Travelore News: Hotel Matilda Earns Top-Five Ranking in Mexico In Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

The votes are in, and one of San Miguel de Allende’s most vibrant cultural hubs is once again basking in the global spotlight. Condé Nast Traveler has officially unveiled the results of its highly anticipated 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, and Hotel Matilda has proudly earned the No. 5 ranking among the best hotels in Mexico.

Category: A Contemporary Oasis in a Colonial City

While San Miguel de Allende is globally revered for its preserved colonial, baroque, and neoclassical architecture, Hotel Matilda has always dared to be different. The boutique property acts as a sleek, modern counterpoint to the city’s historic cobblestone streets. Known for its straight white exterior lines and an eclectic, museum-worthy collection of contemporary art (featuring masterpieces by Bosco Sodi, Aldo Chaparro, and a replica of Diego Rivera's portrait of the owner's mother, Matilda), the 32-room adults-only hideaway has redefined luxury in the region since its opening.

Category: Award-Winning Dining and Wellness

A significant driver of Hotel Matilda’s enduring popularity with Condé Nast Traveler readers is its multisensory approach to hospitality. The property is home to Moxi, a restaurant that delivers a vibrant dining experience by fusing bold Mediterranean flavors with local Mexican ingredients. For cocktail enthusiasts, the poolside Monkey Bar offers innovative mixology in a highly stylish setting.

Beyond culinary excellence, the hotel provides a tranquil escape with its acclaimed Spa, inviting pool, and sophisticated relaxation spaces—proving that you don't need a sprawling resort footprint to deliver world-class wellness amenities.

Category: San Miguel de Allende's Continued Reign

Hotel Matilda’s top-five placement is a testament not only to the property’s unwavering standard of "white-glove" Latin hospitality but also to the enduring magic of San Miguel de Allende itself. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site that continuously attracts artists, writers, and luxury travelers from across the globe, the city remains a crown jewel of Mexican tourism.

For travelers planning their next high-end escape south of the border, Hotel Matilda’s latest accolade serves as a perfect reminder: sometimes the best way to experience history is from the comfort of a cutting-edge contemporary masterpiece.

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The Ultimate Island Hideaway: What to Expect At Robert De Niro’s Nobu Beach Inn

Over thirty years ago, a quiet moment on the pristine shores of Barbuda left a lasting impression on Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro. Now, that vision is finally coming to life. Set to open between late 2026 and 2027, the highly anticipated Nobu Beach Inn is poised to redefine barefoot luxury in the Caribbean.

Developed in partnership with billionaire James Packer, Daniel Shamoon, and the powerhouse Nobu Hospitality team, this new resort and residential community will anchor the 400-acre The Beach Club, Barbuda. For luxury travelers and prospective buyers, here is what you need to know about this spectacular new hideaway.

A Castaway Vibe on Princess Diana Beach

The Nobu Beach Inn is taking shape on the site of the former K Club on Barbuda’s southwest coast, nestled along a two-mile stretch of pink-crushed sand known as Princess Diana Beach. Designed to preserve the island's secluded, castaway appeal, the low-density, 17-bungalow boutique resort will feature just 36 bedrooms. The architecture, crafted with natural and sustainable materials, ensures that the single-story structures blend seamlessly into the lush mangroves and tropical gardens, purposefully maintaining a low-impact footprint on the island's delicate ecosystem.

World-Class Nobu Dining and Amenities

As expected from a Nobu property, culinary excellence is at the heart of the experience. The resort’s Social Area will feature a signature Nobu restaurant, a beachfront grill, and an intimate omakase sushi bar. An on-site organic farm will provide seasonal produce, keeping the menu fresh and highly localized.

Beyond dining, guests and homeowners will have access to a robust array of amenities, including a beachfront spa with garden pavilions, an ocean-front pool, state-of-the-art tennis and padel courts, and an outdoor cinema. The property will also feature a curated Beach Club offering all-day dining and sunset DJ sets, ensuring a perfect balance between quiet relaxation and elevated island lifestyle.

Eco-Conscious Off-Grid Luxury

Environmental sustainability isn't just a buzzword for this project; it is the foundation. The entire property is designed to operate completely off the grid. Clean energy systems, including large-scale solar arrays and battery storage, will power the resort. Fresh water will be supplied through a reverse-osmosis plant drawing from on-site wells, while greywater will be carefully repurposed for irrigation. De Niro and his partners have also committed to a full-fledged community improvement program aimed at supporting Barbuda’s local economy and preserving its rare natural beauty.

Owning a Piece of Paradise

For those looking to make their Caribbean escape permanent, the project offers highly exclusive real estate opportunities. The Nobu Beach Inn Residences will feature 27 bespoke beachfront homes ranging from four to five bedrooms. Starting at $12 million, these turnkey residences offer complete access to Nobu’s world-class concierge, in-residence dining, and property management services. For ultimate privacy, The Beach Club Estates offer expansive six-acre plots with nearly 500 feet of private shoreline, starting at $15 million.

