We present a who’s hue of the most luxurious backdrops for those in need of some vitamin sea .

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always ourselves we find in the sea,” wrote the poet Mr EE Cummings about the restorative power of water. Some of us crave the navy blue of a Norwegian fjord; others the turquoise of the Indian Ocean or the wine-dark water of the Aegean. Whatever your favourite Pantone shade, relax and rest assured that we’ve scoured the world for the hotels where you can experience the deepest, brightest, most exhilarating blues. 

Whether you prefer beaches or mountains, renowned resorts or boutique gems, there’s one thing that ties all of these carefully selected properties together: a superabundance of everybody’s favourite primary colour. Scroll through the gallery for the ultimate blue hotels.

Perched on the Datça Peninsula, the D-Hotel Maris overlooks the exact point where two of the prettiest seas on the planet – the Mediterranean and Aegean – meet. As a result, blue is everywhere and the hotel (which reopens on 29 April) makes the most of it. Nearly all of the 200 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and sunken marble baths from which to soak up the spectacular seascape. The hotel’s five private beaches are dressed with imported white sand to better showcase the blazing blue waters, while its 100ft yacht Pasa and her crew can be hired by guests to explore otherwise inaccessible islands and sheltered coves.

**Blue bonus:**The nearest airports – Bodrum and Dalaman – are up to two and a half hours’ drive away; the smart money is on the 25-minute helicopter transfer across the shimmering sea.

For your little blue book:dhotel.com.tr

What to pack

It takes something truly special to stand out amid the deluge of luxury in the Maldives, but Hideaway Beach does exactly that – and then some. The renowned tropical sanctuary has recently reopened following a £35m facelift, and the results are magnificent. Alongside one of the finest spas in the Indian Ocean, there are now no less than 103 generously sized villas, built over the lagoon or tastefully scattered amid the coconut groves. The island’s reef forms a natural harbour for Hideaway’s marina – the first of its kind anywhere in the Maldives and a dream for watersports fans. Spend lazy days snorkelling, kayaking, sailing a traditional Maldivian dhoni or indulging your James Bond fantasies by jet-skiing out to uninhabited islands on the horizon.

**Blue bonus: **Book one of Hideaway’s new Ocean Suites, perched on wooden stilts over the sparkling blue lagoon. Each has its own infinity pool and spacious private veranda to enjoy incredible views of the endless blue horizon. 

**For your little blue book: **hideawaybeachmaldives.com

What to pack

Nicknamed the “soul of Siberia”, Lake Baikal is gigantic: the largest freshwater lake by volume on the planet no less. It’s also home to one of Russia’s finest boutique hotels: the Baikal Residence. Awarded Europe’s best “Luxury Eco Safari Lodge” at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2014, it is situated on an imposing cliff towards the lake’s northern end. Predictably, the views from all 17 rooms are spectacular, and there are rivers, hot springs and waterfalls to explore, before a luxurious Russian banya (a traditional sauna) back at the hotel. It’s all about crystal air, clear water and pure relaxation: the rejuvenation of body and mind in the soul of Siberia.

**Blue bonus: **The hotel has its own private hovercraft, a nippy 10-seater which can be hired exclusively by guests for a unique spin around gargantuan Lake Baikal.  ** For your little blue book: **baikalresidence.ru

What to pack

Tahiti is an international byword for indulgence, but the professional pleasure-hunters head deeper into French Polynesia, to the little known isle of Le Taha’a. Nicknamed Vanilla Island, this sandy atoll positively glows with peace and tranquility – or that could just be the ridiculously translucent turquoise waters lapping at its sands. The extraordinary colours here need to be seen – and instagrammed – to be believed. And you won’t be needing any of those filters either. The resort’s trophy cabinet is already groaning under the weight of international awards shoved into it, and they’d be well advised to build a bigger one. As soon as possible.

**Blue bonus: **Book the End of Pontoon Overwater Suite, the most private of the string of villas built over the lagoon – and the one boasting the finest view. Then gaze out from your private deck for a wonderful, uninterrupted triple blue hit: lagoon, ocean and reef.

**For your little blue book: **letahaa.com

What to pack

Italy’s see-and-be-seen island is often referred to as Isola Azzurra (Blue Isle), thanks to the intense shade of the azure waters here, bathing its tiny coves and caves in a warm electric glow. The hottest of Capri’s many elegant hotels is undoubtedly JK Place, a five-star boutique jewel, which reopens on 23 April. Dubbed “the handsomest hotel in Europe” by Tatler, it’s superbly positioned on a crag overlooking the sparkling waters of Marina Grande. Impeccably designed and decorated, each of the bedrooms boasts a marble bathroom and four-poster bed, while the overall look – as with the incredible views across the Gulf of Naples – is a deep marine blue.

**Blue bonus: **On a clear night, Le Grottelle – a trattoria in the rocks overlooking the bay – is extraordinarily romantic. ** For your little blue book: **jkcapri.com

What to pack

An ultra-luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island reopened earlier this month after a serious spruce-up. Picture five-star luxury meeting the quintessential Australian beach house, then pour in some of the world’s finest diving and snorkelling for good measure. It’s a thrilling sense of liberty when your suite’s private terrace overlooks the Great Barrier Reef – and every morning you can choose which of the 24 glorious beaches you’d like to enjoy it from.

Blue bonus: The world-famous Cod Hole is just a short hotel boat ride away. One of the most renowned places to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s an excellent place to see the whole aquatic carnival up close, including pairs of the enormous electric-blue Maori Wrasse.   ** For your little blue book: **lizardisland.com.au

What to pack

Built in the style of a traditional Norwegian tun or farmstead, the Storfjord Hotel is quite possibly the cosiest place you’ll ever stay. Tucked high into a wooded hillside, it boasts epiphany-inducing views over Storfjorden, one of Norway’s largest fjords, from beneath a grass-covered roof. Fjord-filled days of hiking, kayaking, mountain biking or salmon fishing will inevitably end in one of the comfy designer chairs by the hotel’s roaring fire, but there’s nothing to stop you remaining there the whole time, simply marvelling at the view. Every evening, home-cooked Norwegian specialities are served in a candlelit timbered room, washed down by warming shots of the local Akevitt. Possibly the biggest bonus of all, considering its remoteness, is the hotel’s proximity to Ålesund and its airport. Taking no more than an hour, your transfer is a beautiful drive through the heart of Norway’s magnificent fjordland.

Blue bonus: A short drive from the hotel is one of Norway’s best-loved and most dramatic waterfalls, the Seven Sisters. Well worth an excursion (the hotel will prepare you a picnic), it cascades into the beautiful, Unesco World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord.  ** For your little blue book:** storfjordhotel.com

What to pack

In 2012, Boracay was named the Best Island in the World by Travel + Leisure magazine. No mean feat considering there are more than 100,000 inhabited islands on the planet – and countless others under the all-seeing aegis of tourism. Fortunately, it has a world-class hotel to match its elevated status – in the shape of Shangri-La Boracay Resort. Occupying a serene eco-reserve, the elegant property has two opposing beachfronts, specifically designed to allow guests to follow the sun across the deep blue sky all day.

Blue bonus: It might seem counterintuitive for a beach holiday, but book yourself into one of the resort’s 11 Tree House Villas. From up high you’ll enjoy far better panoramas – particularly from your private hot tub overlooking the glistening bay. ** For your little blue book:** shangri-la.com

What to pack