The Conde Nast Traveller Gold List for 2008 is out, detailing properties that received the highest ratings in the annual Readers' Travel Awards survey (as well as some editors' favorites), and some truly amazing properties made the roll.
For example, in the Best Ambiance/Design category, the Eagles Nest in Bay of Islands, New Zealand comes in at #1. If you just happen to be looking to drop $1,150 to $3,500 per night, the Eagles Nest may be just the place for you. This ultra-posh complex of five villas is situated on a headland above the sea with sweeping views of the bay, and is known for it's stunning location as much as its superior amenities and service.
Along with the Gold List award, the Eagles Nest also holds the distinction of being the most expensive rental accommodation in all of New Zealand. But when one considers the included amenities, it's almost a bargain. Each private villa is outfitted with an extensive wine cellar, a heated Infinity edge lap pool, and chic glass-and-chrome designer furnishings. Guests of the villas also get the services of their own personal chefs, personal trainers, a butler, and a Porsche to use during their stay.
Just don't plan on bringing the kiddies. These villas will make accommodations for pets but come with a warning that children are unwelcome.
It's that time of the year again when Conde Nast Traveler unveils its Readers Choice awards.
Topping the list for the best U.S. city was San Francisco who has won this distinction for 17 of the past 18 years. Whoa. Good thing San Francisco has a ton of hotels for all of its happy visitors.
So who was #1? The Hotel La Scalinatella, Capri, Italy. If there's anyone who wants to take us there so we can experience this place for ourselves, we will gladly accept.
Last week we pointed to the results of a TripAdvisor survey of business travelers. This week we get a new survey courtesy of the current issue of Condé Nast Travel.
The average traveler in this survey spends around 50 nights a year away from home on business. Findings show that 93 percent travel with a cell phone and 63 percent travel with a laptop. "Somewhat surprisingly, though, only 16 percent pack a BlackBerry or other portable e-mail device." (Perhaps success is inversely related to how obsessed you are with your e-mail? Hmmmm...)
As for hotels, with the magazine running lots of ads for the likes of Rolex and Prada, it's probably no surprise that Best Western didn't make this list. Hong Kong apparently knows how to run hotels: The Peninsula chain came in first and the Mandarin Oriental chain came in third. In second place was the Four Seasons, which had the highest rank in the food category. (Peninsula won the other four categories.) Next up was Ritz-Carlton and fifth was Starwood's Luxury Collection.
So what really matters to these travelers? Here the list wasn't so radically different than the TripAdvisor survey's. Location was the most important, at 88% of respondents. This was followed by comfortable beds, price, security, service, and high-speed Internet access. All the other items received less than 40%, with the business center, spa, and bars/lounges pulling up the rear. They were ranked as "very important" by 10% of respondents or less.
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by NatalieWW
Last week we pointed to the results of a TripAdvisor 
