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My Top Ten Hotels of 2014

I’ve had the fantastic opportunity to visit some incredible hotels this year so I thought I polish off 2014 with the top ten places that I’ve stayed. Restaurants coming soon too!
I’ve listed the hotels in the form of awards but they are in no particular order, I loved them all.
Award for a Room with View:
The hotel in Big Sur is one of the best, I’ve ever stayed in…
The structure clings to a cliff top 1,200 feet above the Pacific ocean and encompasses 39 gorgeous cabins dotted around the cliff top.
On one side there is an uninterrupted view of the ocean and on the other side are the mountain peaks and tall tree.
The rooms are made from reclaimed wood and natural furnishings and we had our own gorgeous fireplace and outdoor hot tub, perfect for sipping champers on our honeymoon. The restaurant, Sierra Mar, floats majestically above the ocean, food is delicious and the view is to die for.
Read my full review of Post Ranch Inn here.

Runner up for Best Room with a View: Cavallo Point, Sausalito, for it’s view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Award for Honeymoon Hot Spot: 
The Four Seasons, Bora Bora
On a beautiful lagoon miles from anywhere lies the island of Bora Bora…
We visited the Four Seasons, Bora Bora as part of our honeymoon, flying out from LA for four days at this stunning hotel.
 The above water cabins seem to float above the sea, and as we were staying in one at the end of the jetty, we enjoyed total privacy.
Read my full review of the Four Seasons, Bora Bora here.

Runner up for Honeymoon Hot Spot: La Taha’a, For an authentic feel of Polynesia.
Award for Classic Luxury:
I don’t think much explanation is needed but I was lucky enough to have my wedding reception at the legendary Dorchester Hotel in London.
We stayed in The Dorchester suite on the night before the wedding as well as the night of the wedding.
As you can see the furnishings just exude classic luxury, the service is second to none and there’s just a magical feeling of being somewhere so special. The hotel will always mean so much to me now.
Read my full review of The Dorchester here.
You can also read about my wedding reception at the hotel here.
And our wedding menu tasting here.

Runner up for Classic Luxury: The Ritz, London, especially for a night of dinner and dancing.
Best Beach Hotel: 
 The Setai, Miami 
A little piece of Thailand in South Beach, The Setai is somewhere where you can totally relax and unwind.
I loved our huge suite and the bathroom, with a big bath, rain shower and his and her sinks.
But the chilled out courtyard serving absolutely delicious cocktails was my favourite place to go!
Read my full review of the Setai here.

Runner up for Best Beach Hotel: Shutters of the Beach, Santa Monica.
Award for Best Country House Hotel: 
Quite literally the perfect place to go for a luxurious staycation, just outside of London.

We had a totally gorgeous suite, with a four poster bed, a huge lounge and a beautiful copper bath.

I love the gorgeous modern design of the hotel but best of all….

….are the gorgeous grounds. So quintessentially English; you can take a turn about the lawn, play polo or croquet and if that’s all far too energetic just indulge in afternoon tea and the spa.

Read my full review of Coworth Park here.

Runner up for Best Country House Hotel: The Grove, Watford.

Award for Hotel with the Best Food and Wine:
Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley

A hotel that has it’s own vineyard? I mean, could it get anymore perfect?

The scenery was totally beautiful and we adored gazing at the private lake, rolling hills and mountain tops….
But the real reason to come to the Napa Valley is for the food. Not only is the hotel’s restaurant incredible but they arranged all our vineyards tours and secured us a table at The French Laundry, one of the best restaurants in the world.
Read my full review of Calistoga Ranch here.
Runner up for Best Food and Drink: The Encore, Las Vegas, for the sheer amount of the variety in one place!
Award for Best City Hotel: 
The Beverley Hills hotel suited me right down to a tee: a gorgeous big pink palace, where I could swan around feeling like a celebrity….

 

The property was probably one of my favourite city hotels ever, I just loved everything about it especially the feel that so many iconic Hollywood stars had stayed there, such as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Elizabeth Taylor.

I also loved dining out on the terrace of the Polo Lounge…staying there really was a dream come true for me.
Read my full review of the Beverley Hills hotel here.
Runner up for Best City Hotel: The Gansevoort, Park Avenue.
Award for Most Beautiful Grounds:
Il Salviatino, Florence

I’d lusted after this gorgeous Florentine villa for years, and our little minimoon seemed the perfect time to visit.

 

With gorgeous exterior, luxurious interior, beautiful gardens and a view of Florence, the hotel was pure perfection. We loved the classic Italian dishes that we enjoyed at lunch and dinner and totally adored the highly personal service….ahhh…I want to go back and stroll around those gardens with a glass of prosecco in my hand.
Read my full review of Il Salviatino here.
Runner up for Most Beautiful Grounds: Coworth Park.
Best for Super Cool Vibe:
The Gansevoort, New York
We were lucky enough to visit New York twice in 2014; the first time we stayed at the Gansevoort in the Meatpacking and the second time, we stayed in the hotel’s park Avenue location. I totally loved both of them, but the Park Avenue hotel wins by a narrow margin.
Our humoungous suite was absolutely gorgeous, with fab view of the streets of New York.
Best of all was the roof top bar with a panoramic view of New York and a very cool rooftop pool. The hotel is perfectly located within short walking distance of fantastic boutiques, great restaurants and cool bars. I really don’t know if I could stay anywhere else in New York now!
Read my full review of the Gansevoort Park Avenue here.
Read my ful review of the Gansevoort Meatpacking here.
Runner up for Super Cool Vibe: The Setai.
Best for Tons of Fun: 
The Encore, Las Vegas
Totally epic, wildly luxurious and slightly crazy, (the place has a huge waterfall for god’s sake) but absolutely amazing.
And with it’s fabulous designer shops, countless restaurants, gigantic spa, show-stopping performances and legendary pool parties, who has time for gambling?
Read my full review of the Encore here.
Runner up for Tons of Fun: The Gansevoort, Meatpacking.
I can’t believe that I’ve been lucky enough to visit all these places this year, and they have all been so incredible. I have a post coming up about my travel plans for 2015… I think it’s going to be good year!