"This glamorous ‘beach restaurant with rooms’ is made for a good time, with daybeds and a pavilion decked out with comfortable sofas scattered with Rifat Ozbek’s Yastik cushions. Maçakizi is the epitome of understated good taste across a myriad of chilling spaces, from the utterly serene palm-shaded pool to the lower level beach, a vibrant expanse of canopied decking that is the place to while away the day, going directly from sun lounger to sea as a DJ spins soft disco classics."

"Rio will forever be the ultimate beach hotspot, period. No other place offers such a beguiling mixture of resort holiday and city break, where you can imbibe the fun-loving Carioca mantra of a boa vida, the good life. And to really soak it up, hole up at the peerless Belmond Copacabana Palace, a 1920s icon of the city, where Ginger Rogers (the star of Flying Down to Rio) stayed. There is no better place to wake up than from one of the sixth floor penthouse suites, which comes with huge terraces and uninterrupted sea views, a sleek black slate pool, and your own butler to fulfil your every whim - whether to replace a forgotten toothbrush or bring you an urgent serving of the Cipriani’s baked taglioni at midnight."

"Kumu Beach is a seafront hotel with soul on the west coast of Sri Lanka, encapsulating the style and spirit of a world that existed before package tourism discovered the Island of Serendipity. The main house sits above a secluded bay, onto which the surf breaks noisily and into which the sun melts every evening. You are but a short stroll away from a turtle-nesting beach and a quick drive from Sri Lanka’s largest reclining Buddha at Galagoda. Without a hint of gimmickry or any sense of trying too hard, Kumu Beach is an ideal place to decompress."

"No people: tick. Cashmere-soft sand: tick. Crystalline water: tick. Clairvoyant service: tick. All luxury resorts promise a personalised experience, but the Nautilus takes this a step further. From chefs preparing off-menu dishes at a moment’s notice (ask for the lobster curry) to reflexology at midnight, the mantra here is: anything, anytime, anywhere."

"This wonderful 1920s-inspired camp was founded by Calvin Cottar, whose veteran safari-outfitting family arrived in this golden-hued, Out of Africa Maasai Mara hotspot 30 years before Dutch author Karen Blixen. Cottar’s offers a romantic nod to nostalgia without forcing the point: canvas tents are swathed in white cotton, with four-poster beds and gramophones."

"The 85-hectare Pamalican Island, accessible only by private plane, is a dream of perfection. Here, one snorkels through turquoise waters (with just bright yellow batfish and a turtle or two for company); feasts at a barbecue, lit only by lanterns and the setting sun; decompresses with a Filipino massage (using hot banana leaves to release blocked energies); or sways in a hammock, listening for the sweet call of the oriole bird. Villas offer beach access, butlers, private chefs and indoor-outdoor living space (Villa 23 is ideal for groups), while the treetop casitas, each with a private sundeck and pool, are all about breathtaking views. Savour ginataang gulay curry or sinigang tamarind broth at the Clubhouse, fresh fish at the Beachclub, or sip a cocktail on the island’s floating Kawayan Bar."

"In remote eastern Nepal, coloured prayer flags flap invitingly over a brightly painted stone house. This was the famous mountaineer Edmund Hillary’s self-proclaimed ‘Happy House’, though it’s recently reverted back to its original owners – descendants of the Sherpa family who migrated from Tibet in 1530. It’s an incredible base from which to explore the wild Solu Khumbu region, which, according to Buddhist belief, is one of the few untainted sacred spots in the world."

"Need to lie down for a week? The sister resort of Chablé in the Yucatan is a mangrove-lined beachfront dazzler that will scoop you up and bring you back to life. Mornings start with pastries and coffee delivered to your casita, and from there on out it’s sun, sea and ceviche. Food is a highlight (linseed pancakes and Yucatan-style sopa de lima pack a healthy punch); interiors blaze; the turquoise-tiled pool is a dream."

"The joy of being able to travel Stateside in November is real – and let’s not forget that Basel is going to be back in a big way this December. So for those looking for the most glamorous and fun-loving kind of winter sun, Miami always makes for a wonderfully spoiling choice. Formerly the Dempsey Vanderbilt, this Art Deco jewel sits bang on the South Beach, at the top of Ocean Drive. The Setai is all about calm and discretion, a serene retreat from the city’s bustle."