Hip holidays for 2004

6. Bhutan
Wherever Christina Ong goes, the fabulous set follows. So expect Bhutan to be the next big thing. After opening hotels in the Turks & Caicos (Parrot Cay), the Maldives (Cocoa Island) and Bangkok (the Metropolitan), not to mention London's eternally hip Metropolitan Hotel, Ong has set her sights on a farming community in western Bhutan. Her new Uma Paro hotel (set to open in May 2004) will surely transform this Himalayan kingdom that has until now only attracted visitors like Bill Gates and the Prince of Wales. Look for future names more along the lines of Bruce Willis and Donna Karan, faithful Ong devotees. www.kingdomofbhutan.com

7. Maldives
For years, the Maldives were an insiders' secret, with just a few beach bungalows catering to barefoot hippie adventurers. Now this series of almost 1,200 white pancakes of sand southwest of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean has become a resort mecca. Where to stay? That's the big quandary, as all the major luxury brands have outposts here. The Four Seasons pampers guests on its own offshore spa 'island', while rooms at Christina Ong's Cocoa Island (see Bhutan, above) are modelled on floating boats. The competition intensifies this winter: Huvafen Fushi resort will have the world's first underwater spa. www.visitmaldives.com

8. Belize
Move over Costa Rica. Central America's latest darling is Belize, a 22-year-old country with shovel-loads of style. Belize owes much of its newfound status to Francis Ford Coppola, owner of two luxe hotels. In the jungle, Blancaneaux Lodge sometimes doubles as an artists' colony, while his latest, Turtle Inn, has a Bali-meets-Belize vibe. Also making waves is Mata Chica, which can be reached only by boat and has been luring celebs like Cameron Diaz and Bryan Ferry. www.travelbelize.org

9. Dubai
It's no news that Dubai - a direct flight from London - is a celebrity favourite. Witness recent visits by Wesley Snipes and Naomi Campbell. But now the rest of the world is catching on, helping transform this Arabian Disneyland into a world-class shopping and hotel destination. Kuwait's Villa Moda (designed by Wallpaper founder Tyler Brulé) is said to be on its way. And Sol Kerzner, the mastermind of Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, is hard at work on a massive resort on Dubai's own man-made offshore island. dubaitourism.co.ae

10. Beirut
Iconoclastic designer Philippe Starck. French architect Jean Nouvel. These are just a couple of the names involved in the reinvention of Lebanon's capital. Before a 15-year civil war nearly levelled the city, Beirut was called the Paris of the Middle East. Now it's reclaiming that moniker, with the opening of chic discos, restaurants, design stores, and hotels. And in an ode to its stormy past, there's even a nightclub in a former military bunker. Paris should be so lucky. www.travel-to-lebanon.com