My picks in Travel

One of the hippest little places to stay in Rio, full of decadent Rococo interiors with a Brazilian twist. Just 5 rooms, each inspired by dreams and travel—budding Holly Golightlys should choose the pale blue ‘Tiffany' room. They all have access to a private patio or terrace, and you can relax in company in the cozy sitting room or by the pool, admiring the views of Corcovado Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Hosts Francois-Xavier and Jacques are experts on Rio life, and if you feel like venturing out, they can give you all the tips. The property is located steps from shops, parties, and vibrant Ipanema beach, although the hotel itself is unusually tranquil. Don't expect total luxury—there's no spa, TVs, telephones or mini bars, and air conditioning and bathtubs are only available in two of the rooms—but for a relaxed Rio experience, this is your place.

Room rates from $234.

Country-cute inns are what staying in Vermont is all about. Deerhill Inn ticks all the boxes; 14 individually decorated cosy cottage-style rooms, outdoor pool, gourmet restaurant and postcard views of the Green Mountains. Some rooms come with fireplaces to set the mood, while others come with whirlpools or balconies. I'd go for one of the latter, the views round here are something special. Get a closer look by hiking or biking on Mount Snow. It's just five minutes away and has plenty to keep you occupied, winter and summer; all standards of skier will find a trail to enjoy—the mountain is home to a two-mile novice run, as well as Ripcord, one of the steepest trails in New England. If you'd rather relax in a more sedentary fashion, there is plenty of fishing and boating nearby, as well as golf and horseback riding. Within the walls of the inn you'll find the Art on the Mountain Gallery, home to works by local artists. The works change every six weeks, and a portion of the sale proceeds go toward supporting the Deerfield Valley Healthcare Volunteers who provide dental programs in local schools and aid to community members in need—it's so refreshing to see such a local effort! The restaurant is headed up by Michael Allen, who whips up tasty treat from local ingredients. Spoil yourself with the six-course tasting menu—as I said, not your usual B&B…

Room rates from $145.

My checklist for the perfect island getaway: white sandy beaches, plenty of aquatic life and lots of space and seclusion. Palmetto Bay Plantation is a bit like having your own private island home. It's definitely secluded— great for romantics, but if you're planning on exploring the surrounding area, consider renting a car. The Balinese-style villas have one to three bedrooms, making them equally suited to couples or families, however, the smaller villas have showers rather than baths. If you don't fancy fending for yourself in the villa kitchen, the resort has a pretty impressive restaurant with a surprisingly international menu—although of course it also includes some yummy local seafood from the incredibly blue waters just feet away. Roatan is a heaven for scuba divers as the coral is part of the second longest chain in the world. Non-divers don't despair, there is acre upon ace of private land offering activities like a bird walk, kayaking and a beautiful outdoor pool. If you decide you want to join the others in the water, there's a full service PADI dive center and fabulous snorkeling close to the shore. Part of the reason for all of the wildlife (including quite a few pesky bugs) is the eco-sensitive nature of the resort—as few trees as possible have been removed and all of the villas have been built with a sensitive eye to the environment. This does mean that the beachfront villas don't always have an uninterrupted view over the white sand, but it's a small price to pay.

Room rates from $135.

A little gem on Spain's beautiful south coast, this 10-room hideaway feels like you're at a friend's seaside villa, especially in the quieter, out-of-season months. The Beach House is a pretty white-washed home set right on the beach. Each of the rooms is designed in a crisp-contemporary style: white-tiled bathrooms and sea-blue cushions for reclining on the terrace...NB: not all rooms have a TV or internet connection so check when booking. The atmosphere is laid-back Spanish living: relax by the pool (it's heated all year so great for an early or late summer visit); or fireside, as the owners cosy up the lounge when temperatures start to drop. A light breakfast is served on the terrace but you'll have to head out for lunch and dinner; venture into Marbella or Malaga for bars, restaurants and nightclubs, shopping and the Picasso Museum. A word of warning: the area around The Beach House is not nice but once you're inside, it's a cocoon of comfort. Marbella is an eyesore to me...but some disagree. What's this perfect for? A quick sunny weekend from many greyer European countries. Málaga Airport is 20 minutes' drive away.

