Stockholm: Hotel Skeppsholmen
Stockholm is made up of 14 islands, so you're never far from the water. At the Skeppsholmen, you could practically cast a fishing line from your bedroom. Based on a tiny island of the same name, the hotel is hidden by trees in a private garden. Architects Claesson Koivisto Rune chose a soothing, maritime palette to decorate the 81 rooms and restaurant, with pale wood floors, billowing chiffon curtains and cute black jigsaw versions of the traditional orange-painted Dala horses. Next door to the hotel are the Museums of Modern Art and Architecture. The express train to the airport is only one stop away from the station located 400 metres from the lobby. hotelskeppsholmen.com
Berlin: Schlosshotel Im Grunewald AlmaBerlin
Most cities have their leafier districts, but Berlin has Grunewald, a 3,000-hectare forest. Many embassies are based here, along with some of the nicest private houses. The Schlosshotel was built by a friend of the Kaiser in 1914, and he might still recognise most of the surroundings today, including the occasional herd of wild boar. Karl Lagerfeld was responsible for a glamorous hotel makeover in the early 90s, and the public rooms are lavishly panelled and gilded. Don't miss a swim in the heated indoor pool, though if you really want to be ein Berliner, make time for a nude splash in Grunewald's lake. schlosshotelberlin.com
Windsor: Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Windsor is so close to Heathrow that it's a great base if you want to get a taste of the best of Britain within shouting distance of London. The Amanda Rosa-designed Macdonald Windsor was designed to fulfil the needs of business and leisure guests. A conference room is also licensed for weddings, there's free WiFi, and a restaurant dishing up UK standards in a room with white painted bricks that is decidedly New, rather than Olde, England. Guests are as happily served now as they were in the hotel's former life as a department store. macdonaldhotels.co.uk/Windsor
Mallorca: Puro Hotel
Mallorca is a tried and tested holiday destination, but judging by the number of conference centres opening in its, Palma, business is thriving there too. Self-styled urban resort the Puro Hotel recently unveiled a new 11-room Private Wing. With three storeys and a roof terrace, it's a good choice for brainstorming sessions and informal meetings. In the main hotel, there are three meeting rooms, and the largest can host a cocktail reception for up to 40. Combine all the rooms with Purobeach, a beach club located on a mini peninsula on Palma Bay, and you can host a group of up to 600. With a combination of 90 white-cushioned day beds, outdoor massages and free WiFi, you can work on both your BlackBerry and your suntan. purohotel.com
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