World's Best Hotels 2010

By Sarah Spagnolo , Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure Staff

July 08, 2010

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Credit: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

The results are in for Travel + Leisure’s 15th-annual reader survey of the absolute best hotels in the world.

You’re lounging on a white sand beach, with nothing but turquoise water in front. Behind you lies the comforts of an 18th-century great house and luxurious yellow cottages with private patios, all set on a 30-acre, palm tree–filled plantation. Want to explore? A Vespa is at the ready. It’s just another day at the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis.

It’s experiences like these that travelers crave. And it’s our mission at Travel + Leisure to help you make them happen. Which is why, every year for the past 15 years, we’ve asked our readers to vote on their absolute favorite hotels in the World’s Best Awards survey. (Nisbet came in at No. 6.)

This year, “the spirit of exploration prevailed,” says Travel + Leisure’s editor in chief, Nancy Novogrod. Out of the Top 100 hotels, 69 are located outside of the U.S. and Canada (there are eight in India, seven in South Africa, and six in Italy and France, respectively). TripAdvisor found similar results on a recent survey: 60 percent of travelers are planning to visit Europe in the next year.

A few top winners came from the most remote reaches of the globe. One example: the Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Nairobi, Kenya, which rose from No. 96 last year to No. 3 in 2010. We’re betting the high score is due to the presence of the evermore elusive Big 5 animals, which the resort’s expert trackers take guests to search for on twice-daily game drives. It’s clear that travelers are looking for “encounters with the natural world,” says Novogrod.

The Peninsula Bangkok also had a meteoric rise this year, from No. 66 in 2009 to No. 7 in 2010. We’re attributing this shift to our readers’ increased affection for Asia and Bangkok (newly anointed the 2010 World’s Best City), with its world-class hotels, shopping, restaurants, and happily, peace once again. [The survey ended before the upheaval.]

For those looking to stay close to home, this year’s list delivers plenty of ideas. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago (No. 20) opened less than two years ago, but it has already wowed our readers with its minimalist design, stellar service, and indulgent brunch menu. Chicago also has three other hotels on the list, while perennial powerhouse New York City had only one: the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park. Are second—and smaller—cities on the rise?

Perhaps so. The Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole skyrocketed to No. 41 in the Top 100 (its score was too low to be listed last year), which illustrates that less popular destinations do have their own appeal, and also that T+L readers are looking to connect more with the outdoors.

That same get-your-hands-dirty desire brings guests to the Inn at Palmetto Bluff (there’s horseback riding, boating, and fishing on the 40-acre riverfront grounds), though the South Carolina low-country hotel fell from No. 14 in 2009 to No. 41 this year (it’s tied with Jackson Hole), helping to make room at the top for No. 2 Triple Creek Ranch, Montana’s all-inclusive rustic lodge that ranked No. 4 in 2008 before failing to make the list at all last year.

So who were the big winners in 2010? And most important, what hotel did Travel + Leisure readers vote the World’s Best? Read on for all the results. —Sarah Spagnolo

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#1Oberoi Vanyavilas (97.26)Ranthambhore, India

Credit: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Rank last year: #2

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#2Triple Creek Ranch (96.76) Darby, Montana

Credit: Courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#3Fairmont Mara Safari Club (96.31)Masai Mara, Kenya

Credit: Courtesy of Mara Safari Lodge

Rank last year: #86

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#4San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort (96.17)Santa Barbara, California

Credit: Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, San Ysidro Ranch

Rank last year: #64

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#5Oberoi Amarvilas (95.94) Agra, India

Credit: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Rank last year: #28

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#6Nisbet Plantation Beach Club (95.75) Nevis

Credit: Courtesy of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#7The Peninsula (95.69)Bangkok

Credit: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

Rank last year: #66

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#8Palazzo Sasso (95.17) Ravello, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of Genivs Loci/Hotel Palazzo Sasso

Rank last year: n/a

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#9Domaine des Hauts de Loire (95.00) $ Onzain, France

Credit: Courtesy of Domaine des Hauts de Loire

Rank last year: #43$ denotes Great Value (room rates of $250 or less)

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#9Four Seasons Hotel México, D.F. (95.00)Mexico City

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Mexico D.F.

Rank last year: n/a

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#11Jade Mountain (94.91)St. Lucia

Credit: Courtesy of Jade Mountain

Rank last year: #3

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#12Le Sirenuse (94.88) Positano, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of Le Sirenuse

Rank last year: n/a

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#13Oberoi Rajvilas (94.78) Jaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Rank last year: #70

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#14Four Seasons Hotel (94.75)Singapore

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Singapore

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#15Oberoi Udaivilas (94.71) Udaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Rank last year: #8

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#16Royal Malewane (94.67) Kruger National Park, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Royal Malewane

Rank last year: #25

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#16Singita Sabi Sand (Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge, Castleton Camp) (94.67)Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Singita Game Reserve

Rank last year: #6

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#18Olissippo Lapa Palace (94.60)Lisbon

Credit: Courtesy of Lapa Palace

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#19Hôtel de Crillon (94.40)Paris

Credit: Courtesy of Hotel de Crillon

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#20Shangri-La Hotel (94.32)Singapore

Credit: Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#20Trump International Hotel & Tower (94.32) *Chicago

Credit: Courtesy of William Huber/ Trump Hotel Chicago

Rank last year: n/a* denotes a World’s Best Debut

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#22Singita Kruger National Park (Lebombo Lodge, Sweni Lodge) (94.25)South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Singita Game Reserve

Rank last year: #29

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#23Londolozi Game Reserve (94.18) Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Rank last year: #34

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#24Tortilis Camp, Amboseli (94.12)Kenya

Credit: Courtesy of Tortilis Camp

Rank last year: #49

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#24Woodlands Inn – A Salamander Inn (94.12) Summerville, South Carolina

Credit: Courtesy of Woodlands Inn

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#26The Peninsula (94.11)Hong Kong

Credit: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

Rank last year: #35

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#27Four Seasons Resort (93.95)Chiang Mai, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Chiang Mai

Rank last year: #21

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#28Taj Mahal Palace & Tower (93.83)Mumbai

Credit: Courtesy of Taj Mahal Palace & Tower

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#29Hôtel de la Paix (93.75) *Siem Reap, Cambodia

Credit: Courtesy of Hôtel de la Paix

Rank last year: n/a* denotes a World’s Best Debut

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#30andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp (93.71)Kenya

Credit: Courtesy of Kichwa Tembo

Rank last year: #39

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#31Four Seasons Hotel (93.68) $Dublin

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Dublin

Rank last year: n/a$ denotes Great Value (room rates of $250 or less)

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#32Hotel Bel-Air (Reopening in 2011) (93.67)Los Angeles

Credit: Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air

Rank last year: n/a

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#33Villa d’Este (93.66) Cernobbio, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of Villa d'Este

Rank last year: n/a

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#34Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa (93.62)Cape Town

Credit: Courtesy of Twelve Apostles New Camps

Rank last year: #15

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#35Rambagh Palace (93.60) Jaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Rambagh Palace

Rank last year: #87

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#36Hotel Splendido (93.52) Portofino, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of Hotel Splendido

Rank last year: n/a

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#37Jamaica Inn & Spa (93.50) Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Credit: Courtesy of Jamaica Inn

Rank last year: n/a

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#38The Lanesborough (93.47)London

Credit: Courtesy of The Lanesborough

Rank last year: n/a

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#39Taj Lake Palace (93.46) Udaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace

Rank last year: #78

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#40Stafford London by Kempinski (93.44)

Credit: Courtesy of The Stafford Hotel

Rank last year: n/a

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#41Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole (93.43)Wyoming

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts, Jackson Hole

Rank last year: n/a

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#41Inn at Palmetto Bluff (93.43) Bluffton, South Carolina

Credit: Courtesy of Inn at Palmetto Bluff

Rank last year: #14

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#43Hôtel Château Eza (93.33) Èze Village, France

Credit: Courtesy of Château Eza

Rank last year: #80

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#44Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence (93.27)Egypt

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence

Rank last year: #40

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#45Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (93.26)Chiang Mai, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Rank last year: #89

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#46Wickaninnish Inn (93.14) Tofino, British Columbia

Credit: Getty Images

Rank last year: n/a

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#47Post Ranch Inn (93.13) Big Sur, California

Credit: Courtesy of Post Ranch Inn

Rank last year: #92

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#48The Peninsula (93.09)Chicago

