A destination can leave a lasting impression on travelers, but how often do travelers get to leave a lasting impression on a destination? At New Zealand's Treetops Luxury Lodge, each guest is invited to plant a tree with the staff. As owner of that tree, guests are encouraged to name it and revel in the fact that they own a bit of New Zealand's lush, green landscape. Since the program's inception in 2001, about 4,000 native trees have been planted throughout the property, says Treetops Manager Heiko Kaiser. The trees cover land that was logged in the 1800s.

For more information: Treetops

Forget the minibar. Four Seasons properties around the world are offering private residencies for guests, and will stock favorite foods in the refrigerator and on the kitchen shelves before arrival. Mention a favorite wine to be added to the grocery list and say goodbye to pocket-sized liquors. The residences, available at eight properties from British Columbia to Indonesia, include houses with two to five bedrooms, some totaling 9,000 square feet. Of course, if something was left off the grocery list, there's still the option of room service.

For more information: Four Seasons Hotels

Guests at Australia's Qualia resort can explore Hamilton Island by two-seater electric golf buggy, the transportation of choice here. On the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia is at the secluded northern tip. After trips to the reef, scenic flights and koala cuddling, the buggies are handy for getting through the bush setting to any of the island's dozen restaurants. These are guaranteed to resort guests, a handy perk since the rental companies sell out quickly during peak seasons.

For more information: Qualia

Stomp past bamboo shoots and through rice paddies atop an elephant, a resident member of the Anatara hotel group's Golden Triangle location in Thailand. Sunrise "drives" are easily arranged and led by elephant gurus, called mahouts. In the afternoon heat, treat the gentle beast to a river dip, an elephant favorite according to the mahouts. The camp is part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, which means the animals' care is well regulated. But if an elephant ride is out of the question, watch the mahouts communicate with the elephants through soft verbal commands and taps behind the ear.

For more information: Golden Triangle

Located on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles Mountains overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this Cape Town hotel and spa encourages guests to take advantage of the surrounding landscape, natural vegetation and the trails of Table Mountain National Park. Twelve Apostles will pack a gourmet picnic hamper for guests to enjoy at one of eight private mountain picnic sites; or. they'll provide blankets and an umbrella for those who prefer a beach spot. The picnic is packed to guests' individual tastes and may include smoked salmon and cream cheese with wild garlic on a toasted bagel, tomato and mozzarella with wild dagga pesto on a cape seed loaf and lemon geranium and vanilla cup cakes.

For more information: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

Any traveler arriving at Northern Michigan's Mackinac Island, whether by ferry or small plane, is met with the question of how to get to the Grand Hotel, the tiny island's massive resort. Of course travelers could hoof it with bags in tow, but the Grand's horse-drawn taxi system is much more romantic. A well-appointed driver guides a team of horses pulling a stately, covered coach through the car-free streets.

For more information: Grand Hotel

The sixth floor of the Naumi Hotel in Singapore's business district is strictly for ladies. That goes for staff, too. Female travelers experience a spa-like setting in guest rooms with plush carpets, soft lighting and designer wallpaper. Fashion magazines, aromatherapy and all-natural products—make-up remover, toner and cleanser from Aesop—fill the space. A security door ensures the floor is restricted to women only, and an all-female staff fusses over guests' every need.

For more information: Naumi Hotel

A week-long, $1 million stay at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi includes a day trip to Iran in a private jet so guests can oversee the creation of their own hand-made Persian carpet from well-known artisans. That's it, you ask? Of course not. Take two more day trips in the jet: one to the Dead Sea, Jordan, to experience the sea and have a luxurious spa treatment; the other to Bahrain, where a pearl from the deep sea will be hand-designed into a jewelry setting of the guest's choice.

For more information: Emirates Palace

For guests of this ranch in Canada's wild west, log lodges, open spaces and outdoor activities may be the draw. But meals in the 100-year-old main lodge easily steal the show. Four- and five-course gourmet dinners start with menus personalized to each diner. Guests should look for their names to appear elsewhere throughout the meal, including in edible forms. After all is served, the chef will visit each table to talk about the experience, answer any questions and take requests for the rest of the stay.

For more information: Little Beaver Creek Ranch

For all those times guests wanted to create a music-video-worthy pillow fight in their hotel room, the Ritz in Palm Beach will provide the ammunition. "Pillow Games" offers two versions: 30 tiny silk pillows, miniature boxing gloves, a disc of mood-appropriate music and game suggestions are always included. The "PG" crowd adds on milk and cookies. The "R" crowd gets chocolate, champagne and a feather tickler.

For more information: Ritz-Carlton