When in Johannesburg, Oprah Winfrey stays at the Saxon and the Westcliff hotels. Nelson Mandela edited his memoirs at the Saxon after he was released from prison. President Clinton and Beyonce have also visited the 24-room resort, where wine racks replace minibars and spectacular African art adorns the rooms. Winfrey also stays at the Westcliff in the very exclusive Northern Suburbs of the city. “Celebrities often choose The Westcliff because of the private and secure estate, and the unique design of the hotel, which is not dissimilar to a Mediterranean-style village, ” explains Mark Holden, the hotel’s general manager.

For more information: The Saxon Hotel and The Westcliff

After an especially grueling British Open, Tiger Woods escaped to Cayo Espanto, a private island just off the coast of Belize. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have vacationed there as well. The five villas here have their own private docks and plunge pools, and each one comes with a personal butler.

For more information: Cayo Espanto

When Madonna and her family visited Soneva Fushi she reportedly scribbled "five definitions of heaven" in the guestbook. The mantra at this laid back private island hideaway is “no news, no shoes.” Cellphones are also a no no, but the rooms are equipped with quadraphonic hi-fi systems concealed behind rattan walls.

For more information: Soneva Fushi & Six Senses Spa

Guests including Madonna and Mick Jagger have idylled at La Loma, the grand estate at Cuixmala resort. Situated on a 32,473-acre Biosphere Reserve along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the hideaway is surrounded by rivers, lagoons and coconut plantations. And chances are you’ll spot wild boar, zebra, gazelles and sea turtles roaming nearby.

For more information: Cuixmala

When Ron Wood and Charlie Watts stayed at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the duo enjoyed singing karaoke in the Mount Temple Ballroom with friends and family. The hotel lies on the shore of Lake Louise, and is ringed by Rocky Mountain peaks.

For more information: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The stones like to roll. Last year, Keith Richards visited the Wakaya Club, situated on a private island in Fiji. With a staff to ratio of twelve to one, Mr. Richards' needs were undoubtedly well attended.

For more information: The Wakaya Club

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie celebrated the New Year at Caneel Bay, an understated resort founded by Laurance Rockefeller in 1956. The original "eco resort," Caneel Bay was designed to preserve the surrounding environment; the rooms are adorned with native stone and hand-crafted furnishings. The Jolie-Pitt family resided in Rockefeller’s five-bedroom residence, Cottage Seven, which has the best ocean views.

For more information: Caneel Bay

Once the winter residence of author Ian Fleming, who wrote 13 James Bond thrillers there (and entertained Truman Capote and Elizabeth Taylor), Goldeneye is now owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Mr. Depp recently enjoyed the resort's laid back vibe, which is accented with hip touches like Balinese furnishings, bamboo canopy beds and white muslin drapes. The three-bedroom main house, where Fleming lived, overlooks a private cove and has his original desk.

For more information: Goldeneye

Sir Elton John recently enjoyed the hospitality at The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, located 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta. The newly debuted 20,455 square foot five-bedroom Coral Suite (with its own gym, media room and spa area) is the perfect accommodation for the celebrity with entourage in tow. In fact, recent occupants included Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.

For more information: Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

For their honeymoon, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes visited the private island resort of Kurumba in the Maldives. The area has world-class scuba diving, and is known for its thriving population of Hawksbill turtles, Bluefin tuna and Angelfish. Every suite is luxurious, but the Royal Kurumba Residence, a suite with two swimming pools, enormous sitting room and beachfront verandah is the big Kahuna.

For more information: Kurumba Resort

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bono and Leonardo DeCaprio are all fans of this chic South Beach hotel. The beauty here is in the details: teak floors, terrazzo soaking tubs, Bose sound systems, Lavazza espresso coffeemakers, Acqua di Parma bath products, rainforest showers, pure Irish linens (because they adjust to your body temperature best), and Dux beds imported from Sweden (they cost $7,000 a piece and have 360 more coils than a normal mattress). The hotel will also provide you with your hometown paper.

For more information: The Setai

Luminaries including Steven Spielberg, Mel Gibson and Oprah Winfrey have enjoyed Necker Island, a private island in the British Virgin Islands owned by Sir Richard Branson. The Balinese-style guesthouses feature private whirlpools and dedicated massage rooms.

For more information: Necker Island