Forbes Travel has released its list of the top hotels around the world. It’s a big world, and it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, and I’m based in Toronto, so I’m going to only mention Canadian properties and those in the Caribbean.
Toronto claimed four of the five-star hotels in Canada, which surprised me a little. But there are plenty of four-star properties in Montreal and Vancouver, not to mention one each in Banff and Halifax.
For the Caribbean, luxury destinations such as the Cayman Islands and Anguilla dominate the five-star list.
FIVE-STAR HOTELS IN CANADA
Four Seasons, Toronto (haven’t stayed, but here the rooms are splendid)
Hazelton Hotel, Toronto (one of the city’s best sidewalk cafes)
Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto (one of the best lobbies in the city, and super-stylish rooms)
St. Regis, Toronto (sleek and sexy spot in the heart of downtown)
Shangri-La, Vancouver (stayed maybe 10 years ago and thought it was lovely)
FIVE-STAR HOTELS CARIBBEAN
The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Cap Juluca, Anguilla
Cheval Blanc, St. Bart’s
Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton, Puerto Rico
Eden Rock, St. Bart’s
Four Seasons, Anguilla (beautiful resort on a great stretch of beach)
Kimpton Seafire, Cayman Islands (love this place)
Ritz-Carlton, Cayman Islands
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Sandy Lane, Barbados (elegant and then some)
St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico
FOUR-STAR HOTELS IN CANADA
Fairmont Gold at Banff Springs, Alberta (fantastic)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (was there two weeks ago and loved it)
Four Seasons Montreal
Four Seasons Whistler
Muir Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia (haven’t been but it looks utterly fabulous)
Paradox Hotel, Vancouver
Park Hyatt, Toronto (quiet and sophisticated)
Ritz-Carlton, Montreal
Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (great spa and lively cocktail bar)
