Top story of 2015, originally published on November 3, 2015…
The winners and runners up of the World Boutique Hotel Awards 2015 were announced last night at the glittering Awards ceremony held at the Montcalm Hotel, London.
The ceremony brought together an array of boutique hotel owners, travel and lifestyle press and travel industry influencers from all four corners of the world, including representatives from the British Guild of Travel Writers, CNN, The Embassy of Morocco, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, The Financial Times, Monocle magazine, The Times, Boat International, The Mail Online and hoteliers around the world.
This year’s keynote speech was delivered by Robin Sheppard, chairman of Bespoke Hotels. Other esteemed guest presenters and speakers at the event included Paolo Macchiaroli, founder of My Private Villas, Hilary Lancaster from Fusion Interiors Group and Boutique Hotel News, James Fisher from Globe Trotter luxury luggage and Rosalind Milani Gallieni of RMG PR & Events.
The event also saw the launch of Master Key Society, which embarks on a new collaborative venture to create valuable relationships exclusively amongst the Winners of the WBHA, by facilitating hotel exchange visits between them, to share know-how and experience.
“The evening showcased some spectacular and inspiring properties. It was wonderful to see people from all over the world come together to share in their passion for creating unique experiences. This collaboration and celebration can only serve to strengthen the industry and ultimately the customers that get to enjoy these hotels,” said Sophia Heath of Boat International.
The 2015 Best in Region and World’s Best Category Winners are listed below, all of whom delivered unique excellence.
World’s Best Boutique Hotel – Royal Mansour (Marrakech, Morocco)
Best in Region Winners
Africa’s Best Boutique Hotel – Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco
The Americas’ Best Boutique Property – Villa Sand Club, St Barts, French West Indies
Southeast Asia’s Best Boutique Hotel – Awarta Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
Asia’s Best Boutique Hotel – Suryagarh, Jaisalmer, India
Australasia’s Best Boutique Hotel – Spicers Peak Lodge, Australia
Europe’s Best Boutique Hotel – Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal, Paris, France
World’s Best
World’s Best Beach Boutique Hotel – Drake Bay Getaway Resort, Costa Rica
World’s Best City Boutique Hotel – Library Hotel, New York, USA
World’s Best Classic Boutique Hotel – Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India
World’s Best Culinary Boutique Hotel – The Capital Hotel, London, UK
World’s Best Design Boutique Hotel – Only You Hotel & Lounge Madrid, Spain
World’s Best Honeymoon Boutique Hotel – Pondoro Game Lodge, South Africa
World’s Best New Boutique Hotel – The Norman, Tel Aviv, Israel
World’s Best Relaxation Retreat – Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania, Australia
World’s Best Romantic Boutique Hotel – Ca Maria Adele, Venice, Italy
World’s Best Sustainable Boutique Hotel – El Nido Pangulasian Island, Philippines
World’s Best Spa Hotel – Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia
World’s Best Private Villa – Coco Privé, Maldives
The 2016 Boutique Hotel Awards are now open. To nominate your favourite boutique hotels, find out about participating in the Awards, and read the reviews of all the winners go to:
www.boutiquehotelawards.com