World's Top Hotels

Courtesy of Four Seasons, Chiang Mai

Miles of hiking trails in Big Sky Country? Check. Outdoor spa treatments? Check! Montana may be the Wild West, but it stakes a claim to one of the world’s finest hotels. At Triple Creek Ranch, rated No. 6, the log cabins are rustic-chic, the cellar stores 2,000 wine bottles, and soaking in a hot tub is the perfect antidote to a day out snowshoeing.

Every year T+L readers vote on thousands of hotels based on rooms, location, service, food, and value. In 2012, the 10th anniversary of the T+L 500, the winners are a mix of remote escapes and city hotels—and a record 133 have rates that start as low as $250 a night. The highest-ranking hotel for value is Four Seasons Carmelo, Uruguay, whose suites and bungalows are strung along the beach between a eucalyptus forest and the Rio de la Plata. It’s an easy trip from Buenos Aires, a city with four T+L 500 winners.

The number of high-scoring hotels in Africa also increased this year, with nine hotels in the top 25 and 45 properties overall. Singita Grumeti Reserves, on a spectacular wide plateau in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, ranked No. 1, thanks partially to the recent launch of a mobile safari experience in the 340,000-acre concession.

California, a perennial favorite, has the largest percentage of T+L 500 hotels in the U.S., with 37 winners. But one romantic escape in Florida ranked higher than the Sunshine State’s best properties: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, a secluded private island retreat on Little Torch Key. It wins over guests with special touches like the Sandbar Session concerts and private picnics on nearby deserted islands.

What else is new this year? We’re sharing insider tips and advice on which specific hotel rooms to book. At No. 5–ranked Oberoi Udaivilas, in India, for instance, nine lakeside rooms face the nature conservancy, treating in-the-know guests to views of peacocks, deer, and wild boar.

Read on to see all the hotels that made it into this year’s top 25. — Sarah Spagnolo

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Singita Grumeti Reserves,Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Courtesy of Singita

Africa’s most luxurious mobile-safari experience is the latest addition to this 340,000-acre Serengeti concession with 4 separate camps. Doubles from $1,700–$2,300, all-inclusive.

Behind the Scenes: What does a perfect location score look like? A manor house on a wide plateau; a tented camp with views of the Serengeti; 8 suites and 1 villa overlooking the rhino-filled Grumeti River; and a mobile safari that traverses it all.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Ol Donyo Lodge,Mbirikani Group Ranch, Kenya

Courtesy of Ol Donyo Lodge

10 suites with savanna-side infinity pools, outdoor showers, and rooftop sleeping areas for nighttime views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Doubles from $840, all-inclusive.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

A 30-acre Mewari-style palace on the banks of Lake Pichola, complete with private motorboats, a traditional Kashmiri gondola, and sprawling courtyards rimmed by reflecting pools. Doubles from $700–$870.

Room to Book: All 19 Premiere Lake rooms have private pools and terraces, but the 9 that face the nature conservatory offer wildlife spotting (peacocks; deer; wild boar) as well as views of the marble palaces of mainland Udaipur.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MT

Courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch

Adults-only mountain retreat on thousands of acres, with plush log cabins (wood-burning fireplaces; hot tubs), a 2,000-plus-bottle wine cellar, a chef’s table, and a rotating collection of original art. Doubles from $750–$950, including meals.

T+L Tip: Don’t miss a snowshoe excursion across the Chief Joseph Pass—first explored by Lewis and Clark in 1805—or the chocolate chip cookies served by cowboy-booted staffers on your return.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Lodge at KauriCliffs, Matauri Bay,New Zealand

Courtesy of Kauri Cliffs

North Island cliffside lodge, golf course, and top spa on 6,000 acres with waterfalls and private beaches. Doubles from $1,140–$1,485, including breakfast and dinner.

T+L Tip: Ask the Kauri Cliffs team to pack a picnic (soba noodles; smoked-salmon sandwiches) before heading to Pink Beach, one of Kauri Cliffs’ private coves; in summer, barbecue dinners are served on the sand.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Posada de Mike Rapu / Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island,Chile

Courtesy of Explora

2007 local wood, stone, and glass LEED-certified lodge 2,300 miles off Chile’s coast; excursions include guided visits to the moai stone quarries and treks to nearby volcanoes. Doubles from $1,590, all-inclusive, 3-night minimum.

T+L Tip: Unwind in the Posada’s new Ancestral Sauna, a traditional Rapa Nui–style hothouse warmed by an aromatic open fire of eucalyptus branches (treatments from $50).

