First Impressions Though LAX was swarming with passengers, I was able to walk right up to the China Airlines Dynasty Class check-in, where a helpful attendant asked for my passport and swiftly checked me in. As I prefer to sit in the upper deck on long-haul flights for that added feeling of isolation and quiet when it’s time to bed... more

WHAT'S IT LIKE? Opened in July 2008, Sofitel's new global-flagship airport hotel makes a bold statement. As owner Surinder Arora, chairman of U.K. company Arora International Hotels (Sofitel is the licensee), says, "This is not an airport hotel, it's a five-star luxury hotel which just happens to be at an airport."   Architecturally harmonious with T5, the hotel's five interconnected steel-and-glass... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Less than a year old, the Ritz-Carlton, Denver sparkles and sets a new standard for this Rocky Mountain center of commerce. Guests can expect large rooms (a minimum of 510 square feet) and excellent service, provided by eager and earnest people exhibiting an obvious pride in the hotel. It retains the Ritz-Carlton level of quality, but takes... more

What’s it Like? Shangri-La Dubai’s sleek, Scandinavian chic décor and big city feel span the hotel’s 43 floors. The palatial lobby is impressive, with open-air tiers leading to various selections of restaurants and lounges—which are plentiful. I found the staff to be very attentive and gracious throughout my stay.Where is it? The hotel is centrally located on Sheikh Zayed Road,... more

First Impressions With no one else in line, check-in at JFK’s Terminal 4, near the entrance, was a speedy affair. I was given a pass to the Oasis Lounge, which Qatar Airways shares with other carriers, where I was able to pound out some last-minute e-mails. The lounge, located before security, offered plenty of seating, a large communal table where... more

First Impressions Since I had enjoyed exceptional service when I had flown Asiana from New York to Seoul a few days earlier, my expectations were not only high for my next flight from Seoul to Sydney, I was actually looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately, I was running late due to rush hour traffic, and arrived at the airport at... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The glass-cube-shaped Hilton Prague is a slab of modernity amid the more traditional architectural gems that abound in this capital city. Located in the center of the city, overlooking the Vltava River, the nine-story hotel’s doors open to a massive atrium topped with a pyramid-shaped skylight that bathes the hotel in sunlight. 

    I took the glass-covered... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Le Méridien Angkor is the closest hotel to the temples of Angkor, and this deluxe property offers a slew of amenities. An English-speaking representative met me outside customs and brought me to my car. The driver explained that there were two ways to get to the hotel—one via the city, and the other via the temples. I... more

What’s It Like? Designed with business travelers in mind, Mövenpick Tower & Suites Doha occupies a shiny, 26-story glass skyscraper. Gold sofas and glitzy accents in the busy lobby belie the streamlined contemporary décor in the guest rooms.Where Is It? The hotel is located at the entrance to the West Bay Area, about a 15-minute drive from Doha International Airport,... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Park Hyatt is a hotel chain for people who are tired of hotel chains, and the Park Hyatt Seoul epitomizes this concept. It comes close to the fun ambiance and informality of a boutique hotel, but without the uneven service and facilities that often entails. This Park Hyatt avoids the oldest of stodgy hotel clichés—the grand ground-floor... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Behind its 1960s-mod façade, the Oceana’s interior reveals a luxurious hideaway—full of sophistication and beachside privacy. Completely transformed in late 2007, this small property offers both long-term and short-term guests a refreshingly residential feel, complete with an updated pool and an excellent restaurant, The Ocean Lounge. A stay at the Oceana felt like a fun, quirky step... more