Its asymmetrical facade a Soviet-era monument to Stalin-inspired fears and indecision (the architect is said to have been unsure which design had been approved by the man himself), the Hotel Moskva opened in 1935. Close to Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre and the Kremlin, the hotel (which still adorns the labels on bottles of Stolichnaya vodka) was once the finest in the Soviet Union, but by the end of the 20th century its best days were far behind it, and in 2004 - in a move heavily criticised by many - it was demolished. Aside from an underground car park and some minor architectural changes, its replacement is a near replica of the original, and will open in October as the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow (above). During the demolition a reported 58 boxes of high explosives totalling 1,160kg were found in the bowels of the hotel. Reasons for the unexpected find, which would have wiped out the entire hotel and much of central Moscow if detonated, range from demolition in the case of German invasion, to a failed plot against Stalin. Either way, it was all safely cleared away and the hotel is now accepting reservations at www.fourseasons.com/moscow.

One of Australia's premier holiday resorts, One&Only Hayman Island (right) has just reopened following a six-month, multimillion-dollar facelift (the third major renovation since 2001). It is now somewhat smaller, with 160 suites, down from 209, and has a new pool wing and restaurants. Hayman - one of the Whitsunday Islands - has been a well-known luxury destination since aviation pioneer Reg Ansett bought it in 1947 and built a hotel here, bringing guests in by flying boat. Located close to the Great Barrier Reef, the resort offers plenty of water sports, diving and seaplane excursions, and will be giving 25 per cent discounts on accommodation until the end of September. For a closer look, and for online reservations, visit hayman.oneandonlyresorts.com.

Operating as the Crowne Plaza St James until the end of last year, St James' Court (below), a Taj Hotel in London, was officially taken over by its longtime Indian owners in January. Located about halfway between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Bridge, the hotel has received mixed online reviews since it rebranded, but rates are quite reasonable by London standards, and one special offer looks particularly good value. The Royal Vintage Summer Experience includes one night's accommodation with breakfast, afternoon tea for two and a three-hour tour around London in a vintage car from £395 (HK$5,250) including VAT. Vehicles on offer include the queen mother's "favourite" Jaguar DS420 Daimler limousine, the Rolls-Royce used as the family wheels in and Lord Mountbatten's vintage Daimler.Considering that Classic City Tours (classiccitytours.com) charges £300 for a similar two-hour drive around London in a humble Morris Minor, with neither tea nor accommodation provided, this seems to be a very good deal, and a pleasant way to start or end a visit to London. Click on the Offers link at www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk for further details and reservations.

A two-night package to Siem Reap, Cambodia, is on offer at Nanda Travel, starting from HK$2,290 per person (twin share) for round-trip, economy-class flights with Dragonair and accommodation at the modest Monoreach Angkor Hotel. Slightly higher priced hotel options include the Bopha Angkor Hotel, which gets mostly "Excellent" reviews at TripAdvisor, from HK$2,490, and the similarly rated Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa from HK$2,790. Two five-star resorts on offer include Le Meridien Angkor from HK$3,050 and Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa (below) from HK$3,750. Guests staying at the Anantara also receive a one-hour spa treatment for two, personal butler service and tuk-tuk transfers between the hotel and the downtown area. Daily breakfast is included in these prices, which will be available until the end of September. For further details and reservations, go to www.nandatravel.com or call 2522 3137.