Basonol

Set in the heart of the Middle East’s financial hub, this Four Seasons is an exceptionally urbane space, where the sophisticated suites include curvy cream couches, low-slung leather chairs, and sexy standalone bathtubs. The lively Mina Brasserie, by Egyptian-born chef Michael Mina, is a perfect spot for power lunches, with standout dishes like lobster pot pie and a show-stopping signature cocktail inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece, made with Silvermoon tea, lemongrass, violet liqueur, edible gold, and a precious crescent moon sliced out of citrus zest. This being Dubai, you’re surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers: You can practically go on a starchitect tour from the comfort of the glass-walled rooftop pool, while the Luna Dubai lounge, also up on the roof, offers uninterrupted views of the half-mile-tall Burj Khalifa.

From the second you walk into The Westbury in Dublin and up the grand, bifurcated staircase, it’s hard not to be impressed. Settle into one of The Gallery's plush armchairs for afternoon tea, grab a seat in The Sidecar for a perfect martini, or book a table at WILDE, an impeccable restaurant with a luxurious 1930s feel, for a full meal. Upstairs, the rooms and suites are light-filled and tranquil, with large bathtubs and Irish art; beds are dressed in crisp Lissadell linens and sumptuous Blanc d'Ivoire throws, and bathrooms have marble and heated floors. (If you're really looking to go all out, splurge on the Presidential Suite, a penthouse with its own bar and a huge bathroom—complete with a private sauna and steam room.) The Westbury is a classic city meeting place, and it's ideal for a special occasion—you’ll find guests celebrating big birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. In December, The Gallery is filled with folks taking a break from Christmas shopping on Grafton Street. This is unbridled Irish luxury at its finest, and the service is always exemplary.

Over the years, guests here have included Elizabeth Taylor, Wallis Simpson, and the Shah of Iran. Winston Churchill used to rent two cabanas, one to paint in and one “for naps” (and drinks, as during Prohibition spirits were served illegally here). Set in Surfside at the less-developed northern end of Miami Beach, this hacienda-style hotel has been brilliantly extended by Richard Meier, whose 12-story glass towers seem to float above the terra cotta tiles of the original 1930s Mediterranean-style pantile roofs, and interiors by Joseph Dirand. The cabanas now house part of the charming spa, where even the brushed-brass key pads on the lockers are a thing of beauty, as well as a handful of Cabana Studio bedrooms, each a pale-but-interesting essay in contrasting textures: canvas, rattan, and travertine. Of course, the restaurants are as much of an attraction: The Surf Club by superchef Thomas Keller opened its doors in summer 2018, and Le Sirenuse Miami comes from the owners of its namesake hotel in Positano. Densely planted with exotic palms, the latter evokes a cultivated jungle, a setting that is almost as memorable as Antonio Mermolia’s deft cooking, where the attention to detail extends to dyeing the ice over which they serve oysters the bluish-green of an iceberg. Try the Kumamotos, flown in daily from Washington state and dressed in a zingy citronelle emulsion. "Spectacular" was the word the Miami Herald ran in a headline for the Surf Club in November 1959. And so it is, nearly 60 years on.

What if you could actually visit the Garden of Eden? And what if it was surrounded by vineyards, historic Cape Dutch farm buildings, and a formal French-style potager garden, where you could pick your own strawberries and fragrant herbs? At Babylonstoren, in the Drakenstein Valley, 33 miles northeast of Cape Town, the mythical garden comes to life. Founded in 1690, the 590-acre compound is modeled on the farms that supplied the ships making their way around the Cape of Good Hope en route to India. The cottages and suites are minimalist but stylish. You won’t find a grand lobby or an obsequious concierge here, but the staff, most of whom are wearing T-shirts, aprons, or khakis, combine a genuine eagerness to help with a high level of knowledge about the farm and its long history. Stay long enough and eventually—after a visit to the on-site bakery, the winery, the cheesemaker, the butcher, and the farm-tank-style swimming pool—you may forget that you’re staying at a hotel.