Great Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. and in the World

Finding the best hotels—whether in the United States, Southern California, New York, San Francisco, or across the world—is more than choosing a place to sleep. It’s choosing a way of life. From grand five-stars and luxury waterfront offerings to cool hotels, quirky hotels, bohemian hotels, and chic contemporary boutiques, today’s travelers want stays that feel like experiences. Whether you’re a business traveler seeking convenience, a family looking for space, or a couple chasing breathtaking views, the world’s great hotels and resorts offer something for every kind of wanderer.

Across the U.S., iconic destinations like Venice Beach, California, and Union Square in San Francisco showcase a mix of historic gems, vintage stays, Spanish Mission treasures, and contemporary stays that reflect the state’s chic style. Meanwhile, global destinations—from wine country stalwarts to world hotels in Europe and Asia—continue to redefine luxury, comfort, and creativity.

Contents

• 1 Best Hotel Chains
  • 1.1 Marriott
  • 1.2 Hilton
  • 1.3 Hyatt
  • 1.4 IHG
  • 1.5 Wyndham
• 2 Types of Great Hotels
  • 2.1 Luxury Hotels: The Grand Dames of Hospitality
  • 2.2 Boutique Hotels & Chic Boutiques: A Cool Way of Life
  • 2.3 Great Hotels for Business Travelers
  • 2.4 Beach Hotels & Waterfront Resorts
  • 2.5 Historic Hotels: Charm, Character & Stories
  • 2.6 Unique Hotels & Contemporary Stays
• 3 Resorts: A World of Their Own
  • 3.1 All-Inclusive Resorts: Everything in One Place
• 4 Best Hotels for Kids
  • • 4.0.1 Key Features of Kid-Friendly Hotels:
    • 4.0.2 Great Wolf Lodge
  • 4.1 Hotel Loyalty Points
• 5 Conclusion: Your Own Kind of Stay

Best Hotel Chains

The large hotel chains, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Wyndham, have many different brands appealing to a wide range of people. Luxury hotel brands are more expensive and targeted at business travelers and wealthy individuals. At the other end of the spectrum, many brands are targeted at families or younger people. 

Here is a matrix of how the major hotel brands rank in each of the traditional hotel categories:

Hotel Group	Luxury	Budget	Family	Business	Eco‑Lodge
Marriott	Ritz‑Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, W, Edition, Luxury Collection	Fairfield Inn, Four Points, Moxy	Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, Marriott Vacation Club	Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, AC Hotels, Courtyard	Element (closest fit)
Hilton	Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR	Tru, Hampton	Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Hilton Grand Vacations	Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn	Canopy (closest fit)
Hyatt	Park Hyatt, Alila, Miraval, Unbound Collection	Hyatt Place, Hyatt House	Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Regency (resorts)	Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Andaz	Alila (true eco‑luxury)
IHG	InterContinental, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses	Holiday Inn Express, avid	Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites	Crowne Plaza, EVEN Hotels, Voco	Six Senses (true eco‑luxury)
Wyndham	Wyndham Grand	Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Microtel	Club Wyndham, La Quinta, Wingate	Wyndham, Ramada, Dolce Hotels & Resorts	Wyndham Grand (select resorts)

 

We'll cover the full spectrum of options for the five major brands that we are familiar with.

Marriott

Marriott is the largest hotel chain in the world with slightly less than 10,000 properties. Marriot's top brands are JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis and at the next level they have Le Meridien, Renaissance, Westin and Gaylord.   Mariott also has the Autograph Collection, AC Hotels, Aloft and Moxy brands, in addition to a number of other brands. The Courtyard brand is popular as an alternative to the more expensive luxury brands but still offers quality guest rooms at a reasonable price.

Hilton

Hilton is the second largest global hotel chain with over 9000 worldwide properties. Hilton's high-end brands are the Waldorf Astoria, LXR and Conrad. Hilton also has the Canopy, Doubletree, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Tempo, Curio and Tapestry brands. While we save points with both hotel chains, we usually choose Hilton as our first choice as we own timeshares with Hilton Grand Vacations that provides us with additional benefits when we stay at Hilton's properties.  You can reserve a hotel with Hilton by clicking below:

Hyatt

Hyatt's main brands that we are familiar with are the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, and the Hyatt Regency along with the Andaz and Thompson Hotels. Hyatt is preferred by many in the travel business, as their loyalty point system is a traditional system where free nights are based on a fixed number of points that relate to the category of the hotel. Their system is not based on dynamic pricing like the other hotel chains.

IHG

IHG's high-end include InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette, Indigo, Regent and Six Senses. IHG also has the Crown Plaza and Holiday Inn brands. Six Senses is very competitive in the luxury market.

Wyndham

Wyndham is not competitive in the luxury market and is more domestically based in the United States than the other hotel chains. It has the largest economy/budget footprint in the world; and is the strongest value player.

Types of Great Hotels

Our post will help you better understand the different types of hotels and plan and enjoy your next vacation. For information about places to stay, other than hotels and resorts, please check out our post "Lodging Places to Stay"

Luxury Hotels: The Grand Dames of Hospitality

Luxury hotels have long been the crown jewels of the travel world, and recent renovations are making them once again the Grand Dames of the hospitality industry. These old grand dames—from California’s historic hotels to New York’s legendary properties once frequented by icons like Elizabeth Taylor—offer a blend of timeless elegance and modern indulgence. Their large rooms, stand-out restaurants, atmospheric cocktail bars, and live performances create an environment where every moment feels curated. A great example in New York is the recently restored Waldorf Astoria, that has been hosting celebrities for over one hundred years.

