Holiday in style at absolutely fabulous hotels

What is it? Standing at the base of the Burj Khalifa, the Armani brand’s first hotel is a luxurious, centrally situated haven created by the Italian designer renowned for his clean, tailored lines.

What’s so fab? Apart from the temperature-controlled outdoor pool with stunning views of the world’s tallest tower, sumptuous perks include several Armani boutiques, a 24-hour gym and complimentary Armani toiletries.

What about rooms? With their curving walls and leather panelling, the rooms also have iPad controls and a personal concierge who can help you with everything from sightseeing suggestions to restaurant ideas.

What else should I know? The Armani has several gourmet restaurants: Ristorante is arguably the city’s best Italian eatery and Indian restaurant Amal has great food and panoramic views.

How much? Rooms from Dh1,800 per night, www.armanihotels.com.

What is it? The Moschino label’s newest concept hotel is set in a superbly renovated railway station built on four floors, just a short stroll from chic shops on Milan´s Corso Como.

What about rooms? Every one of the 63 bedrooms in this stylish sleepery is unique, but details to look out for include bedspreads made out of ballgowns, and elegant Moschino notepads and toiletries.

What else should I know? Chef Moreno Cedroni, who previously worked with celebrity cook Ferran Adrià, serves up a sumptuous range of ‘Italian sushi’ in the hotel’s Clandestine Milano restaurant.

How much? Rooms from Dh1,300, www.spamaisonmoschino.com.

What is it? Featured in countless TV shows, Versace’s Palazzo on Australia’s Gold Coast is considered by many to be the world’s first fully fashion-branded hotel.

What’s so fab? This breathtaking hotel decked from top to toe in Versace fabrics and furnishings has its own private 90-berth marina, a magnificent spa, and a pool surrounded by luxurious cabanas with its own sandy beach.

What about rooms? 200 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, parquetry flooring and open-plan bathrooms with huge spa baths. There are also 72 condominiums, with vast private terraces, sunken lounges, fully equipped kitchens and private marina berthing, if required.

What else should I know? The hotel’s three gourmet restaurants serve a range of carefully crafted Australian food treats, while cocktails and snacks are on the menu of Le Jardin bar.

How much? Rooms from Dh1,151 a night, www.palazzoversace.com.au.

What is it? Created by the five children of Salvatore Ferragamo, the Italian shoe designer who shod countless Hollywood stars, this charming Florentian hotel pays tribute to the celebrated creator’s style.

What’s so fab? This gorgeous hotel, set in a centuries-old house, has a medieval tower and walls hung with the work of celebrated 20th-century artists, including Picasso and Jean Cocteau.

What about rooms? Most of the 69 cosy rooms decked out with antique fixtures and furnishings have views over Florence’s river Arno and the Ponte Vecchio.

What else should I know? Borgo San Jacopo restaurant serves sapid local delights, whilst the city’s main sights are within easy reach.

How much? Deluxe rooms from Dh1,146 a night, www.lungarnocollection.com.

What is it? Set in the heart of charming Cartagena, this period hotel with lashings of mod cons was created by Colombian-born fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi.

What’s so fab? Although the colonial-style atmosphere of this mansion has been conserved, luxurious touches, including a rooftop pool framed by a giant wall of plants and a full-service spa, bring it bang up to date.

What about rooms? The hotel’s seven spacious guestrooms have elegant fabrics, private balconies and vast, open-air bathrooms.

What else should I know? The Tcherassi has its own bite-sized restaurant serving rustic Italian food, and a small spa offering a full range of pampering treatments.

How much? Deluxe rooms from Dh1,014 a night, www.tcherassihotels.com.

What is it? The oeuvre of flamboyant creator Christian Lacroix, the Hotel du Petit Moulin is a couture hotel set in a renovated 17th-century bakery building in one of Paris’s most historic areas.

What’s so fab? With that hip, historic Marais district as a backdrop and an atmospheric interior signed Christian Lacroix, this is one of the city’s most stylish addresses.

What about rooms? Baroque-style furnishings, vivid colours and luxurious detail are the hallmarks of the hotel’s 17 rooms, which are stamped with that inimitable Lacroix style.

How much? Rooms from Dh762 a night, www.hotelpetitmoulinparis.com.

What is it? The third Bulgari hotel to open in the past decade, this well-designed sleepery with its own walled garden is a peaceful haven in the heart of bustling Milan.

What’s so fab? Bright silver fixtures and opulent fittings lend Bulgari style to this hotel overlooking a medieval botanical garden and just a short walk from the Duomo.

What about rooms? 85 chic rooms and suites have large balconies, black marble bathrooms, plenty of high-tech features and sumptuous Bulgari toiletries.

What else should I know? The hotel’s state-of-the-art spa has an outdoor jacuzzi and infinity pool.

How much? Deluxe rooms from Dh3,173 a night, www.bulgarihotels.com.

What is it? Designed and owned by Diesel’s one-time creative director Wilbert Das, this boutique haven stands in the glorious main square of Trancoso, in Bahia.

What’s so fab? Mainly built by local craftsmen using recycled materials, the seaside hotel has a huge pool, gym, well-stocked library, and Bahia’s first Vichy treatment suite at the spa.

What about rooms? Ten individual casas grouped around that glorious pool have king-size beds, dining areas and bathrooms.

What else should I know? Personal chefs are available and the region’s celebrated white beaches are within easy reach.

How much? Suites from Dh3,032 a night, www.uxua.com.

What is it? A Missoni concept hotel in Kuwait’s lively capital, this stylish hotel in an 18-floor skyscraper overlooking Kuwait Bay was designed by Rosita Missoni of the eponymous iconic Italian fashion house.

What’s so fab? Bright and beautiful, the hotel is an anthem to the Missoni style, with a striped swimming pool, gold sofas and a super-luxurious Six Senses Spa.

What about rooms? The 169 large rooms and suites have plenty of luxurious extras, including mirror TVs in bathrooms.

What else should I know? Overlooking Kuwait’s corniche, the Missoni has an excellent restaurant serving Italian specialities.

How much? Deluxe rooms from Dh877 a night, www.quorvuscollection.com/symphony-style-hotel.

What is it? A groundbreaking project headed by the world-famous Amsterdam Fashion Institute, this quirky, exciting hotel was styled by eight students from the school, in cooperation with the Dutch Textile museum.

What’s so fab? A different student has designed the fabric and accessories for each room, to create one-of-a-kind design spaces at the heart of one of Amsterdam’s most cutting-edge quarters.

What about rooms? There are 61 rooms inspired by everything from Marie Antoinette, to handbags and ceramics.

What else should I know? This hip and friendly hotel is along the Damrak, one of Amsterdam’s oldest streets, and now a cultural hotbed of art galleries, studios and gourmet restaurants.

How much? Deluxe rooms from Dh943 a night, www.hoteltheexchange.com.