Room rates from €125.

This is just the place to enjoy the low-key, boho vibe of Trancoso; a chic beach-shack framed by rainforest. The 8 bungalow-rooms are all themed differently, and decorated beautifully—so much gorgeous attention to detail. The pretty Gypsy room is decked out in bright blues and pinks—very Brazil—while the Kyoto, with pretty bamboo prints, and the elegant blue and white Mediterraneo are much calmer. If you want to out your inner wild child go for the Tribal room, styled with animal print and tribal artifacts, then take a tour of the surrounding area. The hotel can organise adventures by horse, bike, plane and boat. If you would prefer to enter into the laid-back Tancoso vibe, then surfing lessons can also be arranged. Now, You all know how much I like to treat myself to a massage, so I'd head straight for the pool or the small spa after an active day; all sorts of massages on offer, as well as Watsu. Suprisingly for such a small place, the hotel also has a pretty amazing antiques shop in the square, that is definitely worth a look. Finish up with dinner and a drink in the outdoor restaurant bar and people watch the savvy, urban-hippy crowd. N.B: Some of you might find the ten-minute walk to the beach a bit of a drag.

Room rates from $194.

An eco retreat with a capital 'E', this is also a community development, reforestation and nature conservation project; in the past four years 1.5 million trees have been planted and formerly extinct animal species have been re-introduced to the area—phew, impressive! The 15 bungalows are built using woods from reforestation or certified logging projects in Nicaragua. Inside, things are just as good; locally made furniture, private decks, and an indoor beach garden with outdoor shower—some rooms even have a tree growing through the roof. Not a great place if you're afraid of heights, as the bungalows are connected to the main lodge by a 328-foot suspension bridge over a forested canyon. Kids will go crazy for the vast array of wildlife and activities, and you can explore the waters with kayaking and fishing trips. If you don't manage to catch your own dinner, head to the restaurant for some delicious fusion cuisine. Unfortunately, there's no spa, but you may be able to book treatments at one of the nearby larger hotels, or just relax in the infinity pool or on the private white sand beach. My brother and his partner Andrew love this place—it's on my list! Located 2 ½ hours away from Granada and 1 ½ hours from the Costa Rican border by car.

Room rates from $219 per person.

Staying here, with the decendents of original owner Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh, is just like staying with friends—but how many friends have a colonial 19th-century Indian mansion in a suprisingly verdant area of Rajasthan. The oasis is a result of the three lakes that border the estate, built by Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh to provide water for the local people. Inside, 10 rooms and suites are spacious and minimally decorated, with subtle decorative touches giving a sense of India. At dinner, you'll eat Rajasthani and continental dishes from the cook who has cooked for three generations of the family. Usually dinner is served under the stars, but on colder nights, you can eat in the cozy dining room. Out and about, there's plenty to keep you occupied; spend a day exploring, bird-watching or boating on one of the lakes, or enjoy massages and yoga at the house. The region is full of ancient forts, temples and villages, and the estate has a working farm, so you can really soak up the culture. It's so peaceful, a true break from modern life. The family have a long history of philanthropy, since Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh built his lakes they have been contributing to the local community, so you can be sure that your visit only impacts in a positive way; the Shahpura family contributes a portion of its turnover towards the Rajadhiraj Sudarshan Deo Charitable Trust that aims at supporting rural children. There are also a lot of green imperatives at the hotel, from solar panels to reusing waste materials.

Room rates from $160.

