Santa Barbara, Calif.
The storied El Encanto, once a favorite of A-listers such as Clark Gable, reopened in March 2013 after extensive renovations as the first West Coast resort from Orient-Express Hotels. Its 92 California Craftsman and Spanish-colonial-revival bungalows cover the lush seven-acre property. Pillows monogrammed with guests’ initials and mohair loveseats are luxurious touches, while plantation-style shutters and a hammock give the hotel a down-to-earth feel — this is Santa Barbara, after all.Its farm-to-fork restaurant is the hotel’s star attraction, where chef Patrice Martineau serves California coastal cuisine, including aged white cheddar made with milk from Ellie, El Encanto’s very own cow, which lives at a nearby farm.
Chicago
Opened in July 2013, the Langham Chicago is located in a landmark Mies van der Rohe building with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for maximum views of the Chicago River and city skyline. The sense of openness extends into the bathrooms, whose “Reveal” glass walls switch from transparent to opaque at the push of a button. Use of travertine marble throughout the property is just one of the many signs this hotel will be one of Chicago’s
classiest.Enjoy Tiffin at The Langham, the brand’s signature tea service, which originated at the London property in 1865. Custom teas, champagne and light fare, all accompanied by live music, are served in the hotel’s second-floor Pavilion restaurant.
St. Petersburg, Russia
The latest in a string of heritage hotels from Four Seasons, the Lion Palace is the brand’s most ambitious restoration yet. The transformation of this former palace, guarded by a pair of lion statues for nearly two centuries, into a 177-room hotel has taken nearly a decade and was completed in July 2013. The building’s original design — triangular in shape, featuring high ceilings and an elegant grand staircase — has been painstakingly restored, with the expected modern comforts of a Four Seasons property (the all-marble bathrooms, for example, are new).
A stone’s throw away from St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Hermitage complex, the bright yellow building is itself a site worth seeing. Pushkin certainly thought so: Russia’s most famous poet mentions the palace and its lion statues in his poem “The Bronze Horseman.”
Dubai
Travel + Leisure readers voted Oberoi Hotels & Resorts the world’s best hotel brand and ranked five of its properties into the top 100 of the World’s Best Hotels. In other words, anything Oberoi does is likely to make a splash, and its newest property, which opened in June 2013 in Dubai, is no exception. The property’s 252 rooms are finished in
muted colors, with red accents and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide views of Dubai’s impressive skyline.
Australia
The indigenous Jawoyn people of Australia’s Northern Territory opened this destination lodge in February 2013 along the Katherine River in the cliff-lined Nitmiluk Gorge. Its 18 airy rooms showcase original pieces by local aboriginal artists, and collected monsoon waters pour from the custom-designed “raindrop” showerheads. Activities abound at Cicada
— from swimming under pristine waterfalls and helicoptering to prehistoric rock-art sites to canoeing down the gorge and taking guided wildlife tours.Completely indigenous owned and operated, Cicada Lodge is well on its way to fulfilling its two-sided goal: put the region on traveler’s map while preserving the Jawoyn culture.
Rome, Italy
After taking Florence and Capri by storm, Israeli hotelier Ori Kafri’s next project is set to open in late summer 2013 in Rome. Rosewood canopy beds and Italian marble bathrooms await guests in the 30 guest rooms and suites designed by architect Michele Bonan. Next to the Palazzo Borghese and just minutes from the Spanish Steps, J.K. Place
is located in the University of Rome’s former architectural school building. Its updated design promises a much-needed breath of fresh air, as does the rooftop bar, where visitors can marvel at the Eternal City from above.
Shanghai
Hong Kong–based Mandarin Oriental opened its first property in mainland China’s commercial hub in April 2013. Each of the 362 rooms and suites use subdued, creamy tones and afford enviable views of the city below. A favorite among art acolytes, Mandarin Oriental has outdone itself at this newest outpost, where big-name contemporary Chinese artists like Lai De Quan contributed a staggering total of 4,000 original works. Miao Tong’s forest-scene mosaic wall in the lobby is a favorite.
Morocco
Taj Hotels have never been known for subtlety, but this 161-room property that opened in December 2012 is truly the brand’s pièce de résistance. Seven years in the making, it blends architectural styles: Moorish, Venetian, Indian, Moroccan, and Thai influences are all on display. Swarovski-festooned curtains, ornate chandeliers and nearly two miles’
worth of gold leaf keep the interiors shiny, while the building’s five domes compete for attention with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Over-the-top design is matched by top-notch service: personal butlers for every room and an array of activities ranging
from paragliding to camel rides.
Istanbul
With hotels like the Shangri-La Bosphorus opening up, it’s no wonder that T+L readers voted Istanbul their favorite city in Europe. Housed in a former tobacco warehouse, this May 2013 property features more than 1,000 pieces of original art, a three-level atrium, and water views over the Bosphorus Strait in more than half of its 186 guest rooms. At a minimum of 450 square feet each, these rooms are the largest accommodations in Istanbul.
Extensive spa and hammam facilities are lined with Mandarin Oriental Shanghailocal tiles and offer both Asian and Turkish treatments.
Tanzania
A commitment to providing access to some of Africa’s best game viewing, while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing comfort, has earned Singita’s properties repeat appearances in the World’s Best Awards. Situated on a bend in the Mara River and overlooking the Serengeti, Singita’s newest property (which opened in November 2012) just may join the list soon.Renowned Cape Town–based interior design firm Cécile & Boyd’s built the solar-powered camp to be 100 percent off the grid and used local designs in the six sunrise-facing tents — a friendly reminder to guests to wake up early for the best wildlife spotting.
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