Whether you are planning a future stay or eyeing a spectacular Caribbean investment, the Nobu Beach Inn represents a major evolution for Barbuda—marrying its unspoiled tranquility with the globally renowned essence of Nobu.

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Boutique Hotel Winners Of The Hotels.Com Loved By Guests Awards 2016

 Sometimes you just can’t beat a boutique hotel, they may be small in size but they’re certainly mighty in their appeal. This selection of boutique hotels from around the world recently took home the ‘Best for Boutique’* awards from the prestigious Hotels.com® Loved by Guests Awards 2016.  

 

Hotel guests are the judges in this annual awards program from Hotels.com. Pulled from almost 20 million genuine and trusted reviews from guests who have actually checked-in, the Loved by Guests awards recognizes those hotels who have achieved the best average guest review rating. 50 hotels worldwide have received the ‘Best for Boutique’ award and here’s the pick of the bunch that will make you want to bed-down boutique on your next trip:

The Culver Hotel in California
Review Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on Hotels.com

Built in 1924 this uniquely shaped flatiron building was once owned by movie star John Wayne and whilst he was more famous for his westerns, today this 4-star artfully designed hotel oozes vintage glamour, a European edge and a romantic cinematic history. Movie stars and former presidents have stayed in this architectural gem in downtown Culver City, so every room has a story. Today, this 46 bedroom manor hotel has created the perfect balance between classic and modern as the rooms feature crystal chandeliers, antique armoires and reinvented vintage finds artfully paired with contemporary custom made pieces. Rooms available from $271** per room per night.

The Anglers Miami South Beach, a Kimpton Hotel
Review Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on Hotels.com
Live the South Beach lifestyle with a stay at The Anglers Hotel - an exclusive getaway in bustling Miami. Moments from all the action of Miami Beach, this is a sun-trap sanctuary with its intimate grounds full of cozy enclaves, lush gardens, a sumptuous pool and rooftop terraces. The 45 rooms are effortlessly elegant, some even come with private hot tubs, outdoor showers and sun decks. Rooms available from $188 per room per night.

 

Sundial Boutique Hotel in Whistler
Review Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on Hotels.com
Explore Canada before you move and this 4-star hotel is a great way to figure out whether or not you’re packing up your home come November. Located in the heart of Whistler Village and just a snowball's throw from the Whistler Blackcomb mountain gondolas, this hotel is renowned for its personalized service and incredible location, this all-suite hotel with its 49 rooms reflects the natural ambiance of British Columbia’s wilderness.  With its rooftop hot tub you can take a break from skiing in the winter to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings. Rooms available from $114 per room per night.

The top ten ‘Best for Boutique’ award winners to suit every traveler’s taste:

1.       Montalcino, Italy - Castello di Velona SPA Resort & Winery  

·         4.7 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $484 per room per night

2.       Florence, Italy - Hotel L'Orologio

·         4.7 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $184 per room per night

3.       Culver City, California - The Culver Hotel

·         4.6 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $271 per room per night

4.       Miami, Florida - The Anglers Miami South Beach, a Kimpton Hotel

·         4.6 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $188 per room per night

5.       Krabi, Thailand - Nakamanda Resort and Spa

·         4.6 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $131 per room per night

6.       Whistler, Canada - Sundial Boutique Hotel

·         4.6 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $114 per room per night

7.       Vienna, Austria - Saint Shermin

·         4.6 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $103 per room per night

8.       Barcelona, Spain - Hotel Bagues

·         4.5 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $244 per room per night

9.       Berlin, Germany - Hotel Gendarm Nouveau  

·         4.5 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $100 per room per night

10.   Bangkok, Thailand - Praya Palazzo

·         4.5 out of 5 guest review rating on Hotels.com

·         From $91 per room per night

All of these stunning, award-winning boutique hotels, plus hundreds of thousands more, can be booked online via Hotels.com or through the mobile app available for IOS, Android, Windows and Amazon Kindle devices, where customers will also have access to special Secret Prices*** to save even more on their next stay away.

For more information on all the winners in the Hotels.com Loved by Guests Awards 2016, click here.

10 Of The Best Boutique Hotel Websites

The eco-retreat of Bambu Indah in Ubud, Bali, part of the i-escape collection

Whether it’s boutique B&Bs, budget pads, treehouses, or a glamorous hotel, these accommodation websites save you the trouble of trawling through endless internet listings

i-escape

Boutique accommodation website i-escape has a collection of more than 1,500 hotels, B&Bs, villas and guesthouses (in more than 50 countries) with destinations as diverse as Argentina, Zanzibar, Malaysia and Montenegro and prices ranging from budget to luxury. The site maintains that quality, rather than quantity, is the main focus and of all the properties that apply to be on the site only a few – such as the gorgeous Bambu Indah in Ubud, Bali, (from £63 per room a night) – will make the cut. There is also a dedicated Kids’ Collection for travelling families.
• i-escape.com

