Need a reason to escape the cold? Behold 20 tempting ideas from 20 hot spots around the globe. BY LAURA VOGEL
1-Barcelona The most indulgent new addition to this chic Spanish city is the sky-high Spa at Hotel Arts (pictured above). The recently completed two-story spa offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean — it’s set 43 stories above Barcelona’s Olympic Port — and it is the first Six Senses Spa in Europe. The Spa at Hotel Arts, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is dedicated to Asian-inflected treatments including Shiatsu, Reiki, and Katapeo, and only all-natural Sodashi brand products are used. After a visit to the scenic spa, a meal at the Hotel Arts’ two-Michelin-starred Arola restaurant would be the only civilized choice. Rooms from $475. 011-34-93-507-1300, www.hotelartsbarcelona.com
2-The Queen Mary 2 In January, the grand ocean liner the Queen Mary 2 will embark on her maiden world voyage — circumnavigating the globe in a classic span of 80 days. The voyage will begin in Fort Lauderdale, where her Cunard Line sister ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, will join her for a ceremonial, simultaneous global departure. The Queen Mary 2 will take a balmy southern route, stopping in such legendary ports as Rio de Janeiro, Athens, Honolulu, Dubai, Sydney, and Singapore. What better way to flee the winter in glamorous style? Rates begin at $21,195 per person, double occupancy. (800) 728-6273, www.cunard.com
3-Bali One of the newest villas on the lush Indonesian island is The beach House at the Legian. The beachfront property is tucked away within a lush garden and is set directly on the beautiful Seminyak Beach. The open, modern structure — conceived by celebrated interior designer Jaya Ibrahim using mostly local materials — includes marble bathrooms, teak balconies, and high-tech goodies such as iPods and state-of the-art home-theater equipment. The two-bedroom villa’s private infinity pool offers a fantastic view of the ocean, and a stocked (and staffed) kitchen means you never need leave your oasis (though guests have access to all hotel amenities and facilities just in case). Rates from $2,000 per night. 011-62-361-730-622, www.ghmhotels.com
4-Lana’i, Hawaii The luxury hotel brand Four Seasons has recently assumed management of the renowned Lodge at Koele. The property is now known as the four seasons resort lana’i, the lodge at koele (pictured below), and the genteel mountaintop retreat has undergone extensive renovations in the hotelier’s signature style. One of only two resorts on the secluded, utterly peaceful island of Lana’i (the other is its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay), the hotel is a must for activity-craving vacationers. Golf, horseback riding, and clay-target shooting can all be enjoyed here. Rates from $295. (800) 321-4666, www.fourseasons.com/lanai/
5-Mexico After unfortunate delays due to Hurricane Wilma, the long-awaited Fairmont Mayakoba (pictured above) on the Mexican Riviera is ready for its first winter season. Carefully constructed for minimal environmental impact on the mangrove-forested landscape 40 miles down the coast from Cancun, the main structure and 90 casitas meld into the landscape and are connected by nature. The natural setting is not without luxury, however. All rooms have plasma TVs, terraces, and decadent soaking tubs. Perhaps the most indulgent detail at Mayakoba is the peace; motorized vehicles are not permitted beyond the arrivals area, and guests are transported around the resort in canal boats. Rates from $289 per night. (800) 257-7544,
www.fairmont.com }
6-Jamaica The new Kiyara Ocean Spa (pictured above right) at the Jamaica Inn at Ocho Rios will thrill fans of uncommon and exotic body treatments. Created by the acclaimed spa director Carolyn Jobson (formerly of the exclusive Round Hill in Jamaica), the spa menu is a luxe blend of indigenous Caribbean ingredients and Asian-style practices influenced by Chinese medicine. Try the Arawak Opia Stone Massage or the Macrobiotic Barefoot Shiatsu, performed in thatched-roofed wooden huts in a tropical cliffside garden. Room rates begin at $255. (800) 837-4608, www.jamaicainn.com
7-San Diego If your dreams have ever included hanging ten, but you’d prefer to learn in style, head to the Four Seasons resort Aviara. There you’ll find surf concierge Kele Gaughen (pictured left), who will help you catch your first wave like a pro. After some on-land training, Kele will hook you up with the proper gear and you’ll set off to Moonlight Beach, or one of the other excellent surfing spots nearby. After your athletic triumph, you will return to the lap of Four Seasons luxury. The two-hour experience is $95 per person. (760) 603-6800, www.fourseasons.com/aviara
8-Elciego, Spain Shimmering in the heart of the Rioja wine region is the architecture world’s most-buzzed-about wonder: Frank Gehry’s new Hotel Marqués de Riscal (pictured below), the newest property to join the Starwood Hotels’ Luxury Collection. Yes, like the Guggenheim Bilbao, it is clad in rippling titanium. Unlike the museum, the 43-room hotel has room service and massages. The hotel’s Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa offers wine-based treatments, inspired by the ancient vineyards that surround it. Rates from $510 per night. 011-34-945-18-0880, www.luxurycollection.com
