The Most Luxurious Foreign Hotel Chains

Malmaison Hotels

With outposts throughout the U.K. and Scotland, Malmaison is a clever collection of four-star design hotels named after Chateau Malmaison, the palace acquired by Josephine after Napoleon's triumphs in Egypt. While Napoleon was not pleased, today's traveler flocks to these design sanctuaries boasting high design, lively bars and cafes.

New Hotel: Hotel Du Vin Poole (Summer 2008)

Likes: Malmaison's sister company Hotel Du Vin has outposts in Glasgow and Bristol.

Dislikes: The groovy London property in Clerkenwell is a 10-pound cab to anything chic.

Morgans Hotel Group

Call them the George Washington of the boutique hotel movement that began within New York's Schrager-designed Royalton. While the hotel chain is de-Schragering most of its slate of properties in New York and Miami, it's also expanding a new empire of Mondrian set to debut in Palm Springs, South Beach and Soho.

New Hotel: Mondrian Soho (late-2009)

Likes: New designers and partners are invigorating well-worn properties in LA and Miami.

Dislikes: Just book into an entry-level room at the Hudson or London's Sanderson!

Rocco Forte Hotels

If there's a Rocco Forte Hotel in town, it's likely to be the best place to stay. A family-owned dynasty of exquisite design hotels with the utmost of luxury and service, Rocco Forte is a growing icon making a mark with signature properties like Rome's Hotel de Russie, Berlin's Hotel de Rome and Brown's Hotel in London. The ever-expanding empire includes new outposts in St. Petersburg, Sicily and Prague.

New Hotels: Abu Dhabi and Marrakech (2010)

Likes: Unlike many luxury chains, Rocco Forte embraces a younger, stylish clientele.

Dislikes: With no outpost in France, it's long time the hotel chain arrived in Paris.

Taj Hotels and Resorts

With a longstanding reputation for fine luxury hotels around India and Sri Lanka, Taj Resorts recently branched out across the globe with new locations in New York, Boston and Sydney. Operating luxury resorts against the backdrop of such world-renowned landmarks as the Taj Mahal, Great Pyramids and Sydney Harbor is what they do best.

New Hotels: Campton Place San Francisco

Likes: Sister-chain operates India's decadent Bandavgarh and Baghvan safari camps.

Dislikes: Former W Sydney property lost its luster after name and management change.

Voyages Resorts

It's Australia's most famous collection of luxury resorts, but sadly it will take at least a three-hour flight from Sydney and a short puddle-jumper to get to any of them. Operating 21 hotels throughout the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Central Australia, this acclaimed hotelier offers six top-of-the-line luxury properties for global gluttons down under.

New Hotel: New Spa located at Ayers Rock

Likes: Conservation practice involves recycling and vigorous water rationing.

Dislikes: Non-premium hotels are sparse on luxury with dated rooms at some resorts.