THE BEST FAMILY RESORTS IN THE U.S. (excluding Hawaii) |
Discover some of the finest family resorts across the United States, offering unforgettable experiences, exciting activities and programs, and something for every member of the family.
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Eastern U.S. (excluding the Orlando, Florida area)
✮ Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) ♥♥♥
✮ Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
✮ Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa (Bonita Springs, Florida) ♥♥♥
✮ Inn at Christmas Place, The (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) ♥♥♥
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center (Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania)
✮ Margaritaville Resort (Gatlinburg, Pennsylvania)
✮ Nemacolin Resort (Farmington, Pennsylvania)
✮ Omni Homestead Resort & Spa (Hot Springs, Virginia)
✮ Rocking Horse Ranch Resort (Highland, New York)
✮ Tyler Place Family Resort (Highgate Springs, Vermont)
✮ Woodloch Resort / The Pines (Hawley, Pennsylvania)
The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island (Florida), the Smugglers' Notch Resort in Jeffersonville (Vermont), and the Margarita Resort Cape Cod in Hyannis (Massachusetts) are also noteworthy.
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Orlando, Florida area
✮ Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Lake Buena Vista)
✮ Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Lake Buena Vista)
✮ Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (Lake Buena Vista)
✮ Disney's Wilderness Lodge (Lake Buena Vista)
✮ Evermore Orlando Resort (Orlando)
✮ Four Seasons Resort Orlando (Orlando)
✮ Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center (Kissimmee)
✮ Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando (Orlando)
✮ JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (Orlando)
✮ Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando (Orlando)
✮ Orlando World Center Marriott (Orlando)
There are obviously many more resorts (including timeshare resorts, such as the various Westgate properties) in the Disney World, Universal Studios, and Orlando area. The accomodations listed above are generally considered the finest in the area though.
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Central U.S.
✮ Big Cedar Lodge (Ridgedale, Missouri)
✮ Boyne Mountain Resort (Boyne Falls, Michigan)
✮ Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (Nashville, Tennessee)
✮ Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center (Grapevine, Texas)
✮ Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa (San Antonio, Texas)
✮ Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa (Cedar Creek, Texas)
✮ JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (San Antonio, Texas)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Round Rock, Texas)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin)
✮ Wilderness Resort (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin)
The Kalahari Resorts & Conventions resort in Sandusky, Ohio is also notable, but its reviews are significantly lower/worse than other Kalahari Resorts in the United States. The Woodlands Resort near Houston, Texas is also worth a look, but a fair amount of online reviews have been mixed.
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Western U.S.
✮ Disneyland Hotel (Anaheim, California)
✮ Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, Arizona)
✮ Gaylord Pacific Resort (Chula Vista, California)
✮ Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas (Indian Wells, California)
✮ Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa (Huntington Beach, California)
✮ JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (Phoenix, Arizona)
The Omni La Coasta Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California may also be worth a look, but online reviews of this property are mixed.
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THE BEST GRAND HISTORIC HOTELS IN THE U.S. |
Explore the best grand historical hotels & resorts across the United States, where timeless elegance, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional amenities create unforgettable getaway experiences.
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Eastern U.S.
✮ Breakers, The (Palm Beach, Florida)
✮ Cliff House (Cape Neddick, Maine)
✮ Don CeSar, The (St. Pete Beach, Florida)
✮ Greenbrier, The (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)
✮ Grove Park Inn & Spa (Asheville, North Carolina)
✮ Hermitage Hotel, The (Nashville, Tennessee)
✮ Mohonk Mountain House (New Paltz, New York)
✮ Ocean House (Watch Hill, Rhode Island)
✮ Omni Homestead Resort (Hot Springs, Virginia)
✮ Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa (Bretton Woods, New Hampshire) ♥♥♥
✮ Plaza, The (New York City, New York)
✮ Willard InterContinental Hotel, The (Washington, D.C.)
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Central U.S.
✮ Drake, The (Chicago, Illinois)
✮ Driskill, The (Austin, Texas)
✮ Grand Hotel, The (Mackinac Island, Michigan)
✮ West Baden Springs Hotel (West Baden Springs, Indiana)
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Western U.S.
✮ Arizona Biltmore (Phoenix, Arizona)
✮ Broadmoor, The (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
✮ Davenport Hotel (Spokane, Washington)
✮ Hotel del Coronado (Coronado, California)
✮ Palace Hotel (San Francisco, California)
✮ Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston (MA) and The Peabody in Memphis (TN) are also worthy of consideration.
