Il meglio del meglio, la classifica mondiale dell’hotellerie di lusso stilata dal network Virtuoso
Virtuoso, the international network of luxury travel agencies, has announced the nominees for its prestigious Best of the Best hotel awards. Celebrating its 10th year, the Best of the Best awards recognize the industry’s top properties and hoteliers. The 50 nominees represent the highest standard in their given category and illustrate what is trending in the industry.
History Still Matters: Legendary hotels, some of which may even be spotted in black-and-white Hollywood classics, continue to endure amongst luxury travelers. While there is an undeniable expectation of upgraded rooms and modernized amenities, it is impossible to put a price tag on the timeless essence left by eclectic guests who once walked through the doors.
Where in the World? With seven continents, 195 independent countries, and nearly 7,000 different languages in the world, discerning travelers want to see, hear, taste and feel the authentic attributes of the location they have chosen to visit. Properties that establish this level of cultural immersion and tell a story with every element down to the smallest detail have the deepest resonance with upscale hotel enthusiasts.
Travel to Experience: In a world where social media has transformed the way we live and travel technologies are rapidly evolving, the desire for careful curation prevails. From high style and haute cuisine to groundbreaking designs that transform a property, guests are seeking out hotels that deliver a certain “feel” that represents their own lifestyle. Their quest to collect “likes” ultimately leads them to a more personalized experience.
Giving Back: Can a hotel change the way a guest sees the world? The Virtuoso community says “yes.” Luxury travelers are looking to broaden their “Journey to Global Citizenship,” using travel as a means of educating their children while simultaneously giving back to a local community in a meaningful, engaging way.
The below Virtuoso Best of the Best hotel award nominees embody these trends. The winners will be the result of a weeks-long vote held amongst Virtuoso’s travel agency members, the most experienced travel advisors in the industry. Their final selections will be revealed during Virtuoso Travel Week’s Hotels & Resorts Dinner taking place August 10, 2016, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Best Achievement in Design
Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
The Langham, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
The Temple House, Chengdu, China
Best Culinary Experience
The Farmhouse Restaurant, Farmhouse Inn, California, United States
IGNIV, Grand Hotel Quellenhof & Spa Suites, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
Michel Guerard, Les Pres d’Eugenie-Michel Guerard, Eugenie-les-Bains, France
Shang Palace, Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
The Colony Grill Room, The Beaumont, London, United Kingdom
Best Bar
J.K. Lounge, J.K. Place Firenze, Florence, Italy
Prohibition, Rosewood Hotel Georgia,Vancouver, Canada
Polo Bar, Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Gold Bar, The New York EDITION, New York, United States
Off the Record, The Hay Adams, Washington., D.C., United States
Best Family Program
Hotel Le K2, Courchevel, France
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji, Savusavu, Fiji
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The Peninsula Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Best Spa
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
La Reserve de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland
Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali, Indonesia
Six Senses Laamu Hotel, Laamu Atoll, Maldives
The Mayflower Grace, Connecticut, United States
Most Innovative Guest Experience
Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Carmel Valley Ranch, California, United States
Estancia La Bamba de Areco, San Antonio de Areco, Argentina
Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, Australia
Schloss Elmau, Elmau, Germany
Sustainable Tourism Leadership
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Blancaneaux Lodge, Central Farm, Belize
Cavallo Point – The Lodge at Golden Gate, California, United States
Tswalu Kalahari, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa
UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Trancoso, Brazil
One to Watch
D Hotel Maris, Marmaris, Turkey
Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota, Bogota, Colombia
Hotel Eden Rome, Dorchester Collection, Rome, Italy
Il Sereno, Lake Como, Italy
Park Hyatt St. Kitts, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Hotelier of the Year
Deborah Yager Fleming, Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, Florida, United States
Nikheel Advani, Grace Bay Club, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Philip Barnes, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver, Canada
Jose Silva, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Paris, France
Roberto Payer, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hotel of the Year
Amanpulo, Pamalican Island, Philippines
Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri Di Fasano, Italy
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Mandarin Oriental, Milan, Milan, Italy
Ritz Paris, Paris, France.