Best hotels in the world: 2019 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award

Condé Nast Traveler has revealed its 2019 list of the top hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the world with a shock spot topping the Aussie list.

The Langham Melbourne.

For over 32 years the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ choice Awards has recognised “the best of the best of travel”, with shout outs to the hotels, cities and resorts around the world-sweeping travellers of their feet.

This year a record-breaking 600,000 readers cast a vote in the annual awards, with the results providing an insight into what travellers can’t get enough of when it comes to accommodation — no surprise that wellness and luxury were key factors.

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The Langham Melbourne.

Surprisingly, it was The Langham in Melbourne that took out first place for the Australia and New Zealand category, with an overall score of 98.31 out of 100.

Proving that timelessness doesn’t go out of fashion, the hotel on the city’s Yarra River has for 27 years has been the go-to for international travellers and out-of-towners for its prime location, exceptional service and classic luxury.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition and really appreciate that our guests took the time to submit The Langham, Melbourne into the Readers’ Choice Awards,” said Stefan Leser, chief executive officer, Langham Hospitality Group.

GT: Grand Corner Room, The Langham, Melbourne.

Western Australia’s elegant COMO The Treasury had a slight downgrade, taking out second spot on the Australia and New Zealand list, but not quite impressing voters enough to land on itself again on the international list. In 2016 after undergoing a $580 million redevelopment, the chic stay was named the world’s second best hotel — and was the only Australian hotel that year to make the cut.

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COMO The Treasury, Perth, Western Australia. Picture: COMO Hotels & Resorts

Once again, no Aussie hotels were named among the world’s top 50. At No. 1 was the oh-so-sleek Beverly Hills SLS Hotel, adored for its quintessential LA rooftop and pool. Surprisingly, the infamous Watergate Hotel (of the Watergate of Nixon-era fame) in Washington D.C. landed a spot on the list after undergoing a major restoration.

Everything from the food to the bed linens to the views and the service plays a part in the final results. Read on to discover which hotels made the cut.

TOP 10 HOTELS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

1. The Langham, Melbourne

2. COMO The Treasury

3. Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill

4. The Calile Hotel

5. Halcyon House

6. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

7. QT Wellington (New Zealand)

8. Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

9. Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park

10. QT Sydney

The pool at Rambagh Palace. Picture: Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

TOP 10 HOTELS IN THE WORLD

1. SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

2. Baur au Lac, Zurich, Switzerland

3. Taj Lake Palace

4. 1 Hotel West Hollywood

5. Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

6. Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco

7. Rambagh Palace (Taj), Jaipur, India

8. Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa

9. Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland

10. Rosewood Luang Prabang

For the full list of winners head to cntraveler.com.

Originally published as Best hotels in the world: 2019 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award