Last edit by: rajuabju
Here is BHRubin's master list, taken from post #29 below:
Below is my compiled list of most aspirational luxury hotel award redemptions--places I might consider staying using points or looking for elite upgrades--for most destinations around the world.
Obviously, "most aspirational" is highly subjective; I have included hotels and resorts that I personally consider to be reasonably comparable to Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Oberoi, and/or boutique luxury properties. I've also included some properties that are considered among the best properties in a resort/destination where few or no other comparable luxury property might. Obviously, there are ranges of quality with even the best luxury hotel brands.
* Asterisked properties are among the most notable/reputed properties in each location. This will be highly subjective, so feel free to comment or to ignore as appropriate.
UNITED STATES/CANADA
Atlanta:
*St. Regis Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Buckhead
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
Arizona:
*Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*The Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
Arizona Biltmore, Waldorf Astoria
Boulders Resort, Hilton Curio
Austin:
W Austin
JW Marriott Austin
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
Fairmont Austin
Boston:
*Ritz Carlton Boston Common
The Liberty, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Boston
W Boston
Canada:
*Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
*Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia
Charlotte:
*Ritz Carlton Charlotte
The Ballantyne, Luxury Collection
Chicago:
*Waldorf Astoria Chicago
*St. Regis Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago
Ritz Carlton Chicago
The Gwen, Luxury Collection
Colorado/Utah:
*Ritz Carlton Denver, CO
St. Regis Aspen, CO
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, CO
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, CO
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge, Telluride, CO (suites only)
St. Regis Deer Valley, UT
Waldorf Astoria Park City, UT
Dallas:
Ritz Carlton Dallas
Hawaii:
*Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui
*St. Regis Princeville, Kauai
Grand Wailea, Waldorf Astoria, Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (suites only)
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Royal Hawaiian, Oahu, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Kauai
Houston:
St. Regis Houston
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
Las Vegas:
The Cosmopolitan, Autograph Collection
SLS Las Vegas, Luxury Collection
W Las Vegas
Crocksford LXR
Los Angeles/Orange County:
*Ritz Carlton Los Angeles
*Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
*Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
*SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
*Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
West Hollywood EDITION
Miami/South Florida:
*St. Regis Bal Harbour, Miami
*Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Luxury Collection, Key West
Ritz Carlton South Beach
*Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
*Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton Ft. Lauderdale
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
W South Beach
Casa Marina, Waldorf Astoria, Key West
The Miami Beach EDITION
Montreal:
W Montreal
Sofitel Montreal, Accor
Napa Valley, California:
*Las Alcobas, Luxury Collection
Andaz Napa Valley
Napes, Florida:
*Ritz Carlton Naples
*Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples
New Orleans:
Ritz Carlton New Orleans
The Roosevelt, Waldorf Astoria, New Orleans
InterContinental New Orleans
New York City:
*Ritz Carlton Central Park
*Ritz Carlton NoMad
*St. Regis New York
*Park Hyatt New York
Waldorf Astoria New New York
Towers at the Waldorf Astoria New York
The Chatwal, Luxury Collection
The Plaza, Fairmont
The New York EDITION
Times Square EDITION
New York EDITION
Orlando:
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes
Philadelphia:
Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection
W Philadelphia
Portland:
The Nines, Luxury Collection
San Antonio:
The St. Anthony, Luxury Collection
San Diego:
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
US Grant, Luxury Collection
*Park Hyatt Aviara
San Francisco/Northern California:
*Ritz Carlton San Francisco
*St. Regis San Francisco
Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
Fairmont San Francisco
Palace Hotel, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
*Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Cal Nueva, Luxury Collection, Tahoe (upcoming)
Las Alcobas Napa, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Sarasota, Florida:
*Ritz Carlton Sarasota
St. Louis:
Ritz Carlton St. Louis
Seattle:
Fairmont Olympic Seattle
Toronto, Canada:
*Ritz Carlton Toronto
*Shangri-LA Toronto
Park Hyatt Toronto
*St. Regis Toronto
Vancouver:
*Shangri-La Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Vermont:
The Equinox, Luxury Collection
Washington, DC:
*Ritz Carlton Georgetown
*Ritz Carlton Washington
St. Regis Washington
Park Hyatt Washington DC
InterContinental The Willard Washington
MEXICO
Cancun/Riveria Maya:
*Ritz Carlton Cancun
*Fairmont Mayakoba
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
St. Regis Kanai (upcoming)
W Kanai Retreat (upcoming)
Andaz Mayakoba (upcoming)
Los Cabos:
*Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos
The Cape (Thompson)
Solaz, Luxury Collection
Mexico City:
*St. Regis Mexico City
*Las Alcobas, Mexico City, Luxury Collection
W Mexico City
Ritz Carlton Mexico City (upcoming)
Puerta Vallarta/Punta Mita:
*St. Regis Punta Mita
W Retreat Punta de Mita
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico:
Hacienda Puerta Campeche, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Uayamon, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Santa Rosa, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Temozon, Temozon Sur, Luxury Collection
Hacienda San Jose, TixkokobH, Luxury Collection
CARIBBEAN
*St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico
*Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman
Ritz Carlton San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ritz Carlton Aruba
Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica
Paradise Island, Atlantis, Bahamas, Autograph Collection
Scrub Island Resort, BVI, Autograph Collection
