Travel Ideas from The Leading Hotels of The World

There are more than 80 fabulous Leading Hotels – from destination resorts to sophisticated urban icons – where you will find respite from the snow and the cold because it's always summer somewhere…

Fly on down to Rio to the stylish, Philippe Starck-designed Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro (pictured above), and enjoy spectacular rooms with private balconies, and savour exceptional Mediterranean-influenced cuisine at Fasano Al Mare. Later, make your way up to the rooftop pool terrace and bar, where you can sip cocktails while taking in the panoramic sweep of Ipanema beach. www.LHW.com/FasanoRio



It really does take two to tango, and Faena Hotel Buenos Aires is definitely the place to polish up your ochos and ganchos! Set in the city's dynamic Puerto Madero district, the hotel boasts its own nightclub – El Cabaret – where you can thrill to live performances by some of the country's most accomplished tangueros. Lessons are available for those who want to learn the intricacies of this sensual dance. www.LHW.com/FaenaHotel



The period between late October and late March is ideal for visiting incredible India. Head for Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, which seems to float in the middle of Lake Pichola. Conceived in romance, the palace was built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, 62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar. Today it is the perfect setting for a lovers' escape from the everyday. www.LHW.com/TajLakePalace



Continue your tour of princely palaces at Umaid Bhawan Palace, perched above the desert capital of Jodhpur. Once the principal residence of Jodhpur's royal family, it was named for Maharaja Umaid Singh Ji, the grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, Maharaja Gaj Singh Ji. www.LHW.com/Umaid



Beach lovers will find an abundance of Leading Hotels from which to choose. Head to the Middle East to The Chedi, Muscat, located just 20 minutes north of the capital of Oman. Designed in traditional Omani style, this exclusive beach resort offers world-class facilities for the discerning traveler, set against the backdrop of the Sultanate's magnificent Hajjar mountain ranges. www.LHW.comChediMuscat



Or schedule a visit to Dubai, where at Residence & Spa One&Only Royal Mirage overlooks The Palm Island Bay, one of the most ambitious developments in the region. An intimate Arabian style sanctuary, the resort is set in 65 acres of landscaped gardens, and features a kilometer-long expanse of private beach where guests can enjoy a wide range of water sports. www.LHW.com/RoyalMirageDubai



Snowbirds from the Northeastern US head south to Florida – and find respite at such refined resorts as Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach. Located on 4.5 beachfront acres, it features 400 feet of stunning Atlantic Ocean coastline in Sunny Isles Beach. An intimate resort with 97 guest rooms and suites, it offers a range of amenities including an ESPA, the acclaimed Il Mulino New York restaurant, three oceanfront pools and an innovative children's program. www.LHW.com/Acqualina



On the other side of the US, guests in the know are checking into one of the newest Leading Hotels – Mr. C Beverly Hills. An innovative new concept in hospitality developed by Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, the hotel represents a modern version of old-world simplicity and stylish European glamour, blending contemporary amenities with discreet, personalized service. The rooms and suites all have private balconies, and many have panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. www.LHW.com/MrCBeverlyHills



Bangkok is a city which continues to fascinate global travelers, and it is also home to another new Leading Hotel – The Okura Prestige Bangkok. Embracing an Asian design that harmonizes Japanese and Thai cultures, the hotel boasts cutting-edge facilities and Okura's original hospitality principles of calmness and comfort. Not to be missed is the cantilevered 25-meter infinity pool, anchored to the outside of the 25th floor. www.LHW.com/OkuraPrestigebkk



Go to the ends of the earth – or nearly – to the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, in Cape Town, South Africa. With its namesake mountain range as a backdrop, the hotel stands at the very edge of the Atlantic, surrounded by acres of marine coastal nature reserves. Boasting one of the world's most beautiful settings, it is a perfect retreat. Guests can enjoy The Sanctuary Spa and heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, as well as the beach at nearby Camps Bay for scuba diving snorkeling, surfing, swimming and volleyball. www.LHW.com/Apostles

These are just a few of the Leading Hotels where you can escape Old Man Winter's grip. For a complete list, and more details, please visit www.LHW.com/SummerSomewhere.

For reservations in the USA & Canada please call 1-800-223-6800 or contact a travel professional.