The Best of the Best

In partnership with BOLD, luxury travel network Virtuoso presents its awards for the world’s top hotel properties in 2018

Each year, the professional advisors of global luxury travel network Virtuoso vote on the world’s finest hotels and their excellence in several categories: design, dining, family, sustainability and more. Here, exclusively for BOLD magazine, the 12 th annual finalists and overall winners from the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards, honouring the top hotels in the network’s portfolio of more than 1,300 around the world, from whimsical to wow, historic to haute. Read on for insider tips from Virtuoso’s expert travel advisors to help you travel like a savvy VIP.

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN

Topping the list of eye-catching design is The Silo Hotel in Cape Town, set in the grain elevator portion of a historic grain silo complex, atop the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Multi-faceted glass windows appear as if inflated and, at night, transform the building into a glowing, harbourside beacon. Inside, 28 colourful guest rooms designed by Thomas Heatherwick of London’s Heatherwick Studio frame Table Mountain and water views. Eccentric touches include fuchsia dressers, Persian carpets and (count them) 80 Egyptian crystal chandeliers.

Category finalists include the elegant Palácio Tangará, Oetker Collection in São Paulo, Brazil, which credits its contemporary design to leading Brazilian interior design firms Bick Simonato and Anastassiadis. Each room capitalizes on natural daylight and Burle Marx Park views. Maryland’s 1914 Beaux-Arts style Sagamore Pendry Baltimore defines “what’s old is new again,” striking a pose on historic Recreation Pier. Patrick Sutton Design has impeccably reimagined the boutique hotel, including the Grand Ballroom, arguably the city’s most breathtaking architectural space. Classic and contemporary converge at The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel in New York City, thanks to awardwinning designer Martin Brudnizki. The heart of the hotel is its nine-story atrium, capped by a painstakingly restored pyramidal skylight. The Fontenay Hamburg in Germany is a cutting-edge retreat on Lake Alster. Its swooping architecture, inner courtyard and 89-foot-high atrium allow for generous natural light and at least partial lake views from all guest rooms.

INSIDER TIP: “The Silo Hotel is one of my top five in the world. For a Cape Town sunset you’ll long treasure, head to the wraparound rooftop terrace with a glass of South African Pinotage.” —Wendy Davis, Zebrano Travel, Toronto

BEST DINING EXPERIENCE

Category winner The Restaurant at Meadowood Napa Valley is relentless in its quest to make each meal better than the last—and its three Michelin stars would suggest that the team is excelling. The perfect evening starts with a handcrafted cocktail or local bubbles before a feast of farm-totable specialties served in the main dining room or 10-guest private dining room. The wine list is impeccable, featuring Napa Valley’s finest, but also digging into the best in the world.

Finalist Aman Tokyo introduces Arva, conceived by executive chefs Stefano Artosin and Andrea Torre and echoing traditional Italian cooks who rely on their landscape for flavours and inspiration. With Blue Grotto views as spectacular as its Michelin-starred dishes, Il Riccio at Capri Palace is beloved for its sublime raw and cooked seafood delicacies. Antibes’ finest seafood dining is tucked away in quaint Juan les Pins at the Hotel Belles Rives. Finish your meal with the award-winning dessert, “pearl in blown sugar shell.” Make plans early for dining at The London EDITION’s Berners Tavern, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton and serving seasonal British favourites, including a succulent pork pie.

INSIDER TIP: “Chef Christopher Kostow at The Restaurant at Meadowood Napa Valley has wowed me with his phenomenal Victor’s Almond Avocado Caviar, a rich, creamy almond custard base, topped with golden Ossetra and covered in a bright green avocado oil mixture.” — Bradley Janes, Travel Professionals International, Vancouver

BEST BAR

Make category winner The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel, your first stop for a nightcap in London. This longtime favourite has relaunched with a new menu from Salvatore Calabrese. Choose from 16 original cocktails divided into four sections: bright and refreshing, dark and mellow, strong and bold and soft and delicate. Go for Salvatore’s Martini, the famous bartender’s self-proclaimed masterpiece.

