The three leading hotels below appeared on last year’s list of top 10 International Hideaways with 50 rooms or fewer, a testament to their enduring appeal. This year’s winners occupy rugged coastlines, awe-inspiring savannas, remote islands and tranquil countrysides around the world, and they range from the graciously historic to the strikingly contemporary. Safari lodges across Africa made a particularly strong showing. What all the properties here have in common is their small size, high level of service, extraordinary setting and distinct sense of place.

1. Ballyfin Demesne
County Laois, Ireland

An architectural gem of Ireland, this restored 1826 Regency mansion stands amid 614 acres of parkland. Members raved about the “intuitive staff,” the “stunning setting,” the “exceptional dining experiences,” the “plethora of activities” and the “unparalleled” beauty of the hotel. While one correspondent hailed Ballyfin as “a fantasy of luxurious dimension,” another called it “Downton Abbey on steroids.”

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2. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
Lake Garda, Italy

A Feltrinelli fan characterized this neo-Gothic property as “one of the best hotels on the planet!” Feedback highlighted the “impeccable, attentive service that is not too formal or obtrusive” and the “incomparable” setting on the western shore of Lake Garda. Other people described “feeling like an important guest at a private villa back in the Gilded Age” and described their stay as “a decadent adventure.”

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3. Fogo Island Inn
Newfoundland, Canada

This spectacularly sited inn off Fogo Island’s northeast coast, housed within a modernist stilted structure set above the shoreline rocks, was described as “inspirational” and with an “outstanding” level of service. One correspondent noted: “A remote place needs to be outstanding for repeat visits. Fogo is clearly remote, and we’ve stayed three separate times, each time wondering how never to leave.”

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4. Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

As well as the setting and service that are “second to none,” the “natural beauty and incredible food” contributed to praiseworthy stays at this superb luxury lodge on a private tract of riverfront land that borders Kruger National Park. One member got straight to the point about what they enjoyed: “Staff. Activities. Service. Hard product.”

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5. The Brando
Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

There’s “nothing quite like” this “beautiful and mosquito-free” private-island resort, located a 20-minute flight aboard the property’s plane from Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Without exception, survey-takers praised the glamorous villas, private pools, restaurants and staff at The Brando, with one stating, “It’s amazing a remote island can have [so many] food choices and great service.”

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6. Singita Sasakwa
Grumeti Game Reserve, Tanzania

Offering one of the grandest vistas in Africa, this luxurious safari lodge set on a hilltop overlooking the Serengeti plains elicited superlatives from several members, including one who described it as “the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at in my life. It feels like being at the second home of a billionaire friend.” Others appreciated the “great views of the valley” and the privacy of the Hillside Suites.

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7. Caruso, A Belmond Hotel – Amalfi Coast
Ravello, Italy

Members continue to agree that this enchanting property overlooking the Gulf of Salerno is “simply the best” (Caruso also appeared on this list last year). This Belmond “delivers,” with its terraced gardens offering panoramic views, glamorous accommodations, lavish amenities and excellent dining options, including Ristorante Belvedere for traditional regional dishes of Campania.

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8. Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel – Oxfordshire
Oxford, England

Set on a beautifully manicured estate, chef Raymond Blanc’s gastronomic retreat has the “best kitchen.” This second Belmond winner occupies a 15th-century stone manor about 11 miles southeast of downtown Oxford. Members found it to be a “terrific getaway” offering “wonderful food and service.” (Note: Le Manoir is temporarily closed for renovations until the summer of 2027.)

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9. Amanzoe
Kranidi, Greece

Many members have had exceptional stays at this hilltop sea-facing hotel near the yachting village of Porto Heli: It’s “perfect in every way.” The “sublime property, staff and food,” plus the “beautiful architecture” and the “friendly staff” at Amanzoe drew only praise. One correspondent declared that their experience here was “pure magic.”

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10. Wilderness Mombo and Wilderness Little Mombo
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Situated within the Okavango Delta, this lavish enclave faces a flood plain in an area teeming with wildlife, including a large leopard population and more than 500 species of birds. It offers “high-end luxury in the middle of safari.” “The location, the top-notch staff, the predators, the food and the lodging” all received high marks from our members.

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