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There’s always a caveat when it comes to saying something is the “best.” The concept of best (or worst, for that matter) is very similar to the concept of something being “worth it.” It’s a value judgement, based on the factors and experiences a person thinks are more important. Here’s more of an explanation.

Take chocolate, for example. Some people think it’s the best food in the world. Yet some people hate the stuff (I know, can you believe it? I’m looking at you, Stephan…), so they certainly don’t think it’s the “best.” Other people are allergic to chocolate, so that affects how they feel about it. Still others think that chocolate is fine, but if given a choice between chocolate and a good steak, they’re always gonna go for the steak.

So there ya go. Value judgements.

Anyway, every year Conde Nast Traveler (CNT) does a list of what they call the Gold List. It’s their list of “the best of the best” and has been going on since before the new millennium. In the earlier years (circa 1997), the list was determined by CNT readers, via polls. However in 2010, the “Gold List” switched and started to be chosen by the international team of editors of CNT, and the reader-chosen “best” locations became part of their annual “Readers’ Choice” awards.

The biggest difference? The editorial  team doesn’t seem to have any sort of criteria; it’s just like they were asked to name “their favourite places to stay.” So, say it with me now, value judgements. 😉

CNT don’t say if the hotels and resorts on the Gold List are in any particular order (read: if the top one on the list is any better than the last one on the same list, and if so, why). And frankly, it looks more like, “this hotel was this  person’s favorite and that hotel was that person’s favorite.” But just in case, I’m listing them in the same order CNT does. I’ve also specified which hotels and resorts are part of loyalty programs and therefore may be available via points, allow for upgrades, etc. Many of the hotels can also be booked through a Luxury Travel Concierge, which then automatically gives you some perks during your stay.

The Gold List 2023

Europe & The UK

Marbella Club – Málaga, Spain
Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Marriott Bonvoy) – Madrid, Spain
El Palace Barcelona – Spain
Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel (Belmond Bellini Club) – Venice, Italy
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast (Belmond Bellini Club) – Ravello, Italy
Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Como, Italy (Note: open seasonally)
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel (Rocco Forte Friends, Rocco Forte Knights) – Palermo, Italy
São Lourenço do Barrocal – Alentejo, Portugal
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel (Rosewood Elite) – Paris, France
Le Meurice (Dorchester Collection Diamond Club) – Paris, France
Hôtel du Palais (World of Hyatt) – Biarritz, France
Beau-Rivage Palace – Lausanne, Switzerland
Deplar Farm – Iceland
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (Hilton) – The Netherlands
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos (Marriott Bonvoy) – Greece
Kyrimai – Mani, Greece
Kinloch Lodge – Isle of Skye, UK
The Savoy – London, UK
The Goring – London, UK
The Newt in Somerset – UK

USA, Canada, and The Caribbean

Halekulani – Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection (no loyalty program of their own, but they can be booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, Chase Luxury Hotel Collection, and amextravel.com)– Austin, Texas, USA
Ocean House – Watch Hill, Rhode Island, USA
The Mark (Preferred Hotels & Resorts) – New York City, New York, USA
Malibu Beach Inn (Leaders Club) – California, USA
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Preferred Hotels & Resorts) – South Carolina, USA
NoMad Las Vegas – USA
1 Hotel South Beach – Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge – Vancouver Island, Canada
Cheval Blanc St-Barth – St Barts
Jumby Bay Island – Antigua

Mexico, Central and South America

Tierra Patagonia – Chile
Hotel Esencia – Xpu-Ha, Mexico
Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa – Bahia, Brazil
Jardín Escondido – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Africa and The Middle East

La Mamounia – Marrakech, Morocco
Babylonstoren – Simondium, South Africa
Jabali Ridge – Ruaha, Tanzania
Singita Kwitonda Lodge – Musanze, Rwanda
The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Marriott Bonvoy) – Tel Aviv, Israel
The Chedi Muscat (GHA Discovery) – Oman
One&Only Royal Mirage – Dubai
Jumeirah Al Qasr – Dubai

Asia

The Datai Langkawi – Malaysia
The Oberoi Udaivilas (Fans of M.O.) – Udaipur, India
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (Fans of M.O.) – Thailand
Hoshinoya Kyoto – Japan
Raffles Singapore (Accor)
Nihi Sumba (see AMEX Premium Travel Program) – Indonesia
Amansara – Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Upper House – Hong Kong
Six Senses Punakha (IHG) – Bhutan
The Leela Palace Bengaluru – India
Ceylon Tea Trails – Hatton, Sri Lanka
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (Four Seasons Elite) – Istanbul, Turkey

Australia and New Zealand

Lake Hāwea Station – New Zealand
Pumphouse Point – Tasmania, Australia

So ARE these the best hotels and resorts in the world? I guessssss? At least, according to CNT’s editors, that are. But again, keep in mind that their value judgements may or may not be the same as yours or mine.

Anyway, CNT’s website has descriptions, prices, etc. of them all.

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