THE HOT 20

French Polynesia’s most exquisite private island, Tetiaroa, has an unsurpassed commitment to the preservation and protection of plant and animal life.  Natural marine life and biodiversity are juxtaposed with world-class hospitality and invigorating pursuits such as a photo safari, whale watching and deep-sea fishing.  Spacious and elegantly decorated one, two and three-bedroom villas provide guests with the latest in contemporary luxury.

Unveiled just two months ago, and located thirty minutes east of Galle, this palm tree paradise is a must-visit for naturalists and luxury-seekers alike.  Each of the 40 elegantly decorated private residences and villas afford extraordinary panoramas across the Indian Ocean.  We recommend staying in the Cape Weligama Residence, a beautiful 307 sq-m duplex suite boasting two bedrooms and a private, 15-metre infinity swimming pool on the upper level. 

Bodrum’s hottest new addition, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, located on the northern side of the spectacular peninsula, offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.  Comprising 82 delightful guestrooms and 20 suites, the resort offers six restaurants and bars, the ultra-sleek lobby lounge, the chic poolside bar and a Beach Club, complete with every water activity imaginable.  

Sweeping up the gravel drive, the handsome pile appears, just as expected; resplendent, formidable and elegant.  In the great hall, furnished exquisitely with intricate tapestries, Seventeenth and Eighteenth century oil paintings hang in gilded frames overlooking thoughtfully arranged chairs and tables awaiting afternoon tea. 

The magnificent Mondrian at Sea Containers, overlooking the Thames, has firmly placed London’s South Bank on the luxury map.  Whizz up to the rooftop bar and enjoy panoramic vistas of London’s skyline from the sleek, funky Rumpus Room. 

Exquisitely located overlooking the panoramic Flamands Bay, and unveiled this autumn, the latest opening from the LVMH Group provides international jetsetters with everything they could possibly desire. The in-house spa offers guests four treatment pavilions using Guerlain’s luxury products.  Signature therapies including the St-Barth Solar Escape and a new Orchidee double treatment room will be expertly administered in the Maison’s lush tropical gardens. 

Trendy Dover Street in London’s Mayfair saw the welcome addition of Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino and his expert team this summer.  Mellino has curated an authentic Italian, Campania-inspired menu, which boasts fresh ingredients transported daily from the Amalfi Coast via airoplane – the sun-blushed tomatoes get a dedicated seat. 

This 266-room resort, located on a private island overlooking St. Mark’s Square and La Serenissima, offers guests design hotel modernism in a world-class location.  The resort will boast Venice’s largest spa – 1,750-metres – and will offer bespoke treatments together with an extensive range of classic spa rituals. 

The latest launch from the super-glamorous Nikki Beach family finds itself in the picturesque village of Porto Heli, in the emerging eastern Peloponnese region of Greece, a swift 20 minute helicopter journey or two-and-a-half-hour catamaran transfer from Athens international airport.  The resort will encompass a sleek, contemporary hotel with 66 stylish suites and bedrooms, two restaurants, a Nikki Spa and the chic, ever-popular all-day Beach Club. 

The breathtakingly beautiful Indonesian island of Sumba, 250 miles southeast of Bali, is home to 580 acres of unspoilt tropical scenery, white sandy beaches and a captivating tribal culture.  The island’s resort and modern adventure concept was conceived in 1988 by two surf-mad Americans who were drawn back to an island of dreams. Set overlooking an extraordinary one and a half miles of white, sandy beach, the island’s twenty-one private terraced villas have been lovingly handcrafted in Indonesian Alang Alang, teak and rattan.  

This self-sufficient wellness centre, located near Queenstown, New Zealand, offers guests full board wellness adventures overlooking the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.  The resort’s passion for health and wellbeing and desire for sustainability is commendable. 

Unveiled this summer, this boutique offering from the Ferragamo family provides enchanting vistas over Florence’s River Arno and the world-renowned Ponte Vecchio.  Thirty-four sumptuous suites have been thoughtfully decorated with elegant fabrics and handcrafted furniture. 

Boasting an extraordinary location on an undeveloped beach on Bali’s southwest coast, this boutique resort celebrates cutting-edge architecture, modern design and noteworthy eco credentials. 

Majorca’s transformation from package holiday haven to luxe traveller’s preferred Balearic Island of choice is complete.  Can Alomar, along with sister hotels Can Cera and Calatrava, in Palma de Majorca’s old town, offers sumptuous, authentic accommodation within a magnificent 18th century townhouse - a brisk trot to the vibrant art galleries, restaurants and bars of this European hotspot. 

Boasting a spectacular cliff top location, perched atop the Al Hajar mountains in Oman, Jabal Akhdar surrounds itself with fresh roses, pomegranates, dates and peaches.  Forward-thinking design and sustainable architecture have been combined with the very best of local Omani artesian craftwork to produce a truly luxurious getaway. Exhilarating mountain biking, treks and desert driving experiences have been created for the adventurous and locally inspired bespoke spa treatments for those happy to sit back and relax.  

A welcome addition to Ibiza’s chic, laid-back beach club culture, this southwest coast destination affords extraordinary views over the Mediterranean, a private sandy beach and sleek, white daybeds.  Dine in the top deck restaurant or allow the jolly staff to serve you by the sea.  

Located on Nataie Beach, Phuket, this stunning three-villa, ten-bedroom private retreat is the grand-dame of super-luxe getaways.  Thai architecture is married beautifully with modern themes created by designers from Europe, South America and Thailand, resulting in a cool, surreal and sophisticated vibe. 

Chef extraordinaire, Jason Atherton, of Berners Tavern and Social Eating House fame, has teamed up with Lee Westcott to bring his culinary midas touch to London’s continually emerging East End.  Housed in the beautiful 1930’s Town Hall Hotel, two dining rooms with thoughtfully arranged Danish-inspired tables offer a bright modern space in which to sample the chefs’ talent for creativity as well as flavour wowing guests with delights such as yeasted cauliflower, raisins, capers and mint, and scorched langostine, sweetcorn, dashi and lardo.  Go!

This luxe resort is situated on its very own private island, Felicite, a short transfer from Mahe international airport by helicopter or speed boat.  Set to open in 2015, the island will attract eco-conscious travellers as it will remain a natural environment with an abundance of flora and fauna.