The Greenbrier, West Virginia
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THE BEST NATIONAL PARK LODGES IN THE U.S. |
About half of the U.S. national parks offer some sort of lodging. In the list below, you'll discover the best national park lodges across the country, each offering breathtaking natural surroundings, rustic charm, and unforgettable stays in the heart of some of America’s most beautiful landscapes:
✮ Ahwahnee, The (Yosemite National Park, California) ♥♥♥
✮ Big Meadows Lodge (Shenandoah National Park, Virginia)
✮ Crater Lake Lodge (Crater Lake National Park, Oregon)
✮ El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona)
✮ Glacier Park Lodge (Glacier National Park, Montana)
✮ Lake McDonald Lodge (Glacier National Park, Montana)
✮ Many Glacier Hotel (Glacier National Park, Montana)
✮ Old Faithful Inn (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming)
✮ Paradise Inn (Mount Rainier National Park, Wyoming)
✮ Zion Lodge (Zion National Park, Utah)
Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
For a complete listing of accomodations in our national parks, visit my U.S. National Parks guide.
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THE BEST COASTAL HOTELS & RESORTS IN THE U.S. (excluding Hawaii) |
The following is a list of top-rated accomodations that are directly set on the ocean or within a one minute walk of it. Nearly all of these have at least some rooms that offer ocean views.
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Eastern U.S. (excluding Florida)
Maine
✮ Anchorage By The Sea (Ogunquit)
✮ Bar Harbor Inn & Spa (Bar Harbor)
✮ Beachmere Inn, The (Ogunquit) ♥♥♥
✮ Cliff House (Cape Neddick/York)
✮ Inn by the Sea (Cape Elizabeth)
✮ Samoset Resort (Rockport)
✮ Stage Neck Inn (York Harbor)
Massachusetts
✮ Beauport Hotel (Gloucester)
✮ Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham)
✮ Wequassett Resort & Golf Club (Harwich)
Rhode Island & Connecticut
✮ Castle Hill Inn (Newport, Rhode Island)
✮ Chanler at Cliff Walk, The (Newport, Rhode Island)
✮ Madison Beach Hotel (Madison, Connecticut)
✮ Ocean House (Watch Hill, Rhode Island)
✮ Saybrook Point Resort & Marina (Old Saybrook, Connecticut)
✮ Weekapaug Inn (Westerly, Rhode Island)
New York
There are several good oceanfront (or close-to-oceanfront) hotels and resorts on Long Island, but none seem to earn consistent praise and top reviews. The Montauk Blue Hotel and Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa in Montauk are some of the most famous. Reviews are good overall, but they are not outstanding. I would read reviews carefully before booking.
New Jersey
✮ Fleur de Lis Beach Resort, Wildwood Crest ♥♥♥
✮ ICONA Avalon, Avalon
✮ ICONA Diamond Beach, Wildwood Crest
✮ Reges Oceanfront Resort, Wildwood Crest
There are many other oceanfront or close-to-oceanfront hotels and resorts on Long Island (New York), but none seem to earn high reviews.
Delaware
✮ Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn (Bethany Beach) ♥♥♥
✮ Boardwalk Plaza Hotel (Rehoboth Beach) ♥♥♥
Maryland & Virginia
✮ Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
✮ Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites (Ocean City, Maryland)
✮ Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Ocean City, Maryland and Virginia Beach, Virginia each have many more hotels and resorts along their oceanfront. Many receive overall positive reviews but some receive mixed reviews. Only the highest rated places in those locations are noted above.
North Carolina
✮ Atlantis Lodge (Atlantic Beach)
✮ Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront (Carolina Beach)
✮ Oasis Suites Hotel (Nags Head)
✮ Surf Side Hotel (Nags Head)
South Carolina
✮ Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa (Hilton Head Island)
✮ Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave (Myrtle Beach)
✮ Island Vista Oceanfront Resort (Myrtle Beach)
✮ Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes (Myrtle Beach)
✮ Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort (Hilton Head Island)
✮ Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The (Kiawah Island)
✮ Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island (Hilton Head Island)
✮ Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel (Surfside Beach)
There are many more hotels and resorts on Hilton Head Island and also in Myrtle Beach (including the famous Dunes Village Resort) and North Myrtle Beach. Only the top-rated ones are listed above.
Georgia
✮ Beachview Club, The (Jekyll Island)
✮ Jekyll Island Club Resort (Jekyll Island)
✮ King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, The (St. Simons Island)
✮ Lodge at Sea Island, The (St. Simons Island)
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Florida
Northern Atlantic Coast
✮ Hammock Beach Golf Resort (Palm Coast)
✮ Lodge & Club, The (Ponte Vedra Beach)
✮ Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (Fernandina Beach)
✮ Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ponte Vedra Beach)
✮ Ritz-Carlton, The (Amelia Island)
Southern & Central Atlantic Coast
✮ Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach (Sunny Isles Beach)
✮ Beach Club at The Boca Raton (Boca Raton)
✮ Boca Raton, The (Boca Raton)
✮ Breakers, The (Palm Beach)
✮ Eau Resort & Spa, The (Manalapan)
✮ Faena (Miami Beach)
✮ Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, The (Surfside)
✮ Four Seasons Resort (Palm Beach)
✮ Hard Rock Hotel (Daytona Beach)
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
✮ Setai, Miami Beach
✮ St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami Beach
There are many other highly rated resorts along Florida's Atlantic coast. The list above is just the ones I would consider the premier ones.
Northern Gulf Coast
✮ Henderson Beach Resort (Destin) ♥♥♥
✮ Henderson Park Inn (Destin) ♥♥♥
✮ Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa (Miramar Beach)
✮ Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach (Pensacola Beach) ♥♥♥
✮ Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front (Pensacola Beach)
✮ Pearl Hotel, The (Rosemary Beach)
✮ Pensacola Beach Resort (Pensacola Beach)
✮ WaterColor Inn (Santa Rosa Beach) ♥♥♥
Southern & Central Gulf Coast
✮ Cirque St. Armands Beachside (Sarasota) ♥♥♥
✮ Don CeSar, The (St. Pete Beach)
✮ Edgewater Beach Hotel (Naples)
✮ JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa (Clearwater)
✮ JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort (Marco Island)
✮ LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Island (Naples)
✮ Naples Beach Club (Naples)
✮ Opal Sands Resort (Clearwater)
✮ Resort at Longboat Key Club (Longboat Key) ♥♥♥
✮ Ritz-Carlton, The (Naples)
✮ Sandpearl Resort (Clearwater)
✮ St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, The (Longboat Key)
Southern & Central Gulf Coast
✮ Caloosa Cover Resort & Marina (Islamorada)
✮ Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club (Marathon)
✮ Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa (Marathon)
✮ Little Palm Island (Little Torch Key)
✮ Moorings Village, The (Islamorada)
There are many more highly-rated hotels, inns, and resorts in the Floriday Keys. The ones listed above are some of the very best.
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Western U.S.
Washington
✮ Domaine Madeleine Hotel (Port Angeles) ♥♥♥
✮ Iron Springs Resort (Copalis Beach)
✮ Roche Harbor Resort (Roche Harbor)
✮ Snug Harbor Resort & Marina (Friday Harbor)
Oregon
✮ Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon) - there is a golf course between the resort and the ocean
✮ Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa (Astoria)
✮ Hallmark Resort (Newport)
✮ Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa (Pacific City)
✮ Inn at Nye Beach (Newport)
✮ Little Creek Cover Beach Resort (Newport)
✮ Ocean Lodge, The (Cannon Beach)
✮ Stephanie Inn (Cannon Beach)
✮ Surfsand Resort (Cannon Beach)
✮ Tu Tu Tun Lodge (Gold Beach)
✮ Whale Cove Inn (Depoe Bay)
Northern California (north of San Francisco)
✮ Elk Cove Inn & Spa (Elk)
✮ Inn at Newport Ranch (Fort Bragg)
✮ Lodge at Bodega Bay, The (Bodega Bay)
✮ Sea Rock Inn (Mendocino)
Central California (between San Francisco and Los Angeles)
✮ Alila Ventana Big Sur (Big Sur)
✮ Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa (Pismo Beach)
✮ Hotel Casa del Mar (Malibu)
✮ Inn at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach)
✮ Lodge, The (Pebble Beach)
✮ Malibu Beach Inn (Malibu)
✮ Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (Monterey)
✮ Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur)
✮ Regent Santa Monica Beach (Santa Monica)
✮ Ritz-Carlton, The (Half Moon Bay)
✮ Ritz-Carlton Bacara, The (Santa Barbara)
✮ Rosewood Miramar Beach (Montecito)
Southern California (south of Los Angeles)
✮ Hotel del Coronado (Coronado)
✮ Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa (Huntington Beach)
✮ Lodge at Torrey Pines, The (La Jolla) - there is a golf course between the resort and the ocean
✮ Montage Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach)
✮ Pacific Terrace Hotel (San Diego)
✮ Pasea Hotel & Spa (Huntington Beach)
✮ Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, The (Dana Point)
✮ Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa (Oceanside)
✮ Surf & Sand (Laguna Beach)
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THE BEST HOT SPRINGS RESORTS IN THE U.S. |
If you want to relax in some natural hot springs, look into these fine properties:
✮ Castle Hot Springs (Morristown, Arizona) ♥♥♥
✮ Dunton Hot Springs (Dolores, Colorado) ♥♥♥
✮ Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge (Glenwood Springs, Colorado)
✮ Murrieta Hot Springs (Murrieta, California)
✮ Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa (Ojo Caliente, New Mexico)
✮ Quinn's Hot Springs Resort (Paradise, Montana)
✮ Riverbend Hot Springs (Truth or Consequences, New Mexico) ♥♥♥
✮ Springs Resort, The (Pagosa Springs, Colorado) ♥♥♥
✮ Two Bunch Palms (Desert Hot Springs, California)
The Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa in Pray, Montana, the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, Colorado, and the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, Virginia are also worth a look. Based on mixed online reviews, I don't think I want to recommend Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Saratoga, Wyoming.
