Luxury travel experts have christened a sumptuous villa set amongst the olive groves and lemon trees of Puglia, Italy their hotel of the year.
Winners of Virtuoso’s 10th annual Best of the Best awards, representing the standardbearers in luxury accommodations, were revealed at a conference in Las Vegas this week.
Taking the top title of “Hotel of the Year” is Italy’s Borgo Egnazia, a collection of white villas designed to evoke a traditional Apulian village, complete with piazza and alleyways.
The sprawling resort also features a championship 18-hole golf course, beach clubs and a renowned spa. Rooms are decorated in rich hues of cream, white and beige for a calming, restful effect.
It’s not the first time the Borgo Egnazia has been recognized within the industry. The hotel has also been awarded by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Tatler and Leading Hotels of the World.
For the awards, Virtuoso surveyed their network of 390 luxury travel agencies and their 11,400 travel advisors around the world. Membership is invitation-only. Properties chosen belong to the group’s own network of 1,200 hotels, resorts, villas and private islands, located in 100 countries.
“Borgo Egnazia and the area of Puglia is one of the exciting new destinations in Italy that one could ever encounter,” said Annette Sordini of Protravel International, a Virtuoso agency.
“The hotel has an amazing ambiance, warm and friendly people, incredible food and a spiritual spa.”
Here are the other winners:
Best achievement in design: Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Florida
Best culinary experience: The Farmhouse Restaurant, Farmhouse Inn, California
Best bar: The New York Edition, New York
Best Family Program: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Best Spa: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
Most Innovative Guest Experience: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Sustainable Tourism Leadership: andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
One to Watch: Hotel Eden Rome, Dorchester Collection, Rome, Italy
Hotelier of the Year: José Silva — Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Paris, France.
