25hours Hotel Dubai One Central UAE

Ever feel like a full day’s 24 hours are not quite enough to get everything done? If so, this buzzy hotel brand is for you. And with so much for guests to experience when staying at this action- packed property, the extra time would certainly come in handy. Located in the One Central district next door to the landmark Museum of the Future, 25hours Hotel Dubai is what the kids these days call ‘a vibe’. It’s a design-lover’s dream that enthusiastically blends heritage with modern, mixing contemporary art with retro touches, antiques and salvaged-style furnishings. Just as busy is the scope of facilities, which include a spa and a rooftop pool, plus dare-to-be-different elements such as a Bavarian pub and a mixed-gender sauna. With all-day coffee, all-night cocktails and the signature Monkey Bar, there’s never a dull moment; but if you do need a break from the hubbub, art-house Cinema Akil provides a fashionable refuge.

Sir Savigny Germany

In the 35 years since the fall of the Wall, hotel rates in Berlin have substantially climbed – but Sir Savigny still offers an affordable boutique stay in the super-central Charlottenburg district. The catch is that rooms here are rather petite, although that’s more than made up for by stacks of character. The building is an 1893 townhouse in the fancy literary quarter and the hotel features artworks, book-heavy shelves and mid-century furniture. Plush velvets, dark woods, vintage rugs and gilded mirrors give each of the 44 rooms a sense of sophistication, while at the same time feeling relaxed and homey. The Old West Berlin location puts it within steps of galleries, boutiques and leafy Savignyplatz, with Kurfürstendamm’s shops and the vast green space of the Tiergarten within a couple of blocks.

Rosa Et Al Townhouse Portugal

There’s no such thing as sibling rivalry when it comes to this brother-and-sister-owned, seven-suite property. Located in Cedofeita – Porto’s chic and artsy central neighbourhood – it’s a combination of tradition and design. A sensitive restoration has preserved the 19th-century townhouse’s fireplaces, plasterwork and other original features, matching them with wooden floors, white walls and period furniture (plus the odd modern piece for good measure). The result is luxuriously fuss-free balance of simple and chic. It’s the ideal base from which to wander streets lined with galleries, studios and concept stores, or stroll to the Douro to watch riverboats passing by. Return to relax in the aromatic garden (or enjoy an in-room massage) before tucking into brunch, lunch, a ‘5 o’clock tea’, a Sunday roast or a tasting menu; or even roll up your sleeves for a cooking class.

The Line LA USA

LA’s Koreatown sets the scene for this design hotel that’s high on style but pleasantly low in price. Being a 24-hour kind of place, K-town’s youthful ambience is reflected in The Line’s upbeat facilities, like the unpretentious Lobby Bar and time-warp Break Room 86 with guest DJs and karaoke. By day, attention turns to Openaire restaurant, where two-Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin references the city’s melting-pot culture in ever-changing menus. The space – think greenhouse with terrace – has an industrial aesthetic that’s repeated upstairs in rooms where bare concrete meets plush sofas, platform beds and Navajo-style upholstery, although you may not notice as your gaze will be drawn to views of the Hollywood Hills through floor-to-ceiling windows. Sightseeing is straightforward: the metro station directly outside will whisk you into regenerated Downtown to ogle its art deco skyscrapers and graze its many lunch spots.

Lloyd's Inn Singapore

Even though the entry-level rooms at Lloyd’s are tiny, they’re undeniably stylish. The look here is minimalistic: all bare white walls and pale wood details with black accents for contrast. Potted plants reflect the views of the leafy gardens outside, adding an element of outside-in aesthetic. The views get even better when you ascend to the rooftop terrace and look beyond the trees towards towering skyscrapers. There’s no bar or restaurant: instead, guests are free to rustle up their own snacks in the open-air pantry. But with Singapore being such a foodie city, you’ll probably want to seek sustenance in its famous hawker centres. Getting around is easy. Lloyd’s is within walking distance of some of Orchard Road’s best shopping, with riverfront Robertson Quay not much further beyond. And for the really budget-conscious, the bus will whisk you here from Changi Airport for around £1.50.

Cristine Bedfor Spain

Mahon, Menorca’s capital, owes its charm to a deepwater harbour that, as the Mediterranean’s largest, brought it significant wealth and stature. That wealth can be seen today in the city’s grand, historic townhouses, three of which have been knocked together to create this marvellous hotel. All 21 rooms are unique and packed with antiques and curiosities teamed with authentic Balearic fabrics. Local chef Pau Sintes presides over celebrated Cristine’s Kitchen, where it’s all about Menorcan produce and regional gastronomy. Whether it’s brunch, a picnic or snacks by the pool, there’s a heavy reliance on local produce. When it’s time to venture out, stick with the old-meets-new theme at Hauser & Wirth: a contemporary art space in a restored, 18th-century hospital.

1898 The Post Belgium

Formerly a post office, this neo-gothic landmark in the middle of medieval Ghent was an ideal heritage building to turn into a hotel. Surrounded by gabled roofs, fairytale turrets and decorative facades, it’s a pretty-as-a-picture location; and it’s no less magical inside. The 38 guest rooms are decorated in dark and sultry shades, giving them elegant, old-world flair and a sense of intimacy. So successful was the makeover that The Post arguably elevated Ghent from day-trip to weekend destination. You’ll be thankful for the opportunity too: staying here gives you the chance to explore side streets and waterways, discovering past glories (Ghent was dubbed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages) alongside more contemporary indulgences like bars, boutiques and Belgian waffles.

