Spectacular settings, authentic style. . . here are forty more Highly Individual Places to make your beach experience unique.

Glittering turquoise waters, palm trees swaying in the breeze. going barefoot in the sand is almost a primal urge. But after hours of planes, trains and automobiles, an amazing beach isn't enough, we also want an amazing hotel - somewhere that captures the essence of its location in design, ambience and cuisine.

On the shores of six continents, each of these Hip Hotels expresses the uniqueness of its setting - a hidden cove on the south coast of Cornwall - the volcanic island of Santorini - an ecological reserve on Mexico's Pacific Coast - the new Hotel Hi in Nice.