1. Singapore - Four Seasons, purely for service, food, comfort & location.

2. Shanghai - Peninsula, definitely. Great hotel and it's on the Bund.

3. Bangkok - The Siam. OK, so it's in the Royal enclave and a bit out of town, but everything else makes up for it and the river views are stellar.

4. Chiang Mai - Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. Service and food are so, so superior to FS right now, and service is, too. Got to stay in the Colonial Wing which is the newest build and therefore vastly improved from original rooms/suites.

5. Mumbai - no contest - Taj Palace, historic wing.

6. Cape Town - Ellerman is a bit snooty these days. I prefer Taj Cape Town - great views from the top floor suites and very good food.

7. Madagascar - Constance Tsarabanjina - much improved since new CEO Andrew Milton took over. http://tsarabanjina.constancehotels.com/