Ranking the best hotels in the world is difficult. Every individual hotel comes with similar services and functions, and yet each is unique in its features and specialties. Here is a countdown of twenty-five of the best hotels the world has to offer. Happy travelling!
25. Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico
This Four Seasons Resort was the first luxury hotel to arrive on Punta Mita. Situated on the Bahai de Banderas stretch, most casitas face the Pacific Ocean where you can go whale watching, snorkeling, diving and of course, swimming. There are five pools located throughout the resort, including an infinity pool and smaller plunge pools. This Four Season’s haven has many designer features such as a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus and a seafood restaurant by Richard Sandoval.
24. Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy
Situated on the highest point of Ravello, with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, this 11th Century limestone palace features colourful frescoes and Moorish arches. Each room is fitted with mosaic tile floors and complimentary private gardens, whilst the rooftop pool appears to blend seamlessly with the Mediterranean. Take an afternoon tour of the Amalfi coast on the hotel’s traditional wooden boat Ercole and have dinner in the renowned Belvedere Restaurant.
23. Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, New York
Following a fire in the 19th Century, this resort was rebuilt with the aim to outshine its original rustic roots. However, the arts and crafts, handmade birch beds and Adirondack chairs covered in blankets still make the Lake Placid Lodge feel as homely as ever. If you intend to explore the surrounding area regardless of the weather, the lodge offers boats, bikes, skis, snowshoes and toboggans free of charge. Then return for the nightly bonfire to roast s’mores. After all that exploring, you’ll be grateful for the complimentary wicker baskets brimming with pancakes and preserves every morning.
22. Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, California
This 157-acre ranch is secretly tucked away inside a canyon surrounded by ancient oaks on the steps of the Silverado Trail. Each detached lodge has incredible details that will help you to fully experience the wonder of the world around you, with panoramic windows, outdoor rain showers and double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplaces available in every cabin. If you want to explore more than the morning yoga and wine tasting, there’s a Mercedes-Benz onsite that you can borrow.
21. The Goring, London, England
Having been recently renovated, the Front Hall of The Goring now features hand painted scenes of London Zoo, whilst other walls are laden with hand dyed silks. Footmen and Butlers are constantly available to take requests whether they are a picnic in a royal park, a Shetland pony or an ironed newspaper.
20. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
With twenty-five stories, the Mandarin Oriental was the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong at the time of its completion. Now, the hotel remains remarkable due to it’s black marble floors, glazed ceramics, velvets and polished wooden panels. There is even a retail section popular amongst guests and natives, featuring Café Cuasette and Cake Shop, which serves dim sum, quiche and intricately designed wedding cakes.
19. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Despite being situated between paddy fields and just twenty minutes away from the city of Chiang Mai, this Four Seasons Resort has a serene atmosphere. Poolside villas with vaulted ceilings and teak floors bear a resemblance to Thai temples whilst the spas, private steam rooms and outdoor soaking tubs add a modern twist.
18. Park Hyatt Paris – Vendome, Paris, France
The combination of limestone and mahogany throughout these five amalgamated Haussmann-era townhouses creates a stylish atmosphere with a hint of charm. Not only does this hotel have an impressive art collection, each room includes handmade furniture, silk sheets and golden shades. The two-story Presidential Suite has hosted many celebrities from Madonna to the Dalai Lama.
17. Cavallo Point Lodge, Sausalito, California
Gracing the peeks of the Marin Headlands, this hotel with eco-friendly rooms and sprawling lawns is spectacularly different from Fort Baker, which stood there before it. Each with fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay, you can choose between whitewashed rooms with porches or modern rooms with bamboo furniture.
16. The Peninsular Hong Kong, Hong Kong
As you pass the fountain surrounded by fourteen custom Rolls-Royce limousines its difficult to not be impressed. Bellboys and a string quartet welcome you to the thirty-eight-story building, as you are lead to your room, which has Burswood cabinets, vintage hardware and a tablet that controls curtains, lighting and the 3D television. If you’d like to see more of the city than book a helicopter tour of the Geopark, departing from the rooftop helipad: the only one in the city.
15. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
Views of Table Mountain and the harbor come second only to the wonderful level of hospitality at Cape Grace. As soon as you set foot on the hotel’s private quay, you’ll experience the staff’s attentive, thoughtful details. This is particularly true of the storybooks included in each of the 121 rooms, which details the unique story of the hotel.