Glenwood Hot Springs, Colorado
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THE BEST UNIQUE LODGING IN THE U.S. (excluding Airbnb/VRBO/etc. rentals) |
There’s something incredibly fun and unforgettable about staying somewhere out of the ordinary, whether it’s a converted train car, a treehouse tucked in the woods, or a mysterious underground cavern—these unique accommodations turn an ordinary getaway into an fun adventure.
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Treehouse Resorts
✮ Eureka Springs Treehouses (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
✮ Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont, Ohio)
✮ Out'n'About Treehouse Treesort (Cave Junction, Oregon)
✮ Sanctuary Treehouse Resort (Sevierville, Tennessee) ♥♥♥
✮ TreeHouse Point (Fall City, Washington)
✮ Twin Farms (Barnard, Vermont)
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Railroad Cars / Cabooses
✮ Caboose Motel, The (Titusville, Pennsylvania)
✮ Hobo Inn, The (Elbe, Washington)
✮ Hotel Chalet (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
✮ Northern Rail Traincar Inn (Two Harbors, Minnesota)
✮ Railroad Park Resort (Dunsmuir, California)
✮ Red Caboose Motel (Ronks, Pennsylvania)
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Underground Caves / Caverns
✮ Beckham Creek Cave Lodge (Parthenon, Arkansas)
✮ Grand Canyon Caverns Suite (Peach Springs, Arizona)
✮ Kokopelli's Cave (Farmington, New Mexico)
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Uniquely Themed Hotel Rooms
✮ Adventure Suites (North Conway, New Hampshire)
✮ Black Swan Inn (Pocatello, Idaho)
✮ Don Q Inn (Dodgeville, Wisconsin)
✮ Hicksville Pines (Idyllwild, California)
✮ Madonna Inn (San Luis Obispo, California)
✮ Roxbury Motel, The (Roxbury, New York) ♥♥♥
✮ Trixie Motel (Palm Springs, California) ♥♥♥
✮ Winvian Farm (Morris, Connecticut)
The Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado and the Graduate in Nashville, Tennessee also have some interesting themed rooms. There are also several LEGOLAND hotels in the United States, and most if not all of their rooms are LEGO themed.
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Other Unique Lodging
✮ Big Idaho Potato Hotel (Boise, Idaho) ♥♥♥ - potato-shaped home
✮ Clear Sky Resorts (Cannonville, Utah) - sky-gazing domes
✮ Clear Sky Resorts (Valle, Arizona) - sky-gazing domes
✮ Clown Motel (Tonopah, Nevada) - freaky, clown-featured motel
✮ Dog Bark Park Inn (Cottonwood, Idaho) ♥♥♥ - an inn shaped like a beagle
✮ Jules' Undersea Lodge (Key Largo, Florida) - scuba dive 25 down to stay in the world's first underwater hotel room
✮ Little A'Le'Inn (Rachel, Nevada) - alien-themed
✮ Outpost X (Beryl, Utah) - Star Wars-themed glamping resort
✮ Queen Mary (Long Beach, California) - stay in a British ocean liner
✮ Rose Island Lighthouse (Newport, Rhode Island) - stay in a lighthouse
✮ Shady Dell, The (Bisbee, Arizona) - airstreams and other retro-style lodging vehicles
✮ StarStruck Glamping (Alpine, Texas) - sky-gazing domes
✮ Wigwam Motel (Holbrook, Arizona) - concrete and steel Native American-shaped tipi's
✮ Wigwam Motel (San Bernardino, California) - concrete and steel Native American-shaped tipi
Red Caboose Motel in Ronks, Pennsylvania
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THE BEST INDOOR WATER PARK RESORTS IN THE U.S. |
There are
large indoor water park resorts scattered across the United States, including the 20-plus Great Wolf Lodge resorts that currently operate. In addition to those Great Wolf Lodge resorts, these are many other excellent (and often superior) indoor water park resorts, including:
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Eastern U.S.
