2010 Survey Results: Top 20 Hideaways

Much of the pleasure I derive from editing Hideaway Report stems from the knowledge that my audience is composed of active and sophisticated travelers, people with both the inclination and the means to follow in my footsteps.

Each year in our long-running Reader Survey, we ask our members to tell us about their travel plans. Despite generally unfavorable economic conditions, I am delighted to report that recent respondents vacation an average of 32 days a year, and no fewer than 87 percent —17 percent more than in 2009—say that they plan to travel the same amount or more in the coming 12 months.

Although we frequently review larger hotels and resorts, our primary focus remains on smaller properties, those that offer both distinctive charm and a high level of personal service. Harper members are in search of unique experiences and expect to be treated as individuals. On the following pages, we list your Top 20 U.S. and International Hideaways, properties with 75 or fewer rooms. You will also find your Top 20 Beach Resorts worldwide.

Certain hotels are perennial favorites, and California’s Post Ranch Inn, a magical sanctuary atop the cliffs of Big Sur, takes first place in the contest for No. 1 U.S. Hideaway for the third year in a row. However, I note the abrupt arrival of Utah’s Amangiri at No. 15, a resort that opened as recently as October last year. No fewer than four Amanresorts feature in the combined lists, illustrating the enduring appeal of this admirable hotel group to Harper members. And the remarkable popularity of New Zealand  (with three properties among the Top 20 International Hideaways) clearly illustrates that your enthusiasm for globe-trotting remains undiminished—recession or no recession!


Top 20 U.S. Hideaways

Your favorite hotels and resorts with 75 or fewer rooms
 

1. Post Ranch Inn     Big Sur, California
2. Blackberry Farm       Walland, Tennessee
3. Triple Creek Ranch      Darby, Montana
4. San Ysidro Ranch      Montecito, California
5. Auberge du Soleil       Rutherford, California 
6. The Lowell        New York City, New York
7. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff        Bluffton, South Carolina
8. Twin Farms        Woodstock, Vermont 
9. The Inn at Little Washington        Washington, Virginia
10. Amangani        Jackson Hole, Wyoming
11. Ventana Inn       Big Sur, California 
12. Little Palm Island        Little Torch Key, Florida
13. Rancho Valencia        Rancho Santa Fe, California
14. Bernardus Lodge       Carmel Valley, California
15. Amangiri        Lake Powell, Utah
16. Blantyre       Lenox, Massachusetts
17. Wheatleigh       Lenox, Massachusetts
18. The Wauwinet       Nantucket, Massachus etts
19. Bardessono      Yountville, California
20. Mayflower Inn      Washington, Connecticut

Top 20 International Hideaways

Your favorite hotels and resorts with 75 or fewer rooms
 

1. Hotel Splendido      Portofino, Italy
2. Las Ventanas al Paraiso      Los Cabos, Mexico
3. Il San Pietro      Positano, Italy
4. Esperanza      Los Cabos, Mexico
5. La Casa Que Canta      Zihuatanejo, Mexico
6. Blanket Bay      South Island, New Zealand
7. Grand-Hotel du Cap-ferrat      Côte d’Azur, France
8. Le Sirenuse      Positano, Italy
9. Hotel San Regis      Paris, France
10. Villa Feltrinelli      Lake Garda, Italy
11. The Wickaninnish Inn      Tofino, B.C., Canada
12. Amansara      Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Cambodia
13. Buckland Manor      The Cotswolds, England
14. The Meridian Club      Pine Cay, Turks & Caicos
15. Villa San Michele      Florence, Italy
16. Huka Lodge      North Island, New Zealand
17. Maroma      Riviera Maya, Mexico
18. The Farm      Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
19. Palazzo Sasso      Ravello, Italy
20. Amankila      Bali, Indonesia

Top 20 Beach Resorts

1. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel      Kohala Coast, Hawaii
2. Little Dix Bay      Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
3. Las Ventanas al Paraiso      Los Cabos, Mexico
4. Esperanza      Los Cabos, Mexico
5. La Casa Que Canta      Zihuatanejo, Mexico
6. Little Palm Island      Little Torch Key, Florida
7. Cap Juluca      Maundays Bay, Anguilla
8. Four Seasons      Punta Mita Mexico
9. The Breakers      Palm Beach, Florida
10. Halekulani      Honolulu, Hawaii
11. Four Seasons Lana’i      Manele Bay, Lana’i
12. The Meridian Club      Pine Cay, Turks & Caicos
13. One & Only Palmilla      Los Cabos, Mexico
14. Maroma      Riviera Maya, Mexico
15. Sandy Lane      St. James, Barbados
16. Four Seasons The Biltmore      Santa Barbara, California
17. Amankila      Bali, Indonesia
18. Peter Island      British Virgin Islands
19. Rosewood Mayakoba      Riviera Maya, Mexico
20. Caneel Bay      St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands