THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling...

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The world’s best new hotels, and 15 reasons they’ll make you want to pack your bags now. THE Hot List

Transcript of THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling...

Page 1: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

The world’s best new hotels, and 15 reasons they’ll make you want

to pack your bags now.

THE

Hot List

Page 2: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

Hot ListThe world’s best new hotels, and 15 reasons they’ll

make you want to pack your bags now.

THE 201 5

The key to finding the right hotel.

Turn page for hotel listings

●Best Bargains (Under $200

a Night)

●Design Stars

●Beachside

Escapes

●Urbanist

Standouts

●Family-Friendly

●Over-the-Top

Luxury

●Good Food

●Remote and

Wild

What makes a new hotel today graduate from an of-the-moment scene to an enduring icon that defines a city? “It’s not just about design—people often mistake the way a place looks for the way a place feels,” explains André Balazs, who first made our annual Hot List in 1999 for The Mercer. “I live at the Chiltern Firehouse—I’ve slept in every room. I have to because if I don’t, I can’t tell whether even the littlest details—like the brightness of a reading light— are right.” What we’ve learned from the best hoteliers is that focusing this intensely on the smallest things isn’t as obsessive as it sounds: As travelers become more sophisticated, luxury must become more intuitive. Offering butler service because that’s what’s expected of a five- star hotel ultimately reads as soulless (unless, that is, it’s absolutely seamless and unintrusive) and is in some ways less impressive than the quiet replenishment of the right brand of toothpaste by invisible hands. This year, after poring over the intel of our staff and contributors—who vetted more than a hundred recently opened hotels and resorts, from West Africa to Miami— we found that what stands out are the properties which combine old-school extravagance and service with just the right measure of modernity. You might even think of them as the new cultural touchstones. The 60 hotels that follow and the details that make them special—we’ve given you 15 as a jumping-off point—are a reason unto themselves to board a plane right now.

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Page 3: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

21 Broad, NantucketA restored 27-room Victorian mansion in the center of town with a cheery aqua and yellow palette and mod furnishings, it’s made for weekend visitors.

21broadhotel.com; from $159. ●

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, OmanAt this remote 78-room resort 90 miles southwest of Muscat, guests spend their days hiking through ancient villages blissfully absent of any sign of modern life.

alilahotels.com; from $500. ●

Alma Histórica Boutique Hotel, Montevideo, UruguayA much-needed addition to the city, the 15-room 1920s town house is in the center of one of South America’s most underrated capitals.

almahistorica.com; from $185. ●

Aman TokyoAman’s first urban property is an intimate, modernist 84-room aerie floating 38 floors above the city. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji.

amanresorts.com; from $618. ●

Aro Ha Wellness Resort, New ZealandOverlooking Lake Wakatipu, on the South Island, this intimate 20-room lodge is all about yoga, meditation, and health food that doesn’t taste like it.

aro-ha.com; from $3,300 for four nights. ●

Bahia Vik José Ignacio, UruguayA ten-suite main house and 11 art-filled bungalows sprawl across the dunes of Uruguay’s José Ignacio coastline, 12 miles northeast of Punta del Este.

bahiavik.com; from $800. ●

The Beaumont, LondonThis 73-room Deco-inspired renovation of a 1926 Mayfair building is the brainchild of two veteran restaurateurs, and its Colony Grill serves one of the city’s best English breakfasts.

thebeaumont.com; from $600. ●

Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, St. KittsEighty-four guest-houses— each with a wraparound veranda—are spread across a 400-acre organic farm that grows a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.

bellemontfarm.com; from $1,700. ●

The Brando, French PolynesiaOn Marlon Brando’s pri-vate atoll, Tetiaroa—30 miles off Tahiti—it has 35 thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools that alone are worth the flight.

thebrando.com; from $2,550 for three nights. ●

Cape Weligama, Sri LankaThis collection of 40 colonial-style houses on the Indian Ocean, surrounded by tropical gardens, has an on-site dive center for underwater adventures.

capeweligama.com; from $815. ●

Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 16-room minimalist resort was designed to blend into the sweeping landscape—a 790-acre vineyard backed by the snowcapped Andes.

casadeuco.com; from $400. ●

Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSixteenth-century houses have been transformed into this intimate seven-room hotel that feels like the second home of your dreams.

casasdelxvi.com; from $340. ●

Chiltern Firehouse, LondonThis quirky conversion of an 1889 building—one of the first fire stations in London—into a 26-room hotel and restaurant is where the beautiful people hang.

chilternfirehouse.com; from $730. ●

The Dean Hotel, DublinIf you want to be in the middle of the nightlife district, you can’t do better than this 52-room modernist hotbed. When you’ve settled in, head to the Rooftop Bar for the best views in Dublin.

deanhoteldublin.ie; from $130. ●

Delano Las VegasAt the southernmost tip of the Strip, this shimmering 43-story tower with 1,117 suites is a more subdued version of the typical Vegas experience.

delanolasvegas.com; from $200. ●

Portrait FirenzeOn the banks of the Arno, with views of the Ponte Vecchio, the latest property from the Ferragamo hotel group combines an unbeatable location with 36 chic, pared-down rooms.

lungarnocollection.com; from $530. ●

Riad Mena & Beyond, MarrakechThink of it as Marrakech mod in the heart of the medina: Each of the six rooms is decorated in an unexpected but harmonious blend of East and West.

riadmenaandbeyond .com; from $235. ●

Raffles IstanbulThe 185-room hotel is unabashedly swank, befitting its location in Zorlu Center, an upscale shopping and cultural complex that’s a reflection of booming modern Turkey.

raffles.com; from $370. ●

Ritz-Carlton, Rancho MirageSpare in design but decadent in service, this 244-room hotel in the California desert has fire pits, three pools, and astonishing views of the Coachella Valley.

ritzcarlton.com; from $279. ●

Rosewood BeijingThe first Rosewood hotel in China soars high above Beijing, with 283 rooms, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and an executive lounge that feels like a private club.

rosewoodhotels.com; from $287. ●

The Rose Hotel, Venice BeachThis casual 14-room California dream, a block from the boardwalk, is a much-needed option for an area of Los Angeles that was starved for good hotels.

therosehotelvenice.com; from $175. ●

Suján Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, IndiaA former royal guesthouse, the 30-room property has been transformed into an eclectic playground for color-loving design buffs.

sujanluxury.com; from $558. ●

The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, IndonesiaColonial design, first-rate Euro-Asian cuisine, 19villas and nine suites, and a long stretch of powdery sand have put luxury within a 45-minute ferry ride of Singapore.

thesanchaya.com; from $620. ●

The Singular Santiago Lastarria HotelThis 62-room Chilean retreat in Lastarria, a lively neighborhood with some of Santiago’s best nightlife and restaurants, has its own hopping rooftop bar and lounge.

thesingular.com; from $290. ●

Soho House ChicagoThe second-largest Soho House debuts in the city’ship West Loop, in a 1907 warehouse that’s been converted into a hotel with 40 guest rooms, aCowshed Spa . . . and avintage-y boxing ring.

sohohousechicago.com; from $280. ●

Tribal Hotel, Granada, NicaraguaAll seven rooms at this property—arguably the best boutique hotel in the country—have private terraces and a quirky, colorful mix of fabrics and artwork.

tribal-hotel.com; from $125. ●

Urso Hotel & Spa, MadridWith its neoclassicalfacade, delicate floralwallpaper, and spa, this 78-room hotel adds agracious note to a quiet side street near the trendy Chueca district.

hotelurso.com; from $210. ●

Viña Vik, ChileHigh design and high-profile contemporary art mix in the 22 suites here—all the more impressive for their setting, overlooking 11,000 acres of vineyards in the Millahue Valley.

vinavik.com; from $1,200. ●

Watch Hill Inn, Rhode IslandThis 19-suite inn on Little Narragansett Bay feels more like a beach house (with full kitchens and laundry facilities), making it ideal for family vacations.

watchhillinn.com; from $555. ●

Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, AnguillaThis classic 44-room Caribbean charmer overlooking postcard-perfect Meads Bay has taken on a new life.

aubergeresorts.com; from $525. ●

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, TurkeyMost of the 109 rooms face the sea, which is impossible to miss thanks to massive walls of windows; suites have private infinity pools.

mandarinoriental.com; from $260. ●

Mandarin Oriental, TaipeiA new standard was set in Taipei’s hotel scene when this 303-room property opened; afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge is a must for locals and guests.

mandarinoriental.com; from $523. ●

The Miami Beach EditionMid-Beach is heating up, due in large part to this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground.

editionhotels.com; from $429. ●

Mondrian London at Sea ContainersThis 359-room hotel on the Thames has all the hallmarks of its American counterparts (buzz, high design) along with British flair (color and whimsy).

morganshotelgroup .com; from $330. ●

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, South AfricaThe latest addition to Richard Branson’s hotel collection is a renovated grand estate house with 22 rooms on a 100-acre vineyard in Franschhoek.

