Fairmont Royal Pavilion
St James, Barbados · Fairmont
Every room faces the sea, and this sea is the whole argument: calm, clear and ten steps from your balcony.
Independent, First-Hand Reviews
Hotel Reviews
Every hotel on these pages has been slept in, dined in and scored by our editors — 159 in-depth reviews and counting.
Rosewood Sanya
Sanya, China · Rosewood
Haitang Bay's most composed resort: sea-view rooms as standard, a show-stopping infinity pool and luxury with the volume turned down.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, United States · Fairmont
A 65-acre desert resort machine that does family-scale luxury properly, with better restaurants than any convention hotel has a right to.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Boston, United States · Mandarin Oriental
Quiet Back Bay luxury with a landmark spa and a genuine Boulud restaurant downstairs, walkable to the best of the city.
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates · Waldorf Astoria
A palatial, family-friendly Gulf resort on Al Hamra's beach that trades hype for genuine desert-meets-sea calm.
Gold Stay 2026
Kura Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's best small hotel: eight rooms, one preposterous view and sustainability worn lightly.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando, United States · Waldorf Astoria
Disney access without the Disney decor, a calm 502-room resort with a golf course, spa and serious pool for families wanting luxury alongside the parks.
Four Seasons Hotel Nashville
Nashville, United States · Four Seasons
Nashville's first true luxury flagship: river views, a resort-grade pool deck and Broadway two blocks away, on your terms.
Fairmont The Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Fairmont
A sensible luxury choice on the Palm's trunk: private beach, serious kids' provision and better restaurants than its rates suggest.
CasaSur Palermo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Palermo's most sensible boutique: quiet street, rooftop pool, Frette linens and the barrio's cafes and parrillas all on foot.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Mandarin Oriental
A sleek modern beachfront flagship that pairs a genuine Jumeirah beach with serious dining and one of Dubai's best spas.
Radisson Blu Mall of America
Minneapolis, United States · Radisson
For a Mall of America mission with children in tow, nothing else is really in the conversation.
Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya, Mexico · Waldorf Astoria
The former Waldorf Astoria Cancun reborn as a polished, low-key beach resort near Puerto Morelos, strong on spa and dining.
Amankora Bumthang
Bumthang, Bhutan · Aman
The far, quiet end of the Amankora circuit, and the lodge that feels most like old Bhutan.
Waldorf Astoria Buckhead
Atlanta, United States · Waldorf Astoria
A quietly grand, residential-feeling Waldorf with big rooms and old-school service in the middle of Buckhead's luxury shopping.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper, Canada · Fairmont
Canada's great wilderness lodge, trading marble polish for lake, elk and a century of charm.
Radisson Plaza Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, United States · Radisson
Kalamazoo's de facto grand hotel: the whole downtown works from its lobby, and nothing else in town comes close.
Radisson Ocean Pavillion
Cartagena, Colombia · Radisson
Beachfront ease at honest rates, if you accept the taxi ride every time the walled city calls.
Fairmont Amman
Amman, Jordan · Fairmont
Amman's best all-round five-star: hilltop views, a serious Gold floor and Jordanian warmth applied with real polish.
Millennium Hilton One UN Plaza
New York City, United States · Hilton
Every room starts on the 28th floor, and the East River views do the work the decor sometimes doesn't.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Chicago, United States · Four Seasons
Chicago's most complete grand hotel: lake views from the tower, a Roman-columned pool and service with a long memory.
Fairmont Singapore
Singapore · Fairmont
A 778-room location machine above two MRT lines, redeemed from anonymity by balconies, a dozen restaurants and one of Asia's biggest hotel spas.
Palace Hotel Como
Como, Italy
The sane way to do Lake Como: a true lakefront address, Belle Epoque manners and rates that leave money for boat hire.
The Foundry Hotel Asheville
Asheville, United States · Hilton
Asheville's old steel foundry reborn as an 87-room design hotel, with Benne on Eagle putting real Appalachian cooking on the plate.