9-Bahamas At the understated-but-luxe Kamalame Cay, a two-minute boat ride from the island of Andros, the news is the ultra-cool over-water spa. Five rustic treatment rooms have been created on a pier 200 feet off the shore — and full-length windows provide a spectacular view. The intimate resort is on a private island merely three miles long, and Kamalame Cay has just 15 guest cottages and four standard guestrooms. Rates begin at $840 per night, inclusive of all food and beverages. (800) 790-7971, www.kamalame.com
10-Rome The Ferragamo family is famous for their luxurious leather goods; more of a secret is their ever-expanding hotel empire. Their new Portrait Suites — as utterly cool as can be — are set in an ancient palazzo on Via Condotti, right above Ferragamo men’s Rome shop, convenient for loyal style seekers. The eight studios, five suites, and one penthouse suite begin at $485 per night. 011-39-055-2726-4000, www.lungarnohotels.com
11-Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida This high-end seaside escape has just gotten a bit more pampering with the addition of the spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. The beautiful 28,000-square-foot facility offers hydrotherapy, wraps, facials, and golf-view massages. The spa is the latest addition to the lush, 300-acre property that also includes one of the best golf courses in Florida. Hardworking duffers should book their spa treatments after their tee time, and visit the men’s grooming den called The Barbershop, with a view of the #2 fairway. Rates from $210. (800) 234-7842, www.pvresorts.com
12-Thailand Seclusion-lovers have a new must-visit oasis in Southeast Asia. In spring 2007, the Evason Hideaway hotel group is opening 56 exceedingly private villas on the island of Yao Noi (pictured above). Each of the perfectly situated accommodations comes complete with its own butler and infinity pool. The resort’s Six Senses Spa only enhances its incomparable sense of peace. Rooms from $570. 011-66-76-418-500, www.sixsenses.com/hideaway-yaonoi }
13-Beverly Hills Its sister hotel, 60 Thompson, came first, and was quite aptly named (being, of course, set at 60 Thompson Street in SoHo, New York). Fortunately, chic travels. The Thompson Hotel Group is betting that their brand of hip, celeb-style lounging and lodging will translate 3,000 miles across the country. Like the NYC version, Thompson Beverly Hills (pictured right) will have a swank rooftop lounge and pool — but instead of the Hudson River and the Empire State Building, the views are of downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills. Rooms from $259. (310) 273-1400, www.thompsonhotels.com
14-Los Angeles One of the coolest new hangouts in downtown L.A. is the Blue Velvet, a poolside restaurant and lounge at The Flat, a recently opened retro-chic “green” apartment residence. The ace team behind the hot spot includes executive chef Robert Hartstein (of New York’s Aureole and L.A.’s Spago) and “T” Elliott (former lounge manager of the Standard Downtown). The sophisticated cuisine and haute cocktails meld perfectly with the sultry candlelit vibe. (213) 239-0061, www.bluevelvetrestaurant.com
15-Monaco James Bond fans, rejoice. The Principality of Monaco is offering an action-packed men’s getaway with a very secret-agent opportunity to become a Formula 1 race car driver — complete with arrival by helicopter and super-exclusive accommodations. The Race and Thrills package, celebrating the winter release of the film Casino Royale, starts at $5,490. (800) 753-9696, www.metropole.com
16-Buenos Aires What must be the coolest restaurant in the hippest city in South America, Casa Cruz (pictured left), has the wood-paneled look of a rich men’s club, cocktails from master mixologists, a fantastic Mendoza-heavy wine cellar, and food that must be tried to be believed. Chef Germán Martitegui’s passionate-yet-delicate cooking includes dishes like ethereal potato foam served with Patagonian salmon. 011-5411-4833-1112, www.casa-cruz.com
17-St. Martin Boasting its own spa, possibly the most exclusive villa in the Caribbean is Wimco’s newly available L’Oasis (pictured right), an aptly named six-bedroom beachfront estate in the Baie Rouge Beach enclave. Two pools, a full gym, and a personal chef manning the gourmet kitchen round out the total star-worthy experience. Weekly rates from $33,000. (800) 449-1553, www.wimco.com
18-Maldives Leave it to the W Hotels Worldwide to bring their distinctive brand of style all the way to the Maldives, a far-flung string of islands in the Indian Ocean (and perhaps the smallest Asian country). Fesdu Island, a small island of white-sand beaches, is where W has chosen to create the dreamy W Maldives. Every decadent castaway fantasy is realized at these 78 breezy, private villas, including thatched roofs, polished wood floors, and crisp white furnishings. Rooms start at $1,300 a night. (960) 666-2222, www.whotels.com
19-Miami Just in time for the chilly weather up north, the 80-suite Regent South Beach has opened — the first completely new construction in the art-deco district in more than 25 years. The hotel’s cutting-edge architecture is already being buzzed about, and the pool above the lounge (featuring a partial glass bottom) is sure to make the bar a popular hangout. Rooms from $550. (800) 545-4000, www.theregentexperience.com
20-Bermuda The cozy cabanas at the 9 Beaches Resort (pictured left) are the ultimate in get-away-from-it-all privacy. Some rooms hug the shore, some are built on stilts above the crystal-blue Atlantic — all are an immersion in simple tranquility. The canvas-sided cottages are cooled by the sea breeze, and each is decorated in a laid-back, beachy style with a white wooden porch —perfect for whiling away the hours with a cold drink and a good book. Rates from $170 per night. (866) 841-9009, www.9beaches.com