montrochelle.co.za; from $240. ●

The Norman Tel-AvivThe 50 individually designed rooms at this boutique hotel in two historic town houses with a fragrant citrus garden between them are like no others in the city.

thenorman.com; from $435. ●

One&Only Hayman Island, AustraliaAn old-school 1950s-era resort in the Whitsunday Islands, off the Great Barrier Reef, gets a glam makeover with 160 rooms and villas.

oneandonlyresorts.com; from $615. ●

Palazzo Parigi, MilanSteps from the best shopping in Milan is designer Pierre-Yves Rochon’s seductive new hotel, with 98 guest rooms that are at once opulent and utterly comfortable.

palazzoparigi.com; from $680. ●

Park Hyatt New YorkMidtown gets a serious dose of flash with the opening of this super-sleek 210-room hotel in one of the city’s most anticipated (and expensive) new skyscrapers.

park.hyatt.com; from $795. ●

Park Hyatt ViennaThe 143 rooms at Hyatt’s first property in Austria (a stately former bankheadquarters) are someof the largest in Vienna,and the hotel is just a five-minute walk fromSt. Stephen’s Cathedral.

park.hyatt.com; from $425. ●

The Peninsula ParisAfter a six-year, $580 million renovation, a storied Belle Époque building has been transformed into Paris’s most talked about hot spot, with 200 rooms and a sublime spa.

peninsula.com; from $840. ●

The Pig on the Beach, Dorset, EnglandA rustic-chic boutique retreat on Dorset’s dramatic World Heritage coast, it has a standout locavore restaurant and 23 cozy guest rooms.

thepighotel.com; from $570. ●

Pikaia Lodge, Galápagos IslandsThe first true luxury ecolodge in the Galápa-gos, this 14-roompioneer has every creature comfort amid a wildlife-rich landscape.

pikaialodge galapagos.com; from $7,560 for three nights. ●

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, ParisThe signature red awnings are still there,but almost everything else at this 208-roomclassic was sumptuouslyupdated in a $268million renovation.

dorchestercollection .com; from $840. ●

Edson Hill, VermontWith its fireplaces and contemporary art collection, this 24-roommanor house on 38 acres (ten minutes fromStowe Mountain) feels like staying at a (wealthy) friend’s estate.

edsonhillmanor.com; from $300. ●

El Blok, Vieques, Puerto RicoBrutalist architectureis set against a tropicalbackdrop at this 22-room hotel, where carved louverstransform the bright suninto artistic shadows.

elblok.com; from $240. ●

Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Loire ValleyIn a meticulous renova-tion, a famous twelfth-century French abbey has been con-verted into a 54-room property with sleek—yet soothing—interiors.

fontevraud.fr; from $195. ●

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, JohannesburgSet on a gorgeous hillside, this 117-room luxury mainstay just had a top-to-bottom overhaul—time and money well spent.

fourseasons.com; from $350. ●

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ResortDisney-goers finally have a truly stylish option, thanks to this 443-room resort. Kids love the waterslides and lazy river.

fourseasons.com; from $449. ●

Waldorf Astoria AmsterdamSix grand town houses were combined to create 93 stylish rooms on the prestigious Herengracht, a 15-minute walk from Museumplein.

thegoodland.com; from $525. ●

Ham Yard Hotel, LondonFirmdale Hotels’ latest venture occupies an entire city block, with 91 airy, colorful rooms, a courtyard restaurant, and a subterranean bar and bowling alley.

firmdalehotels.com; from $555. ●

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, NamibiaThis African game changer is a state-of-the-art camp with eight tented bedrooms and private plane access to Skeleton Coast National Park.

wilderness-safaris.com; from $900. ●

Hotel Sahrai, Fez, MoroccoThe city’s mostimpressive boutique hotel has 50 rooms,two pools, and aknockout Givenchyspa—the firstin North Africa.

hotelsahrai.com; from $170. ●

Iconic Santorini, GreeceThis whitewashed 22-room retreat is set in a small village high above the Aegean. Its infinity pool, carved into the hillside, is epic.

iconicsantorini.com; from $685. ●

ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon, IndiaRight in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to Agra and Jaipur, the resort has 100 rooms and four monumental villas—all fit for a maharaja.

itchotels.in; from $305. ●

La Grande Maison, BordeauxJoël Robuchon’s restaurant is the standout at this six-room hotel in France’s celebrated Bordeaux wine region.

lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com; from $420. ●

La Réserve, ParisBuilt in 1854 and just a block from the Champs-Élysées, this elegant mansion turned 40-room bijou hotel has been restored to its Belle Époque splendor.

lareserve-paris.com; from $840. ●

The Ludlow, New YorkTucked into a lively Lower East Side block, the 184-room brick high-rise puts a new twist on downtown industrial cool withlofty city views and soaking tubs.

ludlowhotel.com; from $225. ●

Maalifushi by Como, MaldivesOn remote Thaa Atoll, this isolated, minimalist 65-room getaway hovers above coral gardens and schools of dolphins and sea turtles.

comohotels.com; from $750. ●

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Hotel SP34, CopenhagenThe 118 rooms at this Latin District hotel are like an adult’s idea of a cool dorm: snug but cheerful, with modern fixtures and furnishings.

brochner-hotels.dk; from $310. ●

For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

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Page 4: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

21 Broad, NantucketA restored 27-room Victorian mansion in the center of town with a cheery aqua and yellow palette and mod furnishings, it’s made for weekend visitors.

21broadhotel.com; from $159. ●

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, OmanAt this remote 78-roomresort 90 miles southwest of Muscat, guests spend their days hiking throughancient villages blissfullyabsent of any sign ofmodern life.

alilahotels.com; from $500. ●

Alma Histórica Boutique Hotel, Montevideo, UruguayA much-needed addition to the city, the 15-room 1920s town house is in the center of one of South America’s most underrated capitals.

almahistorica.com; from $185. ●

Aman TokyoAman’s first urban property is an intimate, modernist 84-room aerie floating 38 floors above the city. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji.

amanresorts.com; from $618. ●

Aro Ha Wellness Resort, New ZealandOverlooking Lake Wakatipu, on the South Island, this intimate 20-room lodge is all about yoga, meditation, and health food that doesn’t taste like it.

aro-ha.com; from $3,300 for four nights. ●

Bahia Vik José Ignacio, UruguayA ten-suite main house and 11 art-filled bungalows sprawl across the dunes of Uruguay’s José Ignacio coastline, 12 miles northeast of Punta del Este.

bahiavik.com; from $800. ●

The Beaumont, LondonThis 73-room Deco-inspired renovation of a 1926 Mayfair building is the brainchild of two veteran restaurateurs, and its Colony Grill serves one of the city’s best English breakfasts.

thebeaumont.com; from $600. ●

Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, St. KittsEighty-four guest-houses— each with a wraparound veranda—are spread across a 400-acre organic farm that grows a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.

bellemontfarm.com; from $1,700. ●

The Brando, French PolynesiaOn Marlon Brando’s pri-vate atoll, Tetiaroa—30 miles off Tahiti—it has 35thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools thatalone are worth the flight.

thebrando.com; from $2,550 for three nights. ●

Cape Weligama, Sri LankaThis collection of 40colonial-style houses on the Indian Ocean,surrounded by tropicalgardens, has an on-site dive center forunderwater adventures.

capeweligama.com; from $815. ●

Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 16-room minimalistresort was designed to blend into the sweepinglandscape—a 790-acre vineyard backed bythe snowcapped Andes.

casadeuco.com; from $400. ●

Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSixteenth-century houses have been transformedinto this intimate seven-room hotel that feels like the second home ofyour dreams.

casasdelxvi.com; from $340. ●

Chiltern Firehouse, LondonThis quirky conversion of an 1889 building—oneof the first fire stations inLondon—into a 26-roomhotel and restaurant is where the beautifulpeople hang.

chilternfirehouse.com; from $730. ●

The Dean Hotel, DublinIf you want to be in the middle of the nightlife district, you can’t do better than this 52-room modernist hotbed. When you’ve settled in, head to the Rooftop Bar for the best views in Dublin.

deanhoteldublin.ie; from $130. ●

Delano Las VegasAt the southernmost tip of the Strip, this shimmering 43-story tower with 1,117 suites is a more subdued version of the typical Vegas experience.

delanolasvegas.com; from $200. ●

Portrait FirenzeOn the banks of the Arno, with views of the Ponte Vecchio, the latest property from the Ferragamo hotel group combines an unbeatable location with 36 chic, pared-down rooms.

lungarnocollection.com; from $530. ●

Riad Mena & Beyond, MarrakechThink of it as Marrakech mod in the heart of the medina: Each of the six rooms is decorated in an unexpected but harmonious blend of East and West.

riadmenaandbeyond .com; from $235. ●

Raffles IstanbulThe 185-room hotel is unabashedly swank, befitting its location in Zorlu Center, an upscale shopping and cultural complex that’s a reflection of booming modern Turkey.

