Mr & Mrs Smith unveil the
Sexiest Bedroom in the World…

...at the Smith Hotel Awards 2014

It’s one of a kind, utterly seductive and positively aphrodisiacal – it’s Water Villa 5 at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam. The ocean-perched thatched hideaway was named ‘Sexiest Bedroom in the World’ at boutique hotel specialist Mr & Mrs Smith’s second annual Smith Hotel Awards event, held last night at Bankside Vaults in London, UK.

Comedian and broadcaster Sue Perkins, BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney, Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, writer and presenter Anna Richardson, chef Sophie Michell and fashion and lifestyle bloggers Sasha Wilkins (Liberty London Girl) and Ella Catliff (La Petite Anglaise) joined Smith co-founders James and Tamara Lohan, hundreds of hoteliers and a whole host of hotel lovers for the big reveal. DJ Norman Jay provided the soundtrack while guests supped SipSmith’s G&Ts from cocktail carts and played selfie scandal in a bed-turned-photobooth installation provided by Designers Guild (believed to be a world first).

Water Villa Number 5 beat off strong contenders including runners-up Suite 57 at the Viceroy New York, sitting on the hotel’s 28th floor for views over Central Park; and the Roccia Suite at Bellevue Syrene in Italy (described by awards judge Jessie Ware as ‘like a sexed-up Downton Abbey’).

‘When we started Smith in 2003, we set out to find the very best boutique hotels in the UK. Over the last 11 years, we’ve taken that mission all over the world, so this list of 2014 award-winners really does represent the best of the best on the global hotel scene. Choosing from such incredible hotels is a tough job, of course, which is why we asked the public to help, and thanks to them and our panel of specialist judges, we think we’ve arrived at the ultimate hotlist.‘

– James Lohan, Co-founder, Mr & Mrs Smith

Intended to celebrate the most remarkable boutique hotels across the world, the Smith Hotel Awards 2014 pitted more than 950 hotels in the Smith collection head to head in 12 specially selected categories, including Hottest Hotel Bar, Best Hotel Pool, Best Hotel Restaurant and, of course, the coveted title of Best Smith Hotel 2014 (congratulations to Brazil’s Uxua Casa).

More than 20,000 members of the hotel-loving public voted for their favourite stays throughout September, after which shortlists were put to a panel of three specialist judges in each category, including writer and presenter Mariella Frostrup, chef Marcus Wareing, burlesque star Immodesty Blaize, presenter and writer Anna Richardson and singer-songwriter Jessie Ware.
 

2014 SMITH HOTEL AWARD WINNERS

Best-Dressed Hotel (in partnership with Designers Guild)

WINNER El Fenn, Morocco

‘As discreet as it is decadent’ – Jodie Harrison, Mr Porter style maven

Runners-up Portrait Firenze, Florence | Saffire, Australia

Sexiest Bedroom in the World (in partnership with Kiki de Montparnasse)

WINNER Water Villa 5 at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam

‘Private pool, sunset cruise, rustic chic, no doors, ladder into the sea, paradise found!’ – Immodesty Blaize, burlesque performer

Runners-up Suite 58 at Viceroy New York | The Roccia Suite at Bellevue Syrene, Italy

Hottest Hotel Bar (in partnership with SipSmith)

WINNER The NoMad Hotel, US

‘Serious atmosphere and custom-designed cocktail carts let guests mix their own drinks tableside – what’s not to love?’ – James Lohan, Mr & Mrs Smith

Runners-up Ohla Hotel, Spain | Shoreditch Rooms, UK

Best Hotel Restaurant (in partnership with Fentimans)

WINNER Hartnett, Holder & Co at Lime Wood, UK

‘Lime Wood showcases England at its best, delivering refined quality on every level.’– Marcus Wareing

Runners-up Lake House, Australia | La Bastide de Moustiers, France

Best Spa Hotel (in partnership with Malin + Goetz)

WINNER House Spa at Dormy House, Cotswolds

‘A relaxing, rejuvenating all round luxurious spa experience set against a beautiful Cotswolds backdrop’ – Lisa Stokes, The Spa Spy

Runners-up Como Shambhala Estate, Bali | Fusion Maia Resort, Vietnam

The Eco Award (in partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation)

WINNER Sal Salis, Australia

‘100% solar power is pretty special. It does mean no internet, but that makes this the perfect retreat for anyone after a digital detox’ – Juliet Kinsman, Mr & Mrs Smith

Runners-up Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, Italy | Cuixmala, Mexico

Best for Families (in partnership with Trunki)

WINNER Emirates Wolgan Valley, Australia

‘I love the bushcraft and survival skills – it’s ultimate luxury but very back-to-nature’ – James Lohan, Mr & Mrs Smith

Runners-up Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji | Castiglion del Bosco, Italy

Best Budget Hotel (in partnership with Graham & Green)

WINNER 1888 Hotel, Sydney Australia

‘A new-meets-old aesthetic and properly good value’ – Wayne Hemingway, designer

Runners-up Brody House, Hungary | Ekies All Senses Resort, Greece

Best Hotel Pool (in partnership with Heidi Klein)

WINNER Monastero Santa Rosa, Italy

‘Monastero’s infinity pool has it all – peace, beauty, excitement and intrigue.’ – Adam Brown, Orlebar Brown

Runners-up Eagles Nest, New Zealand | Cap Estel, France

Above & Beyond (in partnership with Avis)

WINNER Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia

‘They've mastered the art of “relaxed yet nothing is too much trouble"’ – Juliet Kinsman, Mr & Mrs Smith

Runners-up No 131, UK | One&Only The Palm, UAE

Best Newcomer (in partnership with Music Concierge)

WINNER Ham Yard Hotel, London

‘For its rooftop garden, basement bowling and fun attitude that attracts everyone, not just guests.’ – Henrietta Thompson, Wallpaper*

Runners-up The Pig – on the Beach, UK | Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, US

Best Smith Hotel 2014

WINNER  Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa, Bahia, Brazil

‘What could be more blissful than a beautiful beach hotel with stand-out personality, fantastic food, a come-to-me spa and a proper sense of place?’ – Sophie Lam, The Independent

Runners-up Qualia, Australia | Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali

Images: Images of the winning hotels can be downloaded here.