Top 25 Hotels | T+L 500 2008

Oberoi Udaivilas (94.36)
Udaipur, India

Impeccable palace in marble, sandstone, and gold leaf, set on 30 lakeside acres of former royal hunting grounds.
Stats: 87 rooms; 2 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: The full package: idyllic setting, stunning architecture, and impeccable service.
Rooms to Book: Premier Lake Views, for private patios that lead to a semiprivate pool.
Don't Miss: Dinner for two on a floating pontoon in Lake Pichola.
Cost: Doubles from $745.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Singita Game Reserve (94.30)
Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

Four exceptionally well-designed lodges deep in the African bush.
Stats: 45 rooms; 4 restaurants; 4 bars.
Competitive Edge: Architecture, cuisine, and service that set the gold standard for bush luxury.
Rooms to Book: A glass-and-timber cabin at Sweni Lodge, for river views.
Don't Miss: Wine tasting in the 14,000-bottle cellar at Boulders Lodge.
Cost: Doubles from $2,600, including meals, drinks, and activities.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

The Oriental (94.23)
Bangkok, Thailand

Legendary 1887 hotel and modern tower, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Stats: 393 rooms; 9 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: A landmark property with the city's freshest spaces, thanks to recent renovations of the restaurants and spa.
Rooms to Book: Split-level Garden Wing Rooms, for traditional sophistication; Authors' Suites, for opulent Thai style.
Don't Miss: Dim sum in the 1930's-inspired China House.
Cost: Doubles from $390.

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Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet (93.55)
Istanbul, Turkey

Neoclassical former prison with sumptuous Turkish-inspired interiors, next to Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace.
Stats: 65 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: An unrivaled Old City location.
Rooms to Book: Request one with a partial Blue Mosque view, or splurge on a 4th-floor Deluxe with a large balcony.
Don't Miss: Twilight cocktails on the panoramic roof terrace.
Cost: Doubles from $570.

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The Milestone Hotel (93.06)
London, England

Stately red-brick Victorian hotel with plush, antiques-filled interiors, opposite Kensington Palace.
Stats: 57 rooms; 6 apartments; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: A refined residential feel, thanks to its intimate size and personal gestures like English sweets at turndown.
Rooms to Book: All are individually decorated; we prefer No. 301 for its cool, sophisticated look.
Don't Miss : A self-guided yoga session using a mat and video provided by the hotel.
Cost: Doubles from $730.

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Relais Il Falconiere (92.97)
Cortona, Italy

Cluster of rustic 17th-century buildings on a working wine estate within easy reach of Tuscany and Umbria.
Stats: 20 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: A favorite among food-and-wine aficionados for its Michelin-starred restaurant and on-site cooking courses.
Rooms to Book: Old farmhouse rooms, for character; chapel rooms, for privacy.
Don't Miss: A guided tour and tasting at the on-site winery.
Cost: Doubles from $386, including breakfast.

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Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (92.81)
Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

Four diverse lodges—ranging from colonial (Selati Camp) to eco-futuristic (Earth Lodge)—next to Kruger.
Stats: 52 suites; 4 restaurants; 4 bars.
Competitive Edge: Lodges to suit any mood.
Rooms to Book: Little Bush Camp, for intimacy and authentic African artifacts.
Don't Miss: A couples treatment in the Zen garden of Earth Lodge.
Cost: Doubles from $766, including meals, drinks, and activities.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Mandarin Oriental (92.73)
Munich, Germany

Graceful Neo-Renaissance building next to Maximilianstrasse.
Stats: 73 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Last year's $10 million renovation gave the hotel a dose of East-meets-West luxury, including neo-Biedermeyer interiors and Bang & Olufsen sound systems.
Rooms to Book: Those on the 2nd floor, for 15-foot-high ceilings.
Don't Miss: The 360-degree city views from the rooftop pool.
Cost: Doubles from $558.