raffles.com; from $370. ●

Ritz-Carlton, Rancho MirageSpare in design but decadent in service, this 244-room hotel in the California desert has fire pits, three pools, and astonishing views of the Coachella Valley.

ritzcarlton.com; from $279. ●

Rosewood BeijingThe first Rosewood hotel in China soars high above Beijing, with 283 rooms, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and an executive lounge that feels like a private club.

rosewoodhotels.com; from $287. ●

The Rose Hotel, Venice BeachThis casual 14-room California dream, a block from the boardwalk, is a much-needed option for an area of Los Angeles that was starved for good hotels.

therosehotelvenice.com; from $175. ●

Suján Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, IndiaA former royal guesthouse, the 30-room property has been transformed into an eclectic playground for color-loving design buffs.

sujanluxury.com; from $558. ●

The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, IndonesiaColonial design, first-rate Euro-Asian cuisine, 19villas and nine suites, and a long stretch of powdery sand have put luxury within a 45-minute ferry ride of Singapore.

thesanchaya.com; from $620. ●

The Singular Santiago Lastarria HotelThis 62-room Chilean retreat in Lastarria, a lively neighborhood with some of Santiago’s best nightlife and restaurants, has its own hopping rooftop bar and lounge.

thesingular.com; from $290. ●

Soho House ChicagoThe second-largest Soho House debuts in the city’ship West Loop, in a 1907 warehouse that’s been converted into a hotel with 40 guest rooms, aCowshed Spa . . . and avintage-y boxing ring.

sohohousechicago.com; from $280. ●

Tribal Hotel, Granada, NicaraguaAll seven rooms at this property—arguably the best boutique hotel in the country—have private terraces and a quirky, colorful mix of fabrics and artwork.

tribal-hotel.com; from $125. ●

Urso Hotel & Spa, MadridWith its neoclassicalfacade, delicate floralwallpaper, and spa, this 78-room hotel adds agracious note to a quiet side street near the trendy Chueca district.

hotelurso.com; from $210. ●

Viña Vik, ChileHigh design and high-profile contemporary art mix in the 22 suites here—all the more impressive for their setting, overlooking 11,000 acres of vineyards in the Millahue Valley.

vinavik.com; from $1,200. ●

Watch Hill Inn, Rhode IslandThis 19-suite inn on Little Narragansett Bay feels more like a beach house (with full kitchens and laundry facilities), making it ideal for family vacations.

watchhillinn.com; from $555. ●

Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, AnguillaThis classic 44-room Caribbean charmer overlooking postcard-perfect Meads Bay has taken on a new life.

aubergeresorts.com; from $525. ●

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, TurkeyMost of the 109 rooms face the sea, which is impossible to miss thanks to massive walls of windows; suites have private infinity pools.

mandarinoriental.com; from $260. ●

Mandarin Oriental, TaipeiA new standard was set in Taipei’s hotel scene when this 303-room property opened; afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge is a must for locals and guests.

mandarinoriental.com; from $523. ●

The Miami Beach EditionMid-Beach is heating up, due in large part to this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground.

editionhotels.com; from $429. ●

Mondrian London at Sea ContainersThis 359-room hotel on the Thames has all the hallmarks of its American counterparts (buzz, high design) along with British flair (color and whimsy).

morganshotelgroup .com; from $330. ●

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, South AfricaThe latest addition to Richard Branson’s hotel collection is a renovated grand estate house with 22 rooms on a 100-acre vineyard in Franschhoek.

montrochelle.co.za; from $240. ●

The Norman Tel-AvivThe 50 individually designed rooms at this boutique hotel in two historic town houses with a fragrant citrus garden between them are like no others in the city.

thenorman.com; from $435. ●

One&Only Hayman Island, AustraliaAn old-school 1950s-era resort in the Whitsunday Islands, off the Great Barrier Reef, gets a glam makeover with 160 rooms and villas.

oneandonlyresorts.com; from $615. ●

Palazzo Parigi, MilanSteps from the best shopping in Milan is designer Pierre-Yves Rochon’s seductive new hotel, with 98 guest rooms that are at once opulent and utterly comfortable.

palazzoparigi.com; from $680. ●

Park Hyatt New YorkMidtown gets a serious dose of flash with the opening of this super-sleek 210-room hotel in one of the city’s most anticipated (and expensive) new skyscrapers.

park.hyatt.com; from $795. ●

Park Hyatt ViennaThe 143 rooms at Hyatt’s first property in Austria (a stately former bankheadquarters) are someof the largest in Vienna,and the hotel is just a five-minute walk fromSt. Stephen’s Cathedral.

park.hyatt.com; from $425. ●

The Peninsula ParisAfter a six-year, $580 million renovation, a storied Belle Époque building has been transformed into Paris’s most talked about hot spot, with 200 rooms and a sublime spa.

peninsula.com; from $840. ●

The Pig on the Beach, Dorset, EnglandA rustic-chic boutique retreat on Dorset’s dramatic World Heritage coast, it has a standout locavore restaurant and 23 cozy guest rooms.

thepighotel.com; from $570. ●

Pikaia Lodge, Galápagos IslandsThe first true luxury ecolodge in the Galápa-gos, this 14-roompioneer has every creature comfort amid a wildlife-rich landscape.

pikaialodge galapagos.com; from $7,560 for three nights. ●

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, ParisThe signature red awnings are still there, but almost everything else at this 208-room classic was sumptuously updated in a $268 million renovation.

dorchestercollection .com; from $840. ●

Edson Hill, VermontWith its fireplaces and contemporary art collection, this 24-room manor house on 38 acres (ten minutes from Stowe Mountain) feels like staying at a (wealthy) friend’s estate.

edsonhillmanor.com; from $300. ●

El Blok, Vieques, Puerto RicoBrutalist architecture is set against a tropical backdrop at this 22-room hotel, where carved louvers transform the bright sun into artistic shadows.

elblok.com; from $240. ●

Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Loire ValleyIn a meticulous renova-tion, a famous twelfth-century French abbey has been con-verted into a 54-room property with sleek—yet soothing—interiors.

fontevraud.fr; from $195. ●

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, JohannesburgSet on a gorgeous hillside, this 117-room luxury mainstay just had a top-to-bottom overhaul—time and money well spent.

fourseasons.com; from $350. ●

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ResortDisney-goers finally have a truly stylish option, thanks to this 443-room resort. Kids love the waterslides and lazy river.

fourseasons.com; from $449. ●

Waldorf Astoria AmsterdamSix grand town houses were combined to create 93 stylish rooms on the prestigious Herengracht, a 15-minute walk from Museumplein.

thegoodland.com; from $525. ●

Ham Yard Hotel, LondonFirmdale Hotels’ latest venture occupies an entire city block, with 91 airy, colorful rooms, a courtyard restaurant, and a subterranean bar and bowling alley.

firmdalehotels.com; from $555. ●

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, NamibiaThis African game changer is a state-of-the-art camp with eight tented bedrooms and private plane access to Skeleton Coast National Park.

wilderness-safaris.com; from $900. ●

Hotel Sahrai, Fez, MoroccoThe city’s most impressive boutique hotel has 50 rooms, two pools, and a knockout Givenchy spa—the first in North Africa.

hotelsahrai.com; from $170. ●

Iconic Santorini, GreeceThis whitewashed 22-room retreat is set in a small village high above the Aegean. Its infinity pool, carved into the hillside, is epic.

iconicsantorini.com; from $685. ●

ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon, IndiaRight in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to Agra and Jaipur, the resort has 100 rooms and four monumental villas— all fit for a maharaja.

itchotels.in; from $305. ●

La Grande Maison, BordeauxJoël Robuchon’s restaurant is the standout at this six-room hotel in France’s celebrated Bordeaux wine region.

lagrandemaison -bordeaux.com; from $420. ●

La Réserve, ParisBuilt in 1854 and just a block from the Champs-Élysées, this elegant mansion turned 40-room bijou hotel has been restored to its Belle Époque splendor.

lareserve-paris.com; from $840. ●

The Ludlow, New YorkTucked into a lively Lower East Side block, the 184-room brick high-rise puts a new twist on downtown industrial cool with lofty city views and soaking tubs.

ludlowhotel.com; from $225. ●

Maalifushi by Como, MaldivesOn remote Thaa Atoll, this isolated, minimalist 65-room getaway hovers above coral gardens and schools of dolphins and sea turtles.

comohotels.com; from $750. ●

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Hotel SP34, CopenhagenThe 118 rooms at this Latin District hotel are like an adult’s idea of a cool dorm: snug but cheerful, with modern fixtures and furnishings.

brochner-hotels.dk; from $310. ●

For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

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4 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Page 5: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

21 Broad, NantucketA restored 27-room Victorian mansion in the center of town with a cheery aqua and yellow palette and mod furnishings, it’s made for weekend visitors.

