Perhaps the stock options panned out, the inheritance came through or the trust fund was finally cashed; in any event, there's serious change burning a hole in your pocket. When money is no object, rubbing elbows with celebrities the norm, and pampering expected, it's probably time to check out some proper millionaire hangouts. Around the globe people have made it their business to give the wealthy a place to relax, eat well and, most importantly, spend their money. Private beaches, world-renowned chefs, five-star service, vintage wines and yachts help make a place superb and allow a guest to live like - perhaps even with - a king.

1. Cotton House Resort

Location: Mustique Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies

What's Cool: Pillow Menu, featuring five varieties of pillows for guests to choose from

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Cotton House Resort, on the private island of Mustique, offers tranquillity in a pristine plantationsetting. Celebrities and royalty find respite from the eyes of the paparazzi in this secure tropicalsetting, choosing from accommodations such as the Coutinot Deluxe Master Room, which features a marble garden bath and shower, four-poster king-size bed draped in mosquito netting, furnished verandas and views of the Grenadines and Tobago Cays. Guests rushing to commence their relaxation can opt to have a chambermaid unpack and press their belongings upon arrival. Sprawling white sand beaches are dotted with thatched huts, and the water provides a wealth of sports including scuba diving and snorkeling. Motorized carts may be rented to explore Mustique's lush tropical terrain. The island also plays host to numerous hiking trails, the quaint Basil's Bar, an equestrian center and an ice cream shop.

2. Inn at Little Washington

Location: Washington, Virginia

What's Cool: Two resident Dalmatians sporting pearl necklaces

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Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies the Inn at Little Washington, a colonial-style country haven, where owners Patrick O'Connell and Reinhardt Lynch have left no charming detail overlooked. The nine rooms and three suites are furnished with treasures garnered from the owners' European travels. The penthouse suites feature marble bathrooms with jetted tubs and balconies overlooking the forested hills. More precious than the Inn are the restaurant's culinary delights, which have won Chef Patrick O'Connell countless culinary awards. Impeccable service and delectable dishes have made the Inn a favorite with people such as Barbara Streisand, Paul Newman, former president George Bush and Alan Greenspan, who even held his wedding here.

3. St. Moritz, Switzerland

Location: Swiss Alps

What's Cool: Average of 322 sunny days per year for the perfect winter resort climate

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Situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet, St. Moritz provides some the best skiing and outdoor activities in the world and has been considered the ideal Alpine getaway by German and Italian aristocracy, movie stars, prominent politicians, financiers and artists. Area mineral springs, polo and Lake St. Moritz keep visitors entertained through winter and into summer. The frozen lake acts as unique grounds for winter horse racing, golf and a cross-country race. Badrutt's Palace Hotel seems to have been created for those seeking the ultimate luxury stay in the Alps. Amid the rich Alpine décor, facilities include three tennis courts, natural ice rink, Palace Ski School and the Palace Gallery and Arcade featuring names such as Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Cartier.

4. Cannes Film Festival

Location: Cannes, France

What's Cool: Celebrity stargazing opportunities galore

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A premier showcase for glamour, the Cannes Film Festival provides a springboard for careers in cinema, but almost more importantly, it offers a runway for the very rich and very famous to flaunt their opulent lifestyles. With over 4,000 journalists present for the 10-day event, the spotlight is certainly turned toward this Riviera town, and movie screenings and theme parties offer glimpses of the festival's splendor. The Palais des Festivals is at the heart of Cannes, where the largest screenings take place and where the famous red-carpeted steps lie. The Carlton Inter-Continental Cannes offers a timeless majesty that has made it one of the foremost sites to "see and be seen." Private beaches, theme parties and La Côte restaurant and Bar des Célébrités help embellish the hotel's stellar reputation.

5. Antigua Race Week

Location: St. John's, Antigua

What's Cool: Lay Day in the middle of the week

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Antigua Race Week held in late April/early May has been touted as one of the top five regattas in the world and the finest in the Caribbean. Yachters from around the globe participate in races between 16 and 28 miles long, boasting sponsors such as Rolex, American Express and American National Bank. Both sailors and spectators will be kept busy by the week's events calendar, which includes the parties of Lay Day, intended for sailors' rest, which draws thousands into boats at Falmouth Harbor for a day devoted to music, food and lots to drink; Saturday's Dockyard Day, where events include a fiercely competitive tug-of-war; a presentation of prizes ceremony in the Old Officer's Quarters; and Lord Nelson's Ball - the culminating extravaganza.

6. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons

Location: Great Milton, England

What's Cool: The countless vegetable and herb varieties growing in the two-acre kitchen garden

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When London's feverish pulse grows tiring, the wealthy can seek escape in the tranquillity of Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons. This 15th-century manor house rests upon 27 splendid acres of English countryside and was discovered by the world-class chef Raymond Blanc, who has transformed it into a renowned inn and restaurant. The 19 rooms and 13 suites have been designed individually and feature both period and contemporary styles. Blanc's cuisine has been lauded for its art and style, and it is recommended that guests indulge in the Menu Gourmand, offering seven of Blanc's dishes. The food is so exquisitely prepared that the Ecole de Cuisine, a premier European cooking school, offers courses here from August to April. The property boasts manicured gardens, sculptures and even a traditional Japanese tea house.

7. Delano Hotel

Location: Miami Beach, Florida

What's Cool: All-white, minimalist décor with lobby furniture designed by Gaudi and Salvador Dali

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South Beach is a city pulsing with passion, and those who can afford to experience the attitude at its finest will stay at the Delano Hotel, owned by Ian Shrager (former Studio 54 owner) and designed by minimalist Philippe Starck. Before entering the splendid lobby, guests must first pass through the tall entryway, which is sheathed with gauzy white drapes billowing in the ocean breeze. The seemingly endless lobby features a bar, an eat-in kitchen complete with a long table of complimentary food for guests, a billiards area, and the incredibly chic Blue Door restaurant, which is partly owned by Madonna. The pool area boasts underwater music, a life-size chess set, bungalows and hammocks. Guests seeking solace might want to indulge in the rooftop spa, Agua, which offers fine vistas of South Beach. Rooms are bedecked in white and are masterpieces of modern design, with down comforters, marble baths and fresh, white orchids.

8. Le Trois Glorieuses

Location: Beaune, France

What's Cool: Six-course feast at Clos de Vougeot with chevaliers, ribald songs and speeches

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Heralded as the world's most famous charity wine auction, "Les Trois Glorieuses," or The Three Glorious Days, helps set the stage for the unveiling of each Burgundy wine season. Wine aficionados descend upon the town of Beaune for this event benefiting the Hospices of Beaune. Historically, area vineyards donated parcels of their land to help finance the Hospices and since 1851, to help the cause, wines have been sold at the annual auction, held every third weekend in November. Throughout the weekend tastings take place in countless wine cellars. Members of the "Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin" wine fraternity, clothed in traditional red velvet robes and hats, convene on Saturday night at the chateau Clos de Vougeot, for an opulent six-course feast. Each new course is greeted with hunting horns, and serving ladies make sure that wineglasses are never empty. The auction itself is held on Sunday.

9. Buck's Diner

Location: Woodside, California

What's Cool: Kitschy décor includes astronaut suits and paintings of Che Guevara

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Tucked inconspicuously among the austere, mirrored-glass fronts of Silicon Valley's startup companies is a cozy, down-home diner called Buck's, a modest setting for a place where millionaire dreams really do come true. Sitting in Naugahyde chairs, dot.com hopefuls share their plans with venture capitalists, and ideas jotted down on napkins are transformed by an investor's billions into the Web's newest hotspots. Netscape was started here, and venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson recently donated a breakfast with himself at Buck's for a charity fund-raiser.

10. Positano

Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy

What's Cool: Private boats to explore the Amalfi coastline and nearby islands

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Nestled into the sloping Amalfi Coast is the town of Positano, which has long enchanted guests such as John Steinbeck, Franco Zeffirelli and Lawrence Olivier. The village's winding streets seem to creep up toward the heavens and are perpetually dotted with colorful boutiques, restaurants, charming courtyards and gardens. Visitors seeking luxury accommodations will want to stay at La Sirenuse, an 18th-century palazzo-turned-hotel boasting antique furniture and objects d'art in its guest rooms. Hotel guests can indulge in authentic Neapolitan cuisine, enjoy spectacular views of the Bay of Positano at the La Sponda Restaurant, charter the hotel's boat for bathing and touring along the coast, or schedule a soothing massage.
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