Triple-volume

Grand and glitzy, the 256-room Mandarin Oriental Taipei easily became the most luxurious hotel in the city when it opened in 2014. It's all about decadent accents (acres of marble and silk) and a stunning art collection that includes both antiques and contemporary pieces by the likes of Chinese ink painter Wei Zhu. And then there's the impressive lineup of dining options, which range from Italian (Bencotto) to international (Café Un Deux Trois, which has an enormous rhinoceros head as its dramatic centerpiece) to Chinese (the Michelin-starred Ya Ge). Don't miss afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge, which is a hit with locals.

Rising like a great gilded cake from the western shores of Lake Pichola, magnificent Udaivilas is just the spot to wash up after a dusty Rajasthan road trip. This particular pleasure palace is a relatively recent arrival, but, like the 18th-century mansions it overlooks, it was built to showcase the craftsmanship of the Rajput era: marble-carved lotus ponds; glittering thikri mosaics; delicate miniatures painted on pale gold walls hand-plastered with lime, crushed marble, egg white, and tamarind. The spectacular Candle Room contains a dome set with thousands of pieces of mirrored glass. Udaipur’s busy market streets are only a few miles away, but Udaivilas has the luxury of space: 30 acres of what used to be the Maharana of Mewar’s hunting estate, with bird-filled grounds and views of the pretty lake and its floating mansions. All this grandeur could feel cold and overwhelming if it weren’t for the excellent staff. Guests are greeted off the motor boat by doormen with great twirling mustaches, and within minutes everyone knows your name. Small, personal interventions include gifts of a metal-wrought tea light or beaded bag, say, left in your room alongside a handwritten note. In the most romantic city in India, this is the most spectacular place to stay.

You can't go wrong with a Six Senses hotel, but the Istanbul offering, Kocatas Mansions, is really something special. The hotel is housed in two historic mansions overlooking the Bosphorus, and the spa can be found above the main property, on top of a hill (guests can access it via golf buggy). The result is a breathtaking view and an instantly calming environment that's particularly beautiful around sunset (if you can schedule your treatment to end at this time, you absolutely should). It goes without saying that a traditional Turkish hammam is the treatment to have, if you must settle for just one. Any nervousness you might have about being washed down by a total stranger will immediately vanish as the passionate, well-trained therapists scrub and moisturize you to perfection, leaving you feeling brand new. If you have time, try to squeeze in a manicure and pedicure—the treatment room is a visual wonder, and it's like no other mani/pedi experience you'll have had.

Cape Town’s only urban resort, One&Only has a prime Waterfront location next door to the Two Oceans Aquarium and is within strolling distance of the Water Shed, an indoor market filled with must-have local designer brands. Much more of a resort than a hotel, it has space in abundance and everything is dramatically scaled, including the reception lobby leading into Vista Bar and Lounge, the social heart of the hotel where cocktails, high tea, and light meals are served in great style. Triple-volume glass windows frame views of Table Mountain, and the air is infused with a distinctive woody room fragrance—something you remember instantly as a returning guest. The spa is a destination in its own right, situated on its own island, with 12 treatment rooms, private wet areas, and a yoga pavilion in the garden. Make use of the spa thermal suites, even if you don’t book a spa treatment. His-and-hers hydrotherapy facilities each have a vitality pool, aroma-steam room, sauna, ice fountain and experience showers.