1 GRAND HYATT SHANGHAI Situated in the 420.5 metre-high Jin Mao Tower, the tallest building in the country, the 555-room hotel, which occupies the 53rd to 88th floors, is the tallest in the world.

2 MGM GRAND, LAS VEGAS In a city that prides itself on extremes, the largest hotel in the world has no fewer than 5,034 bedrooms. If you win the jackpot, book Mansion Villa Seven, with two bedrooms, a private pool and a Matisse in the guest powder room.

3 BLANKET BAY, NEW ZEALAND From Wellington, the world’s most southerly capital, why not cross the Cook Strait to the South Island and stay at this scenic eight-room lodge, next to Lake Wakatipu?

4 HOTEL MONASTERIO, CUZCO, PERU At 3,416 metres above sea level, the highest situated hotel in the world is a former seminary, built on the site of the Inca Amaru Qhala Palace.

5 MÖVENPICK RESORT & SPA DEAD SEA, JORDAN At 412 metres below sea level, this is the world’s lowest situated hotel. Built deliberately like an ancient village, with streets and courtyards, the resort has a marvellous spa and hydro pools.

OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA For a game-viewing vacation, head to Eagle Island Camp. All 12 luxury tents are air-conditioned, and number 6, Wattled Crane, is nearest the pool. This is where you’ll find some of the best birdlife in Africa; and hyena, elephant, giraffe and lion have all been recently sighted. Celebrate in the famously romantic Fish Eagle bar. Managers are Anthonie and Janine Troskie.

MIAMI BEACH For those who are drawn to people-watching vacations, the 88-room Setai resort on Collins Avenue is a must – and not only because the top Spa Suite has its spa-tub right in the bedroom. The Setai is managed by GHM, whose chairman is Adrian Zecha, of Amanresorts fame; and GM is M.P.S. Puri, who knows the A-lists of catwalk and screen.

WHISTLER, B.C. Enjoy the first ski season at Four Seasons Resort Whistler, which opened this June. Townhouses 265 and 267 each have two bedrooms, an outdoor hot tub and – a big plus – private entrances to the 15-room spa. For the ultrafit, run with marathoner GM Scott Taber every Wednesday at 7 a.m. And Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Bar has giant vineyard heaters for year-round outside dining.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN For the ultimate pampered vacation, take the three-bedroom villa 20 at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain (home to the Schumachers during the annual Formula 1). There are Philippe Starck lights, an L-shaped pool, a garden right on the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf and arguably the world’s best female butler, Veby Pattikawa, from Timor. Hotel GM is Pascal Duchauffour.

MILAN Style seekers in search of the latest fashion trends in this centre of haute couture will be happy to know that Ermenegildo Zegna-suited Luca Virgilio is now GM of the Carlton Hotel Baglioni, about a seven-minute walk from Via Montenapoleone. The Dalai Lama Suite is highly popular for its plush parlour with gold damask brocade walls and its balcony, complete with tent.

Contact the editor-in-chief of Gostelow Reports, WOW: The Intimate Newsletter for Elite Travelers and www.WOWtraveler.net at MGostelow@enroutemag.net.