Winter is such a joyous time. The holidays, the parties, the festive spirit. And as social gatherings have mostly been put on hold for the past two years, this festive season will likely see multigenerational family reunions and dear friends coming together to celebrate missed milestones and make up for lost time.
And so you and your clan might be looking for a splendid suite for your soirÊe, or for a romantic getaway for you and your beloved. Our Top 100 Suites list, an annual collection of the crème de la crème, is here to help. But this year has seen a substantial change in the compilation of this list.
For the past decade or so, the same big hitters have dominated this sphere thanks to downright decadent accommodations and spectacular amenities (think: firework displays from a huge private infinity pool, suites that lie 16 ft under the Indian Ocean, or 18th-century frescoes painted by an Italian master artist). While youâll still find those firm favorites, a number of others have not made the list for the simple reason that they do not have a single, notable eco-friendly practice in place. Many are in the process of implementing such practices, but if they arenât up and running then you wonât find them on these pages.
And itâs not always the sexy, impressive stuff (like reverse water osmosis or hydroelectricity) that matters, but sometimes programs such as commuter buses for staff to reduce car usage (as seen at Viceroy Los Cabos) or ensuring that if you hold an event, be it a wedding, a business conference or a raucous birthday party, then carbon emissions will be offset (like at Kempinski Vienna). These values ensure that sustainability, community and environmental issues are not just a passing trend but are woven into each hotelâs fabric.
Hotel suite sorted; the next item on the agenda: how to get to your destination. Doug Gollan looks at sustainability in the skiesâat the big-name aviation giants that have announced âfaster and deeper initiatives,â revealing carbon neutral plans (and in some cases, emissions neutral). Elsewhere in this issue, Becca Hensley steps back in time with a look at the most historic hotels in the USâfrom âThe Del,â Hotel del Coronado in California, a resort that emanates 1950s wholesomeness and has hosted many a famous guest (Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney and Charlie Chaplin, to name a few), to The Hermosa Inn in Arizona, hand-built by a larger-than-life cowboy artist. If the walls could talkâŚ
And since âtis the season, Alex Martin compiles the best whisky releases of the last year (if youâre looking to spoil yourself), including an incredibly special bottle with a $3m price tag. Prefer bubbles? Cheers with a clear conscienceâElin McCoy looks at green Champagne and MoĂŤt Hennessyâs valiant sustainability efforts. Weâll drink to that.
Samantha Coles
Editor
samantha.coles@elitetraveler.com
Read Elite Travelerâs Winter 2021/22 issue here
Discover
Object of desire
Penfolds celebrates its 70th anniversary by marrying two of lifeâs greatest pleasures.
Motoring
Alexandra Cheney proves that summer isnât the only season for drop tops.
Cruises
Becca Hensley rounds up the most exciting wellness-focused cruise launches.
Yachts
Miriam Cain discovers J Craftâs elegant yet powerful Torpedo.
Design
Lust over the horological labor of love that took eight years to complete.
Menâs watches
Discover the coolest pilot watches on the market.
Womenâs watches
Browse the most functional yet glamorous chronographs.
Wine
Sustainability in Champagne means that you can raise a guilt-free glass of bubbly this holiday season.
Spirits
Alex Martin curates a guide to some of the most exceptional liquids of the past year â including bottles that surpass the million-dollar mark.
Jewelry
Orla Pentelow brings a special selection of pearls, gems and more for this issueâs Jewelry pages.
Influence
The big interview
Roberta Naas talks to one of the most daring climbers, Jimmy Chin, and discovers what heâs learned from his life-and-death experiences.
A day in the life ofâŚ
Nick Troubetzkoy, founder and owner of some of the finest eco-friendly resorts in the Caribbean, speaks to Sophie Killip about his life in St Lucia.
Craftsmanship
While every FP Journe watch is made with extraordinary precision, the Astronomic Souveraine is perhaps its most impressive achievement.
Inspire
Top 100 suites
Itâs here â our annual guide to the most splendid suites on Earth. This year, with an acute focus on sustainability and those that give back to the communities in which they reside.
Top jets
Discover the industry leaders moving private aviation towards a more sustainable future.
Explore
Top hotels
From an ever-evolving classic in Colorado to a hand-built inn in Arizona, these are the hotels in the US that are as historic as they are spectacular.
Destination guide
Beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine and the famed âCaymankindâ hospitality âmake the Cayman Islands the top of your Caribbean destination list with this all-encompassing guide.
The hot list
From a glamorous old favorite with a grand new suite to a winter wonderland in Russia â this issueâs Hot List is all about the worldâs greatest rail journeys.
Property
With an exceptional home by an award-winning architect and an abode with a seriously fun feature, this issueâs real estate showcases the best of the best in the Americas.
Flight of fancy
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon to watch a famous light show.
Read Elite Travelerâs Winter 2021/22 issue here
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