World's Coolest Beach Hotels

Stretches of unspoiled white sand, shady palm trees, sparkling turquoise seas - beach holidays are still the most popular way to escape from it all!

Here are the 10 top spots to pose in your Chanel swimsuit with a cocktail in your hand; the coolest beach hotels in the world.

1. W Retreat and Spa, Maldives

One of the world's premier chains, W Hotels have truly outdone themselves at their Maldives retreat. Set on a private island, it's a favourite hideaway for VIPs. From the infinity pool to the six lavish dining options and designer cocktails at UMbar, this luxury hotel is the epitome of beachside chic.

2. Albergo della Regina Isabella, Ischica, Italy

Ischica has been famed for centuries for its thermal baths and, with one of the best spas in Europe, the Regina Isabella has become a home from home for the cream of Italian high society. Opulent, hand-carved furnishings and soft sorbet shades compliment the old-fashioned elegance of the island setting.

3. Aleenta Phuket - Phang Nga, Thailand

Luxurious villas and a long stretch of private beach make the Aleenta Phuket an idyllic place to indulge. In every room, pre-programmed iPods keep guests entertained with the latest tunes. Nearby, the Phang Nga National Park is home to many of the world's best dive sites.

4. The Chedi, Muscat, Oman

Oman might not be the first place that springs to mind for luxury beach hotels, but everything about The Chedi is fashionable. The emphasis on clean lines and exquisite gardens add to the oasis calm. For party-lovers, there are complimentary (and refillable) decanters of gin, whisky and vodka in each room.

5. Four Seasons Resort, Maui, Hawaii

Both the Four Seasons and Maui conjure up images of Hollywood stars sipping champagne, and this lavish hotel doesn't disappoint. Smooth service, seaside massages and free diving keep the iconic resort a firm favourite.

6. Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte, Salvador, Brazil

Eco-chic is hot on the celebrity scene right now, and this sumptuous hideaway offers sophistication, Ocean views and a five-star spa - all with a clean conscience.

7. El Hotel Pacha, Ibiza, Spain

Long a by-word for cutting-edge music, Pacha has the world's coolest clubbing clientele. This minimalist suite-only hotel is a stone's throw from the super club and includes free entry.

8. Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa Hotel, French Polynesia

Stranded on a tiny tropical island in the South Pacific, the Bora Bora Nui Resort is breath-taking from the moment of arrival. Refined service draws in the cream of the paradise-seekers.

9. Cap Estel, Cote d'Azur, France

The top hotel on the star-studded French Rivera, Cap Estel is so outrageously trendy that it looks like a set from a James Bond movie.

10. Floris Suite Hotel, Netherlands Antilles

Oozing elegant style, this luxury escape in the Dutch Caribbean is a top spot for hip urbanites. Philippe Stark's design brings New York cool to the minimalist interior.

Tom Ingrams is a travel writer who specialises in the higher end of the market, paying particular attention to the very best luxury and beach hotels from around the world.

Scuba Diving in Thailand - the Secrets of One of the World's Most Popular Diving Destinations

Thailand has one of the world's most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations.

There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centres, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.

It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Phuket and the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving in Phuket is of the highest standard, and the waters surrounding the 'island' host a number of excellent dive sites. However, the real underwater treasures of Phuket lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia's finest dive sites.

The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world's most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centres and excellent dive sites.

Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Pattaya, Krabi, Ko Chang and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centres.

Today, Thailand is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.

Mark Burns is Director of Scubaworld.tv, a large scuba diving site specializing in scuba diving in Thailand and a leading provider of information on Scuba diving in Phuket