Glittering turquoise waters, palm trees swaying in the breeze. going barefoot in the sand is almost a primal urge. But after hours of planes, trains and automobiles, an amazing beach isn’t enough, we also want an amazing hotel – somewhere that captures the essence of its location in design, ambience and cuisine.

On the shores of six continents, each of these Hip Hotels expresses the uniqueness of its setting – a hidden cove on the south coast of Cornwall – the volcanic island of Santorini – an ecological reserve on Mexico’s Pacific Coast – the new Hotel Hi in Nice.