Top hoteliers recommend their favourite getaways: From California to Hampshire

Inspiration for where to stay on your next holiday

Kit Kemp, co-founder and design director of Firmdale Hotels (firmdalehotels.com)

We often go to Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz (hotel-du-palais.com). It feels like you are on the bow of the Titanic with sweeping views of the Atlantic. It was the former imperial residence of Napoleon III and Eugenie de Montijo and is owned by the town of Biarritz. I don’t like places that are overdesigned because that means they are going to date.

Another favourite is Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli in Puglia (essentialitaly.co.uk), which was owned by the late Lord McAlpine and his wife Athena. He filled the property with Aboriginal art, Joe Tilson pieces and books. The rooms don’t all have en-suites, so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s a very romantic place, unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

Arnaud Zannier, founder Zannier Hotels (zannier.com)

I really like the homely feeling at The Pig in Brockenhurst, Hampshire (thepighotel.com). The food and drink are original and simple, but very good.

What André Balazs did at the Chiltern Firehouse (chilternfirehouse.com) is so different to his other hotels, but with a very unique atmosphere, I love it.

I am much more attracted by very old institutions or independently run hotels like Crillon Le Brave in Provence (crillonlebrave.com).

Ori Kafri, founder JK Places (jkplaces.com)

The Upper House (upperhouse.com) in Hong Kong is one of my favourites along with the Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires (alvearpalace.com). I also like the Grand Hotel Villa Feltrinelli (villafeltrinelli.com) on Lake Garda and 717 in Amsterdam (717hotel.nl). I like their unique atmosphere, mostly a result of the people who work there, and the attention to every single detail.

Loh Lik Peng, director, Unlisted Collection (unlistedcollection.com)

The Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California (postranchinn.com) – it’s relaxing and inspiring. Surrounded by lush greenery and panoramic ocean views, it’s perfect for time away from my hectic schedule. It’s the only place I aim to go back to every year.

Firmdale Hotels is one of the groups which I feel has that winning combination of retaining its English charm with fresh and modern design.

Jocelyne Sibuet, co-founder Maison et Hôtels Sibuet (experience-sibuet.com)

Vana Estate (vanaretreats.com) at the foot of the Himalayas in India, to relax and meditate. I love the quietness, serenity, the refinement of the venue as well, and the great selection of Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine specialists.

I also love Estancia La Bamba de Areco (labambadeareco.com) in the Buenos Aires countryside – it is a family estate, with refined bedrooms and welcome.

Robin Hutson, chairman, Lime Wood Group (thepighotel.com)

The Villa Mahal in Kalkan, Turkey (villamahal.com) – this is a complete chill-out in the most relaxed surroundings with very friendly service from Ipek Tolbas and team. There is azure blue sea-swimming from rock terraces and the best deep fried courgettes on the planet.

In Norfolk, The Gunton Arms (theguntonarms.co.uk) is a stylish gastropub in the middle of a deer park, with great contemporary art.

The Dean Street Townhouse (deanstreettownhouse.com) is our home from home in Soho.

Hoshinoya Kyoto

Thierry Costes, president, Beaumarly Group (beaumarly.com)

Les Sources de Caudalie near Bordeaux (sources-caudalie.com) is the best place for a wine tour or just to relax between vines.

Sean MacPherson, New York hotelier and restaurateur

The quintessentially grand old colonial hotel, The Metropole in Hanoi, Vietnam (sofitel-legend.com), feels as romantic and exotic today as it must have when it was built in 1900. It’s a bustling hotel that feels like it is the centre of the city .

The story of La Colombe d’Or, Saint-Paul de Vence in France (la-colombe-dor.com) has perhaps my favourite hotel story. Paul and Titine Roux opened a café-bar in 1920, which developed into a 25-room hotel and restaurant. For nearly a century the Roux family have traded art for rooms and meals, resulting in the property’s magnificent collection, which includes works by Leger, Miró, Braque and Calder.

