The 100 Best Hotels in the World in 2016 By Sara Clemence Sara Clemence Instagram Twitter Website Sara Clemence is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Bloomberg, Inc, The Washington Post, and many other publications. She is the former travel editor for The Wall Street Journal and news director for Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 6, 2016 Share Tweet Pin Email 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. 01 of 100 100. andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Courtesy of andBeyond Score: 94.50 More information, andbeyond.com/kichwa-tembo-tented-camp 02 of 100 99. The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal Score: 94.524 More information, theresortatpedregal.com 03 of 100 98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace Score: 94.56 More information, tajhotels.com 04 of 100 97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa Courtesy of Cape Grace Score: 94.59 More information, capegrace.com 05 of 100 96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California Grey Crawford Score: 94.62 More information, innabovetide.com 06 of 100 95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa Courtesy of Singita Score: 94.65 More information, singita.com 07 of 100 94. The House, St. James, Barbados Courtesy of The House by Elegant Hotels Score: 94.70 More information, thehousebarbados.com 08 of 100 93. River Inn of Harbor Town, Memphis, Tennessee Courtesy of River Inn of Harbor Town Score: 94.71 More information, riverinnmemphis.com 09 of 100 92. The Knickerbocker, New York City Nicholas Koenig Score: 94.75 More information, theknickerbocker.com 10 of 100 91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City Courtesy of the Greenwich Hotel Score: 94.76 More information, thegreenwichhotel.com 11 of 100 90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia Courtesy of Jade Mountain St. Lucia Score: 94.85 More information, jademountain.com 12 of 100 89. The Egerton House Hotel, London Courtesy of the Egerton House Hotel Score: 94.86 More information, egertonhousehotel.com 13 of 100 88. The Lanesborough, London Courtesy of the Lanesborough Score: 94.87 More information, lanesborough.com 14 of 100 87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia 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 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 Courtesy of Madikwe Safari Lodge Score: 94.96 More information, madikwesafarilodge.co.za 17 of 100 84. (tie) La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico Courtesy of La Casa Que Canta Score: 94.96 More information, lacasaquecanta.com 18 of 100 83. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine Courtesy of Inn by the Sea Score: 94.97 More information, innbythesea.com 19 of 100 82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island Courtesy of Ocean House Score: 95.03 More information, oceanhouseri.com 20 of 100 81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy Andrea Getuli Score: 95.04 More information, villacora.it 21 of 100 80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado Courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel Score: 95.04 More information, sonnenalp.com 22 of 100 79. Le Bristol, Paris Courtesy of Le Bristol Score: 95.06 More information, lebristolparis.com 23 of 100 78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India Courtesy of the Leela Palaces Score: 95.06 More information: theleela.com 24 of 100 77. Tu Tu'tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon Courtesy of Tu Tu'tun Lodge Score: 95.06 More information: tututun.com 25 of 100 76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland Courtesy of the Gleneagles Hotel Score: 95.08 More information, gleneagles.com 26 of 100 75. Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa 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 Courtesy of Tambo del Inka Score: 95.11 More information, starwoodhotels.com 28 of 100 73. The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia 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 Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts Score: 95.17 More information, fourseasons.com/goldentriangle 30 of 100 71. The Goring, London Courtesy of the Goring Score: 95.19 More information, thegoring.com 31 of 100 70. La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa Courtesy of La Residence Franschhoek Score: 95.27 More information, theroyalportfolio.com 32 of 100 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 33 of 100 68. The Milestone Hotel, London Courtesy of the Milestone Hotel Score: 95.32 More information, milestonehotel.com 34 of 100 67. The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida Courtesy of the Biltmore Hotel Score: 95.32 More information, biltmorehotel.com 35 of 100 66. