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.
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 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
Splurge worthy: St. Petersburg's Four Seasons Lion Palace.
Best family hotels
Best food hotel
Best bargain hotels
Best design hotels
The Fogo Island Inn is modeled on the homes of Newfoundland fishermen.
Best over-the-top hotels
Best way-out-there hotels
Amanoi (Nui Chua National Park, Vietnam)