The Piedmont hills in northwestern Italy are famous for their truffles and full bodied Barolo and ­Barberesco wines. The Relais San Maurizio, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group, gives travellers another reason to visit to this part of the country. By far the most luxurious property Piedmont has to offer, the hotel has a fairytale like setting perched on top of a hill in the charming village of San Stefano Belbo. Views of the surrounding Langhe hills and perfectly lined vineyards greet guests wherever they look. Once a 17th century Franciscan monastery, the sprawling property has 31-rooms which were once monks quarters that have been lovingly turned into upscale guest rooms, each uniquely decorated and featuring flat screen televisions, oversize baths and Etro toiletries.

When you check into La Mansion de los Suenos, you’re not just greeted by the experienced and eager staff. You’re also welcomed by a dozen faces brought to life in the colourful portraits of local painter Jose Silva which cover the walls in the lovely reception area off the first of the restored 16th century hacienda’s three blood-pressure-lowering patios or courtyards. The tranquility, art collection, history, decor and level of service at La Mansion de los Suenos come to you courtesy of Priscilla Madsen, the owner and host.

My better half and I always say we would move to Chicago in a heartbeat. We love the relaxed mood of the city, its proximity to the lakeshore, the grand buildings, all of the unique neighbourhoods, each with their own list of ­must-visit restaurants and shops.  Of course, there are the Windy City winters—something we experienced first-hand, during the second weekend of spring. The cold wind, rain, and snow didn’t seem so unbearable once we arrived at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel on the 11th through 30th floors of Water Tower Place, located just off of bustling Michigan Avenue. It had all that we needed to enjoy our beloved city while staying dry, warm, and incredibly comfortable.

When you arrive at El Cibolo Fort at Cibolo Creek Ranch, prepare to be torn between the inside and the outside at this luxurious one-of-a-kind slice of old Texas. The rooms and facilities are a homey and elegant combination of historic architecture and authentic décor that never slips into lazy cliché.

Cottonwood-beam ceilings, handmade adobe walls, Saltillo tile floors, Mexican and Spanish antiques and hand-stitched quilts provide the base for fanciful individual touches in each of the 21 themed rooms—from cowboy to Indian to Chinoise (yes, Chinese—trust me, it works).

It’s not hard to imagine the Threadneedles in its former incarnation – a bank for London’s Victorian elite. Hushed, stately and just a minute from the actual Bank of England and London Stock Exchange, this stone walk-up is clearly a place that once saw money and the moneyed walk through its doors, under its ­ornate glass-domed entryway and off to discrete leather-bound quarters to talk important business.    

The same kind of people still wander by and frequent its bar for an after work drink, but today, the business conducted within this building is all about relaxing.

Opened in 2002 as the Square Mile’s first luxury boutique hotel, Threadneedles, part of the Eton Collection, has held on to many of the best elements from its 19th-century heritage. The old marble-columned main hall is now a cozy sitting area and lounge, still with bankish little lamps on each table, as though a financial advisor might stop by at any time to discuss how to diversify your portfolio.

I’ve arrived at the correct address, but there’s no sign of one of the hippest hotels in Mexico.  Literally, NO SIGN.  No arced driveway, no milling staff and no grand façade either.  Created in a sleek and modern home previously owned by one of the hotel owner’s grandfathers, Clarum 101 looks, from the outside, like an ultra-cool apartment building. 

Push the discreet buzzer next to the non-descript gate and you are granted entry into an equally cool hotel with a surprisingly warm and welcoming staff. Instantly it feels like you’ve arrived home, only while you were out some generous interior decorator has transformed your previously boring space into the architectural embodiment of hip.

If there's one word to describe Austin, Texas, it's quirky—but in a good way. Shopkeepers exude an independent spirit. Over 200 live music venues suit a myriad of tastes. The list of top-ranking restaurants includes slick boîtes and hole-in-the-wall shacks. Austin is the capital of Republican Texas, and yet the city itself is very liberal. And alongside the new residential towers, shopping districts, and strips of chic nightspots downtown, there are places that remind you of Austin's long history. Among them is The Driskill Hotel.

­It was my inept parking ability which proved just how good the staff is at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. I pulled into the Manoir on a sunny Sunday afternoon and was working on executing a perfect reverse park (ahem) in one of the farthest away lots, and it took me a few goes to get it right. As my husband was getting increasingly impatient with me, a uniformed valet appeared at the side of the car. “Can I help you, madam?” he said discreetly. Ahhh, this was the beginning of the Manoir treatment- understated, friendly, and two steps ahead of the needs of their guests. In this case, it was averting a full-blown fight.

If you’re after a simple element of style, then The Gansevoort is not for you. This luxury hotspot oozes masses of style. Located in the hip Meatpacking District, The Gansevoort has to be more than special to contend with the trendy vibe and the neighbouring Soho House. With an impressive illuminated glass column entrance towering over the cobbled street of Ninth Avenue, The Gansevoort has made its individual mark on the area made famous by "Sex and the City".

Now this is a hotel: It's really the only proper response to entering the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida—and to seeing how this most venerable hotel chain successfully melds its five-star philosophy to Naples' family-friendly environs. I arrived at two in the morning, after an 11:30 a.m. flight from JFK managed to leave a little over nine hours late; the one benefit of my exceptionally delayed arrival was a chance to get a look at the hotel's entrance hall without many distractions—distractions I would observe on following nights in the form of a live-music band and a bustling, mixed crowd of couples, families, wedding parties, conventioneers, and, at one point, the economist and television personality Ben Stein.