Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Is the Top Hotel in the World
by Jessica Montevago
The Four Seasons Bali at Sayan was ranked as the best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure readers. Photo: Four Seasons.
Beating out a myriad of hotels for the honor, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has been ranked as the Top Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure.
With its lush surroundings in the tropical forest of Ubud, the Indonesian property earned the distinction thanks to 60 spacious villas with private plunge pools and river and rice-terrace views; a rooftop infinity lotus pond with 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape; and a suspension bridge that hangs above the coconut trees and rice fields. The resort also features a traditional Balinese cooking school, the first custom-designed riverside cooking school on the island; and meditation and yoga offerings in the riverside yoga pavilion.
This is the second time that Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has been recognized as the best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure, having won the award for the first time in 2005.
Top 10 hotels in the world
The top ten properties “that make this selective list are all incredible ambassadors for their home countries, delivering intuitive service and luxury experiences that can truly make a vacation,” editors said.
The very best, cream of the crop, top 10 hotels in the world, as ranked by readers of Travel + Leisure are:
1. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia
2. Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland
3. Frangipani Beach Resort, Anguilla
4. (tie) Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco, Peru
4. (tie) Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Torlundy, Scotland
6. The Mulia, Bali, Indonesia
7. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine, Chile
8. Temple House, Chengdu, China
9. Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia
10. Nayara Springs, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Asia dominated the complete list
On the complete list of the 100 best hotels around the globe, Asia dominated, claiming 27 spots — the most of any region — including “honeymooners’ havens in the Maldives” and a palatial resort overlooking the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Europe had 18 winners, including first-timer Six Senses Douro Valley, in the heart of Portugal’s stunning wine country. Mexico claimed 10 top spots, including new Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, which was named the best city hotel in Mexico.
Closer to home, in the continental U.S. overall rankings, The Lowell, New York City, was named the best city hotel; while the The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, was named the best resort hotel. In Hawaii, the Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui, was named the best resort hotel. To the North, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, British Columbia, was picked as the best city hotel in Canada. The Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland was named as the country’s best resort hotel.
Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
