THE Hotel not to be missed
Mar 25, 2012, 4:09 am
#76
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Italy
Programs: millemiglia - milesmore- spg - goldpassport - priority club- the leader club - others
Posts: 393
Second Update
First a clarification: several people named more then one hotel as far as they just cannot stick with one. The way I'm handling it, to be fair with everyone, is to pick just THE first property they mentioned and adding it to the regular list, while the additional properties named will just be incorporate in another list of "generically named properties" that I'm adding at the end of the post.
Five days from the thread start and - below are the preferences expressed by 34 contributors up to now:
3 Mentions
Villa Feltrinelli (Lake Garda - Italy) cadogan1, Groombridge, Londonjetsetter
2 Mentions
Il San Pietro (Positano - Italy): The_Daddy, BLV
Amanpulo (Pamalican Islands - Philippines): damaxer91, Musken
Amanjiwo (Java - Indonesia): zigzag, deer
1 Mention
Park Hyatt Tokyo (Tokyo - Japan): maskelo
The Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra - India): banness
Raffles (Singapore): hailstorm
Blanket Bay (Glenorchy - New Zealand): instyleprincess
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Ninh Van Bay - Thailand) : A380 Flyer
Amankila (Bali - Indonesia): peter11
Schoenburg Castle (Schonburg - Germany): SanDiego1K
Maya Ubud (Bali - Indonesia): smith80678
Katikies (Santorini - Greece): justforfun
Four Seasons NYC (New York City - USA): MCruler
Palazzo Sasso (Ravello - Italy): Baghoarder
Yellowstone Club (Montana - USA): 5khours Edit (Yellowstone is by invitation only residential club and sky resort)
Hotel Bora Bora (Bora Bora - French Polinesia): ORDSteve
Rania Island (Faafu Atoll - Maldives): RA-wannabe
Tawaraya Ryokan (Kyoto - Japan): obscure2k
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (Chiang Saen - Thailand) : Ib8001
Rayavadee (Krabi - Thailand): MikeFromTokyo
Glenmere Mansion (Chester - USA): henrikfromdenmark
Londolozi Tree Camp (Kruger National Park - South Africa): Jac747
Singita Boulders (Kruger National Park - South Africa): Larkin
Italy, Indonesia, USA and Thailand are the Countries that, at the moment, have more unforgettable properties with 3 hotels each named (Il San Pietro, Villa Feltrinelli, Palazzo Sasso) (Amanjiwo, Amankila, Maya Ubud)(Yellowstone Club, Four Seasons NYC, Glenmere Mansion)(Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Rayavadee Resort, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle)
Surprisingly, still Aman is the "chain" mentioned more times (Amanpulo, Amanjiwo, Amankila, Amanpuri)
Other properties that did not make it to THE List or properties just named in the thread:
Danieli (Venice - Italy) / Four Seasons Provence (Provence - France) / Four Seasons Chinzan-So (Tokyo - Japan) / Gritti (Venice - Italy) / Como Shambala Estate (Bali - Indonesia) / Umaid Bhawan Palace (Rajasthan - India) / Amanpuri (Phuket - Thailand) / Cipriani (Venice - Italy) / Bauer (Venice - Italy) / Four Seasons Hualalai (Big Island Hawai - USA) / Fregate Island (Fregate Island - Seychelles) / Laucala Island (Laucala Island - Fiji) / Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok - Thailand) / The Peninsula Bangkok (Bangkok - Thailand) / Rayavadee (Krabi - Thailand) / Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawai - USA) / Hotel du Cap Antibes (Cap D'Antibes - France) / Singita Sweni Lodge (Kruger National Park - South Africa) / Ratua Private Island (Luganville - Vanuatu) / Wakaya Club (Wakaya Island- Fiji) / North Island (North Island - Seychelles)
Please feel free to comment, to name new properties or to support Your property even if already named.
