pools. In fact, Capella Singapore, is the kind of place that you can picture someone glam like Beyonce sashaying past one of the resident peacocks that freely wander around the tropical gardens. Who needs Bali when an island paradise is just a ten minutes' drive away?

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Web: www.capellasingapore.com

Photo Credits: Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island by mrreynolds; Capella Singapore courtesy of Capella Hotels.

Iconic British handbag designer, Lulu Guinness, is being honoured at the Metropolitan hotel in London from 15th - 27th February with an afternoon tea inspired by her Autumn / Winter 2010 collection, "Kiss and Make Up".

Guests can look forward to lipstick cookies, make-up palette chocolate cake, and low-fat (fashionistas don't do fat afterall) cupcakes decorated with Lulu's famous lips and Pollyanna bags.

An even more delicious offer, for fashion-hungry travellers to London, is that everyone who has the "Lulu Tea" will receive 15% off all products in the Lulu Guinness Ellis Street store in SW1.

We like the look of this travel inspired canvas handbag (£225) as a super-chic hand baggage option.

The Lulu tea is available in the Met Bar from Monday 15th - Saturday 17th February 2010, from 3pm - 6pm. Price £25 per person. Reservations must be made in advance on +44 (0)20 7447 4757.

Metropolitan Hotel, London: Old Park Lane, London, W1K 1LB; Tel: +44 (0)20 7447 1000.

Lulu Guinness, Ellis Street: 3 Ellis Street, London, SW1X 9AL; Tel: +44 (0)207 823 4828.

Have you got one of those friends whose taste you marvel at, whose style you envy, and whose life is über-chic; the sort of friend whose home makes you wish were making millions and pray you'll be asked to stay? If you're fed up of waiting around for a piece of the action, or if you're in dire need of a dose of glam, we suggest you check out newly opened hotel, The Upper House, in Hong Kong.

Designed by Hong Kong architect Andre Fu, The Upper House is an oasis of individual style, space and calm in the centre of the city's business district. The idea is to make guests feel as though they are staying in a friend's luxurious home – a clever concept given that Hong Kong is bursting at the seams with traditional 5* hotels already – and it is well executed. Coffee table books lie on tables in the hotel's common spaces, cosy Hermès throws dangle temptingly from sofa backs, and backgammon boards lie open inviting you to get stuck into a game. In the evenings guests can take their drinks out to the lawn and lounge in candlelight at tables or on beanbags.

In keeping with the home-away-from-home theme, The Upper House has eschewed the traditional hotel check-in and concierge desks in favour of a mobile Guest Experience team that cruises around the hotel with portable laptops checking guests in and catering to their every need. And, in a move that would impress the most fastidious of hosts and demanding of house guests, the Guest Experience team contacts you before your arrival to find out about your particular likes and dislikes. If you're a stickler for extra soft pillows, a fridge stocked only with Diet Coke, or if you want a list of the nearest bars or best beaches, everything you need will be awaiting you. One guest asked for a list of Hong Kong's best hikes and details of what was showing at the cinema, and had all the information tucked into an envelope in her room.

Even without this impressive personal touch, guests are guaranteed to be wowed by the hotel's rooms. Starting – yes starting – at 730 sq. ft (68 sq. m) The Upper House offers the biggest hotel rooms in Hong Kong. Categorised from smallest to largest as Studio 70 (pictured below), Studio 80, Upper Suite and Penthouse, even the "smallest" of the rooms feels pretty vast, but what you gain in space you lose in traditional amenities; The Upper House has no pool and no spa preferring to allocate the space into creating more luxurious guest rooms.

As soon as you walk into the huge bathroom (every room type has one) and clock the separate dressing area, walk-in rain shower and limestone clad bath, we're not sure you'll mind about the lack of pool. Delicious REN products line shower shelves, sinks and baths – kitting you out with everything you need to create your own in-room spa experience.

The rooms come chock-a-block with complimentary treats: internet access (available throughout the hotel), a fully stocked mini-bar (free with the exception of wines, champagne and spirits), and an espresso machine. Hotel information is loaded onto an iTouch docked in the desk, and you can even use it to order room service, check the weather, and access a local map. Pretty nifty.

The size of the Upper House suites would make almost all Hong Kong home owners jealous. Starting at 1,230 sq. ft (114 sq. m) they comprise of an entrance way, large reception room, bedroom and double bathroom. They are perfect for business travellers in Hong Kong with a significant other as there are two ways in and out of the bedroom: a door into the reception room and a door (dubbed the "girlfriend door") out into the hallway, thus the lucky other needn't disturb a meeting should they want to nip out for a splurge in swanky Pacific Place mall underneath the hotel.

Rooms have either harbour or island views. We recommend the island view rooms if you can forego the Hong Kong harbour skyline, they are quieter and more serene.

In terms of wining and dining, there's the longest bar in Hong Kong and a laid-back bistro style restaurant to choose from. The views are impressive, and the semi-private dining spaces perfect for either dinner-à-deux or a business tête-à-tête.

If The Upper House ticks your boxes now is the time to head to the home away from home: until the end of December you get two nights for the price of one. Bearing in mind how much you'd have to spend on a thank-you present for your über-stylish friend, perhaps it makes more sense to splash out on a couple of nights at The Upper House than to take up an invite from them...

The Two Nights for One offer is valid until 31st December 2009. Rates start from HK$3,388 for a 730sq ft Island View Studio 70.

The Upper House
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2918 1838; Web: www.upperhouse.com.

No matter how many miles you've travelled to get to The Napasai, as soon as you collapse into your enormous white bed, listening to nothing but the sound of lapping waves, rustling palms and humming cicadas, you'll know your journey has been worth it.

A few weeks after my own trip to The Napasai, the word that comes to mind when summing it up is serene. It is the perfect place for some serious R, R and R (if you feel like throwing in some romance to the old equation).

Unlike so many of Koh Samui's resorts, The Napasai is set in 17 acres of private tropical gardens and is blissfully free from irksome next door neighbours and their accompanying noise. Whichever room category you opt for, you're guaranteed unmarred views over Ban Tai beach and the Gulf of Thailand all the way to the horizon where Samui's sister islands, Koh Panghan (where the famous full moon parties take place) and Koh Tao rise up from the sea.

The resort is made up of Sea View Cottages, Beachfront Cottages, Garden Cottage Suites, Beachfront Cottage Suites and private villas, all of which are decorated in the traditional Thai style – like Jim Thompson's famous Bangkok house on a smaller scale – and dotted with clusters of fresh orchids. The cottages are spacious, quiet and comfortable, with private balconies where you can sit and soak up the incredible views. The bedrooms have both an enormous king-sized bed, and a Thai style day bed. The bathrooms come with big tubs, perfect for soaking in, and delicious Panpuri natural products that have been created especially for The Napasai (you'll want to fill your whole suitcase with them).

The real show stoppers at The Napasai though are its infinity pool, set just above the resort's private beach, and the beach itself, with those unbroken views across to Koh Pangnan and Koh Tao. The Napasai staff even equips you with a flag when you're relaxing on the beach so you don't have to stir yourself to fetch a drink – hoist the flag and they'll come to you. Sunbathing doesn't get much better than that. When we were there the little beach was so deserted it felt like a private slice of island paradise.

Despite our best efforts to try out the spa we couldn't get an appointment, which I suppose is a sign that the treatments are good. You can put the big tub in your room to use though and ask the spa to run you a special treatment bath to take the edge of jetlag or sunburn.

The in resort dining options are fairly standard. As we were only on Samui for two days we didn't have much time to explore other local options, although I can recommend Nikki Beach on Lipa Noi (approx. 20 minutes away from The Napasai) for fab sundowners and chic day-bed style dining.

The Napasai is one of those places that you don't want to leave, to the detriment of any Samui sightseeing plans you may have, but it guarantees you'll come away having indulged in low-key but luxurious R, R (and R) time.

The Napasai
65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84330, Thailand; Tel: +66 (0)77 42 92 00; Fax: +66 (0)77 42 92 01; Email: info@napasai.com; Web: www.napasai.com.

Nikki Beach
96/3 Moo 2 Lipa Noi, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84140, Thailand; Tel: +66 (0)77 914 500; Web: www.nikkibeach.com/kohsamui.

All photos are ©Emma Torry except Seaview cottage at Napasai, which is ©Orient-Express Hotels.

Hotel prices in the UK currently stand at 13% above the European average*. Though this statistic doesn't come as much of a surprise it's still beat-the-system exciting when you stumble across a unique UK accommodation experience that won't break the bank.

For travellers visiting England, the cities of London, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Canterbury and Newcastle all feature on the typical travel itinerary; a way to ensure your stay in these destinations is truly memorable - without having to cough up the average of £116 per night - is to book into a University room.

Pick from historic colleges in Oxford and Cambridge, plus the Universities of Newcastle, Nottingham, Leicester, Kent in Canterbury, Durham, Sheffield, University College London, Warwick, and Plymouth. Rooms are clean and many have en-suite bathrooms, internet access and power showers.

Indulge any Brideshead Revisited or Chariots of Fire fantasies you might have and from £40 per night stay in Oxford colleges such as Jesus, Balliol and Trinity College, or from £34 per night in Cambridge colleges including Christ's College, St. Catherine's and Corpus Christi. You can follow in the footsteps of famous real-life and literary Oxbridge alumni and eat in college halls, wander through the quads and college gardens, try your hand at punting, and drink in the college bar.

Things really have changed since I slept across the UK on friends' University bedrooms floors. Even as an impoverished student I would have happily paid from £28 a night to forego the sleeping bag on the cold, hard floor experience.

For more information on booking University bed and breakfast accommodation visit www.universityrooms.co.uk.

Photo Credits: Bodleian Montage by Daveybot; Oxford Punts by slack12.

*Source: trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), 6 August 2009.

By Christina Newberry

The Internet can be a fickle ally when it comes to planning adventures. You can find amazing deals, but you can also get yourself into hot water by booking with a shady company or hotel. Or, you can have your heart broken bit by bit as you discover perfect place after perfect place to stay that just happen to be way beyond your travel budget.

This last scenario happened to me when I came across the website for Azulik, an "ecoresort" in Tulum, Mexico. The concept is magical – large, private cabanas overlooking the roaring surf, with soaker tubs on every balcony. At Azulik the eco-resort concept means no electricity, no phone, and no air conditioning, but the indoor and outdoor tubs promise plenty of hot water. And you can summon a staff member to take your room service order by raising a flag at your cabana's front door. The online pictures are stunning. I was smitten.

The only problem? Rooms start at US$325 per night. On a trip that was built around hostel stays and self-catering apartments at a tenth of that price, Azulik was simply out of reach. I cursed at the picture of a woman lounging in an outdoor soaking tub, overlooking the sea below.

And then – oh, and then – I noticed the small link on Azulik's homepage pointing to current specials. Among other deals, I found the one that would cure my heartbreak – 60% off regular rates for booking a room within 24 hours of arrival. With a month in Mexico and no set plans of where I had to be and when, this option was workable. Yes!

Soon, my partner and I found ourselves settling in for three nights in the honeymoon suite. Regularly priced at US$350 per night, the 60% discount brought it to US$140 per night: still not budget accommodation, but within the realm of the reasonable. With a king-sized bed draped in a lovely mosquito net, plus hanging beds and soaker tubs carved from large trees both inside and outside, it was stunning. I got myself into that soaking tub as soon as I could – now I was the woman in the picture I had seen online. Bliss!

