Independent luxury hospitality group accepts stellar urban, countryside and island retreats in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Situated in the Tras-os-Montes region of northern Portugal, the historic Vidago Palace Hotel is set amidst forested parklands close to the border with Spain. Opened in 1910 and well-known among sophisticated European holiday-makers, it is now poised to welcome the rest of the world following an extensive and sensitive restoration. Its 60 rooms and ten suites are stylishly and tastefully appointed, and offer soothing views of the surrounding park and nearby mountains. There are several food and beverage venues, including the Salao Nobre Dining Room, the Winter Garden, the Wine Cellar, the Poolside Bar and Grill, The Club House and The O Bar. In addition to an 18-hole championship golf course and outdoor swimming pool, there is a spa with 20 treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, vitality pool, sauna and fitness center. The former bath building now houses an extensive conference center with 11 meeting and banquet rooms.

La Residencia (pictured) is located on the Island of Mallorca -- off the coast of Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. Sheltered by green mountains on the island’s northwest coast, its twin manor houses sit in lush gardens, among citrus groves, on the edge of the artists' village of Deiá. Guests can do as little or as much as they wish. Learn to paint, explore the region’s many cultural treasures, hike in the hills – or amble up into the olive terraces and watch the sun go down. All of the all of the 69 guest accommodations are non-smoking. Dining options include El Olivo, the gourmet restaurant serving international cuisine; Son Moragues, the terrace restaurant and bar; Son Fony, the casual breakfast venue; and pool bar and restaurant. For recreation there are indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, a spa, and fitness center. To get a true sense of the destination, visitors can ride on donkeys to the hotel’s mountain refuge for a picnic.

Opening in April, The Residence Zanzibar is situated in 32 hectares of gardens on the southwest coast of the island off the coast of Tanzania. Bordering a mile and a half of white sand beach, each of the 66 one- and two-bedroom stand-alone villas boasts a private deck and pool. Guests enjoy butler and packing and unpacking services, golf cart transportation around the property, and the use of bicycles, along with several dining options with a variety of cuisines. The Spa is complemented by an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi as well as water sports and tennis facilities. Complimentary sorbets and iced beverages are offered at the beach. (Guests arriving at Dar El Salaam International Airport in Tanzania can request VIP assistance in advance with the hotel for a transfer to the local airport for connecting flights to Kisauni Airport on the Island of Zanzibar.)

With 381 rooms and suites, Japan's Imperial Hotel Osaka towers along the banks of the River Okawa, in a park-like setting that creates an oasis of serenity in a bustling urban center. In a city known as “the nation’s kitchen,” the hotel offers a wide range of culinary options in its six restaurants, including Les Saisons for gourmet French cuisine; Kamon, Osaka Nadaman and Kyubey, serving a variety of Japanese delicacies; Jasmine Garden, for Chinese specialties; and Flying Tomato Café, for American fare. The Rainbow Lounge and Old Imperial Bar are relaxing venues for cocktails. To help guests counter the effects of all those calories, there is a health club and fitness center with an indoor pool, squash court and golf practice area. There are also 24 rooms for meetings, banquets and conferences.