*W Retreat Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
Park Hyatt St. Kitts (upcoming)
CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica:
Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort
Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
Dominican Republic:
JW Marriott Santo Domingo
Panama:
Waldorf Astoria Panama City
JW Marriott Panama
Ritz Carlton Panama (upcoming)
W Panama (upcoming)
EUROPE
Amsterdam:
*Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Softel The Grand Amsterdam, Accor
W Amsterdam
Athens:
*Hotel Grand Bretagne, Luxury Collection, Athens
King George, Luxury Collection, Athens
Arion, Luxury Collection, Athens
Barcelona:
*Hotel Arts, Ritz Carlton
Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
Grand Hotel Central, Design Hotels (upcoming awards)
W Barcelona
Belgrade:
Metropol Palace, Luxury Collection
W Belgrade (upcoming)
Berlin:
*Ritz Carlton Berlin
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Grand Hyatt Berlin
Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm, Accor
InterContinental Berlin
Swissotel Berlin, Fairmont
Westin Grand Berlin
Bratislava:
*Grand Hotel River Park, Luxury Collection
Bucharest:
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
InterContinental Bucharest
Budapest:
Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection
InterContinental Budapest
Ritz Carlton Budapest (upcoming)
Copenhagen:
Marriott Copenhagen
Edinburgh/Scotland:
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh--The Caledonian
Sheraton Grande Edinburgh
*Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, Luxury Collection
Fairmont St. Andrews
The Glasshouse, Edinburgh, Autograph Collection
W Edinburgh (upcoming)
Florence:
*St. Regis Florence
Westin Excelsior Florence
Geneva:
*Hotel President Wilson, Luxury Collection
Swissôtel Mętropole, Geneva, Fairmont
InterContinental Geneva
Germany:
Hotel Fuerstenhof, Leipzig, Luxury Collection
WeimarHotel Elephant, Weimar, Luxury Collection
Greece:
*Mystique, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Vdema, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Blue Palace, Crete, Luxury Collection
Santa Marina, Mykonos, Luxury Collection
The Romanos, Costa Navarino, Luxury Collection Resort,
Domes Of Elounda, Crete, Autograph Collection
The Hague:
*Hotel Des Indes, Luxury Collection
Hamburg:
*Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg
*Park Hyatt Hamburg
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall
Le Meridien Hamburg
Helsinki:
*Hotel Kamp, Luxury Collection
Iceland:
ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, SPG Design Hotels
Reykjavic EDITION (upcoming)
Istanbul:
*Park Hyatt Istanbul--Macka Palas
*St. Regis Istanbul
Ritz Carlton Istanbul
Raffles Istanbul, Fairmont
Italy:
Falisia, Portopiccolo, Luxury Collection
Kiev:
Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
InterContinental Kiev
Hyatt Kiev
Krakow:
Sheraton Krakow
London (most not luxury, but the best options):
*Shangri-La London At the Shard (no club/suite upgrades)
*The Savoy, Fairmont
Sofitel London St. James, Accor
Conrad London St. James
London EDITION
InterContinental London Park Lane
Madrid:
*Principal Madrid, Design Hotels
*Westin Palace Madrid
InterContinental Madrid
Mallorca:
St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca
Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Luxury Collection
Park Hyatt Mallorca
Milan:
*Park Hyatt Milan
*Excelsior Gallia Milan, Luxury Collection
W Milan (upcoming)
Moscow:
*Ritz Carlton Moscow
*Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
*St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya
Hotel National, Luxury Collection
Paris/Versailles:
*Shangri-La Paris (no club/suite upgrades)
*Park Hyatt Paris--Vendome
*Prince de Galles, Luxury Collection
Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris
Portugal:
*The Pine Cliff Residence, Albufeira, Luxury Collection
Convento do Espinheiro, Evora, Luxury Collection
Conrad Algarve
InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas
InterContinental Estoril
Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade
Sheraton Porto
Sheraton Algarve Hotel
Prague:
The Augustine, Luxury Collection
Rome:
St. Regis Rome
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria
Westin Excelsior Rome
Salzburg:
*Schloss Fuschl, Luxury Collection
Hotel Goldener Hirsch, Luxury Collection
Sardinia:
*Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection
*HomeHotel Pitrizza, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection
Seville:
*Hotel Alfonso XIII, Luxury Collection
Sofia:
*Sofia Hotel Balkan, Luxury Collection
Spain:
*Hotel Marques di Riscal, Elciego, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian, Luxury Collection
St. Petersburg:
W St. Petersburg
Renaissance St. Petersburg Baltic
Switzerland:
The Hotel Lucerne, Autograph Collection
Turkey:
Lugal, Ankara, Luxury Collection
Caresse, Bodrum, Luxury Collection
Venice:
*Gritti Palace, Luxury Collection
Hotel Danieli, Luxury Collection
Westin Europa & Regina Venice
JW Marriott Venice
Verbier, Switzerland:
W Verbier
Vienna:
*Park Hyatt Vienna
*Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection
*Ritz Carlton Vienna
Warsaw:
*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection
Zurich:
Park Hyatt Zurich
Kameha Grand Zurich, Autograph Collection
ASIA
Agra:
ITC Mughal Agra, Luxury Collection
Astana:
Ritz Carlton Astana
St. Regis Astana (upcoming)
Baku:
JW Marriott Absheron Baku
Fairmont Baku
Bali:
*St. Regis Bali
Ritz Carlton Bali
Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali
The Laguna, Nusa Dua, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Sarasvati, Seminyak, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Legian, Seminyak, Bali, Autograph Collection
W Retreat Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali Ubud (upcoming)
Bali EDITION (upcoming)
Bangalore:
*Ritz Carlton Bangalore
*ITC Gardenia Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
ITC Windsor Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Bangalore
Bangkok:,
St. Regis Bangkok
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Bangkok
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok (upcoming)
Bangkok EDITION (upcoming)
Beijing:
Ritz Carlton Beijing
St. Regis Beijing
Park Hyatt Beijing
Waldorf Astoria Beijing
Raffles Beijing, Fairmont
Fairmont Beijing
Shangri-La's China World Hotel Beijing
Shangri-La China World Summit Wing Beijing
The Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street