21broadhotel.com; from $159. ●

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, OmanAt this remote 78-roomresort 90 miles southwest of Muscat, guests spend their days hiking throughancient villages blissfullyabsent of any sign ofmodern life.

alilahotels.com; from $500. ●

Alma Histórica Boutique Hotel, Montevideo, UruguayA much-needed addition to the city, the 15-room 1920s town house is in the center of one of South America’s most underrated capitals.

almahistorica.com; from $185. ●

Aman TokyoAman’s first urban property is an intimate, modernist 84-room aerie floating 38 floors above the city. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji.

amanresorts.com; from $618. ●

Aro Ha Wellness Resort, New ZealandOverlooking Lake Wakatipu, on the South Island, this intimate 20-room lodge is all about yoga, meditation, and health food that doesn’t taste like it.

aro-ha.com; from $3,300 for four nights. ●

Bahia Vik José Ignacio, UruguayA ten-suite main house and 11 art-filled bungalows sprawl across the dunes of Uruguay’s José Ignacio coastline, 12 miles northeast of Punta del Este.

bahiavik.com; from $800. ●

The Beaumont, LondonThis 73-room Deco-inspired renovation of a 1926 Mayfair building is the brainchild of two veteran restaurateurs, and its Colony Grill serves one of the city’s best English breakfasts.

thebeaumont.com; from $600. ●

Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, St. KittsEighty-four guest-houses— each with a wraparound veranda—are spread across a 400-acre organic farm that grows a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.

bellemontfarm.com; from $1,700. ●

The Brando, French PolynesiaOn Marlon Brando’s pri-vate atoll, Tetiaroa—30 miles off Tahiti—it has 35thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools thatalone are worth the flight.

thebrando.com; from $2,550 for three nights. ●

Cape Weligama, Sri LankaThis collection of 40colonial-style houses on the Indian Ocean,surrounded by tropicalgardens, has an on-site dive center forunderwater adventures.

capeweligama.com; from $815. ●

Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 16-room minimalistresort was designed to blend into the sweepinglandscape—a 790-acre vineyard backed bythe snowcapped Andes.

casadeuco.com; from $400. ●

Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSixteenth-century houses have been transformedinto this intimate seven-room hotel that feels like the second home ofyour dreams.

casasdelxvi.com; from $340. ●

Chiltern Firehouse, LondonThis quirky conversion of an 1889 building—oneof the first fire stations inLondon—into a 26-roomhotel and restaurant is where the beautifulpeople hang.

chilternfirehouse.com; from $730. ●

The Dean Hotel, DublinIf you want to be in the middle of the nightlife district, you can’t do better than this 52-room modernist hotbed. When you’ve settled in, head to the Rooftop Bar for the best views in Dublin.

deanhoteldublin.ie; from $130. ●

Delano Las VegasAt the southernmost tip of the Strip, this shimmering 43-story tower with 1,117 suites is a more subdued version of the typical Vegas experience.

delanolasvegas.com; from $200. ●

Portrait FirenzeOn the banks of the Arno, with views of the Ponte Vecchio, the latest property from the Ferragamo hotel group combines an unbeatable location with 36 chic, pared-down rooms.

lungarnocollection.com; from $530. ●

Riad Mena & Beyond, MarrakechThink of it as Marrakech mod in the heart of the medina: Each of the six rooms is decorated in an unexpected but harmonious blend of East and West.

riadmenaandbeyond .com; from $235. ●

Raffles IstanbulThe 185-room hotel is unabashedly swank, befitting its location in Zorlu Center, an upscale shopping and cultural complex that’s a reflection of booming modern Turkey.

raffles.com; from $370. ●

Ritz-Carlton, Rancho MirageSpare in design but decadent in service, this 244-room hotel in the California desert has fire pits, three pools, and astonishing views of the Coachella Valley.

ritzcarlton.com; from $279. ●

Rosewood BeijingThe first Rosewood hotel in China soars high above Beijing, with 283 rooms, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and an executive lounge that feels like a private club.

rosewoodhotels.com; from $287. ●

The Rose Hotel, Venice BeachThis casual 14-room California dream, a block from the boardwalk, is a much-needed option for an area of Los Angeles that was starved for good hotels.

therosehotelvenice.com; from $175. ●

Suján Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, IndiaA former royal guesthouse, the 30-room property has been transformed into an eclectic playground for color-loving design buffs.

sujanluxury.com; from $558. ●

The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, IndonesiaColonial design, first-rate Euro-Asian cuisine, 19villas and nine suites, and a long stretch of powdery sand have put luxury within a 45-minute ferry ride of Singapore.

thesanchaya.com; from $620. ●

The Singular Santiago Lastarria HotelThis 62-room Chilean retreat in Lastarria, a lively neighborhood with some of Santiago’s best nightlife and restaurants, has its own hopping rooftop bar and lounge.

thesingular.com; from $290. ●

Soho House ChicagoThe second-largest Soho House debuts in the city’ship West Loop, in a 1907 warehouse that’s been converted into a hotel with 40 guest rooms, aCowshed Spa . . . and avintage-y boxing ring.

sohohousechicago.com; from $280. ●

Tribal Hotel, Granada, NicaraguaAll seven rooms at this property—arguably the best boutique hotel in the country—have private terraces and a quirky, colorful mix of fabrics and artwork.

tribal-hotel.com; from $125. ●

Urso Hotel & Spa, MadridWith its neoclassicalfacade, delicate floralwallpaper, and spa, this 78-room hotel adds agracious note to a quiet side street near the trendy Chueca district.

hotelurso.com; from $210. ●

Viña Vik, ChileHigh design and high-profile contemporary art mix in the 22 suites here—all the more impressive for their setting, overlooking 11,000 acres of vineyards in the Millahue Valley.

vinavik.com; from $1,200. ●

Watch Hill Inn, Rhode IslandThis 19-suite inn on Little Narragansett Bay feels more like a beach house (with full kitchens and laundry facilities), making it ideal for family vacations.

watchhillinn.com; from $555. ●

Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, AnguillaThis classic 44-room Caribbean charmer overlooking postcard-perfect Meads Bay has taken on a new life.

aubergeresorts.com; from $525. ●

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, TurkeyMost of the 109 rooms face the sea, which is impossible to miss thanks to massive walls of windows; suites have private infinity pools.

mandarinoriental.com; from $260. ●

Mandarin Oriental, TaipeiA new standard was set in Taipei’s hotel scene when this 303-room property opened; afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge is a must for locals and guests.

mandarinoriental.com; from $523. ●

The Miami Beach EditionMid-Beach is heating up, due in large part to this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground.

editionhotels.com; from $429. ●

Mondrian London at Sea ContainersThis 359-room hotel on the Thames has all the hallmarks of its American counterparts (buzz, high design) along with British flair (color and whimsy).

morganshotelgroup .com; from $330. ●

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, South AfricaThe latest addition to Richard Branson’s hotel collection is a renovated grand estate house with 22 rooms on a 100-acre vineyard in Franschhoek.

montrochelle.co.za; from $240. ●

The Norman Tel-AvivThe 50 individually designed rooms at this boutique hotel in two historic town houses with a fragrant citrus garden between them are like no others in the city.

thenorman.com; from $435. ●

One&Only Hayman Island, AustraliaAn old-school 1950s- era resort in the Whitsunday Islands, off the Great Barrier Reef, gets a glam makeover with 160 rooms and villas.

oneandonlyresorts.com; from $615. ●

Palazzo Parigi, MilanSteps from the best shopping in Milan is designer Pierre-Yves Rochon’s seductive new hotel, with 98 guest rooms that are at once opulent and utterly comfortable.

palazzoparigi.com; from $680. ●

Park Hyatt New YorkMidtown gets a serious dose of flash with the opening of this super-sleek 210-room hotel in one of the city’s most anticipated (and expensive) new skyscrapers.

park.hyatt.com; from $795. ●

Park Hyatt ViennaThe 143 rooms at Hyatt’s first property in Austria (a stately former bank headquarters) are some of the largest in Vienna, and the hotel is just a five-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

park.hyatt.com; from $425. ●

The Peninsula ParisAfter a six-year, $580 million renovation, a storied Belle Époque building has been transformed into Paris’s most talked about hot spot, with 200 rooms and a sublime spa.

peninsula.com; from $840. ●

The Pig on the Beach, Dorset, EnglandA rustic-chic boutique retreat on Dorset’s dramatic World Heritage coast, it has a standout locavore restaurant and 23 cozy guest rooms.

thepighotel.com; from $570. ●

Pikaia Lodge, Galápagos IslandsThe first true luxury ecolodge in the Galá pa-gos, this 14-room pioneer has every creature comfort amid a wildlife-rich landscape.

pikaia lodge galapagos .com; from $7,560 for three nights. ●

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, ParisThe signature red awnings are still there,but almost everything else at this 208-roomclassic was sumptuouslyupdated in a $268million renovation.

dorchestercollection .com; from $840. ●

Edson Hill, VermontWith its fireplaces and contemporary art collection, this 24-roommanor house on 38 acres (ten minutes fromStowe Mountain) feels like staying at a (wealthy) friend’s estate.

