The Top 100 Hotels in the World in 2017

Nihiwatu
Photo: Tânia Araújo

Where our readers go, Barack Obama follows. At least, he followed their lead by checking himself in to the Brando, an all-villa private-island resort in French Polynesia this past March. Turns out, our readers had a similar need for some R&R — this year, they voted the property the second best in the entire world. “We are very busy with work and hardly get a chance to relax,” said one fan. “At the Brando, if you can’t relax and enjoy yourself — it’s your own fault.” Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Hotels were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. But as it turns out, you don’t necessarily have to fly halfway across the globe to stay in a World’s Best Award–winning property. Twenty-seven of the top 100 hotels were located right here in the United States, and they range from an old-school Floridian retreat (Gasparilla Inn & Club) to a discreet New York City boutique hotel (the Surrey). New to the list this year: the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, a Wyoming property where travelers can fly-fish, hike, skeet shoot, or go horseback riding among some 30,000 acres of wilderness. Only 17 hotels out of the top 100 were in urban locations, which, perhaps, in our 24/7 connected world, speaks to our readers' need to be in the great outdoors — be it on a beach in the Bahamas (Kamalame Cay), in the jungles of Costa Rica (Nayara Springs), or on the floodplains of Botswana (andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp). The urban retreats that did make the list spanned the globe, and were in locations that may seem surprising. The Temple House, a 100-room property set in a Qing dynasty building in up-and-coming Chengdu, China, was No. 19, while the Alfond Inn, an Orlando-area property known for its contemporary art collection, was No. 62. Just where in the world is our No. 1 winner? You’ll need a passport to get there, and you’ll probably want to pack a bathing suit. But leave the surfboard at home — the resort’s got you covered.

01 of 100

99. (tie) InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
Courtesy of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Score: 95.20

More information, danang.intercontinental.com

02 of 100

99. (tie) Wilderness Safaris Little Kulala, Sossusvlei, Namibia

Wilderness Safaris Little Kulala
Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Score: 95.20

More information, wilderness-safaris.com

03 of 100

98. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa

Score: 95.29

More information, tierrahotels.com

04 of 100

97. Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, California

Auberge de Soleil
Courtesy of Auberge du Soleil

Score: 95.36

More information, aubergedusoleil.aubergeresorts.com

05 of 100

96. Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington, Massachusetts

The Inn at Hastings Park
Courtesy of The Inn at Hastings Park

Score: 95.38

More information, innathastingspark.com

06 of 100

95. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida

Little Palm Island
Courtesy of Little Palm Island

Score: 95.38

More information, littlepalmisland.com

07 of 100

94. Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Aqualina Miami
Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Spa

Score: 95.42

More information, acqualinaresort.com

08 of 100

92. (tie) St. Regis, Osaka, Japan

St. Regis Osaka
Courtesy of St. Regis Osaka

Score: 95.45

More information, stregisosaka.co.jp

09 of 100

92. (tie) Katikies Hotel, Santorini, Greece

Katikies Hotel
Courtesy of Katikies Hotel

Score: 95.45

More information, katikies.com

10 of 100

91. Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head, South Carolina

The Inn and Club at Harbour Town
Courtesy of The Inn and Club at Harbour Town

Score: 95.45

More information, seapines.com

11 of 100

90. Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Sacred Valley, Peru

Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Courtesy of Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Score: 95.47

More information, starwoodhotels.com

12 of 100

89. Shinta Mani, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Shinta Mani Club
Courtesy of Shinta Mani

Score: 95.48

More information, shintamani.com

13 of 100

88. Singita Grumeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Singita Grumeti
Courtesy of Singita

Score: 95.52

More information, singita.com

14 of 100

87. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, San José del Cabo, Mexico

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort
Courtesy of Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort

Score: 95.53

More information, rosewoodhotels.com

15 of 100

86. The Chatwal, New York City

The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Courtesy of The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Score: 95.57

