U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has announced the Best Hotels rankings, which evaluate more than 30,000 luxury hotels and resorts across the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Even though global travel remains limited, these hotels continue to operate at the top of their class for luxury and hospitality – a recognition made more meaningful during these challenging times.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii is the No. 1 Best Hotel in the USA (pictured), impressing both experts and travelers with its numerous amenities, ranging from picturesque pools and a world-class golf course to daily activities like sailing, beachfront yoga and cultural tours. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, follows at No. 2 and The Peninsula Chicago at No. 3. These hotels stand out due to their exceptional customer service, well-maintained grounds, luxuriously comfortable accommodations and wealth of on-site amenities.
Travelers hoping to make the outdoors a focus of any future vacations (think: sprawling beaches, scenic mountains and wide-open spaces) should consult the Best All-Inclusive Resorts and Best Resorts rankings. The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico and Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean lists provide a road map for anyone dreaming of sipping a margarita on a white sand beach, but struggling to parse through convoluted meal plans and vacation packages. Meanwhile, the Best Resorts in the USA and Best Resorts in Canada lists feature world-class properties offering everything from hiking and skiing trails to beaches, pools and water parks.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France in St. Barts is the Best Hotel in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Jade Mountain in St. Lucia maintains the top spot as the Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean, thanks to its tasty on-site cuisine and varied meal plan options, in addition to its three-walled "sanctuaries," or rooms, which offer sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and the Pitons.
For the Best Hotels in Mexico, Rosewood Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen takes the top spot, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, known for its excellent customer service, gourmet cuisine and revitalizing spa services, is the Best All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico.
The Ritz-Carlton Montréal earns recognition as the Best Hotel in Canada, and Rosewood Bermuda ranks No. 1 on this year's Best Hotels in Bermuda list. Le Bristol Paris, up from No. 3, came in as the No. 1 Best Hotel in Europe and is celebrated by guests for its Parisian-style rooms and the staff's attention to detail.
U.S. News scores luxury hotels using a methodology that combines each hotel's industry awards with its star rating and guest reviews. U.S. News did not include COVID-19 data in the rankings. However, several of the major industry awards factored into the rankings take property cleanliness into account. The U.S. News Travel team also offers information on how the coronavirus pandemic is changing the hotel industry, ways hotel cleaning protocols have evolved and the top hotels for remote workers. These rankings are part of the U.S. News Travel vertical, which also evaluates the Best Vacations, Best Cruise Lines and Best Travel Rewards Programs.