As we eased into the vibe of the place, I took advantage of the free morning yoga classes, got used to evenings lit only by candlelight, and continued to be blown away by our good fortune. I even came to appreciate the iguanas who were on constant watch on the cliffs below (except the one who skittered into the room to lick jam off the remains of a breakfast tray). As I relaxed, I started to warm up to the idea of leaving my swimsuit behind and hitting the beach below.

Ah, yes – Azulik has a clothing-optional beach (it is, in fact, a clothing-optional resort). Raised in a straight-laced protestant home, I never pictured myself frolicking naked in the waves (a long-time Vancouver resident, I've never even ventured near Wreck Beach, our local clothing-optional haunt). But as Mexican time took hold and the eco-resort atmosphere seeped into my soul, I found myself throwing caution to the wind. In the crashing surf, bare as the day I was born, looking up at our cabana on the clifftop, I realised – life is simple; life is good.

IF YOU GO

Azulik is the most luxurious of three properties that make up EcoTulum Resorts and Spa. Copal offers mid-range accommodations, and Zahra caters to the budget traveller. All have direct beach access. Copal and Azulik are clothing-optional.

Where: Tulum, Mexico.

Cost: High season (Nov. 15 to April 30 and July 15 – Aug. 31): US$40 per night for a basic no-bath cabana at Zahra up to US$350 per night for the luxurious honeymoon suite at Azulik. Online specials can save you 20% – 60%.

Contacts: The resort's main site, www.ecotulum.com, offers information on all three properties. For individual properties, visit www.azulik.com, www.cabanascopal.com and www.zahra.com.mx.

Photo Credits: Images by Christina Newberry, except 'Azulik, Doce' by jason_chinn via Flickr.

If you're aiming for the pinnacle of London luxury next time you travel to The Big Smoke, check out The Connaught hotel's hot new offering, The Apartment.

Designed by David Collins and located on the top floor of The Connaught, The Apartment mixes art, culture and literature to create the feel of a private collector's home. The space comprises of a double height sitting-room, dining room, a master-bedroom with a dressing room and en-suite marble bathroom, a guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, and two landscaped decked terraces with views over the rooftops of Mayfair.

David Collins said he intended to create "an iconic, unique home from home". The Apartment is design for "a discerning client: well travelled, informed and with an appreciation of design and the art of living. It is a private place for a chosen few and a very personal design statement".

Distinctive touches in The Apartment include a library of twentieth century novels, art history books and rare volumes; antique and contemporary artworks; lilac leather lined cabinetry; a bespoke card table; a four poster bed; a custom designed white marble fireplace and a capsule collection of Guerlain beauty products.

Fashionistas can brief The Connaught to scour the neighbouring designer shops for goodies and have them waiting in the dressing room prior to arrival. Foodies and hosts-with-the-most can have their personal Connaught butler arrange a private dinner party, with menus specially designed by two-Michelin star chef Hélène Darroze.

The Apartment's rates are upon request so you can bet your bottom dollar luxury this serious has a price tag to match.

The Connaught, Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL; Tel: +44 (0)207 499 7070, Web: www.the-connaught.co.uk.

London's Claridges hotel has teamed up with iconic fashion house, Christian Dior, to offer guests staying in the hotel's Linley and Claridge's Suites the "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" experience.

The Dior Dressing Table is a bringing to life of the bygone boudoir era of 1930's and 40's Hollywood. Expect all the classic Dior fragrances on your art-deco dressing table, plus a Dior beauty kit of compacts, powders and ruby red lipstick and nail varnish.

You can float to your Dior dressing table in a cream silk Claridge's dressing gown personalised with your initials, high heeled marabou mule slippers and a rose pink cashmere eye mask (which might be better left for bed if you want to match the likes of Rita Hayworth and Greta Garbo in the style stakes).

As you make yourself up you can sip 1930s inspired cocktails served in Lalique glasses from Claridge's Fumoir Bar and listen to a playlist of songs from Josephine Baker and Fred Astaire.

If Mr. Right is running late novels by Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford should distract you.

The "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" will be available in Linley / Claridge's suites at an additional price of £300 to the quoted room rate. The price includes all Four Dior fragrances, beauty gifts – lipstick / nail varnish / powder, personalised silk dressing gown, an Evelyn Waugh book, CD and cocktails from the Fumoir. For reservations, call +44 (0)20 7629 8860 or visit www.claridges.co.uk.

The Lost crew must be honoured that one of their set designs has seemingly spawned a look-a-like hotel suite in Quepos, Costa Rica.

The Hotel Costa Verde has refurbished a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe into a unique two bedroom suite.

The airframe was shipped, piece by piece, from San Jose airport to the hotel's location in the jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park. The aeroplane suite sits on a 50 foot pedestal and enjoys views over the ocean and jungle canopy.

From USD 300 (plus tax) a night you can enjoy the plane's teak panelled interior, hand-carved furnishings, two bedrooms, kitchenette, dining area and ocean view terrace.

I suppose it's as close to a private jet experience as most of us mere mortals are ever going to get, but a Boeing 727 hotel suite in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle is about as bizarre as some of the Lost plot lines.

Photos via www.costaverde.com and abc.go.com.

With three weeks to go until Easter, now is the perfect time to snap up a last-minute deal to one of the world's top Easter holiday destinations.

To inspire you, we've put together a guide to the top Easter breaks for 2009. So stop planning this year's Easter egg hunt and start packing your suitcase for a fantastic Easter holiday!

ANTIGUA, CARIBBEAN:

What: Join Eric Clapton, Oprah Winfrey and Giorgio Armani this Easter and holiday in style on the stunning island of Antigua. What better place to put your Lenten restrictions behind you than on beaches of soft white sand, under a hot sun and in perfect azure waters? The average April temperature in Antigua is a gorgeous 26°C / 79°F.

Why: Jaw-dropping beaches, colonial splendour, wonderful weather and a fantastic atmosphere. Stick around for the week after Easter and ogle open-mouthed at the big, fat classic yachts as they come out to play for the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (16 – 21 April).

Where: Stay at the super-stylish Inn at English Harbour hotel for the perfect blend of Colonial style luxury and contemporary comfort.

Wow: LHR – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 6697; LAX - Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 5018; JFK – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 4886.*

OMAN

What: From souks to ancient sights to snorkelling to sandy beaches, Oman offers opulence, indulgence, adventure and luxury. Muscat, Oman's capital, boasts some seriously impressive hotels in stunning beach locations. Fashionistas and bargain hunters can go crazy in the city's markets, culture vultures can spend days soaking up the impressive sights and adrenaline junkies can dune buggy and scuba dive.

Why: There's something for everyone: jagged mountains, lush valleys, dramatic dunes, empty beaches, superb snorkelling, vibrant souks, camel racing and incredible history and culture. Easter temptation indeed...

Where: Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Muscat. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop on 200 acres of private beach and lush green gardens, the Al Bustan Palace Hotel has a reputation as the best hotel in the Middle East and one of the finest hotels in the world.

Wow: Return flights from LHR – Muscat from USD 494 per person; from LAX – Muscat from USD 1558 per person; from JFK – Muscat from USD 1077 per person.*

PHUKET, THAILAND

What: One of the world's best known beach destinations, and dubbed the "Pearl of the South", Phuket is swanky and seductive in equal measures. It's a place to dive in azure seas, lounge at chic beach resorts, sip cocktails and soak up the glitz and glamour.

Why: Bargains are easy to find at Phuket's glam resorts and beachside villas and can be bagged, last-minute for hundreds of dollars less than their normal rates. If you're after a luxury Easter break on a moderate budget, this is the destination for you.

Where: If you want glitz on a relative shoestring then opt for Indigo Pearl. The resort offers very decent accommodation, great hotel pools and is located on Nai Yang Beach on Phuket's northwest shore. For a chic boutique hotel and trendy vibe opt for the ever-popular Twinpalms Phuket. Located right next to Thailand's 'millionaires' cove', the hotel's beach is a great site to spot celebrities.

Wow: From LHR – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 5463 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 8994 at Twinpalms Phuket; From LAX – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3722 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 6844 at Twinpalms Phuket; From JFK – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 8094 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 11638 at Twinpalms Phuket*.

SANTORINI, GREECE

What: Arguably Greece's most romantic and spectacular island, Santorini offers a very local and authentic Greek Orthodox Easter experience. Spend the days leading up to Easter on a private yacht and exploring the Santorini's famous volcano "the caldera". Join in with the islanders' Easter celebrations and processions. Enjoy the Easter feasting and taste the incredible local lamb. On Easter Monday make the most of the local flora and visit Santorini's local vineyards.

Why: Stunning scenery, amazing hikes, beautiful beaches and fantastic weather, plus the experience of joining in with local Easter celebrations and traditions.

Where: La Meduse Santorini. Bang slap on Perivolos Beach, the island's longest sandy strip, this whitewashed boutique hotel occupies a Cycladic-style property and boasts crisp, fresh rooms.

Wow: From LHR – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 1817; From LAX – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 4938; From JFK – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3145*.

SEVILLE, SPAIN

What: Passion and devotion combine in this fiery Spanish city and Semana Santa (Easter week) is one of the most exciting times to visit. Seville has hosted Easter celebrations for four centuries, and they are universally famous. Around 50,000 parade through the city's streets in traditional costumes during Seville's 58 organised processions. Expect to be wowed by religious statues, music, embroidered cloaks and velvet tunics.

Why: It goes without saying that Seville is one of Europe's most impressive cities. Moorish architecture, flamenco and bullfighting take centre stage in this stunning city. A long Easter weekend in Seville promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Where: Hotel San Gil. Housed in a restored 19th-century building, Hotel San Gil's preserved mosaics echo Seville's Moorish past. Just one kilometre from Seville's historic centre, Hotel San Gil is perfectly located for all the Easter action.

Wow: LHR – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2205; JFK – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2388*.

We hope this answers your questions about what to do at Easter, where the best Easter holiday destinations are and how to plan an Easter trip. Have a great time!

*All prices correct at the time of going to print.

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 all via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Helena Iveson

Not yet discovered by the travelling hordes, Hotel G, 5 minutes walk away from the bright lights and bars of Sanlitun, opened just after the Olympics and is a stylish and extremely well-priced Beijing bolthole.

Tucked behind the city's best known gay club, Destination, but not within earshot of the disco beats, the exterior looks best at night when the façade is lit up with an array of coloured lights. The reception area is a shade too moodily lit for it's own good, but persevere as the actual rooms are Beijing's biggest bargains – sleek and sexy is the theme du jour.

Happily, some of the best rooms are actually the cheapest – the 110 bedrooms are divvied up as good, great, greater or greatest, and the good rooms (from 1088RMB) have glamorous velvet drapes, darkly coloured 60s retro chic furniture and bathrooms complete with rainforest showers and L'Occitane toiletries.

In fact, everything about Hotel G combines to encourage you to stay in and skip the sights: from the complimentary entertainment options (iPod docks, DVD players, Nintendo Wii, free WiFi) to the two in-house restaurants, Beijing's best burger joint 25 Degrees (sister restaurant to the famed Hollywood version) and funky fine dining Japanese eatery Morio.

The staff speak great English and will arm you with Chinese addresses and maps should, for some reason, you happen to wish to venture outside.

Hotel G Beijing: 7 Gongtixilu, Chao yang District, Beijing, China; Phone: +86 (0)10 65523600; Fax: +86 (0)10 65523606; www.hotel-g.com.

If you're planning a trip to the Big Apple you are, no doubt, wading through masses and masses of hotel options trying to find the right place, in the right location at the right price. Why not let Forbes do some of the hard work for you? They've put together a list of the 10 Best Hotels in NYC.

Eight of the ten are within a three-minute walk of Central Park, while one overlooks the expanse of New York Harbour and another boasts massive loft-like rooms.