Thanks
daddy
Five days from the thread start and - below are the preferences expressed by 34 contributors up to now:
3 Mentions
Villa Feltrinelli (Lake Garda - Italy) cadogan1, Groombridge, Londonjetsetter
2 Mentions
Il San Pietro (Positano - Italy): The_Daddy, BLV
Amanpulo (Pamalican Islands - Philippines): damaxer91, Musken
Amanjiwo (Java - Indonesia): zigzag, deer
1 Mention
Park Hyatt Tokyo (Tokyo - Japan): maskelo
The Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra - India): banness
Raffles (Singapore): hailstorm
Blanket Bay (Glenorchy - New Zealand): instyleprincess
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Ninh Van Bay - Thailand) : A380 Flyer
Amankila (Bali - Indonesia): peter11
Schoenburg Castle (Schonburg - Germany): SanDiego1K
Maya Ubud (Bali - Indonesia): smith80678
Katikies (Santorini - Greece): justforfun
Four Seasons NYC (New York City - USA): MCruler
Palazzo Sasso (Ravello - Italy): Baghoarder
Yellowstone Club (Montana - USA): 5khours Edit (Yellowstone is by invitation only residential club and sky resort)
Hotel Bora Bora (Bora Bora - French Polinesia): ORDSteve
Rania Island (Faafu Atoll - Maldives): RA-wannabe
Tawaraya Ryokan (Kyoto - Japan): obscure2k
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (Chiang Saen - Thailand) : Ib8001
Rayavadee (Krabi - Thailand): MikeFromTokyo
Glenmere Mansion (Chester - USA): henrikfromdenmark
Londolozi Tree Camp (Kruger National Park - South Africa): Jac747
Singita Boulders (Kruger National Park - South Africa): Larkin
Italy, Indonesia, USA and Thailand are the Countries that, at the moment, have more unforgettable properties with 3 hotels each named (Il San Pietro, Villa Feltrinelli, Palazzo Sasso) (Amanjiwo, Amankila, Maya Ubud)(Yellowstone Club, Four Seasons NYC, Glenmere Mansion)(Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Rayavadee Resort, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle)
Surprisingly, still Aman is the "chain" mentioned more times (Amanpulo, Amanjiwo, Amankila, Amanpuri)
Other properties that did not make it to THE List or properties just named in the thread:
Danieli (Venice - Italy) / Four Seasons Provence (Provence - France) / Four Seasons Chinzan-So (Tokyo - Japan) / Gritti (Venice - Italy) / Como Shambala Estate (Bali - Indonesia) / Umaid Bhawan Palace (Rajasthan - India) / Amanpuri (Phuket - Thailand) / Cipriani (Venice - Italy) / Bauer (Venice - Italy) / Four Seasons Hualalai (Big Island Hawai - USA) / Fregate Island (Fregate Island - Seychelles) / Laucala Island (Laucala Island - Fiji) / Mandarin Oriental (Bangkok - Thailand) / The Peninsula Bangkok (Bangkok - Thailand) / Rayavadee (Krabi - Thailand) / Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawai - USA) / Hotel du Cap Antibes (Cap D'Antibes - France) / Singita Sweni Lodge (Kruger National Park - South Africa) / Ratua Private Island (Luganville - Vanuatu) / Wakaya Club (Wakaya Island- Fiji) / North Island (North Island - Seychelles)
Please feel free to comment, to name new properties or to support Your property even if already named.
Thanks
daddy
Mar 25, 2012, 4:46 am
#77
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Why do you write that it Aman is surprisingly still the chain most mentioned? For me it would be surprising if it was not like this. If I had to pick my number two, three, four, five and six, it would be Amanjiwo, Amandari, Amankila, Aman Sveti Stefan and Amanjena in that order.
Mar 25, 2012, 6:56 am
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Italy
Programs: millemiglia - milesmore- spg - goldpassport - priority club- the leader club - others
Posts: 393
Why do you write that it Aman is surprisingly still the chain most mentioned? For me it would be surprising if it was not like this. If I had to pick my number two, three, four, five and six, it would be Amanjiwo, Amandari, Amankila, Aman Sveti Stefan and Amanjena in that order.
But it is giving me the idea that maybe One day we should start a thread about top non chain related properties, the reason being that frankly speaking I, and I believe many others, was already aware of all the amans,fourseasons,mo, etc earlier mentioned in this thread....while some individual owned property came as a nice surprise. Being out of the radar of the major luxury chain they are more difficult to spot...i believe such a thread, with the support of such a well travelled community, can really become a great platform for travel planning....
