The people's choices
UK
Encouragingly there were lots of UK entries, proving that British hospitality can rank with the best. No one hotel stood out here. Entries ranged from household names to lesser-known establishments that held fond memories for the individuals concerned.
Thainstone Country Club, Inverurie, Aberdeen There is a cosy bar with big, comfy armchairs to sink into. You can order a selection of food from the grand dining room menu, and just chill out over dinner. Who would I take with me? Popeye. The food is so good, even the spinach should be eaten.
Linda Stalker
Athenaeum, London This hotel has managed to deliver a truly five-star service on every visit I have made. English breakfast in your bedroom has to be one of the ultimate experiences in room service. I would like to enjoy this morning feast with Chris Tarrant, because mornings are not the same now he is no longer on Capital Radio.
Sue Parfett
Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Windermere, Cumbria My sister, her husband and I had a few days in the Lake District in January to get over the Christmas workload and found this hotel by chance. As a wheelchair-user, I am restricted to those hotels that can accommodate me. Finding such a tranquil place was a godsend. As for the fantasy companion, I would take Hugh Jackman (X-men), the gorgeous person.
Sally Porter
Claridge's, London A good British hotel for me is somewhere immeasurably smarter than my London flat yet where I feel totally at home. There is no shortage of contenders. The British hotel scene just gets better and more exciting by the year. In the end, though, it comes down to two: Claridge's, because it always makes me feel like a movie star, and Skibo Castle - because I can play at being the aristocrat on my Scottish estate. Both have fantastic staff who treat all guests with the same courtesy and thoughtfulness, both have sublime rooms which blend antiques with modern technology, and a real sense of history. Picking Skibo is a bit of a cheat, though, as one can stay only once before having to join its hideously expensive members' club - so all things considered, it's Claridge's. Fantasy companion: any hotelier who's still using nylon bedcovers and nasty soap - to show them what they're aiming at.
Sally Shalam, Travel Editor, London's Evening Standard
Tresanton Hotel, St Mawes, Cornwall Without being pretentious, Tresanton is stylish and relaxing, with excellent customer service, food and overall attention to detail. What could be more idyllic than sitting on one of the alfresco dining areas in summer with a chilled glass of Chardonnay and listening to my fantasy guest, Raymond Blanc?
Peter Friend
Turnberry, Ayrshire I like it because of the warm Scottish hospitality and the fresh clean air and, of course, the wonderful golf. I would like to take Tiger Woods along with me.
Ian McDowall
K-West, London
My favourite hotel is the K-West in London, because the staff are lovely and there are loads of facilities to use. I went there a month ago as a treat for my partner's birthday. I would like to be accompanied by my partner - I wouldn't enjoy an experience like that without him.
Chloe
The Whitehall Hotel, Bournemouth, Dorset It's so welcoming and all guests are treated like members of a family. The best thing about it for us is that it caters for the special dietary needs of our two sons, who have PKU (phenylketonuria). It is very near to the town, which is ideal as I am disabled.
C Cardy
Hotel du Vin, Tunbridge Wells, Kent It has a lovely atmosphere and the service is excellent. The rooms are beautiful and they make you feel like a star. I would like to be joined by Robert De Niro.
Louise Playford
The Crown Hotel, Southwold, Suffolk It represents all that's good in an English hotel. My family spent a superb three-day break there just before Christmas. My fantasy companion would have to be Churchill - to learn his management and motivation skills.
Tim Smith
Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland Because I work there and it's awesome. I would take my beautiful wife.
Steve Woods
Hilton Hotel, Watford, hertfordshire
I am nominating the Hilton Hotel, Watford for its excellent staff, ample car parking space; front view and greenery.
Jessica Pabari
One Aldwych, London The reasons for my choice - "Service, service and service!"As for my fantasy companion, I would chose Helen Mirren.
Brian Oakwell
The Highland Cottage, Tobermory, Mull, Scotland My favourite hotel is the Highland Cottage in Tobermory on the beautiful Scottish Island of Mull. It is run by a husband-and-wife team Dave and Jo Currie. It has all the comforts you would expect in your own home and then some! My fantasy companion would be Gordon Ramsay - just to see how many holes he could pick in it!
Jacqui Henness
The Marriott Hotel, Inverness My favourite hotel is the Marriott Inverness, as that is where my wife and I spent our six-night honeymoon in October 2002. The staff looked after us and gave us a lovely room and the food was fantastic. My fantasy companion would have to be my wife, as she would kill me if I suggested anyone else!
Steve Salter
Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield, warwickshire I really enjoyed staying there for a class reunion - the area and golf course, the hotel and the area are really wonderful (rose-tinted glasses a must).
If I were to go back, I would take my wife - I would only really enjoy it if she enjoyed it as well.
Matt Jones
Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, Bagshot, Surrey The hotel seems to be constantly reinvesting its profits into the product, which is gloriously luxurious. The new £14m health spa is just breathtaking and the service just gets better.
