Urbanologie has just received important intel from our undercover agent, code name: James Blonde, concerning the best hotels on the planet

The Fasano, Rio de Janiero, Brazil 

Rio, one of the most incredible cities in the world, with stunning beaches and dramatic mountains creating a cauldron of South American flavour. At a destination where you will inevitably spend most of your time walking with your Nikon and Havaiana's, invest in the most perfect stylish boutique Hotel as your base. Spoil yourself with minimalist Phillippe Starck interior design, with views of Ipanema Beach, relax at the rooftop pool watching the sunset with a cocktail. Mix with the glitterati of Rio in the public areas and show off having visited all the best boutiques just a stone’s throw away from this most chic of enclaves. This is the coolest of cool, get here soon.

Chili Beach, Jericocoara, Brazil

Fly in to Fortaleza on Brazil's North Coast, and take a 400 km transfer by road to this isolated natural park, cut off from the hustle and bustle, and relax into the amazing natural beauty and landscapes of the place. So laid back it makes a surfer dude look stressed, access is by beach buggy and then you are welcomed into a small town on the beach, offering local food, caipirinhas served without an ounce of worry. Famous for being one of the best kitesurfing and sandboarding meccas in the world, live like a local Brasilia, sit on top the 50 meter high sand dune and be convinced you can touch the moon at sunset. The coolest hangout is Chili Beach Hotel, just 10 private villas with a garden, stunning poolside dining, and swim-up bar looking onto the un-spoilt ocean - what a place to hide away and enjoy a simple life. Fresh fish caught by the hotel chef is a must.

Coco Prive, Maldives 

So that 40th birthday bash is coming up and you are looking for an epic place to invite your closest friends for a celebration like no other. Where can you party around a pool and not disrupt other guests with the noise? Where has such impeccable service that your hand is never lacking a drink? Perhaps a private house on a beach would be cool enough to be play host to such an occasion? Well, this place takes it one step further: Coco Prive is your own private island, complete with 20 staff and a 6 bedroom villa straight out of MTV Cribs, with private pools situated on its own beach. Imagine your friends arriving by boat to your island for the weekend, DJ, private chef and bar all included. Framed by the turquoise water and white sand archipelago of the world's most stunning array of islands. This is a game-changer. 

The Kandy House, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Step back in time to this gorgeous private house set in a hillside just outside Kandy, an important outpost for the newly opened traveller route around Sri Lanka - Tea Country and Temples. The Temple of the Tooth Relic may be a mysterious and magical place, but the 12 bedroom 19th century house is the perfect space to embrace the nature of the surrounding hillsides.
You will feel like colonial royalty traipsing barefoot and heading out for an afternoon swim in the forest, with the best service known to man in an environment that could be mistaken for a film set.

The Romanos, Greece

Travel issues, craving winter sun and the private jet can only fly 4 hours before it needs refuelling? First-world problems. Ask your captain to re-route to Kalamata in the Greek Peloponnese then have your driver whisk you 45 minutes through olive country to this beautiful Starwood Luxury Collection property, nestled on the shore. The Romanos boasts world-class furnishings and architecture that would have any celebrity begging for the blue prints. Think Dubai-style service, 18 different top-quality restaurants, and weather that gives April and September a real run for their money in Europe. If Aman and One&Only had a love child, it would be the Romanos, a perfect secret - you heard it here first.

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