Only a few hours drive from von San Francisco lies the - perhaps - most beautiful valley in the USA, Yosemite Valley - declared and protected as national park since 1864. Unfortunately, the beautiful scenery has its price and often leads to blocked access roads and overcrowded park facilities. We therefore recommend retreating to the majestic Ahwahnee Inn, which is located at the end of the valley. The hotel was built in 1927 and offers visitors - sitting in front of enormous fireplaces - a fantastic view of the valley. 

Which city has the most exciting night life: Berlin, London, Barcelona, Los Angeles, New York, Rio de Janeiro? None of them - the answer is Beirut! Ever since the end of the civil war the small, varied country is an - unfortunately not cheap - insider tip. Right in the Achrafieh quarter (known for its many bars and night clubs) is the Albergo - a boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace overlooking the city on which you can recuperate after a long night while drinking fresh orange juice and Arabian coffee.

Syria is still an insider tip among travellers. Wonderful cities, fantastic scenery, low prices, few tourists and hospitable people. The highlights of a trip to Syria are Palmyra and Aleppo. In Aleppo, you can lose yourself in the maze of the most beautiful souks of the Arab world. Time seems to have come to a standstill. At the edge of the old town, in Sissi street, lies Beit Wakil, a private residence lovingly converted into a hotel. Salaam aleikum!

Perth is said to be the most remote large city in the world. It takes you six hours to reach the next big city (Adelaide, Melbourne, or Singapore) - by plane! Instead, you could drive six hours to the south and go to Bunker Bay. A stylish resort along a beautiful stretch of coast is the reward.

Yes, it is kitschy. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it is impressive. All clichés are true - but still: We were delighted with the Burj al Arab. We stood in front of the computer-controlled waterworks in the lobby like small children. The view of the atrium and from the restaurant is impressive. Bilbao wanted to change its harbour and steel image by constructing the Guggenheim museum; Dubai wanted to create a new identity by erecting the Burj al Arab (tourism instead of oil). The re-positioning was successful in both cases.

A cocoon is nature's most intelligent wrapping solution. Simple, efficient and stylish - these attributes also describe the Cocoon, Munich's latest budget design hotel. Cheap but fun is the motto. Due to its great sucess, an addition is currently under way.

The two "i's" in the name often cause confusion (eight letters, as we were told, are better than seven according to Feng-shui...). But the second "i" is the only unnecessary thing about this hotel. The Cortiina makes very efficient use of available space, no corner goes unused. The rooms are elegant, but not pretentious; the bar (at the same time restaurant and lobby) with fireplace and natural stone brickwork creates an I-would-like-to-stay-here-atmosphere. Only 75 rooms, so do not forget to book in time!

Do you know Anne of Green Gables? This children's book (also for grown-ups!) has the same significance in North America as Heidi in Europe. The author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and her heroine Anne lived on Prince Edward Island, the smallest Canadian province. Right in the centre of P.E.I. national park is the Dalvay by the Sea, which was built about more than 100 years ago. A charming building made of wood, a few new chalets in the park surrounding the hotel - and the best breakfast in Canada await you!

Elderly men very often buy a Porsche - it is supposed to increase one's sex appeal. Sometimes this principle also works for cities (see Bilbao's Guggenheim museum). Graz, the most beautiful Austrian city (sorry about that, Salzburg) has redefined itself in the last couple of years through the spectacular new art museum and several other activites. Located next tho the main railway station: Austria's first (and still best) budget lifestyle hotel.

A hotel in a district almost any consultant would advise against! However, it became a success within a very short time period. Opened in 2000, it still looks fresh and exicting. With a lot of attention to detail and taste (and cost-awareness) an old gasworks was converted into a hotel which immediately makes one feel at home. The visionary behind this property continues to dish out new and exciting hotel concepts (George, Superbude, 25hours,...).

Full of creative ideas and well-designed, Hollmann Beletage is the anti-thesis to many soulless hotels. It started with seven rooms in 2003. Now, with a total of 25 rooms, it has still a cosy feeling to it. And do not forget to take home the CD with "Altwiener Lieder".

We all know the problem: one wants to go on holiday with one's elk but doesn't know where to go (most hotels are not exactly pet-friendly...). There is a solution: In the Ice Hotel you can take your elk to the bar and discuss the latest elk trends with other elk owners (close-cropped is supposed to be "in" this winter). The hotel is rebuilt every year with blocks of ice. Small tip: nothing for unaccompanied travellers - ideal for lovers (cuddling keeps warm!).

The management team of PKF hotelexperts is lucky: during the last three years, our annual smeeting was organised on the Ile de Porquerolles. This island is located on the Côte d'Azur, not far away from St. Tropez - but has a totally different, much slower rhythm. Accompanied by the scent of eucalyptus trees, one can discover the island by foot, explore it by bike (cars are prohibited!) - or strategy reminisce about dropping out (or taking on a job with PKF hotelexperts) in one of the fantastic bays with endless sandy beaches.

The San Juan islands are no longer a well-kept secret among insiders - but they still are mostly undiscovered by Europeans. The islands are located in the northwest of the USA, between Seattle, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and represent an ideal stop during tours of the northwest. On Orcas Island, the largest island of the archipelago, lies the Rosario Resort & Spa. Sitting on the terrace, watching the sailing boats or - with a bit of luck - the whales - what else could one wish for in life...

Handing over a privately-owned hotel to the next generation is very often a difficult task. Take the oldest hotel in the world as example: It has been in possession of and been run by the family Hoshi ever since 746 - that is 46 generations! The occupancy of the property shows that SARS and the war in Iraq are negligible factors in comparison to the bubonic plague of the 13th century. It all depends on the perspective!