Lapa Palace, Lisbon

This former palace with two wings in a residential neighborhood near St. Jorge's Castle is "very elegantly decorated." Suites on the fifth floor of the palace have original furnishings from 1870 and gold leaf–framed mirrors. Lapa serves Italian and Portuguese dishes, and Bar Rio Tejo offers casual dining as well as seven types of vintage port. (109 rooms)

 

Also featured on the: Gold List for 2006, Gold List for 2008, Gold List for 2009 

4 Rua do Pau de Bandeira

Lisbon
Portugal

Tel: 351 21 394 9494
Tel: 800 237 1236

reservations@lapa-palace.com

 

Mauritius

Royal Palm Hotel

It's hard to believe places in the world still exist that could be considered off the beaten track and luxurious simultaneously, but the Royal Palm Hotel on the island nation of Mauritius is such a place. Located 500 miles east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius takes so long for most Americans and Europeans to reach that few ever get there. It's a shame because it is a beautiful, unspoiled paradise with white sandy beaches, cool breezes and a hint of the exotic. Guests at the Royal Palm can easily spend all their time here swimming, scuba diving, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing or getting massages, but at least one afternoon have the concierge arrange a tour of the island--by car or helicopter--because it would be a shame to come this far and never see more than the beach.

Royal Palm Hotel
Grand Baie
Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Phone: 230 209 8300
Fax: 230 263 8455