My fantasy companion would have to be Bruce Forsyth. He could go and play on the hotel golf course while I looked after his former Miss World wife in the eight-seater marble hot tub in the Twickenham Suite.
Robert Kennedy
Middle east
Not too surprisingly, the Middle East, with its many amazing hotels, featured highly in your favourites. Dubai, the Las Vegas of the Middle East, is home to most of them, with the Royal Mirage coming out the best.
The Royal Mirage, Dubai It's got that perfect balance in all areas. The service is not overbearing but ever-present and discrete. A smile awaits the guest at every corner! There is a fabulous choice of restaurants, all with their own identity and character.
My fantasy companion would be my wife. She deserves the best and this is a place I would go to enjoy her company and thank her for being a great wife, wonderful mum, and also a great working partner!
Ewan Scutcher
My favourite hotel is the Royal Mirage in Dubai. The staff are incredible: attentive, polite, helpful, knowledgeable and always around, but without being intrusive or overbearing. The food in their fine-dining restaurant is out of this world. There is no doubt in my mind that I will return soon, hopefully with Justin Timberlake as my companion!
Eleanor Greenham
Burj al Arab, Dubai
I would nominate the Burj al Arab in Dubai as it embraces the old values of the area's ancient, seafaring heritage and combines it with the most amazing hi-tech architectural feat of engineering. I would take my new partner, Andy, with me as he has travelled all over the world, and has just rescued me from the wreckage of a hideous divorce.
Angela Cole
Africa
There are some first-class hotels on the continent of Africa, and it was South Africa in particular that stood out.
Timamoon, Sabie River, Kruger National Park, South Africa We had our own private deck with a small plunge pool, a room fitted out with furniture and artefacts collected on the owners' travels through Africa. My fantasy guest would have to be my partner, Iain, as he might get jealous if I took Jonny Wilkinson.
Jill Beeson
Arniston Hotel, Arniston Bay, South Africa Here you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the Overberg coastline as the bay is set in the white limestone cliffs, giant sand dunes and pristine beach. Simple luxury, excellent food and fine South African wines. My fantasy companion would be Sophia Loren, a lady with beauty and intellect.
Bruce Wragg
Treetops, Kenya
I would take Jonny Wilkinson to Treetops as he brings out the animal in me.
Kelly Rose
The Serena Inn, Zanzibar, East Africa This is a hotel that pours out luxury, yet offers that Arab custom of friendly, courteous service. This hotel is a haven of peace in a country of peace. The person I'd like to share this experience with would be Osama Bin Laden. It would be an opportunity to show this man who is so full of hatred that peace does exist on these islands where both Muslims and Christians live in perfect harmony.
Nic Rawlins
Saxon Sandhurst, Johannesburg I love it because of its simple, sophisticated elegance with a contemporary African theme. The service is exceptional and includes a team of butlers to look after your every need. I would take my fianc‚ - but perhaps, for one last fling, Jude Law.
Ruth Stewart
Palace of the Lost City, Sun City, South Africa A fantasy world of Africa's jungles, cliff-tumbling gardens, streams, waterfalls, swimming pool and alfresco entertainment areas. Rooms overlook the bush and the gardens are lit by torches by night. I would enjoy taking Nell McAndrew as her jungle experience may prove useful.
Ian Dempsey
The Americas The question here is whether the "Disney in the desert" hotels of Las Vegas are just too much, or whether they appeal to your tastes. The latter, it seems, is the answer, with Bellagio your top choice. As for the rest of the USA, well it had to be New York, with the Plaza, part of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, emerging as the clear winner.
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
You expect it to be tacky, but somehow the Bellagio manages to get away with its glorious, outr‚ extravagance. The spa is divine, the restaurants are excellent and the dancing fountains really are lovely. My fantasy companion would be Frank Sinatra - the only person to experience Vegas with!
Rebecca Pearce
It's luxurious, sophisticated, tasteful and stylish - the jewel of the bright-light city. It is perfectly located in the centre of the strip. Sitting outdoors on one of the beautiful restaurant terraces watching the spectacular fountains dancing to the rhythm is a truly surreal and romantic experience.
My fantasy companion? My husband, of course. It's where we were married in May 2001, surrounded by our family and friends for a week-long extravaganza.
Karen Dominiak
The Plaza, New York My favourite hotel is the Plaza in Manhattan, primarily because of its great location and decor. I would like to spend some time there with Jeremy Clarkson because he's so funny and so cynical.
Jonathan Hermes
I chose this hotel for its elegance and ambience, even though it's in the world's never-sleeping city. It also enjoys spectacular views over Central Park. My fantasy guest would be Captain Smith, captain of the Titanic. We could sit drinking Cognac and smoking cigars while discussing the epic voyage.
Mark Baldwin
60 Thompson, New York My favourite hotel would have to be 60 Thompson in New York City. It is trendy, luxurious, has great bars, all in the best city in the world. My fantasy companion would be the actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who would be the ideal date to show me round the city.
