View top 20 list

As is our annual custom, we have again turned the tables and asked our readers to name their favorite hotels in the world. This is the oldest, most reliable poll of its kind conducted among sophisticated frequent travelers. Over 85% of this year’s 2,500 respondents hold the title of President/CEO/Owner/Partner and 87% have traveled outside the U.S. for business and pleasure during the past 12 months

In the U.S. city hotel category, The Peninsula Beverly Hills took top honors for the first time, edging out St Regis New York and Four Seasons Chicago. New York dominated the Top 20 list with seven properties, including Plaza Athenee, which jumped from No. 25 to No. 9. Other impressive gainers are the new Peninsula Chicago and Four Seasons Chicago, both rocketing into the Top 20 in just their second year of operation.

On the international front, Four Seasons George V Paris retained the No. 1 city spot, while an unprecedented five hotels with fewer than 100 rooms made the top 20. These include London's Stafford (No. 3), Lanesborough (No. 4) and Connaught (No. 10), plus San Regis Paris (No. 12) and Four Seasons Istanbul (No. 18). In the biggest turnabout ever, Inter-Continental Hong Kong (formerly The Regent) fell from No. 7 to No. 46, proving that brand names do carry weight with savvy travelers.