The Middle East

One&Only The Palm offers an elegant beachside oasis of lush gardens and cascading fountains. Dubai's most intimate seafront enclave enjoys an enviable setting on the private peninsula of Palm Island. It is framed by a stunning secluded beach with a privileged outlook over the striking skyline of New Dubai.

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is vast, architecturally commanding and visually dazzling. It has the air of a palace from the Arabian tales, wrought in gold and marble and crowned by an immense dome. This golden palace resort shimmers along the shore of a beautiful bay at the western end of the Corniche. Abu Dhabi's waterfront promenade district is lined with beautifully kept gardens, monumental fountains, cycling and walking paths and children's playgrounds. Here, too, are excellent restaurants and cafés, and the commanding presidential palace.

Rising above the city within the iconic Kingdom Tower, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh is a lively address defined by style and sophistication. Its finely worked interiors bring authentic Saudi heritage and craftsmanship to life. The elegant accommodation offers an outdoor pool along with spa and wellness services. At The Grill, meanwhile, you can savour eclectic culinary experiences from across the Middle East. For a romantic escape for two, there is the sky bridge 300 metres up, where a single candlelit table is set for you alone.

Set in the enchanting surroundings of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, this tented-villa resort is a desert retreat in one of the world's most mysterious and thrilling travel destinations, inspired by the natural setting of the Ashar valley. Embark on a multi-sensory experience at Banyan Tree AlUla. Let yourself be stilled by the silence, the calm, the astonishing rock formations and the sheer power of nature, and feel as though time and space had suddenly halted to let the senses fully awaken.

Where the majestic Al Hajar Mountains meet their radiant reflection in the calm waters of the Gulf of Oman, amid an elegantly landscaped 21-acre garden oasis, stands The Chedi Muscat with its 162 rooms and villas shaped by Omani culture and tradition. This lofty yet central setting suits leisure travellers and business guests alike. The hotel's appeal — six different restaurants and lounges, a Balinese spa, three pools, a health club and two meeting rooms — is heightened still further by the compelling cultural attractions of Muscat.

Jabal Akhdar, which in Arabic means “Green Mountain”, forms part of the Al Hajar range, one of the most astonishing regions of Oman. Perched more than 2,000 metres above sea level, Alila Jabal Akhdar gives you access to this magnificent landscape of untouched beauty. Overlooking a dramatic gorge and facing the Al Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is perfectly placed for exploring the region's famously rugged terrain — a retreat for adventurous travellers, nature lovers and those seeking an escape from the desert heat.

The legendary Raffles name, a byword for ultra-luxury, makes its entrance in Qatar's capital in grand style. Raffles Doha occupies the 37-storey, innovative Katara Towers on the waterfront, a building whose design is inspired by the crossed swords on the national seal, symbols of strength, power and authority.