Best (and worst) new luxury hotels of 2018, according to LTI | CNN

Courtesy Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume

Best new luxury hotels of 2018: Independent luxury review site LTI has produced its assessment of the year's top hotels. At number 15 on the list is the Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume in Mallorca, Spain. Click through the gallery to discover the full list.

Courtesy Six Senses

Six Senses, Fiji: LTI says Six Senses Fiji resort is a "real standout for pure barefoot luxury." The beachfront pool villas come in for particular praise.

Nobu Marbella

13. Nobu Hotel, Marbella (Spain): "It has a stylish maturity that has been lacking on occasion with some of the brand's other properties," LTI says.

Courtesy The Murray Hong Kong

12. The Murray, Hong Kong: "The Murray has delivered something extra special to earn its place on the global scene," LTI says. "The Calcutta marble bathrooms are truly impressive, as are the four floors of suites and the five in house dining venues."

Courtesy Solaz

11. Solaz. Los Cabos (Mexico): "The five swimming pools and the impressive Thalasso therapy wellness spa contribute to earn Solaz a deserved place on this year's best list," LTI says.

Courtesy Como Uma Canggu

10. Como Uma Canggu, Bali (Indonesia): "The three-bedroom duplex penthouses -- each with its own rooftop swimming pool and large deck -- are among the most impressive new suites we have seen anywhere in the world this year," LTI says.

Courtesy Royal Champagne

9. Royal Champagne, Champagne Region (France): LTI says it "has been won over by the extra special location of the Royal Champagne -- which has just 49 rooms, an excellent restaurant and an exceptional spa that overlooks the vines. It's worth noting that the four corner rooms give panoramic views and extra privacy."

Courtesy Capella Ubud

Capella Ubud, Bali (Indonesia): "In demand hotel designer Bill Bensley has scored another home run with this 22-tented retreat," LTI says. "Each tent is accessed by its own mini suspension bridge, as well as its own salt-water pool and private deck. The décor is both intriguing and extraordinary."

Courtesy Rosewood Luang Prabang

7. Rosewood Luang Prabang (Laos): "All praise to the Rosewood for undertaking a passionate project with just 23 rooms -- yet again linked to Bill Bensley," LTI says. "He has created spacious and individual spaces, including four deluxe rooms, four specialty suites, three riverside villas, six pool villas and six luxury tents."

Courtesy Chable Maroma

6. Chable Maroma, Mexico: "The ultimate escapist resort, this is a dream property that comprises 70 private pool villas, a 17,000 square foot spa with eight treatment rooms, a beautiful beach and some world class dining options," LTI says.

5. Zuri, Zanzibar (Tanzania): LTI says: "This exciting and surprisingly affordable luxe resort set on a beautiful beach has 55 thatched roof villas, and a second to none wellness facilities. A real find."

Courtesy Shinti Mani Wild

Shinti Mani Wild, Cambodia: "Prolific hotel designer Bill Bensley features on our list yet again -- this time with his very own property, Shinta Mani Wild," LTI says. "It's a remote and radical new concept for a luxury camp experience, set in a wildlife reserve in the Cardamom Mountains."

Courtesy Amanyangyun Shanghai

Amanyangyun, Shanghai: "This stunning, light-filled resort on the outskirts of Shanghai has the look of a centuries-old forested village, but in fact the ancient camphor trees and Ming and Qing dynasty buildings originally sat 400 miles away in Jiangxi province until they were relocated by Aman to escape destruction due to the construction of a new dam," LTI says. "The buildings have been reassembled, brick by ancient brick, to create peaceful, refined spaces."

Courtesy Joali Maldives

2. Joali, Maldives: "The epitome of sustainable glamor, this ultra-luxe resort has been designed with families in mind," LTI says. "There are 70 elegant one to four-bedroom villas and residences, four exceptional restaurants, a beach side bar and a magnificent spa. And all the while, ever-present GM Steven Phillips makes sure every guest is taken care of. "

Kudadoo Private Island

1. Kudadoo Private Island, Maldives: "Kudadoo Private Island, Maldives
Kudadoo is a truly special and intimate private island resort, with just 15 expansive overwater ocean residences," says LTI. "Everything is included, from fine dining to in, on and above the water adventures, as well as luxury spa treatments. And the real bonus? Sister property Hurwalhi is just as spectacular and is only a short boat hop away."

CNN —

For the ultimate in modern luxury, head to the Maldives, say the experts at Luxury Travel Intelligence.

Two resorts from the Asian islands have topped their annual ranking of the world’s best new luxury hotels: Kudadoo Private Island in the top spot, and Joali as runner-up.

The all-inclusive Kudadoo, with its 15 overwater ocean residences, is “a truly special and intimate private island resort,” says LTI.

Courtesy Amanyangyun Shanghai

Amanyangyun: Old-style luxury in Shanghai.

The ultra-luxe Joali, meanwhile, is “the epitome of sustainable glamor” and “has been designed with families in mind.”

LTI visited 42 new properties this year, 15 of which they term “exceptional” – and two which left them “disappointed.”

01:41 - Source: CNN

Meet Bill Bensley, paradise maker

Asian hotels performed well, with Shanghai’s Amanyangyun and Cambodia’s Shinta Mani Wild both in the top five. Bali had two entries: the Bill Bensley-designed Capella Ubud at No.8 and Como Uma Canggu in 10th place.

Zanzibar’s Zuri – an “exciting and surprisingly affordable luxe resort set on a beautiful beach” – was the only showing for Africa.

The Americas were represented by Mexico, with Chable Maroma at No. 6 (“a dream property” with “world-class dining options”) and Solaz, Los Cabos at No. 11 (“five swimming pools” and an “impressive Thalasso therapy wellness spa”).

The highest-ranked European hotel was France’s Royal Champagne at No. 9 (“panoramic views” and “an exceptional spa that overlooks the vines”) while Marbella’s Nobu Hotel (“stylish maturity”) and Mallorca’s Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume (“a magnificent 16th-century mansion in the heart of Palma”) squeaked in at 13th and 14th place respectively.

Zanzibar's Zuri: Africa's only entry on the list.

The two new hotels that LTI felt weren’t up to scratch were NoMad in Las Vegas and The Setai in Tel Aviv.

Of NoMad, it says, “a poor renovation of the old Monte Carlo hotel in Las Vegas has left the brand with real problems,” but concludes that “there are some smart minds behind this venture” and the “many issues” they found with this hotel “could well be resolved over time.”

As for The Setai, “the building itself is attractive,” but “the location is poor, and the service is most definitely lacking.”

Here are the top 15 new luxury hotels to make the cut:

1. Kudadoo Private Island, Maldives

2. Joali, Maldives

3. Amanyangyun, Shanghai

4. Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

5. Zuri, Zanzibar

6. Chable Maroma, Mexico

7. Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos

8. Capella Ubud, Bali

9. Royal Champagne, Champillon

10. Como Uma Canggu, Bali