- Eighteen hotels were named the best boutique hotels in the world for 2019.
- Boutique Hotel Awards chose a series of standout boutique hotels from 380 nominees in 80 countries.
- The hotels were judged on dining and entertainment, design, facilities, location, service, and “overall emotional impact.”
- A hotel in Bali was named the best overall boutique hotel, while hotels in Italy, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and other countries also won top honors.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
A hotel has the possibility to make or break your vacation – but, if it’s one of the best boutique hotels in the world, chances are you’ll be in very, very good hands.
In 2019’s Boutique Hotel Awards, eighteen hotels around the world took home top honors in a range of categories. The Awards Panel reviewed 380 hotel nominations spanning 80 countries, Managing Director Bianca Revens told Business Insider.
The hotels were judged on “all aspects of the guest experience covering six categories: dining and entertainment, design, facilities, location and, most importantly, staff service and overall emotional impact,” according to the news release.
The Boutique Hotel Awards team sent judges to review shortlisted hotels in person. “No matter how detailed your research, there’s no substitute for personally experiencing what a hotel has to offer and meeting the people behind it,” they said in the release.
A hotel in Bali was named the best overall boutique hotel, while hotels in Italy, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and other countries also won top spots. Categories include World's Best Beach or Coastal Hotel, Best Honeymoon Hideaway, Most Stunning Views, and more.
Here are the top boutique hotels in the world, from a beachside retreat in the Maldives to a wellness resort in Austria:
World's Best Beach or Coastal Hotel: Emaho Sekawa
Location: Fiji, South Pacific
Rates starting at: $903 per night Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Best City Explorer: Riad Kheirredine
Location: Marrakesh, Morocco
Rates starting at: $176 per night
Starting rate across dates for double adult occupancy provided on hotel website.
World's Best Classic Elegance Hotel: Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Rates starting at: $167 per night
Repeat winner: Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage also won the World's Best Classic Elegance Hotel category in the 2018 Boutique Hotel Awards.
Starting rate across dates for double adult occupancy provided on hotel website.
World's Best Chic Elegance Hotel: Arctic Light Hotel
Location: Rovaniemi, Finland
Rates starting at: $313 per night Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Best Culinary Excellence Hotel: Velaa Private Island
Location: Maldives
Rates starting at: $5,445 per night Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for occupancy by three guests during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Most Inspired Design Hotel: Byblos Art Hotel
Location: Verona, Italy
Rates starting at: $218 per night
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of March 7-8, the first weekend open for booking in 2020.
World's Best Honeymoon Hideaway Hotel: Drake Bay Getaway Resort
Location: Drake Bay, Costa Rica
Rates starting at: $850 per night
Repeat winner: Drake Bay Getaway Resort also won the World's Best Honeymoon Hideaway Hotel category in the 2018 Boutique Hotel Awards.
Starting rate provided on hotel website for double adult occupancy during the January 5 - April 20, 2020, season.
World's Best Newcomer Hotel: Te Koi - The Lodge At Bronte
Location: Bronte, New Zealand
Rates starting at: $893 per night
Starting rate across dates for double adult occupancy provided on hotel website.
World's Best Relaxation Retreat: Green Spa Resort Stanglwirt
Location: Stanglwirt, Austria
Rates starting at: $575 per night
Repeat winner: Green Spa Resort won the Best Wellness Spa Hotel category in the 2018 Boutique Hotel Awards.
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Most Romantic Retreat Hotel: Rancho Pacifico
Location: Uvita, Costa Rica
Rates starting at: $475 per night
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020. There is a two-night minimum stay for this date.
World's Most Eco-Friendly Hotel: Donkey Bay Inn
Location: Russell, New Zealand
Rates starting at: $495 per night
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Best Wellness Spa Hotel: Masseria San Domenico
Location: Puglia, Italy
Rates starting at: $540 per night
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during April 11-12, the first weekend open for booking in 2020. There is a two-night minimum stay for this date.
World's Most Stunning Views Hotel: Hanging Gardens of Bali
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Rates starting at: $723 per night
Repeat winner: Hanging Gardens of Bali also won the World's Most Stunning Views Hotel category in the 2018 Boutique Hotel Awards.
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020.
World's Best Family Hotel: Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge
Location: Greater Kruger, South Africa
Rates starting at: $887 per person per night
Starting rate across dates for shared occupancy provided on hotel website.
World's Best Farm-to-Table Hotel: Masseria Susafa Hotel
Location: Sicily, Italy
Rates starting at: $182 per night
Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of April 5-7, the first weekend open for booking in 2020. There is a two-night minimum for this date.
Best Host Of The Year: Locanda Al Colle
Location: Versilia, Italy
Rates starting at: $215 per night
Starting rate provided on hotel website for double adult occupancy during the upcoming low season, which runs April 2-May 22, 2020.
Hotel Featuring the Finest Homegrown Wine Pairing: Tenuta Montemagno
Location: Montemagno, Italy
Rates starting at: $187 per night
Starting rate across dates for double adult occupancy provided on hotel website.
World's Best Boutique Hotel: Awarta Nusa Dua Resort & Villas
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Rates starting at: $376 per night
Repeat winner: Awarta Nusa Dua Resort & Villa also won the World's Best Boutique Hotel category in the 2018 Boutique Hotel Awards.Starting rate based on the lowest rate available at time of publication for double adult occupancy during the weekend of January 11-12, 2020. There is a two-night minimum stay for this date.