HAVE THE FILM-MAKERS GOT IT RIGHT? They haven't done badly. There's a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere here, even if rooms are a little spartan Doubles cost from 249 Lt (£49), including breakfast.. It is very close to the Radisson SAS Astorija, set within its own courtyard behind the Baroque church of St Theresa. There is an €10 (£6.80) entrance fee to the basement health club with sauna and small pool.Keeping in touch: There are standard broadband connections in every bedroom and WiFi hotspots around the hotel, notably in the lobby area.THE BOTTOM LINEDoubles are from €135 (£92) including breakfast. Non-smokers should specify that they want a no-smoking room at the time of booking - Lithuania has yet to catch up with smoking bans elsewhere in Europe and as a result there's a faint whiff of smoke in many rooms.Freebies: Bathrooms are stocked with cheerfully packaged, Radisson-label liquid soaps and conditioning shampoos. It is set right in the heart of the Baroque Old Town, opposite the pink and ornate church of St Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania.The famous Renaissance Gates of Dawn are a short walk up the road; there are designer shops practically on the doorstep (the likes of Escada and Armani) all at the moment offering excellent value for money; and restaurants and night clubs are just around the corner - you couldn't wish for better surroundings.Time from international airport: It takes around 10-15 minutes to cover the 6km by taxi (costing less than 20 Litas/£4).COMFORTABLE? The slight boxiness of the 120 rooms is mitigated by the luxury of heated bathroom floors.
Recently its eclectic guest list has included Prince Charles, both Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice (but not simultaneously), and Marilyn Manson.LOCATIONRadisson SAS Astorija, Didzioji 35/Arkliu 2, 01128 Vilnius (00 370 5 2120 110; ) The hotel's stunning location is its main attraction. Doubles start at $1,565 (£869) per night, all-inclusive.Hotel Palafitte SwitzerlandThis five-star hotel is made up of 40 futuristic-looking pavilions, some of which jut out on stilts into Lake Neuch?l. Much of the power comes from solar energy and other renewable sources. Some pavilions have direct access to the lake.Hotel Palafitte, Route des Goutes d'Or 2, Neuch?l (00 41 327 230 202; ) Doubles start at SFr490 (£212), room only.. It was built in 2002 to coincide with Switzerland's National Expo and state-of-the-art features include a multi-functional remote control in every room.
There are plenty of activities for guests including water-skiing, kayaking and windsurfing, but if that sounds too energetic you can relax on a sunset cocktail cruise instead. Total seclusion is ensured by keeping the precise location a secret until your booking has been made.The Point, Saranc Lake, New York (001 800 255 3530; ). Today it is a homely hotel with 11 rooms, each with its own bathroom, an imposing fireplace and a view of the lake. Dinner is taken in the Great Hall of the Main Lodge and the menu is by London-based chef Albert Roux. Doubles start at NT$15,180 (£265), room only.The Point USALake Saranac in upstate New York is the location for The Point, built in 1933 for William Avery Rockefeller. Doubles start at NZ$1,035 (£405), including meals and airport transfers.The Lalu TaiwanSun Moon Lake is at the foot of the Central Mountain Range, and The Lalu is named after the Shao Tribe that first settled here.