Sound good? Here's the list:

The Carlyle

Forbes says: The Carlyle, an unabashedly Upper East Side establishment on Manhattan’s Madison Avenue, appeals to those looking for a white-glove type of property in a world where luxury has become dominated by corporate five stars and boutique brands. With its history and reputation for discretion, it is a magnet for royalty, heads of state and old money. Not surprisingly, the old-school vibe can sometimes slip into just plain stuffy. However, the hotel sits in perfect proximity to Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum and the shops of Madison and Fifth Avenues.

Four Seasons New York

Forbes says: Although just 15-years-old, this 52-story, I.M. Pei-designed limestone hotel—New York's tallest—has already assumed its place as a midtown landmark. Located amid Manhattan’s best shopping and corporate headquarters, the hotel is popular with deep-pocketed visitors as well as locals looking for a midtown respite. Marble-floored from its soaring columned lobby onward, it is a lesson in dramatic interiors. And staying there is a lesson in superlatives; the Four Seasons leaves even the most luxurious competitors still playing catch up.

Hotel Plaza Athenee

Forbes says: Hidden on a tree-lined street in the tony Upper East Side, the 17-floor Plaza drips with sophistication. Hand-painted murals? Check. Antique furniture? Affirmative. Marble-lined lobby with Louis XVI furniture? Certainly. This French-flavored lodge’s hoity-toity trappings attract power-broker businessman and moneyed European travelers, who'd rather fly under the radar than make a fussy scene. Shopaholics will be thrilled to learn that Bloomingdale's and Barneys New York are a few blocks away. Also close are cultural riches like the Whitney Museum, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Central Park

The Lowell

Forbes says: In a city where "flavour of the month" rarely refers to ice cream, it's reassuring to know that one can seek refuge in a hotel that is no slave to fashion—and this Upper East Side classic certainly fits the bill. Understated elegance may be a cliché in the hospitality world, but The Lowell has it in spades. The inviting Old World décor, human scale and location five blocks up from the Midtown fray happily conspire to smooth out some of the harder edges of your typical New York City sojourn.

Mandarin Oriental New York

Forbes says: The tone is high drama from the moment you enter the 35th-floor lobby, from the large, circular marble floor to the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture in the center and the panoramic views of midtown and Central Park viewed through floor-to-ceiling windows. Offering Asian serenity within the hustle and bustle of New York, this branch of the Hong Kong-based company has been competing for top hotel in town since it opened in the Time Warner complex in 2003. While its location just west of Central Park affords those views, that has also been the hotel's only questionable point: whether the high rollers who stay here want to be on the West Side instead of the 57th Street/Fifth Avenue axis that is the center of Midtown—and the vortex of power.

The Mercer

Forbes says: The only hotel in the city to provide a taste of true loft living, the Mercer's lobby also offers some of the best celebrity-watching in New York. Yet despite its illustrious clientele, this Soho paean to minimalist chic knows that it's always better to feign modesty, so there's no sign on Mercer Street to announce it. Just look for the unfeasibly good-looking staff member standing beneath the clock.

The Peninsula New York

Forbes says: Sharing a corner with the St. Regis meant that the 20-year-old Peninsula New York has had to step up its game. With a great location and suave demeanour, the hotel treats business travellers to a quiet, unobtrusively elegant room, while its clubby atmosphere and landmark status allow the weekend guest to live it up in style. Entering the circa-1905 Beaux Arts building, a double-staircased grand foyer sets a mood that wavers on the aristocratic side of chic, but with the new addition of rooftop bar Salon de Ning — a nod to the Peninsula's Hong Kong origins — and newly overhauled fitness and spa areas, the hotel is poised to enter the next decade as a sleeker, less stodgy Midtown player.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park

Forbes says: Forget everything you think about Ritz-Carlton. This downtown hotel steps outside the chain's traditional comfort zone with an art deco interior reminiscent of a 1920s cruise liner. Like its uptown sister hotel on Central Park South, the hotel attracts its share of celebrities and executives, but here the vibe is low-key and the hip factor high with cool colours, pale woods, plush seating that begs you to dive in and contemporary art from 100 living New York artists. Down at the tip of Manhattan, you're out of the frenzy—but just a five-minute taxi ride from Soho or Tribeca. And the views are spectacular.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

Forbes says: As the flipside of its downtown art deco sister, this uptown Ritz-Carlton in a 1930s building has a New York townhouse vibe. Despite the sycamore-paneled walls and ceiling, antique French and Italian crystal chandeliers, early 1920s paintings by Samuel Halpert, and grand piano, the lobby floor Star Lounge is surprisingly casual—you can even order mini-burgers or mac and cheese. You can’t beat the central location, just blocks from 5th Avenue, the Time Warner Center and MoMA, and with views straight down the middle of Central Park.

St. Regis Hotel

Forbes says: John Jacob Astor built this beaux-arts masterpiece in 1904 to house his society guests in a manner to which they had become accustomed in Europe (including a white marble staircase that cost a whopping $1 million in turn-of-the-century dollars). That old-world grandeur is still on view in the intricate carved moldings, inlaid marble floors, gilded mirrors and doors, and crystal chandeliers that are the hallmark of this urban palace. Apart from the lavish style, though, every experience is a classic here, from formal afternoon tea in the Astor Court to a Bloody Mary (which was invented here) in the dark, inviting King Cole Bar with its famed Maxfield Parrish murals.

For more information about New York visit the main iloho website, www.iloho.com.

Photo Credit: A bird's eye view by statophere via Flickr (Creative Commons).

According to the Travel Intelligence team, these are the hottest boutiques of 2008. So pack your bags and get going - what better way to forget about the credit crunch?

The Zetter, London, UK

TI says: An affordable, kooky boutique hotel in edgy East London. Centrally located, it's just a stroll from the British Museum and St Paul's. Rates from GBP 89

www.thezetter.com

Hotel Patou, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

TI says: This sexy boutique hotel is a hit with Amsterdam's fashionistas. Rates from EUR 175.

www.hotelpatou.nl

Hotel Tres, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

TI says: A sophisticated bolthole in the heart of Palma's old town. Rates from EUR 160.

www.hoteltres.com

For more hotel ideas click here.

By Connie Motz

Picture a white-washed Moroccan villa with mysterious high arches. Notice the stark contrast when lush green palms sway gently over the building. Now imagine a series of eighteen Moroccan villas set like exotic jewels along a two mile pristine white sand beach. Imagine no more: this Moorish fantasy is a luxurious reality, Cap Juluca.

Located on the northern Caribbean island of Anguilla, the five-star Cap Juluca was rated by readers of Travel+Leisure as the number ten resort in the whole of the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

With no more than six units to a Moroccan villa, standard amenities at Cap Juluca include spacious rooms, gorgeous ocean views with direct beach access, striking marble bathrooms and separate showers. Suites at Cap Juluca range from 103 square metres (with beautiful covered terraces and inviting double tubs) to 232 square metres (these include a romantic private pool, perfect for honeymooners).

Cap Juluca offers three dining choices for guests: fresh seafood at Pimm's, Moroccan cuisine and endless views at Kemia while a more casual dining atmosphere is offered at George's, where the Friday night seafood barbecue cannot be missed.

Daily complimentary breakfast consists of an amazing array of fresh fruits and pastries either at George's or on your own private terrace. Contact the chef to arrange a private "wine room" dinner or a romantic beach dinner complete with bamboo tiki torches. Now, while you wait, will that be afternoon tea in the Main House or afternoon sorbet on the beach?

Unwind by attending a Pilates or yoga class or workout at the full fitness centre or aqua golf driving range. Play croquet or tennis, enjoy the pool, explore the island on a bicycle, snorkel or enjoy an invigorating morning of sailing. After a day relaxing or working out, Cap Juluca Spa Services are waiting to pamper and instil wellness through a selection of massage and skin therapy techniques.

If you ever decide to leave the resort the lush new 18-hole Temenos Golf Club, with its stunning views of the Caribbean, is only 10 minutes away. Scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy the abundance of coral and sea life that Anguilla's turquoise Caribbean waters display.

International holiday makers can fly non-stop from major cities like London and Amsterdam, directly to Julianna International Airport on the neighboring island of St. Maarten. Vacationers can then travel to Anguilla via a small commercial aircraft or via a complimentary 25 minute ferry; either of these options can be pre-arranged by the Cap Juluca staff. To search for flights click here.

Cap Juluca: PO Box 240, Maundays Bay, Anguilla, Leeward Islands, British West Indies; Tel: 1-888-858-5822 or 1-264-497-666; Website: www.capjuluca.com. Click here for 2009 room rates.

About Anguilla Anguilla is a picture perfect hideaway in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. A relatively flat island, Anguilla is only 16 miles long by 3 miles wide. But don't let this tiny island deceive you. Anguilla is rich in history, culture, offers many art galleries and museums, along with fantastic duty-free Caribbean shopping. For travel to Anguilla, passports are required by most countries.

Photos: Published with the permission of the Zimmerman Agency.

As Asia's fast-growing gambling mecca Macau has it all: slick casinos, high-rollers, designer labels, jaw-dropping shows, chic restaurants and huge hotel complexes. In this city of superlatives however, something has been missing: the "boutique" factor. Large-scale, Vegas-esq experiences are easy to come by in Macau, but the more individual and unique factor is harder to find.

The Four Seasons Macau, which opened on the Cotai Strip in August of this year, is doing its best to fill this void. It has brought the promise of something different and more personalised, which is a breath of fresh air for the traveller seeking quiet, comfort and personalised service.

Granted, with 360 rooms the Four Seasons Macau hardly conforms with the traditional perception of boutique, but when compared with behemoths such as the neighbouring Venetian (3,000 rooms) and soon the to be completed Sheraton opposite (some 4,000 rooms) the hotel feels it. The design – contemporary mixed with colonial accents and hints of the orient – brings a unique edge and antique pieces of furniture, sourced from local markets and antique shops, add to the hotel's individuality.

Service reigns supreme here; staff are, without exception, friendly, polite and attentive. Your name will be remembered and your quirks indulged. As one Four Seasons restaurant manager underlined, the hotel is geared towards the discerning traveller seeking a haven of calm and top-notch service. Where many hotels in Macau compete on price, the Four Seasons seeks to differentiate itself by offering the best standard of hospitality.

Rooms are spacious and comfortable. They come kitted out with a 42" plasma screen, WiFi (at an additional cost), vast marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers, L'Occitane products and deep bathtubs. Don't expect fantastic views, the Cotai Strip is still an eyesore of a building site, instead sink into the big bath and watch TV whilst sipping on something brought up to you by room service.

Guests seeking further peace and quiet should beat a retreat to Windows, which feels more like a country club than a bar / restaurant. Its leather wingback chairs, fireplace and big open-air verandah make it a great spot to enjoy a newspaper and afternoon tea far away from the hustle and bustle of the casino floors.

When it comes to eating, the hotel has a Cantonese restaurant, Zi Yat Heen, as well Belcanção, an extravagant international buffet bulging with European favourites and dim sum. The hotel's most hyped destination though has to be Bar Azul, a stylish spot with moody blue lighting and a slick bar serving wine, cocktails, champagne and fantastic complimentary canapés.

Visitors seeking retail therapy can sleep easy knowing that the new Shoppes at Four Seasons, Macau's first luxury mall, is just metres away. Guests after glitz and glamour have the Venetian's gaming floor on their doorstep, plus Cirque du Soleil's impressive US$150 million production, ZAIA, close at hand (the hotel concierge can arrange tickets or you can book online).

The Four Seasons also offers guests a big outdoor pool complex, plus a spa and fitness facilities.

