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World's Best Hotels 2010

World's Best Hotels 2010

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

July 08, 2010

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Courtesy of Genivs Loci/Hotel Palazzo Sasso

Rank last year: n/a

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

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

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

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels, Mexico D.F.

Rank last year: n/a

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

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#11Jade Mountain (94.91)St. Lucia

Courtesy of Jade Mountain

Rank last year: #3

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

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#12Le Sirenuse (94.88) Positano, Italy

Courtesy of Le Sirenuse

Rank last year: n/a

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

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#13Oberoi Rajvilas (94.78) Jaipur, India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air

Rank last year: n/a

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

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

Courtesy of Villa d'Este

Rank last year: n/a

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

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

Courtesy of Twelve Apostles New Camps

Rank last year: #15

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

Your Profile

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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