The Most Luxurious Foreign Hotel Chains

Whether planning for a summer on the beaches of Europe, trekking the Himalayas or surfing on the Indian Ocean, you can count on a select number of luxury hotel chains to satisfy your need for splendor and relaxation.

Here's a list of top chains that aren't household words in the U.S. -- but should be everyday lexicon for true luxury travelers.

AC Hotels and Resorts

This Madrid-based hotel chain is a high-end luxury brand of design hotels located in historic buildings throughout Spain, Portugal and Italy. Hotels contain impeccably designed lobbies and guest rooms blending Old-World details, contemporary art and New-World design.

Hotel New Hotel: AC Cordoba Palacio (Summer 2008)

Likes: Newer properties in Barcelona and Seville are iconoclasts.

Dislikes: Smaller rooms in older properties could incite a PETA protest.

	AC Cordoba Palacio
	Credit: AC Hotels

Aman Resorts

This Hong Kong-based uber-luxury chain with a series of 18 resort properties in removed and exotic locations presents the highest level of customer service and exclusivity offered in modern hospitality. Resorts range from meditative Indian Ocean retreats to glittery ski palaces in Courchevel and Jackson Hole.

Hot New Hotel: Aman Montenegro and Amangiri near Lake Powell (both late-2008)

Likes: High price point and far-off locations keep exclusivity at a high.

Dislikes: Lack of real-time booking on the Web site is a return to pre-Internet days.

	Aman - Lake Powell
	Credit: Aman Resorts

Banyan Tree Resorts

The name Banyan Tree graces high-end spas, retail centers and 20 luxury resorts and hotels in such remote destinations as Bhutan and Phuket. The hotel embodies Asian hospitality through a series and meticulously designed properties built for meditative getaways that intuitively blend into their surroundings.

Hot New Hotel: Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Mexico (2009)

Likes: It has one of the most ambitious "green" conservation programs of any hotel chain.

Dislikes: Franchised name allows for expansion of separate Banyan Tree Spa brand.

	Banyan Tree - Mexico
	Credit: Banyan Tree Resorts

Firmdale Hotels

London's preeminent hotel owners Tim and Kit Kemp create a lively and rich collection of city hotels in neighborhoods like Soho, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Standout properties like the Soho Hotel and Charlotte Street are be-seen addresses for visiting celebrities and fashion elite.

Hot New Hotel: Crosby Street Hotel NYC (2009)

Likes: NYC's new Crosby Street is attempting to acquire LEED Gold Certification.

Dislikes: Signature granite bathrooms are identical at some properties.

Hospes Hotels

One of Europe's fastest growing hotel chains, Hospes Hotels operates a portfolio of fifteen four- and five-star properties throughout Spain as well as recently acquiring Paris' Hotel Lancaster in its expansion across Europe. The chain features historic buildings renovated with design-minded common areas, resort spaces and guest rooms.

Hot New Hotel: Hospes Budapest (2009)

Likes: Spanish collection of properties is affordably priced for star-category.

Dislikes: The Hotel Lancaster is in desperate need of an interior face-lift.

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts

With Dubai's hottest properties including Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers, UAE's fastest growing hotel operators have their eye on the rest of the globe with recent acquisitions in London and New York. Expect colorful exuberance with decadent resorts varying between opulent towers and more traditional family hotels located on the sea.

New Hotel: Palm Jumeirah Dubai, Bermuda, Mallorca, London

Likes: Burj Al Arab offers chauffeured Maybach from the airport and butler service.

Dislikes: Interior design of bold colors can look like an over-caffeinated Versace store.

	Burj al Arab
	Credit: Jumeirah Hotels

Kempinski Hotels

Think opulent guest rooms with baroque furnishings and hand-woven oriental rugs. Opened in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is one of Europe's oldest hotel brands representing hotel palaces like Berlin's Adlon and Hotel des Bain in St. Moritz. Savvy eastward expansion brings hotel presence to emerging markets like Slovenia, Croatia and Russia.

New Hotel: Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Istria, Croatia (late-2008)

Likes: No one does mannered European hotels like the Kempinski chain.

Dislikes: White glove service sometimes feels cold and elusive for anyone under 50.