Harper's Top Hideaways

The Abbaye de la Bussiere in Burgundy. Winner of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway of the Year.
I love Andrew Harper. What Rober M. Parker is to wine, Harper is to luxury travel. (Full disclosure: I edit Parker’s weekly wine column in Businessweek. Call me biased. The man is a genius.) But a hotel getting a rave review from Harper is just like a wine getting a 95 from Parker; it automatically launches it into the stratosphere. When Harper’s newsletter—Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report—arrives every month, I eagerly rip open the envelope because I know I will be getting what is arguably some of the best—and most original—travel recommendations in the business. I was particularly pleased when his January newsletter landed on my desk today because in it he lists his 2008 Grand Award Winners. But don’t expect to read about any Four Seasons here. These are “relatively small in size and possess a relaxing atmosphere and…demonstrate a consistent devotion to personal service.” To get a synopsis of the ‘08 winners, read on.

U.S./Canada
--Wheatleigh (Lenox, Mass.)
--The Resort at Paws Up (Greenough, Mont.)
--The Heritage House (Mendocino, Calif.)
--Wickaninnish Inn (Tofino, B.C., Can.)

Mexico/Caribbean
--Casa de Sierra Nevada (San Migeul de Allende, Mex.)
--Hacienda de San Antonio (Colima, Mex.
--Carlisle Bay (Antigua)

Brazil
--Convento do Carmo (Salvador)
--Pousada Maravilha (Fernando de Noronha)

Italy
--Hotel Caruso (Ravello)
--J.K. Place (Capri)
--Masseria San Domenico (Savelletri di Fasano)

France/Spain
--Abbaye de la Bussiere (Burgundy)
--Hegia (Biarritz, France)
--Hotel Marques de Riscal (Elciego, Spain)

Scotland
--Cringletie House (Peebles)
--Minmore House (Glenlivet)

Southern Africa
--Little Ongava (Namibia)
--Shumba Camp (Zambia)

South Asia/Japan
--Amankora (Bhutan)
--Gora Kadan (Hakone, Japan)

Australia/New Zealand
--Capella Lodge (Lord Howe Island, Aus.)
--Claremont Estate (Waipara, N.Z.)

Harper also cites his favorite restaurants of the year. They are: Eleven Madison Park in NYC (Bravo Danny Meyer!); Maison Pic in Valence, France; Arzak, gustatory genius Juan Mari Arzak's eponymous eatery in San Sebastian, Spain; West in Vancouver, Canada; and Aria in Sydney, Australia.

If you want to read Harper's comments about all these places you're going to have to pay for it, though. His newsletter is private and costs $499 per year.