This 12 months, we’re craving for the easy manifestation of joie de vivre—that ineffable “joy of living” present in life’s tender moments. It’s the fun of discovery, the calm of reflection and the quiet delight of being within the second. The winners of our 2025 Kiwi Collection Hotel Awards have mastered this artwork of exuberant dwelling, creating areas the place pleasure feels easy and infinite. Whatever your private bliss could also be, these locations know find out how to convey it to life—whether or not by means of breathtaking settings, considerate particulars or recollections that linger lengthy after you’ve left. The journey of choosing our 12 winners was made much more particular this 12 months due to you. For the primary time, you topped the winner of our inaugural Best Hotel Instagram class, proving that the magic of those locations could be felt far past their partitions. So, step into their world and discover your pleasure.
WOW PICK OF THE YEAR
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
In the Emirates, grandeur is a given—however some locations redefine it completely. You’ll know you’ve arrived at such a spot whenever you spot 114 mosaic-clad domes glinting underneath the solar. Rising like a modern-day mirage towards futuristic skyscrapers, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental rewrites the principles of opulence. Its terracotta façade, impressed by the Arabian Desert, stretches gracefully alongside Abu Dhabi’s Gulf shores, with a non-public marina on one facet and a 1.3-kilometer white sand seashore on the opposite. Step inside, and let the fantastic thing about each element take your breath away. Double-width pillars, marble in each shade, grand chandeliers and extra gold than you may rely (over a million sq. meters of 24-carat gold leaf) greet you at each flip. It’s the sort of place the place you’d usually inform children to not contact the shiny issues—however right here, the entire household is inspired to bask within the opulence. With a waterpark, children’ membership, two swimming pools and even horse-riding alongside the Arabian Sea, little ones and grown-ups can dive into luxurious with out limits. And as for eating? The lodge boasts 12 world-class eating places, together with two Michelin-starred venues: Hakkasan and Talea by Antonio Guida. A spot the place indulgence is the rule and nobody is neglected.
BEST NEW HOTEL
Janu Tokyo
TOKYO, JAPAN
Once shortly, a lodge arrives on the scene with such attract that it turns into a legend even earlier than opening its doorways. Janu Tokyo, from Aman’s daring new sister model, debuted in March 2024, buying and selling its signature stillness for an ethos alive with power and group. Aptly named—Janu means “soul” in Sanskrit—this visionary retreat finds its stage in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s vibrant new neighborhood, the place gradients of greenery—orchards, vegetable gardens and an enormous 6,000-square-meter Central Green—create an city sanctuary. The undeniable fact that it’s the one lodge within the neighborhood speaks to its ambition. Every element displays the experience of longtime Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy, whose minimalist design defines the 122 serene rooms, full with deep soaking tubs and personal balconies completely framing Tokyo Tower’s iconic silhouette. At its coronary heart, the fifth-floor reception brims with life, anchored by the Janu Lounge & Garden Terrace, the place lingering over afternoon tea is inspired. Wellness, an everlasting cornerstone of Aman’s philosophy, takes on a brand new kind right here: one in every of Tokyo’s largest gyms, a 25-meter indoor pool and a sprawling 4,000-square-meter spa with boxing and spin studios, hydrotherapy zones and conventional hammams. It’s an intimate refuge from town’s hum but profoundly entwined with its rhythm.
BEST MINDFUL LUXURY
Kasbah Tamadot
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
In 1998, Sir Richard Branson’s ballooning journey took him to Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Naturally, he fell in love—and who wouldn’t with Kasbah Tamadot? Persuaded by his late mom, Eve, he acquired the property in 2005, inheriting a shocking kasbah crammed with uncommon artwork and treasures. Eve’s affect reached deeper, sparking a dedication to the area people that prospers in the present day by means of the Eve Branson Foundation. Founded in 2006, the Foundation collaborates with close by villages to drive lasting financial and social transformation by means of initiatives like artisanal coaching and academic applications. Free English lessons, initiated through the lodge’s early days, proceed empowering residents, with many now a part of the completely Moroccan workers—a testomony to the kasbah’s dedication to uplifting neighbors. After the 2023 earthquake, the Foundation joined the Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund, elevating over $1 million for restoration efforts. Fully restored after the devastation, the kasbah reopened in October 2024 as a beacon of resilience. Its six brand-new Riads, adorned with Berber artistry, and the reimagined Asayss restaurant, the place homegrown elements shine, stand as a testomony to Eve’s enduring imaginative and prescient. As the kasbah thrives as soon as extra, so does its group—Eve’s legacy lives on in each brick, artisan’s contact and act of kindness.
