Best hotel in the world in northern NSW
Australians looking for the best hotel in the world needn’t go that far.
Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach, located in northern NSW about an hour’s drive south of Brisbane, has been named the world’s best hotel in the hotel booking website Mr & Mrs Smith’s annual awards.
1000 properties were listed on the luxury accommodation website from all around the world and Halcyon House received a mind boggling 25,000-plus votes.
Mr & Mrs Smth also commissioned fashion photographer Polly Brown to document the 12 winning hotels.
The awards are based on anonymous reviews left by paying guests. And once collaborated, they are handed to a judging panel of experts.
Judges for the award were British fashion designers Charlotte Olympia Dellal and Henry Holland; Sydney design duo Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy and Melbourne-based jewellery designer Lucy Folk who crowned 11 boutique beauties in a range of other categories, from World’s Sexiest Bedroom to Best Date-Night Bar and Pool with a View.
The 21-room former surfer’s motel only has come a long way since it opened last year.
Apart from winning the Best Smith Hotel award, it’s also picked up a spot on Conde Nast Traveler’s Best New Hotels in the World 2016 list.
And then there are the 75,000 followers it has clocked up on Instagram.
The Mr & Mrs Smith awards also recognised another Australian property.
‘As the only category voted for by the public, Best Smith Hotel is a serious accolade,’’ James Lohan, Founder and Executive Chairman, Mr & Mrs Smith told news.com.au.
“Halcyon House burst on to the scene as a new opening last year, and has since become one of the most impressive boltholes on our books. With its good looks and down to earth charm, it’s a well deserved winner.”
Sydney’s Old Clare Hotel, with its two on-site restaurants, won the Best Gourmet Getaway award.
by Leon Gettler, January 16th 2017
