The Ritz-Carlton
What's so special
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opened last spring and is the world's tallest hotel. Situated on the 102nd to 118th floors of the International Commerce Centre, it offers remarkable views from 1,600ft above Hong Kong. With nothing tall enough to get in the way, all 312 rooms overlook the city, harbour and far beyond.
How they rate it
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"If you don't suffer from vertigo, it offers a stupendous panorama of Hong Kong island," says Fionnuala McHugh, in The Daily Telegraph. The rooms themselves are split into 13 categories, "but even the basic level of luxury is exceptionally high". As it's a brand new hotel, it boasts "state-of-the-art technology, including WiFi, iPod docking stations, blu-ray and DVD players and flat-screen TVs", says the Daily Mail. There is also a spa on the 116th floor.
The menu
If you are hoping to dine at the hotel, book well in advance. One restaurant Tin Lung Heen has already won a Michelin star and "both it and Tosca, the Italian restaurant, are booked up weeks in advance", warns McHugh.
The cost
A double room costs from £644 per night. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/hongkong, or call 0800-234000.
Four Seasons Hotel
What's so special
The Four Seasons may not be the tallest hotel in Hong Kong, but what it lacks in stature it makes up for with incredible service and unrivalled amenities. It is renowned for its delightful infinity pool, which stretches out over the harbour.
How they rate it
"Order yourself an airport transfer when you book into the Four Seasons and you'll find yourself being scooped straight off the plane, into immigration and out the other side within 20 minutes of landing there aren't many better ways to start a holiday," says Cond Nast Traveller.
While views of Hong Kong harbour and the Peak are attractive, it's the "no-expense-spared luxury with which the Four Seasons has become synonymous" that brings guests back time and again. When booking a room you can choose from contemporary dcor or, "for a more traditional Chinese experience", there are rooms with sculpted furnishings and authentic ink paintings.
The menu
Both the hotel's Cantonese restaurant, Lung King Heen, and its French restaurant, Caprice, have been awarded three Michelin stars. Book ahead to avoid disappointment.
The cost
Doubles start from £584 per night, www.fourseasons.com/hongkong; 00 852 3196 8888.
The best places to camp in California
A camping trip in California is a great way to get closer to nature. Here are four of the best rural retreats, as rounded up by The Independent.
Halfway down the "roving coastal road near Big Sur", is Treebones in Monterey. There are 16 yurts with queen-size beds and "cosy patchwork spreads", all "sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Saint Lucia mountains". The site is incredibly eco-friendly, with a turbine-powered pool and hot tub. Yurts start from $179 (Treebonesresort.com).
The Sequoia High is a "secluded mountain hideaway" pitched in the Sequoia National Park. There are 30 "luxurious" canvas tents "decorated with earthy furnishings, woven rugs and large wooden beds". Due to its seclusion, dining away from camp "isn't an option", but all meals are included and feature local ingredients, such as Sequoia river trout. Tents start from $250 per person, full board (Sequoiahighsierracamp.com).
Curry Village in Yosemite is now the park's largest lodging with "simple canvas tents, a dining pavilion, pool and rental shops for bikes, rafts and outdoor gear". Tents start from $66 (Yosemitepark.com).
El Capitan Canyon (pictured) overlooks the "sands and soaring surf of El Capitan State Beach near Santa Barbara". There are a collection of cedar cabins, safari-style tents and yurts "united by outdoor picnic tables, grills and firepits". Prices start from $150 for a canvas tent (Elcapitancanyon.com).
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