Last night saw the inaugural Smith Hotel Awards organised by boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith. Californian hotel Post Ranch Inn took the top award beating some 900 other hotels that were suggested by the 50,000 people that voted.
After the public vote, shortlists of the top 10 hotels in each category were put to a panel of 36 specialist judges, including writer and presenter Mariella Frostrup, chef Marcus Wareing and design guru Ilse Crawford.
The 12 winning hotels were named as follows:
Best-Dressed Hotel: Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali, Indonesia
Staking a stylish claim on Bali’s rugged Bukit Peninsula, this is a cool, contemporary cliffhanger of a resort which delivers dramatic eco-friendly design in a jaw-dropping setting. Tina Lamb, Head of Accessories, Harvey Nichols said: ‘Undoubtedly the chicest clifftop in the world. Discovering this hotel for the first time, I was hit by the sense of complete serenity, breath-taking views, endless relaxation and service beyond anything experienced before.’
Sexiest Bedroom in the World: Blakes Hotel London, UK
Arguably the original boutique hotel, Anouska Hempel’s wickedly opulent Kensington hideaway has been discreetly looking after lovebirds for over 25 years. It’s hard to imagine a more alluring setting for seduction than the honeymoon-perfect, white-on-white Corfu Suite. Juliet Kinsman, Editor-in-chief, Mr & Mrs Smith said: ‘It’s no coincidence images of the bedrooms at this more-is-more hideaway have been used to exemplify the dream Smith bedroom: stylish, romantic, and a come-hither confection of fluffy pillows and opulent fabrics that you want to dive into and never leave.’
Hottest Hotel Bar: Ace Hotel New York New York, USA
Hip, quirky and brimming with confidence, the Ace’s bar channels the spirit of its home city perfectly, and bustles with moving, shaking New Yorkers both day and night. They come for the cocktails, ingeniously crafted by Milk & Honey’s Sasha Petraske, they stay for the electric ambience. Jared Brown, Sipsmith said: ‘I love a hotel bar that fits the city it’s in. The vibrancy, the energy, the decor, the drinks lists – this bar is comfortable, classic, and unrepentantly New York, old New York at that.’
Best Hotel Restaurant: Bastide de Moustiers Provence, France
Alain Ducasse’s Provençal hideaway is a love poem to the surrounding area, a gastronome’s daydream that showcases the finest local produce in a daily changing menu of delectably inventive dishes. There’s no frippery or unnecessary extras; just simple, seasonal ingredients, intelligently prepared and served in a truly beautiful place. Marcus Wareing, chef said: ‘I can think of nowhere I would rather go for a short break with my wife.’
Best Spa Hotel: Como Shambhala Estate Bali, Indonesia
Como’s flagship retreat in Ubud renowned for its holistic back-to-nature approach, and promises to soothe, relax, cosset and revivify – while surrounding you in totally tropical, thatched-pavilion, wall-to-wall waterfall luxury. East meets West in the Ojas spa, with therapies running the gamut from Ayurveda and anti-ageing to Thai massage and stress management. Susan Kurosawa, travel journalist, said: ‘A true wellness retreat in an environmentally conscious setting with well-trained therapists and a true sense of sanctuary. The organic cuisine is a delight, and it’s all located amid one of Bali’s most striking locations.’
The Eco Award: Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Abruzzo, Italy
Albergo Diffuso is more than a hotel, it’s whole new accommodation concept built around restoration and sustainability. Spread around the buildings of what was an abandoned village high in the Italian Apennines, the project hasn’t just created a an utterly unique place to stay, it’s reinvigorated an entire mountain village that would otherwise have been lost to history. Lily Jenks, architect, said: ‘Reinvigorating existing structures with new life is a hugely important act for the sustainability age. This, coupled with the social aspects of locally sourced craftwork, makes this hotel really stand out.’