Chengdu:
*St. Regis Chengdu
Ritz Carlton Chengdu
Waldorf Astoria Chengdu (upcoming)
W Chengdu
Chennai:
Park Hyatt Chennai
ITC Grand Chola Chennai, Luxury Collection
Goa:
Park Hyatt Goa
Grand Hyatt Goa
*W Retreat Goa
Guangzhou:
*Ritz-Carlton Hotel Guangzhou
*Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou
W Guangzhou
Grand Hyatt Guangzhou
Hangzhou:
The Azure Qiantang, Hangzhou, Luxury Collection
Hanoi:
*Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City:
*Park Hyatt Saigon
Hong Kong:
*Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
*InterContinental Hong Kong
W Hong Kong
*St Regis Hong Kong
Hyderabad:
Park Hyatt Hyderabad
ITC Kakatiya Hyderabad, Luxury Collection
Jaipur, India:
ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Jakarta:
*Raffles Jakarta, Fairmont
*Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place
Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
*Keraton at the Plaza, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Jakarta
JW Marriott Jakarta
St. Regis Jakarta (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Jakarta (upcoming)
W Jakarta (upcoming)
Kolkata:
ITC Sonar Kolkata, Luxury Collection
Kuala Lumpur:
Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
St. Regis Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)
W Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)
Kyoto:
*Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Suiran, Luxury Collection
Langkawi:
The Andaman, Luxury Collection
St. Regis Langkawi
Ritz Carlton Langkawi (upcoming)
Lhasa, Tibet:
*St. Regis Lhasa
Lijiang:
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
Grand Hyatt Lijiang
St. Regis Lijiang (upcoming)
Macau:
Ritz Carlton Macau
Conrad Macao Cotai Central
Grand Hyatt Macau
St. Regis Macau (upcoming)
Maldives:
*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Shangri-La Villingili Maldives (no suite/club upgrades)
*W Retreat Maldives
*St. Regis Maldives Vommuli
*Ritz Carlton Maldives
*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Manila:
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Mumbai:
InterContinental Mumbai
*St. Regis Mumbai
ITC Maratha Mumbai, Luxury Collection
ITC Grand Central Mumbai, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu
InterContinental Marine Drive
Ritz Carlton Mumbai (upcoming)
Nanjing:
The Grand Mansion, Nanjing, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Nanjing (upcoming)
St. Regis Nanjing (upcoming)
New Delhi:
*ITC Grand Bharat New Delhi, Gurgaon, Luxury Collection
ITC Maurya, New Delhi, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity
W Dehli NCR Gurgaon WTC (upcoming)
Osaka:
*St. Regis Osaka
*Ritz Carlton Osaka
Intercontinental Osaka
Phnom Penh:
*Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Fairmont
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Accor
Sanya:
St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay
Ritz-Carlton Sanya Yalong Bay
Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay
The Royal Begonia, Sanya, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Sanya
Shangri-La Sanya Hainan
Renaissance Sanya
Waldorf Astoria Sanya (upcoming)
Ritz Carlton Mission Hills, Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Qingshui Bay, Sanya (upcoming)
Sanya EDITION
W Retreat Sanya (upcoming)
Seoul:
Park Hyatt Seoul
Ritz Carlton Seoul
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
JW Marriott Seoul
Conrad Seoul
The Plaza, Seoul, Autograph Collection
The Parnas, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Shanghai:
*Park Hyatt Shanghai
*Ritz Carlton Shangai, Pudong
*Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
*Fairmont Peace
Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai, Luxury Collection
Jing An Shangri-La West Shanghai
Pudong Shangri-La East Shanghai
St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
W Shanghai The Bund
Shanghai EDITION
X Shanghai--The Bund (upcoming)
Shenzhen:
*The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen
*St. Regis Shenzhen
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen
Siem Reap:
*Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Singapore:
*Raffles Singapore, Fairmont (suites only)
*St. Regis Singapore
Shangri-La Singapore
Conrad Centennial Singapore
InterContinental Singapore
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay (upcoming)
Taipei:
W Taipei
Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Taipei, Accor
Thailand:
Conrad Koh Samui
The Naka Island, Luxury Collection, Phuket
Vana Belle, Luxury Collection, Koh Samui
W Retreat, Koh Samui
W Retreat Phuket Phang Nha Bay (upcoming)
Tianjin:
*Ritz-Carlton Tianjin
*St. Regis Tianjin
The Astor Hotel, Tianjin, Luxury Collection
Tokyo:
*Park Hyatt Tokyo
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
*Ritz Carlton Tokyo
Conrad Tokyo
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Prince Gallery Kioicho Tokyo, Luxury Collection
Xi'an:
Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Xian
Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square
Westin Xian
W Xian (upcoming)
AUSTRALIA/SOUTH PACIFIC
Auckland:
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Hilton Auckland
Park Hyatt Auckland (upcoming)
Brisbane:
Sofitel Brisbane Central
W Brisbane (upcoming)
Bora Bora, French Polynesia:
*St. Regis Bora Bora
InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora
Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
Hilton Bora Bora Nui
Fiji:
Shangri-La Fiji
Sheraton Denarau Villas
Radisson Blu Fiji Denarau Island
InterContinental Fiji
Hilton Fiji Beach
Melbourne:
*Park Hyatt Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Ritz Carlton Melbourne (upcoming)
W Melbourne (upcoming)
Moorea, French Polynesia:
Hilton Moorea Lagoon
Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora
Queenstown:
Sofitel Queenstown
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
Seychelles:
Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, Fairmont
Sydney:
*Park Hyatt Sydney
Swissotel Sydney
InterContinental Sydney
Shangri-la Sydney
Pier One Sydney Harbor, Autograph Collection
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney
W Sydney (upcoming)
Tahiti, French Polynesia (not luxury but best award):
InterContinental Tahiti
Wellington:
InterContinental Wellington
MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA
Abu Dhabi:
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi
Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi EDITION (upcoming)
