Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok

As Thailand's tallest hotel (though construction is underway on a rival) the Baiyoke Sky Hotel soars 88 stories above Bangkok's streets. According to the hotel's website, that's the equivalent height of 182 people standing on top of each other.

There are 658 guest rooms in numerous categories (including a special block reserved for women with added security and "high-class services") and the hotel also features an outdoor pool and rotating observation deck on the 84th floor.

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel's location in Pratunam's fashion district makes it a friendly destination for shoppers. Less than a block from the hotel are the mega-malls of Siam and Petchaburi Roads.

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel is located at 222 Soi Ratchaprarop 3, Rathaprarop Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok; +66 2656 3000; rooms are available from THB 1,783 (US$60) in the hotel's Standard Zone (floors 22 to 45); www.baiyokehotel.com

Q1 Resort and Spa, Gold Coast (Australia)

This sleek skyscraper towers above other highrises of Australia's shiniest beachfront destination. The 526 apartments in Q1 are available for both long-term residents and vacationers, with glassed-in balconies that offer inland and ocean views.

The slanted, curved roof of the tower is meant to resemble both the Olympic torch and Sydney's iconic opera house. Q1 was designed not to cast shadows on its surroundings.

As well as being the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere (when measured to the top of its spire), Q1 is also the second tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind Auckland's Sky Tower.

Q1 Resort and Spa is located on Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Queensland; +61 7 5630 4500; rooms are available from AU$225 (US$234) for one-bedroom spa suites; www.q1.com.au