Several hotels and resorts where we stayed in the past 12 months deserve recognition for a certain quality or feature that didn’t quite fit into our other awards categories. And of course, we had a splendid time reviewing various cruise ships in the last year. Each had many merits, but only one of them can be counted as our favorite.

Most Charming Hotel: Estelle Manor

Oxfordshire, England

Ensconced in 3,000 acres of parkland, this chic Oxfordshire hotel and country club impressed me with its grand Jacobean Revival mansion and extravagant décor of crystal chandeliers, baronial hearths, elaborate wainscoting and jewel-toned fabrics. Ever-helpful employees seemed to want nothing more than to satisfy our every whim, and with a sense of pride we found endearing, they effused about the area and the many activities they could organize. I have fond memories of our fascinating falconry session and the creative “curry night takeover” dinner served at the Glasshouse. This estate embodies the stately British elegance and refinement of a bygone era.