Credit: Courtesy of Peninsula Hotels

Rank last year: n/a

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#49MalaMala Game Reserve (93.07)Kruger Area, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of MalaMala Game Reserve

Rank last year: #77

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#49Post Hotel & Spa (93.07) Lake Louise, Alberta

Credit: Courtesy of Post Hotel & Spa

Rank last year: #64

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#51 Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street (93.04)

Credit: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, Beijing

Rank last year: #67

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#52Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (92.97) Little Torch Key, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Rank last year: n/a

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#52Rittenhouse Hotel (92.97)Philadelphia

Credit: Courtesy of Rittenhouse, Philadelphia

Rank last year: n/a

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#54Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (92.96)Budapest

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Gresham Palace

Rank last year: n/a

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#55Mandarin Oriental (92.94) *Prague

Credit: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Rank last year: n/a* denotes a World’s Best Debut

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#56Esperanza, an Auberge Resort (92.91)Los Cabos, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of Esperanza, Los Cabos, Mexico

Rank last year: #23

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#57Mandarin Oriental (92.89)Bangkok

Credit: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Rank last year: #20

See the full results of the 2010 World’s Best Awards.

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#58The Peninsula (92.88)Beijing

Credit: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

Rank last year: n/a

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#59Mandarin Oriental (92.84)Hong Kong

Credit: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Rank last year: n/a

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#60Auberge Saint-Antoine (92.80)Quebec City

Credit: Courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine

Rank last year: n/a

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#61Four Seasons Hotel George V (92.76)Paris

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, George V Paris

Rank last year: n/a

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#62Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (92.74)Hawaii

Credit: Susan Seubert / Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts, Hualalai

Rank last year: #63

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#63Blancaneaux Lodge (92.73) San Ignacio, Belize

Credit: Courtesy of Francis Ford Coppola Presents

Rank last year: n/a

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#64Château de la Chèvre d’Or (92.71) Èze Village, France

Credit: Courtesy of Château de la Chèvre d'Or

Rank last year: n/a

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#65One&Only Palmilla (92.69)Los Cabos, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of One & Only Resorts

Rank last year: n/a

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#66Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (92.63)

Credit: Courtesy of Joe Lopez

Rank last year: n/a

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#67Royal Livingstone (92.59) Victoria Falls, Zambia

Credit: Courtesy of Sun International

Rank last year: n/a

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#68Serengeti Sopa Lodge (92.57)Tanzania

Credit: Courtesy of Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Rank last year: n/a

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#69Cape Grace (92.52)Cape Town

Credit: Courtesy of Cape Grace

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World's Best Hotels 2010

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#1Oberoi Vanyavilas (97.26)Ranthambhore, India

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#2Triple Creek Ranch (96.76) Darby, Montana

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#3Fairmont Mara Safari Club (96.31)Masai Mara, Kenya

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#4San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort (96.17)Santa Barbara, California

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#5Oberoi Amarvilas (95.94) Agra, India

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#6Nisbet Plantation Beach Club (95.75) Nevis

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#7The Peninsula (95.69)Bangkok

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#8Palazzo Sasso (95.17) Ravello, Italy

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#9Domaine des Hauts de Loire (95.00) $ Onzain, France

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#9Four Seasons Hotel México, D.F. (95.00)Mexico City

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#11Jade Mountain (94.91)St. Lucia

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#12Le Sirenuse (94.88) Positano, Italy

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#13Oberoi Rajvilas (94.78) Jaipur, India

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#14Four Seasons Hotel (94.75)Singapore

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#15Oberoi Udaivilas (94.71) Udaipur, India

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#16Royal Malewane (94.67) Kruger National Park, South Africa

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#16Singita Sabi Sand (Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge, Castleton Camp) (94.67)Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa

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#18Olissippo Lapa Palace (94.60)Lisbon

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#19Hôtel de Crillon (94.40)Paris

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#20Shangri-La Hotel (94.32)Singapore

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#20Trump International Hotel & Tower (94.32) *Chicago

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#22Singita Kruger National Park (Lebombo Lodge, Sweni Lodge) (94.25)South Africa

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#23Londolozi Game Reserve (94.18) Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa

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#24Tortilis Camp, Amboseli (94.12)Kenya

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#24Woodlands Inn – A Salamander Inn (94.12) Summerville, South Carolina

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