✮ Camelback Resort (Tannersville, Pennsylvania)
✮ Jay Peak Resort (Jay, Vermont) ♥♥♥
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Sportsylvania, Virginia)
✮ Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark (Monticello, New York)
✮ Massanutten Resort (Massanutten, Virginia)
✮ Splash Lagoon (Erie, Pennsylvania)
✮ Wilderness at the Smokies (Sevierville, Tennessee)
The largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. is currently the DreamWorks Water Park at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. Although there's no hotel on site, there are some nearby. Sahara Sam’s Oasis in West Berlin, New Jersey is also large and noteworthy, but online reviews are mediocre.
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Central U.S.
✮ Boyne Mountain Resort (Boyne Falls, Michigan)
✮ Gaylord Opryland Resort (Nashville, Tennessee)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Round Rock, Texas)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Sandusky, Ohio)
✮ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin)
✮ Wilderness Resort (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin)
✮ Zehnder's Splash Village (Frankenmuth, Michigan)
The Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is also large and noteworthy, but online reviews are aren't great.
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Western U.S.
✮ Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort (Kellogg, Idaho)
The Wings and
Waves Waterpark in McMinnville, Oregon is also notable, but there are no hotels on site (there are some nearby though).
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THE BEST SKI HOTELS & SKI LODGES IN THE U.S. |
There are many excellent ski hotels and ski lodges in the U.S. Most of the places I have highlighted below are slope side (aka "ski in, ski out"), but some require a short drive or a complimentary shuttle ride to reach a ski lift, gondola, or a ski area itself.
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Western U.S.
California
✮ Edgewood Tahoe Resort (South Lake Tahoe) - requires a short shuttle to the lift
✮ Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe)
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe (Truckee)
✮ Village Lodge Mammoth, The (Mammoth Lakes)
✮ Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel (Olympic Valley)
✮ Westin Monache Resort (Mammoth Lakes)
Colorado
✮ Arrabelle at Vail Square (Vail)
✮ Cliff Lodge (Snowbird)
✮ Fairmont Heritage Place - Franz Klammer Lodge (Telluride)
✮ Four Seasons Resort (Vail) - requires a 5-10 minute walk to the lift
✮ Grand Colorado on Peak 8 (Breckenridge)
✮ Grand Hyatt Vail (Vail)
✮ Grand Lodge on Peak 7 (Breckenridge)
✮ Hotel Jerome (Aspen)
✮ Inn at Lost Creek (Telluride)
✮ Little Nell, The (Aspen)
✮ Lumiere by Dunton (Telluride)
✮ Madeline Hotel (Telluride)
✮ Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa (Beaver Creek)
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (Avon / Beaver Creek)
✮ Sonnenalp (Vail) - requires a 5-10 minute walk to the lift
✮ St. Regis Aspen Resort (Aspen)
✮ Steamboat Grand, The (Steamboat Springs)
✮ Viceroy Snowmass (Snowmass Village)
✮ Zephyr Mountain Lodge (Winter Park)
Montana
✮ Montage Big Sky (Big Sky) ♥♥♥
✮ One&Only Moonlight Basin (Big Sky)
✮ Summit Hotel, The (Big Sky)
Utah
✮ Alta Lodge (Alta)
✮ Chateaux Deer Valley (Deer Valley)
✮ Goldener Hirsch (Park City)
✮ Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (Deer Valley)
✮ Grand Summit Hotel (Park City)
✮ Hotel Park City (Park City) - requires a 1.1 mile drive or hotel shuttle to reach the list
✮ Montage Deer Valley (Deer Valley)
✮ Snowpine Lodge (Alta)
✮ Stein Eriksen Lodge (Deer Valley)
✮ St. Regis, The (Deer Valley)
✮ Sundance Mountain Resort (Sundance)
✮ Waldorf Astoria Park City (Park City)
Wyoming
✮ Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole (Teton Village)
✮ Hotel Terra (Teton Village)
✮ Teton Mountain Lodge (Teton Village)
There are also many excellent accommodations in nearby town of Jackson, Wyoming (e.g., Rusty Parrot).
All Other U.S. States
✮ Blake at Taos Ski Valley, The (Taos, New Mexico)
✮ Limelight Ketchum (Sun Valley, Idaho)
✮ Sun Valley Resort (Sun Valley, Idaho)
✮ Timberline Lodge (Government Camp, Oregon)
Ketchum and Sun Valley have several other highly-rated hotels and lodges.
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Central U.S.
✮ Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa (Boyne Falls, Michigan)
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Eastern U.S.
