The five best hotels in the world
What's the story
Recently, popular travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler announced the results of its 32nd annual Readers' Choice Awards. Under the survey, a record 600,000 registered readers picked their favorite hotels across the world. So, if travel is on your mind, and run-of-the-mill hotel stays are not your thing, here are five best hotels on the planet, according to the survey.
Number 5
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida, USA
The fifth spot was awarded to the renowned Four Seasons Hotel at Surf Club in Florida, USA. Located at the northern end of Miami Beach, the hotel has been host to personalities including the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Wallis Simpson, Winston Churchill, and the Shah of Iran. From its spas to the bedrooms and the restaurants, everything about Four Seasons is spectacular (and delicious).
Number 4
1 Hotel West Hollywood, USA
Another entry from the USA, you may ask? Well, who can help it, there's just so much luxury on offer in Hollywood. Set on a busy Sunset Boulevard corner, the hotel welcomes you with a concrete exterior decorated with lush greenery. From a chef's garden filled with herbs and veggies to carpets made from recycled plastics, the place is unique in innumerable ways.
Number 3
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
The Taj Lake Palace in India's Rajasthan state grabbed the number 3 position. Located at Lake Pichola in Udaipur, this 18th-century palace is a collection of courtyards, corridors, and pavilions featuring endless gilt molding and mirrors. Originally built for Maharana Jagat Singh, the palace offers 65 rooms, 18 suites, delectable Rajasthani cuisine, and some spellbinding views. Bonus: A private boat ride to hotel.
Number 2
Baur au Lac, Zurich, Switzerland
Situated in a garden near the Bahnhofstrasse shopping drag in the largest Swiss city Zurich, the Baur au Lac was opened back in 1844 and has been run by the same family ever since. The place boasts of having hosted personalities like Spanish painter Joan Miro and world-famed opera singer Plácido Domingo. The hotel offers breathtaking views of Lake Zurich and Swiss Alps.
Number 1
SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, LA, USA
Grabbing the top spot is the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. And honestly, there's no reason why the property shouldn't feature up there. Having freshly received a $22 million renovation last year, the hotel offers a surreal blend of dining, drinking and lounge spaces that are decorated with mid-century modern furnishings. What's more? The place is guaranteed to treat your taste buds.