More information, thechatwalny.com

16 of 100

85. Inn at Rancho, Santana Rivas, Nicaragua

Inn at Rancho Santana
Courtesy of Inn at Rancho Santana

Score: 95.60

More information, ranchosantana.com

17 of 100

84. Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

The Oberoi Udaivilas
Courtesy of The Oberoi Udaivilas

Score: 95.61

More information, oberoihotels.com

18 of 100

82. (tie) White Elephant Village, Nantucket, Massachusetts

White Elephant Village
Courtesy of White Elephant Village

Score: 95.64

More information, whiteelephantvillage.com

19 of 100

82. (tie) Post Hotel & Spa, Lake Louise, Alberta

Post Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of Post Hotel & Spa

Score: 95.64

More information, posthotel.com

20 of 100

81. Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Stephanie Inn
Courtesy of Stephanie Inn

Score: 95.64

More information, stephanie-inn.com

21 of 100

80. Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories, Chile

The Singular Patagonia
Courtesy of The Singular Patagonia

Score: 95.70

More information, thesingular.com

22 of 100

79. Capella Ixtapa, Mexico

Capella Ixtapa
Courtesy of Capella Ixtapa

Score: 95.71

More information, capellahotels.com

23 of 100

78. Wilderness Safaris Mombo Camp and Little Mombo Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Wilderness Safaris Mombo Camp and Little Mombo Camp
Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Score: 95.72

More information, wilderness-safaris.com

24 of 100

77. Aria Hotel, Budapest

Aria Hotel Budapest
Courtesy of Aria Hotel Budapest

Score: 95.73

More information, ariahotelbudapest.com

25 of 100

75. (tie) 21c Museum Hotel, Oklahoma City

21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City

Score: 95.77

More information, 21cmuseumhotels.com

26 of 100

75. (tie) Portrait Firenze, Florence

Portrait Firenze
Courtesy of Lungarno Collection

Score: 95.77

More information, lungarnocollection.com

27 of 100

74. Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta

Score: 95.78

More information, hrhvallarta.com

28 of 100

73. Ellerman House, Cape Town

Ellerman House
Courtesy of Ellerman House

Score: 95.78

More information, ellerman.co.za

29 of 100

72. Egerton House Hotel, London

Egerton House Hotel
Courtesy of Egerton House Hotel

Score: 95.79

More information, egertonhousehotel.com

30 of 100

71. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

Jumeriah at Etihad Towers
Courtesy of Jumeriah at Etihad Towers

Score: 95.81

More information, jumeirah.com

31 of 100

70. Blantyre, Lenox, Massachusetts

Blantyre
Courtesy of Blantyre

Score: 95.83

More information, blantyre.com

32 of 100

69. Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India

The Oberoi Amarvilas
Courtesy of The Oberoi Amarvilas

Score: 95.84

More information, oberoihotels.com

33 of 100

68. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

The Oberoi Rajvilas
Courtesy of The Oberoi Rajvilas

Score: 95.84

More information, oberoihotels.com

34 of 100

67. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco, Peru

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
Courtesy of Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Score: 95.88

More information, belmond.com

35 of 100

66. Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands, North Carolina

Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Courtesy of Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Score: 95.89

More information, oldedwardsinn.com

36 of 100

65. andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 95.91

More information, andbeyond.com

37 of 100

62. (tie) Tierra Atacama Boutique Hotel & Spa, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Tierra Atacama Boutique Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of Tierra Atacama Boutique Hotel & Spa

Score: 96.00

More information, tierrahotels.com

38 of 100

62. (tie) Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa, Giraavaru

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Score: 96.00

More information, fourseasons.com

39 of 100

62. (tie) Alfond Inn, Orlando Area, Florida

The Alfond Inn
Courtesy of The Alfond Inn

Score: 96.00

More information, thealfondinn.com

40 of 100

61. Farmhouse Inn, Forestville, California

Farmhouse Inn
Courtesy of Farmhouse Inn

Score: 96.06

More information, farmhouseinn.com

41 of 100

60. The Surrey, New York City

The Surrey
Courtesy of The Surrey

Score: 96.09

More information, thesurrey.com

42 of 100

59. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

Ashford Castle
Courtesy of Red Carnation Hotels

Score: 96.10

More information, ashfordcastle.com

43 of 100

57. (tie) Nayara Springs Arenal, Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Nayara Springs
Courtesy of Nayara Springs

Score: 96.14

More information, arenalnayara.com

44 of 100

57. (tie) Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland

Beau Rivage Palace
Courtesy of Beau Rivage Palace

Score: 96.14

More information, brp.ch

45 of 100

56. Milestone Hotel, London

The Milestone Hotel
Courtesy of The Milestone Hotel

Score: 96.16

More information, milestonehotel.com

46 of 100

55. 41, London

41 Hotel
Courtesy of 41 Hotel

Score: 96.17

More information, 41hotel.com

47 of 100

54. Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, Chatham, Massachusetts

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club
Courtesy of Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