Doris and Dicky

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 Riad Al Jazira, Marrakech

This is a new website offering a handpicked collection of 500 affordable-but-chic hotels. Its philosophy of boutique on a budget – the average price band is around £100 a night – applies to everything from European city breaks to South American adventures. Each property in the portfolio has been chosen on merit and assessed by a team of anonymous reviewers. There are luxurious bargains to be had, such as a room in the atmospheric Riad Al Jazira in Marrakech from £64.77. It’s the perfect site for anyone who wants affordable style without spending ages trawling through long lists of hotel results.
• dorisanddicky.com

GoUnusual

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 Cabanes Sister treehouse outside Bilbao

GoUnusual features 345 hotels ranging price-wise from free (it has two hotels that simply ask for a donation) to one that costs £16,000 for exclusive use. Geographically, it covers everywhere except Antarctica, though apparently it is chasing the McMurdo base to try and find a location there. Its motto, “life less ordinary”, has led its team of contributors and freelancers to seek out travel experiences that make guests feel part of an adventure or a story linked to the places they visit. If, for instance, you’re looking for a kip in an igloo in Finland orthis treehouse near Bilbao in northern Spain. 
• unusualhotelsoftheworld.com

Chic Retreats

 Ilha de Toque Toque in Brazil

The clue’s in the name: Chic Retreats curates beautifully designed hotels, villas and guesthouses subdivided into helpful collections such as budget chic, eco chic and safari chic (not to mention “hide and chic” if you’re really keen to get away from the crowds). There are about 700 places from which to choose, with prices ranging from £50 to £1,500 a night, depending on whether it is a pousada in Brazil, such as Ilha de Toque Toque (£83 a night), or a luxury suite in Rome.
• chicretreats.com

Mr & Mrs Smith

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 Brody House, Budapest

A company specialising in stylish boutique hotels, with a reputation for providing comfortable luxury, whether on a smaller budget or at a price. It only works with places that the team has visited personally. It was founded by London-based couple James and Tamara Lohan after they booked a romantic break and were disappointed with a characterless, uninspiring result. They decided to launch a booking service focusing on those quirky, charismatic, smaller independent hotels, such as Brody House in Budapest (£48.17 a night), which can be so difficult to root out amid a slew of internet listings.
• mrandmrssmith.com

Sawday’s

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The Marulivo hotel in Pisciotta, Salerno is a 14th century monestary with sea views.

Family-run company Sawday’s promises to provide more than just a bed for a night; its emphasis on hotels that champion the local, the personal and the authentic, as opposed to the bland and the corporate, is underpinned by a commitment to sustainability. Founder Alastair – who has now passed the baton to his son – was a Green party candidate and it shows. All the hotels and guesthouses on offer have committed to source the food offered to guests from local, independent producers. Prices range from around €60 a night into the hundreds, with locations in Britain, France, Ireland, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
• sawdays.co.uk

Further Afield

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 Villa Mazamet, France

Further Afield began in 2010 at the time of the furore around gay couples being denied B&B accommodation in the UK. Its aim has always been to create a stylish collection of places to stay: small hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation both in cities and off the beaten track, which welcome everyone – gay, lesbian or straight. Many, such as the Villa Mazamet in the traditional French market town of Mazamet in the Midi-Pyrénées, are affordably priced (rooms from £80 a night). Its collection includes more than 270 properties across the world but with a focus on the UK, France, Spain, Greece and Italy. Prices range from £75 to over £500 a night.
• furtherafield.com

Chateaux and Hotels Collection

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L’auberge de la Source, part of the Chateaux and Hotels Collection

This site should be the first port of call for those who have always dreamed of a fairytale stay in a French castle. This collection of independently owned unique and boutique properties caters to all budgets, with prices ranging from €70 to €400 a night. The collection currently covers France, Italy, Mauritius, Germany, Maldives, Belgium, Austria, Spain, and Hungary – with most of the properties in France. For travelling gourmands, the site has also collated a network of top-class restaurants.
• chateauxhotels.co.uk

Boutique and Breakfast

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 Old Whyly, Lewes

“The definitive guide to the most desirable Bed and Breakfast and self-catering accommodation throughout the UK”, has 129 properties on its website. The majority are stylish B&Bs such as Old Whyly in Lewes, East Sussex, which is a Grade II-listed Georgian manor house complete with pool (from £85 a night). There is also a small selection of self-catering and sleep-and-dine properties. Price bands vary with rates starting from £55 to £325 a night and beyond. The site features properties throughout the UK but there is a concentration of properties in the south-west (Devon and Cornwall), the south-east (Hampshire and Sussex), Wales, the north-east and Scotland.
• boutiqueandbreakfast.com

Paradores and Pousadas

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 View From a parador in Toledo, central Spain. Photograph: Nik Wheeler/Corbis

The Spanish Paradores scheme was established by the government in 1928 and allows you to book hotels converted from fine historic buildings such as castles, convents, monasteries, fortresses throughout the country. The state maintains the buildings, the upkeep of which you contribute to with your fee for the room, as well as making a contribution to the local tourist economy. Pousadas are the Portuguese equivalent. Founded in 1942 on the Spanish model, though no longer owned by the state, they offer good value accommodation – often in spectacular or historic locations.
• parador.es, pousadas.pt

By Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

@rhiannonlucyc

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