The ‘best’ hotel in the world is hidden in a suburban Australian beachside village
According to cool travel site, Mr and Mrs Smith, the best hotel in the world is hidden just behind a suburban Australian beach
Two Australian hotels have taken out the biggest gongs in the annual awards shelled out by cool-school travel site, Mr & Mrs Smith.
What sets these awards apart from others is they are the result of anonymous reviews left by ‘real’ and ‘paying’ guests. And once collaborated are handed to a judging panel of style hipsters who then bestow who is the best and fairest.
Founded in 2003, there are now more than 1,000 boutique and luxury hotels in the Mr & Mrs portfolio, all hand-picked and anonymously reviewed.
This year, Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach in northern New South Wales has come out on top taking out the Best Smith Hotel.
After finishing runner-up last year, this bastion of beachfront cool has taken the big gong, voted for by the public which includes over 25,000 discerning luxe-travel lovers.
Meanwhile the Old Clare Hotel in the one-time, cluttered, working class Sydney suburb of Chippendale, scored the Best Gourmet Getaway gong.
The panel of globetrotting tastemaker judges included British fashion designers Charlotte Olympia Dellal and Henry Holland; Sydney design duo Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy and Melbourne-based jewellery designer Lucy Folk who crowned 11 boutique beauties in a range of other categories, from World’s Sexiest Bedroom to Best Date-Night Bar and Pool with a View. With winning properties in Chile, Japan and Canada, the list is a serious bucket list of wanderlust-ing.
‘We’ve always wanted Mr & Mrs Smith to be about the details, so this year we’ve ensured each category gives a nod to a unique part of the boutique hotel experience,” says James Lohan, Founder and Executive Chairman, Mr & Mrs Smith.
“We’ve introduced new categories like Hottest Hotel Soundtrack (because music can make or break an atmosphere) and Coolest Creative Hub (now that so many hotels are becoming culture hubs). We want to reward and recognise the best of the best.”
For the first time, Mr & Mrs Smth commissioned fashion photographer Polly Brown to document the 12 winning stays, with her pictures more like stand-alone artworks than happy holiday stay snaps.
AND THE WINNERS ARE …
Best Smith Hotel: Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, Australia
‘As the only category voted for by the public, Best Smith Hotel is a serious accolade. Halcyon House burst on to the scene as a new opening last year, and has since become one of the most impressive boltholes on our books. With its good looks and down to earth charm, it’s a well deserved winner,” says Mr & Mrs Smith’s James Lohan.
Best-Dressed Hotel: Palazzo Margherita, Basilicata, Italy
‘A beautifully-designed, updated Palazzo which still retains its character and soul,’ according to designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal
World’s Sexiest Bedroom: Keemala, Phuket, Thailand
‘Nestled up in the rainforest canopy with a private pool, al fresco bath and four poster bed … heaven,’ raves designer and judge, Olivia von Halle
Best Date-Night Bar: London Edition, London, UK
‘Each Edition property hits the nail on the head when it comes to killer food and drink combos, and since we’re suckers for classic cocktails and bygone-era bar culture, this one’s a top contender in our book,’ says Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the founder of Taste The Style and Celine Bossart, creator of The Staycationers.
Best Gourmet Getaway: The Old Clare, Sydney, Australia
‘My readers rave about this hotel … AND I’m biased … my pal Jason has a restaurant here!’, said publisher Ben Pundole, from A Hotel Life
Most Spoiling Spa: Amanemu, Mie, Japan
‘Amanemu has incorporated the Japanese bathing tradition of onsen, making it a very authentic and overly Zen spa experience; the watsu pool is definitely a highlight,’ says Vivienne Tang, the founder Destination Deluxe
Hottest Hotel Soundtrack: Fazenda Nova, Algarve, Portugal:
‘A laid-back soundtrack that is as chic, timeless and classy as the hotel itself,’ says Lauren Laverne, DJ and broadcaster
Pool with a View: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
‘This property gets our vote, mainly because Lake Como is such a glorious place to visit. The afternoon light over the lake is beyond beautiful,’ says Tamsin and Patrick Johnson, an interior designer/tailor team
Above & Beyond: Awasi, Patagonia, Chile
‘Secluded cabins amid Patagonian triple peaks, eco-awareness, and they’ve bothered to make their villas and bathrooms wheelchair accessible; location, privacy and inclusivity wins hands down.’ according to Anita Kapoor, TV presenter
Best Family Hotel: Treehotel, Sweden
‘I’m giving this first choice simply because it’s the kind of place that your children will never forget,’ says Yasmin Sewell, the fashion director of Style.com
Coolest Creative Hub: Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada
‘The inspiring Todd Saunders design perched on the cliff edge is so spectacular ... this has to be a frontrunner.,’ says Henry Holland, designer.
Local Hotel Hero: 11 Howard, New York, US
‘This hotel engages with and gives back to its community in multiple ways, but my favourite element is the Jeff Koons-mentoree mural created by local students, because supporting the arts is what I’m most passionate about. And this particular effort is very much in tune with the aesthetic-minded nature of this stylish, boutique hotel,’ says Rosa Park, the editor of Cereal.
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