Threenew accolades were introduced to the SLH Awards 2018 including Dreamiest Design Hotel which was wonby Liostasi Hotel &Suites in Greece, Most Independently Minded Experience which was awarded to Orania.Berlin and Best Family-Friendly Hotel which wasdiscerned to Gaya Island Resort in Malaysia.

Many of the categories were voted forexclusively by members of SLH's loyalty programme, INVITED, and luxury travelagents. These included The Sukhothai Shanghai (CityHotel of the Year), Blanket Bay in NewZealand (Country House Hotel of theYear) and Canaves Oia Suites (Resort Hotel of the Year), whichwas then put forward for the ultimate recognition by SLH's panel of experts -- Hotel of the Year.

Meanwhile,Cap Rocat in Mallorca, The Tokyo StationHotel inJapan and Porto Zante Villas& Spa inGreece were all deemed by SLH guests and agents to have the best spa, restaurant and suites respectively,and Casa AngelinaLifestyle on theAmalfi Coast was voted Most RomanticRetreat.

Memberhotels were also invited to submit entries to applaud their own innovation andhigh levels of service, judged by SLH's panel of experts:

• Ka'ana Resort inBelize received the Caring LuxuryAward based on its outstanding green credentials, its use of localamenities and its contribution to the local community through the creation ofscholarship funds, bathroom rehabilitation projects and an environmentalprogram
• Alvaro Herrera Gomez, Front Office Manager at Hacidenda Zorita WineHotel & Spa in Spain was awarded the HotelHero Award, for demonstrating bravery and dedication to guests duringdifficult times
• Olive Boutique Hotel in Puerto Rico received the Most Instagrammable award based onits beautiful Instagram (@theoliveexperience) shotsfeaturing accentuating blue hues and neutral colours that perfectly communicatethe luxury feel of the hotel
• Canaves Oia Hotel in Greece was awarded Best Hotel Video for "Canaves Oia --Where Time Stops" showcasing a unique cinematic style and engaging narrative that depictsthe hotel as a timeless holiday retreat.

SLH'sMystery Inspectors also had their say based on their experiences whilst stayingat each and every one of SLH hotels over the last twelve months, with Hotel Villa Carlotta in Sicily coming out top based on a combination of guest reviews,inspection scores and overall quality rating.

Theannual award to recognize a significant newcomer to the SLH family this yearwas designated to Domaine Misincu inCorsica. Since opening in July 2017, the hotel has received an unprecedentedlevel of interest, press coverage and reservations.

Jean-FrancoisFerret, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ said: "As curators of the mostindividual, intimate and intense hotel experiences around the world, we aredelighted to celebrate these exceptional hotels that showcase our independentlyminded ethos in such distinct, diverse and delightful ways."

The full list of winners and shortlistedfinalists is as follows:

• Hotel of the Year -- Canaves Oia Suites (Greece)

• City Hotel of the Year -- The Sukhothai Shanghai (China)
Shortlisted Finalists -- Le Narcisse Blanc Hôtel & Spa (France); Nimb Hotel (Denmark)

• Resort Hotel of the Year -- Canaves Oia Suites (Greece)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Stein Eriksen Residences (USA); ABBA Resorts Izu (Japan)

• Country House Hotel of the Year -- Blanket Bay (New Zealand)
ShortlistedFinalists -- LesSources de Caudalie (France); The Fish (UK)

• Best Newcomer Hotel Award -- Domaine Misincu(France)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Cape Fahn (Thailand); The Trident Hotel (Jamaica)

• Mystery Inspectors' Excellence Award -- Hotel Villa Carlotta (Italy)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences (Dominican Republic); Hotel Villa Ducale (Italy)

• Dreamiest Design Award -- Liostasi Hotel &Suites (Greece)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Hotel Lilla Roberts (Finland); TwentySeven Hotel (Netherlands)

• Hotel Hero Award -- Alvaro Herrera Gomez, Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa (Spain)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Marc Dobbels, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa (St Barthélemy)

• Caring Luxury Award -- Ka'ana Resort (Belize)
ShortlistedFinalists -- DasPosthotel (Austria); Akyra Sukhumvit Bangkok (Thailand)

• Best Gourmet Experience Award -- The Tokyo Station Hotel (Japan)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Pädaste Manor (Estonia); The Dylan Amsterdam (Netherlands)

• Best Hotel Video -- Canaves Oia Hotel(Greece)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Keemala (Thailand); Carpe Diem Santorini (Greece)

• Most Instagrammable -- Olive Boutique Hotel (Puerto Rico)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Canaves Oia Hotel (Greece); Keemala (Thailand)

• Most A-List Suite Experience -- Porto Zante Villas & Spa (Greece)
ShortlistedFinalists -- 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok (Thailand); Villa Spalletti Trivelli (Italy)  

• Most Sensational Spa -- Cap Rocat (Spain)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda (Italy); Esperanza Resort & Spa (Lithuania)

• Most Independently Minded Experience -- Orania.Berlin(Germany)
ShortlistedFinalist -- Minos Beach Art Hotel (Greece)

• Most Romantic Retreat -- Casa Angelina Lifestyle (Italy)
ShortlistedFinalists -- Le Narcisse Blanc Hôtel & Spa (France); Baros Maldives (Maldives)

• Most Family-Friendly Hotel -- Gaya IslandResort (Malaysia)
Shortlisted Finalist -- Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay (Spain)

For more information or to makea booking visit www.slh.com.

Click here for images of the winninghotels.

About Small Luxury Hotels of theWorld: Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) matchesindependently minded guests with independently spirited hotels. The diversecollection of over 500 hotels in more than 80 countries around the worldincludes everything from cutting edge design hotels and city centre sanctuariesto historic country mansions and remote private islands -- all SLH hotels areconsistently different, however, they are all united by the fact that theyoffer the best locations, highest quality, personalised service and a trulyauthentic way to discover a destination. Reservations for any SLH hotel can bemade online via www.slh.com, SLH's mobile app, contacting atravel agent or calling our reservationsoffice.