The Getaway - May 2009

Jumeirah Essex House

New York, New York

Location This historic property is at the west end of Central Park South. Cuisine Kerry Heffernan’s modern American cuisine at South Gate is addictive. And at the breakfast and brunch buffet, help yourself from glass-fronted cold cabinets. Room to book Corner suite 3405 offers staggering views west to Columbus Circle and north across Central Park South. Insider tip The hotel has bikes you can borrow for a spin around the park. Rooms 600. GM Scott Dawson.

212-247-0300, jumeirahessexhouse.com

Rome Cavalieri, The Waldorf Astoria Collection

Rome, Italy

Location High on Mount Mario, the hotel is a few minutes by cab from the Vatican. Highlight Gaze out at the centuries-old rooftops of Rome and Vatican City. Cuisine Heinz Beck, chef-patron of the rooftop La Pergola, has Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Spa The Roman-style amethyst steam room in the Cavalieri Grand Spa Club. Room to book Choose a room with access to the antiques-filled club lounge on the seventh floor. Insider tip Create your own art tour by downloading the hotel website’s podcasts on its $55-million collection. Highlights include originals by Tiepolo and a 1725 Beauvais tapestry. Rooms 370. GM Serge Ethuin.

39-06-35091, romecavalieri.com 

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

Mumbai, India

Location The hotel is in Worli, a good hour from the Gateway of India and Nariman Point. Highlight Prato’s Sunday brunch, indoors or in the quiet ground-floor garden, is a feast of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Cuisine San-Qi (three energies) is a futuristic two-floor restaurant designed by Super Potato, with Chinese, Indian and Japanese sections. Spa The eighth-floor spa – adjacent to the outside terrace lap pool – has Aromatherapy Associates and Sundari products and a hair salon by Rossano Ferretti. Rooms 202. GM Vincent Hoogewijs.

91-22-2481-8000, fourseasons.com

Editors’ Choice

What made enRoute’s stay.

1 Taking a dip in the pool at the Colony Hotel, where even the beach towels scream Palm Beach – think yellow, green and pink.
561-655-5430, thecolonypalmbeach.com

2 Treating ourselves to a milk and lavender facial at the new Blue Marble eco spa in San Diego’s Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina.
619-224-1234, missionbay.hyatt.com

3 Tucking into silky Calvados-cured gravlax and grilled sauerkraut cakes with farmer’s sausage at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
800-826-7000, trappfamily.com

4 Listening to music from Tibetan singing bowls during a massage at the new Chi spa in Vancouver’s Shangri-La hotel.
604-689-1120, shangri-la.com

5 Indulging in a second helping of potjiekos, a slow-cooked oxtail stew, at the Molori Safari Lodge in South Africa.
27-14-7789-903, molori.co.za