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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La RésidencePhou Vao, Luang Prabang, Laos

Courtesy of La Residence Phou Vao

French-colonial, all-suite wellness retreat on a frangipani-dotted hill above Luang Prabang; the first Laotian property to use only local ingredients for traditional spa treatments. Doubles from $500.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy

Genivs Loci

11th-century palace with an infinity pool, terraced gardens, and classic-celebrity cachet (Jackie Kennedy; Humphrey Bogart). Doubles from $850–$1,073.

Behind the Scenes: An excellent score for location is a given, as the property is perched 1,000 feet above the Mediterranean; to tour the nearby harbors, hop aboard the hotel’s 52-foot boat Ercole (trips from $615).

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key,FL

Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Florida’s most secluded and romantic retreat: a West Indies–style idyll set along a white-sand beach on a 6-acre island accessible only by boat or seaplane, which will also take you to a smaller island for a picnic. Suites from $790–$1,590.

T+L Tip: Arrive when the resort is hosting one of its Sandbar Session concerts, which bring well-known musicians to the hotel’s beach. Previous headliners? Stephen Marley and the Indigo Girls.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN

Beall and Thomas Photography

The ne plus ultra of rural luxury, with renowned cuisine, set on a farm in the Great Smoky Mountains. Doubles from $795–$1,095, including meals.

Behind the Scenes: On-site experts—master gardener John Coykendall; visiting chefs Thomas Keller and David Chang—translated to high scores for service; guests leave armed with tips for creating Southern dishes at home.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, UT

Courtesy of Stein Eriksen Lodge

Timeless Norwegian-style mid-mountain chalet at Deer Valley ski resort, committed to raising $100,000 for cancer research through philanthropic programs. Doubles from $250–$839, including breakfast.

T+L Tip: Make a dinner reservation at least 3 days in advance for Muscovy duck breast and s’mores for dessert at the hotel’s Glitretind restaurant. Be sure to try the lodge’s exclusive Chardonnay cuvee wine, launched in 2011.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Courtesy of InterContinental

The ultimate fantasy: 80 Polynesian-style villas perched above the Motu Piti Aau coral reef. Doubles from $1,079–$1,755.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy

Genivs Loci/Hotel Splendido

A flower-filled hillside villa (a monastery in the 14th and 15th centuries) with views of the bay. Doubles from $1,373–$1,607, including breakfast.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai,Thailand

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Resort

A miniature Thai kingdom with 123 Lanna-inspired suites and villas on 60 acres that’s the setting for a Buddhist prayer site, a 33,000-square-foot spa, and an arts-and-crafts village. Doubles from $509–$729.

Behind the Scenes: More than 500 solicitous staffers create this exotic wonderland, which received a perfect score for service; opt for tutorials in classic dance and northern Thai cuisine.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Peninsula Chicago

Courtesy of Peninsula Chicago

Sleek, 20-story state-of-the-art hotel with 3 restaurants, including Shanghai Terrace and the Lobby—and a 15,000-square-foot Espa in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district. Doubles from $395–$525.

Room to Book: The Grand Deluxe suites have the best views in the hotel—they all overlook Water Tower Park—and were just updated with Art Deco–inspired accents (lacquer tables; brocade-covered chairs).

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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NisbetPlantation Beach Club, Nevis

Anne Menke

Unpretentious 36-room wicker-and-wood inn and 1778 great house on 30 acres; the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn on the beach. Doubles from $391–$670, including breakfast, tea, and dinner.

Behind the Scenes: Three on-site restaurants (the Great House, Coconuts, and Sea Breeze) and attentive service have made this Caribbean hotel a winner for 2 years running.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Eliot Hotel, Boston

Courtesy of Eliot Hotel

Neo-Georgian gem in historic Back Bay that’s been family-owned for 70 years. Bathrooms are being updated with Bardiglio Italian marble. Doubles from $275–$545.

Behind the Scenes: Its scores for service surged this year thanks to family-friendly perks: kids stay for free; toddlers get rubber ducks in the bathtub; pets are greeted with food and water bowls.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Channel your inner maharajah at this majestic 32-acre countryside resort made up of tents and villas and a traditional Indian spa. Doubles from $710–$870.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Four SeasonsResort, Carmelo,Uruguay

Courtesy of Four Seasons Carmelo Uruguay

20 bungalows, 24 suites, and an Asian-influenced spa on a beach nestled between a eucalyptus forest and the Río de la Plata, all just a 3-hour trip north of Buenos Aires. Doubles from $240–$445.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Courtesy of Singita

Three lodges—contemporary Boulders, secluded Castleton, and vintage-colonial Ebony (renovated in 2011)—and an impressive wine program. Doubles from $2,352, all-inclusive.