Rafael Micha, co-founder Grupo Habita (grupohabita.mx)

Hoshinoya Kyoto, Japan (hoshinoresorts.com) is a centuries-old pirate den surrounded by bamboo forests, across the river from Imperial Kyoto.

I also like the blending of modern architecture and an old estancia at La Piedras Fasano, Uruguay (laspiedrasfasano.com).

Gordon Campbell Gray, owner Campbell Gray Hotels (campbellgrayhotels.com)

Sometimes you just need to press the “off” button and there is no better place to do so than at Palace Merano Espace Henri Chenot (palace.it). It’s a wellness hotel in Italy’s South Tyrol. I arrive and simply say “do with me what you will” and for a week they do. I always go alone and value this period of solitude and silence. Upon departure you are truly back on track.

Didier Le Calvez, COO, Oetker Collection (oetkercollection.com) and owner of the Hôtel de Toiras (hotel-de-toiras.com)

Singita Castleton Lodge (singita.com). I was blown away by this vast private property next door to Kruger National Park in South Africa. The wilderness and landscape are breathtaking and Singita certainly knows how to tailor your experience perfectly, with fantastic accommodation and food.

Another favourite is the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok (mandarinoriental.com), a legendary property with an outstanding setting next to the Chao Phraya river; it’s very romantic. It has welcomed its guests with a high level of service for more than 100 years.

Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts (sixsenses.com).

Ham Yard London (firmdalehotels.com) is fresh and exciting with spacious and quirky rooms. It is stylish and unusual and has spectacular contemporary art and the best meeting, function and bowling alley spaces ever.

I like Huka Lodge New Zealand (hukalodge.co.nz) for the environment, food and wine and the activities – it’s extremely comforting.

The Hotel Bourg Tibourg Paris (bourgtibourg.com) is an inexpensive B&B in the Marais with charming design and wonderful yet simple breakfasts in a garden.

Jeff Stober, founder of Drake Hotel Properties (thedrake.ca)

Sunset Tower Hotel, Los Angeles (sunsettowerhotel.com) – a perfectly discreet hotel in a great west Hollywood location; old school manners, oozing with charm.

Pavillon de la Reine in Paris (pavillon-de-la-reine.com) is another favourite. It has a perfect location on Place des Vosges, right on the coat tails of the Marais; also, phenomenal service; impeccably maintained rooms and a living room with charming honour bar.

The Inn at Windmill Lane in Amagansatt (innatwindmilllane.com), Long Island, New York is an amazing find. It has gorgeous New England décor, a private estate feel and a quintessential Hamptons location.

Robin Chadha, CMO citizenM Hotels (citizenm.com)

I love the exclusiveness of Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand (aman.com/resorts). You immediately come to rest once you enter the resort and there is no reason to leave. It really feels like a community, especially if you stay in one of the villas. Many families have owned villas there for decades and every year they congregate and meet up during Christmas and new year.

The W South Beach (wsouthbeach.com) is probably one of W’s best properties. It has great interior design, restaurants, landscaping and an amazing contemporary art collection chosen by the owner Aby Rosen.

The Hôtel Amour Paris in Pigalle (hotelamourparis.fr) has rooms all designed by different artists and an amazing restaurant on the ground floor where locals hang out. Another great feature is the privacy; the rooms don’t have telephones.

Priya Paul, chairwoman, The Park Hotels (theparkhotels.com)

I like the New York neighbourhood that the NoMad Hotel (thenomadhotel.com) is in and the interior design of the rooms is sophisticated, but comfortable. The restaurant is also outstanding.

Amanjiwo (amanresorts.com) in Java is luxurious. The architecture is beautiful and it really reflects the ancient Buddhist temples of Borbudur, which are nearby.

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa (khyberhotels.com) is a new resort that finally makes skiing in India a pleasure. You feel instantly relaxed as soon as you walk in after a long day on the slopes.