Part Gothic boudoir, part Moroccan harem, the decor of this empire townhouse in the Marais district is more like a fantasy film set than a hotel. Designed by the Costes hotelier family, the Tibourg is a world away from the understated chic of their eponymous flagship hotel near the Louvre; leopard-print throne chairs adorn the crypt-like basement bar along with black wroughtiron chandeliers and rich oriental tapestries. Low lighting reigns throughout and bedrooms are pretty intimate in size. For a lighter mood, book one of the rooms overlooking the bright interior courtyard or the suite, which has a roof terrace commanding panoramic views of the happening 4 Arrondissement.

Doubles from 200 per night, room-only; 00 33 142 78 47 39; www. hotelbourgtibourg. com.

The Red Capital Club, Beijing

An 'ode to Mao', the Red Capital Club, one of Beijing's first boutique hotels, is set in a converted 200-year-old hutong (traditional house complex) tucked away in the city's old Dongcheng district, and pays a playfully romantic nod to a China on the cusp of revolution. Expect propagandist posters, porcelain figurines depicting Red Guards and busts of the Chairman, and, for those who take their history with a sizeable pinch of kitsch, the chance to take a tour of the city in Madame Mao's 1970s Red Flag limousine.

Doubles from 195 per night, room only; 00 86 10 6402 7150; www. redcapitalclub. com.

Townhouse 31, Milan

Set in a residential area near the city centre, Townhouse 31 offers a characterful alternative to Milan's business hotels. There are enough concessions to style at this restored 19th-century palazzo on Via Goldonito to keep all but the most overwrought couturier happy. A pebbled courtyard leads to a zen-like foyer and the hotel's 17 rooms are done out in soothing styles with marble bathrooms and earthy African colours. The shared breakfast table means that guests may even have to keep their karma in check first thing in the morning.

Doubles from 220 per night; 00 800 37 46 83 57; www. tablethotels. com.

Home, Buenos Aires

Opened just last month, Home looks set to bring a touch of multicultural spirit to the Argentinian capital's traditional hotel scene. Built to satisfy the personal requirements of its English record-producer owner and his Irish-born/locally-raised wife, Home is the kind of place the couple wanted to stay in but just couldn't previously find in Buenos Aires. This particular home-awayfrom-home, in BA's trendy Palermo Viejo district, comes with 18 bedrooms and suites, a spa with open-air 'Zen Garden', and a pool set in leafy grounds around which you can sit and escape the city with a lazy afternoon of asado (barbecue).

Doubles from 75 per night; 00 54 11 4778 1008;

www. homebuenosaires. com.

Hotel Omm, Barcelona

It may be in the heart of Spain's most buzzing city but as the name, derived from a meditative chant, suggests, Hotel Omm encourages its guests to take a moment to relax. Easily done when the hotel's rooftop pool, a Miami-meets-Stockholm confection of light-wood decking and white padded lounge chairs, has unimpeded views of Gaudi's Casa Mila, the Sagrada Familia and the elegant Passeig de Gracia shopping district below. Omm is the first hotel from the Tragaluz group, famed for such happening Barcelona restaurants as El Tragaluz and El Japones, and comes with 58 rooms, one suite set around an atrium garden and two restaurants.

Doubles from 295 per night; 00 34 934 454 000; www. hotelomm. es.