Cool Australian hotels feature as #travelporn stars revealed by luxe website Mr & Mrs Smith

THE world’s most incredible hotels have been revealed in a list, and you won’t believe what lies inside some of them.

Spa life extraordinaire: The Nam Hai in Hoi-Am, Vietnam

COOL, creative and sometimes a touch kooky, the winners of the world’s hottest hotels according to Mr & Mrs Smith have just been announced in London.

The charmingly offbeat UK bolthole The Pig — on the Beach, which overlooks Studland Bay on Dorset’s Jurassic coast, has been named Best Smith Hotel 2015. Meanwhile, the ‘sexiest’ hotel sash has gone to Italy’s drop-dead, sensual and grotto-like Bellevue Syrene just near Naples, complete with a four poster bed and your own pool. And three mega chic Australian hotels have made the hallowed hotel list too. Runner-up to the UK inn is Halcyon House — a bright, bold and brilliant surf-motel makeover at Cabarita in northern New South Wales that has been garnering rave reviews. As well as taking second place in Best Smith Hotel, Halcyon House was a runner-up in the Best Newcomer category. The other Australian properties named runners-up in two other categories were Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley in ‘Best for Families,’ and Southern Ocean Lodge in the ‘Above and Beyond’ category. Mr & Mrs Smith is a hotel website, booking service and free-to-join travel club which specialises in finding the world’s most inspiring boutique hotels. Founded in 2003, Smith has published nine coffee-table guidebooks and maintains a hand-picked and anonymously reviewed collection of more than 1,000 of the world’s most stylish stays at mrandmrssmith.com. It has gained cult-like status for its objective hotel reviews. ‘The boutique hotel industry is at the cutting edge of hospitality,’’ says James Lohan Co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith. “That’s what we want to celebrate with the Smith Hotel Awards — the places that do things differently, where you come back with stories of chefs creating impromptu dishes tailored just for you, or where the general manager personally drives you the scenic route to the airport. “We hope this year’s hotlist of 12 winners inspires people to make 2016 the year they go out and find them.’ More than 1,000 hotels in the Smith collection battled for a place in the 12 specially selected categories, including Best Pool, Best Hotel Restaurant and Hottest Hotel Bar. More than 22,000 hotel-loving members of the public had their say, voting for their favourite stays during the month of September, after which shortlists were put to panels of expert judges. THE WINNERS: Best-Dressed Hotel •Ett Hem, Sweden: ‘Ilse Crawford’s bespoke interior is sublime — timeless and contemporary in equal measure. The design references the traditional Swedish Gustavian colour palette, brilliantly and luxuriously updated with modern and vintage furnishings. It’s an architectural jewel, too,’’ says Neale Whitaker Editor-in-chief, Vogue Living Australia. Runners-up were The Battery in San Francisco and Ham Yard Hotel, London. Sexiest Bedroom in the World •The Roccia Suite at Bellevue Syrene, Italy: ‘In-room massage pool and canopied four-poster in an Italian grotto: Hellooooo hat trick,’” says Immodesty Blaize, Burlesque star. By the way, bellevue Syrene happens to be in Sorrento, which is on the southern extreme off the azure waters of Naples. I mean, could this place have a sexier location? Runners-up Sansovino Suite at Aman Canal Grande Venice, Italy and Water Villa 5 at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam Hottest Hotel Bar •The Zetter Townhouse, London, UK: ‘It’s a masterpiece by Tony Conigliaro that continues to rack up awards and turn out superb bar talent,” says Paul Gabie Founder of 28 Hong Kong Street and CEO of Proof & Company. Runners-up The Elephant Bar at the Nomad, USA and Cafe Gray Deluxe at the Upper House, Hong Kong Best Hotel Restaurant •Oreade at Monteverdi, Italy: ‘This is one very special place, a farm to table homage to the surrounding Tuscan bounty and where chef Giancarla Bodoni serves up delectable Italian dishes from a killer menu, with daily specials thrown in so you can dine with indulgence every night of your stay,” says Tamara Heber-Percy Co-founder, Mr & Mrs Smith. Runners-up Belmond Le Manoir aux. Quat’ Saisons, UK and Nomad at The Nomad, USA Best Spa Hotel •The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam: ‘A beautiful part of Vietnam and a stunning resort. The spa is set in pavilions: the ultimate in privacy and luxury,” Peony Lim Fashion and lifestyle blogger. Runners-up Corinthia Hotel London, UK and Dormy House, UK The Eco Award •Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia: ‘I’m amazed at how much they are doing with the environment and the local community,” Livia Firth Founder, Eco Age Best for Families WINNER Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji: ‘This looks like such a dreamy place, both for kids and grown-ups. My sea-creature-obsessed kids would absolutely LOVE to visit here,” Courtney Adamo Co-founder, Babyccino Kids and Instamum. Runners-up are Aarbella Club, Spain and One & Only Emirates Wolgan Valley, Australia, which we’ve featured in our pics above Best Budget Boutique Hotel WINNER Masseria Cervarolo, Italy: “After recently visiting the region I feel like a traditional Puglian farmhouse is the perfect way to explore the gorgeous surrounding areas, “ Henry Holland Fashion designer Best Hotel Pool •Amangiri, Utah, USA: ‘You can’t beat it: the light, the rocks, the pool snaking around this wondrous gleaming edifice that changes colour as the day wears on. The best mixture of natural and sophisticated.,” Melinda Stevens Editor in chief, Condé Nast Traveller. Runners-up are Rayavadee, Thailand and Cap Estel, France Above and Beyond •Huka Lodge, New Zealand: ‘The guest comments on the personalised service of this property are amazing — the general manager personally driving guests to the airport, and the front-desk attendant jumping off her bus as she passed by when she spotted guests they were going the wrong way. They really do go above and beyond the call of duty, and that made this hotel stand out for me.” Amanda Shadforth Founder, Oracle Fox blog Runners-up Aenaon Villas, Greece and Southern Ocean Lodge Best Newcomer • The Battery San Francisco, USA: ‘For all its hipness, San Francisco sorely lacks the type of hotel you get giddy at the thought of staying at. Or at least it did. The Battery practically aches cool. So much so that you want to check in, and stay in … regardless of what’s going on outside,” says Susan Riley Deputy editor, Stylist magazine Runners-up Hotel Urso, Spain and Halcyon House, Australia Best Smith Hotel 2015 •The Pig — on the Beach, UK: ‘The Pig has come of age, transplanting its winning code to the natural playground of the Dorset coastline. Timeless interiors, top-notch food and spot-on service all help it continue to flourish,’’ says Sophie Lam Head of travel at The Independent. The runners-up are Soneva Fushi, Maldives and Halcyon House, Australia Follow the conversation in Instagram and Twitter @melissahoyer