Natasha Faruque discovers the world's 10 best hotel bars, where the drinks are as beautiful as the clientele
1 THE FELIX BAR The Peninsula, Hong Kong
The glitzy Philippe Starck designed Felix, perched on the panoramic 28th floor of the Peninsula, has a fleet of Rolls-Royces ready to pick up the ever-present glitterati, and is the place to see and be seen. www.peninsula.com
2 THE BAR Bvlgari Hotel, Bali
Sink into a lounger in the open-air terraced bar, sat atop a pool of calm, clear water, and sample a glass of Prosecco in this ultra-chic haven. www.bulgarihotels.com
3 LIBRARY BAR The Leela Palace, Banglalore
Indulge your passion for all-things colonial by paying a visit to the cosy yet ornate Library Bar that harks back to the time when the Vijaynagar dynasty ruled in grand splendour. www.theleela.com
4 DIANA BAR Sheraton Diana Majestic, Milan
Jet-set fashionistas, models and celebrities call this garden bar their local while mere plebeians come to gape at the gorgeous and graze on the best buffet to accompany their aperitivo in fashion's capital city. www.starwoodhotels.com
5 BUBBLES Palm Beach Hotel, Beirut
Lebanese Lotharios and their perfectly groomed companions strike a pose at this roof top bar that starts off sedately enough but kicks into gear later on at night when there is much dancing on tables. www.palmbeachbeirut.com
6 THE BLUE BAR The Berkeley, London
Delicate waifs seek their beaus in this haunt of exclusivity in London's Knightsbridge. Cool club music fills the eggshell-blue bar and the champagne and cocktail lists are as lavish, and celebrated, as the clientele. www.theberkeley.co.uk
7 15 BELOW W Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Sip an expertly made Cosmopolitan while seated on a comfy divan or else get your groove on and dance the night away, 15ft below sea level. www.whotels.com
8 ONYX Park Hyatt, Zurich
Slick, masculine and high-ceilinged, since it opened five years ago this has become the power scene in the world's centre of private banking. Expensive young men in Zegna suits sip excellent mojitos made with a vast choice of Caribbean rums; monied young women in Chanel. www.hyatt.com
9 LIGHT BAR AND LOUNGE Nordic Light Hotel, Stockholm
See the light at this achingly trendy, minimalist hotspot, full of Scandinavian design and art accents and installations, and which also rather surprisingly has one of the most comprehensive wine cellars, stocking more than 500 American wines. www.nordiclighthotel.se
10 KING COLE BAR St Regis, New York
Sophisticates gush about this gentleman's club-style, discrete New York institution decked out in dark woods with a Maxfield Parrish mural taking pride of place. Nab a banquette and make sure you order the signature Bloody Mary; this is where they were invented and nowhere does them better. www.starwoodhotels.com