MOST ROMANTIC HOTEL
Awasi Patagonia
TORRES DEL PAINE, CHILE
“I’d travel to the ends of the earth for you” feels much less like a saying and extra like a promise at Awasi Patagonia. Nestled in one of the distant and majestic corners of the planet, it is a place the place distance really makes the center develop fonder. Perched inside a non-public reserve overlooking Chile’s iconic Torres del Paine National Park, it’s as intimate as it’s extraordinary. With simply 14 villas scattered throughout the wilderness, privateness turns into your fixed companion. Each villa, impressed by Patagonian ranching outposts, includes a cozy wood-burning range, plush sheepskin rugs and an outside scorching tub—excellent for soaking in views of turquoise Lake Sarmiento and the towering peaks past, all with that particular somebody. The romance right here isn’t confined to consolation inside. With your private information and 4WD automobile, each journey is tailored. Stargaze underneath the clearest skies on Earth, hike glaciers or share a sundown picnic in landscapes so huge they really feel like a dream. Whether savoring wine by the lodge’s hearth, having fun with a candlelit dinner beneath the celebrities or sneaking away for solitude, this retreat permits you to set the tempo. Romance isn’t staged—it’s woven into each second.
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL
The Royce Hotel
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
In 1928, Melbourne’s first status automotive showroom opened its doorways on St. Kilda Road, providing the epitome of luxurious—the Rolls-Royce. Today, that very same spirit of sophistication and glamour is captured in a brand new kind: The Royce. After a meticulous two-year refurbishment, this iconic lodge has returned to the boutique scene, reviving its timeless Golden Age opulence with a contemporary twist. Step into the foyer, and also you’re greeted by echoes of the previous with a nod to Art Deco magnificence—arched ceilings shimmering in hammered gold and chandeliers restored to their authentic splendor. Yet, the design is firmly within the now, with glossy mirrored partitions bringing a recent edge. Its 100 rooms and suites vary from intimate areas to two-level suites with sweeping bay home windows. The hideaway suits seamlessly into Melbourne’s culinary scene, with the Showroom Bar providing vaulted ceilings, membership chairs and a crackling open hearth, whereas The Terrace serves dreamy brunches amidst lush greenery. Nestled within the coronary heart of town, the lodge is steps from Melbourne’s lush oases—The Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park—with energetic South Yarra a brief stroll away. To name this the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of boutique lodges isn’t simply becoming—it’s well-deserved.
BEST GOURMET GETAWAY
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
ANTWERP, BELGIUM
What do you get when 5 of Belgium’s high cooks come collectively underneath one roof? Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp. Tucked behind historic partitions, this Twelfth-century monastery is now a culinary sanctuary—so come hungry—with 5 eating places, three boasting Michelin stars. First, there’s Fine Fleur, a refined spot run by Jacob Jan Boerma and Thomas Diepersloot. Het Gebaar is an Antwerp establishment, the place Michelin pastry chef Roger van Damme elevates afternoon tea into artwork. Then, there’s Hertog Jan, the place two Michelin stars shine brightly underneath the management of Gert De Mangeleer and maître-sommelier Joachim Boudens. The “Omakase” tasting menu is a three-hour journey, with elements plucked straight from its greenhouse, herb beds and hives. Surprise is essential, so company are kindly requested to go away telephones behind. From the identical duo, head to Bar Bulot, a masterclass in Flemish and French delicacies, with a sister location in Bruges that holds a Michelin star. Henry’s Bar & Bistro shifts from an intimate bar to a sunlit conservatory, whereas deep within the cellars, The Unprecedented invitations choose company to the unique Scotch Whisky Investors Club. In case that wasn’t sufficient, 17 Michelin-starred eating places are close by. In Antwerp, it’s clear: nobody goes hungry.
