If you’re feeling like staying in a luxury hotel but are a little confused by the choice, then heed the advice of the people who know a thing or two about classy things – the Tatler staff.
The High society glossy has awarded its annual travel awards which celebrate the “crème de la crème of hotels”.
According to the magazine, the 2021 winners range from “quiet harbors hidden high in the mountains to historical icons, each with their own story and great service”.
These include the “magical” pig in Harlyn Bay in Cornwall, the “spectacular” Hotel Excelsior in Venice and the cultural oasis of the Belmond Grand Hotel in Sicily.
The “glamorous” Villa Stéphanie in Germany is recognized as the best spa hotel, while the Nautilus Maldives is the best private island resort.
Scroll down to enjoy the hottest features …
BEST HOTEL WITH A HEART – THE PIG IN HARLYN BAY, CORNWALL: According to Tatler, the “restaurants with rooms” concept of the Pig Hotel has “completely changed the face of the British hotel scene”. It describes the restaurant here as “sensational” like “the chef does wondrous things with vegetables from the garden” and adds that the hotel interiors are “dreamy”. Double rooms from £ 150. Visit thepighotel.com
BEST REMOTE RETREAT – THE HAPPY HOUSE, NEPAL: The Happy House is located in the rural east of Nepal and, according to Tatler, is an “unbelievable starting point for exploring the wild Solu Khumbu region”. The magazine states that the property has “huge leather sofas for immersion” and “a dramatic drawing room with a mandala muralled”. Singles from £ 400. Visit beyulexperiences.com
BEST HOTEL FOR FAMILIES – BELDI COUNTRY CLUB, MOROCCO: This hotel is the “Promised Land” for families, says Tatler, thanks to its “immaculate decor and peaceful atmosphere”. The days can be spent “lazing around the picturesque pools” and “making clay pots in the pottery yard”. It concludes: ‘[It’s] partly Alice in Wonderland, partly bohemian fantasy, like living in a painting. ‘Double rooms from £ 170. Visit beldicountryclub.com
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT – PANTREPANT, JAMAIKA: “Seductive food from the region, cooked by beautiful Mama J”, says Tatler, is offered in this restaurant. The restaurant is located in a private retreat and on a working farm. The magazine says it serves “oxtail stew, the best fried jerk chicken in the world, and steamed callaloo” that is “eaten at a table beautifully set under the giant guango tree.”
BEST CULTURAL HAVEN – BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO, SICILY: “Pergolas laden with wisteria, gardens with roses and orange blossoms, gorgeous suites with opera balconies and the best terrace on the island,” says Tatler’s verdict on this hotel. DH Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley’s lovers here, and Truman Capote lived at the hotel for two years. Three nights from £ 1,540 at sicilylifestyle.com
BEST HOTEL SPA – VILLA STÉPHANIE, GERMANY: Villa Stéphanie on the edge of the Black Forest in Baden-Baden is the “most glamorous grande dame of spas”. Tatler adds: “But despite the warm, heavenly scented embrace, make no mistake, this is a high-tech medispa with 15 digital detox suites that offers every service that discerning guests can ask for.” Pictured is one of the villa’s plunge pools. Seven nights including flights with Healing Holidays (healholidays.com) from £ 4,999
BEST GRANDE DAME – MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOK: The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok reopened last year after an eight-month overhaul, which, according to Tatler, “gave the already lavish lobby and clairvoyant technology in the suites a shine of superlatives”. The magazine says, “The service is consistently excellent, including the most admirable concierge who can even retrieve a lost credit card from an ATM.” The hotel lobby is shown. Healing Holidays (healholidays.com) offers three nights from £ 1,419 including flights and transfers
BEST PRIVATE ISLAND RETREAT – THE NAUTILUS, MALDIVES: According to Tatler, this luxury resort takes the personalized experience “one step further”. The mantra is “anything, anytime, anywhere,” from “chefs preparing items from the menu at short notice (ask for the lobster curry) to reflexology at midnight”. The magazine adds, “No people: tick. Cashmere soft sand: tick. Crystalline water: tick. Clairvoyant service: cross’. Exsus Travel (exsus.com) offers seven nights from £ 12,090, including flights and transfers
BEST BEACH HOTEL – HOTEL EXCELSIOR VENICE: This beach hotel “has been a magnet for the heavenly set since hosting the first Venice Film Festival in 1932,” says Tatler. The magazine explains: “Everyone from Claudia Cardinale to the Clooneys comes ashore to enjoy old-world glamor, restful tranquility and calm elegance. It is immaculately run and very much loved and looked after by its new owners, Iconic Luxury Hotels, which makes all the difference. Double rooms from £ 314. Visit hotelexcelsiorvenezia.com
The Tatler Travel Awards 2021 appear in the Tatler Travel supplement next to the illustrated January 2021 edition of the magazine, which is now available at the kiosk and can be downloaded digitally
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