The 100 Best Hotels in the World in 2016

By Sara Clemence

July 06, 2016

Credit: Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace

The farther, the better.

That’s one big takeaway from this year’s list of best hotels in the world, as decided by Travel + Leisure readers. Among the top 20 are an industrial-chic expedition property near the southern tip of Chile (the Singular Patagonia), a fishing retreat in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island, more than three hours from Auckland (Huka Lodge), and a do-everything Colorado resort that’s a five-hour drive from the nearest big airport (Gateway Canyons Resort).

The remoteness of many of these properties is a testament to how intrepid and discerning our readers are — they are willing to endure overnight flights, extended drives, and multiple connections for extraordinary lodging. But it also speaks to the ability of the winners to provide such special experiences far outside of traditional travel destinations.

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 lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotels on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value.

Though there are many faraway hotels in our top 100, plenty of winners were more convenient to reach. The No. 2 property, the Spectator Hotel, is in the heart of charming Charleston. Farmhouse Inn, whose signature is elegant country decor, is nestled in California wine country.

Though smaller, independently owned hotels made up a large portion of the roster, some well-known brands earned kudos, too. The Peninsula Shanghai, known for its expansive rooms and jaw-dropping rooftop bar, marks its fifth consecutive year on the list.

And newcomers really shook up the rankings. The Spectator and the Singular are among them, as are the elegant, old-world Casa Gangotena in Quito, Ecuador, which came in eighth, and equestrian escape at the Willcox, in Aiken, South Carolina (No. 7). Most startling may be the appearance of Indonesian surf retreat Nihiwatu, which has a cult following among the most sophisticated travelers, and makes its debut as No. 1.

Start Slideshow

1 of 100

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

Credit: Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 94.50

More information, andbeyond.com/kichwa-tembo-tented-camp

2 of 100

99. The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Score: 94.524

More information, theresortatpedregal.com

3 of 100

98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace

Score: 94.56

More information, tajhotels.com

4 of 100

97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Cape Grace

Score: 94.59

More information, capegrace.com

5 of 100

96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

Credit: Grey Crawford

Score: 94.62

More information, innabovetide.com

6 of 100

95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Singita

Score: 94.65

More information, singita.com

7 of 100

94. The House, St. James, Barbados

Credit: Courtesy of The House by Elegant Hotels

Score: 94.70

More information, thehousebarbados.com

8 of 100

93. River Inn of Harbor Town, Memphis, Tennessee

Credit: Courtesy of River Inn of Harbor Town

Score: 94.71

More information, riverinnmemphis.com

9 of 100

92. The Knickerbocker, New York City

Credit: Nicholas Koenig

Score: 94.75

More information, theknickerbocker.com

10 of 100

91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City

Credit: Courtesy of the Greenwich Hotel

Score: 94.76

More information, thegreenwichhotel.com

11 of 100

90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Credit: Courtesy of Jade Mountain St. Lucia

Score: 94.85

More information, jademountain.com

12 of 100

89. The Egerton House Hotel, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Egerton House Hotel

Score: 94.86

More information, egertonhousehotel.com

13 of 100

88. The Lanesborough, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Lanesborough

Score: 94.87

More information, lanesborough.com

14 of 100

87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

Credit: Courtesy of Qualia

Score: 94.89

More information, qualia.com.au

15 of 100

86. The Inn at Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Credit: Courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort / Rob Tipton

Score: 94.95

More information, seapines.com

16 of 100

84. (tie) Madikwe Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Madikwe Safari Lodge

Score: 94.96

More information, madikwesafarilodge.co.za

17 of 100

84. (tie) La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of La Casa Que Canta

Score: 94.96

More information, lacasaquecanta.com

18 of 100

83. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Credit: Courtesy of Inn by the Sea

Score: 94.97

More information, innbythesea.com

19 of 100

82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Credit: Courtesy of Ocean House

Score: 95.03

More information, oceanhouseri.com

20 of 100

81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy

Credit: Andrea Getuli

Score: 95.04

More information, villacora.it

21 of 100

80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

Credit: Courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel

Score: 95.04

More information, sonnenalp.com

22 of 100

79. Le Bristol, Paris

Credit: Courtesy of Le Bristol

Score: 95.06

More information, lebristolparis.com

23 of 100

78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

Credit: Courtesy of the Leela Palaces

Score: 95.06

More information: theleela.com

24 of 100

77. Tu Tu'tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon

Credit: Courtesy of Tu Tu'tun Lodge

Score: 95.06

More information: tututun.com

25 of 100

76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

Credit: Courtesy of the Gleneagles Hotel

Score: 95.08

More information, gleneagles.com

26 of 100

75. Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Saxon Hotels, Villas and Spa

Score: 95.09

More information, saxon.co

27 of 100

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

Credit: Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Score: 95.11

More information, starwoodhotels.com

28 of 100

73. The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia

Credit: Courtesy of the Cloister at Sea Island

Score: 95.16

More information, seaisland.com

29 of 100

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

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Score: 95.17

More information, fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

30 of 100

71. The Goring, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Goring

Score: 95.19

More information, thegoring.com

31 of 100

70. La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of La Residence Franschhoek

Score: 95.27

More information, theroyalportfolio.com

32 of 100

69. La Réserve Paris Hotel, Spa & Apartments, Paris

Credit: Courtesy of La Réserve Paris Hotel, Spa, and Apartments

Score: 95.29

More information, lareserve-paris.com

33 of 100

68. The Milestone Hotel, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Milestone Hotel

Score: 95.32

More information, milestonehotel.com

34 of 100

67. The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of the Biltmore Hotel

Score: 95.32

More information, biltmorehotel.com

35 of 100

66. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Score: 95.33

More information fourseasons.com/chiangmai

36 of 100

65. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Credit: Courtesy of the Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Score: 95.33