edsonhillmanor.com; from $300. ●

El Blok, Vieques, Puerto RicoBrutalist architectureis set against a tropicalbackdrop at this 22-room hotel, where carved louverstransform the bright suninto artistic shadows.

elblok.com; from $240. ●

Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Loire ValleyIn a meticulous renova-tion, a famous twelfth-century French abbey has been con-verted into a 54-room property with sleek—yet soothing—interiors.

fontevraud.fr; from $195. ●

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, JohannesburgSet on a gorgeous hillside, this 117-room luxury mainstay just had a top-to-bottom overhaul—time and money well spent.

fourseasons.com; from $350. ●

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ResortDisney-goers finally have a truly stylish option, thanks to this 443-room resort. Kids love the waterslides and lazy river.

fourseasons.com; from $449. ●

Waldorf Astoria AmsterdamSix grand town houses were combined to create 93 stylish rooms on the prestigious Herengracht, a 15-minute walk from Museumplein.

thegoodland.com; from $525. ●

Ham Yard Hotel, LondonFirmdale Hotels’ latest venture occupies an entire city block, with 91 airy, colorful rooms, a courtyard restaurant, and a subterranean bar and bowling alley.

firmdalehotels.com; from $555. ●

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, NamibiaThis African game changer is a state-of-the-art camp with eight tented bedrooms and private plane access to Skeleton Coast National Park.

wilderness-safaris.com; from $900. ●

Hotel Sahrai, Fez, MoroccoThe city’s mostimpressive boutique hotel has 50 rooms,two pools, and aknockout Givenchyspa—the firstin North Africa.

hotelsahrai.com; from $170. ●

Iconic Santorini, GreeceThis whitewashed 22-room retreat is set in a small village high above the Aegean. Its infinity pool, carved into the hillside, is epic.

iconicsantorini.com; from $685. ●

ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon, IndiaRight in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to Agra and Jaipur, the resort has 100 rooms and four monumental villas—all fit for a maharaja.

itchotels.in; from $305. ●

La Grande Maison, BordeauxJoël Robuchon’s restaurant is the standout at this six-room hotel in France’s celebrated Bordeaux wine region.

lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com; from $420. ●

La Réserve, ParisBuilt in 1854 and just a block from the Champs-Élysées, this elegant mansion turned 40-room bijou hotel has been restored to its Belle Époque splendor.

lareserve-paris.com; from $840. ●

The Ludlow, New YorkTucked into a lively Lower East Side block, the 184-room brick high-rise puts a new twist on downtown industrial cool withlofty city views and soaking tubs.

ludlowhotel.com; from $225. ●

Maalifushi by Como, MaldivesOn remote Thaa Atoll, this isolated, minimalist 65-room getaway hovers above coral gardens and schools of dolphins and sea turtles.

comohotels.com; from $750. ●

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Hotel SP34, CopenhagenThe 118 rooms at this Latin District hotel are like an adult’s idea of a cool dorm: snug but cheerful, with modern fixtures and furnishings.

brochner-hotels.dk; from $310. ●

For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

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5 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Page 6: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

21 Broad, NantucketA restored 27-room Victorian mansion in the center of town with a cheery aqua and yellow palette and mod furnishings, it’s made for weekend visitors.

21broadhotel.com; from $159. ●

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, OmanAt this remote 78-roomresort 90 miles southwest of Muscat, guests spend their days hiking throughancient villages blissfullyabsent of any sign ofmodern life.

alilahotels.com; from $500. ●

Alma Histórica Boutique Hotel, Montevideo, UruguayA much-needed addition to the city, the 15-room 1920s town house is in the center of one of South America’s most underrated capitals.

almahistorica.com; from $185. ●

Aman TokyoAman’s first urban property is an intimate, modernist 84-room aerie floating 38 floors above the city. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji.

amanresorts.com; from $618. ●

Aro Ha Wellness Resort, New ZealandOverlooking Lake Wakatipu, on the South Island, this intimate 20-room lodge is all about yoga, meditation, and health food that doesn’t taste like it.

aro-ha.com; from $3,300 for four nights. ●

Bahia Vik José Ignacio, UruguayA ten-suite main house and 11 art-filled bungalows sprawl across the dunes of Uruguay’s José Ignacio coastline, 12 miles northeast of Punta del Este.

bahiavik.com; from $800. ●

The Beaumont, LondonThis 73-room Deco-inspired renovation of a 1926 Mayfair building is the brainchild of two veteran restaurateurs, and its Colony Grill serves one of the city’s best English breakfasts.

thebeaumont.com; from $600. ●

Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, St. KittsEighty-four guest-houses— each with a wraparound veranda—are spread across a 400-acre organic farm that grows a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.

bellemontfarm.com; from $1,700. ●

The Brando, French PolynesiaOn Marlon Brando’s pri-vate atoll, Tetiaroa—30 miles off Tahiti—it has 35thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools thatalone are worth the flight.

thebrando.com; from $2,550 for three nights. ●

Cape Weligama, Sri LankaThis collection of 40colonial-style houses on the Indian Ocean,surrounded by tropicalgardens, has an on-site dive center forunderwater adventures.

capeweligama.com; from $815. ●

Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe 16-room minimalistresort was designed to blend into the sweepinglandscape—a 790-acre vineyard backed bythe snowcapped Andes.

casadeuco.com; from $400. ●

Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicSixteenth-century houses have been transformedinto this intimate seven-room hotel that feels like the second home ofyour dreams.

casasdelxvi.com; from $340. ●

Chiltern Firehouse, LondonThis quirky conversion of an 1889 building—oneof the first fire stations inLondon—into a 26-roomhotel and restaurant is where the beautifulpeople hang.

chilternfirehouse.com; from $730. ●

The Dean Hotel, DublinIf you want to be in the middle of the nightlife district, you can’t do better than this 52-room modernist hotbed. When you’ve settled in, head to the Rooftop Bar for the best views in Dublin.

deanhoteldublin.ie; from $130. ●

Delano Las VegasAt the southernmost tip of the Strip, this shimmering 43-story tower with 1,117 suites is a more subdued version of the typical Vegas experience.

delanolasvegas.com; from $200. ●

Portrait FirenzeOn the banks of the Arno, with views of the Ponte Vecchio, the latest property from the Ferragamo hotel group combines an unbeatable location with 36 chic, pared-down rooms.

lungarnocollection.com; from $530. ●

Riad Mena & Beyond, MarrakechThink of it as Marrakech mod in the heart of the medina: Each of the six rooms is decorated in an unexpected but harmonious blend of East and West.

riadmenaandbeyond .com; from $235. ●

Raffles IstanbulThe 185-room hotel is unabashedly swank, befitting its location in Zorlu Center, an upscale shopping and cultural complex that’s a reflection of booming modern Turkey.

raffles.com; from $370. ●

Ritz-Carlton, Rancho MirageSpare in design but decadent in service, this 244-room hotel in the California desert has fire pits, three pools, and astonishing views of the Coachella Valley.

ritzcarlton.com; from $279. ●

Rosewood BeijingThe first Rosewood hotel in China soars high above Beijing, with 283 rooms, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa, and an executive lounge that feels like a private club.

rosewoodhotels.com; from $287. ●

The Rose Hotel, Venice BeachThis casual 14-room California dream, a block from the boardwalk, is a much-needed option for an area of Los Angeles that was starved for good hotels.

therosehotelvenice.com; from $175. ●

Suján Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, IndiaA former royal guesthouse, the 30-room property has been transformed into an eclectic playground for color-loving design buffs.

sujanluxury.com; from $558. ●

The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, IndonesiaColonial design, first-rate Euro-Asian cuisine, 19 villas and nine suites, and a long stretch of powdery sand have put luxury within a 45-minute ferry ride of Singapore.

thesanchaya.com; from $620. ●

The Singular Santiago Lastarria HotelThis 62-room Chilean retreat in Lastarria, a lively neighborhood with some of Santiago’s best nightlife and restaurants, has its own hopping rooftop bar and lounge.

thesingular.com; from $290. ●

Soho House ChicagoThe second-largest Soho House debuts in the city’s hip West Loop, in a 1907 warehouse that’s been converted into a hotel with 40 guest rooms, a Cowshed Spa . . . and a vintage-y boxing ring.

sohohousechicago.com; from $280. ●

Tribal Hotel, Granada, NicaraguaAll seven rooms at this property—arguably the best boutique hotel in the country—have private terraces and a quirky, colorful mix of fabrics and artwork.

tribal-hotel.com; from $125. ●

Urso Hotel & Spa, MadridWith its neoclassical facade, delicate floral wallpaper, and spa, this 78-room hotel adds a gracious note to a quiet side street near the trendy Chueca district.

hotelurso.com; from $210. ●

Viña Vik, ChileHigh design and high-profile contemporary art mix in the 22 suites here—all the more impressive for their setting, overlooking 11,000 acres of vineyards in the Millahue Valley.

vinavik.com; from $1,200. ●

Watch Hill Inn, Rhode IslandThis 19-suite inn on Little Narragansett Bay feels more like a beach house (with full kitchens and laundry facilities), making it ideal for family vacations.

