Over 550 nominees entered this year’s competition held by the Boutique Hotel Club with winners coming from the Maldives to Mexico, the Netherlands to New Zealand, Austria to Australia, and so on. Each destination is inspected by a panel of travel experts before a final decision is made.
The Boutique Hotel Club carefully selects the world’s best boutique hotels and now has over 350 members. There are five pillars to the brand: hosts wholeheartedly sharing their joy of living in a place with guests; connection to the region; emotional impact; unique sense of place; and alchemy – the blend of ingredients that makes a boutique hotel or villa magical.
It’s not just their locations that are diverse: Boutique Hotel Club members range from historic castles to private islands, satisfying every luxury form of wanderlust. This year’s winners are:
• World’s Best Boutique Hotel: San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California. The expert’s verdict was, “Greeted like royalty, waved through to the hacienda draped with striking fuchsia bougainvillea – you’re welcomed to utopia.” It also won the World’s Best Honeymoon Hotel. (pictured at top)
• World’s Best Beach Hotel: Velaa Private Island, Maldives. “An exclusive private island surrounded by an azure sea. Curated experiences that go beyond luxury.” It also won the World’s Best Fine Dining Hotel.
• World’s Best Chic Hotel: HotelTwentySeven, Amsterdam, Netherlands. “As you are led upstairs, it very quickly becomes apparent that the hotel’s creators have spared no expense in selecting the finest furnishings.”
• World’s Best City Hotel: Casa Polanco, Polanco, Mexico. “A design led hotel and an uber cool residence all in one.”
• World’s Best Classic Hotel: Akademie Street Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek, South Africa. “An ideal boutique hotel experience including style, charm, service, food, facilities, and location.”
• World’s Best Design Hotel: Hotel Motto, Vienna, Austria. “Whimsical 1920s glamour in Austria’s capital.”
• World’s Best Eco Hotel: Cielo Lodge, Golfito, Costa Rica. “A magical nature first hideaway set in the treetop canopy of the Golfito rainforest.” (pictured below)
• World’s Best Family Hotel: Aster Natur and Idylle im Zillertal, Tyrol, Austria. “Whether it’s the breathtaking views, fresh mountain air or the exquisite charm of the old farmhouse, there’s something special happening at Aster.”
• World’s Best New Hotel: Casa Silencio, Oaxaca, Mexico. “A seductively dark aesthetic sets the scene for the exaltation of Mezcal. This is a magical new spot for spirit enthusiasts with a taste for adventure.”
• World’s Best Romantic Hotel: The Carlin Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand. “Each evening your dedicated butler will fill your bathtub prepared with a dreamy arrangement of flowers.”
• World’s Best Spa Hotel: Green Spa Resort Stanglwirt, Going am Wilden Kaiser, Austria. “Once a small dairy and cattle farm, this spa succeeds in striking the rare balance between luxury and authenticity.”
• World’s Best Hotel with a View: Athina Luxury Suites, Santorini, Greece. “Santorini is famed for its perfect sunset views of the ocean and caldera. At Athina Luxury Suites, guests have an envy inducing front row seat.”
• World’s Best Nature Hotel: The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Queensland, Australia. “Lively sounds of the bush and pure fresh air makes it feel like you’re entering into relaxation mode.”
Boutique Hotel Club - Best Luxury Boutique Hotels & Private Villas