BEST HOTEL VIEW
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
HOF BEI SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between,” stated Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. At Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, this sentiment rings true—the place the stillness of nature turns into its personal symphony. You’ll discover this Fifteenth-century fort exterior of Salzburg, the birthplace of the composer himself, on an evergreen-ringed, emerald-hued Lake Fuschl. Once a searching lodge for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, the schloss (“castle” in German) operated principally seasonally till 2022, when Rosewood Hotels & Resorts acquired the property and started a restoration. In July 2024, it reopened with 98 visitor rooms, together with six lakefront chalets. These rooms, impressed by native forests and the realm’s 4 seasons, supply majestic views of the Salzkammergut mountains. The finest strategy to take all of it in? A swim at The See Club, the property’s lakeside retreat, the place the Austrian Alps meet Mediterranean-inspired tranquility, due to a ban on motorboats. There’s additionally the indoor-outdoor pool: begin your swim inside, then seamlessly transition open air, framed by the lake’s breathtaking surroundings. While The Sound of Music’s legacy lives on right here, the true magic is within the magnificence that surrounds you—a spot the place the view is all the time value a thousand phrases.
BEST WELLNESS RETREAT
SHA Mexico
COSTA MUJERES, MEXICO
It began as a private journey—a household affair fueled by transformation. After well being struggles and a analysis, Alfredo Bataller Parietti and his sons reclaimed their well being by means of nourishing meals and holistic therapies. Their mission? To show that true well being—rooted in vitamin, conventional therapies and Western medication—transforms lives. They dubbed it “The SHA Method,” and SHA Wellness Clinic was born in Alicante, Spain. It grew to become a hotspot for celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Mick Jagger—an indication that getting well being proper makes the world take discover. Inspired by their success, the household opened SHA Mexico in Costa Mujeres in early 2024. Next to the most important coral reef within the northern hemisphere, the clinic provides transformative wellness applications starting from 4 to 21 days. Programs like Rebalance & Energize, Leader’s Performance, Well-aging & Prevention and Intensive Detox & Optimal Weight goal distinctive wellness targets. Upon arrival, company bear a well being evaluation, adopted by a session with a nutritionist who crafts a customized plan. Treatments embrace IV infusions, digital actuality exercises and hormone screenings, set towards infinity swimming pools, zen gardens and ocean-view terraces. The structure mimics nature’s blueprint, with curves echoing the magnificence of a DNA molecule. Here, well being is the final word luxurious.
BEST IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
GRINDAVÍK, ICELAND
In her 1997 music “Jóga,” Icelandic icon Björk sings of “emotional landscapes,” craving to seize Iceland’s uncooked, untamed power—earthquakes, snowstorms, volcanic eruptions, geysers. As she says, “In Iceland, everything revolves around nature, 24 hours a day.” Nowhere is that this connection extra palpable than at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, a 60-suite sanctuary nestled inside an 800-year-old lava area, an hour from Reykjavík. Here, the geothermal lagoon meets world-class wellness, immersing company within the delicate dance of science and nature. The lagoon surrounding the lodge is a non-public sanctuary, separate from the primary lagoon, providing peace amidst volcanic rock and steam. Each suite provides breathtaking views of the milky blue waters. But it’s not solely the lagoon that captivates; The Retreat’s underground spa blends uncovered lava partitions with glossy Scandinavian design, creating an area disconnected from the world exterior. Guests bask in therapies harnessing the therapeutic energy of geothermal seawater, wealthy in silica, algae and minerals. Slate greys and earthy moss tones seamlessly fuse with the panorama, creating concord between the interiors and nature. This steadiness continues at Michelin-starred Moss, the place a seven-course tasting menu mirrors the island’s terrain, shifting from peaks to sea. Emotional landscapes, certainly.
