Greek island Mykonos has plenty of fashionable five-stars, but the Mykonos Grace is effortlessly glamorous, and half the price of many of its rivals. The rooms have a delectable airiness, with lots of trendy Venetian plaster, Starck-esque fittings and spacious terraces, some with hot tubs. The hotel has 29 rooms and 3 VIP suites and its own luxury spa.

The popular Agios Stefanos beach is on the doorstep; thumping nightclubs are a five-minute cab ride away.

This isn’t so much a hotel as a cool pad that belongs to the friend of a friend. Those once-removed friends are John Voigtmann, the former manager of the Strokes and Christina Aguilera, and Ondine Cohane, upmarket-magazine writer. Four years ago, fed up with the fast lane, they decided to pool their travel experience and create a bolt hole where guests can really loosen their stays. Its romantically rustic, with air con and plenty of attitude and has beautiful views over the Val d’Orcia nature reserve.

The view from La Bandita

A few doors down from the Grand Hotel, Stockholm’s grandest dame, the Lydmar does things differently. The photogenic view across the harbour is the same, but the pleasing hodgepodge of design-classic furniture and modern art is unique. The city’s trendies book their friends in here — wear your clothes in their most bizarre combinations to fit in.

The Tigerlily is one of Ediinburgh’s hippest hotels. It has a modern look witih mosaic mirror tiles, silver, white and glass.

The 33 bedrooms have masive beds plasma screens and Playstations and you have free access to the swimimng pool in the hotel opposite. It also has its own nightclub whch is popular with the Scottish IT crowd. Tigerlily is perfect for a glamorous weekend getaway.

The Tides’ art deco building is one of the icons of Ocean Drive. This glorious South Beach boutique hotel features forty-five stylish luxury suites all offering expansive ocean views. Spacious accommodations range from Oceanfront Studio Suites of 550 square feet to the 2,600 square foot Tides Suite. Excellent attentive service. This small luxury hotel regularly gets rave reviews and its easy to see why.

The Iroquois is part of the Small Luxury Hotels chain, and situated within walking distance of Times Square, this is a beautiful boutique hotel. It has a charming lobby, a cozy library and very helpful staff.

St George is tradition-steeped Budapest through and through, each suite a living museum. Huge, too, as the 26 of them take the same space once occupied by three medieval townhouses in the Castle District. Kitchens and lounges come as standard, so it’s great for a long stay or for playing at being a local.

On the coolest beach on the island, this chic, no-frills residence has also become one of its smartest hang-outs. It’s been renovated by the Space DJ David Phillips and the couple behind the ever-popular Locura bar, in Ibiza town: the bedrooms are stylish without being overdesigned, while the public spaces (especially those outside) are fun. The result is a party atmosphere and the kind of cocktail list that attracts a good-looking, good-time crowd.

The tasteful blend of ancient history and modern design in this stunning 5 star boutique hotel is absolutely captivating.

The design hotel EME Fusion in the heart of the old town of Seville, Spain, is only a stone’s throw from one of the World’s largest cathedrals and its famous bell tower, the Giralda.

The surprisingly spacious rooms are arranged over six floors, but the rooftop bar — with views across the city and a tiny pool — is the only place to be come cocktail o’clock.

Walk through the grand facade of this 19th-century palace and suddenly it’s all 21st-century glass and modern fripperies. Every wall possible has been knocked down to create huge spaces, whether it’s the double-height lobby, with its zebra-skin welcome mat, the monochrome bedrooms or the spartan (in a fashionable way) restaurant — fabulous. 66 rooms and luxury spa.