Commune By The Great Wall, Beijing

The only hotel able to grant guests private access to an unrestored section of the Great Wall, this is about as exclusive an experience as you can get.

Add to that Commune's blissfully isolated location in China's green Shuiguan mountains, and you have a unique romantic retreat.

With 42 villas, designed by 12 Asian architects, dotted around eight square kilometres of land, it feels like a secret village in the hills.

Villas vary from elegant all-wood pads to concrete blocks, some sporting saunas, others a mountain-view terrace for a private barbecue and sunbathing. Be sure to book a treatment at the Anantara Spa and try the Beijing duck at the Courtyard Restaurant.

Wow factor: Relax with a book in the aptly named Peacock Room library - the walls are covered with the bird's feathers.

Go: Virgin Holidays and Hip Hotels (vhiphotels.co.uk) offer three nights B&B from £999 per person. Includes flights and transfers.