Back when it was called the Empire, this downtown San Francisco classic played a role in Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Now, after a very thorough renovation and re-branding, the film plays on a loop in the lobby. Recently, as the York, it was showing its age — but that was before the reins were handed to the Californian designer Thomas Schoos, whose baroque-modern sensibility is perfectly suited to the Vertigo’s dizzying mix of old and new.

The location places you midway up Nob Hill, a couple blocks west of Union Square, perfectly situated for shopping and sightseeing, yet integrated into the neighborhood and off the main tourist drag. The rooms aren’t huge, but none in San Francisco are, and what they lack in sheer acreage they make up for in personality, with modern fixtures alongside antique-style chairs and some charmingly oddball objets d’art.

There’s no restaurant just yet, but in this town you’re never more than fifty yards from good food. Anyway, they’re working on it. It doesn’t change the fact that the Vertigo has come out of nowhere, and is suddenly one of the most stylish in town — and if you know San Francisco you know how uncommon that is.

Marrakech has convenience and accessibility going for it, but if you want to see the ancient side of Morocco, you want to see Fez. And if you’re staying in Fez, you want to stay in a riad — and this one, Riad Fès, is among the best of them.

We’ve got nothing against riads owned by foreigners, many of them French first-time hoteliers, but it’s a mark in Riad Fès’s favor that its owner is Moroccan, and an architect, no less — the interiors are a good bit more confident than in the average riad hotel, and you can tell it was laid out with some care. With 26 rooms and suites it’s on the large size for a riad, but still very small by hotel standards, and the intimate atmosphere and personalized service riad hotels are famous for are there, in spades.

Also slightly unusual is the fact that it’s got a proper restaurant, with three distinct dining rooms — often the food service in a riad feels a little slapdash, but that’s certainly not the case here. Add a pool, a hammam and massage service, and shuttle service to the Fès Royal Golf Club, and it’s essentially a full-service hotel in the shape of a riad — you could stay somewhere bigger, but why?

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

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

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

Llao Llao is one of South America’s best-known and most unique hotels, located in scenic northwestern Patagonia, between Lake Moreno and Lake Nahuel Huapi, at the feet of snow-capped peaks, offering postcard views in every direction. The hotel was built in 1940, in the style of one of Canada’s grand mountain lodge hotels, with exposed cypress timbers, massive stone fireplaces, and Norman tile roofs. It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic setting, equally alluring in summer or winter, with easy access to golfing, water sports, and some of Argentina’s best skiing—with the added benefit of off-season novelty, for travelers from the Northern hemisphere.

And as long as we’re mentioning such practical considerations as the ability to ski in July, it’s worth pointing out that due to recent economic developments, a stay at Llao Llao is quite a bit more affordable than one would have any right to expect. The more extravagant suites are still priced as luxuries, but the standard rooms are downright affordable, and though no interior design showcase, they are eminently comfortable and well-appointed—and most importantly, all of them come with picture-perfect views of the mountains or one of the lakes.

The hotel offers all the services expected of a top-class resort, including a fine dining restaurant, Los Césares, a spa and health club, and a golf course. The activities, of course, don’t stop at the hotel’s gates—there’s a ski rental and shuttle service, fishing expeditions, and the staff can arrange raft trips, condor watching, safaris, and long-distance treks for the more adventurous guests.

How to get there:

Llao Llao is a two hour flight from Buenos Aires. Flights come into San Carlos de Bariloche airport and from there it is a 22 mile drive. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

“Nothing” is the motto here. There’s no tennis, no TV, not even a phone. Located on a strip of beach in nowhere, Puerto Rico, this four-acre haven is dedicated to the sweet, slothful life. It also happens to be one of the most elite spots in the Caribbean.

The Horned Dorset is tastefully Spanish colonial—all adobe and white with tiled floors—and all rooms but four have an ocean view. The new super-luxe Casa Escondadia suites are just that but somehow lack the charm of the old buildings. The best room, however, is Villa 19 which is original to the property and, like the Casa Escondadia suites, sports its own private plunge pool.

In the mornings tropical fruits and freshly baked breads are brought to your room. Days are spent on the beach or by the pool. In the evening the library is a popular spot and napping ranks among the most popular activities. Remember, there’s no phone, so there’s no room service. Leave a sign on the door if you want ice for your mini bar—for anything else, you’ll have to walk.

Do try to take someone. The same qualities that make Horned Dorset a perfect place for lovers can be devastating to those who come alone. People are not here to socialize, so your chances of making friends are few. In fact Meryl Streep, who came to be alone a la Greta Garbo, attracted so little attention that she became quite chatty after a few days—so unless you are the type who really relishes the solitary life, you may find yourself itchy after two days, insane after four.

