The Best New Hotels in the World: 2019 Hot List
"This Taj outpost is set on Havelock, an Indian island closer to Myanmar than its mother country, with dense forests and beautiful beaches. And this hotel has both: In front of it, two miles of pale, floury sand drops gently into a sapphire sea, and soaring above it are jungles of giant mahua and padauk trees that have stood here for centuries. Amid the palm trees and ponds of the landscaped, 46-acre estate are 50 contemporary villas, with whitewashed wooden walls and curvaceous roofs inspired by the homes of the indigenous Jarawa tribe. All have muslin-draped four-posters and deep bathtubs from which to admire the stars through glass-paneled ceilings. Most guests spend their days reclining on day-beds beside the Olympic-length pool, swimming in the Indian Ocean, or propping up on the long bar, chatting to the friendly staff who whip up coconut cocktails and serve sensationally light crab salads, tandoor lobster, and chicken baked in bamboo stems. For the more active there’s fishing for tuna, paddle-boarding to remote beaches, snorkeling in the clear sea, and hiking in the interior with expert naturalists; others might prefer an Ayurvedic treatment in Jiva spa. No one can fail to be impressed. FLASH POINT The waters in the mangroves surrounding Havelock are rich in phosphorescent algae: go kayaking on a moonless night for the full Tinkerbell effect. +91 22-6665-1198, tajhotels.com; doubles from about $710." - CNT Editors