Five of Covington’s Luxury Vacation Advisors attended the 28th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas this August. This event is the world’s premier luxury travel showcase that brings together over 5,000 Virtuoso advisors and elite hospitality partners to network and learn from one another. One of the most anticipated events of Travel Week is the announcement of the winners of Virtuoso’s Best of the Best hotel awards.

The Best of the Best awards are based on a survey of more than 11,400 Virtuoso travel agents across more than 390 travel agencies. Winners were announced at the exquisitely presented Hotel & Resorts Dinner attended by 1,600 top advisors. 10 Best of the Best hotel categories range from most innovative guest experience to sustainable tourism leadership.

This year’s Best of the Best winners are:

Hotel of the Year: Borgo Egnazia, Savellerti di Fasano, Italy – Set among olive groves and made entirely of local stone by skilled masters, this resort embodies the true essence of Puglia. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and one dinner for two.

Best Achievement in Design: Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. – Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the six block Faena District balances art, architecture, nature and technology, into a neighborhood that you won’t need to leave. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 resort credit.

Best Culinary Experience: The Farmhouse Restaurant, Farmhouse Inn, California, U.S. – This 25-room boutique inn nestled in Sonoma wine country boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, three-course breakfasts, and complimentary VIP experiences with 12 winery partners. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 spa credit.

Best Bar: The Gold Bar, New York EDITION, New York, U.S. – Within a hotel inspired by the private clubs of 1920s Manhattan, the aptly named Gold Bar, made entirely of 24-karat gold leaf, specializes in creative cocktails. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 hotel credit.

Best Family Program: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – In Central Mexico’s oldest town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this resort’s kids’ club introduces children to the local culture through making piñatas, papier-mâché masks, and ceramics. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 spa credit.

Best Spa: T Spa, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy – In the heart of Lake Como, this Iconic Art Nouveau palace houses the panoramic T Spa within an 18th-century Villa, complete with infinity pool overlooking Lake Como, Espa treatments, and a white marble Hammam Suite. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily, a 25-minute spa treatment, a wine tasting once during stay, and complimentary entrance to Villa Carlotta and its gardens.

Most Innovative Guest Experience: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil – The only hotel within the Iguaçu National Park offers guests exclusive access to the falls just two minutes’ stroll away each morning before the park opens. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and one-way private airport transfers.

Sustainable Tourism Leadership: andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – This hand-built resort and reserve shelters an abundance of wildlife, including South Africa’s fourth-largest cheetah population and the Rhinos without Borders project, as well as supporting numerous partnerships that benefit the local community. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily, a private dinner for two, and a travel journal and shoulder bag.

One to Watch: Hotel Eden Rome, Dorchester Collection, Rome, Italy – This historic property, just a short walk from the Spanish Steps, closed for extensive renovations in 2015 and is scheduled
to reopen in early 2017. With the atmosphere of an elegant private home and reputation for impeccable service, it is prized among discerning travelers. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 dining credit.

Hotelier of the Year: José Silva – Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, France – In just two years as General Manager, Silva has made his mark on the iconic Paris hotel by introducing flower-arranging classes, concierge-led jogging, designing four exquisite new suites, and opening a new casual Mediterranean restaurant. Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily.

If only the best of the best will do for your next vacation, Covington’s Virtuoso Luxury Advisors have exactly what you need!