Le Riad Berbere Morocco

A trip to Marrakech is all about the hustle and bustle – but to enjoy it to the full, you need to escape the frenzy from time to time. Le Riad Berbère is exactly that kind of retreat. A restored, 17th-century riad in the midst of the bustling medina, it’s a five-room sanctuary built around a lovely garden and decorated in simple style with tiles, wood and other details that demonstrate the best of Moroccan craftsmanship. The pared-back design lets the architecture be the star of the show: all heavy doors, shady courtyards, cedar-wood ceilings and sweeping arches. It’s the perfect place in which to relax between bouts of exploring the city. From here, it’s an easy walk to central square Djemaa el-Fna and the rooftop restaurants, bars and colourful souks that surround it.

Naumi Hotel New Zealand

Boutique hotels are a rarity in New Zealand. Which makes this vibrant property within an Edwardian building on Cuba Street, Wellington’s most charismatic micro-neighbourhood, all the more unusual. A massive injection of colour, including collaborations with Kiwi artists, ensures stacks of personality, with rooms dressed in natural shades – turmeric, rusty red, avocado green – teamed with fluorescent stripes and bold patterns. Is it busy? Yes, but it works, endowing the place with character and charm. Food-wise, both Lola Rouge (Southeast Asian cuisine) and The Parlour (high tea and cocktails) are shared with next-door sister property Naumi Studio Wellington. Love the brand? Make it a hat-trick by ending your trip at the Auckland Airport hotel.

Paramount Hosue Hotel Australia

Central Sydney isn’t short of stylish hideaways, but this property tips the scales for its combo of home-from- home décor and great on-site eats. Located where the high-rise CBD bumps into buzzing Surry Hills, 29 rooms are housed in a former movie company HQ and stays true to its heritage via the Golden Age Cinema & Bar. The rooms, nearly all with an outdoor space, have enough personality to give guests the illusion of staying at a cool friend’s urban apartment. The adjoining neighbourhood favourite Paramount Coffee Project serves faultless avo-and-eggs to start the day. Find more great flavours across the street at ever-popular Chin Chin, a Melbourne import whose Thai-inspired plates routinely draw queues. You’ll feel like a Sydneysider from the moment you check in.

Plantation Resort & Spa Cambodia

This urban resort and spa within a stone’s throw of the Royal Palace is a veritable oasis beyond the Cambodian capital’s buzz. After exploring the sights of Phnom Penh, or strolling along the mighty Mekong, it’s an absolute joy to retreat back into the Plantation Urban Resort & Spa’s gentle embrace. A tropical garden and two lovely pools make it feel secluded and tranquil, even though you’re right in the heart of the city. The rooms, spread between two buildings, are bright and simply furnished in a warm palette. A similar aesthetic continues downstairs at the poolside restaurant, which serves a casual, east-meets-west menu; or upgrade to La Pergola, a French-inspired fine-dining experience that blends familiar and exotic flavours with great success.

Tommie Austin USA

7 Islas Spain

Malasana is one of Madrid's most happening neighbourhoods. Its formerly rather scruffy portion, Triball, now has cool bars and boutiques aplenty: and in among it all is 7 Islas. This refreshingly laidback hotel has an industrial feel that’s gently balanced by lots of natural materials to keep things comfortable. Named after the seven-strong Islas Canarias (the owners have roots in Lanzarote), the hotel has its own art gallery and the 7 Kitchen & Bar, frequented by locals. Beyond that, facilities are thin: but that’s what keeps this place so affordable. And besides, with so much on the doorstep to see and do, who needs a spa or business centre? The location puts you within walking distance of Gran Via, the legendary Prado Museum and upbeat Chueca neighbourhood. It’s all you need from an urban escape without the big-city price tag.

Hotel Van De Vijsel Netherlands

Hotels positioned on the ring of canals that form central Amsterdam’s beating heart are always in high demand – and you can expect to pay for the privilege of being in the zone. Hotel van de Vijsel pulls off a best-of-both-worlds scenario, though: it’s just a stone’s throw from Singelgracht (the outermost canal) yet by operating only limited services, its rates remain well within reach. The heritage building is awash with quirks that reference its past – the 19th-century property started life as a timber merchant’s and the wooden details throughout its design are a nod to this former guise, while also giving it a pleasant sense of contemporary Scandi-style chic. Art lovers will appreciate its proximity to the Rijksmuseum too.

Dave Red Athens Greece

Besides budget, the key consideration when choosing a city-break hotel is location, location, location. Dave Red comes up trumps on both counts. You can score overnight stays for under £50 and yet it’s right by Omonoia Square, where the Psyrri and Kerameikos neighbourhoods collide with lively Athens Central Market. Unsurprisingly, the entry-level (Urban) rooms are rather bijou, but at this tiny price you can justify splashing out and upgrading to something more spacious. You can expect decent facilities here too: a gym, a playroom (with pool table and retro arcade game) and a rooftop terrace that looks across the city to Mount Lycabettus.