Score: 96.21

More information, wequassett.com

48 of 100

53. The Louise, Barossa Valley, Australia

The Louise
Courtesy of The Louise

Score: 96.22

More information, thelouise.com.au

49 of 100

52. Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, Gateway, Colorado

Gateway Canyons Resort
Courtesy of Gateway Canyons Resort

Score: 96.24

More information, gatewaycanyons.com

50 of 100

51. Château du Sureau, Oakhurst, California

Chateau de Sureau
Courtesy of Chateau de Sureau

Score: 96.25

More information, chateausureau.com

51 of 100

49. (tie) Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba
Courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba

Score: 96.26

More information, rosewoodhotels.com

52 of 100

49. (tie) Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

Score: 96.26

More information, fourseasons.com

53 of 100

48. Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort, Kauai, Hawaii

Ko'a Kea Hotel and Resort
Courtesy of Ko'a Kea Hotel and Resort

Score: 96.30

More information, meritagecollection.com

54 of 100

47. Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Southern Ocean Lodge
Courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge

Score: 96.30

More information, southernoceanlodge.com.au

55 of 100

46. Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee

Blackberry Farm
Courtesy of Blackberry Farm

Score: 96.37

More information, blackberryfarm.com

56 of 100

45. The Willcox, Aiken, South Carolina

The Wilcox
Courtesy of The Wilcox

Score: 96.38

More information, thewillcox.com

57 of 100

44. andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 96.40

More information, andbeyond.com

58 of 100

43. Rambagh Palace, a Taj Hotel, Jaipur, India

Rambagh Palace
Courtesy of Rambagh Palace

Score: 96.41

More information, taj.tajhotels.com

59 of 100

42. Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande, Florida

Gasparilla Inn and Club
Courtesy of The Gasparilla Inn & Club

Score: 96.43

More information, the-gasparilla-inn.com

60 of 100

41. Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Curtain Bluff Resort
Courtesy of Curtain Bluff Resort

Score: 96.45

More information, curtainbluff.com

61 of 100

40. Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Courtesy of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Score: 96.54

More information, capekidnappers.com

62 of 100

39. Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland

Ballyfin
Courtesy of Ballyfin

Score: 96.55

More information, ballyfin.com

63 of 100

38. Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt, Switzerland

Mont Cervin Palace
Courtesy of Mont Cervin Palace

Score: 96.63

More information, montcervinpalace.ch

64 of 100

36. (tie) Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Score: 96.71

More information, fourseasons.com

65 of 100

36. (tie) andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 96.71

More information, andbeyond.com

66 of 100

35. Londolozi, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Londolozi
Courtesy of Londolozi

Score: 96.71

More information, londolozi.com

67 of 100

34. Leela Palace, Udaipur, India

Leela Palace Udaipur
Courtesy of The Leela Palace Udaipur

Score: 96.73

More information, theleela.com

68 of 100

33. Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Montalcino, Italy

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Courtesy of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Score: 96.80

More information, rosewoodhotels.com

69 of 100

32. EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

EcoCamp Patagonia
Courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia

Score: 96.84

More information, ecocamp.travel

70 of 100

31. Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
Courtesy of Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Score: 96.86

More information, fourseasons.com

71 of 100

30. Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont

Rabbit Hill Inn
Courtesy of Rabbit Hill Inn

Score: 96.87

More information, rabbithillinn.com

72 of 100

29. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Score: 96.88

More information, fourseasons.com

73 of 100

28. Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The Resort at Pedregal
Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Score: 96.88

More information, theresortatpedregal.com

74 of 100

27. Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec

Manoir Hovey
Courtesy of Manoir Hovey

Score: 96.96

More information, manoirhovey.com

75 of 100

26. Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Nevis

Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
Courtesy of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club

Score: 97.00

More information, nisbetplantation.com

76 of 100

25. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Jade Mountain
Courtesy of Jade Mountain