Addis Ababa:
Sheraton Addis, Luxury Collection
Amman:
*St. Regis Amman
InterContinental Amman
Grand Hyatt Amman
W Amann (upcoming)
Cairo:
*Ritz Carlton Nile, Cairo
St. Regis Cairo (upcoming)
Dar es Salaam:
*Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
Doha:
St. Regis Doha
Ritz Carlton Doha
W Doha
Waldorf Astoria Doha (upcoming)
Dubai:
*Al Maha, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Raffles Dubai, Fairmont
St. Regis Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai, IFC
Grosvenor House, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Park Hyatt Dubai
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Dubai EDITION (upcoming)
Egypt:
Hilton Luxor
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
Jerusalem:
*Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
Jordan:
Al Manara, Saraya Aqaba, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Kenya:
Fairmont Mount Kenya
Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi
InterContinental Nairobi
Kuwait City:
JW Marriott Kuwait City
Sheraton Kuwait
Lebanon:
Grand Hills, Broumana, Luxury Collection
Marrakech:
Park Hyatt Marrakech (upcoming)
W Marrakech (upcoming)
Mauritius:
*St. Regis Mauritius
*Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius
Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial, Accor
InterContinental Mauritius
Muscat:
Al Bustan Palace, Ritz Carlton Muscat
Grand Hyatt Muscat
InterContinental Muscat
W Muscat (upcoming)
Sharm El Sheikh:
W Sharm El Sheikh (upcoming)
South Africa (not really luxury but these are best awards):
Conrad Pezula, Knysna
Westin Cape Town
InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers, Johannesburg
Tel Aviv:
Ritz Carlton Herzliya
W Tel Aviv (upcoming)
United Arab Emirates:
Ajman Saray, Ajman, Luxury Collection
Zanzibar:
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina:
Sofitel La Reserva Cardales, Campana
Colombia:
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Cartagena
JW Marriott Bogota
W Bogota
Artisan D.C., Bogota, Autograph Collection
Buenos Aires:
*Palacio Duhau--Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Park Tower, Luxury Collection
Sofitel Buenos Aires Arroyo
Caracas, Venezuela:
JW Marriott Caracas
Chile:
*Villarrica Park Lake, Villarrica, Luxury Collection
Colombia:
*Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Peru:
Palacio del Inka, Cusco,Luxury Collection
*Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Paracas, Luxury Collection, Paracas
JW Marriott Lima
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Swissotel Lima
Westin Lima
Punta del Este:
Conrad Punta del Este
Rio de Janeiro:
JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro
Sheraton Grande Rio
Santiago:
Ritz Carlton Santiago
San Cristobal Tower, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Santiago
Sao Paolo:
Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo
InterContinental Sao Paulo
Renaissance Sao Paulo
Uruguay:
*Carmelo Resort, Hyatt
Sofitel Montevideo
Below is my compiled list of most aspirational luxury hotel award redemptions--places I might consider staying using points or looking for elite upgrades--for most destinations around the world.
Obviously, "most aspirational" is highly subjective; I have included hotels and resorts that I personally consider to be reasonably comparable to Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Oberoi, and/or boutique luxury properties. I've also included some properties that are considered among the best properties in a resort/destination where few or no other comparable luxury property might. Obviously, there are ranges of quality with even the best luxury hotel brands.
* Asterisked properties are among the most notable/reputed properties in each location. This will be highly subjective, so feel free to comment or to ignore as appropriate.
UNITED STATES/CANADA
Atlanta:
*St. Regis Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Buckhead
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
Arizona:
*Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*The Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
Arizona Biltmore, Waldorf Astoria
Boulders Resort, Hilton Curio
Austin:
W Austin
JW Marriott Austin
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
Fairmont Austin
Boston:
*Ritz Carlton Boston Common
The Liberty, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Boston
W Boston
Canada:
*Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
*Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia
Charlotte:
*Ritz Carlton Charlotte
The Ballantyne, Luxury Collection
Chicago:
*Waldorf Astoria Chicago
*St. Regis Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago
Ritz Carlton Chicago
The Gwen, Luxury Collection
Colorado/Utah:
*Ritz Carlton Denver, CO
St. Regis Aspen, CO
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, CO
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, CO
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge, Telluride, CO (suites only)
St. Regis Deer Valley, UT
Waldorf Astoria Park City, UT
Dallas:
Ritz Carlton Dallas
Hawaii:
*Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui
*St. Regis Princeville, Kauai
Grand Wailea, Waldorf Astoria, Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (suites only)
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Royal Hawaiian, Oahu, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Kauai
Houston:
St. Regis Houston
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
Las Vegas:
The Cosmopolitan, Autograph Collection
SLS Las Vegas, Luxury Collection
W Las Vegas
Crocksford LXR
Los Angeles/Orange County:
*Ritz Carlton Los Angeles
*Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
*Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
*SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
*Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
West Hollywood EDITION
Miami/South Florida:
*St. Regis Bal Harbour, Miami
*Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Luxury Collection, Key West
Ritz Carlton South Beach
*Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
*Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton Ft. Lauderdale
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
W South Beach
Casa Marina, Waldorf Astoria, Key West
The Miami Beach EDITION
Montreal:
W Montreal
Sofitel Montreal, Accor
Napa Valley, California:
*Las Alcobas, Luxury Collection
Andaz Napa Valley
Napes, Florida:
*Ritz Carlton Naples
*Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples
New Orleans:
Ritz Carlton New Orleans
The Roosevelt, Waldorf Astoria, New Orleans
InterContinental New Orleans
New York City:
*Ritz Carlton Central Park
*Ritz Carlton NoMad
*St. Regis New York
*Park Hyatt New York
Waldorf Astoria New New York
Towers at the Waldorf Astoria New York
The Chatwal, Luxury Collection
The Plaza, Fairmont
The New York EDITION
Times Square EDITION
New York EDITION
Orlando:
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes
Philadelphia:
Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection
W Philadelphia
Portland:
The Nines, Luxury Collection
San Antonio:
The St. Anthony, Luxury Collection
San Diego:
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
US Grant, Luxury Collection
*Park Hyatt Aviara
San Francisco/Northern California:
*Ritz Carlton San Francisco
*St. Regis San Francisco
Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
Fairmont San Francisco
Palace Hotel, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
*Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Cal Nueva, Luxury Collection, Tahoe (upcoming)
Las Alcobas Napa, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Sarasota, Florida:
*Ritz Carlton Sarasota
St. Louis:
Ritz Carlton St. Louis
Seattle:
Fairmont Olympic Seattle
Toronto, Canada:
*Ritz Carlton Toronto
*Shangri-LA Toronto
Park Hyatt Toronto
*St. Regis Toronto
Vancouver:
*Shangri-La Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Vermont:
The Equinox, Luxury Collection
Washington, DC:
*Ritz Carlton Georgetown
*Ritz Carlton Washington
St. Regis Washington
Park Hyatt Washington DC
InterContinental The Willard Washington
MEXICO
Cancun/Riveria Maya:
*Ritz Carlton Cancun
*Fairmont Mayakoba
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
St. Regis Kanai (upcoming)
W Kanai Retreat (upcoming)
Andaz Mayakoba (upcoming)
Los Cabos:
*Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos
The Cape (Thompson)
Mexico City:
*St. Regis Mexico City
*Las Alcobas, Mexico City, Luxury Collection
W Mexico City
Ritz Carlton Mexico City (upcoming)
Puerta Vallarta/Punta Mita:
*St. Regis Punta Mita
W Retreat Punta de Mita
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico:
Hacienda Puerta Campeche, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Uayamon, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Santa Rosa, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Temozon, Temozon Sur, Luxury Collection
Hacienda San Jose, TixkokobH, Luxury Collection
CARIBBEAN
*St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico
*Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman
Ritz Carlton San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ritz Carlton Aruba
Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica
Paradise Island, Atlantis, Bahamas, Autograph Collection
Scrub Island Resort, BVI, Autograph Collection
*W Retreat Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
Park Hyatt St. Kitts (upcoming)
CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica:
Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort
Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
Dominican Republic:
JW Marriott Santo Domingo
Panama:
Waldorf Astoria Panama City
JW Marriott Panama
Ritz Carlton Panama (upcoming)
W Panama (upcoming)
EUROPE
Amsterdam:
*Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Softel The Grand Amsterdam, Accor
W Amsterdam
Athens:
*Hotel Grand Bretagne, Luxury Collection, Athens
King George, Luxury Collection, Athens
Arion, Luxury Collection, Athens
Barcelona:
*Hotel Arts, Ritz Carlton
Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
Grand Hotel Central, Design Hotels (upcoming awards)
W Barcelona
Belgrade:
Metropol Palace, Luxury Collection
W Belgrade (upcoming)
Berlin:
*Ritz Carlton Berlin
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Grand Hyatt Berlin
Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm, Accor
InterContinental Berlin
Swissotel Berlin, Fairmont
Westin Grand Berlin
Bratislava:
*Grand Hotel River Park, Luxury Collection
Bucharest:
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
InterContinental Bucharest
Budapest:
Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection
InterContinental Budapest
Ritz Carlton Budapest (upcoming)
Copenhagen:
Marriott Copenhagen
Edinburgh/Scotland:
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh--The Caledonian
Sheraton Grande Edinburgh
*Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, Luxury Collection
Fairmont St. Andrews
The Glasshouse, Edinburgh, Autograph Collection
W Edinburgh (upcoming)
Florence:
*St. Regis Florence
Westin Excelsior Florence
Geneva:
*Hotel President Wilson, Luxury Collection
Swissôtel Mętropole, Geneva, Fairmont
InterContinental Geneva
Germany:
Hotel Fuerstenhof, Leipzig, Luxury Collection
WeimarHotel Elephant, Weimar, Luxury Collection
Greece:
*Mystique, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Vdema, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Blue Palace, Crete, Luxury Collection
Santa Marina, Mykonos, Luxury Collection
The Romanos, Costa Navarino, Luxury Collection Resort,
Domes Of Elounda, Crete, Autograph Collection
The Hague:
*Hotel Des Indes, Luxury Collection
Hamburg:
*Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg
*Park Hyatt Hamburg
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall
Le Meridien Hamburg
Helsinki:
*Hotel Kamp, Luxury Collection
Iceland:
ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, SPG Design Hotels
Reykjavic EDITION (upcoming)
Istanbul:
*Park Hyatt Istanbul--Macka Palas
*St. Regis Istanbul
Ritz Carlton Istanbul
Raffles Istanbul, Fairmont
Italy:
Falisia, Portopiccolo, Luxury Collection
Kiev:
Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
InterContinental Kiev
Hyatt Kiev
Krakow:
Sheraton Krakow
London (most not luxury, but the best options):
*Shangri-La London At the Shard (no club/suite upgrades)
*The Savoy, Fairmont
Sofitel London St. James, Accor
Conrad London St. James
London EDITION
InterContinental London Park Lane
Madrid:
*Principal Madrid, Design Hotels
*Westin Palace Madrid
InterContinental Madrid
Mallorca:
St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca
Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Luxury Collection
Park Hyatt Mallorca
Milan:
*Park Hyatt Milan
*Excelsior Gallia Milan, Luxury Collection
W Milan (upcoming)
Moscow:
*Ritz Carlton Moscow
*Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
*St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya