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand 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 Courtesy of the Farm at Cape Kidnappers Score: 95.33 More information, capekidnappers.com 37 of 100 64. The Surrey, New York City Courtesy of the Surrey Score: 95.37 More information, thesurrey.com 38 of 100 63. Curtain Bluff, St. John's, Antigua Courtesy of Curtain Bluff Score: 95.40 More information, curtainbluff.com 39 of 100 62. Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington, Massachusetts Michael J. Lee Photography Score: 95.40 More information, innathastingspark.com 40 of 100 61. Winvian Farm, Morris, Connecticut 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 Courtesy of Lion Sands Game Reserve Score: 95.42 More information, lionsands.com 42 of 100 59. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India Michelle Chaplow Score: 95.45 More information, oberoihotels.com 43 of 100 58. J.K. Place Capri, Italy Courtesy of J.K. Place Capri Score: 95.46 More information, jkcapri.com 44 of 100 57. Zamas Hotel, Tulum, Mexico Courtesy of ZAMAS Score: 95.49 More information, zamas.com 45 of 100 56. The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island Courtesy of the Chanler at Cliff Walk Score: 95.51 More information, thechanler.com 46 of 100 55. Acqualina, Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Courtesy of Acqualina Score: 95.53 More information, acqualinaresort.com 47 of 100 54. Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi, Italy Genius Loci Score: 95.57 More information, hotelsantacaterina.it 48 of 100 53. Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, California Courtesy of Brewery Gulch Inn Score: 95.59 More information: brewerygulchinn.com 49 of 100 52. Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada Courtesy of Fogo Island Inn Score: 95.6 More information: fogoislandinn.ca 50 of 100 51. The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam 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 Rouse Photograpy Score: 95.69 More information, ranchovalencia.com 52 of 100 49. Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida 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 Courtesy of Rosewood Score: 95.81 More information: rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos 54 of 100 47. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland 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 Courtesy of Primland Score: 95.87 More information, primland.com 56 of 100 45. Lodge at Sea Island, Sea Island, Georgia 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 Courtesy of Nayara Hotel Score: 95.91 More information, arenalnayara.com 58 of 100 43. 41, London Courtesy of 41 Score: 95.93 More information, 41hotel.com 59 of 100 42. Katikies Hotel, Santorini, Greece Courtesy of Katikies Hotel Score: 95.95 More information: katikies.com 60 of 100 37. (tie) Rosewood Sand Hill, Menlo Park, California Blake Marvin Score: 96.00 More information: rosewoodhotels.com 61 of 100 37. (tie) Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland Courtesy of Beau-Rivage Palace Score: 96.00 More information: brp.ch 62 of 100 37. (tie) Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad, Switzerland Courtesy of Alpina Gstaad Score: 96.00 More information, thealpinagstaad.ch 63 of 100 37. (tie) 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai, Thailand 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 Courtesy of Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa Score: 96.00 More information, brenners.com 65 of 100 36. Tongabezi Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia Courtesy of Tongabezi Lodge Score: 96.2 More information, tongabezi.com 66 of 100 35. The St. Regis Bali Resort, Nusa Dua, Indonesia Courtesy of The St. Regis Bali Resort Score: 96.22 More information, stregisbali.com 67 of 100 34. XV Beacon, Boston, Massachusetts Kristin Teig Sore: 96.27 More information, xvbeacon.com 68 of 100 33. Kamalame Cay, Kamalame Cay, Andros Island, Bahamas Michael Paniccia Score: 96.3 More information, kamalame.com 69 of 100 31. (Tie) Nayara Springs, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica Courtesy of Nayara Springs Score: 96.36 More information, arenalnayara.com 70 of 100 31. (Tie) Sol y Luna, Urubamba, Peru Courtesy of Sol y Luna Score: 96.36 More information, hotelsolyluna.com 71 of 100 30. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Courtesy of Rosewood Score: 96.39 More information, rosewoodhotels.com 72 of 100 29. Mombo Camp and Little Mombo Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana Dana Allen Score: 96.50 More information, wilderness-safaris.com 73 of 100 28. The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore, India Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts Score: 96.63 More information, oberoihotels.com 74 of 100 27. Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island Courtesy of Weekapaug Inn Score: 96.67 More information, weekapauginn.com 75 of 100 26. Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Highlands, North Carolina Courtesy of Old Edwards Inn Score: 96.67 More information, oldedwardsinn.com 76 of 100 25. Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, Chatham, Massachusetts Courtesy of Wequassett Resort and Golf Club Score: 96.68 More information, wequassett.com 77 of 100 22. (tie) The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts Score: 96.76 More information, oberoihotels.com 78 of 100 22. (tie) The Opposite House, Beijing, China Michael Weber Score: 96.76 More information, theoppositehouse.com 79 of 100 22. (tie) Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana Courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch Score: 96.76 More information, triplecreekranch.com 80 of 100 21. Château du Sureau, Oakhurst, California Courtesy of Château du Sureau Score: 96.77 More information, chateausureau.com 81 of 100 20. The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia Courtesy of The Brando Score: 96.8 More information, thebrando.com 82 of 100 19. Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec Courtesy of Manoir Hovey Score: 96.93 More information, manoirhovey.com 83 of 100 18. Singita Sabi Sand, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa Courtesy of Singita Sabi Sand Score: 96.95 More information, singita.com 84 of 100 17. Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina Courtesy of Cavas Wine Lodge Score: 96.99 More information, cavaswinelodge.com 85 of 100 16. Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, Gateway, Colorado Courtesy of Gateway Canyons Resort Score: 97.00 More information, gatewaycanyons.com 86 of 100 15. Hotel Castello di Casole—A Timbers Resort, Casole d'Elsa, Italy Courtesy of Hotel Castello di Casole Score: 97.01 More information, castellodicasole.com 87 of 100 14. The Peninsula Shanghai, China Courtesy of Peninsula Score: 97.01 More information, shanghai.peninsula.com 88 of 100 13. Londolozi, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa Courtesy of Londolozi Score: 97.06 More information: londolozi.com 89 of 100 12. Farmhouse Inn, Forestville, California Courtesy of Farmhouse Inn Score: 97.07 More information, farmhouseinn.com 90 of 100 11. Singita Grumeti, Serengeti National Park Area, Tanzania Courtesy of Singita Score: 97.11 More information, singita.com 91 of 100 10. The Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories, Chile Courtesy of Singular Patagonia Score: 97.14 More information, thesingular.com 92 of 100 9. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont Courtesy of Twin Farms Score: 97.19 More information, twinfarms.com 93 of 100 8. Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador Courtesy of Casa Gangotena Score: 97.2 More information, casagangotena.com Book a trip to Quito. 94 of 100 7. The Willcox, Aiken, South Carolina Courtesy of The Willcox Score: 97.25 More information, thewillcox.com 95 of 100 6. The Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford, Pennsylvania Courtesy of The Lodge at Glendorn Score: 97.38 More information, glendorn.com 96 of 100 4. (tie) Montage Kapalua Bay, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Courtesy of Montage Kapalua Bay Score: 97.39 More information, montagehotels.com/kapaluabay 97 of 100 4. (tie) Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia Courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge Score: 97.39 More information, southernoceanlodge.com.au 98 of 100 3. Huka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand Courtesy of Huka Lodge Score: 97.65 More information, hukalodge.co.nz 99 of 100 2. The Spectator, Charleston, South Carolina Courtesy of The Spectator Score: 97.78 More information, thespectatorhotel.com 100 of 100 1. Nihiwatu, Sumba, Indonesia Courtesy of Nihiwatu Score: 98.35 An extraordinary surf break attracted Nihiwatu’s founders to the plot that became this resort. Villas take inspiration from traditional Sumbanese homes, with thatched roofs and ikat accents. The island’s exceptional seafood is a focus in Nihiwatu’s three restaurants. Guests can fish, ride horses, or trek to the spa, but what really sets Nihiwatu apart is its strong connection with Sumba, Indonesia and its people, who make up 90 percent of the staff. “I would return here again and again,” wrote one T+L reader. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit