Travel + Leisure's Best Hotels in the World Includes 16 Hawaii Properties

_{Orchid Suite Living Room at Halekulani, on the Beach at Waikiki}

Travel + Leisure magazine has released their 2010 list of the 500 best hotels in the world. This is always a highly anticipated list since the rankings are determined by votes of the magazine's readers.

The 2010 list includes 16 hotels/resorts in Hawaii incorporating five separate Hawaiian Islands.

Leading the way as the top rated hotel and also placing number 42 in the entire list is Halekulani on Oahu which should come as no surprise to the hotels loyal visitors. Halekulani scored a superb 91.81 out of a maximum 100 points.

Long considered one of the top hotels in the world, Halekulani, on the beach at Waikiki, is a calm, sophisticated oasis that retains all of its long-held iconic charm and distinctive qualities, yet has still been able to adapt well to the hi-tech and faster paced world that we live in today. You can read my full review of this outstanding hotel.

Joining Halekulani and also representing the island of Oahu is the Kahala Hotel & Resort scoring 84.82 points. The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers a peaceful and scenic alternative to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, yet remains close enough to Waikiki and downtown Honolulu that visitors can still enjoy the numerous local attractions and entertainment. You can read my full review of this hotel.

The Big Island of Hawaii is represented by four outstanding properties: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu (90.67), Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel (84.71), Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows (83.40), and the Fairmont Orchid (82.41).

Representing the island of Kauai on this year's list is the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (83.46).

The island of Lana'i's two luxury resorts both made this year's list: Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay (86.67) and the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele (86.43).

The island of Maui has the largest number of Hawaii hotels/resorts making the world's top 500, with 7 properties on the list: the Hotel Hana-Maui (89.74), the Four Seasons Resort, Maui at Wailea (87.65), the Fairmont Kea Lani (86.48), the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua (85.06), the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa (83.10), the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (82.60), and the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (82.43).

All of these resorts represent the best of what Hawaii has to offer in terms of excellent accomodations, superb service and lots of amenities.

You can view the entire 2010 list of the 500 best hotels in the world at Travel + Leisure's website.