Hotel National, Luxury Collection
Paris/Versailles:
*Shangri-La Paris (no club/suite upgrades)
*Park Hyatt Paris--Vendome
*Prince de Galles, Luxury Collection
Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris
Portugal:
*The Pine Cliff Residence, Albufeira, Luxury Collection
Convento do Espinheiro, Evora, Luxury Collection
Conrad Algarve
InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas
InterContinental Estoril
Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade
Sheraton Porto
Sheraton Algarve Hotel
Prague:
The Augustine, Luxury Collection
Rome:
St. Regis Rome
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria
Westin Excelsior Rome
Salzburg:
*Schloss Fuschl, Luxury Collection
Hotel Goldener Hirsch, Luxury Collection
Sardinia:
*Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection
*HomeHotel Pitrizza, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection
Seville:
*Hotel Alfonso XIII, Luxury Collection
Sofia:
*Sofia Hotel Balkan, Luxury Collection
Spain:
*Hotel Marques di Riscal, Elciego, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian, Luxury Collection
St. Petersburg:
W St. Petersburg
Renaissance St. Petersburg Baltic
Switzerland:
The Hotel Lucerne, Autograph Collection
Turkey:
Lugal, Ankara, Luxury Collection
Caresse, Bodrum, Luxury Collection
Venice:
*Gritti Palace, Luxury Collection
Hotel Danieli, Luxury Collection
Westin Europa & Regina Venice
JW Marriott Venice
Verbier, Switzerland:
W Verbier
Vienna:
*Park Hyatt Vienna
*Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection
*Ritz Carlton Vienna
Warsaw:
*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection
Zurich:
Park Hyatt Zurich
Kameha Grand Zurich, Autograph Collection
ASIA
Agra:
ITC Mughal Agra, Luxury Collection
Astana:
Ritz Carlton Astana
St. Regis Astana (upcoming)
Baku:
JW Marriott Absheron Baku
Fairmont Baku
Bali:
*St. Regis Bali
Ritz Carlton Bali
Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali
The Laguna, Nusa Dua, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Sarasvati, Seminyak, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Legian, Seminyak, Bali, Autograph Collection
W Retreat Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali Ubud (upcoming)
Bali EDITION (upcoming)
Bangalore:
*Ritz Carlton Bangalore
*ITC Gardenia Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
ITC Windsor Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Bangalore
Bangkok:,
St. Regis Bangkok
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Bangkok
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok (upcoming)
Bangkok EDITION (upcoming)
Beijing:
Ritz Carlton Beijing
St. Regis Beijing
Park Hyatt Beijing
Waldorf Astoria Beijing
Raffles Beijing, Fairmont
Fairmont Beijing
Shangri-La's China World Hotel Beijing
Shangri-La China World Summit Wing Beijing
The Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street
Chengdu:
*St. Regis Chengdu
Ritz Carlton Chengdu
Waldorf Astoria Chengdu (upcoming)
W Chengdu
Chennai:
Park Hyatt Chennai
ITC Grand Chola Chennai, Luxury Collection
Goa:
Park Hyatt Goa
Grand Hyatt Goa
*W Retreat Goa
Guangzhou:
*Ritz-Carlton Hotel Guangzhou
*Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou
W Guangzhou
Grand Hyatt Guangzhou
Hangzhou:
The Azure Qiantang, Hangzhou, Luxury Collection
Hanoi:
*Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City:
*Park Hyatt Saigon
Hong Kong:
*Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
*InterContinental Hong Kong
W Hong Kong
*St Regis Hong Kong
Hyderabad:
Park Hyatt Hyderabad
ITC Kakatiya Hyderabad, Luxury Collection
Jaipur, India:
ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
Jakarta:
*Raffles Jakarta, Fairmont
*Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place
Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
*Keraton at the Plaza, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Jakarta
JW Marriott Jakarta
St. Regis Jakarta (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Jakarta (upcoming)
W Jakarta (upcoming)
Kolkata:
ITC Sonar Kolkata, Luxury Collection
Kuala Lumpur:
Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
St. Regis Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)
W Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)
Kyoto:
*Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Suiran, Luxury Collection
Langkawi:
The Andaman, Luxury Collection
St. Regis Langkawi
Ritz Carlton Langkawi (upcoming)
Lhasa, Tibet:
*St. Regis Lhasa
Lijiang:
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
Grand Hyatt Lijiang
St. Regis Lijiang (upcoming)
Macau:
Ritz Carlton Macau
Conrad Macao Cotai Central
Grand Hyatt Macau
St. Regis Macau (upcoming)
Maldives:
*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Shangri-La Villingili Maldives (no suite/club upgrades)
*W Retreat Maldives
*St. Regis Maldives Vommuli
*Ritz Carlton Maldives
*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Manila:
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Mumbai:
InterContinental Mumbai
*St. Regis Mumbai
ITC Maratha Mumbai, Luxury Collection
ITC Grand Central Mumbai, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu
InterContinental Marine Drive
Ritz Carlton Mumbai (upcoming)
Nanjing:
The Grand Mansion, Nanjing, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Nanjing (upcoming)
St. Regis Nanjing (upcoming)
New Delhi:
*ITC Grand Bharat New Delhi, Gurgaon, Luxury Collection
ITC Maurya, New Delhi, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity
W Dehli NCR Gurgaon WTC (upcoming)
Osaka:
*St. Regis Osaka
*Ritz Carlton Osaka
Intercontinental Osaka
Phnom Penh:
*Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Fairmont
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Accor
Sanya:
St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay
Ritz-Carlton Sanya Yalong Bay
Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay
The Royal Begonia, Sanya, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Sanya
Shangri-La Sanya Hainan
Renaissance Sanya
Waldorf Astoria Sanya (upcoming)
Ritz Carlton Mission Hills, Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Qingshui Bay, Sanya (upcoming)
Sanya EDITION
W Retreat Sanya (upcoming)
Seoul:
Park Hyatt Seoul
Ritz Carlton Seoul
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
JW Marriott Seoul
Conrad Seoul
The Plaza, Seoul, Autograph Collection
The Parnas, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Shanghai:
*Park Hyatt Shanghai
*Ritz Carlton Shangai, Pudong
*Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
*Fairmont Peace
Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai, Luxury Collection
Jing An Shangri-La West Shanghai
Pudong Shangri-La East Shanghai
St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
W Shanghai The Bund
Shanghai EDITION
X Shanghai--The Bund (upcoming)
Shenzhen:
*The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen
*St. Regis Shenzhen
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen
Siem Reap:
*Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Singapore:
*Raffles Singapore, Fairmont (suites only)
*St. Regis Singapore
Shangri-La Singapore
Conrad Centennial Singapore
InterContinental Singapore
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay (upcoming)
Taipei:
W Taipei
Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Taipei, Accor
Thailand:
Conrad Koh Samui
The Naka Island, Luxury Collection, Phuket
Vana Belle, Luxury Collection, Koh Samui
W Retreat, Koh Samui
W Retreat Phuket Phang Nha Bay (upcoming)
Tianjin:
*Ritz-Carlton Tianjin
*St. Regis Tianjin
The Astor Hotel, Tianjin, Luxury Collection
Tokyo:
*Park Hyatt Tokyo
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
*Ritz Carlton Tokyo
Conrad Tokyo
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Prince Gallery Kioicho Tokyo, Luxury Collection
Xi'an:
Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Xian
Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square
Westin Xian
W Xian (upcoming)
AUSTRALIA/SOUTH PACIFIC
Auckland:
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Hilton Auckland
Park Hyatt Auckland (upcoming)
Brisbane:
Sofitel Brisbane Central
W Brisbane (upcoming)
Bora Bora, French Polynesia:
*St. Regis Bora Bora
InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora
Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
Hilton Bora Bora Nui
Fiji:
Shangri-La Fiji
Sheraton Denarau Villas
Radisson Blu Fiji Denarau Island
InterContinental Fiji
Hilton Fiji Beach
Melbourne:
*Park Hyatt Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Ritz Carlton Melbourne (upcoming)
W Melbourne (upcoming)
Moorea, French Polynesia:
Hilton Moorea Lagoon
Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora
Queenstown:
Sofitel Queenstown
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
Seychelles:
Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, Fairmont
Sydney:
*Park Hyatt Sydney
Swissotel Sydney
InterContinental Sydney
Shangri-la Sydney
Pier One Sydney Harbor, Autograph Collection
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney
W Sydney (upcoming)
Tahiti, French Polynesia (not luxury but best award):
InterContinental Tahiti
Wellington:
InterContinental Wellington
MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA
Abu Dhabi:
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi
Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi EDITION (upcoming)
Addis Ababa:
Sheraton Addis, Luxury Collection
Amman:
*St. Regis Amman
InterContinental Amman
Grand Hyatt Amman
W Amann (upcoming)
Cairo:
*Ritz Carlton Nile, Cairo
St. Regis Cairo (upcoming)
Dar es Salaam:
*Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
Doha:
St. Regis Doha
Ritz Carlton Doha
W Doha
Waldorf Astoria Doha (upcoming)
Dubai:
*Al Maha, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Raffles Dubai, Fairmont
St. Regis Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai, IFC
Grosvenor House, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Park Hyatt Dubai
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Dubai EDITION (upcoming)
Egypt:
Hilton Luxor
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
Jerusalem:
*Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
Jordan:
Al Manara, Saraya Aqaba, Luxury Collection (upcoming)
Kenya:
Fairmont Mount Kenya
Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi
InterContinental Nairobi
Kuwait City:
JW Marriott Kuwait City
Sheraton Kuwait
Lebanon:
Grand Hills, Broumana, Luxury Collection
Marrakech:
Park Hyatt Marrakech (upcoming)
W Marrakech (upcoming)
Mauritius:
*St. Regis Mauritius
*Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius
Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial, Accor
InterContinental Mauritius
Muscat:
Al Bustan Palace, Ritz Carlton Muscat
Grand Hyatt Muscat
InterContinental Muscat
W Muscat (upcoming)
Sharm El Sheikh:
W Sharm El Sheikh (upcoming)
South Africa (not really luxury but these are best awards):
Conrad Pezula, Knysna
Westin Cape Town
InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers, Johannesburg
Tel Aviv:
Ritz Carlton Herzliya
W Tel Aviv (upcoming)
United Arab Emirates:
Ajman Saray, Ajman, Luxury Collection
Zanzibar:
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina:
Sofitel La Reserva Cardales, Campana
Colombia:
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Cartagena
JW Marriott Bogota
W Bogota
Artisan D.C., Bogota, Autograph Collection
Buenos Aires:
*Palacio Duhau--Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Park Tower, Luxury Collection
Sofitel Buenos Aires Arroyo
Caracas, Venezuela:
JW Marriott Caracas
Chile:
*Villarrica Park Lake, Villarrica, Luxury Collection
Colombia:
*Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Peru:
Palacio del Inka, Cusco,Luxury Collection
*Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Paracas, Luxury Collection, Paracas
JW Marriott Lima
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Swissotel Lima
Westin Lima
Punta del Este:
Conrad Punta del Este
Rio de Janeiro:
JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro
Sheraton Grande Rio
Santiago:
Ritz Carlton Santiago
San Cristobal Tower, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Santiago
Sao Paolo:
Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo
InterContinental Sao Paulo
Renaissance Sao Paulo
Uruguay:
*Carmelo Resort, Hyatt
Sofitel Montevideo
Most aspirational hotel award redemptions in the world
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
You don't have to be sorry because most of those arguments are not valid. The IC is in a good location - true - but being next to the Gallery Place metro, Dupont Circle, and Scott Circle isn't half bad. And the IC being the most historic - fine - because yes, people absolutely pick hotels based on what they mean historically rather than the quality of the hotel itself. And lastly, considering the quality of its "high end suites" when discussing award redemptions is like picking out an outfit for your date night with Beyonce.