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (92.65)
Big Island, Hawaii

A stylish and family-friendly beachfront, bungalow-style resort on the North Kona coast.
Stats: 243 rooms; 3 restaurants; 3 bars.
Competitive Edge: Ocean views from every room.
Rooms to Book: Those on the ground floor, with large stone-and-glass outdoor showers.
Don't Miss: The "Surf, Sand & Stars" night on the beach, with s'mores, a campfire, and a telescope.
Cost: Doubles from $775.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Oberoi Amarvilas (92.56)
Agra, India

Contemporary Moorish and Moghul fantasy of marble pools and fountains, in the shadow of the Taj Mahal.
Stats: 102 rooms; 2 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Most rooms look out on India's famed monument.
Rooms to Book: Premiers with balconies ($60 extra), for dramatic vistas.
Don't Miss: A cocktail in the world's only bar that has uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal.
Cost: Doubles from $750.

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Oberoi Rajvilas (92.5)
Jaipur, India

Rajasthani-style fortress and luxury tents and villas, on the edge of the fabled pink city of Jaipur.
Stats: 54 rooms; 14 tents; 3 villas; 2 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: The romance of a past era, re-created to exacting modern standards—plus a new restaurant opening this year.
Rooms to Book: Luxury Tents with classic colonial interiors and private terraces.
Don't Miss: An ayurvedic treatment in the spa, a converted 250-year-old haveli (mansion).
Cost: Doubles from $750.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Peninsula Bangkok (92.41)
Bangkok, Thailand

Sleek 37-story tower with Asian-accented interiors, on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River.
Stats: 370 rooms; 5 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Impeccable service, and river views from every guest room.
Rooms to Book: Deluxes ending in 02, for tranquil garden vistas; those ending in 10 face the Taksin Bridge.
Don't Miss: A Freedom of Life massage, which incorporates Thai dance, at the 19,000-square-foot Espa.
Cost: Doubles from $280.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Château Les Crayères (92.39)
Reims, France

Elegant early-20th-century château on a private 17-acre park a few minutes from town.
Stats: 20 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: The perfect base for exploring the Champagne region, with an exceptional Michelin 2-starred restaurant.
Rooms to Book: Grand Luxury rooms are worth the $120 upgrade, for larger baths with separate showers.
Don't Miss: A visit to nearby champagne cellars, organized by the hotel.
Cost: Doubles from $425.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Jumby Bay (92.24)
Antigua, Caribbean

Colonial-and-Mediterranean style hideaway on a 300-acre private island.
Stats: 40 rooms; 11 villas; 2 restaurants; 3 bars.
Competitive Edge: Reachable only by boat, it's so intimate that rooms don't have keys.
Rooms to Book: Rondavels with wraparound terraces and outdoor showers.
Don't Miss: A visit to Pasture Bay Beach, a nesting site for endangered turtles—and a sunbather's paradise.
Cost: Doubles from $1,050, including meals.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (92.15)
Budapest, Hungary

Four-year-old hotel in an Art Nouveau building at the foot of the Danube.
Stats: 179 rooms; 2 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Outstanding Art Deco interiors and a stunning glass-domed lobby.
Rooms to Book: Danube Superiors with balconies with views of the castle; courtyard-facing Gresham rooms, for up to 100 additional square feet.
Don't Miss: A Gresham Puszta cocktail (apricot brandy and Hungarian dessert wine) from the bar's extensive martini menu.
Cost: Doubles from $450.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Mombo Camp (92.08)
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Intimate camp of palatial 3-room tents connected by raised walkways, deep in the Okavango Delta.
Stats: 9 tents; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Lavish design (carved sinks, leather accents, expansive decks) at a game-rich intersection.
Rooms to Book: Tent No. 1, farthest from the dining area, is the most tranquil.
Don't Miss: Night drives in the reserve, soon to be permitted by a change in park rules.
Cost: Doubles from $3,260, including meals, drinks, and activities.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Tu Tu' Tun Lodge (92.05)
Gold Beach, Oregon

Craftsman-style lodge with Asian accents, on the Rogue River.
Stats: 18 rooms; 2 cottages; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: A warm, personal atmosphere deep in the wilderness.
Rooms to Book: The Lobster Creek or Hawkins Riffle rooms, which have great river views.
Don't Miss: A daylong boat trip to Blossom Bar, a Class IV rapid.
Cost: Doubles from $233.

