The 100 Best Hotels in the World in 2016

By Sara Clemence
July 06, 2016
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. 
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100. andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Courtesy of andBeyond

Score: 94.50

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

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

Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Score: 94.524

More information, theresortatpedregal.com

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98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace

Score: 94.56

More information, tajhotels.com

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97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa

Courtesy of Cape Grace

Score: 94.59

More information, capegrace.com

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96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

Grey Crawford

Score: 94.62

More information, innabovetide.com

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95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

Courtesy of Singita

Score: 94.65

More information, singita.com

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94. The House, St. James, Barbados

Courtesy of The House by Elegant Hotels

Score: 94.70

More information, thehousebarbados.com

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93. River Inn of Harbor Town, Memphis, Tennessee

Courtesy of River Inn of Harbor Town

Score: 94.71

More information, riverinnmemphis.com

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92. The Knickerbocker, New York City

Nicholas Koenig

Score: 94.75

More information, theknickerbocker.com

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91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City

Courtesy of the Greenwich Hotel

Score: 94.76

More information, thegreenwichhotel.com

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90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Courtesy of Jade Mountain St. Lucia

Score: 94.85

More information, jademountain.com

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89. The Egerton House Hotel, London

Courtesy of the Egerton House Hotel

Score: 94.86

More information, egertonhousehotel.com

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88. The Lanesborough, London

Courtesy of the Lanesborough

Score: 94.87

More information, lanesborough.com

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87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

Courtesy of Qualia

Score: 94.89

More information, qualia.com.au

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

Courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort / Rob Tipton

Score: 94.95

More information, seapines.com

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

Courtesy of Madikwe Safari Lodge

Score: 94.96

More information, madikwesafarilodge.co.za

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

Courtesy of La Casa Que Canta

Score: 94.96

More information, lacasaquecanta.com

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83. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Courtesy of Inn by the Sea

Score: 94.97

More information, innbythesea.com

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82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Courtesy of Ocean House

Score: 95.03

More information, oceanhouseri.com

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81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy

Andrea Getuli

Score: 95.04

More information, villacora.it

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80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

Courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel

Score: 95.04

More information, sonnenalp.com

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79. Le Bristol, Paris

Courtesy of Le Bristol

Score: 95.06

More information, lebristolparis.com

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78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

Courtesy of the Leela Palaces

Score: 95.06

More information: theleela.com

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

Courtesy of Tu Tu'tun Lodge

Score: 95.06

More information: tututun.com

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76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

Courtesy of the Gleneagles Hotel

Score: 95.08

More information, gleneagles.com

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

Courtesy of Saxon Hotels, Villas and Spa

Score: 95.09

More information, saxon.co

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

Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Score: 95.11

More information, starwoodhotels.com

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73. The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia

Courtesy of the Cloister at Sea Island

Score: 95.16

More information, seaisland.com

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

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Score: 95.17

More information, fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

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71. The Goring, London

Courtesy of the Goring

Score: 95.19

More information, thegoring.com

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70. La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa

Courtesy of La Residence Franschhoek

Score: 95.27

More information, theroyalportfolio.com

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

Courtesy of La Réserve Paris Hotel, Spa, and Apartments

Score: 95.29

More information, lareserve-paris.com

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68. The Milestone Hotel, London

Courtesy of the Milestone Hotel

Score: 95.32

More information, milestonehotel.com

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