For more information visit www.fourseasons.com/macau. Room rates start at HKD/MOP 2,700 per night.

Four Seasons Hotel, Macao, Cotai Strip: Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, S/N, Taipa, Macau; Tel. +853 2881 8888; Fax. +853 2881 8899.

To explore more hot hotels click here and to read more hotel reviews click here.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it has signed a long-term agreement to manage a new luxury hotel and condo tower in Atlanta, Georgia. The project is scheduled to open in 2011.

The Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta and The Residences is set to be a 53-storey, 198 guestroom development in the heart of Atlanta's arts district. Once completed it will be one of the city's tallest structures, with a glass façade and views over Piedmont Park.

Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, said: "Mandarin Oriental is delighted to have been selected by the owners and developers of this exciting project, and look forward to the opportunity of extending our luxury brand into one of America's fastest-growing cities."

Photo: Atlanta HDR Downtown Direction by Rick_Austin via Flickr (Creative Commons)

W Hotel, new kid on the Hong Kong hotel block, is injecting some serious style into West Kowloon. With its breed of non-traditional luxury it's helping to rejuvenate and glam up this burgeoning area. The hotel opens into Elements mall, the city's newest, and sits next to the ICC, which will be Hong Kong's tallest building upon its completion in 2010.

The hotel aims to create a nature-inspired oasis within Hong Kong's urban jungle. Treelike columns rise up through the hotel lobby and bar, their branches twinkling with fairylights when darkness falls. The 393 guest rooms, designed by Australian firm g+a and Japanese firm Glamorous, are adorned with pretty butterfly motifs or a more masculine wood, fire, earth and metal theme. Even waiting for a lift on the guest floors will leave you feeling like Alice in Wonderland amid large bookshelves.

W Hong Kong's commercial waterfront location makes for some fantastic, if somewhat gritty, views. No kicking back and enjoying the light show from these rooms: W guests can soak-up refreshingly different vistas from the traditional harbourside hotels – think docks and cargo ships rather than luxury cruiseliners and yachts – that cleverly offset the whimsical design theme of the hotel's interior.

The hotel's pool, with its views across the whole of the island, is the exception to this rule. When it is finished this will be one of the city's hottest spots – Hong Kong's highest pool (up on the 76th floor) with a cocktail bar and jacuzzi to boot. Just two floors below is Hong Kong's new Bliss spa, fresh from New York – a haven of tension-fighting treatments such as the Ginger Rub and Triple Oxygen Facial.

Another soon-to-be hotspot is Kitchen, one of the hotel's two restaurants. The chef's table is a nice touch; solo guests can mix and mingle with each other over dinner without the embarrassment of formal introductions or pre-arranged dinner dates. For more reticent guests, there's always the distraction of the restaurant's open kitchen at hand to provide food for thought or topics of conversation. Expect to pay around HKD 450 for three courses (excluding drinks).

All W Hong Kong guests can rest easy knowing the brand's signature Whatever/Whenever attitude applies – from the moment you arrive in the lobby to the time you check out you can have whatever you want, whenever you want it (so long as it's legal apparently). Sounds good to us.

W Hong Kong:

1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 3717 2222; Fax: +852 3717 2888.

For directions and reservations call +852 2317 3303 or visit whotels.com/hongkong.

Aman, the luxury hotel group, has opened its first Chinese property in one of the world's most famous landmarks: Beijing's Summer Palace.

The Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing, offers its guests 5* lodging steps away from the East Gate of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stunning Kunming Lake. It is also just 15km from the Forbidden City.

The hotel spreads across a series of historical buildings, gardens and courtyards. Some of the original rooms housed guests of the Empress Dowager Cixi, China's de facto ruler from 1861 to 1908.

Rooms and suites reflect traditional Chinese architecture and use authentic layouts, materials and fabrics. The hotel is small; just 18 rooms and 25 suites decorated with Ming-style furniture.

Guests can take advantage of the hotel's bars and restaurants, plus its spa, fitness facilities, library and boutique.

Rates start from USD 480 per night.

Photos courtesy of www.amanresorts.com

A friend emailed me asking for advice for an upcoming trip to Kerala. Responding to her brought back so many memories of an amazing month there and it's funny what immediately came back to mind and what I had to battle to remember.

One of the definite highlights was staying at the Villa Jacaranda in Varkala. The villa is just a short walk to dramatic cliffs that overlook the Arabian Sea.

The hotel is undeniably romantic. There are four rooms, one with an incredible roof terrace the others with private verandas, and each boasting the kind of detail that will make you want to return again and again. At sunset garlands of fresh, fragrant jasmine are draped on your private veranda; sheets are hand embroidered with pretty designs; and breakfast is served in privacy either in your room or on your private terrace.

The villa's garden is painstakingly cared for: exotic trees scent the air and their flowers blow across into the small lily pond.

Ayurvedic massage can be arranged by experienced practitioners at a cost of about 500 rupees (US$10/£6) for an hour.

This place is a delight. Don't miss out if you're heading to Kerala on your travels.

Villa Jacaranda

Rooms from 4,000 rupees (US$80/£47) per night + 15% tax.

Temple Road West, Varkala, 695141, Kerala, India; Tel: +91 470 2610296; Email: infojacaranda@gmail.com; Website: www.villa-jacaranda.biz.

Photography © Emma Torry.

By Stephan Larose for ChinaTravel.net

China's hot spring resorts are one of its best kept secrets. We're talking hot springs in tropical caves, exfoliating fish therapy, Himalayan hot springs, and springs next to China's best golf. So, if dipping in warm, mineral-rich waters by temples and beaches sounds good to you, read on for the lowdown on China's top ten spas, with hotel and attraction info to boot. Enjoy!

1. Jiuhua Spa and Resort

(four stars, Tel: 010-6178-2288)

Formerly the private retreat of emperors, the Jiuhua Spa and Resort is one of the most popular hot spring spa destinations in the country, and it's open to all. Limpid pools fed by springs 1,230 meters underground emerge at a tension-melting 40°C. Untainted by the sulfurous odor common to most hot springs, Jiuhua's spring water has a slight yellowish tint, owing to micro-elements such as strontium, lithium, and metasilicic acid, earning it an emperor's epithet as "a basin of Golden Water."

Guests of this elegant four-star resort have a wealth of hot spring pools to choose from. The resort's two sections comprise 40 pools offering 21 distinct therapeutic applications including mud baths, herbal baths, an Egyptian-themed pool, a foot massage pool, a lotus pool, and a medical stone sauna. Those with tired muscles after treks along the Great Wall, exploring the nearby Ming Tombs, or hiking in Python Mountain National Park next door will be rewarded with head-to-toe relaxation as well as therapeutic benefits for a host of ailments including rheumatic arthritis, sciatic nerve pain, lumbar muscle strain, eczema and hypertension.

The resort also features a host of recreational and therapeutic facilities. Hydrotherapy, salt baths, massage services, Thai spas and skin care treatments revitalize and rejuvenate while bowling alleys, bumper cars, swimming pools, satellite TV, archery and nearby attractions entertain and invigorate.

2. Crown Spa Resort Hainan

(five stars, Tel: 86-898-6596 6888, Email: sales@crownsparesorthainan.com)

Hainan is the place in China for sun-worshippers looking to bronze their bodies, and just 15 minutes after exiting Haikou's Meilan International Airport, you could be strolling along endless stretches of gorgeous private beach or taking a dip in what the Guiness Book of World Records describes as the "largest indoor hot spring in the world."

Surrounded by lush Thai, Balinese and Caribbean gardens, the Crown Spa Resort Hainan (Hainan Huangguan Binhai Wenquan Jiudian) is a European-style leisure palace overlooking the South China Sea and boasting myriad exclusive spa and beauty treatments.

It's hard work living it up, but after a day's frolicking in the waves or taking advantage of this Haikou resort's luxury yachts, jet skis, windsurfing, parasailing or nearby golf course, you're bound to need some of the Crown's propriety spa treatments. The luxurious, five-story Tea Tree Spa complex is fed by natural mineral hot springs and houses meditation decks, garden pavilions, massage rooms and treatment suites.

And you won't want to miss the signature fish therapy—it's the most organic exfoliation there is. Just sit back and close your eyes and let the fish stimulate your nerves and nibble the bacteria from your skin. If you can't handle being kissed by fishes, there's always the exercise pool, Jacuzzi hot tubs, steam rooms, Thai massage and aromatherapy to unwind with.

3. Zhongshan Hot Spring Resort

(four stars, Tel: 0760-668-3888, Email: zshsr@zshs.com)

Probably the best-known hot spring resort in China, the Zhongshan Hot Spring Resort has played host to China's most revered heads of state, Jiang Zemin and Deng Xiaoping, and is situated near a town named after the founder of the modern Chinese nation — Sun Zhongshan, known in the West as Sun Yat Sen. This four-star resort features over 30 hot springs and is also handy to the best golf in the country. What better way to justify an extended dip in warm, mineral-rich waters than by spending the day putting for birdies at a par 71, Palmer-designed, 18-hole golf course or a Nicklaus-designed 18-hole course at par 72? Talk about living the good life!

Zhongshan's mountains are dotted by numerous hot springs, one of which feeds the resort's massive 30,000 square meter outdoor spa. Once done mollifying muscles, dissolving stress and achieving Zen-like inner peace, guests can zip over to the seaside resort city of Zhuhai, just a 15-minute drive away, to soak up some rays, or train their newfound Zen focusing skills on the resort's shooting range.

4. Jinshan Hot Spring Holiday Resort

(five stars, Tel: 0750-728-1188)

Situated by Naji, Enping County, Guangdong, this sprawling holiday village taps an incredible 300 hot spring sources to bring you some of the most mineral rich water in China. Endowed with approximately 35 grams of healing micro-elements per liter, the waters here are renowned for therapeutic benefits that combat everything from rheumatism to skin diseases to cardiovascular afflictions.

Luxurious condominiums surrounded by green hills, flowers and elegant gardens guarantee that guests of this leafy oasis get some much-deserved respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The place is well suited for businesspeople conducting tense negotiations; the well-equipped international conference center ensures presentations go smoothly. The rewards are obvious, even if things don't go as planned: Everyone wakes up fresh the next day after spending the evening hours luxuriating in this Jinshan resort's 28 Japanese-style hot spring pools, which are divided into high, mid and cool temperatures.

5. Hailuogou Hot Spring (Conch Gully Hot Spring)

(Tel of Hailuogou Scenic Area Management Committee: 0836-326-6203) Hailuogou Changzheng Hotel (Tel: 0836-326-6608)

Western Sichuan's Gongga mountain is the scene for some of the hardiest, most majestic landscapes in China and include Hailuogou National Park, site of China's biggest glacier park. Rivaling any North American glacier park in size, the area is renowned as a place where you can see all four seasons in the same day.

If you love rustic, outdoor springs, rugged mountain views and chances to catch snowflakes on your tongue while dipping in hot spring water, Hailuogou is the place for you. Mineral-rich, therapeutic spring waters gush out at toasty temperatures ranging from 50° to 92°C and are said to be effective in combating diabetes, neuralgia and arthritis. And that's not to mention the obvious psychological benefits reaped by lounging in extreme comfort in a gorgeous setting.

After a day of hiking the verdant forests on the slopes of Mt. Gonggar, trekking across icy fields, listening to thunderous avalanches, skipping across the Conch Gully's milky rivers, and dipping in the hot springs, the four-star Hailuogou Changzheng Hotel, with its dedications to the Long March and ethnic Tibetan décor, offers a little comfort, luxury and plenty of atmosphere in which to spend the remains of the day.