If you are interested in booking the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, please click on the Hilton box below:

Close to where we live In Florida, luxury stays like the new Four Seasons Hotel on the Jacksonville Riverfront and the Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk combine breathtaking views of the St. Johns River with polished service and amenities designed for both leisure and business travelers. These hotels offer conference centers, rooftop bars, and outdoor pools, making them ideal for corporate events, romantic getaways, or family vacations, and are helping improve a river front that has had years of neglect. .

Globally, luxury hotels continue to push boundaries with spa hotels, casino hotels, and luxury waterfront offerings that immerse guests in comfort.

Whether it’s a chic boutique in Paris, a bohemian hotel in Bali, or a grand five-star in Dubai, luxury lodging remains the pinnacle of travel indulgence.

In addition to the romantic nature of the Grand Dames, Boutique hotels have carved out their own romantic reputation and niche in the hospitality world. These chic boutiques, cool hotels, and quirky hotels offer something different—something personal. They’re often smaller, more intimate, and infused with local character. Think clean lines, curated art, and a vibe that feels like stepping into a stylish friend’s home.

In Venice Beach, California, boutique hotels embrace the area’s laid-back surf culture and artistic flair. In San Francisco, especially around Union Square, boutique hotels blend historic architecture with modern design, creating a collection of charmers that appeal to travelers seeking authenticity. Across the U.S., boutique hotels in wine country, mountain towns, and coastal cities offer unique hotels with full kitchens, cozy lounges, and personalized service.

Boutique hotels are also thriving globally. From Spanish Mission treasures in Mexico to vintage stays in Europe, these properties offer travelers a chance to experience destinations through a more intimate lens. We normally don't travel too far from the Hilton and Marriott brand hotels, so for years we didn't frequent the boutiques that much. However, we have recently become fans of Hilton's newly acquired Small Luxury Hotel (SLH) boutique hotel and have stayed in them in London, Rome and Brittany in France. 

Great Hotels for Business Travelers

For business travelers, convenience is king. As shown in the chart below, hotels like the Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Marriott, Crowne Plaza and Wyndham in the business category offer everything a corporate guest needs: conference centers, high-speed internet, spacious work areas, and proximity to major business districts. Their great location along the riverfront also provides a refreshing backdrop for downtime.

In cities like New York, San Francisco, and Southern California, business hotels combine efficiency with style. Many feature rooftop bars, live performances, and stand-out restaurants, giving travelers a chance to unwind after meetings. These hotels often sit just a short drive from major airports, stadiums, and attractions—including the home fields of iconic baseball and football teams.

Beach Hotels & Waterfront Resorts

Beach hotels remain some of the most sought-after stays in the world. In the U.S., Florida and California offer a mix of great hotels, cool hotels, and luxury waterfront offerings that cater to surfers, families, and couples alike. These properties often feature outdoor pools, oceanfront dining, and easy access to boardwalks and nightlife.

Globally, beach resorts—from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia—continue to dominate the travel landscape. These world hotels offer everything from private villas to overwater bungalows, blending luxury with natural beauty. Many include spa hotels, casino hotels, and live availability for activities like snorkeling, sailing, and cultural excursions. Overwater bungalows are popular in places like Morena and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, and on many islands in the Maldives. 

Historic Hotels: Charm, Character & Stories

Historic hotels offer something no modern property can replicate: stories. These historic gems, favorite historic hotels, and old grand dames carry the legacy of decades—sometimes centuries—of hospitality. From California’s historic hotels to New York’s vintage icons, these properties blend nostalgia with contemporary comfort.

Many historic hotels have been lovingly restored, preserving architectural details while adding modern amenities like rooftop bars, spa hotels, and updated suites. They appeal to travelers who appreciate craftsmanship, character, and a sense of place. The Hotel del Coronado, in San Diego and the Waldorf Hotel in New York City (see above in Luxury) are two great examples on both US coasts of how historic hotels are very popular. 

Travelers today crave uniqueness. They want cool hotels, quirky hotels, bohemian hotels, and unique hotels that feel like experiences. These properties often feature bold design, themed rooms, and immersive environments. Whether it’s a chic boutique in Los Angeles or a contemporary stay in Chicago, these hotels offer something fresh.

In Southern California, hotels embrace the region’s cool way of life with airy spaces, clean lines, and coastal influences. In San Francisco, contemporary hotels near Union Square blend modern luxury with urban energy. Across the U.S., travelers can find cosy B&Bs, luxury B&Bs, and chic contemporary boutiques that feel both stylish and welcoming.

Resorts: A World of Their Own

Resorts offer a different kind of stay—one where the property becomes the destination. These great hotels and luxury waterfront offerings often include multiple restaurants, pools, spas, and entertainment venues. Guests can enjoy live performances, guided activities, and curated experiences without ever leaving the grounds.

In the U.S., resorts in Florida, California, and Hawaii remain favorites for families and couples. Globally, resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Asia offer immersive stays with breathtaking views and world-class service. One of our favorites is the Conrad resort in the Algave in Portugal.

All-Inclusive Resorts: Everything in One Place

All-inclusive resorts take convenience to the next level. With meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment bundled into one price, travelers can relax without worrying about logistics. These resorts are ideal for families, honeymooners, and anyone seeking a stress-free escape.

Many all-inclusive properties offer spa hotels, casino hotels, stand-out restaurants, and atmospheric cocktail bars, creating a seamless experience from morning to night. Whether in the U.S. or abroad, all-inclusive resorts remain one of the most popular lodging choices for travelers who want simplicity and abundance.

Best Hotels for Kids