New England
✮ Jackson Gore Inn at Okemo Mountain Resort (Ludlow, Vermont)
✮ Jordan Hotel, Sunday River (Newry, Maine)
✮ Killington Grand Resort Hotel (Killington, Vermont)
✮ Lodge at Spruce Peak, The (Stowe, Vermont) ♥♥♥
✮ Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort (West Dover, Vermont)
✮ Mountain Club on Loon (Lincoln, New Hampshire)
✮ Omni Mount Washington Resort (Bretton Woods, New Hampshire) - requires taking a complimentary resort shuttle to reach the ski area
✮ Stratton Mountain Resort (Winhall, Vermont) ♥♥♥
✮ Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel (Carrabassett Valley, Maine)
All Other Areas
✮ Bear Creek Mountain Resort (Macungie, Pennsylvania) ♥♥♥
✮ Camelback Resort (Tannersville, Pennsylvania)
✮ Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Cortland, New York)
✮ Snowshoe Mountain Resort (Snowshoe, West Virginia)
✮ Tamarack, The (Ellicottville, New York)
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THE BEST LODGING IN EACH U.S. STATE
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Here is a list of many of the best accommodations in each U.S. state. Most of these are luxury hotels, inns, and resorts, which naturally tend to be highly priced (as you would probably expect). If any great lodging is missing from this list, please email me.
Take note that these lists purposely exclude most casinos, small boutique hotels, indoor waterpark resorts (e.g. Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari), and hotels found within major cities (since there are often too many nice ones to list).
Most tourism in Alabama occurs along its fine coastline, but there are other great places (and great accommodations) in other areas of the state.
Alabama Coastline
✮ Beach Club Resort & Spa, Gulf Shores ♥♥♥
✮ Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Fairhope ♥♥♥
✮ Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf, Gulf Shores
✮ Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores
✮ Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast, Magnolia Springs
✮ Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach also have several other highly-rated hotels and resorts.
The Rest of Alabama
✮ Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National, Opelika
✮ Goose Pond Colony Resort, Scottsboro
✮ Hotel Wildemont, Birmingham
✮ Laurel Hotel and Spa, Auburn
✮ Pursell Farms, Sylacauga
✮ Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, Birmingham
Alaska is not known for major resorts. The most famous resort is probably Alyeska Resort. Other than Alyeska, you can expect a few medium-sized lodges and inns scattered across mostly the southern and central portions of the state.
✮ Alyeska Resort, Girdwood
✮ Denali Overlook Inn, Talkeetna ♥♥♥
✮ Tutka Bay Lodge, Homer
There are also several large lodges near Denali National Park, but none seem to get high reviews.
If you're looking for accommodations that feel like a desert oasis, look into some of these Arizona properties:
Northern Arizona
✮ El Tovar, Grand Canyon National Park
✮ Sheridan House Inn, Williams
✮ View Hotel, Monument Valley
Sedona
✮ Adobe Grand Villas, Sedona
✮ Ambiente Sedona, Sedona
✮ Casa Sedona Inn, Sedona
✮ Enchantment Resort, Sedona
✮ L'Auberge de Sedona, Sedona
There are many other highly-related hotels, inns, resorts, and B&Bs in the Sedona area.
Phoenix & Scottsdale area
✮ Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix
✮ Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale
✮ Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale
✮ JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix
✮ JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Scottsdale
✮ Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
✮ Phoenician, Scottsdale
✮ Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix
✮ Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley
Southern Arizona
✮ Canyon Ranch, Tucson
✮ Castle Hot Springs, Morristown ♥♥♥
✮ JW Marriott Tuscon Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
The natural beauty of Arkansas will likely surprise you. Enjoy it by staying in any of these top-rated accommodations:
✮ Capital Hotel, Little Rock
✮ Compton Bentonville, Bentonville ♥♥♥
✮ Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs
✮ DeGray Lake State Park Resort, Bismarck
✮ Mount Magazine Lodge, Mount Magazine State Park ♥♥♥
✮ Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, Queen Wilhelmina State Park ♥♥♥
✮ Reserve at Hot Springs, Hot Springs
The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa in Hot Springs is also popular, but reviews are mixed for this property.
The Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is a luxury rental property that was constructed inside of a nature cave (look it up!).
It shouldn't surprise you that California has a near-endless assortment of luxury accommodations. You can find amazing places all across the street, along along its coastline:
Southern California (including San Diego)
✮ Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
✮ Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, Chula Vista
✮ Hotel del Coronado, Coronado
✮ Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla
✮ Mission Pacific Beach Resort, Oceanside
✮ Montage Laguna Beach
✮ Pacific Terrace Hotel, San Diego
✮ Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Carlsbad
✮ Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula
✮ Ranch at Laguna Beach
✮ Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho Santa Fe
✮ Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
✮ Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach
✮ Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
Los Angeles & Surrounding Area (including Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica)
✮ Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
✮ Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills
✮ El Encanto, Santa Barbara
✮ Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica
✮ Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
✮ Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
✮ Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
✮ Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, Huntington Beach
✮ L'Ermitage, Beverly Hills
✮ Langham Huntington, Pasadena
✮ Maybourne Beverly Hills
✮ Peninsula Beverly Hills
✮ Regent Santa Monica Beach
✮ Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach
✮ Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
✮ Ritz-Carlton Marina del Ray
✮ Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
✮ Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Los Angeles also has several other luxury hotels (e.g. Conrad, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Omni, etc.).
