Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith last night (Thursday 7 November) announced the winners of their first ever hotel awards – a celebration of the world’s best boltholes and a marker of the evolution of the boutique hotel industry over the last decade.

 

The landmark event was held at the Truman Brewery in East London (UK), and more than 600 people attended the party to find out the winners across 12 categories, including Sexiest Bedroom, Hottest Hotel Bar and – the big one – the Best Smith Hotel 2013.

 

'When we started Smith in 2003, I never imagined we’d one day be announcing the world’s best boutique hotels. But for our 10th birthday, we felt that launching our first awards would be the perfect way to celebrate how far boutique hotels have come over the years. We were overwhelmed by the response  – nearly 50,000 people from all over the world voted for their favourite Smith hotels – and I’m thrilled with the eventual roster of winners: it’s a rock-solid hot list of the world’s most desirable hotels.’

 

– James Lohan, Co-founder, Mr & Mrs Smith

 

After the public vote, shortlists of the top 10 hotels in each category were put to a panel of 36 specialist judges, including writer and presenter Mariella Frostrup, chef Marcus Wareing and design guru Ilse Crawford.

 

The judges cast their votes, and the 12 winning hotels were named as follows (drumroll please)…

 

Best-Dressed Hotel (sponsored by Harvey Nichols)

WINNER Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali, Indonesia

Staking a stylish claim on Bali’s rugged Bukit Peninsula, this is a cool, contemporary cliffhanger of a resort which delivers dramatic eco-friendly design in a jaw-dropping setting.

 

‘Undoubtedly the chicest clifftop in the world. Discovering this hotel for the first time, I was hit by the sense of complete serenity, breath-taking views, endless relaxation and service beyond anything experienced before.’

– Tina Lamb, Head of Accessories, Harvey Nichols

 

RUNNER-UP Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa Bahia, Brazil

Sexiest Bedroom in the World (sponsored by Kiki de Montparnasse)

WINNER Blakes Hotel London, UK

Arguably the original boutique hotel, Anouska Hempel’s wickedly opulent Kensington hideaway has been discreetly looking after lovebirds for over 25 years. It’s hard to imagine a more alluring setting for seduction than the honeymoon-perfect, white-on-white Corfu Suite.

 

‘It's no coincidence images of the bedrooms at this more-is-more hideaway have been used to exemplify the dream Smith bedroom: stylish, romantic, and a come-hither confection of fluffy pillows and opulent fabrics that you want to dive into and never leave.’

– Juliet Kinsman, Editor-in-chief, Mr & Mrs Smith

 

RUNNER-UP Ca Maria Adele Venice, Italy

 

Hottest Hotel Bar (sponsored by SipSmith)

WINNER Ace Hotel New York New York, USA

 

Hip, quirky and brimming with confidence, the Ace’s bar channels the spirit of its home city perfectly, and bustles with moving, shaking New Yorkers both day and night. They come for the cocktails, ingeniously crafted by Milk & Honey’s Sasha Petraske, they stay for the electric ambience.

 

‘I love a hotel bar that fits the city it's in. The vibrancy, the energy, the decor, the drinks lists – this bar is comfortable, classic, and unrepentantly New York, old New York at that.’

 

– Jared Brown, Sipsmith

 

RUNNER-UP The Zetter Townhouse London, UK

 

Best Hotel Restaurant (sponsored by Lavazza)

WINNER Bastide de Moustiers Provence, France

 

Alain Ducasse’s Provençal hideaway is a love poem to the surrounding area, a gastronome’s daydream that showcases the finest local produce in a daily changing menu of delectably inventive dishes. There’s no frippery or unnecessary extras; just simple, seasonal ingredients, intelligently prepared and served in a truly beautiful place.

 

‘I can think of nowhere I would rather go for a short break with my wife.’

 

– Marcus Wareing, chef

 

RUNNER UP Lake House Daylesford, Australia

 

Best Spa Hotel (sponsored by Malin + Goetz)

WINNER Como Shambhala Estate Bali, Indonesia

 

Como’s flagship retreat in Ubud renowned for its holistic back-to-nature approach, and promises to soothe, relax, cosset and revivify – while surrounding you in totally tropical, thatched-pavilion, wall-to-wall waterfall luxury. East meets West in the Ojas spa, with therapies running the gamut from Ayurveda and anti-ageing to Thai massage and stress management.

 

‘A true wellness retreat in an environmentally conscious setting with well-trained therapists and a true sense of sanctuary. The organic cuisine is a delight, and it’s all located amid one of Bali’s most striking locations.’

 

– Susan Kurosawa, travel journalist

 

RUNNER UP Lime Wood Hampshire, UK

 

The Eco Award (sponsored by the Blue Marine Foundation)

WINNER Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Abruzzo, Italy

 

Albergo Diffuso is more than a hotel, it’s whole new accommodation concept built around restoration and sustainability. Spread around the buildings of what was an abandoned village high in the Italian Apennines, the project hasn’t just created a an utterly unique place to stay, it’s reinvigorated an entire mountain village that would otherwise have been lost to history.

 

‘Reinvigorating existing structures with new life is a hugely important act for the sustainability age. This, coupled with the social aspects of locally sourced craftwork, makes this hotel really stand out.’

 

– Lily Jenks, architect

 

RUNNER UP Song Saa Private Island Koh Rong Islands, Cambodia

 

Best for Families (sponsored by Trunki)

WINNER Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand

 

With a breathtaking jungle-meets-ocean setting, switched-on service and fun-loving attitude, eco-friendly Soneva Kiri takes luxury family holidays to a new level. The free kids’ club the Den is beyond impressive: Dutch eco-architect Olav Bruin asked groups of children to design their dream play area – and then built on that.  

 

‘This is a tropical hideaway geared up to kids that will appeal to adults too. Activities are focused on creativity and nature, there are no games consoles but an emphasis on the flavour of the destination, such as trying a hand at traditional batik.’

 

– Maria Pieri, National Geographic Traveller

 

RUNNER UP Borgo Egnazia Puglia, Italy

 

Best Budget Hotel (sponsored by Graham & Green)

WINNER Brody House Budapest, Hungary

 

More than just a boutique bolthole, Brody House is also a members’ club with a stylish bar, a sometime film and fashion-shoot set, and a hub of local creativity with a calendar crammed full of art events and book readings. The very reasonable room rate gives you honorary membership to Brody’s members’ club rooms and events.

 

‘Every traveller wants to feel like they belong, like they have an in with the locals. Brody House extends a wonderfully generous invite to join the cool crew. It embeds guests in Eastern bohemia (the interior is perfectly eclectic and bo-ho) and the local action – shoots, book readings and events. An experience, not just a stay.’

 

– Sarah Wilson, journalist and TV presenter

 

RUNNER UP Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs, USA

 

The Greatest Outdoors (sponsored by British Airways)

WINNER Dunton Hot Springs Colorado, United States

 

This unique mountain hideaway takes you straight back into the big-sky wilderness of the Old West, complete with log cabins, snow-capped peaks, not-so-lonesome pines and a perch on the porch to admire it all from. And, of course, there are the hot springs, which ensure that Dunton is a year-round alfresco spa haven.

 

‘The history of this hotel being an abandoned mining town is fascinating and I love the shabby-chic cabins – I want one in my garden!’

 

– Alastair Humphreys, Adventurer

 

RUNNER UP Huka Lodge Lake Taupo, New Zealand

 

Above & Beyond (sponsored by the International New York Times)

WINNER The Upper House Hong Kong

 

The Upper House may be in the heart of the city, but you'll feel a tranquil world away from the moment you’re met in the lobby by your personal 'guest experience manager'. This hotel prides itself on making stays simple, sedate and hassle free.

 

‘Even if it's your very first time stepping over the hotel threshold, you feel remarkably comfortable here, as if you've been through it all before. Everything is made incredibly easy – from the iPad check-in to warm cookie delivery just before you realise you'd like a snack.’

 

– Jeralyn Gerber, writer

 

RUNNER UP Riad Farnatchi, Marrakech, Morocco

 

Best Newcomer (sponsored by Music Concierge)

WINNER Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

 

This Todd Saunders-designed beauty is a heartfelt home-from-home set against a sublime crashing-ocean backdrop.Although the bold, Scandinavian-style architecture is as modern as it gets, the inn is inspired by long-standing community tradition. Every detail – from the eco-conscious practices right down to the hand-loomed rugs – connects back to the island and its end-of-the-Earth remoteness only adds to the allure.

 

‘A harmonious juxtaposition of contemporary design against wilderness. Not only an exceptional example of a unique travel experience, but at the forefront of a new generation in luxury travel.’

 

– Serge Dive, Beyond Luxury

 

RUNNER UP Kurà, Costa Rica

 

Best Smith Hotel 2013 (sponsored by Avis)

WINNER Post Ranch Inn California, USA

 

Clinging to a clifftop along California’s wild west coast, this big-name Big Sur sanctuary manages to melt into the dramatic surrounds while showcasing dreamy design within. Cabins and cottages hover at the rocky edge (or teeter among the trees), each offering an eyeful of Pacific Ocean 1,200 feet below. The setting alone would put this hotel on most travellers’ wish lists, but combined with the luxury of a fireside massage, three infinity pools, clifftop hot tubs and a one-of-a-kind restaurant, it offers, quite simply, one of the world’s very best places to stay.

 

‘Spectacular location. beautiful design and total relaxation… The perfect place for a child-free escape.’

 

–Harriet Logan, Photographer

 

RUNNER UP Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali, Indonesia

 

ENDS

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

 

Mr & Mrs Smith is an award-winning hotel website, booking service and free-to-join travel club, specialising in finding the world’s most inspiring boutique hotels. Founded in 2003, Smith has published nine coffee-table guidebooks and maintains a hand-picked and anonymously reviewed collection of around 900 of the world’s most stylish stays at mrandmrssmith.com.  

 

The judging process

Voting was open to the public from 9 September to 9 October 2013. Each category was then whittled down to a shortlist of the top 10 properties,which were put forward to an expert judging panel.

 

More information

More details on the winners, judges and shortlisted hotels in each category can be found at Smithhotelawards.com. To book any of the hotels in the collection visit mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 0845 034 0700.

 

For more information contact Mr & Mrs Smith’s PR manager at elizabeth.rhodes@smithhotels.com / 020 8987 6980