watchhillinn.com; from $555. ●

Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, AnguillaThis classic 44-room Caribbean charmer overlooking postcard-perfect Meads Bay has taken on a new life.

aubergeresorts.com; from $525. ●

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, TurkeyMost of the 109 rooms face the sea, which is impossible to miss thanks to massive walls of windows; suites have private infinity pools.

mandarinoriental.com; from $260. ●

Mandarin Oriental, TaipeiA new standard was set in Taipei’s hotel scene when this 303-room property opened; afternoon tea in the Jade Lounge is a must for locals and guests.

mandarinoriental.com; from $523. ●

The Miami Beach EditionMid-Beach is heating up, due in large part to this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground.

editionhotels.com; from $429. ●

Mondrian London at Sea ContainersThis 359-room hotel on the Thames has all the hallmarks of its American counterparts (buzz, high design) along with British flair (color and whimsy).

morganshotelgroup .com; from $330. ●

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, South AfricaThe latest addition to Richard Branson’s hotel collection is a renovated grand estate house with 22 rooms on a 100-acre vineyard in Franschhoek.

montrochelle.co.za; from $240. ●

The Norman Tel-AvivThe 50 individually designed rooms at this boutique hotel in two historic town houses with a fragrant citrus garden between them are like no others in the city.

thenorman.com; from $435. ●

One&Only Hayman Island, AustraliaAn old-school 1950s-era resort in the Whitsunday Islands, off the Great Barrier Reef, gets a glam makeover with 160 rooms and villas.

oneandonlyresorts.com; from $615. ●

Palazzo Parigi, MilanSteps from the best shopping in Milan is designer Pierre-Yves Rochon’s seductive new hotel, with 98 guest rooms that are at once opulent and utterly comfortable.

palazzoparigi.com; from $680. ●

Park Hyatt New YorkMidtown gets a serious dose of flash with the opening of this super-sleek 210-room hotel in one of the city’s most anticipated (and expensive) new skyscrapers.

park.hyatt.com; from $795. ●

Park Hyatt ViennaThe 143 rooms at Hyatt’s first property in Austria (a stately former bankheadquarters) are someof the largest in Vienna,and the hotel is just a five-minute walk fromSt. Stephen’s Cathedral.

park.hyatt.com; from $425. ●

The Peninsula ParisAfter a six-year, $580 million renovation, a storied Belle Époque building has been transformed into Paris’s most talked about hot spot, with 200 rooms and a sublime spa.

peninsula.com; from $840. ●

The Pig on the Beach, Dorset, EnglandA rustic-chic boutique retreat on Dorset’s dramatic World Heritage coast, it has a standout locavore restaurant and 23 cozy guest rooms.

thepighotel.com; from $570. ●

Pikaia Lodge, Galápagos IslandsThe first true luxury ecolodge in the Galápa-gos, this 14-roompioneer has every creature comfort amid a wildlife-rich landscape.

pikaialodge galapagos.com; from $7,560 for three nights. ●

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, ParisThe signature red awnings are still there,but almost everything else at this 208-roomclassic was sumptuouslyupdated in a $268million renovation.

dorchestercollection .com; from $840. ●

Edson Hill, VermontWith its fireplaces and contemporary art collection, this 24-roommanor house on 38 acres (ten minutes fromStowe Mountain) feels like staying at a (wealthy) friend’s estate.

edsonhillmanor.com; from $300. ●

El Blok, Vieques, Puerto RicoBrutalist architectureis set against a tropicalbackdrop at this 22-room hotel, where carved louverstransform the bright suninto artistic shadows.

elblok.com; from $240. ●

Fontevraud L’Hôtel, Loire ValleyIn a meticulous renova-tion, a famous twelfth-century French abbey has been con-verted into a 54-room property with sleek—yet soothing—interiors.

fontevraud.fr; from $195. ●

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, JohannesburgSet on a gorgeous hillside, this 117-room luxury mainstay just had a top-to-bottom overhaul—time and money well spent.

fourseasons.com; from $350. ●

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ResortDisney-goers finally have a truly stylish option, thanks to this 443-room resort. Kids love the waterslides and lazy river.

fourseasons.com; from $449. ●

Waldorf Astoria AmsterdamSix grand town houses were combined to create 93 stylish rooms on the prestigious Herengracht, a 15-minute walk from Museumplein.

thegoodland.com; from $525. ●

Ham Yard Hotel, LondonFirmdale Hotels’ latest venture occupies an entire city block, with 91 airy, colorful rooms, a courtyard restaurant, and a subterranean bar and bowling alley.

firmdalehotels.com; from $555. ●

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, NamibiaThis African game changer is a state-of-the-art camp with eight tented bedrooms and private plane access to Skeleton Coast National Park.

wilderness-safaris.com; from $900. ●

Hotel Sahrai, Fez, MoroccoThe city’s mostimpressive boutique hotel has 50 rooms,two pools, and aknockout Givenchyspa—the firstin North Africa.

hotelsahrai.com; from $170. ●

Iconic Santorini, GreeceThis whitewashed 22-room retreat is set in a small village high above the Aegean. Its infinity pool, carved into the hillside, is epic.

iconicsantorini.com; from $685. ●

ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon, IndiaRight in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to Agra and Jaipur, the resort has 100 rooms and four monumental villas—all fit for a maharaja.

itchotels.in; from $305. ●

La Grande Maison, BordeauxJoël Robuchon’s restaurant is the standout at this six-room hotel in France’s celebrated Bordeaux wine region.

lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com; from $420. ●

La Réserve, ParisBuilt in 1854 and just a block from the Champs-Élysées, this elegant mansion turned 40-room bijou hotel has been restored to its Belle Époque splendor.

lareserve-paris.com; from $840. ●

The Ludlow, New YorkTucked into a lively Lower East Side block, the 184-room brick high-rise puts a new twist on downtown industrial cool withlofty city views and soaking tubs.

ludlowhotel.com; from $225. ●

Maalifushi by Como, MaldivesOn remote Thaa Atoll, this isolated, minimalist 65-room getaway hovers above coral gardens and schools of dolphins and sea turtles.

comohotels.com; from $750. ●

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Hotel SP34, CopenhagenThe 118 rooms at this Latin District hotel are like an adult’s idea of a cool dorm: snug but cheerful, with modern fixtures and furnishings.

brochner-hotels.dk; from $310. ●

For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

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6 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R For a complete list of properties by category, visit cntraveler.com/hotlist.

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

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H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

A M A N , TO K YO

Who Doesn’t Want to Swim in a Pool 34 Floors Above the Ground?

Every fan of Aman hotels and resorts—or “Amanjunkies,” as we’re called—knows that all of the company’s 28 properties have two things in common: a modernist, sometimes Brutalist aesthetic that’s at once elegant and warm; and a fabulous pool. In fact, in the annals of memorable hotel pools, Amans win the award for most distinguished: They’re always long and always dignified (there’s never a pool bar in sight), and they always, always have terrific views. But the pool at the Aman Tokyo—the company’s debut metropolitan property—may beat them all. On the thirty-fourth floor, it’s a luxuriously lengthy, almost-five-foot-deep rectangle of pale-blue water, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the entire city. (On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Fuji, 60 miles away.) The rest of the hotel—hushed, sophisticated, and clean-lined—is impressive too, but for sheer awe, there’s nothing better than taking a dip. –Hanya Yanagihara

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Photograph by Roberta Valerio7 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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T H E M I A M I B E AC H E D I T I O N

It’s an Instagram Darling for a Reason

Not that South Beach won’t always be fabulous, but these days, the cool kids from both coasts (not to mention Europe and South America) are flocking to Mid-Beach, which runs from 23rd to 63rd streets. The Soho Beach House opened on Collins Avenue and 43rd Street back in 2010, but it took Ian Schrager’s Miami Beach Edition (opened in December) to solidify the neighborhood’s status. One look around the glittering Yabu Pushelberg– designed white-and-gold lobby during Art Basel was all the evidence you needed that Mid-Beach had arrived: Marina Abramovic and curator Klaus Biesenbach in one corner; models Jourdan Dunn and Toni Garrn in the subterranean bowling alley; and at night, seemingly the entire population of art and fashion world heavy hitters dancing away in the basement nightclub. The next day, everyone gathered again to recover at Tropicale—the hotel’s outdoor space, with two teak-decked swimming pools and a bar . . . and the perfect setting for all those Instagrams (some shown above) everyone was taking. –John Wogan

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7 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is essentially millions of acres of stone and sand—most of them scoured clean of human civilization by wind, heat, and drought. It’s also one of the more challenging places on the entire planet to reach, which is what makes Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp— a collection of eight living room–sized tents accessible only via a small propeller plane—even more remarkable. Yes, it’s one of a handful of safari outlets in the country to have flying rights over Skeleton Coast National Park to the Atlantic Ocean, letting you observe desert elephants,

giraffes, and lions in their element. But it’s the palace- in-the-desert experience that Hoanib conjures out of nowhere that will truly leave you floored: There are the mangoes and patisseries at breakfast, the flannel- wrapped hot water bottles under crisp white sheets and thick duvets at bedtime, the afternoon drinks in chaise longues by the small infinity pool, and all sorts of other moments of coddling hospitality in the midst of completely inhospitable—and achingly beautiful—emptiness. –Maria Shollenbarger

H OA N I B S K E L E TO N COA S T CA M P, N A M I B I A

Let’s Face It—Coming Here Will Make Your Friends Jealous

One of the eight tented camps at Hoanib.