Central California (including Carmel, Pebble Beach, and the Big Sur coast)
✮ Alila Ventana Big Sur, Big Sur
✮ Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Solvang
✮ Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Carmel Valley
✮ Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Pismo Beach
✮ Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
✮ Lodge at Pebble Beach
✮ Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. Monterey
✮ Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai ♥♥♥
✮ Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
✮ Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito
✮ Rosewood Sand Hill, Menlo Park
✮ San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito
Northern California (including San Francisco and the Napa Valley wine region)
✮ Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford ♥♥♥
✮ Carneros Resort and Spa, Napa
✮ Elk Cove Inn & Spa, Elk
✮ Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley
✮ Inn at Newport Ranch, Fort Bragg
✮ Lodge at Bodega Bay, Bodega Bay
✮ Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena
✮ Montage Healdsburg
✮ Sea Rock Inn, Mendocino
✮ Solage, Calistoga
✮ Stanly Ranch, Napa
San Francisco also has several luxury hotels (e.g. Fairmont, Four Seasons, Omni, Palace, Ritz-Carlton, etc.).
All Other Areas of California
✮ Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park ♥♥♥
✮ Chateau du Sureau, Oakhurst
✮ Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley National Park
✮ JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert
✮ Parker Palm Springs
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee
There are luxury accommodations scattered all across Colorado, especially in or near its various mountain regions:
Southeastern Colorado
✮ Beaumont Hotel & Spa, Ouray
✮ Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores ♥♥♥
✮ Madeline Hotel, Telluride
The Strater Hotel in Durango is also worth a look. Durango also has some highly-rated B&Bs as well.
Aspen & Vail
✮ Arrabelle, Vail
✮ Four Seasons Resort Vail
✮ Hotel Jerome, Aspen
✮ Little Nell, Aspen
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Avon
✮ Sonnenalp Vail
✮ St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen
Colorado Springs & Manitou Springs
✮ Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
✮ Cliff House at Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs
✮ Glen Eyrie Castle, Colorado Springs
All Other Areas of Colorado
✮ Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, Tabernash
✮ Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Aurora
✮ Springs Resort, Pagosa Springs ♥♥♥
✮ St. Julien Hotel & Spa, Boulder
✮ Stanley Hotel, Estes Park
Denver also has several luxury hotels and resorts (e.g. Brown Palace Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, etc.).
Connecticut isn't known as a huge tourist destination, but there are a few excellent places to stay, including:
✮ Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - one of two large casino resorts in Connecticut
✮ Madison Beach Hotel, Madison - a beachfront resort along Long Island Sound; close to Hammonasset Beach State Park
✮ Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington - a luxury country inn in western Connecticut
✮ Mohegan Sun: Casino & Resort, Uncasville - one of two large casino resorts in Connecticut
✮ Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Old Saybrook - a waterfront resort at the confluence of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound
✮ Winvian Farm, Morris - a luxury resort with uniquely themed cottages, including the Helicopter Cottage and the TreeHouse
You'll find most of the finest inns and hotels in Delaware along its coastline:
✮ Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn, Bethany Beach ♥♥♥
✮ Bellmoor Inn & Spa, Rehoboth Beach
✮ Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, Rehoboth Beach ♥♥♥
✮ Mar Bella Boutique Hotel & Spa, Rehoboth Beach
There is also the large Bally's Dover Casino Resort in Dover, but it receives mixed reviews.
Florida is jam-packed with amazing resorts and accommodations. You can find them all over the state.
Northern Atlantic Coast
✮ Addison on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach
✮ Bayfront Marin House, St. Augustine
✮ Lodge & Club Ponte Vedra Beach
✮ Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, Fernandina Beach
✮ Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
✮ Westcott House, St. Augustine
St. Augustine has many other top-rated inns and B&Bs as well.
Southern Atlantic Coast
✮ Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach, Sunny Isles Beach
✮ Beach Club at The Boca Raton
✮ Beachside Village Resort, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
✮ Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables
✮ Boca Raton, Boca Raton
✮ Breakers, Palm Beach
✮ Eau Resort & Spa, Manalapan
✮ Faena Miami Beach
✮ Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside
✮ Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
✮ JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura
✮ Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
✮ Setai, Miami Beach
✮ St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami Beach
✮ Trump National Doral Miami
Orlando Area
The Orlando area has many luxury hotels and resorts (primarily in or close to Disney World and Universal Studios). Far too many to list here!
