Mandalay, Myanmar, Myanmar (Burma)

‘The Hotel By The Red Canal’, to give it its full title, is one of the few bona fide boutique properties in Mandalay. Fusing contemporary Burmese chic with high Konbaung style, it’s delightfully pretty, with traditional gabled roofs overlooking a palm-filled garden – a serene oasis in dusty Mandalay. The suites come in four categories, offering varying amounts of space inside and out, but all are chic, cool and comfortable. The curvi-form pool’s a boon, and the Indian restaurant one of the best in the city. Located in a quiet neighbourhood close to the Royal Palace, the hotel is also perfectly placed for sightseeing.