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Photograph by Adrian Gaut C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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T H E B E AU M O N T, LO N D O N

London’s Hottest Hoteliers Aren’t Even HoteliersIt’s a predicament all of us have encountered as the host of a successful dinner party—your guests are having such a good time eating and drinking that it appears they may just stay . . . all night. Now, some of us would start setting out the cereal bowls, giving our friends a sign that the time had come. Others might push back from the table and announce, “Last one out, get the lights. Just don’t burn the place down.” But if you are Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, the duo behind Corbin & King, London’s most successful restaurant team for more than 30 years, you’d do what’s only natural after all that experience: build some bedrooms and open your first hotel. (Continued on page 11) ➝

Chris Corbin, left, and Jeremy King in front of The Beaumont.

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Photograph by Carol Sachs C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Clockwise from top left: The Club Room, a private bar for guests of The Beaumont; a chauffeur stands ready at the entrance; the Art Deco–inspired lobby; an architectural extension houses a suite designed by the artist Antony Gormley; the old-school elevator display; the front desk.

Chances are, you’ve probably dined at one of the Corbin & King restaurants that populate London and serve as elegant harbors of hospitality at the end of a long day of doing business—The Wolseley, Fischer’s, Colbert, the Colony Grill Room. But for all of the duo’s success in hosting diners, they never thought about completing the hospitality circuit, as it were, and letting folks stay the evening. That is, until six months ago when they opened what instantly became London’s hotel-of-the-moment, The Beaumont.

“I guess it’s the natural extension of what we do,” says King. “For years, we’ve had offers to run the food and beverage in someone else’s hotel. Then we got to thinking, ‘We know how to do hospitality better than anyone. Owning a hotel is the way to go. We can do this.’ ”

And, indeed, they do exactly this, bringing to bear on their new project decades of wisdom, high standards, attention to detail,

and enthusiastic (if not downright clairvoyant) service. London’s high-end market is terrifically crowded, so it’s no small accomplish-ment that The Beaumont has managed to distinguish itself so quickly, a feat that King attributes to the values which he and Corbin take care to instill in their team.

“Too many hotels are run from the boardroom, not from the floor,” he says. “When Chris and I decide to open a restaurant, the first thing we do is create a place we want to go, so with this hotel we cre-ated a place we wanted to stay.” And yet it’s not an entirely selfish endeavor. King says he and Corbin see themselves as “catalysts” to make things happen for their guests. “You have to remember, always,” says King, “that the great hotels and restaurants are spaces—almost like stage sets—in which people can live out their special moments. That’s a great gift I have: to create those worlds.” –Michael Hainey

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Photographs by Carol Sachs

C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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T H E B R A N D O, T E T I A R OA , F R E N C H P O LY N E S I A

We Still Can’t Resist the Allure of the South Seas

Cultural obsessions come and go, but our fascination with the South Pacific—and its promise of an out-of-time, out-of-place paradise—endures. Here, a brief chronology of the film and books that inspire our collective tropical fantasies, as well as the travel developments that made getting to, and staying on, that elusive flower-scented island possible . . . including the most recent reason to go, The Brando resort. –Paul Brady

An eight-passenger Britten-Norman Islander makes the twice-daily 20-minute

flight from Papeete to Tetiaroa.

1846: Herman Melville’s first book, Typee, an account of his experiences in the Marquesas Islands, is published.

1891: Paul Gauguin arrives in Tahiti. Although he was largely ignored in his lifetime, one of his paintings recently sold for nearly $300 million.

1908: The Blue Lagoon, Henry De Vere Stacpoole’s story of two kids stranded on a South Pacific island, is published.

1960: Fa’a’a Inter-national Airport opens in Papeete, Tahiti, putting French Polynesia on the tourist map.

1966: The first overwater bunga-low debuts on Raiatea, birthing a design trend copied from Mexico to the Maldives.

1978: Dino De Laurentiis shoots the campy drama Hurricane on Bora Bora.

1998: Air Tahiti Nui launches. Today, it takes just eight hours to reach Papeete from Los Angeles.

2014: The Brando resort opens on Tetiaroa, a group of 12 islets a short flight from Papeete. Its 35 beachfront villas, each with a private sundeck and plunge pool, offer their own aquamarine paradise—perfect for viewing the atoll’s 160 fish species, as well parrots and frigate birds.

I S L A N D T I M E ( L I N E )

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Photograph by Roberto Frankenberg C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Ramshackle cabanas—part surf shack, part weekend home—have long been a fea-ture of the sparsely populated eastern coast of Uruguay, 100 miles from the capital, Monte-video. But Bahia Vik, which opened in January amid the dunes of José Ignacio, the chic seaside town near Punta del Este, puts a new twist on this regional architecture. The

main building has ten suites, and there are an additional 11 stand-alone villas scattered across the sand. Inside, the two- to four-bedroom homes are coolly luxurious, with original artwork, skylights, and soaking tubs big enough for two. But the greatest fea-ture, of course, is having the surf right outside your door. –Paul Brady

BA H I A V I K J O S É I G N AC I O, U R U G UAY

It’s the Modernist Beachside Dream

Hotelier Carrie Vik on her travel philosophy: “Lots of people travel to many, many places, but what everybody seems to be looking for is something unique—where they’re learning by being in a destination. It’s about the location, but it’s also about the culture.”

Counterclockwise from top: A beachfront villa with an Atlantic Ocean view; oversized bathrooms have deep soaking tubs and rainfall showerheads; four swim-ming pools face the water.

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Photographs by Matthieu Salvaing C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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T H E P E N I N S U L A , PA R I S

The Best Seat in the House (Not to Mention in All of Paris)

Peninsula Hotels’ first European property is a showstopper, a painstakingly restored nineteenth-century Haussmanian building where Gershwin wrote An American in Paris in 1928. But it’s the 360-degree views from its classic French restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, that are drawing discerning locals, as well as in-the-know visitors who want to see the Eiffel Tower without, you know, actually going there. The tallest structure in Paris is about a mile away but looks close enough to touch from Table 17, also known as the most coveted table in town. We asked L’Oiseau Blanc’s manager, Benoît Legros, how to book it. –Meredith Bryan

How far in advance should we call? At least a month, maybe six weeks, ahead. And come with a party of four—we prefer not to seat two or three at that table.

Anything else that will increase our chances? If it’s a special occasion—your anniversary, for example—tell

a manager. We’ll try to give you special treatment. And you’ll get preference if you’re staying at the hotel.

What’s the next-best table if 17 is booked? Most tables have very good views of the Eiffel Tower. But if there are only two of you, Table 25 is very romantic and also near the window.

What would be the ideal season and time to maximize the experience? In the summer, between about 9 and 10:30 p.m. We have some very nice sunsets. The sky gets orange and dark red—it’s amazing. But really, you’ll have that sense that you’re levitating over the rooftops of Paris on any night.

The early-morning view from Table 17

at L’Oiseau Blanc, in Paris.

14 C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Photograph by Scott Schuman

C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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These Two Very Different Hotels Are Reinventing the Way We Think About the Caribbean

Go for the Aesthetic . . . Anguilla is a very Anglo island, and Malliouhana was, for decades, one of its most staunchly traditional hotels. But then the quintessentially Californian Auberge Resorts (Auberge du Soleil; Calistoga Ranch) bought it, closing the doors for a three-year, multimillion-dollar renovation. When it reopened in November, Malliouhana reclaimed

its title as Anguilla’s most elegant hotel. Now expect tasteful extravagance that channels Palm Springs by way of Morocco: lemon-yellow and ice-blue walls, vibrant striped-cotton dhurries on the floors, ornate glass sconces hung from beveled mirrors.

. . . or Go for the Food Everyone on Anguilla wants a table at Malliou-hana’s eponymous restau-rant, overlooking Meads

Bay. But it’s not so much the views that are drawing crowds as chef Jeremy Bearman’s flaw-less cuisine, from the house-made coconut yo-gurt at breakfast to the sesame-rum poke (tuna tartare) at dinner. –Maria Shollenbarger(Continued on page 16) ➝

M A L L I O U H A N A , A N AU B E R G E R E S O R T, A N G U I L L A

Counterclockwise from top left: Malliouhana, above Meads Bay Beach; the

hotel displays original work by local artists; late afternoon in the lobby at Malliouhana.

