It might be a stunning location or exquisite design. It might be its sense of romance or something as blandly functional as facilities. Whatever it is, great hotels pick up their point-of-difference and run with it all the way to the ‘World's Best' lists.
Lime Wood, Hampshire, England
Hampshire, England is home to Lime Wood, a lavishly decorated and unashamedly luxurious hotel full of oak, open fires and chic country opulence. Nestled in a vast heath and woodland setting with sweeping forest views, this is a proper destination hotel offering an intrinsically English experience full of billiard tables, sitting rooms, dining rooms, velvet and more oak. It also helps that Lime Wood's eatery is run by celebrity chef, Angela Hartnett.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
While its name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, this rare French treat is a gastronomic delight; a grand 19th century mansion full of fine dining, fabulous furnishings and spectacularly rich taste. Set in nine hectares of manicured gardens bordering the Mediterranean, the hotel boasts 117 rooms, 2 villas and 33 beach cabins, if cabin is the right word for lodgings fit for the rich and famous.
Claridge's, London, England
Yes, you've probably heard of this London icon as it's been a home away from home to royalty and rich jetsetters for more than 160 years; long before jetsetters could even jet. Claridge's is, quite simply, a glamorous hotel; the Harrods of the hotel world where every corner turned is an experience and every detail is just so.
Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia
Next stop is the pavilion paradise of Qualia perched at the tip of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Australia. Here it's all about blending as organically as possible with the natural habitat and Qualia does precisely that in a prestige haven handcrafted masterfully in wood and stone. As it should, everything faces the sea. As it shouldn't but still does, everyone gets their own golf buggy to flit from pool and beach to restaurant and spa.
The Peninsula, Shanghai, China
Last stop, Shanghai, China and a customised BMW journey from airport to the art deco wonderland of the Peninsula. Yes, that's where the special treatment starts and it never ends. From the multi-drawer lacquered treat box on your pillow to the iPad room controls, this is a hotel specialising in the important little details. This handsome hotel sits pride of place on the Huangpu River with walls of glass to ensure every inch of the sweeping views can be enjoyed.