More information, capekidnappers.com

37 of 100

64. The Surrey, New York City

Credit: Courtesy of the Surrey

Score: 95.37

More information, thesurrey.com

38 of 100

63. Curtain Bluff, St. John's, Antigua

Credit: Courtesy of Curtain Bluff

Score: 95.40

More information, curtainbluff.com

39 of 100

62. Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington, Massachusetts

Credit: Michael J. Lee Photography

Score: 95.40

More information, innathastingspark.com

40 of 100

61. Winvian Farm, Morris, Connecticut

Credit: Courtesy of Winvian Farm

Score: 95.41

More information, winvian.com/cottages

41 of 100

60. Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Lion Sands Game Reserve

Score: 95.42

More information, lionsands.com

42 of 100

59. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

Credit: Michelle Chaplow

Score: 95.45

More information, oberoihotels.com

43 of 100

58. J.K. Place Capri, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of J.K. Place Capri

Score: 95.46

More information, jkcapri.com

44 of 100

57. Zamas Hotel, Tulum, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of ZAMAS

Score: 95.49

More information, zamas.com

45 of 100

56. The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island

Credit: Courtesy of the Chanler at Cliff Walk

Score: 95.51

More information, thechanler.com

46 of 100

55. Acqualina, Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Acqualina

Score: 95.53

More information, acqualinaresort.com

47 of 100

54. Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi, Italy

Credit: Genius Loci

Score: 95.57

More information, hotelsantacaterina.it

48 of 100

53. Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, California

Credit: Courtesy of Brewery Gulch Inn

Score: 95.59

More information: brewerygulchinn.com

49 of 100

52. Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada

Credit: Courtesy of Fogo Island Inn

Score: 95.6

More information: fogoislandinn.ca

50 of 100

51. The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

Credit: Courtesy of The Nam Hai

Score: 95.63

More information, ghmhotels.com/en/nam-hai

51 of 100

50. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Credit: Rouse Photograpy

Score: 95.69

More information, ranchovalencia.com

52 of 100

49. Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Gasparilla Inn

Score: 95.76

More information, the-gasparilla-inn.com

53 of 100

48. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, San José del Cabo, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of Rosewood

Score: 95.81

More information: rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos

54 of 100

47. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

Credit: Courtesy of Ashford Castle

Score: 95.84

More information, ashfordcastle.com

55 of 100

46. The Lodge and Cottages at Primland, Meadows of Dan, Virginia

Credit: Courtesy of Primland

Score: 95.87

More information, primland.com

56 of 100

45. Lodge at Sea Island, Sea Island, Georgia

Credit: Courtesy of Lodge at Sea Island

Score: 95.90

More information, seaisland.com

57 of 100

44. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Credit: Courtesy of Nayara Hotel

Score: 95.91

More information, arenalnayara.com

58 of 100

43. 41, London

Credit: Courtesy of 41

Score: 95.93

More information, 41hotel.com

59 of 100

42. Katikies Hotel, Santorini, Greece

Credit: Courtesy of Katikies Hotel

Score: 95.95

More information: katikies.com

60 of 100

37. (tie) Rosewood Sand Hill, Menlo Park, California

Credit: Blake Marvin

Score: 96.00

More information: rosewoodhotels.com

61 of 100

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

Credit: Courtesy of Beau-Rivage Palace

Score: 96.00

More information: brp.ch

62 of 100

37. (tie) Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad, Switzerland

Credit: Courtesy of Alpina Gstaad

Score: 96.00

More information, thealpinagstaad.ch

63 of 100

37. (tie) 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of 137 Pillars House

Score: 96.00

More information, snhcollection.com/137pillarshouse

64 of 100

37. (tie) Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, Germany

Credit: Courtesy of Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa

Score: 96.00

More information, brenners.com

Account

Account

The 100 Best Hotels in the World in 2016

1 of 100

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

1 of 100

2 of 100

99. The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2 of 100

3 of 100

98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

3 of 100

4 of 100

97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa

4 of 100

5 of 100

96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

5 of 100

6 of 100

95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

6 of 100

7 of 100

94. The House, St. James, Barbados

7 of 100

8 of 100

93. River Inn of Harbor Town, Memphis, Tennessee

8 of 100

9 of 100

92. The Knickerbocker, New York City

9 of 100

10 of 100

91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City

10 of 100

11 of 100

90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

11 of 100

12 of 100

89. The Egerton House Hotel, London

12 of 100

13 of 100

88. The Lanesborough, London

13 of 100

14 of 100

87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

14 of 100

15 of 100

86. The Inn at Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

15 of 100

16 of 100

84. (tie) Madikwe Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

16 of 100

17 of 100

84. (tie) La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico

17 of 100

18 of 100

83. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

18 of 100

19 of 100

82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

19 of 100

20 of 100

81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy

20 of 100

21 of 100

80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

21 of 100

22 of 100

79. Le Bristol, Paris

22 of 100

23 of 100

78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

23 of 100

24 of 100

77. Tu Tu'tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon

24 of 100

25 of 100

76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

25 of 100

26 of 100

75. Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa