The latest hotel from luxury brand LVMH makes it onto the hot list by offering guests not only the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean, but also their own infinity pools. Pruned fingertips guaranteed.
Cheval Blanc Randheli (Maldives) —
The latest hotel from luxury brand LVMH makes it onto the hot list by offering guests not only the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean, but also their own infinity pools. Pruned fingertips guaranteed.
Couresy cheval blanc randheli maldives
Located next to the sands of Mokapu, the 297-room Andaz Maui is named as one of the best new beach hotels.
Andaz Maui at Wailea (Hawaii) —
Located next to the sands of Mokapu, the 297-room Andaz Maui is named as one of the best new beach hotels.
Courtesy Andaz Maui at Wailea
This restored palace in St. Petersburg's historic Admiralteysky district features 183 guest rooms, including 26 suites.
Four Seasons St. Petersburg (Russia) —
This restored palace in St. Petersburg's historic Admiralteysky district features 183 guest rooms, including 26 suites.
Courtesy four seasons hotel
Originally opened in 1927 as the United Artists building, this 182-room "design" hotel is a collaboration between local group Commune and Atelier Ace. It features an original 1,600-seat theater, which is slated for reopening.
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles —
Originally opened in 1927 as the United Artists building, this 182-room "design" hotel is a collaboration between local group Commune and Atelier Ace. It features an original 1,600-seat theater, which is slated for reopening.
Courtesy Spencer Lowell
Located between cupcake shops and cafes, The Marlton Hotel fits into the Greenwich Village scene with ease. Starting from $275, it's listed as one of the "best bargain" hotels.
The Marlton Hotel (New York) —
Located between cupcake shops and cafes, The Marlton Hotel fits into the Greenwich Village scene with ease. Starting from $275, it's listed as one of the "best bargain" hotels.
Courtesy The Marlton
This 12-room inn is a former medieval convent in the ancient, pedestrians-only Italian town of Pienza. La Bandita Townhouse wins praise for family friendly policies that include feeding and mopping up after kids at no extra charge.
La Bandita Townhouse (Italy) —
This 12-room inn is a former medieval convent in the ancient, pedestrians-only Italian town of Pienza. La Bandita Townhouse wins praise for family friendly policies that include feeding and mopping up after kids at no extra charge.
Courtesy La Bandita Townhouse
Conde Nast Traveler says Park Hyatt wins dining accolades for its restaurant's art deco ambiance and fusion food -- but not for the KFC poster that three of its rooms look out onto.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap (Cambodia) —
Conde Nast Traveler says Park Hyatt wins dining accolades for its restaurant's art deco ambiance and fusion food -- but not for the KFC poster that three of its rooms look out onto.
Courtesy Park Hyatt Siem Reap
The Fogo Island Inn is described as a destination in itself. It's remote -- on Canada's east coast -- but this homage to Newfoundland's fishing culture pairs guests with a "community host" to show them around.
Fogo Island Inn (Newfoundland, Canada) —
The Fogo Island Inn is described as a destination in itself. It's remote -- on Canada's east coast -- but this homage to Newfoundland's fishing culture pairs guests with a "community host" to show them around.
Courtesy Alex Fradkin
Condé Nast Traveler's 2014 hotel 'hot list'

Story highlights

Condé Nast Traveler says this year's list of 33 new hotels is its most selective yet

Categories include beach, family, food, bargain, design and "way-out-there"

Editors tried out 510 hotels from 400 cities to narrow the list

CNN  — 

The gold – no, scratch that – platinum envelopes have been opened to reveal Condé Nast Traveler’s 18th annual “hot list,” highlighting what it says are the best hotels to debut in the past year.

Editors from the luxury vacation mag examined hundreds of swanky venues from Beijing to the Big Apple to pinpoint their favorites, a tough job after which they likely deserve a well-earned vacation.

This year’s list of 33 finalists is described as the most selective ever.

It certainly seems that way – in 2013 no fewer than 154 were chosen.

Some 510 hotels from 400 cities and 93 countries were scored for “sense of place,” “personality” and “intuition” – which apparently means meeting your needs before you know what your needs are.

The venues were split into seven categories, including the best beach hotels, family hotels, design hotels and “way-out-there” remote hotels.

The list also celebrates “over-the-top” establishments, such as Venice’s Amal Canal Grande.

It also includes “bargain hotels” – but this being Condé Nast Traveler, slumming it means you still won’t get much change out of $300 a night.

Best beach hotels

Andaz Maui at Wailea (Hawaii)

Splurge worthy: St. Petersburg's Four Seasons Lion Palace.
Splurge worthy: St. Petersburg's Four Seasons Lion Palace.
Courtesy four seasons hotel

Mukul Resort (Guacalito de la Isla, Nicaragua)

Nizuc Resport and Spa (Cancún, Mexico)

Point Yamu by COMO (Phuket, Thailand)

Salt House Inn (Provincetown, Massachusetts)

Best family hotels

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica)

La Bandita Townhouse (Tuscany, Italy)

Palihouse Santa Monica (Los Angeles)

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba (Aruba)

Best food hotel

Domaine de la Baume (Tourtour, France)

Park Hyatt Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Thompson Chicago (Chicago)

The Vines Resort & Spa (Tunuyán, Argentina)

The Wild Rabbit (Kingham, England)

Zero George Street (Charleston, South Carolina)

Best bargain hotels

American Trade Hotel (Panama City, Panama)

The Dean (Providence, Rhode Island)

The Line Hotel (Los Angeles)

The Marlton Hotel (New York)

The Temple Hotel (Beijing)

Best design hotels

The Fogo Island Inn is modeled on the homes of Newfoundland fishermen.
The Fogo Island Inn is modeled on the homes of Newfoundland fishermen.
Courtesy Alex Fradkin

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles)

Hotel B (Lima, Peru)

Hotel d’Angleterre (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai (Shanghai)

The London Edition (London)

Best over-the-top hotels

Aman Canal Grande Venice (Italy)

Cheval Blanc Randheli (Maldives)

Four Seasons Lion Palace St. Petersburg (Russia)

The Chedi Andermatt (Switzerland)

Rosewood London (London)

Best way-out-there hotels

Amanoi (Nui Chua National Park, Vietnam)

Fogo Island Inn (Newfoundland, Canada)

Segera Retreat (Laikipia Plateau, Kenya)