UK: Boutique hotel website Mr & Mrs Smith has announced the winners of its first hotel awards.
The Post Ranch Inn, in Big Sur, California took the Best Smith Hotel 2013 prize. The judges said: “Clinging to a cliff top along California’s wild west coast, this big-name Big Sur sanctuary manages to melt into the dramatic surroundings while showcasing dreamy design within. Paying homage to architectural classics, including Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, this hotel accentuates rather than dominates the already timeless scenery. Cabins and cottages hover at the rocky edge or perch in the trees, each offering an inspiring eyeful of towering redwoods and the Pacific 1,200 feet below. The setting alone would put this hotel on most travellers’ wish lists, but combined with the luxury of a fireside massage, three infinity pools, clifftop hot tubs and a one-of-a-kind restaurant, it offers, quite simply, one of the world’s very best places to stay. Total seclusion and nothing but soaring condors, starry nights, breathtaking views and a wood-burning fire for company – who could resist?”
The 12 category winners were:
• Best-Dressed Hotel: Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali, Indonesia
• Sexiest Bedroom in the World: Corfu Suite, Blakes Hotel London, UK
• Hottest Hotel Bar: Ace Hotel New York, New York, US
• Best Hotel Restaurant: Bastide de Moustiers Provence, France (Alain Ducasse)
• Best Spa Hotel: Como Shambhala Estate Bali, Indonesia
• The Eco Award: Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Abruzzo, Italy
• Best for Families: Soneva Kiri Koh Kood, Thailand
• Best Budget Hotel: Brody House Budapest, Hungary
• The Greatest Outdoors: Dunton Hot Springs Colorado, US
• Above & Beyond: The Upper House Hong Kong
• Best Newcomer: Fogo Island Inn Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
• Best Smith Hotel 2013: Post Ranch Inn California, USA
Judges for the wards included burlesque dancer Immodesty Blaize, chef Marcus Wareing, journalist Mariella Frostrup, designer Wayne Hemingway and restaurateur Jeremy King.
Launching the awards in September, James Lohan CEO and co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith, said: “During the past decade, hundreds of people have asked us what our favourite boutique hotel is, and we thought it was about time we answered them. But we couldn’t make the final decision without help from boutique hotel-lovers worldwide. We want travellers around the world to contribute to the ultimate hot list of favourite places to stay.”
smithhotelawards.com
www.postranchinn.com