Mar 25, 2012, 7:20 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York City
Posts: 408
Why do you write that it Aman is surprisingly still the chain most mentioned? For me it would be surprising if it was not like this. If I had to pick my number two, three, four, five and six, it would be Amanjiwo, Amandari, Amankila, Aman Sveti Stefan and Amanjena in that order.
1. Villa Feltrinelli (Lago di Garda, Italy)
2. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)
3. Amankora (Bhutan)
4. Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur, India)
5. Wolgan Valley (Australia)
6. Four Seasons Tented Camp (Golden Triangle, Thailand)
7. Four Seasons Istanbul-Bosphorus (Turkey)
8. Amankila (Bali)
9. Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur, India)
10. Four Seasons Chiang Mai (Thailand)
11. Four Seasons Langkawi (Malaysia)
12. Dolder Grand (Zurich)
13. Amanusa (Bali)
14. Rosewood Mayakoba (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
15. Amangiri (Utah, USA)
16. Amantaka (Luang Prabang, Laos)
17. Amanpuri (Phuket, Thailand)
18. Dar Ahlam (Morocco)
19. Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany)
20. Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra)
Mar 25, 2012, 7:59 am
#80
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA
Programs: Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 236
What about the Singita properties in Tanzania?
Mar 25, 2012, 8:13 am
#81
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,298
After several excruciating bouts of internal battles I decided that my choice for THE HOTEL is ... AMANPURI .
at least until I stay in the next hotel that will blow my mind even after over 20 odd years .
at least until I stay in the next hotel that will blow my mind even after over 20 odd years .
Mar 25, 2012, 11:18 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i dont know why people say there is no discussion of non/small-chain here, there is plenty.
wow. 
^^
reply to post "complaining" about lack of non/small-chain >
might be reply to post "complaining" about lack of non/small-chain >
all that matters in this forum is quality/service.
1. Villa Feltrinelli (Lago di Garda, Italy)
2. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)
3. Amankora (Bhutan)
4. Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur, India)
5. Wolgan Valley (Australia)
6. Four Seasons Tented Camp (Golden Triangle, Thailand)
7. Four Seasons Istanbul-Bosphorus (Turkey)
8. Amankila (Bali)
9. Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur, India)
10. Four Seasons Chiang Mai (Thailand)
11. Four Seasons Langkawi (Malaysia)
12. Dolder Grand (Zurich)
13. Amanusa (Bali)
14. Rosewood Mayakoba (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
15. Amangiri (Utah, USA)
16. Amantaka (Luang Prabang, Laos)
17. Amanpuri (Phuket, Thailand)
18. Dar Ahlam (Morocco)
19. Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany)
20. Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra)
2. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)
3. Amankora (Bhutan)
4. Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur, India)
5. Wolgan Valley (Australia)
6. Four Seasons Tented Camp (Golden Triangle, Thailand)
7. Four Seasons Istanbul-Bosphorus (Turkey)
8. Amankila (Bali)
9. Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur, India)
10. Four Seasons Chiang Mai (Thailand)
11. Four Seasons Langkawi (Malaysia)
12. Dolder Grand (Zurich)
13. Amanusa (Bali)
14. Rosewood Mayakoba (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
15. Amangiri (Utah, USA)
16. Amantaka (Luang Prabang, Laos)
17. Amanpuri (Phuket, Thailand)
18. Dar Ahlam (Morocco)
19. Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany)
20. Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra)
^^reply to post "complaining" about lack of non/small-chain >
might be reply to post "complaining" about lack of non/small-chain >
all that matters in this forum is quality/service.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Mar 25, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Mar 25, 2012, 2:38 pm
#84
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 98
They were voted number one in the world by Travel+Leisure. The main lodge Sasakwa being the best, it was very special. It's not my number one favorite as THE hotel though. It's one of many. There are so many incredible hotels in the world.. Looking forward to read more.
Mar 25, 2012, 3:18 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
henrikfromdenmark, just thought of something that would be really valuable >
list of service problems you experienced by property, and therefore which properties did not have problems you experienced
you could then do groupings and other sorting
not sure if youve already taken that into account
list of service problems you experienced by property, and therefore which properties did not have problems you experienced
you could then do groupings and other sorting
not sure if youve already taken that into account
Mar 25, 2012, 3:30 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Devi Garh, Udaipur, India.
Mar 25, 2012, 9:32 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southern California
Programs: SPG, Amex Platinum
Posts: 223
IMO at least it would be better to categorize the hotel/resort type. You can not compare a beach resort to a city or mountain resort.
Here are my votes:
Beach resort - Amanpulo
Cultural resort - Amanjiwo
City hotel - FS Paris
Mountain / Ski property: FS Jackson hole
African safari camp: Andbeyond - Bateleur Camp (have not been to Singita)
Here are my votes:
Beach resort - Amanpulo
Cultural resort - Amanjiwo
City hotel - FS Paris
Mountain / Ski property: FS Jackson hole
African safari camp: Andbeyond - Bateleur Camp (have not been to Singita)
Mar 25, 2012, 11:37 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
the difference with this thread is its asking to pick one from best properties, best suites, best views, best excursions, best settings, best (private) beaches, history, art, design, amenities
chefs at hotels where dining is not open to public might also be considered
private skiing and golf would be others
it CAN be overall, but doesnt HAVE to be overall
architecture
view
base room isnt "garden view" etc
chefs at hotels where dining is not open to public might also be considered
private skiing and golf would be others
it CAN be overall, but doesnt HAVE to be overall
view
base room isnt "garden view" etc
That's exactly what I meant..... It does not have to be the best....I can think about many hotels that I consider from several point of view better then the hotel I named.... I wanted to ask something that belong more to a unique feeling that this certain Hotel can stimulate in a person....
Great addition to your question. If you would have written this in the first place, I would surely have said Amanpulo. It just got me, it was what my family and myself needed at this point of time...total experience was just perfect. The memories from Amanpulo will always be in my heart, many other hotel memories are on pictures.
more the essence of a place...the place that immediately jumped into my head and stayed there throughout my internal thought process was Villa Feltrinelli although it was 6 or 7 years ago that we went there.
I remember a feeling of ease, relaxation, reflection and of course utter, utter comfort and beauty of surroundings during our stay there that can make me feel at peace just thinking about it now all these years later! Now it may have been circumstantial, connected to the timing of my trip there (for example my visits to Amanpulo have always been with children in tow and whilst i love holidaying with them it is never as relaxing as those pre-children trips!) so i guess i'll just have to get back there soon to test that out, but something about that property just makes it stand out amongst many jewels as THE hotel for me!
I remember a feeling of ease, relaxation, reflection and of course utter, utter comfort and beauty of surroundings during our stay there that can make me feel at peace just thinking about it now all these years later! Now it may have been circumstantial, connected to the timing of my trip there (for example my visits to Amanpulo have always been with children in tow and whilst i love holidaying with them it is never as relaxing as those pre-children trips!) so i guess i'll just have to get back there soon to test that out, but something about that property just makes it stand out amongst many jewels as THE hotel for me!
i believe the only comparison(s) so far equate singita and wilderness safaris.
also, Larkin has done all 3 and others, and only mentioned A&K/sanctuary as a step down.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 11, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Mar 26, 2012, 12:36 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
apologies in advance >
you have one week to live - what hotel? (IIRC giorgio armani's response to this was park hyatt tokyo) edit >
just another attempt at framing this (although it could also be different)
(kind of like how this could also be different >)
edit - im only trying to clarify OP question - not asking for additional different choices
you have one week to live - what hotel? (IIRC giorgio armani's response to this was park hyatt tokyo) edit >
(kind of like how this could also be different >)
edit - im only trying to clarify OP question - not asking for additional different choices
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 16, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Mar 26, 2012, 10:36 am
#90
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
I've had to think about this. I assume we are limited to hotels that we have actually stayed. My vote goes to the now closed Hotel Bora Bora, with Lizard Island and Amanpulo a close second/third.
If we are a keeping score, could you issue a negative vote to
Raffles (tourist trap extraordinaire)
Park Hyatt Tokyo (famous bar with an awkward hotel attached)
While both of these places might be cool to 'check out', they leave much to be desired as 5* hotels.
If we are a keeping score, could you issue a negative vote to
Raffles (tourist trap extraordinaire)
Park Hyatt Tokyo (famous bar with an awkward hotel attached)
While both of these places might be cool to 'check out', they leave much to be desired as 5* hotels.