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Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza (92)
Cairo, Egypt

Thirty-story tower just beyond Garden City, on the Nile's east bank.
Stats: 365 rooms; 5 restaurants; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Proximity to the financial district, a 24-hour business center, and amenities galore.
Rooms to Book: Request a balcony overlooking the Nile.
Don't Miss: The ginger-steamed snapper at the Aqua restaurant.
Cost: Doubles from $300.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Four Seasons Resort (91.9)
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Cluster of 2-story Thai pavilions—each with a covered veranda—surrounded by rice paddies in the idyllic Mae Rim Valley.
Stats: 80 rooms; 2 restaurants; 2 bars.
Competitive Edge: An unparalleled and up-country experience.
Rooms to Book: Rice Terrace Pavilions, for expansive views and water buffalo sightings.
Don't Miss: Learning how to prepare traditional Thai dishes at the on-site cooking school.
Cost: Doubles from $502.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Cape Grace (91.52)
Cape Town, South Africa

Classic hotel with modern touches on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Stats: 122 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Impeccable service and amenities, including an excellent spa and access to the Virgin Active Gym.
Rooms to Book: Marina Views, with Table Mountain vistas.
Don't Miss: A cheese-and-wine pairing at the excellent One.waterfront restaurant.
Cost: Doubles from $650, including breakfast.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

MalaMala Game Reserve (91.38)
Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

Trio of renowned bush camps on 33,000 acres along the Sand River.
Stats: 33 rooms; 3 restaurants; 3 bars.
Competitive Edge: A traditional reserve with 43 years of safari experience.
Rooms to Book: For seclusion, No. 8 in Rattray Camp.
Don't Miss: Sipping Amarula, a local liqueur, fireside.
Cost: Doubles from $1,750, including meals and activities.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Ladera (91.34)
St. Lucia, Caribbean

Luxe lodge on a forested ridge 1,100 feet above the volcanic Piton mountains, a 5-minute shuttle ride from the beach.
Stats: 21 rooms; 6 villas; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: Every activity under the sun (outdoor massages, mixology classes, market tours).
Rooms to Book: Gros Piton Suites have plunge pools and spectacular views.
Don't Miss: A soak in one of the new mineral pools.
Cost: Doubles from $495, including breakfast.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

La Casa Que Canta (91.28)
Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Cliff-hugging adobe hideaway above Zihuatanejo Bay.
Stats: 25 suites; 2 villas; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
Competitive Edge: One of Mexico's most romantic retreats.
Rooms to Book: No. 9 offers the best vistas; No.15 is the biggest of the standards.
Don't Miss: The restaurant's red snapper with pineapple and fiery habanero chiles, baked in a banana leaf.
Cost: Doubles from $465.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Kichwa Tembo (91.25)
Masai Mara, Kenya

Pair of tented camps in the style of the 20's and 30's, overlooking the Mara Plains.
Stats: 58 tents; 3 restaurants; 3 bars.
Competitive Edge: Pure luxury in one of Africa's most cinematic landscapes (Out of Africa was filmed here).
Rooms to Book: A new tent in Bateleur Camp, for river views.
Don't Miss: Sundowner drinks in the antiques-filled main tent at Bateleur Camp, which looks out onto the plains.
Cost: Doubles from $825, including meals, drinks, and activities.

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T+L's Hotel Guide.

Le Sirenuse (91.18)
Positano, Italy

Glamorous 18th-century villa, with whitewashed walls and colorful tiled floors, overlooking the sea and Positano.
Stats: 63 rooms; 1 restaurant; 2 bars.
Competitive Edge: The detail-oriented service of a family-run property, plus some of the coast's most luxurious spaces.
Rooms to Book: It's worth the $575 extra for a Sea View with a private balcony.
Don't Miss: Dinner at Chez Black, a seaside restaurant, for the freshest fish.
Cost: Doubles from $643, including breakfast.

For more detailed information on this hotel, please visit

T+L's Hotel Guide.