Disagree about the Gritti. Recently stayed at Europa & Regina and surprisingly liked it better. Much more laid back, excellent location, and staff not as formal, stiff, aloof, etc... Although an excellent Hotel, Gritti may be better after the extensive renovation it is undergoing.
Originally Posted by
iflyjetz
I've stayed there. It's nice.
But I also liked the two Florence properties - Westin Excelsior and the (now) St Regis Florence (was there when it was the Grand Hotel). And the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL.
I stayed at the Europa and Regina in Venice; I wouldn't include it as the crown jewel. However, went through the Gritti and the Hotel Danielli in Venice; both should be finalists in the contest.
Here's an older thread on the same subject:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...rty-world.html
This article:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...-top-25-hotels
It put Turnberry Resort, Luxury Collection, at #38; the top Starwood listed.
I'd say that one of the Luxury Collection properties would probably be the crown jewel.
As for Hyatt, I haven't been to the Vendome or the Park Hyatt Sydney but from reviews, I suspect it's a tossup. The Travel and Leisure article put the Buenos Aires Park Hyatt at #24; the top Hyatt in their list.