6. E'mei Lingxiu Hot Spring / Lingxiu Hot Spring

(Tel: 0833-559-2777)

Li Bai is one of China's most celebrated poets, and when he took in Emei Shan's (Mt. Emei) temple-studded peaks and mist-shrouded valleys, he found no shortage of inspiration for his superlative stanzas. Of all the mountains in the Shu kingdom, "Mount Emei stands above them all," he wrote. A setting for scenes from the legendary Monkey King's journey to the West, this magnificent landscape now serves as backdrop for bathers in Lingxiu Hot Spring's pellucid pools.

Claims abound of the water's therapeutic benefits. Sourced 3,000 meters underground, the springs are said to be helpful in combating diseases affecting digestive, neural, respiratory, vasomotor and cardiovascular systems. High concentrations of radon and huge volumes of water ensure that everyone gets in on the therapeutic action.

The five-star Emei Hot Spring Resort is ideally located to take advantage of this and the other hot springs in the area. You'll need the fine dining and creature comforts because every day in this area is guaranteed to be a full one. Whether you decide to make the climb to Golden Peak Temple, or run the monkey-ruled trails to other historical and natural points of interest, there'll be no shortage of opportunities to pump those thighs until they're screaming for a little hot spring love.

7. Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort

(Tel for Lhasa tourism bureau: 0891-634-2884)

Want to lounge around in a warm, waterfall-fed pool at the roof of the world? Then look no further than the Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort. Perched at a lofty 4,300 meters and nestled in the majestic slopes of the Himalayas, the Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort offers visitors an experience that is simply incomparable. Is there anywhere else you can bathe in curative, calcite and tussilago-infused waters while gazing upon the most rugged, photogenic landscapes on the planet?

The Dezong Hot Springs are arranged in simple, rustic fashion, divided into a men's pool, above, and a women's pool, below. 40° C, jade-colored spring waters cascade 20 meters into the resort's pools.

Once you've had enough (if there is such a thing), other worthy attractions are within reach (if you're driving), such as the Zhigongi and Dezong Temples, and Tianzangtai, while Nam-tso Lake (Namu Lake in Tibetan); Potala Palace, Bakuo Street and Dazhao Temple are further off. Accommodations are somewhat limited, but the five-star Yaluzangbu hotel features creature comforts and cars for hire for the drive to the springs 170 kilometers away.

8. Tibetan Paillong Hot Spring

(Tel of Linzhi tourism bureau: 0894-582-2469)

About 40 kilometers down state highway 318 from the four-star Linzhi Fujian Hotel, Paillong Sulfur Hot Spring, near Pailong village, flows from the holy Brahmaputra river at a steamy 45-60 degrees centigrade. Extremely simple, and practically unknown, Paillong consists of just one small stone and brick pool. One of Tibet's best kept secrets, you're not likely to see crowds here.

The water issues directly into the pool from the rock, all you need do is let the water flow over your body and let the spring vapors clear your lungs and skin. Just sit and let your ego dissipate. Then, turn your gaze upon the verdant river valley below. Radiant organic energy illuminates your mind, revealing the universe in measureless fractals.... Dizzy yet? Do remember to breathe slowly as you slip into the infinite...

9. Jinping Mengla Hot Spring

(Tel of Gejiu Tourism Bureau: 0873-212-5699)

Yunnan's jungle-covered karst towers jut out of tropical forests and stand like unearthly sentinels keeping watch over otherworldly landscapes. Awe-inspiring and oft photographed to be sure, Yunnan's got something for hot springs lovers too: the Jinping Mengla Hot Spring.

Gushing forth from caves in southern Yunnan, 50-60 degree centigrade waters flush with curative elements stream over colorful rocks. Lying in the bubbling baths, visitors will find several "masseuse rocks." Muscles are naturally kneaded as water flows provide movement and shallow pebble beds provide texture and traction.

Beauty abounds in these lush forests: You'll find ravines, waterfalls, mirror-like lakes, karst landforms and jutting green mountains. The four-star Century Plaza Gejiu (0873-216-8888) is just seven kilometers from the hot spring.

10. Guangdong Conghua Hot Spring

(Tel: 020-8333-9933-2266)

Guangdong province's Conghua Hot Spring Scenic Area was originally built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 75 kilometers from Guangzhou, it is now a nationally renowned tourist attraction and health resort. Warm water enriched with ten kinds of minerals bubbles to the surface at 12 different springs, ranging between 30 to 71°C.

A large area replete with historical landmarks such as the Bi Lang Bridge, Di Cui Pavilion and Tao Ran Hall, the springs are surrounded by waterfalls, slow-moving rivers, and tranquil forests. Try the Guangdong Hot Spring Hotel, a sprawling property comprising over 40 buildings set lakeside amidst pine forests with hot spring water piped into rooms. You'll find everything from villas to presidential suites, along with squash courts, bowling alleys and a host of mountain trails to keep you busy when you're not lounging in the springs.

Hainan Beach by fedfil via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Lake Nam-tso by poorfish via Flickr (Creative Commons)

SiChuan - Hailuogou by auws via Flickr (Creative Commons)

By Ann Marie Svilar

Covering 29.5 square miles, Lopez Island, Washington is the first ferry stop in a cluster of islands called the San Juans, that rise from the Puget Sound and hug the Canadian border. Even during bustling tourist season Lopez Island will make you turn off the laptop and slow down. Wave to the blonde woman named Margie manning the ferry dock as you arrive. She will wave back. Waving is a tradition on this island; there is even a "Lopez wave" consisting of two fingers in a locked together peace sign.

As you make your first twists from the ferry dock, smell the dense trees and dried wild grass. Look for deer: there are many and they are domesticated enough to walk right up to you. Notice a Madrona tree with bark that looks like red peeling paper; scratch the trunk and it turns green. Look out for a Great Blue Heron, they are an elegant and common Lopez Island bird. You can find them almost anywhere in tidal lagoons along the seashore.

You'll see that most people name their driveways after themselves or something original like Pterodactyl Lane, or Baroque 'n Glass Lane. Mailboxes are painted with bald eagles and rich gardens are covered with tall fences to keep deer out. Some people live in make-shift buses, clusters of trailers, or in an A-Frame house. Stop by the Lopez Island Vineyards and pick up a bottle of Siegerrebe. Note that most streets don't have yellow lines and traffic is minimal in any direction. Enjoy the quiet and keep going.

If you're camping, Spencer Spit is the best place to stay. Located on the East side of the island, you can feel good karma there; the Spencer family sold the land to the state for much less than the private offers they received in order to make a state park that everyone could enjoy. Shirley (Spencer) Plummer is 87 years old, and recently became a great, great grandmother, she sits in her living room that overlooks Spencer Spit. It is a stretch of beach like no other, with driftwood, rocks and sand coming together into a single point that stares at Frost Island. The driftwood is easily made into forts. A muddy lagoon lines the spit to the North like a seam and smells as murky as it looks. Pitch your tent along the trees at the mouth of the spit; light a fire; cook some s'mores.

If you like beautiful beaches and down to earth people, you will love Lopez Island. It is a getaway in the simplest sense. Below are 7 things you should do whilst visiting the island.

Iceberg Point – Just past Agate Beach there is a small place to park and then walk into what looks like private residence. When you hit the tree line, turn right down a dirt path; walk through a gate and onto a maintained trail. After less than a mile the trees will open up to the most vast part of the Island; the unprotected South side. Your landscape will be big hills and rocks with tall grass that smells like dry summers. Your view will be of an ocean that seems to go on forever until you see the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic Mountains far in the distance.

Sharks Reef – My favourite spot on the island is Sharks Reef. The water here is treacherous because of undertow and sometimes you will see kayakers twirling and paddling their way through the narrow corridor that separates Lopez Island from San Juan Island. Large pieces of sea kelp that look like women with mermaid hair line the rocks. Here is where you see some of the best tide pools on the Island full of lipids' and sea anemones.

Saturday Farmers Market – Farmers Markets are special no matter where you go. Lopez market's charm lies in its small size. My favourite stall is Marianna's clothing, made of scraps of recycled cloth. She also has a store in the main part of town called Okeydo. Also visit my parent's booth at the market where they sell my brother's photos every Saturday. Introduce yourself!

Horse Drawn Farms – This eco-friendly farm used to use horses to farm the land, but now they use oxen. Produce is pre-picked and you can just drive up, make your selection and leave money based on the honour system. It's as simple and trusting as that.

Community Center – The centre hosts music and community theatre all year long. While you are there, walk North-east to the skate park where young kids are dropping into small half pipes.

The Bay Café – The Bay Café has the most expensive food on the island, averaging at around $20 a plate. But it also offers the most brilliant place to have dinner and watch the sunset as it lies down for the night behind Friday Harbour. The restaurant is run by two local men, with a lot of energy, who know how to bake an amazing cedar salmon. You'll also be guaranteed great hospitality.

Lopez Island Kayaks - Being on an island is amazing enough, getting the chance to see it up close from the water is special too. Rent a kayak, get some advice on routes and get close to the water. If you time your float trip between April and October you may see big rusty-red Lion's mane jellyfish as they make their way towards the beach at low tide.

TRAVELLER'S CHECK LIST

Getting there:

By ferry… Travel from Anacortes on the mainland to Lopez Island. The journey is approximately 85 miles and takes about 45 minutes. For pricing info and to buy tickets click here. On the ferry keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, seals, otters and the occasional orca whale.

By plane… Kenmore Air fly direct from Seattle to Lopez Island daily. For more information on schedules, pricing and booking click here. The journey takes about 1hr 10 mins.

Where to stay:

1. Lopez Islander Resort; PO Box 459, Lopez Island, WA; desk@lopezislander.com
2. MacKaye Harbor Inn; 949 MacKaye Harbor Road Lopez Island, WA 98261; (888) 314-6140; innkeeper@mackayeharborinn.com. From USD 135 per night.
3. Edenwild; 1-800-606-0662; edenwild@rockisland.com. From USD 170 per night.
4. Lopez Lodge; Lopez Lodge, Lopez Island, WA 98261; (360) 468-2816; needle@rockisland.com. From USD 70 per night.

For information on camping on Lopez Island, click here

Where to eat:

1. Bay Café - about $30 a person. 9 Old Post Road Suite C, PO Box 692, Lopez, WA 98261; Tel: 360.468.3700
2. Love Dog Café - $10-$15 per person. 1 Village Center, PO Box 633, Lopez Island, WA 98261; Tel: 360.468.2150.
3. HollyB's Bakery - $5 or less. Lopez Plz, Lopez Island, WA 98261; Tel: 360.468.2133.
4. Vortex - $10 per person for wraps and smoothies. Homestead Bldg C, Lopez Island, WA, 98261; Tel: 360.468.4740.
5. Isabel's Espresso - $5 or less for espresso drinks. 308 Lopez Rd, Lopez Island, WA, 98261; Tel: 360.468.4114

What to see:

For general information about visit the Lopez Island visitors bureau online here

1. Iceburg Point and Sharks Reef: click here for a map of Lopez.
2. Saturday Farmer's Market: Community Center.
3. Lopez Island Kayak: located at Marinas on Fisherman's Bay 360-468-2847
4. Horse Drawn Farms: 2823 Port Stanley Road

Events:

1. Fourth of July on Lopez: fun run, parade, salmon bbq and fireworks
2. Tour de Lopez (bike tour): last Saturday of April
3. Lopez Farmer's Market: May to Sept.
4. Artist's Studio Tour: last weekend in August

For more information on Lopez Island events click here

All photographs ©David Svilar.

Volcano and Arch by David A G Wilson has given us itchy feet today.