A fan of finalist Hotel Hassler in Rome, Princess Di once confessed her adoration of the Hassler Bar’s Bellini and signature Veruschkas; the cozy bar emanates a glam ’40s style at the top of the Spanish Steps. Accessible by hidden passageway, amidst collectors’ art and a selection of some of the world’s rarest spirits, The Office NYC in Mandarin Oriental, New York, offers mid- 20 th century Johnnie Walker whiskey and an extensive vintage Chartreuse collection. Step off the Bognergasse directly into The Bank Brasserie & Bar at the Park Hyatt Vienna for a worldly cocktail (Bora Bora Brew or a Lima Sour, perhaps) in a former cashier hall, complete with open show-kitchen views. Experience a slice of Dublin life at The Horseshoe Bar at The Shelbourne: a convivial ambience, decidedly Irish signature cocktails, a lucky charm-shaped bar and unbeatable whiskey tasting flights.

INSIDER TIP: “Take time for tea in Brown’s award-winning English Tea Room, where the royals have sipped their tea for generations. Book early and skip lunch as the food is amazing and continually replenished.” — Alyssa Jimenez, Fernweh Travel, an affiliate of TTI Travel, Vancouver

BEST FAMILY PROGRAM

With 6,000 acres of wild Montana meadows, mountains and forests as its backyard, category winner The Ranch at Rock Creek has kids riding horses, fishing and geocaching. “Little Grizzlies” learn about the Frontier West in age-appropriate activities. Rainy day? No problem. The Silver Dollar Saloon offers bowling, board games and movies, complete with popcorn. The saloon hosts kid dinners with crowd-pleasing favourites such as mac-and-cheese and barbecue chicken.

Stir the imagination in Cannes at finalist Hotel Barrière Le Majestic. Little minds will dream big after a day of cooking, photography, foreign language, music and more in a program celebrated for its innovative multicultural activities. Kids connect with the South Pacific’s cultural heritage through interactive water- and land-based activities at Kokomo Private Island Fiji. Family time brings swimming, tennis, beach games and more. The ultimate four-season Pennsylvania escape, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, spoils kids with a trampoline, arcade, carnival games and more. Bigger kids might seek the adrenaline rush of zip-lining or off-roading. What may have seemed like a quagmire—a family-friendly resort in a romantic setting—is, in fact, a delightful reality at the Maldives’ Soneva Fushi, where the littlest are wooed by a pirate ship, Lego room, dress-up area, cinema and shallow pool.

INSIDER TIP: “Fishing families love the multigenerational angling experiences at The Ranch at Rock Creek. Gear and lessons are provided; even the wee ones are given a tyke’s fishing rod so they’re part of the action. Book months ahead of time during the peak season (July to early September).” —Ginger Blum, North South Travel & Tours, Vancouver

BEST WELLNESS PROGRAM

Prior to arrival at white-sand wellness winner BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, guests craft the exact escape they seek from more than 200 spa treatments and activities. Five restaurants recognize that good food leads to healthy lives, focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Daily spa treatments are included, ranging from four-handed Abhyanga massages to Hara Shiatsu energy flow therapies.

Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, finalist Ananda provides a royally rejuvenating retreat, integrating Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta into a personalized program of more than 80 treatments and activities—all overlooking the Ganges river valley. Chablè Resort & Spa’s sacred Yucatan cenote is the focal point for guests’ healing journeys. Using sustainable products, therapists intertwine traditional and ritual elements with advanced therapeutic practices. Spa goers are encouraged to recalibrate body and mind with immersive, week-long programs at The Ranch Malibu. From morning-long hikes to an organic, plant-based diet, the 18-guest program delivers sustainable results. Nature plays a central role at Switzerland’s cliffside Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence, set high above Lake Lucerne. Drink in views of Mounts Rigi and Pilatus from the glassy infinity-edge pool, and indulge in elderberry compresses, blueberry oil massages and coffee-infused body wraps.

INSIDER TIP: “When you upgrade to the penthouse at BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, you’re entitled to priority seating at Cariblue and the award-winning Tao restaurant, set on an open-air balcony overlooking the sea.” —Carly Renshaw, Renshaw Travel, Vancouver

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LEADERSHIP

Partnering with a local farmer, producing its own mineral water and employing valley residents are just a few of the ways category winner Six Senses Douro Valley is committed to sustainability. The surrounding countryside is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to nearly 3,500 different botanical species. Local is the word when it comes to the dining room, where the culinary team celebrates regional produce. Renowned wine and cuisine, locally inspired spa treatments (think grape and citrus fruit) and far-reaching views of Portugal’s rolling vineyards are the icing on the cake.