The one social activity is dinner, when silver cutlery is laid on white tablecloths, and chef Aaron Ratten, of Daniel and Aureole, is allowed to star. Dress appropriately—after all, those who frequent Horned Dorset are the cream of jetsetters (with everyday social schedules so crammed that nothingness is the only luxury left). You might want to hurry, though, as the resort is adding rooms as we speak, and it’s already compromised itself by building a fitness center. Surely a golf course and scuba classes can’t be too far behind.

How to get there:

From San Juan International airport, Horned Dorset is a two hour drive. From San Juan, take Expressway #22 (west) to its end where you will yield into road #2 (west) towards Mayaguez. Drive on #2 all the way to Anasco. In Anasco take route #402 to your right. Follow #402 all the way to route #115. Make a right on #115. Drive on #115 1/2 mile and you will come pass the restaurants El Coche, El Rafael and Kaplash, located on your left. After the restaurants you will turn left on
route #429. Drive on #429 1/2 mile and you will see El Quijote to your left. 1/8 mile after the hotel will be located to your left on km 3.0 on #429. Look to see a black iron fence with a Relais & Chateaux emblem and a guardhouse next to it.

More than a few seaside resorts offer whale watching excursions. But at the Marine Hermanus, guests need not leave their rooms to watch the spectacle — this stretch of the southern coast of South Africa is a natural playground for the Southern Right Whales that breach near the shore from July to November. The 45-room resort, built at the turn of the century and restored in 1998 by Liz McGrath, the proprietress of a series of luxury hotels in the Cape Province, is gracefully furnished and surrounded by exquisite gardens. The Marine’s truly notable feature, however, is and always has been its stunning clifftop location overlooking Walker Bay — you could miss out on half the appeal if you don’t book a suite facing the sea.

That said, if you’re going to be whale watching from your guest room, you might as well be comfortable. Lavishly appointed and traditionally outfitted with four-poster beds and pretty loveseats, the hotel’s individually decorated rooms won’t be winning any awards for cutting-edge design. But the huge picture windows, dark wood accents, and romantic silk drapery are inviting in an old-fashioned way, the stately bathrooms are constructed with marble and chrome, and extras like fireplaces and balconies add charm to the suites.

After beach strolls or hiking, guests head to the Carchele Healthy and Beauty Spa for mud treatments and exfoliating scrubs, to the Sun Lounge for a cocktail with a view, or to the heated saltwater pool. The Marine’s staff packs picnics for those spending the afternoon at the natural tidal pool in front of the hotel — yes, swimming near the whales is possible for several months of the year — and for dinner, guests choose between the Pavilion and Seafood at the Marine.

How to get there:
The Marine Hermanus is approximately a 1 1/4 hour drive from Cape Town International Airport. It is 1 hour 40 minutes from Cape Town City Center.

The relatively understated exterior, in a modern building with views of Galway City’s skyline, does little to prepare you for the spectacle that awaits within. The G’s designer, the milliner to the stars Philip Treacy, has left his stamp all over the hotel — it’s as luxe and dramatic as one of his famous head-mounted sculptures, and it’s anything but a tentative first step for Galway’s entry into the boutique hotel game.

Public spaces are a riot of vivid color, furnished with a mix of antiques and contemporary designer pieces, the walls lined with acres of mirrors — an elaborate stage set, the absolute opposite of the staid traditionalism of Galway’s other hotels.

The performance-shy can take refuge in the guest rooms; still stylish, they’re rather more sedate, sporting a calmer backstage look compared to the technicolor lobby and salons. Here, amid more muted tones, you’ll find the kind of stylish decadence that marks the contemporary British Isles style — everything overstuffed, oversized, arch and playful in its luxuriousness.

It’s not just an interior design showroom either; functional amenities are plentiful, butlers serve all rooms, and the G’s restaurant delivers its upscale Italian cuisine round the clock. Business travelers are well served — Galway is still as much a thriving high-tech hotbed as it is a leisure destination — but an afternoon in the ESPA spa is the equal of any dedicated spa retreat. A word to the wise: book dinners and spa treatments well in advance, as both restaurant and spa have proved quite popular.

How to get there:
The G hotel is approximately a 2 1/4 hour drive from Dublin city center and 1 1/4 hours from Shannon International Airport.

India is home to some grand old historic palace hotels, even in Mumbai—but this most modern of cities is booming, and a number of spectacular and utterly modern business hotels have landed in the suburbs, nearer the airport, rather than in crowded and historic South Mumbai.