Best for Families: Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand
With a breathtaking jungle-meets-ocean setting, switched-on service and fun-loving attitude, eco-friendly Soneva Kiri takes luxury family holidays to a new level. The free kids’ club the Den is beyond impressive: Dutch eco-architect Olav Bruin asked groups of children to design their dream play area – and then built on that. Maria Pieri, National Geographic Traveller, said: ‘This is a tropical hideaway geared up to kids that will appeal to adults too. Activities are focused on creativity and nature, there are no games consoles but an emphasis on the flavour of the destination, such as trying a hand at traditional batik.’
Best Budget Hotel: Brody House Budapest, Hungary
More than just a boutique bolthole, Brody House is also a members’ club with a stylish bar, a sometime film and fashion-shoot set, and a hub of local creativity with a calendar crammed full of art events and book readings. The very reasonable room rate gives you honorary membership to Brody’s members’ club rooms and events. Sarah Wilson, journalist and TV presenter said: ‘Every traveller wants to feel like they belong, like they have an in with the locals. Brody House extends a wonderfully generous invite to join the cool crew. It embeds guests in Eastern bohemia (the interior is perfectly eclectic and bo-ho) and the local action – shoots, book readings and events. An experience, not just a stay.’
The Greatest Outdoors: Dunton Hot Springs Colorado, United States
This unique mountain hideaway takes you straight back into the big-sky wilderness of the Old West, complete with log cabins, snow-capped peaks, not-so-lonesome pines and a perch on the porch to admire it all from. And, of course, there are the hot springs, which ensure that Dunton is a year-round alfresco spa haven. Alastair Humphreys, Adventurer, said: ‘The history of this hotel being an abandoned mining town is fascinating and I love the shabby-chic cabins – I want one in my garden!’
Above & Beyond: The Upper House Hong Kong
The Upper House may be in the heart of the city, but you’ll feel a tranquil world away from the moment you’re met in the lobby by your personal ‘guest experience manager’. This hotel prides itself on making stays simple, sedate and hassle free. Jeralyn Gerber, writer, said: ‘Even if it’s your very first time stepping over the hotel threshold, you feel remarkably comfortable here, as if you’ve been through it all before. Everything is made incredibly easy – from the iPad check-in to warm cookie delivery just before you realise you’d like a snack.’
Best Newcomer: Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
This Todd Saunders-designed beauty is a heartfelt home-from-home set against a sublime crashing-ocean backdrop.Although the bold, Scandinavian-style architecture is as modern as it gets, the inn is inspired by long-standing community tradition. Every detail – from the eco-conscious practices right down to the hand-loomed rugs – connects back to the island and its end-of-the-Earth remoteness only adds to the allure. Serge Dive, Beyond Luxury, said: ‘A harmonious juxtaposition of contemporary design against wilderness. Not only an exceptional example of a unique travel experience, but at the forefront of a new generation in luxury travel.’
Best Smith Hotel 2013: Post Ranch Inn California, USA
Clinging to a clifftop along California’s wild west coast, this big-name Big Sur sanctuary manages to melt into the dramatic surrounds while showcasing dreamy design within. Cabins and cottages hover at the rocky edge (or teeter among the trees), each offering an eyeful of Pacific Ocean 1,200 feet below. The setting alone would put this hotel on most travellers’ wish lists, but combined with the luxury of a fireside massage, three infinity pools, clifftop hot tubs and a one-of-a-kind restaurant, it offers, quite simply, one of the world’s very best places to stay. Harriet Logan, Photographer, said: ‘Spectacular location. beautiful design and total relaxation… The perfect place for a child-free escape.’
James Lohan, co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith said: ‘When we started Smith in 2003, I never imagined we’d one day be announcing the world’s best boutique hotels. But for our 10th birthday, we felt that launching our first awards would be the perfect way to celebrate how far boutique hotels have come over the years. We were overwhelmed by the response – nearly 50,000 people from all over the world voted for their favourite Smith hotels – and I’m thrilled with the eventual roster of winners: it’s a rock-solid hot list of the world’s most desirable hotels.’