If you're lucky enough to have a trip to Antigua in the pipeline you should check out the stunning Casa Encantada boutique hotel, which is right in the centre of this 16th century colonial town (and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Bag the rooftop suite for USD 195 per night and enjoy views across to the Agua volcano (pictured above). Caramba!

We're big fans of Trey Ratcliff's blog Stuck in Customs. Here's a shot of Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Of this shot, Trey says, "This picture is of Wat Arun, a famous Buddhist temple in Thailand. I took it from a really cool little Italian restaurant across the way that is attached to a boutique hotel named "Arun Residence". I will stay at this place next time - be sure to get the balcony room at the top if you come... it's just over $100 a night."

We also highly recommend the Arun Residence for lunch (especially their papaya salad) and it looked like a great hotel too. Sadly our photos of Wat Arun from the hotel's deck aren't a patch on this one.

For more photos of Wat Arun click here.

Travel + Leisure magazine has made life easy for visitors to China with their tips and tools to help travellers a successful trip to the middle kingdom.

In their words, "China can seem as impenetrable as it is imposing. Consider the numbers: it's the world's most populous nation (1.3 billion), where more than 100 cities have populations over a million. Fifty-six ethnic groups are spread across 22 wildly distinct provinces and five autonomous regions, in a landmass slightly larger than the U.S. Its history seems limitless and its traditions just as deep. But here and now, change is the only real constant—and it is accelerating at a dizzying pace. (One thousand new cars hit the streets of Beijing every day.)"

No wonder so many newcomers to China find the country so intimidating.

Itinerary wise, T+L recommends the following highlights:

Beijing: 2–3 days

China’s political, historical, and cultural capital demands at least three days—for the familiar landmarks of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and also for Beijing’s 21st-century architecture, such as the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic National Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron and the glass-and-titanium dome that is the National Grand Theater. China’s contemporary art scene finds its nexus in the galleries and cafés of the Dashanzi Art District, home to the new Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Beijing’s atmospheric hutong, or traditional alleyways, are fast disappearing; explore the bustling ones off Nanluoguxiang, near the 13th-century Drum and Bell towers. Then check out the Legation Quarter, a high-end restaurant, entertainment, and cultural development set within the former American Embassy compound. And save a morning to stroll the manicured, 660-acre grounds of the Temple of Heaven, site of the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the 15th-century apogee of Chinese ritual architecture.

The Great Wall

Numerous stretches of the Great Wall are easily accessible from Beijing (ask your hotel to arrange a car or bus tour). But avoid the tourist trap of Badaling and head to the slightly less trammeled Mutianyu section, a 90-minute drive northeast of the Forbidden City. Early morning is best; try Asia 1 on 1 (asia1on1.com) for day trips.

Shanghai: 2–3 days

First stop: the riverfront promenade known as the Bund, with its Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Beaux-Arts façades, bars and shops, and views of the space-age towers of Pudong. In People’s Park you’ll find the Shanghai Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Weekdays are the best time to wander among the pine trees and ponds of the 16th-century Yuyuan Gardens. Xintiandi was the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party; now this restored two-block district is defined by upscale shops and restaurants. The leafy, rustic French Concession is the favored destination for cutting-edge fashion and designs for the home. Shanghai’s latest secret? Lane 248, a gritty, narrow street now inhabited by artsy cafés and intimate boutiques, hidden behind Taikang Road.

Guilin: 2 days

(Two hours by air from Shanghai.) With its sheer limestone peaks jutting up from the Li River, Guilin is straight out of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, and remains one of China’s most breathtaking sights. Take in the view from Solitary Beauty Peak and marvel at the formations of the Reed Flute Cave. Spring and fall are best; avoid the heat of July and the crowds of the holiday seasons.

Xi’an: 2 days

(Two hours by air from Beijing.) China’s ancestral capital is renowned for its “terra-cotta army,” created during the Qin dynasty (221–207 B.C.): thousands of life-size clay warriors stand in formation as part of the funerary complex of China’s first emperor, with much more yet to be excavated. You’ll need at least two days here to take in the warriors, see the Shang dynasty bronze relics at the Shaanxi History Museum, walk along the Old City walls, and visit the Da Mai market.

Datong: 2 days

(One hour by air or six hours by scenic train ride from Beijing.) Majestic Qing dynasty frescoes are the standout in the celebrated temple district. Nearby excursions include the awesome Buddhist sculptures in the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple of Mount Hengshan, which clings precipitously to the side of a cliff. Not far away are some especially beautiful eroded mud-brick ruins of the Great Wall.

The article also includes must-read taxi tips, hotel recommendations, shopping advice and strategies, must-eat food, and six great new books on China. Happy days.

By David Perry for ChinaTravel.net

What's hot in world travel? Two things top the list: China and anything deemed "green," from hardcore back-country ecotourism adventures to environmentally conscious luxury resort stays.

But mention "China" and "green" in the same breath, and most travelers are likely to look at you like you've been huffing diesel fumes. After all, the media is full of stories about the huge environmental costs of China's breakneck economic growth. Most Westerners are more likely to think of dams, smog and booming megacities than pristine mountain streams, lush jungles and indigenous cultures living in balance with nature. And for many recently affluent Chinese travelers, the emphasis remains on mass tourism with a façade of luxury—if it's not conspicuous, shiny and crowded, it often seems it's not worth doing.

But that's all changing, like everything in the world's most dynamic country. And if China has anything in abundance, it's surprises. For many newcomers to China travel, the biggest surprise might be the growth of green travel in the Middle Kingdom.

For some, "green travel" may mean trekking in remote regions of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet; others may prefer to pay a premium to stay in small eco-lodges or boutique hotels; still others may prefer the familiarity and comfort of conventional hotels but with an environmentally aware twist and easy access to nature reserves and parks. Regardless, the goal is a shared one: to protect and preserve the environment while enjoying the best it has to offer.

This doesn't just mean saving rare species, either. In this age of global warming and rapid resource depletion, it means understanding how one person can affect the environment and everything in it, from the local to the global level—and accepting responsibility for helping to make things better.

With all that in mind, we're debuting a series of green China features with a few tips for earth-friendly travel in China. In the near future, we'll spotlight regions, destinations, resorts and hotels that get high marks for environmental friendliness. We'll continue to do features on the subject, ranging from roughing it to luxury ecotourism, and we invite you to join the ongoing conversation in ChinaTravel.net's new China Travel Environment and Ecology Forum. If you have your own recommendations, stories or photos, let us know!

Green Travel in China

Carbon-conscious conveyance

In this age of global warming, travelers are becoming increasingly aware of their "carbon footprint," which is shorthand for the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses emitted by burning fossil fuels that can be calculated as being your individual share.

One popular option is carbon offsetting. An easy-to-use carbon calculator can help you calculate the climate impact of your flights and other travel activities; you can then contribute to an organization dedicated to various emissions-reducing actions, from protecting rain forests and wetlands to planting new trees to developing new low-emissions technologies.

You can also calculate carbon offsets for any bus, car or train travel you do. Of course, students and budget travelers may not have the extra money to do so. Regardless, you can choose lower emitting options over higher ones—take a bus or train instead of splurging on a private car; walk or ride a bike instead of hopping in cab; plan your trip carefully in advance to minimize the chance of often costly (and energy-gobbling) last-minute travel changes. As a bonus, you get a much more up-close-and-personal look at China by traveling in slower and more old-fashioned ways, whether in big city Beijing or the laid-back countryside around Guilin or one of Yunnan's top destinations.

In addition to carbon offsets, a number of travel businesses are experiencing something of a green awakening, making it easier for concerned consumers to act. For example, Chinese online travel giant Ctrip.com has recently made it possible to use accumulated travel points to help Shanghai Roots & Shoots plant more trees or to support environmental education in China by purchasing a reusable bag from GECKO.

Green hotels in China

If you're in a big city, the idea of a "green hotel" might seem counterintuitive, but even in the heart of Shanghai or sprawling outskirts of Shenzhen, you'll find accommodations that have gone green to one degree or another. International chains like Novotel, which recently teamed up with environmental certification organization Green Globe, are upgrading their facilities to save energy and reduce waste while maintaining high levels of quality and service, and for many first-time travelers to China, brand familiarity can be important. Novotel Peace Beijing and Novotel Atlantis Shanghai are good bets both for comfort and for you conscience. If an international chain isn't your thing, the green trend meets the boutique hotel in hotels like China's "first carbon-neutral hotel," URBN Hotels (despite the plural, they only have one at present though more are planned across China). In addition to centrally located urban hotels, a number of green alternatives

Sure, purists may raise an eyebrow at the mention of "ecotourism" in connection with developments like the Interlaken Shenzhen, designed to evoke an alpine Swiss village on the outskirts of the booming city in a semi-tropical park-like development, or the gee-whiz futuristic design of a development like the "sustainable" five-star Songjiang Hotel outside of Shanghai (see illustration, slated to open in May 2009). But when it comes to the nurturing of an environmental consciousness in development-happy China, the thought does indeed count for quite a bit: awareness is the first step toward action, and an eco-friendly hotel, even if less crunchy granola (or stinky tofu, for that matter) than status-conscious arugula and latte, raises awareness in both consumers and businesses.

There are also an increasing number of green getaways suitable for a long weekend escape from China's urban centers. If you've had enough of Shanghai, try Naked Retreats, which manages a selection of properties in the popular Moganshan area. Guangzhou boasts the Crosswaters Ecolodge and Spa in the bamboo forests of Nankunshan to the west of the city. The Beijing region offers unique options like the Beijing Crab Island Green Ecological Resort, which grows its own organic produce and seeks a high degree of sustainability, including the "coexistence of crops and crabs" as well as more mundane eco-goals like use of renewable energy and water reclamation.

Then there's Chengdu with its proximity to the forests and mountains that are home to China's poster animal for ecotourism, the giant panda. Because of the recent Sichuan earthquake, the situation in and around Chengdu will likely remain uncertain for several months—look for Sichuan updates on this site as well as more information on other popular ecotourism destinations throughout China, especially in the south and west, where remote and rugged lands have remained relatively untouched by development.

The Big Mango has been voted the best city in the world in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine. Bangkok edged out last year's winner Florence, Italy.

The "World's Best" poll, which is in its 13th year, covers hotels, islands, cruise lines and airlines as well as cities.

Travel + Leisure's 10 best cities in the world are:

1. Bangkok
2. Buenos Aires
3. Cape Town
4. Sydney
5. Florence
6. Cuzco (Peru)
7. Rome
8. New York
9. Istanbul
10. San Francisco

2008 is the first year Bangkok has topped the list of world's best cities.

Other highlights from the poll, as compiled by Reuters, include:

Best hotel: Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa

Best island: Galapagos, Ecuador

Best cruise line (large ships): Crystal Cruises

Best cruise line (small ships): Silversea Cruises

Best international airline: Singapore Airlines

Best domestic airline: Virgin America

Best tour operator: Micato Safaris

Best car-rental agency: Hertz

Best hotel for $250 or less: Domaine des Hauts de Loire, France

Travel + Leisure magazine has revealed the 'Top 30 New Hotels in the World' for its 3rd annual "It List".

The magazine says, "We trekked (literally) across the globe to determine the select properties you’ll be going to next. Here, from beach resorts to city hideaways, our editors’ picks for the best new hotels of 2008."

Here’s who made it to the top:

BEACH HOTELS

Banyan Tree Maldives Madivaru Travel + Leisure says: Elaborate tents, a jungle setting, and its own aquarium laps from the shore… Madivaru is accessible by seaplane, and sits on a coral island so small we were able to navigate it on foot in 20 minutes.

