10 Hottest New Hotels in the World

TripAdvisor releases list of the most desirable lodgings.

ByABC News
October 15, 2013, 2:03 AM
Hotel Casa San Agustin in Colombia was ranked as the Number 1 Hot New Hotel in the World, according to TripAdvisor.
Hotel Casa San Agustin in Colombia was ranked as the Number 1 Hot New Hotel in the World, according to TripAdvisor.
Indie Boutique Hotels & Resorts

Oct. 15, 2013— -- Travelers with a yen to stay at the most desirable digs around the globe should pack their bags: TripAdvisor released its inaugural list of the 10 Hot New Hotels in the World on Tuesday.

"TripAdvisor has identified the new hotels that have made lasting impressions on our community since opening their doors," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer at TripAdvisor. The properties listed were among those that had opened within the past year and received a minimum of four out of five bubbles using the TripAdvisor rating system.

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Coming in at No. 1 was Hotel Casa San Agustin in Colombia, an intimate boutique establishment with 24 rooms. Each is kitted out with ironwork bed frames, Frette linens, chandeliers made by a local artist and private plunge pools.

A recent guest from Miami who called the hotel "one of the best experiences ever!" on TripAdvisor also enthused about the English-speaking staff, complimentary iPad mini for ordering room service, excellent restaurant offerings and superlative security. "I hope to return one day!" he exclaimed in summation.

Other hotels that made the list, in order, were:

2. Kura Design Villas Uvita in Uvita, Costa Rica

3. Taj Palace Marrakech in Marrakech, Morocco

4. 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville in Bentonville, Ark.

5. Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania

6. Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai in Shanghai, China

7. Refinery Hotel in New York City

8. The Ampersand Hotel in London

9. Four Seasons Hotel Baku in Baku, Azerbaijan

10. Zero George Street in Charleston, S.C.

"We were called late last week and told we had made the list," said Manya duHoffman, director of sales and marketing at the Refinery Hotel in New York City, which in addition to being rated seventh in the world was ranked second in the U.S. "It was great, great news."

DuHoffman credits the combination of architectural history and modern amenities for Refinery Hotel's popularity among guests.

"We think our designer and architect did a great job of weaving in the history throughout the building that gives it an interesting niche," she said. "We also carry Le Labo bath products, a local brand that we love and the guests love as well. And we have private Refinery wine bottles in the rooms that are a collaboration with an upstate New York winery that guests really love too."