25 of the world's top hotels | CNN

1. Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives —

What's not to like about the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice pick for the world's No. 1 hotel? With a 2015 average nightly rate topping $1,700, prices at Maldives resort Gili Lankanfushi will take your breath away. But so will these views -- enhanced with personal butler service and a blissful "no news, no shoes" philosophy.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.arenalnayara.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens</a> in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica, looks out on the imposing Arenal volcano. TripAdvisor estimates an average nightly rate of $430 for the resort in 2015, although rates are likely to dip to their lowest point in June, to about $380.

2. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, Costa Rica —

Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica, looks out on the imposing Arenal volcano. TripAdvisor estimates an average nightly rate of $430 for the resort in 2015, although rates are likely to dip to their lowest point in June, to about $380.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The <a href="http://shintamani.com/club/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Shinta Mani Club</a> in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a 39-room boutique hotel located about 15 minutes from the temples of Angkor Wat. The average nightly rate is about $250, with rates dipping closer to $200 in September and October.

3. Shinta Mani Club, Cambodia —

The Shinta Mani Club in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a 39-room boutique hotel located about 15 minutes from the temples of Angkor Wat. The average nightly rate is about $250, with rates dipping closer to $200 in September and October.

Courtesy Shinta Mani Club

Within the opulent Art Nouveau <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/budapest/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hotel Gresham Palace</a> lies this modern infinity-edge lap pool. Nightly rates at this Budapest hotel in 2015 average about $520, according to TripAdvisor, with a dip down to about $350 in February.

4. Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest, Hungary —

Within the opulent Art Nouveau Hotel Gresham Palace lies this modern infinity-edge lap pool. Nightly rates at this Budapest hotel in 2015 average about $520, according to TripAdvisor, with a dip down to about $350 in February.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The <a href="http://www.belmond.com/palacio-nazarenas-cusco/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Belmond Palacio Nazarenas</a> is a former palace and convent tucked behind Cusco, Peru's main square. Average nightly rates run about $590, with a dip to $550 in February.

5. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Peru —

The Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is a former palace and convent tucked behind Cusco, Peru's main square. Average nightly rates run about $590, with a dip to $550 in February.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

At <a href="http://www.comohotels.com/cocoaisland" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cocoa Island</a>, 33 over-water suites cater to privacy seekers. Nightly rates at the Maldives resort run about $1,380, with rates dropping below $1,100 in the summer and fall.

6. Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives —

At Cocoa Island, 33 over-water suites cater to privacy seekers. Nightly rates at the Maldives resort run about $1,380, with rates dropping below $1,100 in the summer and fall.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

There's a ski run leading right to the <a href="https://tuxerhof.at/en/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof</a>, a mountain retreat at the entrance of the Tux Valley in Austria's charming Tirol state. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $380, dropping to a low of about $320 in November.

7. Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof, Austria —

There's a ski run leading right to the Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof, a mountain retreat at the entrance of the Tux Valley in Austria's charming Tirol state. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $380, dropping to a low of about $320 in November.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.al-maha.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Al Maha</a>, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, is an inviting oasis in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Nightly rates in 2015 average more than $1,520 a night, according to TripAdvisor, with rates dipping down close to $1,020 in July and August.

8. Al Maha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates —

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, is an inviting oasis in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Nightly rates in 2015 average more than $1,520 a night, according to TripAdvisor, with rates dipping down close to $1,020 in July and August.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The charming <a href="http://www.sthubertus.com/site/index.php/en/" target="_blank" target="_blank">St. Hubertus Hotel </a>sits on Lago Negro in Gramado, Brazil. Nightly rates in 2015 average just under $300, with a dip to about $250 in March.

9. Estalagem St. Hubertus Hotel, Brazil —

The charming St. Hubertus Hotel sits on Lago Negro in Gramado, Brazil. Nightly rates in 2015 average just under $300, with a dip to about $250 in March.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.libertador.com.pe/en/luxury-collection/tambo-del-inka-hotel/general-information/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tambo del Inka</a>, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Urubamba, Peru, has a private train station for journeys to Machu Picchu. Nightly rates run about $260, with a dip down to about $220 in February.