J.K. Place Capri, Italy Travel + Leisure says: This charming spot is sing-out-loud gorgeous, and in its mellow atmosphere, we felt like we were staying at a chic friend’s house. The design is nautical with a twist: round porthole-style interior windows, sea-blue walls, crisp white sofas, bronze imitation Greek statues, and houndstooth-print stools.

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya Travel + Leisure says: The winning Mandarin formula—exemplary service, forward-reaching design, a first-rate spa—has taken root in a pristine Mexican coastal environment. Acres of mangrove forest, including an on-site cenote, surround a lovely—albeit small—stretch of powdery sand. This is the most sophisticated resort on Mexico’s eastern coast.

Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi , Thailand Travel + Leisure says: This is Asia at its best—all the beauty of a remote destination without the hassle of being entirely off the grid. On the island of Yao Noi, only 45 minutes by boat from Phuket, lucky guests are surrounded by lush jungle, tiny fishing villages, and untouched beaches.

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia Travel + Leisure says: Billing itself as Australia’s first seven-star hotel, Qualia has the requisite luxury trappings (personal infinity pools, a 1,000-bottle wine cellar). The airy one-bedroom pavilions combine native styles (corrugated-iron roofs, wide eaves) and materials (plantation hoop pine, Bowen granite) with restraint; each pared-down space is both contemporary and authentic.

CITY HOTELS

Haymarket Hotel, London Travel + Leisure says: A perfect balance between a classic English manor and a buzzy film– and art-world haunt.

Regent Bal Harbour, Florida Travel + Leisure says: Here, it’s all about the signifiers of luxury: Anichini bedding, plasma television screens embedded in bathroom mirrors, and a dazzling crystal chandelier. At times, it might seem over the top… but the hotel is a welcome alternative for those in search of Miami’s more grown-up side.

Hotel Fasano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Travel + Leisure says: Rooms and suites are spare and breezy, with white walls, leather-upholstered Mies daybeds, Amazonian wood side tables, and at least two burnished Sergio Rodrigues chairs.

JIA Shanghai, China Travel + Leisure says: Ensconced in a 1920’s building on fashionable West Nanjing Road, the 55-room JIA brings a much-needed dose of boutique intimacy to the city’s booming hotel scene…. a well-choreographed hideaway of dark wood floors, richly embroidered fabrics, and elegant birdcages, which sit alongside Knoll and Moroso furniture

RUSTIC HOTELS

Onguma Plains, The Fort on Fisher’s Pan, Etosha, Namibia Travel + Leisure says: Northern Namibia is Africa’s Next Great Safari Frontier… [and] Onguma takes the bush lodge in a bold new direction. All carved antique doors, billowy curtains, and reflecting pools, it’s as if a Kasbah were relocated to the continent’s south. El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos Del Toro, Costa Rica** Travel + Leisure says: The 16 cottages are plush enough (gas fireplaces, L’Occitane amenities). It’s all about being out of touch here—there are no computers, in-room TV’s, or even cell-phone reception, which might not work for some type-A travellers.

Azura Lodge, Benguerra Island, Mozambique Travel + Leisure says: Azura is pulling out all the stops: private plunge pools, a chef imported from the U.K.’s Michelin-starred Fat Duck. But what makes it really special is the barefoot vibe: unlike many of its ilk, the resort is thoroughly authentic.

Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa, San Pedro, Chile Travel + Leisure says: This 32-room adventure hotel in the Atacama Desert is one of the most ambitious new design statements in South America.

RENOVATED HOTELS

Hôtel Meurice, Paris Travel + Leisure says: Just as we were getting ready to write Philippe Starck off as too nineties for words, he bounces back with a tonic redo of this Paris insitution’s principal public spaces… overnight, the crowd has gone from fuddy to fabulous.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India Travel + Leisure says: Built in the Art Deco style of the 1930’s… Umaid Bhawan Palace sparkles after a $15 million renovation by Taj Hotels Resorts Palaces. If the hotel sounds familiar, that’s because Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar held their wedding celebration here last year—one sure reflection that this sprawling golden yellow structure is ready for prime time.

The Connaught, London Travel + Leisure says: In the newly hip Mayfair district, this landmark brick Victorian has reclaimed the glory of its golden era thanks to a $140 million renovation, creating a sophisticated throwback that no soulless Modernist hotel could ever hope to emulate.

The Plaza, New York City Travel + Leisure says: Honestly, we don’t require 24-karat-gold–plated Sherle Wagner faucets in our hotel bathrooms, though there’s lots that’s pertinent in Fairmont’s $400 million remake of Henry Janeway Hardenbergh’s 1907 Beaux Arts icon. Touch-screen AMX systems in the 282 guest rooms deliver on their promise to make easy the tasks of controlling lighting, contacting the concierge, and summoning your white-gloved butler.

COUNTRY HOTELS

La Merced del Alto, Cachi, Argentina Travel + Leisure says: This regal adobe building looks like a centuries-old Spanish Colonial hacienda. Inside the cloistered, whitewashed rooms you’ll find pitch-perfect indigenous design: terra-cotta floors, woven rugs and embroidered wall hangings, hand-hammered silver chandeliers, soaring cane ceilings, and stylishly austere furniture. The result is a refined estate that’s both traditional and irrefutably contemporary.

Cotswolds88Hotel, The Cotswolds, England Travel + Leisure says: There are plenty of mod manor hotels in the Cotswolds… But the design of Cotswolds88hotel stands above them all. Eschewing the neutral minimalism that has become de rigueur among chic properties, owner Marchella De Angelis combines graphic and unusual upholsteries (vinyl snakeskin is a recurring theme), eclectic Midcentury and antique furniture, an impressive collection of Murano glass, and the odd bit of mock taxidermy (was that a pair of stuffed crows in the dining room?). It’s utterly delightful and unexpected.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Te Awanga, New Zealand Travel + Leisure says: Pastoral chic has never looked this good. Located on a working sheep and cattle farm in the North Island’s Hawke Bay, one of the country’s top wine regions, this 26–room lodge uses natural fabrics, woods, and metals in sophisticated ways.

SMALL HOTELS

Hotel Nord-Pinus Tanger, Tangier, Morocco Travel + Leisure says: Tangier is fast recapturing the glamour of its glory days, and with the opening of this five-room riad, located along the seawall of the casbah, the Old Town finally has the chic little inn it deserves.

Casa dell’Arte, Bodrum, Turkey Travel + Leisure says: Over 200 original Turkish paintings are displayed at this beachfront villa, including portraits by well–known Turkish artist Nuri Iyem. Accents in the 12 guest rooms are meant to complement the artwork, from the carefully considered (and primarily natural) lighting to the subtle details (faux skin rugs, sinuous light fixtures).

DESIGN HOTELS

Riad Meriem, Marrakesh, Morocco Travel + Leisure says: Created by New York–based decorator, photographer, and art collector Thomas Hays, the five-room Meriem manages to be delightfully original without going over the top. Everything here is understated—from the soothing Costes-like palette of muted mauves, pale grays, and dark creams to the well-edited mix of art and objets like framed fabrics from Africa and Asia, original paintings by Moroccan and European artists, and photos from Hays’s own extensive world travels.

La Purificadora, Puebla, Mexico Travel + Leisure says: The company enlisted legendary Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and his son Victor to repurpose a 19th-century former water purification plant (from which the hotel takes its name) into this 26-room property. By far our favorite spots are the lobby—with its triple-height ceiling, gray slate floors, purple low-lying couches, and a completely open wall—and the rooftop bar, which has a transparent swimming pool that runs along the building’s edge.

Hôtel Le Bellechasse, Paris Travel + Leisure says: Three years after garnering raves as the creator of the Marais’s fanciful Hôtel du Petit Moulin, couturier Christian Lacroix is back with a discreet (at least from the outside) 34-room hideaway, seconds on foot, our stopwatch confirms, from the Musée d’Orsay. (Indeed, you can practically hear management crow, “Location, location, location.”)

GREEN HOTELS

Posada de Mike Rapu, Explora en Rapa Nui, Easter Island, Chile Travel + Leisure says: Finally, with the opening of Explora’s 30-room LEED-certified lodge on Easter Island, there’s a top-notch hotel fit for this legendary destination. Located about 10 minutes outside the main town of Hanga Roa and built to blend into the landscape, the hotel uses local wood and stone.

Hotel Terra, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA Travel + Leisure says: The 72-room property is modern, high-tech, and seriously committed to the environment. Where Terra shines is in delivering green in subtle ways. Those floor-to-ceiling windows? They regulate temperature and capture natural light, all a part of the building’s LEED-certified design. The linens are 100 percent organic, as are the products at the spa. And the rooftop hot tub is maintained with nonchemical cleaners.

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia Travel + Leisure says: Southern is contemporary in design—and it’s extremely green to boot. The 21 spacious suites cascade down a ragged cliff face overlooking remote Hanson Bay; they’re outfitted with limestone floors, artwork by island artisans, and outdoor terraces complete with daybeds.

BUSINESS HOTELS

St. Regis Singapore Travel + Leisure says: This 299-room property just off Orchard Road marks both the debut of St. Regis in Southeast Asia and the first international luxury hotel to open in Singapore in more than a decade. This is all impressive, but where the property stands out is in the service. The multilingual butlers are rigorously trained, and we found their graciousness refreshing in the midst of Singapore’s often harried atmosphere.

The Peninsula Tokyo Travel + Leisure says: The 24-story tower is the first freestanding luxury hotel to be built in a decade. The incredible palace views—the best of any Tokyo hotel—won us over, but Peninsula didn’t stop there. The rooms are among the city’s largest, starting at 544 square feet, and—appropriately—its most high-tech.

Photo Credits

La Azzurra di Capri by Stephanie Costa via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Îles sur la route de Ko Yao Noi by nesposit via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Etosha Sunset by jonrawlinson via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Umaid Bhawan Palace by colros via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Cotswolds by JB55 via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Kneek On The Door by MsAnthea "Anthéaïs" via Flickr (Creative Commons)

barn in jackson hole, wyoming by greg westfall via Flickr (Creative Commons)

I was warned against expecting too much from Kota Kinabalu. Borneo is reputed to be a paradise, and the state capital of Kota Kinabalu the thorn in its side. Three days, four tropical islands, too many Piña Coladas and a lot of sleep later it's difficult to see KK as anything other than a diverse and underrated paradise.

Arriving in daylight hours it’s easy to concur with the negative opinions: on first sight, the town of Kota Kinabalu is no beauty. Landing under the cover of darkness, whisked to a luxurious hotel, handed a cocktail, and surrounded by the sounds of the South China Sea is, however, an altogether different experience.

The hotel, The Tanjung Hotel Resort & Spa, was nothing like the rowdy resort I half expected. The bars and restaurants are airy and sophisticated, the rooms modern and supremely comfortable with amazing views across the sea to lush, tropical islands. The family crowds are easy to avoid – the pool area is vast with plenty of quiet corners, there’s a private beach and a brand new spa, Chi, which opened at the end of 2007.

A stone’s throw from The Tanjung Hotel is Tunku Abdul Rahan National Park, 49 square kilometers of coral reefs and paradise islands. Those in search of tranquillity and untouched sands should make a beeline for Sulug, where there are quiet beaches and good reef for snorkelling. Manukan is a great island for beaches, walking trails, outdoor barbeques and more snorkelling.

Fans of monitor lizards should head to Sapi, where dozens roam just behind the beach. Beach Bums Borneo operates speed boats to the islands hourly from The Tanjung Hotel’s jetty. A return journey costs 40 MYR.

