The Langham, Melbourne

Melbourne was recently named the world’s most livable city with one of the most livable lodgings being this popular, 25-story 387-room riverside hotel. An attractive alternative to the Central Business District hotels, the English-style Langham opened in 2005. It’s handily located at up-and-coming Southbank near the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Crown Casino entertainment complex, another hotel's neighbor, features restaurants by some of Australia’s leading chefs including Neil Perry and Guillaume Brahimi. The 11,410 square-foot Chuan Spa, features treatments inspired by the traditional Chinese garden, as well as an indoor salt-water pool (ideal for Melbourne’s famously fluky weather).