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.

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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

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

Credit: Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Score: 94.524

More information, theresortatpedregal.com

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98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

Credit: Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace

Score: 94.56

More information, tajhotels.com

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97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Cape Grace

Score: 94.59

More information, capegrace.com

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96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

Credit: Grey Crawford

Score: 94.62

More information, innabovetide.com

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95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of Singita

Score: 94.65

More information, singita.com

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94. The House, St. James, Barbados

Credit: 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

Credit: Courtesy of River Inn of Harbor Town

Score: 94.71

More information, riverinnmemphis.com

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92. The Knickerbocker, New York City

Credit: Nicholas Koenig

Score: 94.75

More information, theknickerbocker.com

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91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City

Credit: Courtesy of the Greenwich Hotel

Score: 94.76

More information, thegreenwichhotel.com

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90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Credit: Courtesy of Jade Mountain St. Lucia

Score: 94.85

More information, jademountain.com

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89. The Egerton House Hotel, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Egerton House Hotel

Score: 94.86

More information, egertonhousehotel.com

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88. The Lanesborough, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Lanesborough

Score: 94.87

More information, lanesborough.com

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87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: Courtesy of Inn by the Sea

Score: 94.97

More information, innbythesea.com

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82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Credit: Courtesy of Ocean House

Score: 95.03

More information, oceanhouseri.com

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81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy

Credit: Andrea Getuli

Score: 95.04

More information, villacora.it

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80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

Credit: Courtesy of Sonnenalp Hotel

Score: 95.04

More information, sonnenalp.com

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79. Le Bristol, Paris

Credit: Courtesy of Le Bristol

Score: 95.06

More information, lebristolparis.com

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78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

Credit: Courtesy of the Leela Palaces

Score: 95.06

More information: theleela.com

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

Credit: Courtesy of Tu Tu'tun Lodge

Score: 95.06

More information: tututun.com

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76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: Courtesy of Tambo del Inka

Score: 95.11

More information, starwoodhotels.com

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73. The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia

Credit: 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

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Score: 95.17

More information, fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

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71. The Goring, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Goring

Score: 95.19

More information, thegoring.com

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70. La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa

Credit: Courtesy of La Residence Franschhoek

Score: 95.27

More information, theroyalportfolio.com

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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

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68. The Milestone Hotel, London

Credit: Courtesy of the Milestone Hotel

Score: 95.32

More information, milestonehotel.com

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67. The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of the Biltmore Hotel

Score: 95.32

More information, biltmorehotel.com

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66. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Score: 95.33

More information fourseasons.com/chiangmai

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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

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64. The Surrey, New York City

Credit: Courtesy of the Surrey

Score: 95.37

More information, thesurrey.com

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

Credit: Courtesy of Curtain Bluff

Score: 95.40

More information, curtainbluff.com

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62. Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington, Massachusetts

Credit: Michael J. Lee Photography

Score: 95.40

More information, innathastingspark.com

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61. Winvian Farm, Morris, Connecticut

Credit: Courtesy of Winvian Farm

Score: 95.41

More information, winvian.com/cottages

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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

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59. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

Credit: Michelle Chaplow

Score: 95.45

More information, oberoihotels.com

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58. J.K. Place Capri, Italy

Credit: Courtesy of J.K. Place Capri

Score: 95.46

More information, jkcapri.com

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57. Zamas Hotel, Tulum, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of ZAMAS

Score: 95.49

More information, zamas.com

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

Credit: Courtesy of the Chanler at Cliff Walk

Score: 95.51

More information, thechanler.com

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55. Acqualina, Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Acqualina

Score: 95.53

More information, acqualinaresort.com

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54. Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi, Italy

Credit: Genius Loci

Score: 95.57

More information, hotelsantacaterina.it

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53. Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, California

Credit: Courtesy of Brewery Gulch Inn

Score: 95.59

More information: brewerygulchinn.com

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

Credit: Courtesy of Fogo Island Inn

Score: 95.6

More information: fogoislandinn.ca

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51. The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

Credit: Courtesy of The Nam Hai

Score: 95.63

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

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

Credit: Rouse Photograpy

Score: 95.69

More information, ranchovalencia.com

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49. Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Gasparilla Inn

Score: 95.76

More information, the-gasparilla-inn.com

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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

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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

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45. Lodge at Sea Island, Sea Island, Georgia

Credit: Courtesy of Lodge at Sea Island

Score: 95.90

More information, seaisland.com

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The 100 Best Hotels in the World in 2016

1 of 100

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

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

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98. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

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97. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa

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96. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

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95. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa

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94. The House, St. James, Barbados

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93. River Inn of Harbor Town, Memphis, Tennessee

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92. The Knickerbocker, New York City

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91. The Greenwich Hotel, New York City

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90. Jade Mountain, Soufrière, St. Lucia

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89. The Egerton House Hotel, London

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88. The Lanesborough, London

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87. Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

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

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

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

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83. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

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82. Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

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81. Villa Cora, Florence, Italy

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80. Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, Colorado

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79. Le Bristol, Paris

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78. The Leela Palace New Delhi, India

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

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76. Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

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