The best resorts in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards
When it comes to resorts, experiences such as an early morning run with a member of the local Maasai helped Cottar’s 1920s Camp track well this year, as did the family rungu-throwing at Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp. Community investment is important too: Londolozi, with its ongoing rural education scheme, and Zambia’s elegant Chindeni, which supports two local schools, both picked up points in this area. In Asia, Bali’s Alila Villas Uluwatu rated top for activities and facilities, which include its world-famous cliffside infinity pool; so did the multitasking Banyan Tree Veya Phuket. You also liked the St Regis Bali for its Nusa Dua location, and India’s Taj Aravali for its experiences. The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi’s sea-cucumber project scored well for community investment. In Australasia, the splendid North Island isolation of Wharekauhau set it apart for location, while the experiential expertise of Cheval Blanc Randheli helped it flipper to the top of the Indian Ocean chart. And in the Middle East, the gold-plated accomplishments of One&Only The Palm – rating highest in eight criteria, including cuisine, design, rooms and service – secured it the number one spot.
These are the best resorts in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.
Mexico
15. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas. Score 96.42
14. Rosewood Mayakoba. Score 96.63
13. Kempinski Hotel Cancún. Score 96.73
12. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Score 96.88
11. Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya. Score 97.00
10. Fairmont Mayakoba. Score 97.04
9. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, Cabo San Lucas. Score 97.37
8. Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. Score 97.48
7. Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection, Punta de Mita. Score 97.88
6. One&Only Palmilla, San José del Cabo. Score 97.96
5. Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, San José del Cabo. Score 98.03
4. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Score 98.91
3. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit. Score 99.03
2. The St Regis Punta Mita Resort. Score 99.11
1. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas. Score 99.19.
Jim BartschUSA
15. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii. Score 99.02
14. Hermann Bungalows, Palm Springs, California. Score 99.02
13. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, South Carolina. Score 99.03
12. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, Texas. Score 99.04
11. Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York. Score 99.04
10. Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Florida. Score 99.11
9. La Cantera Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas. Score 99.13
8. Montage Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina. Score 99.20
7. JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida. Score 99.28
6. Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Score 99.34
5. Chatham Bars Inn, Massachusetts. Score 99.35
4. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii. Score 99.55
3. Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire. Score 99.60
2. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont. Score 99.77
1. L'Horizon Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, California. Score 99.93
Canada
10. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta. Score 90.00
9. Brentwood Bay Resort, British Columbia. Score 92.71
8. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta. Score 95.94
7. Cabot Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Score 96.33
6. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, British Columbia. Score 96.92
5. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia. Score 96.96
4. Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta. Score 97.00
3. Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia. Score 97.22
2. Fairmont Tremblant, Québec. Score 97.90
1. Nita Lake Lodge, British Columbia. Score 98.38
South America and Antarctica
15. Vik Chile. Score 93.54
14. Explora Patagonia, Chile. Score 93.64
13. Nayara Alto Atacama, Chile. Score 94.27
12. EcoCamp Patagonia, Chile. Score 94.49
11. Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Argentina. Score 94.77
10. Nayara Hangaroa, Chile. Score 95.20.
9. Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa, Chile. Score 95.20
8. White Desert Echo, Antarctica. Score 95.21
7. Hotel Casa Real, Chile. Score 95.48
6. Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, Chile. Score 95.53
5. The Singular Patagonia, Chile. Score 96.22
4. Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Peru. Score 96.47
3. Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, Ecuador Score 97.77
2. Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador. Score 97.99
1. Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa, Brazil. Score 99.89
Greece
10. MarBella, Mar-Bella Collection, Corfu. Score 92.88
9. Porto Zante Villas & Spa, Zakynthos. Score 93.28
8. Elix, Mar-Bella Collection, Igoumenitsa. Score 94.43
7. Nido, Mar-Bella Collection, Corfu. Score 95.07
6. Ikos Aria, Kos. Score 95.11
5. Sani Resort, Halkidiki. Score 96.41.
4. Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete. Score 96.43
3. Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos. Score 96.66
2. Amanzoe, Porto Heli. Score 97.45
1. W Costa Navarino. Score 98.67
JACK HARDYRest of Europe
25. 7Pines Resort, Sardinia, Italy. Score 90.55
24. Alpina, Dolomites, Italy Score 92.37
23. Susona Bodrum LXR Hotels & Resorts, Turkey. Score 92.38
22. Annabelle, Cyprus. Score 92.97
21. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, Italy. Score 93.01
20. Amanruya, Turkey. Score 93.2919. Anassa, Cyprus. Score 93.41
18. Maxx Royal Kemer Resort, Turkey. Score 93.43
17. Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles, France. Score 93.45
16. Valle dell'Erica Resort Thalasso & Spa, Italy. Score 93.53
15. Amara, Cyprus. Score 93.59.
14. Vila Vita Parc, Portugal. Score 94.86
13. Regnum Carya, Turkey. Score 94.99
12. Elysium Hotel, Cyprus. Score 95.05
11. The Bodrum Edition, Turkey. Score 95.38
10. Gleneagles, UK. Score 95.51
9. The Europe Hotel & Resort, Ireland. Score 95.73
8. The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Ireland. Score 95.92
7. Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Turkey. Score 96.11
6. Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Cyprus. Score 96.44
5. Ikos Andalusia, Spain. Score 96.72
4. Ashford Castle, Ireland. Score 96.86
3. Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort, France. Score 97.15
2. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, Italy. Score 97.20
1. Adare Manor, Ireland. Score 97.22
Emil DiephuisIndonesia
10. Bisma Eight, Bali. Score 92.16
9. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali. Score 93.59
8. The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Bali. Score 93.64
7. Nihi Sumba. Score 95.29
6. Capella Ubud, Bali. Score 95.61
5. The St Regis Bali Resort. Score 95.95
4. Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Score 96.02
3. Raffles, Bali. Score 96.05
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali. Score 97.30
1. Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali. Score 98.82
KIATTIPONG PANCHEEThailand
10. Six Senses Yao Noi. Score 94.21
9. Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Score 94.44
8. The Nai Harn Phuket. Score 94.47
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui. Score 94.84
6. Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort. Score 95.80
5. Banyan Tree Samui. Score 95.95
4. Banyan Tree Krabi. Score 96.09
3. Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Score 97.37
2. Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui. Score 97.39
1. Banyan Tree Veya Phuket. Score 99.16
- Wellness & SpasThe best spas in the UK
- DestinationsWhen is the best time to visit London?
Trey RatcliffRest of Asia
15. Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka. Score 94.13
14. Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia. Score 94.16
13. Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka. Score 94.32
12. Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, Philippines. Score 94.39
11. Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Penang, Malaysia. Score 95.15
10. The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, India. Score 95.71
9. Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka. Score 96.21
8. Anantara Hoi An Resort, Vietnam. Score 96.27
7. Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Vietnam. Score 96.42
6. Taj Aravali Resort & Spa, India. Score 97.12
5. Amankora Thimphu, Bhutan. Score 97.45
4. The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia. Score 97.65
3. Shangri-La Boracay, Philippines. Score 97.91
2. El Nido Resorts (Lagen, Miniloc & Pangulasian), Philippines. Score 98.65
- The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia. Score 99.13.
Indian Ocean
20. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives. Score 94.56
19. InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort - an IHG Hotel. Score 94.71
18. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Score 94.89
17. Patina Maldives. Score 94.99
16. Joali Maldives. Score 95.28
15. Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Maldives. Score 95.58
14. North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles. Score 95.63
13. Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Score 95.78
12. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Score 95.81
11. Baros Maldives. Score 95.83
10. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Score 96.00
9. Saii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton. Score 96.47
8. Como Cocoa Island, Maldives. Score 96.60
7. Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives. Score 96.81
6. Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi. Score 96.92
5. Soneva Fushi, Maldives. Score 97.35
4. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives Score 97.59
3. Dusit Thani, Maldives. Score 98.02
2. The Nautilus, Maldives. Score 98.15
1. Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives. Score 99.01
Australasia & the South Pacific
10. Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji. Score 95.80
9. Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Score 95.82
8. Six Senses, Fiji. Score 96.48
7. Turtle Island, Fiji. Score 96.67
6. The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand. Score 97.08
5. Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji. Score 97.24.
4. Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji. Score 97.65
3. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji. Score 98.11
2. Kittawa Lodge, Australia. Score 98.17
1. Wharekauhau Country Estate, New Zealand. Score 98.38
Elsa YoungSouth Africa
10. Morukuru Family, De Hoop Nature Reserve. Score 95.86
9. Kapama Karula, Kapama Private Game Reserve. Score 95.92
8. Morukuru Family, Madikwe Game Reserve. Score 95.92
7. Lepogo Lodges, Noka Camp, Lapalala Game Reserve. Score 96.08
6. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Score 96.45
5. andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Score 96.57
4. Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 96.80
3. Molori Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve. Score 98.12
2. Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 98.29
1. Londolozi Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 99.49
- Wellness & SpasThe best spas in the UK
- DestinationsWhen is the best time to visit London?
Marsel van OostenRest of Africa
25. andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Tanzania. Score 93.25
24. Virunga Lodge, Ruhengeri, Rwanda. Score 94.46
23. Richard's River Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 94.89
22. Finch Hattons, Tsavo West National Park, Kenya. Score 95.02
21. Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Score 95.38
20. Sala's Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 95.44
19. Onguma Camp Kala, Tsumeb, Namibia. Score 95.50
18. andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia. Score 95.56
17. Alex Walker's Serian, Kenya. Score 95.92
16. Solio Lodge, Laikipia, Kenya. Score 95.99
15. Chindeni, The Bushcamp Company, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Score 96.11
14. Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Score 96.35
13. Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Score 96.40
12. Mfuwe Lodge, The Bushcamp Company, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Score 96.72
11. Puku Ridge, Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Score 96.86
10. Kuyenda, The Bushcamp Company, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Score 97.08
9. Wilderness Vumbura Plains, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Score 97.47
8. Wilderness DumaTau, Linyanti, Botswana. Score 97.61
7. Sirikoi Lodge, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya. Score 97.62
6. Sanctuary Olonana, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 98.59
5. Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 98.97
4. Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, Tanzania. Score 99.23
3. Lolebezi, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Score 99.30
2. Cottar's 1920s Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 99.34
1. Elewana Elsa's Kopje Meru, Meru National Park. Score 99.42
The Middle East
10. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Oman. Score 94.34
9. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, UAE. Score 94.64
8. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, UAE. Score 94.84
7. Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Liwa Desert, UAE. Score 95.10
6. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorahl, UAE. Score 95.55.
5. Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE. Score 95.63
4. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman. Score 96.28
3. Four Seasons Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Score 96.51
2. Raffles, The Palm, Dubai, UAE. Score 96.62
1. One&Only The Palm, Dubai, UAE. Score 97.12