It’s here, near the Bandra-Kurla business district, that you’ll find the sprawling Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Frankly, this isn’t the most postcard-perfect place for travelers intent on seeing the sights of the old city to set up shop—it is, however, ideal for business travelers, or anyone looking for a completely self-sufficient hotel experience. It’s possible to stay at the Grand Hyatt for days without ever leaving the grounds, dining in the hotel’s four restaurants, treating yourself to spa treatments in the health club, even shopping in the on-site mall. More than a hotel, it’s billed as a “lifestyle complex,” and includes 149 serviced apartments in addition to its nearly six hundred traditional guest rooms.

Accommodations are strikingly modern and spare, without any trace of touristy Indian kitsch, yet with enough personality to avoid the “where am I again?” feeling occasioned upon waking in many more anonymous business hotels. Rooms are open-plan, decorated in light woods and earth tones, and feature ingeniously designed bathrooms, placed behind floor-to-ceiling sliding partitions, with separate baths and showers.

Twenty-five-inch plasma TVs are standard, along with every technological amenity you could expect. Ground-floor Grand Club rooms feature private patios, a charming and welcome touch, and the suites are so massive you’ll wonder if you’ve been shown to one of the apartments by mistake. Perfect for the busy executive traveler, or anyone who wants a completely over-the-top luxury hotel experience—just do remember to come home again, or at least to venture out for a walk every so often.

The Charles Hotel is a rare thing: an Ivy League hotel nestled in between Harvard and Radcliffe. Certainly with its red brick institutional exterior it’s practically part of the campus. Inside, however, it’s far from dormitory standard.

The Charles Hotel is very Boston, with red apples at the front desk, burgundy armchairs, Shaker furniture, denim blue pillows, and pots of fresh flowers in your room. It’s comfortable enough for every brand of diva, from Barbra Streisand to Christina Ricci. Good news Barbra. Walls at the Charles are astoundingly thick, so if you’re staying in the Presidential suite, you can practice on its baby grand until dawn.

Though it’s marvelous year round, the Charles, like a true Yankee hotel, is best appreciated in winter. That’s when you can fully take in the cozy atmosphere and the shortbread and chamomile tea that they give you at turndown. The presence of a lap pool is unexpected, but beware of the strict timetable – especially for kids. There’s also a library with over 500 books, and room service will pick up any titles you’re after at Wordsworth, the local bookstore. But don’t let the old fashioned fixings deceive you. The Charles is one of the most technologically forward of hotels and the first to incorporate Palm Pilot technology into its systems. With your Palm you not only can book a room, you can also choose your sheets and pillows or book a treatment at the spa. While you’re at it, make sure to book a table at Rialto, the restaurant all of Cambridge is talking about. Chef Jody Adams is young, photogenic, talented, and reportedly saving the reputation of Boston cuisine.

The Charles does come at an Ivy League price, but nowhere else will make you feel so completely part of your bookish, slightly precious locale. They’ll even hook you up with an alum to give you a tour of the university. But for the true Cambridge experience, you have to brunch at Henrietta’s, where Nobel winners from Harvard and MIT gossip over granola and waffles. (David Mamet loves the place so much he’s written a book about it.) Guaranteed, it will be some of the most stimulating conversation on the East Coast before ten o’clock AM. Oh, and the food’s not so bad either.

It’d be easy to miss the fact that the QF is a thoroughly modern luxury hotel — Dresden’s central Neumarkt district is a meticulous re-creation of its prewar self, with the result that this hotel, in the shadow of the Frauenkirche, a few blocks from the Zwinger Palace and the Semper Opera House, was compelled to match its predecessor’s facade brick for brick. Inside, however, contemporary design is king — look no further than the exposed glass-walled elevator shaft that rises past a series of oval-shaped interior balconies.

The guest rooms are airy and sleek; equipped, of course, with flatscreen TVs and modern connections. The décor is primarily urban modernist, nothing too flashy — if anything, the aesthetic is quite easy on the eyes, with its white and cream palette complemented by furniture in soothing earth tones. The contrast is dialed up a bit in the suites on the upper floors, where the more spacious rooms accommodate walk-in wardrobes and sizable balconies. The Boutique and Neumarkt suites at the very top offer panoramic views of Dresden, along with a generous arrangement of plush furniture in the suites’ separate living rooms.

This is essentially the very heart of Dresden, and not at all a bad place to be if you like to be exposed to a wealth of international cuisine. The QF’s staff will be happy to lend an expert hand if you need help planning an evening or an entire day in the city — or, if you’d prefer to stay in, breakfast is served in the hotel’s 6th floor saloon, while Bellini’s Bar livens up the foyer.