In the other direction lies the impressive Mount Kinabalu (4,095m). Not only is it one of the world’s most important biological sites, but it also gives adventure junkies a run for their money. Intrepid hikers can opt to spend a day and a half (which includes a night on the mountain) scaling the summit. The Tanjung Hotel can help to make hiking arrangements.

If hotel dining isn’t your thing, or you just want to get out and explore, the town centre is only a few minutes from Tanjung in a taxi. Good options include the food stalls in Central Market and Sedco Square for cheap and delicious open air restaurants. For something more upmarket try The Mediterranean Bar and Restaurant at First Beach.

Those who really want to get away from it all, and have longer than just a couple of days, can try The Tanjung Hotel’s sister resort, Rasa Ria, The Manukan Island Resort or Gayana Eco Resort. For a relaxing, easy weekend though you can’t do better than The Tanjung Hotel Resort & Spa.

Expedia has released its 2008 Insiders' Select list: its version of the world’s best hotels. Picked by Expedia experts and customers the list is said to suit every taste and budget.

Here’s the top 20 for you:

1. Sofitel Chicago Water Tower – Chicago, USA
2. JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa – Cancun, Mexico
3. Hotel 1000 – Seattle, USA
4. Royal Palms Resort & Spa – Phoenix, Arizona
5. Vino Bello Resort – Napa Valley, California
6. Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel – Tokyo, Japan
7. The Regent Palms – Turks & Caicos, Caribbean
8. Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa – Kansas City, USA
9. The Sanderling Resort & Spa – Duck, USA
10. The Knight Residence – Edinburgh, UK
11. Couples Swept Away Negril All Inclusive – Negril, Jamaica
12. Marriott CasaMagna Resort Cancun – Cancun, Mexico
13. Raffles Beijing Hotel – Beijing, China
14. Chateau Beauvallon, Mont-Tremblant, Canada
15. Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands
16. L’Auberge de Sedona – Sedona, USA
17. Tides Zihuatanejo – Ixtapa, Mexico
18. Presidente Intercontinental Resort & Spa – Cozumel, Mexico
19. Hotel Adlon Kempinski – Berlin, Germany
20. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa – Phuket, Thailand

What are the best hotels you've stayed in?

Beijing Hotel by Wolfiewolf via Flickr (Creative Commons)

In the heart of Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, an urban re-development project with some serious wow-factor, sits the über-cool Grand Hyatt.

Lesser known perhaps than its sister hotel the Park Hyatt, which featured in Lost in Translation, the Grand Hyatt's luxurious rooms and suites are still decadently fantastic. Natural woods and fabrics, linens by Frette, 32" flatscreen TVs, 13" bathroom TVs, 8" rainshowers and limestone bathrooms perfectly counter-balance the fast, frenetic city outside.

Right next door to some seriously pricey temptations (Escada, Issey Miyake, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon) and more bars, clubs and restaurants than you can shake a stick at, the Grand Hyatt is a great place to stay if you've come to Tokyo to shop and party. The hotel itself is home to one of the slickest bars in the city, Maduro, a jazz den famous for its cocktails, cigars and ¥2,100 cover charges.

Those less eager to burn the midnight oil can relax in the hotel's fantastic Nagomi Spa, which boasts a gym, red granite swimming pool, "illuminated whirlpool bath", jacuzzis, plunge pools, dry and wet saunas, relaxation areas, Vichy treatment room, couples treatment room and Kerstin Florian products. What better way to overcome the horrors of jetlag?

The hotel staff are fantastic, and the concierges worth their weight in gold when it comes to making sense of Tokyo's medieval address system.

Just one tip: pack your glad rags. Like the hotel itself, the Grand Hyatt's guests are ridiculously chic.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan. Tel: +03 4333 1234.

Rates for a double room start from ¥65,835 per night.

It's no surprise that a 5* hotel concierge has to cater to the diva-ish whims of demanding guests, but the length that these guests expect them to go to is, in some farcical cases, jaw-dropping.

A female Bichon Frise puppy, under six months old and housetrained, in 12 hours; fresh breast milk delivered to a guest's room within two hours. The mind boggles.

An article in the latest edition of W magazine uncovers the rising demands that luxury hotel guests are making of concierges. It's a bit like reading a scurrilous, but grown up and more entertaining copy of US Weekly.

"Nothing is unusual anymore," according to the chief concierge at the Peninsula New York, and so it seems… Some think that these increasingly outlandish demands are down to the "anything is possible" image luxury hotels paint for themselves to try and stand out from the crowd. Others think that guests forking out hundreds per night just want to push the concierge as far as they can, that it's a game they feel entitled (by all those zeros at the end of their bill) to play.

The furthest I've ever gone is asking for some help to hire a car. What about you, have you made any 5* and some requests or heard of any to match the above? Lastly, I wonder how much the breast milk and Bichon Frise puppy guests tipped?

Pour tous renseignements, adressez vous au concierge... by ilhan gendron via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Beatles fans can get closer to the fab four at the newly opened Beatles Hotel in the band’s hometown of Liverpool. The hotel is located in the city's "Beatles Quarter", a stone's throw away from the Cavern Club where The Beatles first found fame.

The four star boutique hotel has 110 rooms, including one Lennon and one McCartney suite. Each room boasts a specially commissioned piece of art by acclaimed Beatles artist Shannon.

The Lennon suite, which is entirely white, includes its own baby grand piano. The McCartney suite displays a suit of armour in recognition of Macca's knighthood.

I feel sorry for George and Ringo – why don't they have swanky suites named after them too?

Beatles fans that can't stay the night can eat at the hotel's restaurant, Blakes. The walls have been decorated with images influenced by the cover of the Sergeant Pepper album.

If "All You Need is Love" you can opt to tie the knot in the hotel's wedding chapel. Sounds more like Vegas than Liverpool to me...

"The phones haven't stopped ringing. Interest has come as far afield as Croatia, Russia, Japan, obviously America and there's been huge interest from Brazil even," hotel spokesman Johnny Lockwood told Reuters.

Photo of Hard Day's Night Hotel by Indigo Goat, via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Boutique hotels seem to be two a penny these days, and reviews saturated by the description. It’s hard to know whether the hotel you’re booked into really is going to be unique or whether it’s actually mutton dressed as lamb.

Asia-philes can rest a little easier though as online hotel booking merchant, Agoda Company, has just released its list of the top 10 boutique hotels within Southeast Asia. Yes, we’re always a bit sceptical about such lists, but apparently they have very strict rules about what qualifies as “boutique” so we’re happy to be enlightened.

All hotel information comes from Agoda, make of it what you will. I’m miffed because the hotel I’m booked into in Bangkok doesn’t feature…

Agoda’s Top 10 Boutique Hotels in SEA are:

Kemang Icon Jakarta, Indonesia

If Conde Nast Traveler included this hotel it in their Hot List 2007, you expect it to be hot, and Kemang Icon lives up to its reputation. This boutique hotel artfully combines contemporary modern designs with art deco in cool tones and textures. Eight Courtyard and four Edge Suites are all individually designed with personalized bathroom scents, accessories and amenities. All guest preferences are noted prior to check-in so that the fruit basket, coffee and tea, i-Pod selections, toiletry brands and even lighting settings are adjusted to your taste before you even enter the room. “The Edge” tailors every meal to suit a guest’s taste and health requirements. Fancy playing chef for the day? Shop online from their grocery list and the fresh goods and produce will be delivered right to your door. The Kemang Icon truly is a delightful marriage of chic and warmth, giving birth to an unrivalled multi-sensory journey, where almost every single facet of quality living is personalized.

The Scarlet Hotel, Singapore

Dramatic, passionate and decadent are qualities at the heart of the Scarlet Hotel. Housed in a 1924 Art Deco building and a row of 1868 early shop houses on the historic Erskine Road are five themed suites with names like Splendour and Lavish, 26 Executive and 24 Premium rooms and 15 Deluxe and 24 Standard rooms. The hotel has gone to great lengths, decorating each room with specific personalities in mind. In-room features include one-for-one evening cocktails, personal bars with gourmet selections and a pillow menu. With a restaurant named Desire that serves ‘provocative contemporary cuisine’ and a bar called Bold, a playful sinfulness seems to come naturally to this hotel.

Dream Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

From the bed to the bar, the Dream Hotel is pure glitz. The interior is covered with a generous selection of colours accompanied by ethereal lighting techniques, producing an outspoken extravagance. With 100 stylishly themed and pet-friendly guestrooms, the highlight is the ‘Dream Bed’, which was carefully devised and created to truly provide guests with a good night’s sleep. This über trendy hotel offers personal shopper services and pre-loaded iPods and their Avatar Spa features a creative range of facials, massages, full body and Thalmer Thalasso SPA treatments.

AKA Hotel Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan, Thailand

Fifty-one spacious villas amply secluded from one another, spread across 10 acres of tropical landscape, with natural lakes and a hillside backdrop. Drawing from the philosophy of the AKA, a hill tribe with origins in the Tibetan Highlands and Yunnan, China, the resort flawlessly blends spirituality, tranquillity and simplicity together, transposing these qualities into the architecture, the Zen spa and their dining services. With private infinity-edged pools, garden terraces, private courtyards and sala roof gardens, this luxury retreat is the perfect escape from city life and a perfect way to pamper the soul.

Hotel de la Paix, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Designed by the renowned Bill Bensley, a combination of art deco and traditional Khmer styles distinguishes the Hotel de la Paix, which is built around a palatial inner courtyard with stone gardens and water features. This landmark in the heart of Siem Reap offers guestrooms and suites, categorized under five unique preferences and designs and accompanied by personalized assistance. French Chef and author Joannes Riviere brings exceptional dining experiences to the table with international and seasonal Khmer dishes, while Mediterranean, Italian, organic Khmer coffee and drinks and gourmet picnic baskets for temple visits are lovingly prepared at Café de la Paix.

S15 Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Smack dab in the heart of Bangkok’s business and shopping districts, the new S15 Sukhumvit Hotel is 72 stylish rooms decked with Italian light fixtures, marble bathrooms and sleek, contemporary furniture. The essence of this boutique hotel’s design is an understated elegance that distinctly contrasts with the city’s relentless bustle, allowing guests to gather and re-energize themselves after a day spent exploring the City of Angels. All public areas and guestrooms have Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access and the business centre offers laptops and mobile phones. Another great way to unwind is to take advantage of the hotel’s in-room spa services.

3 Nagas, Luang Prabang, Laos

To enter the Boutique Hotel 3 Nagas is to enter three historical buildings protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Organization. Restored to its original Laotian style, the hotel is of exotic, wooden floors, traditional torchis walls and clay tile roofing. A total of 12 rooms and 3 suites with their own unique designs make up this authentic hotel in the heart of Luang Prabang.

The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

High ceilings, luxurious en-suite bathtubs, spacious bathrooms, raised platforms, split-levels coupled with unobstructed views of the South China Sea make up the 60 One-Bedroom Villas and 40 Pool Villas at The Nam Hai. Immediately, one will be taken by the sheer magnitude of space and seclusion at this exclusive, beachfront resort spa stretched across 35 hectares along Ha My beach. All villas are equipped with rain showers, iPods, 24-hour concierge and 24-hour in-room dining. Set around a lagoon close to the beach is The Spa, featuring customized regimens to suit each guest’s needs and well-being.

JapaMala Resort, Tioman Island, Malaysia (East coast of Malaysia)

Eco-friendly, teak Sarang Villas, Sea Cliff and Tree Top chalets nestle in the lush jungles of Tioman Island with the sights and sounds of aqua blue waters and the white sand beach

Photo of Hotel de la Paix by Matilda Su, via Flickr (Creative Commons)