2014 news: The world's 33 hottest new hotels are ...

Wednesday 23 April 2014

The world's 33 hottest new hotels are ...

The latest hotel from luxury brand LVMH makes it onto the hot list by offering guests not only the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean, but also their own infinity pools. Pruned fingertips guaranteed.

Located next to the sands of Mokapu, the 297-room Andaz Maui is named as one of the best new beach hotels.

This restored palace in St. Petersburg's historic Admiralteysky district features 183 guest rooms, including 26 suites.

Originally opened in 1927 as the United Artists building, this 182-room "design" hotel is a collaboration between local group Commune and Atelier Ace. It features an original 1,600-seat theater, which is slated for reopening.

Located between cupcake shops and cafes, The Marlton Hotel fits into the Greenwich Village scene with ease. Starting from $275, it's listed as one of the "best bargain" hotels.

This 12-room inn is a former medieval convent in the ancient, pedestrians-only Italian town of Pienza. La Bandita Townhouse wins praise for family friendly policies that include feeding and mopping up after kids at no extra charge.

Conde Nast Traveler says Park Hyatt wins dining accolades for its restaurant's art deco ambiance and fusion food -- but not for the KFC poster that three of its rooms look out onto.

The Fogo Island Inn is described as a destination in itself. It's remote -- on Canada's east coast -- but this homage to Newfoundland's fishing culture pairs guests with a "community host" to show them around.

Condé Nast Traveler says this year's list of 33 new hotels is its most selective yet

Categories include beach, family, food, bargain, design and "way-out-there"

Editors tried out 510 hotels from 400 cities to narrow the list

(CNN) -- 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.

It certainly seems that way -- in 2013 no fewer than 154 were chosen.

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 venues were split into seven categories, including the best beach hotels, family hotels, design hotels and "way-out-there" remote hotels.

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

Andaz Maui at Wailea (Hawaii)

$Splurge worthy: St. Petersburg\'s Four Seasons Lion Palace.$