The judges for The Best New Hotels in the World awards whittled down their list to 44 hotels and resorts from an extensive list and selected for a variety of reasons. Some were chosen for design, others for their culinary offerings and others for unbeatable location.  The judges were looking at the service, decor and amenities at each property but more to the point they were looking for something special. 

The 2017 'It List' covers 31 countries and six continents including Oman, Nepal and the United States. Closer to home The QT in Melbourne and Helena Bay on the North Island of New Zealand were all listed in the final cut.

The list includes budget-friendly accommodation such as The Robey in Chicago and the Atix Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia along side luxury hotels like the revamped Ritz Paris.

The U.S based Travel and Leisure website summerise the reason that The QT in Melbourne was a winner, 'A refreshing irreverence makes QT Melbourne unique in the city. The lobby’s wingbacks and stuffed peacock set the tone; rooms are industrial-lite. Expect the unexpected, like saucy comments from the elevator voice and exuberant service that verges on the theatrical.'

Helena Bay on the North Island of New Zealand was described by Travel and Leisure as, 'The setting of this resort is immaculate, from the sheltered bay to the perfectly pruned gardens. The kind of conscientious care you’ll get is clear from the staff-to-guest ratio alone: 53 employees for a maximum of only 10 visitors.' 

See full story here: The Best New Hotels in the World