
Sunrise Kempinski Hotel (Beijing) —
Covered with more than 10,000 glass panels lit by LEDs at night, Sunrise Kempinski's architecture had the world buzzing when it opened mid-November.

The Peninsula Paris —
After four years of restoration, The Peninsula Paris now has high-tech conveniences, such as control tablets. The original 1908 hotel was the first to offer en-suite bathrooms when it opened.

Alila Jabal Akhdar (UAE) —
Perched 2,000 meters above sea level, Oman's Alila Jabal Akhdar overlooks a dramatic gorge and neighboring Al Hajar mountains. The Jabal Terrace has the best views.

Casas del XVI (Dominican Republic) —
Two former residences of La Hispaniola, the oldest city in the new world, have been restored into a hotel. All rooms at Casas del XVI come with GPS-enabled iPhones to navigate the surrounding UNESCO-listed Ciudad Colonial.

Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France —
Luxury powerhouse LVMH unveiled Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France this year in the French West Indies. Butler-escorted sailing trips, lobster lunch on a pristine island and Guerlain spa treatments await.

Hacienda Na Xamena (Spain) —
Draped over the side of a 180-meter-high cliff and overlooking the Mediterranean, Hacienda Na Xamena offers back-to-nature relief after partying in Ibiza's famed club scene.

Four Seasons Moscow —
The Four Seasons Moscow sits across the street from Bolshoi Theatre and is adjacent to Red Square. Guests get a Nespresso machine, Roberto Cavalli bathroom amenities and in-room iPad.

Soho House Chicago —
Housed in a historic industrial building, Soho House Chicago features vintage radiators and chandeliers. The spa offering scotch 'n' shave for gents looks like a set from "Mad Men."

Cromlix Hotel (Scotland) —
Andy Murray opened his first hotel a few miles from his Scottish hometown, Dunblaine. Surprise! There's a tennis court in Wimbledon colors of blue and purple on the grounds.

Zanzibar White Sand Villas —
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas and Spa is located on one of the best kite-surfing beaches in the world. Tanzania's latest beachfront hotel is powered by solar and wind energy.

Sofitel So Singapore —
Sofitel So Singapore offers a refreshing splash of textures and colors. Karl Lagerfeld designed elements of the hotel and each room is fitted with iPad minis and iPhones.

Iniala Beach House (Thailand) —
"Eclectic" is an understatement at Iniala Beach House in Phang Nga, Thailand. Ten designers created the hotel's varied spaces, leading to cocoon-like canopy beds, gold leaf-covered dome in the spa room and a "kids hotel" wing with mini-bathrobes and slippers.

The Norman (Tel Aviv, Israel) —
The Norman makes good use of Tel Aviv, Israel's celebrated Bauhaus architecture. In this case, two buildings decked out in classic furnishing with splashes of punchy colors.

URSO Hotel & Spa (Madrid) —
URSO Hotel & Spa is Madrid, Spain's first five-star boutique hotel. Local artisans contributed to the restoration of the 20th-century former palace.

Mont Rochelle (South Africa) —
Richard Branson added to his South African portfolio of Virgin Limited Edition hotels with Mont Rochelle, a 22-room hotel and vineyard near the Klein Dassenberg Mountains in Franschoek.

Portrait Firenze (Italy) —
Portrait Firenze in Florence, Italy, features interiors inspired by 1050's Italian haute couture. Guests are privy to privileges at the boutiques and special tours of Vasari Corridor.

Shangri-La Hotel (London) —
Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard literally towers over the competition in London. Spanning between the 34th floor and 52nd floors, the hotel has the highest bar in London.

The Brando (French Polynesia) —
In keeping with Marlon Brando's passion for conservation and sustainability, the Brando in Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, has an on-site organic garden and "ecostation" staffed by research scientists.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp (Namibia) —
Accessible only by light aircraft, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a secluded tent resort in Namibia's mysterious Skeleton Coast. The 100% solar-powered camp features a swimming pool.

Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Japan) —
Kyoto's first globally known luxury hotel is like a Japanese ryokan but with modern amenities. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto features wooden tubs. Some suites offer futons on tatami floors.

Miss Clara (Stockholm) —
Occupied in the 1900s by a girls' school, Miss Clara is named after the former tenant's headmistress. Interiors are minimalistic, featuring dark woods and white walls.

Maalifushi by COMO (Maldives) —
Maalifushi by COMO is an hour's transfer from Male, Maldives. Mostly unpopulated, the atoll of Thaa offers thriving reefs with manta rays, hammerheads and whale sharks.

One&Only Hayman Island (Australia) —
How many resorts can accurately have the address "Great Barrier Reef"? Not only can guests explore the famed coral reef at One&Only Hayman Island, they can get signature spa treatments out at sea.