BEST FAMILY HOTEL
Sonnwies Dolomites
SOUTH TYROL, ITALY
It’s no shock this family-run lodge feels so heat and welcoming—in any case, it began as a house. Sonnwies Dolomites, with roots relationship again to 1400, nonetheless carries the appeal of its authentic barn, home and herb backyard. When the Hinteregger household acquired the property in 1983, they introduced their ardour for hospitality to life. Fifteen years later, eldest son Hans and his spouse, Angelika, remodeled it into an enthralling mattress and breakfast. Today, after considerate renovations, it’s a cherished sanctuary. The resort’s 70 rooms and suites are designed with households in thoughts—spacious, shiny, pure wooden suites with child furnishings and Dolomite views. A five-pool aquapark, petting zoo with 30 furry associates, 10,000-square-meter journey playground, using faculty and ice skating rink are just the start. Parents, rejoice: with childcare, babysitting, a teens-only lounge and applications for each age group, you’ll have the ability to calm down—bonus factors for the household wellness spa, the place even children get pampered. Meals are crafted from natural elements grown on their farm, guaranteeing even choosy eaters are happy. And don’t overlook Ferdi, the beloved lodge mascot—a brown pony in a blue South Tyrolean apron—typically discovered on the children’ membership. The Hintereggers know find out how to make each household really feel at residence.
BEST ESCAPE FOR FRIENDS
The Lafayette Hotel and Club
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” croons by means of the air as Tom Cruise’s Maverick serenades Charlie, Goose harmonizing whereas the group eats it up. The scene? Iconic. The setting? The Lafayette Hotel and Club—a San Diego landmark famed for cinematic moments and off-key singalongs—reimagined after a $31 million facelift, cementing its standing as the final word gathering place the place tales are shared and recollections linger lengthy after final name. Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, the place that Top Gun magic occurred, nonetheless steals the present. With its Forties clamshell stage and sunken dance ground that hosted legends like Sinatra and Simone, it’s prepared to your encore. Since opening in 1946 with Bob Hope as its first visitor, it’s been a mixture of Hollywood glamour and on a regular basis hangout. Crank up the enjoyable at The Gutter, a two-lane bowling alley with shuffleboard and pool tables. Then, calm down on the Lobby Bar with classic cocktails underneath a hovering atrium. Satisfy starvation on the 24-hour Beginner’s Diner, serving up Americana classics. Retreat to a Four-Bedroom Bungalow with boudoir-inspired décor, and finish your day with a dip within the practically Olympic-sized pool, surrounded by striped umbrellas and palms. It’s the proper spot for making recollections—and belting a number of off-key classics with your individual Goose.
BEST HOTEL INSTAGRAM
Casa Angelina
PRAIANO, ITALY
The humble lemon is greater than a fruit in Italy—it’s a logo of Mediterranean life. Picture vibrant lemon stands, refreshing granitas, zesty limoncello and cheerful lemon-printed fashions. Naturally, Casa Angelina’s Instagram feed embraces this spirit, typically sprinkled with lemon emojis. Their sun-drenched lemon pergola is a photo-ready haven perched above Positano, virtually shouting, “Wish you were here!” Chances are, you’ve scrolled previous this iconic setting in a video or two—it’s change into synonymous with the property. This citrus-filled paradise is a feast for the senses: golden lemons ripening amidst shades of blue and inexperienced, framed by the Amalfi Coast. Just steps away, pristine white umbrellas, a glowing azure pool and Positano’s dramatic cliffs full the scene. Inside, Casa Angelina’s 36 white-on-white rooms are the epitome of magnificence, every with personal terraces and uninterrupted sea views. Dining right here is equally spectacular. Michelin-starred Un Piano nel Cielo (“A Floor in the Sky”) elevates contemporary, just-caught seafood, whereas Seascape Cocktail Bar, cantilevered over the bay, provides 10 variations of the Italian Aperol Spritz basic. When life fingers you lemons, discover one of the best seat—and don’t overlook to snap a photograph.
BEST HOTEL INSTAGRAM | RUNNERS UP
While your votes topped a winner, the outpouring of enthusiasm impressed us to have a good time a number of extra standout favorites. Among them is @therebellohotel, which calls itself ‘the new hotel with an old soul’—and it really delivers. Nestled on Porto’s riverbank, its impeccably curated Instagram feed looks like a love letter to the great life—golden Douro sunsets, artfully plated native dishes and interiors that honor the constructing’s storied previous, all wrapped in trendy sophistication. And as for uplifting lodge manufacturers, @zannierhotels turns atypical journey into extraordinary journey. Cambodia. Namibia. Vietnam. France. From jungles to deserts, coastlines to countryside, every Instagram submit is a sneak peek right into a world the place serene luxurious meets unforgettable discovery—completely curated for many who search a deeper reference to each vacation spot.
For extra handpicked locations that encourage, observe @kiwicollection. Your subsequent journey awaits.