The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

Floodlit in umber with candle-warm windows stacked against the Himalayas, this St. Regis is the kind of luxury hotel that earns its audacity from its backdrop alone. Three dining venues, a tearoom, a wine bar, and an acid-yellow pool with cabana seating round things out. Rooms lean toward calm minimalism, rescued by warm wood and wool underfoot. Altitude sickness is, as locals will tell you, Tibet's least glamorous amenity, so plan accordingly before the spa day.