Each year, Travel + Living publishes various hospitality industry rankings, including the “Best New International Resorts of 2023.”
The publication includes 26 new and impressive hotel structures, including some renovated ones (the entire list can be accessed here). But, in this article, we have chosen to present you the first 10 hotels, in order to give you a broader opinion on the current trends and of course, to inspire you a little.
1. Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, Thailanda
Explore Hong Island’s hidden treasures, pristine beaches, crystal clear lagoons and panoramic views. Enjoy unique experiences such as tours through lush rubber tree plantations and immerse yourself in the lush jungle landscape.
photo credits: ANANTARA KOH YAO YAI RESORT & VILLAS, credits at https://www.anantara.com/en/koh-yao-yai-phuket
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is an idyllic retreat, an oasis of tranquility. You’ll discover Laem Had Beach, where the mesmerizing Koh Yao Yai sandbar sets the stage for thrilling adventures from kayaking to diving.
The resort offers:
– 148 apartments, villas with pool and penthouses;
– Positioning 35 minutes from Phuket and 20 minutes from Krabi;
– Unparalleled family accommodation structures and facilities;
– Villas dedicated to wellness, hydropool and Spa.
Built from the ground up, Anantara Koh Yao Yai’s 148 rooms are spread across various buildings: two-story penthouses and cozy villas, all with private pools, plus family suites complete with bunk beds and water slides.
2. andBeyond Punakha Valley, Bhutan
Two of Bhutan’s most famous rivers, the Pho and the Mo Chu, converge at Punakha Dzong. These rivers are also home to one of the last surviving populations of the critically endangered white-bellied heron. Also recognized as one of the warmest valleys in Bhutan, Punakha offers explorers spectacular Himalayan views, thrilling treks and gorgeous temples.
The Punakha Valley, famous for its rice and chili farms, is not only home to the Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful traditional structures, but is also the winter home of the Bhutanese royal family. The lodge is also a place of play and adventure, making it the ideal setting for intrepid nature lovers. Choose from a range of activity-based experiences, including rafting, kayaking and a variety of shorter or longer hikes in stunning surroundings.
3. Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, Cannes
Although famous since the previous century and host to the most refined guests in recent history, the Carlton, or “The Light of the French Riviera” has “stepped up” with its renovation, completed in the spring of 2023. A reason why the publication included the legendary hotel from the Cote d’Azur in this top. Having the privilege of stepping on its doorstep at the same time as this reopening event, all we can tell you is that this palace is a grand masterpiece of Europe.
photo credits: https://carltoncannes.com/
4. Cayo Levantado Resort, Republica Dominicană
Located on the coast of Samana Bay, the resort gives guests a taste of what’s to come as soon as the private boat approaches the island’s Victorian-inspired dock. The turquoise water surrounded by lush tropical greenery fascinates everyone, while the resort offers 218 spacious rooms, suites and villas with private pools and terraces.
As Dobrina Zhekova explains in the Travel + Leisure article, “the highlight of Cayo Levantado is the wellness experiences, which are organized around four paths: refreshment, restoration, relaxation and renewal. For each, guests can choose from a long list of activities such as breathing classes, yoga, sound baths, Tibetan bowl meditation sessions, cold plunges and even a shamanic cleansing ceremony – many of which take place at the center of the resort’s outdoor wellness.”
5. Club Med Kiroro Grand, Hokkaido, Japonia
Located on the North Island of Hokkaido, Club Med Kiroro Grand is located in a hidden paradise of snow. Explore the unspoiled nature by snow hiking or enjoy a great skiing holiday. Experience moments of relaxation and wellness in an outdoor hot bath, Rotenburo or in a natural Japanese Onsen. Discover the local culture and learn more about the indigenous Ainu people, Hokkaido’s first settlers, on one of the hotel’s excursions.
The hotel has 266 rooms surrounded by a charming forest. You’ll find giant sculptures of woodland creatures, mushroom-shaped light fixtures and foliage-covered ceilings. The hotel has an indoor pool, a children’s campus and a Spa.
“My favorite facility was the outdoor onsen, where I relaxed in the mineral-rich spring water every afternoon. The main dining room serves a variety of comfort food designed to please a wide range of people of different nationalities. Dishes included bulgogi, pad see ew and fried chicken with mashed potatoes – all freshly made by the hotel chefs,” Travel + Living contributor Lydia Price tells us.
06. Como Le Montrachet, Burgundy, France
A wine lover’s paradise, the hotel is an oasis of tranquility and a sanctuary of the revered liquor, nestled in renowned Burgundy. The hotel proposes a rich gastronomy, using local products and a carefully selected menu, under the coordination of chef Romain Versino, while wine recommendations are made by sommeliers. Of course, vineyard tours and local wine tastings are a must.
“Our French hotel is a 19th-century inn on the <> in Puligny-Montrachet – one of the most famous wine destinations in the world. It encompasses the best: inimitable hospitality, excellent dining and discreet service, which is reflected in the One MICHELIN Key award in 2024.” – official website https://www.comohotels.com/burgundy/como-le-montrachet
07. Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa, Kefalonia, Greece
The Eliamos estate consists of 12 spacious villas and cottages with views of the sea or the olive gardens, offering tourists a place conducive to relaxation in a beautiful natural setting, together with holistic wellness facilities, such as yoga or pilates sessions in nature, or access to the salted water pool.
08. Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire, England
A country-house hotel and private member’s club set on generous grounds, surrounded by gorgeous gardens.
“The 108 guest rooms are outfitted in a flamboyantly aristocratic style: tasseled pillows, faded kilim fabrics, four-poster beds, and lacquered mini-bars crammed with everything from elderflower kombucha to collagen eye patches. Amenities include a gym, a co-working space, a chic boutique, and three good restaurants: the Billiards Room, a buzzy Chinese venue; the Glasshouse, which serves heritage vegetables and Cotswolds chicken; and the Brasserie, with seasonal favorites like Oxford-cheddar soufflé and Alaskan king crab.” – Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Living contributor
09. Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
An intact world of eco-luxury that offers guests unparalleled access to nature, adventure and relaxation. Awarded by Forbes Travel Guide 6 years in a row, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for adventure and wellness lovers, for culinary and cultural explorers.
With customized itineraries for families and couples alike, the resort promises extraordinary experiences.
At the Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, you will be able to choose to enjoy a whole day in privacy by the pool, booking in the Cabanas or an hour of meditation with the help of the sound of Tibetan bowls, or a session in the fine art of mixology. And if you love adrenaline and sports, you can go to SurfX, where you will take surf lessons from the resort’s instructors.
10. Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, Priorat, Spain
Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno in Priorat (Tarragona, Spain) is a boutique hotel located on a historic property in the heart of the town, a destination famous for producing some of the best wines in the world.
With an impressive gourmet food and wine palette, plus wellness facilities thanks to the Spa designed around historical archaeological elements, a private space where you can enjoy incredible treatments, this property offers tourists a relaxing and quality stay. It can also be an inspired choice for certain private events.
Cover photo of the article: ANANTARA KOH YAO YAI RESORT & VILLAS, credits at https://www.anantara.com/en/koh-yao-yai-phuket
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