Don Mitchell
Riu Tequila, Mexico It's a beautiful place and the ordinary man's luxury. My children (four of them) loved it, we loved it, there was excellent food, atmosphere and first-class service from first-class staff. I would take my wife, who else matters?
Ian Bullock
Tin Wis Best Western, Tofino, Vancouver Island,Canada The sunset was the best I have ever seen, the seafood was fantastic, and the relaxed way the staff and management went about their business was fantastic too. I would take Hugh Heffner with me as a companion, as he is always surrounded by beautiful women!
Alan Walters
India and the Indian subcontinent
The Residence, Mauritius "The Residence" in Mauritius is my favourite hotel. Just the place to kiss and tell. Victoria Beckham would be my guest, as David, at the moment is a little stressed!
Stuart Dunlop
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India You feel like a prince and a princess when you check in and like a king and a queen when you check out. You don't check in at the desk like normal hotels: you are escorted by one of the charming team members straight to the room. On the way you get a glimpse of the grandeur through the chandeliers, the candle room, and the library bar. With whom? With my girlfriend and not with any celebrity because I would not like to waste my stay with a complete stranger, but celebrate it with someone I love and trust.
Vikas Wadhwani
The Caribbean There were surprisingly few entries for the Caribbean, bearing in mind that it was top of the tree for several of our Hoteliers of the Year. Perhaps it's the astronomically high prices that put you off. Only two stood out.
The Colony Club, Barbados Friendly staff, classy accommodation, beachfront location, wonderful seafood, great honeymoon location. Fantasy companions: Peter Lederer, Nick Ryan, Ken McCulloch, Chris Rouse, Robin Hutson [all Hoteliers of the Year] just in case we needed to order room service and needed advice.
Jeremy Hawkings
Altamer Resort, Anguila, British Virgin Islands
A small piece of heaven on earth. It is amazing, a super de luxe destination for friends and/or family get-togethers. As for my companions I would take 10 of my very best and closest friends that I don't see very often - being good to your true friends is very important.
Claudia Nielsen-Leavitt
Far East
Not too many entries for the Far East either, an area that is generally considered synonymous with fine hotelkeeping and excellent service standards. But no, they didn't rank high on your lists - with just a few exceptions.
Park Hyatt, Tokyo My favourite hotel in the world is Park Hyatt Tokyo. My companion there would be Bill Murray: need I say more…? [The Park Hyatt was the backdrop for the recent film success Lost in Translation].
Georgina Griffiths
The Oriental, Bangkok Seventeen years ago I stayed there on honeymoon. It had a terrific reputation. The service was second to none. The room and the bed were huge. Fantasy companion: no one famous, but the Japanese waitress who served me in their Japanese restaurant who prepared the food and then fed me with chopsticks held expertly in delicate hands.
Sunil Patel
Rest of Europe
Some interesting choices here, with Italy putting in a good showing.
Hotel Smederevo, Smederevo, Serbia
Once a haunt for the rich (and possibly even famous!), the hotel sits on a hillside, nestling a short distance from the slow, wide Danube. The hotel has been stuck in something of a timewarp since before the Yugoslav civil war. Many of its furnishings are now so dated that they are in fashion once more!
G Ashford
Hotel Majestic, Rome
If you want to step back in time to 19th-century Rome and experience first-class service all the way, then this is the place to stay. My fantasy companion would be Carmen Electra.
Warren Odell
Hotel Pitrizza, Sicily A discreet hideaway, minutes from the splendid marina and fleshpots of Porto Cervo, with its beautiful boats, beautiful people and beautiful boutiques and restaurants in summer. If Catherine Deneuve offered to join me there I would be happy to welcome her.
Howard Field
The Londra Palace, Venice It is not oppressively grand, but it is very comfortable. And when you throw back the shutters to let in the gentle sounds of waves slapping on the quayside below your window, you discover that your room has the most beautiful city view in the world.
George Pownall
Read's Hotel, Mallorca It is such a delightful, peaceful location and the hotel itself has such a personal touch, and has been renovated with a passion for art and history. I'd love Stephen Fry to accompany me.
Isobel Michael
And the winner of a bose 3.2.1 GS digital entertainment stereo system is… Therese Brook, for her description of the Island Hotel, on the Scilly Isles.
The Island Hotel Tresco It is close to paradise. All tourists depart from the island by 4pm and the only people left are the residents and guests of the Island Hotel. The Menovaur Suite is a real tonic. Right at the end of the hotel, it is completely separated from any noise, jutting out on to its own rocky promontory, and with bedroom, living room, deck and balcony all commanding three-sided views of the ocean. There is excellent cuisine using the freshest seafood cooked with simple love and to top it all you have your own island to wander in and nothing to interfere with your peace. I would take Sir Alec Guinness, just to listen to his voice.