At finalist Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, guests have access to a private 7,000-acre nature reserve in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Simply staying here is a step in a green direction; the resort is the first in the world to achieve the internationally accredited carbon-neutral certification by CarbonZero. Dive with manta rays in their natural habitat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, set in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Work alongside leading marine experts to record essential information on these gentle giants. At Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge, visitors are immersed in the surrounding forest and fauna, affording spectacular views through each room’s tall windows and triggering a renewed appreciation of the hidden wonders of life. In classic ’20s explorer style, Singita Grumeti—Sabora Tented Camp showcases the untouched wilderness of northern Tanzania, leaving each guest mindful of their personal contribution to Africa’s legacy. Limited guest and vehicle numbers, and funding for protection of land and wildlife populations, echo the camp’s commitment to “touch the earth lightly.”

INSIDER’S TIP: “Daily tastings in the Six Senses Wine Library showcasing the Douro Valley’s finest vintages are guided by an expert sommelier. The staff can also arrange wine tastings at local wineries.” —Cathy Davis, Zebrano Travel, Toronto

BEST VIRTUOSO NEWCOMER

Félicitations to Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, for topping this category, thanks to its dedication to the guest experience. Within its Neoclassical façade, a top-notch team caters to every whim. Freshly renovated, with an eye toward tradition, this legendary palace on the Place de la Concorde boasts residentially styled, quintessential French accommodations. The iconic Les Ambassadeurs is an inevitable rendezvous spot before a memorable dinner at L’Ecrin, one of Paris’ best-kept culinary secrets.

Portuguese wine-tastings, exploring ancient Roman ruins and tee times on the renowned Victoria Golf Course mark one’s time at finalist Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Practically every room at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach welcomes in ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows, including the spa’s grand soaking tub, set in its own airy enclave. With white-sand beach to one side and verdant rainforest to the other, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort promises whichever castaway experience you prefer, all with butler service, plus the Iridium Spa, featuring the Maldives’ largest hydrotherapy pool. A personal concierge for each guest at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills handles every request, including treatments at the Spa by La Prairie and a table to enjoy the cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Jean- Georges Vongerichten.

INSIDER TIP: “Exclusive tastings, held every second Thursday, in the Hôtel de Crillon’s La Cave with Xavier Thuizat are not to miss. In an intimate group of 12, come face-to-face with the delicate nose of the head sommelier for an unforgettable journey devoted to a specific wine region or drink.” —Julia Kostina, Renshaw Travel, Vancouver

HOTEL OF THE YEAR

When you stay at Hotel of the Year 2018 winner Adare Manor, you’re home. Every touch of this recently renovated Neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece speaks of prestigious, yet never pretentious personalized service. Set within 842 acres of verdant parkland, Adare features an indoor pool, state-of-the-art spa, a Tom Fazio-designed golf course on the River Maigue and extensive countryside pursuits, from falconry to fishing. In The Oak Room, the chef’s tasting menu takes the very best of Ireland’s artisan ingredients and pairs them with spectacular wines. Finalists for Hotel of the Year include The Berkeley in London’s Knightsbridge neighbourhood; its bold accommodations, trendsetting restaurants and Bamford Haybarn Spa are the talk of the town. Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill are among the notables who have signed the guestbook at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, a Riviera retreat boasting a lively pool club, Michelin-starred Provençal cuisine and spacious guest rooms, with views from Nice to Monaco. Swim with sharks, explore the heritage of Mauritius with a celebrated local artist, and shop the village market with the resort’s executive chef at One&Only Le Saint Geran, the totally transformed beach resort that’s every bit as loved by couples on retreat as families seeking quality time. The 53 uniquely decorated Moorish riads of the Royal Mansour Marrakech are accessed by staff via underground tunnels, guaranteeing the utmost discretion for each private residence. Culinary flavours range from time-honoured local favourites to Chef Alleno’s haute cuisine.

INSIDER TIP: “To recreate as the locals do, arrange for a fly-fishing lesson with Adare Manor’s own expert ghillie. The culinary team will even specially prepare your catch for an unforgettable meal.” —Doug Musgrave, TTI Travel, Toronto.