10. Tambo del Inka, Peru —

Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Urubamba, Peru, has a private train station for journeys to Machu Picchu. Nightly rates run about $260, with a dip down to about $220 in February.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.belvederericcione.com/en/beach-hotel-italy/1-0.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hotel Belvedere</a>, near the Adriatic sea in Riccione, Italy, promises "a touch of glamour and a bit of craziness." Rates average about $130 a night.

11. Hotel Belvedere, Italy —

Hotel Belvedere, near the Adriatic sea in Riccione, Italy, promises "a touch of glamour and a bit of craziness." Rates average about $130 a night.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The <a href="http://www.fourseasonscountryclub.com/en/home.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">Four Seasons Country Club</a> is situated among 17 acres of private gardens on the Quinta do Lago estate in Portugal's sun-splashed Algarve region. Nightly rates average about $210 for 2015, with rates starting low in January at about $150.

12. Four Seasons Country Club, Portugal —

The Four Seasons Country Club is situated among 17 acres of private gardens on the Quinta do Lago estate in Portugal's sun-splashed Algarve region. Nightly rates average about $210 for 2015, with rates starting low in January at about $150.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

Tucked within the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai's <a href="http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/madinat-jumeirah/dar-al-masyaf/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dar Al Masyaf</a> features standalone two-story houses. Nightly rates average about $750 for 2015, with a drop in June and July to about $370.

13. Dar Al Masyaf, Dubai, United Arab Emirates —

Tucked within the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai's Dar Al Masyaf features standalone two-story houses. Nightly rates average about $750 for 2015, with a drop in June and July to about $370.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/shanghai/?kw=mandarin-oriental-pudong" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mandarin Oriental Pudong</a> in Shanghai is located on the banks of the Huangpu River about 10 minutes from the historic Bund. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $400, with a dip to about $370 in July.

14. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, China —

The Mandarin Oriental Pudong in Shanghai is located on the banks of the Huangpu River about 10 minutes from the historic Bund. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $400, with a dip to about $370 in July.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.constancehotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/maldives/moofushi/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Constance Moofushi </a>in the Maldives offers 24 beach villas and nearly 90 over-water villas. Nightly average rates for 2015 run about $1,370, with a low in June of about $1,050.

15. Constance Moofushi, Maldives —

Constance Moofushi in the Maldives offers 24 beach villas and nearly 90 over-water villas. Nightly average rates for 2015 run about $1,370, with a low in June of about $1,050.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

Venice's opulent <a href="http://www.thegrittipalace.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Gritti Palace</a> offers stunning views of the Grand Canal and 21 elegant suites. Nightly rates at the historic hotel average about $930 in 2015, with a big dip in December to just under $500.

16. The Gritti Palace, Italy —

Venice's opulent Gritti Palace offers stunning views of the Grand Canal and 21 elegant suites. Nightly rates at the historic hotel average about $930 in 2015, with a big dip in December to just under $500.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.constancehotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/mauritius/le-prince-maurice/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Constance Le Prince Maurice</a> is located on a 148-acre private peninsula on the northeast corner of Mauritius. Nightly rates average about $600, with a dip to about $450 in June.

17. Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius —

Constance Le Prince Maurice is located on a 148-acre private peninsula on the northeast corner of Mauritius. Nightly rates average about $600, with a dip to about $450 in June.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

Located on the shores of Lough Eske, <a href="http://www.harveyspoint.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Harvey's Point</a> in Donegal Town offers activities for all types of travelers, from anglers and golfers to hikers and spa lovers. Average nightly rates for 2015 are about $270.

18. Harvey's Point, Ireland —

Located on the shores of Lough Eske, Harvey's Point in Donegal Town offers activities for all types of travelers, from anglers and golfers to hikers and spa lovers. Average nightly rates for 2015 are about $270.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.upperhouse.com/en/default.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Upper House</a> offers a serene escape from the bustle of Hong Kong, plus amazing views of the city. Average 2015 nightly rates of about $750 drop to about $670 in February.

19. The Upper House, Hong Kong —

The Upper House offers a serene escape from the bustle of Hong Kong, plus amazing views of the city. Average 2015 nightly rates of about $750 drop to about $670 in February.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

The <a href="https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/haymarket-hotel/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Haymarket Hotel </a>in London's theater district features 50 uniquely appointed bedrooms and suites. Average rates of about $750 per night in 2015 drop to about $580 in January.

