The Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World 2021: Sweet 16

Onto the Sweet 16! Round 2 of The Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World contest has come to a close and only 16 luxury hotels remain.

The Sweet 16 will be open through Monday, March 29 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. You may vote in as many or as few matchups as you’d like but you may only vote once per matchup per round. Hotels are separated into four regional brackets: The Americas; Asia and Indian Ocean; Europe; and Africa, Middle East and Oceania. 

And if you need reminding: We’re looking for the best shot that anyone would be able to take during their stay at a hotel. We all know the one—it’s racking up likes and comments and people are DMing you about the stay. And, as soon as you can (and feel comfortable doing so), be sure to reach out to a travel advisor and start planning your next trip to support the industry and local communities, and, of course, take some Instagram-worthy photos. 

Have fun and good luck to all the hotels! 

The Americas

NIZUC Resort & Spa (1) vs. The Shore Club Turks & Caicos (12)

Last year’s winner and the overall No. 1 seed, NIZUC Resort & Spa, continues to take care of its competition. It moves onto the Sweet 16 after taking down The Don CeSar with 59.11 percent of the 4,666 votes cast. With the win, the hotel moves one round closer to becoming our first back-to-back champ. At NIZUC, guests can take in the views of Cancun’s white sand beaches from these nifty loungers. Throughout the resort, guests can expect fusions of Asian architectural forms with Mexican materials and Mayan iconography. 

In another close contest, The Shore Club Turks and Caicos defeated Rosewood Washington, D.C., after securing 54.39 percent of the vote. It now faces up against the reigning champion. By far the most popular location for Instagram shots at The Shore Club Turks and Caicos is on the hotel’s Colonnade Pool Swings. We can see why!

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun (14) vs. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort (2)

La Blanc Spa Resort Cancun continues its “Cinderella” run, after topping Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. It received more than two-thirds of the votes (68.29 percent) in its Round 2 matchup. While guests have myriad activities and amenities to choose from at the all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun, we would be hard-pressed to tear ourselves away from its beach-facing infinity pool. Tip: Wake up at sunrise for these views.

Another “heavy-hitter,” the No. 2-seeded Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort moves onto the Sweet 16, having earned nearly four out of every five votes (79.06 percent) in its matchup with Acre Resort + Villas. Situated at the water’s edge with views of the sea, the Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort’s main pool has become synonymous with the Los Cabos resort experience. The winding curves of the expansive infinity-edge pool add to the serene atmosphere.

Asia and Indian Ocean

Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort (1) vs. Alma Resort (4)

In its second close contest in a row, Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort ultimately took home with win. In its matchup with Aman Kyoto, it received 55.65 percent of the vote. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the East Sea, the Ray River and a mangrove forest is Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort. The most Insta-worthy spot on property is its Level Pool with its picture-perfect sun beds.

Setting up a powerhouse matchup (No. 1 versus No. 4), Alma Resort defeated Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives with 56.29 percent of the vote. This was our highest-scoring contest of the round, with over 6,000 votes cast. Will it be enough to take down the 2020 runner-up? Alma Resort is situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach. Any time we can sit back, relax, and take in views like these, we’re happy.

FCC Angkor by Avani (11) vs. The Anam (2)

Wow—was this a close contest! FCC Angkor by Avani moves onto the Sweet 16 round after defeating fellow double-digit seed ÀNI Sri Lanka by a score of 1,615 to 1,565—that’s 50.79 percent of the vote, our closest total yet. The epitome of tropical cool, this spot at the FCC Angkor by Avani in Cambodia is as much about cooling off as it is about living it up under the swaying ferns and pristine greens.

Also taking home the “W” after a close matchup in its own right, The Anam moves on after receiving 53.21 percent of the vote against Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. With a design inspired by the Indochine era, The Anam is home to beautiful reflecting ponds and swimming pools. The Anam’s open-air lobby offers this stunning view of a reflecting pond with the ocean beyond. 

Europe

Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt (9) vs. Gstaad Palace (13)

Down goes our first No. 1 seed! Going up against Ashford Castle, Hôtel Martinez, a part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt took care of business, receiving 57.84 percent of the vote. For the ultimate French Riviera experience, the most exclusive rooms and suites at Hôtel Martinez, a part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, offer views over the sea. Take in the Golfe de La Napoule from one of Hotel Martinez’s luxurious suites, complete with a decked-out and terrace.

In yet another very close contest, Gstaad Palace defeated NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi by a score of 1,117 to 1,067—that’s 51.14 percent of the vote. Gstaad Palace opened as a hotel with with turrets and mountain views over 100 years ago (in December of 1913, to be exact). While the views from the hotel are impressive, we most like this pic of the hotel.

Laqua Charme & Boutique (11) vs. InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu (10)

In a big “upset” over No. 3 seed The Dolder Grand, Laqua Charme & Boutique advances to the Sweet 16. It continues the theme of close contests from Round 2, having earned 51.06 percent of the vote. Located just outside of Sorrento, Italy, Laqua Charme & Boutique offers impressive views of the Mediterranean. Just imagine taking in the sunset while relaxing in the pool.  

Setting up our first matchup of double-digit seeds in the Sweet 16, InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu defeated Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz, with nearly seven in 10 voters siding with it (good for 69.10 percent of the vote). Located on the 1st Floor, InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu’s breathtaking Soufflot Dome towers over 230 feet high. The vibrant heart of the hotel is also home to Le Dôme bar.

Africa, Middle East and Oceania

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat (1) vs. Aga Reef Resort (4)

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat makes it three No. 1 seeds to move onto the Sweet 16. In all 60.64 percent of voters favored it over Jackalope Hotel. Located in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains on South Africa’s dramatic lesser-known west coast, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat showcases open plains, sandstone formations, ancient bush art sites dating back 10,000 years and beautiful night skies.

Aga Reef Resort took care of its competition in the early contest with another high-seeded matchup (No. 5 seed One&Only Nyungwe House) and now goes up against the regional bracket’s No. 1 seed. In Round 2, the resort earned three-quarters of the vote (75.28 percent) but faces more tough competition. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the lush green mountain backdrop of Upolu’s south coast, Aga Reef Resort is an intimate boutique resort surrounded by gorgeous Samoan scenery. For guests looking for absolute luxury, Aga Reef Resort also has an exclusive VIP villa with stunning lagoon views and a private plunge pool.

Clifftop at Hepburn (11) vs. Alila Jabal Akhdar (10)

In a big “upset,” Clifftop at Hepburn took down No. 3 seed Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort with 67.10 percent of the 3,733 votes. Clifftop at Hepburn takes luxury, tranquil escapes to a new level with its boutique, ultra-luxurious converted shipping containers. We particularly like this lounger with views both through the floor-to-ceiling window and the glass floor itself!

The last hotel to make it into the Sweet 16, and setting up our second contest between double-digit seeds in this round, is Alila Jabal Akhdar. It advanced out of Round 2 after defeating No. 2 seed Kasbah Tamadot with 54.59 percent of the vote. Alila Jabal Akhdar sits amid an alpine landscape and is perched more than 6,500 feet above sea level in Oman, making it a one-of-a-kind backdrop for guests’ Instagram feeds. Overlooking the cliff’s edge, the property’s restaurant, Juniper, has al fresco seating, where guests can view the stunning scenery and rocky exterior of the hotel.

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