MR & MRS SMITH

Who: this guidebook-cum-agency uses celebrity reviewers such as Raymond Blanc and Stella McCartney, but don’t mistake the glamour for dilettantism - it’s serious about style hotels.

The nitty-gritty: Smith’s catalogue is luscious but a little predictable, with most of its 450 hotels already well known (its expanding self-catering section is quirkier).

You can book without being a member, but the £10 joining fee entitles you to perks such as complimentary champagne on arrival, late checkouts, “stay three nights, pay for two” deals and Smith Pounds (its version of air miles, with goodies such as Bill Amberg leather bags up for grabs). It’s particularly good for the UK, and the website is entertaining. 0845 034 0700, mrandmrssmith.com

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TABLET HOTELS

Who: this American-based site was co-founded by the fashion photographer Michael Davis and globetrotter Laurent Vernhes, with support from some high-profile hoteliers, including Chris Blackwell, of Island Outposts, and André Balazs, of Standard Hotels.

The nitty-gritty: with 1,400 hotels, it’s more comprehensive than rivals, particularly in America. The witty website includes real-time customer ratings (if a property falls below 15 out of 20, it is automatically removed).

Discounts can be as much as 30%. Nonmembers can use the site - good news, as membership is a hefty £130 a year, though it comes with privileges such as complimentary room upgrades, meals, spa treatments and airport transfers. tablethotels.com

TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE

Who: founded by a network of 150 travel writers (including AA Gill and William Dalrymple), whose recommendations furnish Travel Intelligence’s “carefully curated, lovingly handcrafted” portfolio.

The nitty-gritty: not surprisingly, there’s a strong journalistic feel to the presentation of its 1,600 mainly city-based hotels. The website offers reviews, of course, but also destination articles, interesting tittle-tattle about celebrity guests and inspirational “hotlists”.

It’s open to all: there’s no membership, and anyone can qualify for its special offers (discounts of up to 25% and free-night deals). Subscribe to its free newsletter for the heads-up on new openings, as well as entry to a monthly holiday draw - the current prize is two nights in Marrakesh at the Villas Fawakay. 020 7580 2663, travelintelligence.com

Or try: Travel Intelligence’s little sister, Chic Retreats (020 7307 2797, www.chicretreats.com ), which limits its scope to smaller, privately owned properties; Kiwi Collection (020 3178 7194, www.kiwicollection.com ), which has more than 2,100 glitzy five-star hotels on its books; and SLH (00 800 5254 8000, slh.com ), which concentrates on negotiating good-value bespoke experiences rather than arranging huge discounts on room rates.

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