The ‘best places to stay in the world for 2023’ have been revealed by Tripadvisor after an analysis of reviews of 1.5million properties.
For the third year running in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards, The Toulson Court in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has been named World’s Best B&B, with over 2,000 ‘excellent’ reviews on the site.
In the global Top Hotels list, it’s Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, that comes top, followed by Ozen Reserve Bolifushi in the Maldives (second); Hotel Colline de France in Gramado, Brazil (third); and Shangri-La The Shard, London, in fourth.
Shangri-La The Shard, which occupies floors 34 to 52 of The Shard skyscraper, is also overall No.1 in Europe – followed in second place by Romance Istanbul Hotel in Turkey – and sixth in the global ‘Luxury Hotel’ category.
The top hotel in the USA is Perry Lane Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in the city of Savannah, Georgia, followed by Hotel Emma at Pearl in San Antonio, Texas. In third in the States is Hotel Madera in Washington DC, with The Lancaster in Houston in fourth and Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach in Florida fifth.
The top five list in the South Pacific comprises Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia (first); The Reef House Adults Only Tropical Escapes, Palm Cove, Australia (second); Tokoriki Island Resort, Tokoriki Island, Fiji (third); The Remington, Muswellbrook, Australia (fourth), and RACV Torquay Resort, Australia (fifth).
James and Angela Rusden, owners of The Toulson Court Bed and Breakfast, said: ‘We really were not expecting the amazing news to be crowned World’s Best B&B for the third year running! We are truly amazed and delighted to win this award again. It’s fantastic not only for us, but for the town of Scarborough and all its attractions.’
Guests have praised their B&B for offering a warm welcome, excellent service and little extras – including the ‘singing chef’.
One recent Tripadvisor reviewer claimed they would have given 10 stars if they could, and it still wouldn’t have been enough.
British B&Bs make up four out of the top 10 B&Bs in the world.
Making their debut on the global list, Highcliffe House, Lynton, on the Exmoor coast, comes in at No 4, Gloucester House, Weymouth, at No. 6 and Glencoe Guest House, Keswick, in the Lake District, at No. 10.
Shangri-La The Shard tops the UK ‘Top Hotels’ list thanks to an astonishing haul of ‘excellent’ reviews – 5,796 at the time of writing from a total of 6,609.
And the hotel isn’t just endorsed by TripAdvisor users.
MailOnline Travel reviewed the property in March this year, awarding it five stars out of five and describing it as having ‘stunning views, impressive dining, a breathtaking swimming pool, slick friendly service and luxurious bedrooms’.
Shangri-La The Shard General Manager, Kurt Macher, said: ‘We’re incredibly honoured and thrilled to be recognised as the best hotel in the UK and No.1 hotel in Europe by Tripadvisor, and even more proud to have also achieved the remarkable position of being named the No.4 hotel in the world.
‘This accolade is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team at Shangri-La The Shard, London, and we are so grateful to our guests who have shared their positive feedback of their stay in the clouds on Tripadvisor.
‘We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire Shangri-La The Shard, London family and our valued guests for their continued support. We will continue to strive for excellence and aim to surpass every guest’s expectations with personalised service and we look forward to welcoming each and every one for a truly magical stay soon.’
The rest of the Top Hotels UK list comprises The Resident Covent Garden, London (second); Hotel 41, London (third); The Montcalm Royal London House, London (fourth); The Milestone Hotel and Residences, London (fifth); Dakota Manchester, Manchester (sixth); Aviator Hampshire, Farnborough (seventh); Claridge’s, London (eighth); The Chesterfield Mayfair, London (ninth); and Tynedale Hotel, Llandudno (10th).
Haven Hall Hotel on the Isle of Wight is named No.2 Best Luxury Hotel in the UK (No. 15 in Europe) and the Grove of Narberth in Wales, No. 3 in the UK and No. 19 Europe.
Boutique hotel No. 1 By GuestHouse, York, is named ninth Hottest New Hotel in the World and The Coal Exchange Hotel, situated in the old coal and shipping exchange building in Cardiff Bay, comes 19th in the world in the Out of the Ordinary category.
Meanwhile, the Best Hotels for Sleep category ranking is topped by Dromoland Castle Hotel in Ireland, and Ikos Andalusia is No.1 in the Best Family-Friendly Hotels list.
And the world’s hottest new hotel? That’s Oblu Select Lobigili in the Maldives.
For more visit www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.