Lately we've noticed a profusion of cubes in the world of hotel design -- modern, self-contained pods set in some of planet's most otherworldly landscapes.

When it's time to really get away, there's nothing quite like the intimacy of a place all your own. These one- and two-room hotels run the gamut from a rural New Zealand farmhouse to a royal Roman residence, and they all come with maximum privacy.

The surf is always up somewhere. Whether it's a sandy little casita in a far-flung Mexican backwater or a high-gloss resort on the cliffs of Santa Catarina you're after, these eight surf hotels can all put you on a wave.

With winter upon us in the northern hemisphere, it's time to warm up with some of our favorite hotel hearths. Because whether you're high in the Alps or at the heart of a city, there's nothing quite like sitting by the fire.

The arms race to wire hotel rooms with the latest, highest-tech toys means there's no shortage of options for the gadget geek, the telecommuter or even the gamer. But the best hotels go further than simply plugging in the newest electronics.

Any decent hotel these days comes with an iPod connector, but for a more immersive musical experience, it's time to see a specialist.

Long gone are the days when a hotel could get by with a random smattering of thoughtless watercolors.

Your hotel choice can say a lot about what you think of your guy or gal. For something more inspired than a run-of-the-mill rendezvous, try one of these

Everyone loves a beach hotel, but for an added bit of drama -- and a much improved view -- there's nothing like a cliffside perch.

Some people book a hotel room for the view, others for the tub, but it's the intrepid traveler who knows that the single most important room amenity is the bed.

Whether it's the fresh air, the towering views or the refreshing libation in hand, life at the top -- the rooftop, that is -- is good.

Museums grab the headlines and private homes pay the bills, but for architects, hotels are a unique way to let the audience get up close and personal with the work.

The Red City will eventually goad you towards the markets.

Old fashioned doesn't have to be a pejorative. And yes, sometimes bigger is just a little bit better.

This year's Lollapalooza festival kicks off on August 3 in Chicago's Grant Park, and to get you in the mood, the team at Tablet has created a special 10-song preview of this year's lineup.

These hotels are social spaces, with lobbies and lounges that are made for mixing. It's easy enough to simply turn up and see who you meet, the old-fashioned way.

There are times when you want more than just sand and surf.

Whether you're atoning for some winter overindulgence or just trying to find your inner zen, here are 10 handpicked Tablet hotels for a bit of clean living.

This week, we trail Christiane Lemieux, the globe-trotting founder of the home furnishings and decor line, DwellStudio, as she takes us south to Be Playa in Mexico's Playa del Carmen.

Some hotel rooms are just places to lay your head in between adventures. These ten, on the other hand, are our picks for staying in, for days and nights at a time.