The world's best new hotels
By | theage.com.au | 22 May
A select group of Australian and New Zealand resorts have been ranked among the best new hotels in the world.
Australia's Qualia Spa Resort on Hamilton Island, the Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand are among the 30 top new properties according to Travel + Leisure's It List 2008, released today.
From stylish beach resorts and newly redone city hideaways to eco-friendly retreats, T+L's It List covers six continents and features hotels with a range of nightly rates.
Editor Anthony Dennis said T+L's annual It list was reserved for the best new hotels and resorts from around the world.
"After a few quiet years it's exciting to see a trio of Australasian properties on the list," he said.
"And because Travel + Leisure is the only major title in Australasia to pay for its own travel and accommodation, our readers can rest assured that our It List is objective and independent.
"Editors and writers from the Australian and New Zealand edition were among those who directly contributed this year's list."
The third annual list, chosen by magazine editors, will be featured in T+L Australia's July-August issue, on sale June 23, and is available online now at www.travelandleisure.com/itlist.
The top 30:
Australia, New Zealand and Asia
Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia
JIA Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India
Peninsula Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Banyan Tree Maldives Madivaru, Madivaru, Maldives
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Te Awanga, New Zealand
St. Regis Singapore, Singapore
Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, Yao Noi, Thailand
Europe
Cotswolds88hotel, The Cotswolds, England
The Connaught, London
Haymarket Hotel, London
Hotel Le Bellechasse, Paris
Le Meurice, Paris
J.K. Place Capri, Capri, Italy
Casa dell'Arte, Bodrum, Turkey
North America
El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica
Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Riviera Maya, Mexico
La Purificadora, Puebla, Mexico
Regent Bal Harbour, Bal Harbour, Florida
Hotel Terra, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The Plaza, New York, New York
South America
La Merced del Alto, Cachi, Argentina
Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Posada de Mike Rapu, Explora en Rapa Nui, Easter Island, Chile
Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, San Pedro, Chile
Africa and the Middle East
Riad Meriem, Marrakesh, Morocco
Hotel Nord-Pinus Tanger, Tangier, Morocco
Azura Lodge, Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Onguma Plains, The Fort on Fisher's Pan, Etosha, Namibia
First published by TheAge.com.au on May 22 2008
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