Spa? No.
Steam/Sauna/high end gym? No.
High end restaurant like the Occidental? No.
And I'll repeat the suites because yes at many of these inspirational hotels elites can get suite upgrades on award nights. Sometimes you can even book a suite on an award stay.
These Kimpton hotels are nice for sure. I'm staying in an ex-Kimpton hotel right now which is currently a Le Meridien. It's a pretty cool hotel, but it is lacking in a lot of features that are attributed to a great hotel. That's the part you need to understand.
#137
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Slightly OT, but for me DC is a city where the paid only options are far superior to the loyalty program participating properties. Hay-Adams, as far as I am concerned, is in a different league entirely from StR and Willard.
I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
#138
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Slightly OT, but for me DC is a city where the paid only options are far superior to the loyalty program participating properties. Hay-Adams, as far as I am concerned, is in a different league entirely from StR and Willard.
I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
For me, having a gym or sauna or spa is completely irrelevant--especially in a city. For others, like stimpy, having these and better high end suites and the like is critical. Of course, the ability to use points/awards to get the high end suites is extremely limited and circumstantial, but that's what seems to matter most to stimpy. For me, being in a luxury hotel that offers luxury levels of service with great rooms in a great location is most important.
We all want different things.
That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.
IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.
#139
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I agree with your assessment of which hotels in that particular city for which I'd use points to get an award stay that I consider most aspirational. That being said, what you or I value most in an aspirational award are likely different from what other people value.
...
We all want different things.
That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.
IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.
...
We all want different things.
That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.
IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.
That is of course only my very subjective opinion. If I had top tier status with a program like SPG, that could easily tip the benefit/cost balance in favor of StR, for example.
#140
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
In SF, my favorite has been the StR since it opened--I love everything about it except for its breakfast restaurant space. Points are irrelevant to me there. I've been many times to the FS and the old MO...and I definitely love the StR.
In NYC, my favorite is actually the Chatwal...though I'm salivating for when the Gramercy Park Hotel finally allows SPG/MR redemptions as part of SPG Design Hotels. That being said, I'll be at the StR New York in June on an award stay--partly because it was at 30K points/night vs 35K points/night at the Chatwal! It's been a while since I've stayed at the StR there, so I'll be curious to see how the refurb has turned out.
Again, we all differ on what we want to pay and what we want to get and how we prioritize between them.
That is of course only my very subjective opinion. If I had top tier status with a program like SPG, that could easily tip the benefit/cost balance in favor of StR, for example.
I find most people who won't accept that StR or PH or the like can compete in terms of luxury/service with FS, Peninsula, MO, etc. are those who never stay at StR or PH or the like...or who simply cannot fathom the possibility. I've stayed at too many of all the major luxury chains (and 10 Amans!) to know better.
Last edited by bhrubin; Feb 11, 2016 at 8:31 pm
#141
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
The possibilities are vast now that Marriott has taken over Starwood. There is no other hotel chain that even comes close to the aspirational award options now.
#142
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
We stayed for just short of a week in a suite at Park Hyatt Mallorca a week back. That property is absolutely stunning and the suite was fantastic. We paid a combination of points and cash and a suite upgrade was given by Gold Passport as service recovery for an issue I had a few months ago. Can't rate the property highly enough. In terms of how aspirational it was, the suite was selling for €1600 a night.
#143
We stayed for just short of a week in a suite at Park Hyatt Mallorca a week back. That property is absolutely stunning and the suite was fantastic. We paid a combination of points and cash and a suite upgrade was given by Gold Passport as service recovery for an issue I had a few months ago. Can't rate the property highly enough. In terms of how aspirational it was, the suite was selling for €1600 a night.
2 nights. Options are another 2 nights at St Regis or 2 nights at PH in a suite. Did you take pictures? Do PH have an indoor pool?
#144
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
You should do whatever you want....but I confess to hoping you stay at both the StR and PH to offer a very recent and experienced comparison/contrast of the two. They're both on our radar...
#145
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
PH Mallorca Suite Tour
https://youtu.be/m47Q3TaPJ2M
#146
Yes - I took a tonne of pictures. Let me see if I can upload some. PH don't have an indoor pool and their outdoor pools are not heated. They are aware this is going to be a problem come winter!
PH Mallorca Suite Tour
https://youtu.be/m47Q3TaPJ2M
PH Mallorca Suite Tour
https://youtu.be/m47Q3TaPJ2M
#147
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
Do you mean you would rather stay at Cap Ferrat or rather stay PH Mallorca? We also stayed two weeks this summer in one of Cap Ferrat's Pool Suites but I haven't yet got round to uploading my tour. Chateau Saint Martin tour is up though - we loved CSM.
#148
From the video PH. Cap Ferrat looks not so great, considering it´s a signature suite it looks tiny!
#149
Formerly known as hcampana
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AMS
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 463
I love this thread. I have a few updates for the wiki.
I would add the IC Danang. It was a really nice redemption
there is a new RC in Koh Samui
also maybe the IC Davos.
I would add the IC Danang. It was a really nice redemption
there is a new RC in Koh Samui
also maybe the IC Davos.
#150