What constitutes the most luxurious hotel depends on personal taste, but there is a steady stream of experts ready to offer up opinions. From the World Travel Awards to "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine's annual Gold List, those experts keep a close eye on developments in the market and have found luxury hotels on all seven continents.
The World Travel Awards bestowed the "World's Leading Luxury Hotel" accolade on the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2009. Having entertained celebrities since 1875, the Grand Hotel has been restored to preserve its art nouveau interiors.
Grand Hotel Europe
Nevsky Prospekt
Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7
191186
St. Petersburg, Russia
800-237-1236
011-7-812-329-6000
grandhoteleurope.com
"Conde Nast Traveler" magazine's annual Gold List gave Chewton Glen in the south coast English town of New Milton a maximum 100 points for design in 2010. The 58-room, 18th-century brick house has had a makeover that incorporates the atmosphere of a gentleman's club with modern furniture.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6QS
England
011-44-1425-275-341
chewtonglen.com
Winner of the World Travel Award's "Leading Luxury Lodge" in Africa from 2007 to 2009, the Thanda in South Africa's KwaZulu Natal province features villas, lodge accommodation and an opulent tented camp. When not out on game drives, guests can indulge in the spa or an infinity pool.
Thanda Private Game Reserve
D242, Off N2 Bayala Road
Hluhluwe 3960 South Africa
011-27-11-469-5082
thanda.com
The all-suite Burj Al Arab in Dubai scooped the World Travel Award's "Leading Luxury Hotel" in the Middle East in 2010. Its distinctive sailboat design soars to a height of 1,053 feet. Check-in is discreet in-suite and every floor has an army of butlers.
Burj Al Arab
Off Jumeirah Beach Road
Umm Suqeim
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
011-971-430-177-77
jumeirah.com
Not to be outshone by its neighbor, Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace has won dozens of awards, including five at the 2009 World Travel Awards. It offers 302 Grand rooms and 92 suites with in-room technology, including laptops and interactive LCD TVs, making it one of the most luxurious for business travelers.
Emirates Palace
Sheikh Zayed Road
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
011-971-269-090-00
emiratespalace.com
Readers of "Travel+Leisure" magazine voted the Oberoi Vanyavilas in Ranthambhore, India, as the "World's Best Hotel" in 2010. The luxurious jungle tents, with four-poster beds and teak floors, sit on the edge of the Tiger Reserve and resident elephants will take you for a ride.
Oberoi Vanyavilas
Ranthambhore Road
Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan
India
011-91-7462-223-999
oberoihotels.com
Bali's Ayana took the "Leading Luxury Resort" award for Asia in 2009's World Travel Awards. Perched on limestone cliffs above Jimbaran Bay, the 368 rooms combine traditional Indonesian carvings with modern amenities, including 42-inch TVs. The resort also features 12 restaurants and a private golf course.
Ayana Resort and Spa
Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera
Jimbaran, Bali 80364
Indonesia
011-62-361-702-222
ayanaresort.com
The top-scoring hotel in the Americas in 2010, according to "Conde Nast Traveler" readers, was the Peninsula on the Semana Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. Described as "the most luxurious place in the Caribbean," the Victorian-style hotel is scattered with art, antiques, Brazilian hardwood floors and ivory cabinets.
Peninsula House
Las Terrenas
Semana Peninsula, Dominican Republic
011-809-307-1827
thepeninsulahouse.com
The United States' "Leading Hotel" in 2009 at the World Travel Awards was Shutters, a beachfront hotel in Santa Monica, California. The interiors were designed by Michael Smith, who was also appointed in 2009 to redesign the Obamas' White House. Luxury is understated with old leather sofas and casually dressed doormen, but the hotel also features chauffeur-driven Jaguars and an art collection including works by Hockney, Lichtenstein and Oldenburg.
Shutters on the Beach
1 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-458-0030
shuttersonthebeach.com
Santiago's Ritz-Carlton in the El Golf neighborhood has been on the "Conde Nast Traveler" Gold List since 2005. Luxury comes in the form of a design combining gold with earth tones, a spectacular glass roof, a bar that serves more than 100 martinis and a state-of-the art gym overlooking the Andes.
Ritz-Carlton Santiago
15 Calle El Alcalde
Santiago, Chile
011-56-247-085-00
ritzcarlton.com
