EDITOR’S CHOICE
Celebrated Living editors recognize these outstanding hotels.
MAINLAND U.S.
 HOTEL BEL-AIR, LOS ANGELES
Recently acquired by the Dorchester Collection, the Hotel Bel-Air will debut a spa by La Prairie with wood- burning fireplaces and free-standing bathtubs late this year. (800) 648-4097, hotelbelair.com
LITTLE PALM ISLAND RESORT & SPA, LITTLE TORCH KEY, FLORIDA
The just-launched Sandbar Sessions arrange private VIP concert performances for guests of its 30 on-island suites and another 40 off-island guests. (800) 343-8567, littlepalmisland.com
THE CLOISTER AT SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
A recently built new beach club includes three pools, a movie theater, game room, and Camp Cloister, plus beach club suites. (888) 732-4752, seaisland.com
INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
Europe meets Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley at the foodie-focused Inn at Little Washington. Dinner by chef/proprietor Patrick O’Connell warrants the trek from big Washington. (540) 675-3800, theinnatlittlewashington.com
HAWAII
HOTEL HÁNA-MAUI, MAUI
The fine dining restaurant at this remote Maui retreat sources 90 percent of its ingredients locally. New management plans a bedding upgrade. (800) 321-4262, hotelhanamaui.com
THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT, OAHU
Celebrating 45 years, Kahala spent more than $50 million in redecorated rooms from Frette linens to Brazilian-wood floors; tech upgrades from flat screens to espresso machines. (800) 367-2525, kahalaresort.com
CANADA
THE FAIRMONT WATERFRONT, VANCOUVER
Creative green initiatives here include beehives in the rooftop herb garden supplying honey to kitchens and bars, and sustainable seafood on menus. (866) 540-4509, Fairmont.com/waterfront
FAMILY
FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI
Separate kids’ and adults’ pools, plus a calm saltwater snorkeling pool, keep everyone happy. Come June, gather around the new beach firepit. (888) 340-5662, fourseasons.com/hualalai
EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT AND GOLDEN DOOR SPA, PUERTO RICO
A deluxe water park is the centerpiece of the resort’s recent $120 million redo. High-speed catamarans cut travel time to the offshore beach in half. (866) 557-6372, elconresort.com
U.S. CASINO RESORT
HYATT REGENCY LAKE TAHOE RESORT, SPA AND CASINO, NEVADA
Soak in the lake and mountain vistas between bets. New chef Mark May serves “High Sierra Cuisine” of hearty fish and game. (775) 832-1234, laketahoe.hyatt.com
CARIBBEAN
PARROT CAY, TURKS & CAICOS
Villas provide your personal butler and chef. New all-inclusive packages bundle lodging, food, spa treatments, yoga, pilates, and a welcome bottle of bubbly. (649) 946-7738, parrotcay.como.bz
CASA DE CAMPO, LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
A something-for-everyone escape, now introducing oxygen spa facials, Amansha yoga, an amber museum, plus parent-child golf and tennis lessons. (800) 877-3643, casadecampo.com.do
AFRICA
SABI SABI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA
Now celebrating its 30th year as a reserve, Sabi Sabi invests deeply in the local community, from education to extracurriculars including soccer leagues. (800) 524-7979, sabisabi.com
ASIA
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BANGKOK, THAILAND
The oldest hotel in Thailand (circa 1876) still innovates. Witness the spa’s “ayurvedic penthouse,” built of 100-year-old wood from India, dispensing healing treatments. 011- 66-2-659-9000, mandarinoriental.com
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/SOUTH PACIFIC
HUKA LODGE, TAUPO, NEW ZEALAND
The just-opened Alan Pye Cottage sharing Huka Lodge’s 17 acres cloisters guests in a riverside Arts-and-Crafts two-bedroom with private pool and garden. 011-64-7-378-5791, thehukaretreats.com
BUSINESS
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LAS VEGAS
Vegas’ best nongaming hotel added sizzle of its own with a steakhouse from chef Charlie Palmer. Get a foot massage without leaving the pool deck. (877) 632-5000, fourseasons.com/lasvegas
GRAND HÔTEL STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Popular restaurant Mathias Dahlgren-Matsalen has quickly earned two Michelin stars. Later this year expect a new spa from Stockholm-based Raison d’Etre. 011-46-8-679-3500, www.grandhotel.se
EUROPE
HOTEL HASSLER, ROME, ITALY
Atop the Spanish Steps, the Hassler debuts a remodeled wing, couples massages on a terrace overlooking the Eternal City, and a salon from celebrity stylist Rossano Ferretti. 011-39-06-699340, www.hotelhassler.com
PARK HOTEL KENMARE, IRELAND
The Park’s charming proprietors, the brothers Brennan, star in an Irish reality show making over other hotels. At theirs, a new town house books by the week. 011-353-64-664-1200, parkkenmare.com
MEXICO/CENTRAL AMERICA/SOUTH AMERICA
FOUR SEASONS RESORT PUNTA MITA, NAYARIT, MEXICO
It’s guests- and members-only at the new Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, his second at Punta Mita on Mexico’s scenic Pacific. 011-52-329-291-6000, fourseasons.com/puntamita
INKATERRA MACHU PICCHU HOTEL, PERU
This well-located lodge and its siblings record local music, remix it for contemporary ears, and sell CDs in an effort to preserve Andean culture. (800) 442-5042, inkaterra.com
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FOR A HANDY COMPILATION LIST OF THE RANKINGS AND TO CHECK OUT THE EDITORS’ CHOICES, SEE
“PLATINUM LIST” | |
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