Room to Book: Ebony Lodge's Suite 1 has a fireplace, outdoor shower, and the best views of elephants bathing in the Sand River. For more wildlife spotting, there are twice-daily game drives and mountain-bike rides through the bush.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Stephanie Inn Hotel,Cannon Beach, OR

Courtesy of Stephanie Inn

Shingled hotel overlooking the famous Haystack Rock; the 41 rooms are equipped with fireplaces, private balconies, Tempur-Pedic beds, and Jacuzzis in the overhauled bathrooms. Doubles from $359, including breakfast.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Kirawira TentedCamp, SerengetiNational Park,Tanzania

Courtesy of Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti

Grab a front-row seat to watch the annual wildebeest migration from one of the 25 Victorian-style tented camps on a hill in the western Serengeti. Doubles from $660–$970, including meals.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort,Santa Barbara, CA

Jessica Schwartzberg

41 private cottages and suites renovated to the tune of $100 million in 2009—set on 520 lavender-scented acres. Doubles from $650.

Room to Book: The Kennedy Cottage—the suite where John and Jackie honeymooned in 1953—has private, vine-covered decks and panoramic ocean views.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Palacio Duhau -Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires

Courtesy of Park Hyatt

Two hotels in one—a Belle Époque mansion and a sleek 17-story addition—plus soaking tubs, an on-site art gallery, and a 3,500-label wine cellar. 1661 Avda. Doubles from $430–$630.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo, Italy

Courtesy of Hotel Villa Cipriani

31-room country escape—the former residence of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning—on a hilltop for the ultimate in privacy. Doubles from $268–$555, including breakfast.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Courtesy of andBeyond

Masai-inspired huts with Victorian touches (Persian carpets; velvet-tufted settees) in 3 camps along the rim of a crater. Doubles from $1,440–$3,000, all-inclusive.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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FourSeasons Resort Jackson Hole, WY

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels

Ski-in, ski-out lodge with fireplaces in every room and a team of adventure concierges. Doubles from $249–$970.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India

Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts

Moghul-themed 102-room palace mirroring the nearby Taj Mahal—all Moorish archways, intricate pavilions, and fountained courtyards. Doubles from $700–$870.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Royal Malewane, Kruger NationalPark, South Africa

Courtesy of Royal Malewane

Eight-suite luxury game lodge on 30,000 acres with old-fashioned activities (hot-air-balloon rides; horseback safaris) and a 3-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio. Doubles from $2,846, all-inclusive.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Fairmont MountKenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya

Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Stylishly updated 1950’s-era hunting lodge on 100 acres in the Mount Kenya foothills. Doubles from $615–$735, including meals.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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MandarinOriental, Bangkok

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

135-year-old landmark on the Chao Phraya River with a rich literary history, butler service, and 9 restaurants. Doubles from $400–$488.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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SerengetiMigration Camp,Serengeti NationalPark, Tanzania

Courtesy of Serengeti Migration Camp

20 tents with wraparound porches and attentive service along the Grumeti River, a popular gathering spot for hippos. Doubles from $1,460–$1,560, all-inclusive.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Stafford London by Kempinski

Courtesy of Stafford Hotel

Refined, recently updated town house behind Green Park with an 8,000-bottle, 17th-century wine cellar and a new rustic restaurant, the Lyttelton. Doubles from $400–$800.

T+L Tip: The Stafford’s master sommelier, Gino Nardella, leads wine tastings (from $65) of some of the cellar’s best bottles, including a 1961 Château Lafite Rothschild.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Mombo Camp andLittle Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Courtesy of Mombo Camp

Two groups of tents with plunge pools and unshaded decks for prime bird-watching and rhino-spotting, all linked by raised walkways on an Okavango Delta floodplain. Doubles from $3,286–$4,398, all-inclusive.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

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Couples Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica

Courtesy of Couples Tower Isle

The original Couples property is a 226-room, all-inclusive, adults-only resort with an award-winning spa. Doubles from $316–$588.

See the full list of the T+L 500.

Your Profile

World's Top Hotels

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Singita Grumeti Reserves,Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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Ol Donyo Lodge,Mbirikani Group Ranch, Kenya

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Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

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Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MT

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Lodge at KauriCliffs, Matauri Bay,New Zealand

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Posada de Mike Rapu / Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island,Chile

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La RésidencePhou Vao, Luang Prabang, Laos

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Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy

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Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key,FL

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Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN

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Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, UT

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InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa Bora Bora, French Polynesia

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Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy

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Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai,Thailand

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Peninsula Chicago

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NisbetPlantation Beach Club, Nevis

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Eliot Hotel, Boston

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Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

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Four SeasonsResort, Carmelo,Uruguay

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Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Stephanie Inn Hotel,Cannon Beach, OR

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Kirawira TentedCamp, SerengetiNational Park,Tanzania

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San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort,Santa Barbara, CA

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Palacio Duhau -Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires

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Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo, Italy

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andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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