Fodor’s picks top 2013 hotels
Travel authority rounds up favourites, from sleek city spots to exotic hideaways
Fodor’s Travel, the travel guide, has announced its list of the world’s 100 top hotels. The third-annual list features hotels chosen across eight categories, including suites, culinary gems, urban hotels and beach retreats.
Explained Arabella Bowen, Fodor’s executive editorial director: “To compile the Fodor’s 100, we look for properties within emerging destinations, trends our editors have been seeing throughout the year, new and noteworthy openings, and enduring favourites to create a list that will inspire all types of travel and traveller.”
More than 40 countries are represented. Up-and-coming hot spots such as Myanmar and Colombia make their first appearance on the list. With 30 hotels chosen, Europe tops the list, although the U.S. is a close second.
Fodor’s Travel global contributors nominate the best hotels in the destinations they live and write in. Fodor’s senior editorial team deliberated on the picks. These include, by category: Creative conversions: Adaptive reuse offers new lives to old buildings, such as former factories, monasteries and train stations. Winners include: Hotel Santa Teresa, in Brazil; Hotel du Vin, in Scotland, and Mandarin Oriental Prague, in the Czech Republic. Enduring classics: Iconic, landmark hotels with timeless appeal. Winners include: the Gritti Palace, in Italy; the Brazilian Court Hotel, in the U.S., and the Peninsula Hong Kong. Home suite homes: Intimate piedà-terres make guests feel at home. Winners include: Casa Lecanda, in Mexico; Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel, and the Commons Hotel in the U.S. Culinary gems: Hotels with on-site restaurants helmed by top chefs. Winners include: Eden Rock, in St. Barths; Hotel Metropole in Monaco; Dorado Beach, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Puerto Rico. Exotic hideaways: Destination hotels for a trip of a lifetime. Winners include: Hotel Benesse House in Japan; Casa San Agustin in Colombia; Uma by COMO, Punakha in Bhutan. Local characters: An immersive sense of place extends from decor to activities. Winners include: Kapsaliana Village Hotel in Greece; the Governor’s Residence in Myanmar; Volcano House in the U.S. Sleek city addresses: Glossy city hotels that offer high style and firstrate amenities. Winners include: Hyatt Union Square New York, in the U.S.; Le Citizen Hôtel in France; Mamilla Hotel in Israel. Blissful beach retreats: The best beach spots, from all-inclusives to beach-front bungalows. Winners include: Banyan Tree Seychelles; Halekulani in Hawaii; Pimalai Resort and Spa in Thailand.
“The only property on Anse Intendance, one of Seychelles’ most beautiful beaches, the Banyan Tree Seychelles is arguably the most romantic resort on the island of Mahe, with large, quasi-French Colonial villas that ooze luxury and privacy,” writes Fodor’s, which chose the hotel for its location on Mahé’s best beach and describes the hotel as “absolutely idyllic for honeymooners and romance-seekers,” as well as praising it for its Great Thai restaurant.
“The luxurious Halekulani in Honolulu, Hawaii, exemplifies the translation of its name, the “house befitting heaven,” and, from the moment you step into the lobby, the attention to detail and impeccable service wrap you in privilege at this beachfront location away from Waikiki’s bustle,” write the guidebook’s authors, who chose the hotel for its location on a small, intimate beach, for its “heavenly interior spaces, wonderful dining opportunities, world-class service, and artsy perks.”
Fodor’s chose the Pimalia Resort and Spa, in Koh Lanta, Thailand, for its gorgeous Andaman beach with crystal-clear water, beautiful location and architecture; friendly, helpful management and staff, and uniquely luxurious ambience.
“Pimalai’s mantra is “peace, serenity and solitude,” explaining why royalty and celebrities regularly favour the elegant resort, which offers seductive yet unpretentious luxury in a place where the rainforest meets the sea, fronting a stunning beach.” Under the “home-suite-homes” category, Fodor’s chose Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel: “An intimate size and focus on local art and products helped this hotel earn raves as the ‘anti chain-hotel Toronto experience;’ really, it’s a sort of community event space, with artist-designed guest rooms and an emphasis on everything that is one-of-a-kind,” write the authors, who pick the hotel for its local flavour, intimate service and setting, idiosyncratic room design, and friendly, bohemian style. “It’s truly a one-of-a-kind property and experience,” Fodor’s concludes. The list of Fodor’s 100 hotel award-winners is online at fodors.com/hotel-awards/2013. Star Staff