20. Haymarket Hotel, London —

The Haymarket Hotel in London's theater district features 50 uniquely appointed bedrooms and suites. Average rates of about $750 per night in 2015 drop to about $580 in January.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

In Quito, the 31-room <a href="http://www.casagangotena.com/en/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Casa Gangotena</a> occupies a restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Average 2015 nightly rates run about $510, with a dip to about $460 in December.

21. Casa Gangotena, Ecuador —

In Quito, the 31-room Casa Gangotena occupies a restored mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco. Average 2015 nightly rates run about $510, with a dip to about $460 in December.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

22. The Langham, Chicago —

Since opening in 2013, this Chicago hotel has been earning glowing reviews. Average rates around $440 drop below $350 in January.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-mauritius/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Oberoi, Mauritius</a> at Pointe Aux Piments sits on the shores of Turtle Bay. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $530 with a drop below $440 in September.

23. The Oberoi, Mauritius —

The Oberoi, Mauritius at Pointe Aux Piments sits on the shores of Turtle Bay. Nightly rates for 2015 average about $530 with a drop below $440 in September.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

24. Kayakapi Premium Caves, Turkey —

In Cappadocia, Kayakapi Premium Caves offers guests a chance to stay in carefully restored cave dwellings. Nightly rates average $150 for 2015, with winter rates below $140.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

<a href="http://www.savoy-sharm.com/royal-savoy/index.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">Royal Savoy</a> guests have a reserved area by White Knight Beach in Sharm El Sheikh. Average rates of about $350 drop closer to $300 in January.

25. The Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt —

Royal Savoy guests have a reserved area by White Knight Beach in Sharm El Sheikh. Average rates of about $350 drop closer to $300 in January.

Courtesy TripAdvisor

World's top hotels

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TripAdvisor announces Travelers' Choice awards for hotels

A Maldives resort earns the top global award

CNN —

It doesn’t get much better than an overwater bungalow in the Maldives.

Three of the world’s top 25 hotels, according to TripAdvisor, embrace this tried-and-true combo for blissful luxury vacationing.

The mammoth travel site announced its TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards for hotels Wednesday. More than 8,100 properties in eight regions received recognition in the 13th annual awards, which are based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews.

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives earned the top global award. Private butler service adds to the pampering at the resort in the North Male Atoll. Maldives resorts Cocoa Island (No. 6) and Constance Moofushi (No. 15) also ranked among the world’s best hotels.

Here are the top 25 on the global list:

1. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

2. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

3. Shinta Mani Club, Siem Reap, Cambodia

4. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, Hungary

5. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco, Peru

6. Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives

7. Hotel Alpin Spa Tuxerhof, Tux, Austria

8. Al Maha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

9. St. Hubertus Hotel, Gramado, Brazil

10. Tambo del Inka, Urubamba, Peru

11. Hotel Belvedere, Riccione, Italy

12. Four Seasons Country Club, Quinta do Lago, Portugal

13. Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

14. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, China

15. Constance Moofushi, Maldives

16. The Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy

17. Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

18. Harvey’s Point, Donegal Town, Ireland

19. The Upper House, Hong Kong

20. Haymarket Hotel, London

21. Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador

22. The Langham, Chicago

23. The Oberoi, Mauritius

24. Kayakapi Premium Caves, Cappadocia, Turkey

25. The Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

In addition to the global list, TripAdvisor also parsed award winners by country and region, with 98 country lists and 8 regional lists.

The Langham, Chicago earned the top spot on the U.S. hotels list. The 316-room Windy City hotel has been impressing guests since it opened in 2013. Nightly rates in 2015 average about $440, according to TripAdvisor, but now’s a good time to go. Rates in January are likely to be the year’s lowest, averaging just under $350.

The No. 2 hotel in the United States, the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina, is also offering its lowest rates of the year, according to TripAdvisor. January rates average $360, compared with a 2015 nightly average of $465.

Other imminent considerations? Romance.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the Inn Above Oak Creek in Sedona, Arizona, is likely to see a flurry of reservations. It received top honors as the best hotel for romance in the United States. For the world’s most romantic hotel, head to Ko Tao, Thailand, for a stay at the luxury villas at The Place.

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Travelers’ Choice: World’s top 25 hotels

World's top hotels

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