14. Inn At Little Washington, Washington, Virginia
Although this inn only has eighteen rooms, it has become a travel destination for many. Originally a garage, the inn now has cashmere throws, 17th Century French Château floors and amethyst-studded ceilings. Make sure to visit the Windsor Castle-inspired kitchen designed by Joyce Evans to taste one of Chef Patrick O’Connell’s many legendary dishes.
13. Le Bristol, Paris, France
Following a $130 million renovation, this ninety-year-old 19th Century hotel is as superb as ever, with gilded ceilings dating back to 1925. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure you have the best views of the Eiffel Tower, while the Michelin Star awarded Epicure Restaurant will keep you well fed. You may recognise the Panoramic Suite, with its French paintings, private gym and lavender bedroom from Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris.
12. Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa
Possibly best known as the location Nelson Mandela chose to write his autobiography following his release, the Saxon Hotel is a spectacular place. With swimming pools with underwater music, koi ponds and a 10-acre garden, this hotel in the Sandhurst suburbs hosts a fantastic collection of African art spread throughout its fifty-three rooms.
11. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The very pinnacle of Riviera Maya, this hotel near Cancun has 130 rooms, some of which are suspended over a lagoon. Yucatan limestone and cantilevered roofs blend with the natural area so you can enjoy outdoor garden showers and stargazing.
10. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India
Closely located near the Taj Mahal, this hotel has excellent views as well as tranquil water gardens and an infinity swimming pool. If you book the Premium Room you will have access to French doors, which open up to a balcony so you can see he marble mausoleum in all it’s glory.
9. Hotel 41, London, England
With two staff members for every guest, Hotel 41 offers more than just a great location. Twenty-four hour room service, ‘Whatever, Whenever’ buttons in every room and thirty individual appointment rooms mean that you will never be left wanting.
8. The Peninsula Shanghai, Shanghai, China
235 art-deco style rooms fill this towering granite hotel on the celebrated Bund Waterfront. Embossed glass lamps and black lacquer furniture against ivory walls create a 1920’s Shanghai atmosphere, whilst WiFi, VoIP phones, control panels and spa tubs add that modern touch.
7. Sunset Key Guest Cottages, a Luxury Collection Resort, Key West, Florida
Just a ten-minute ferry ride away from Key West, this private island resort is home to whitewashed cottages with stocked kitchens and verandas. Ocean View Suites come with complementary breakfasts, and then dine at Restaurant Latitudes for fresh fish caught off the pier.
6. Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Although now famous as an upscale and intimate Four Seasons Resort, this building used to be a prison. Now home to sixty-five neo-classical rooms, the architecture still holds regalia of its past, including vaulted ceilings, arched windows, a courtyard where the exercise yard was and watchtowers, which now have elevators.
5. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Situated on 32-acres of tranquil scenery this hotel gives you a lot of difficult choices, for instance you can decide whether to lounge by the pool or take an elephant ride to Nalia Fort. Standard rooms feature teak bars with bone inlay and marble baths, where as Royal and Luxury Tents have Burmese teakwood floors and claw-footed bathtubs beneath their canopies. There are numerous activities you can partake in, from milk baths and yoga to trying signature Gulkard Martinis and eating native delicacies.
4. Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
Located in the Bitterroot Mountains, between 600-acres of forest, this lavish ranch has twenty-three cabins each with wood burning stoves, steam showers and hot tubs. Go horseback riding, drive cattle or take a helicopter tour of Yellowstone National Park.
3. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
The oldest castle in Ireland, Ashford Castle boasts an 800-year history and has been hosted Benjamin Lee Guinness, John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara – the latter two stayed there throughout the filming of John Ford’s The Quiet Man. Recently reopened in April, Ashford Castle underwent a $75 million makeover and now has a billiards room, a thirty-two seat theater and a spa.
2. Castello de Casole – A Timbers Resort, Tuscany, Italy
In between 4,200 acres of olive trees and grapevines, this 10th Century castle now has forty-one suites with oil paintings and exposed wooden beams throughout. Essere Spa, which was once the wine cellar, offers oil based treatments and houses the estate’s exclusive Dodici wine, which is given to every guest upon arrival.
1.The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Our winning hotel sits on a private island in Udaipur, which used to be known as Indian Kings’ hunting grounds. Travel across Lake Pichola in a private boat to the hotel, where you’ll find a marble lotus floating in the courtyard’s reflection pool. Each of the nine Premier Rooms has access to semi-private pools, a terrace and unique views of wildlife like peacocks and white-spotted deer. You can also visit Bada Mahal an 18th Century palace or take a camel ride to Devigarh Fort Palace for lunch. Upon departure you receive a gift, usually a mirrored coaster or jewelry box.
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