Score: 97.03

More information, jademountain.com

77 of 100

24. Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Hangzhou, China

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake

Score: 97.05

More information, fourseasons.com

78 of 100

23. Four Seasons Resort the Nam Hai (formerly the Nam Hai), Hoi An, Vietnam

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Score: 97.11

More information, fourseasons.com

79 of 100

22. Castello di Casole — A Timbers Resort, Casole d’Elsa, Italy

Hotel Castello di Casole – A Timbers Resort
Courtesy of Hotel Castello di Casole – A Timbers Resort

Score: 97.12

More information, castellodicasole.com

80 of 100

21. andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 97.17

More information, andbeyond.com

81 of 100

20. Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort
Courtesy of Hacienda AltaGracia

Score: 97.33

More information, altagracia.aubergeresorts.com

82 of 100

19. Temple House, Chengdu, China

Temple House
Courtesy of Temple House

Score: 97.37

More information, thetemplehousehotel.com

83 of 100

18. La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa

La Residence
Courtesy of The Royal Portfolio

Score: 97.41

More information, theroyalportfolio.com

84 of 100

17. Kamalame Cay, Andros, Bahamas

Kamalame Cay
Danilo Scarpati

Score: 97.49

More information, kamalame.com

85 of 100

16. Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore, India

The Oberoi Vanyavilas
Courtesy of The Oberoi Vanyavilas

Score: 97.50

More information, oberoihotels.com

86 of 100

15. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont

Twin Farms
Courtesy of Twin Farms

Score: 97.54

More information, twinfarms.com

87 of 100

14. Singita Sabi Sand, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Singita Sabi Sand
Courtesy of Singita Sabi Sand

Score: 97.63

More information, singita.com

88 of 100

13. 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai, Thailand

137 Pillars House
Courtesy of 137 Pillars House

Score: 97.71

More information, 137pillarschiangmai.com

89 of 100

12. Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland

Fogo Island Inn
Courtesy of Fogo Island Inn

Score: 97.76

More information, fogoislandinn.ca

90 of 100

10. (tie) Zarafa Camp, Selinda Reserve, Botswana

Zarafa Camp
Courtesy of Great Plains Conservation

Score: 98.00

More information, greatplainsconservation.com

91 of 100

10. (tie) Rosewood CordeValle, San Martin, California

CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort
Courtesy of CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort

Score: 98.00

More information, rosewoodhotels.com

92 of 100

9. Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, Virginia

Inn at Willow Grove
Courtesy of Inn at Willow Grove

Score: 98.13

More information, innatwillowgrove.com

93 of 100

8. Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina

Cavas Wine Lodge
Courtesy of Cavas Wine Lodge

Score: 98.22

More information, cavaswinelodge.com

94 of 100

7. Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana

Triple Creek Ranch
Courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch

Score: 98.23

More information, triplecreekranch.com

95 of 100

6. Tswalu Kalahari, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

Tswalu Kalahari
Courtesy of Tswalu Kalahari

Score: 98.40

More information, tswalu.com

96 of 100

5. Gibb’s Farm, Karatu, Tanzania

Gibb's Farm
Courtesy of Gibb's Farm

Score: 98.59

More information, gibbsfarm.com

97 of 100

4. Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay, New Zealand

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Courtesy of The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

Score: 98.61

More information, kauricliffs.com

98 of 100

3. Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming

The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch
Courtesy of The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

Score: 98.77

More information, brushcreekranch.com

99 of 100

2. The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

The Brando
Courtesy of The Brando

Score: 98.91

More information, thebrando.com

100 of 100

1. Nihi Sumba Island (formerly Nihiwatu), Indonesia

Nihiwatu
Tânia Araújo

Score: 99.12

Our readers have found a new paradise beyond Bali — and it’s Nihi, an eco-friendly resort on the Indonesian island of Sumba. “It is the epitome of escape, adventure, and luxury,” said one fan. Surfers know it because of Occy’s Left , one of the world’s most incredible waves — but you’ll be forgiven for skipping out on that activity in favor of fishing, visiting traditional villages (nearly all of the staff comes from the island) or trekking to nearby waterfalls. The spacious villas play off the jungle-and-beach setting by using organic materials (natural stone, teak wood) and many are big enough to accommodate multigenerational groups. “The people of Sumba are so warm and beautiful,” wrote in one family. “They will forever be in our hearts and soul.”

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