Interior and fashion-designers Yvonna Hulst and Alberto Cortes have transformed this pair of town-houses into an achingly hip riad… It's right in the middle of the medina, and with just 5 suites and 2 double rooms, it's pretty small and intimate, meaning that service is tip-top and personal—my favorite kind! The rooms are super spacious with Moroccan accents, like tessellating tile-work, elaborate lanterns and comfy daybeds. Ceilings are high and windows huge, so there's plenty of light and space. Chillout music wafts through the building, and the neutral colors are a nice break from the bright and bustle of the medina, but if you want to catch a glimpse of what's going on outside, just head on up to the roof terrace. Talking of the medina…Shoppers delight—I love the fact that the hotel can organize for a personal shopper to scout the souks with you to find those easy to miss gems. If something more active is called for, you can also head out to the Atlas Mountains, before returning to luxuriate in the small spa. There's a Hammam (this is Morocco), massages, manicures and pedicures, as well as two plunge pools ready for a refreshing dip. Just the thing before Moroccan cuisine on the terrace or heading out to explore the city by night. N.B. Lunch and dinner must be booked in advance, so impulsive guests need to plan ahead,

Room rates from €157.

Take a walk on the wild side at Bosque del Cabo, a rainforest eco-lodge perched on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula. Located about 200 miles southwest of the capital San Jose and surrounded by the dense jungle of Corcovado National Park—one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth—this great lodge offers 10 bungalows and 2 villas with thatched roofs, hardwood floors, ensuite bathrooms, private garden showers, porch hammocks, solar-powered electricity, and views to the Pacific Ocean. No TVs, DVD players or iPod docks here; the focus is on savoring the rare and unique flora and fauna all around. Activities include hiking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, surfing and jungle trips; there's no spa but al fresco massages are available and there's a pool and bar for when you just want to chill. Dining is a mix of Costa Rican and international dishes served each night around communal lantern-lit tables. This isn't Aman or Banyan Tree, more an upscale safari camp in an extraordinary setting. 14 miles south of Puerto Jiménez.

Room rates from $140.

One of the most desirable addresses in London could be yours—for the duration of your vacation. This boutique hotel is located in a row of splendid white stucco Victorian townhouses in stylish South Kensington—steps from shops, restaurants and entertainment. I love Kit Kemp's smart signature English meets Connecticut-style; it's so full of homey charm you feel, well, at home! The 42 rooms are each individual, with different colors and patterns dominating the light and airy spaces. Many of them also look out over the garden/patio, and some have their own private courtyard with direct access to the public outdoor spaces—the gorgeous gardens and conservatory are perfect for breakfast and afternoon tea. I'm not too sure about having layered sheets instead of duvets, and staff tend to be young and less polished than you may be used to, but the vibe is very much relaxed and at home—great if you prefer intimate and cute boutiques to international chains. There's no restaurant, but room service is available 24 hours a day to any of the private or public rooms, and the library and drawing room are perfect places to sit round the fire chatting to other guests. This is always one of my top recommendations for friends visiting London.

Room rates from £165.

You'll be welcomed with open arms into this delightful chateau which is home to owners Charles-Henry and Segolene de Valbray. The young couple have restored the manor house beautifully and offer a warm, personal and intimate experience. A mile from Alencon, half way between Paris and Brittany, the chateau has only 9 rooms and suites all decorated in a lavish French provincial style with floral drapes, linen sheets and country-style bathrooms. The new Orangerie, 100 yards from the chateau, is a flight-of-fancy with hand-painted murals depicting an imaginary park. The private suite has an enormous bed, mezzanine bathroom painted lime green with a Jacuzzi bathtub, flat-screen TV, DVD and CD player, and high windows with views to the chateau. Think Marie Antoinette, The Opera, and you'll be close to the mark. The decor in the main house is a testament to good taste with period furnishings, antiques and artworks. Dinner can be served at a table for two, but the de Valbrays encourage guests to dine together—cocktails at 8 p.m. in the drawing room, dinner about 30 minutes later—like a swish house party. Charles-Henry prepares delicious regional dishes (he's the author of a couple of cook books and runs cooking classes), so you'll dine well. The chateau has a pool and guests can explore the gardens and surrounding countryside at leisure. One for the must-do list.

Room rates from €135.