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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