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Photographs by Alice Gao C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Go for the Aesthetic . . . This 400-acre sustainable organic farm, the vision of Trinidadian entrepreneur Val Kempadoo, has vast, windswept grassy dunes and chaise longues that telegraph Cape Cod. But Bill Bensley—one of the masters of tropical interior design—created guest rooms that are like a polished version of the Caribbean ideal, with dark hardwood floors, four-poster beds covered in Frette linens, open-air showers, and outdoor claw-foot tubs.

. . . or Go for the Food Belle Mont Farm could rival your local farmers’ market—the resort grows 100 varieties of mangoes alone—and guests are encouraged to head into the field to pick fresh lemongrass, cassava, garlic, and breadfruit. The haul you return with will be served alongside your snapper, lobster, or swordfish—caught about an hour before you sit down to eat it. –John Wogan

B E L L E M O N T FA R M O N K I T T I T I A N H I L L , S T. K I T T S

Clockwise from top left: A sampling of what’s grown at Belle Mont Farm, St. Kitts; slippers laid out at day’s end; the lobby veranda over-looks the Caribbean; the Great House pool.

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Photographs by Alice Gao C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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L A G R A N D E M A I S O N , B O R D E AU X

You Might Fly All the Way to France Just for This Meal

It may sound extravagant to plan a trip around a single restaurant (especially if it’s in a city with no direct flights from the U.S.). But what if the restaurant is in a five-star ho-tel? That’s the concept behind Bordeaux’s La Grande Maison,

a meticulously restored nine-teenth-century mansion which is a collaboration between French wine mogul Bernard Magrez (owner of the legend-ary Château La Tour Carnet vineyard, one of his 40 wine estates around the world) and

the venerable Joël Robuchon, whose Michelin stars light up an empire of restaurants from New York to Singapore. Its six guest rooms are deco-rated with ornate Pierre Frey silk wallpaper, Hermès bath products, and touches of

Organic lamb raised in Pouillac, about 30 miles away, is served with a lemongrass-infused broth.

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Photograph by Oddur Thorisson C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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Napoleon III style—a fitting end note to a dinner that lacks for nothing. The menu in the main dining room reads like a canon of Robuchon’s greatest hits, including langoustine and truffle ravioli, chateaubri-and with foie gras, and

heavenly seasonal fruit–filled pastries. The wine list is excep-tional, even for Bordeaux, with more than 250 bottles of Grands Crus Classés de Bor-deaux—the highest classifica-tion for wines of the region. And with Magrez’s personal

art collection hanging on the walls (there’s a Dan Hays painting and photographs by Valérie Belin), you can con-sider this trip money well spent—a decadent furthering of your aesthetic and sensory education. –Rochelle Bilow

H O T L I S T 2 0 1 5

Joël Robuchon on La Grande Maison’s sideshow: “I’ve introduced the tradition of découpage, which you don’t see anymore at restaurants. The whole dining room looks on while the maître d’hôtel cuts an entire piece of meat, like an énorme côte de boeuf on the bone.”

Clockwise from top left: A porter in La Grande Maison’s lobby; the cheese trolley; head sommelier Renaud Roland at work; a table setting.

18Photographs by Oddur Thorisson C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

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A R O HA W E L L N E S S R E T R E AT, N E W Z E A L A N D

Detoxing Doesn’t Have to Be Punishment

The very words wellness retreat can conjure visions of marching through the desert under the bak-ing sun while trying to survive on a handful of almonds, or committing to some kind of Germanic health asylum that in-volves caffeinated

colonics. But Aro Ha and its Zen-like cedar cabins are thankfully upending those stereotypes. Located on New Zealand’s South Island, it’s about an hour northwest of Queens-town, right on colossal sapphire Lake Wakatipu. Guests looking for

health-conscious meals that are gluten-, dairy-, and meat-free—but don’t taste like it—will find them here: The “ricotta” made from macadamia nuts, the amaranth bread, and the beet sashimi are satiating in the best pos-sible way. And you’ll need

the sustenance for your twice-daily yoga sessions, held in simple studios that bring the outdoors in (like the one pictured here), or a lakeside hike amid an al-pine backdrop so engulf-ing you’ll hardly notice that you’ve logged ten miles. –Paul Brady

A view of the dramatic South Island landscape from the yoga studio.

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R I A D M E N A & B E YO N D, M A R R A K E C H

Finally, a Twenty-First-Century Riad

The beauty of a Moroccan riad is undeniable, but even the most die-hard fan may find herself growing a little weary of what can come to feel like a one-size-fits-all aesthetic: tilework, white Berber rugs, woolen tribal throw pillows in reds and ochers, cut-metal lanterns. Yes, it’s all lovely and

traditional, and yet one sometimes wishes for a little innovation. But at Marrakech’s six-room Riad Mena, run by expat Londoner and first-time hotelier Philomena Schurer Merckoll and located deep in the medina, the riad gets an update. It’s nothing too off- puttingly radical—cut-metal

lanterns still cast starry dots of light around the palm tree–planted courtyard at night, and cushions sewn with tiny sequins still wink when the sun hits them—but Merckoll, who has a background in con-temporary art, has added pops of modernity: a Jacobsen Egg chair and side tables in the

style of the Saarinen Tulip ta-ble, as well as bright, Panton-inspired lamps in the rooms. She’s also updated the plumb-ing throughout her conjoined early-1900s properties—no small thing for anyone who’s ever had to grimace through an icy shower on vacation here. –Hanya Yanagihara

Philomena Schurer Merckoll, owner, Riad Mena & Beyond, on what she’s learned as a first-time hotel owner:

“Different nationalities have different priorities. Americans’ top priority is service. The French value food. And the Brits just want to make sure there’s lots of alcohol.”

Clockwise from top left: The Eileen Gray Suite with Moroccan lantern; the rooftop dining area; the open-air salon; and the riad entrance.

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R A F F L E S, I S TA N B U L

Everyone Should Vacation Like an Oligarch Once in His Life

Sure, subtlety is fine, but who among us doesn’t want to indulge their inner pasha now and again? With a rooftop helipad, 24-hour butler service, a cellar stocked with thousand-dollar bottles of Château Margaux, and near-priceless Bosphorus views, the new Raffles, a few miles north of the Golden Horn, is unabashedly ostentatious. For more proof, check out the tallies below. –Paul Brady

BY T H E N U M B E R S 250

Orchids purchased every week

21Full-time butlers

on call

$79,291Cost to install

the spa’s hammam

5 feetLength of the bath towels

188,570 Square feet of

marble in the hotel

The Signature rooms have butler service,

private balconies, and floor-to-ceiling

windows overlooking the Bosphorus.

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The key to a memorable restoration isn’t just knowing what to toss—it’s knowing what to keep as well. Just look at what Waldorf Astoria did (and didn’t do) at its Amsterdam hotel.

WA L D O R F A S TO R I A A M S T E R DA M

Everything Old Is New Again

What they kept: Nothing’s more iconically Amsterdam than the seventeenth- and eigh-teenth-century canal houses. Which is why the company left intact the facades of the six Golden Age–era brick-and-sand-stone buildings that make up the hotel. Also untouched: the Rococo friezes by eighteenth-century painter Jacob Maurer.

What they added: The outside may be classic Amsterdam, but inside, it’s all twenty-first-century flour-ishes—a waterfall-embellished indoor pool, a Guerlain Spa, Murano glass light fixtures, and, of course, flat-screen TVs—presented amid a palette of elegant creams and taupes. –Gisela Williams

Clockwise from top: The facade of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam; one of the 93 rooms; the hallway leading to the lobby.

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Photographs by Alan Jensen C O N D É N A S T T R A V E L E R

Page 23: THE Hot - Conde Nast Traveler Subscription · this 294-room Ian Schrager project with a bowling alley and an ice rink, making it an all-in-one playground. editionhotels.com; ... hotel,

A L I L A JA BA L A K H DA R, O M A N

We’re Calling It: Oman Has Arrived

If the only thing you knew about Oman was its location, you might never go at all. Yes, it’s stable (and safe), but it’s also hemmed in on its southern border by Yemen, and Iran is just across a narrow stretch of sea. And yet, as with people, judging a place by its neighbors is never a good idea. That’s certainly true of Oman, a country of four million which offers not only an outpost of calm and peace in a region that, unfortunately, we associate largely with fear and strife, but an antidote to the glitter and artifice of its neighbor Dubai, the sole Gulf country that attracts American tourists in significant numbers. It also has some of the most spectacular landscapes you’ll see anywhere, from beaches that rival those in Brazil or Hawaii, to epic windswept deserts, to the fantastically craggy, gulch-filled Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar Range, which, at nearly 10,000 feet at its peak, is one of the Middle East’s highest. It’s here, 6,500 feet in the air, that you’ll find the Alila Jabal Akhdar, a 78-room resort inspired by both European ski lodges and local village homes. In these mountains, you can hike through surrounding towns and farmland and sit down to a plateau-top picnic, but the best activity might be just walking around the property on a star-smeared night, marveling at the improbability of the place itself. –Hanya Yanagihara

Counterclockwise from top: Alila’s pool; a lounge area; the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (worth the three-hour drive to Muscat).

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