Gulf Coast
✮ Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach
✮ Henderson Beach Resort, Destin
✮ Henderson Park Inn, Destin
✮ Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, Bonita Springs ♥♥♥
✮ JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, Clearwater
✮ JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island
✮ LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Island, Naples
✮ Naples Beach Club, Naples
✮ Opal Sands Resort, Clearwater
✮ Pearl Hotel, Rosemary Beach
✮ Resort at Longboat Key, Longboat Key
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Naples
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
✮ Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater
✮ St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, Longboat Key
✮ WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach
Florida Keys (including Key West)
✮ Almond Tree Inn, Key West
✮ Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort, Marathon
✮ Gardens Hotel, Key West
✮ Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club, Marathon
✮ Isla Bella Beach Resort, Marathon
✮ Little Palm Island, Little Torch Key
✮ Marquesa Hotel, Key West
✮ Orchard Key Inn, Key West
✮ Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort, Marathon
Key West has several other highly-rated inns and B&Bs in addition to what is listed above.
You can find great accommodations in Georgia's mountains, cities, and along its coastline:
Central & Northern Georgia (including Atlanta)
✮ Barnsley Resort, Adairsville
✮ Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Rising Fawn
✮ Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
✮ Lucille's Mountain Top Inn and Spa, Sautee Nacoochee ♥♥♥
✮ Valhalla Resort Hotel, Helen
Atlanta has several luxury hotels and resorts (e.g. St. Regis). The Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton receives fairly good reviews as well.
Southern Georgia & Georgia Coast (including Savannah)
✮ Beachview Club, Jekyll Island
✮ Cloister at Sea Island, Sea Island
✮ Gastonian, Savannah
✮ Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll Island
✮ JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, Savannah
✮ Kehoe House, Savannah
✮ Lodge at Sea Island, St. Simons Island
✮ Perry Lane, Savannah
Savannah has other great luxury hotels and many excellent B&Bs as well.
There are just too many amazing resorts and hotels in Hawaii for me to mention. Sorry!
There are several excellent accommodations in Idaho, including:
✮ Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene
✮ Lodge at Bronze Buffalo Ranch, Victor
✮ Redfish Lake Lodge, Stanley ♥♥♥
✮ Shore Lodge, McCall
✮ Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley
✮ Tamarack Resort, Donnelly
There are also several ranch resorts in Idaho that I did not include in this list. Coeur d'Alene also offers several other highly-rated inns and B&Bs.
The finest places to stay in Illinois are generally in and around Chicago and the small historic city of Galena:
✮ Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest
✮ Goldmoor Inn, Galena
✮ Hawk Valley Retreat & Cottages, Galena
✮ Jail Hill Inn, Galena
✮ Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, Oglesby
Chicago has many luxury hotels and resorts (e.g. The Drake, The Langham, Park Hyatt, The Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria, etc.). There are simply too many to list here.
Indiana has several top-rated accommodations, including:
✮ Bottleworks Hotel, Indianapolis
✮ Conrad Indianapolis
✮ French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick
✮ Hotel Carmichael, Carmel
✮ Ironworks Hotel Indy, Indianapolis
✮ Sybaris, Indianapolis
✮ West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs - one of America's most massive and impressive resorts (you won't believe this is in Indiana)
The Chandler Hotel in Madison also earns top reviews.
There are only a few notable high-end accommodations in Iowa:
✮ Hotel Blackhawk, Davenport
✮ Oakwood Inn Okoboji, Spirit Lake
Honey Creek Resort in Moravia is also popular, but reviews are mixed for this property. There are also several large casino resorts in the state, all of which have mediocre or fair reviews.
Kansas has a couple of noteworthy luxury accommodations, including:
✮ Cedar Crest Lodge, Pleasanton
✮ Elgin Hotel, Marion
✮ Inn at Meadowbrook Hotel, Prairie Village
Chateau Avalon Resort in Kansas City is also popular, but reviews are mixed for this property.
There are several top-rated luxury lodging options in Kentucky:
✮ Aldenberg Hotel, Versailles
✮ Brown Hotel, Louisville
✮ Kentucky Castle, Versailles
✮ Omni Louisville Hotel, Louisville
The Hemlock Lodge within Natural Bridge State Resort Park is also worthy of note. It's more rustic than luxury, but it's close to some of Kentucky's best natural scenery.
The heart of Louisiana is obviously New Orleans, but there a few others great places to stay in the state.
✮ Golden Nugget, Lake Charles
✮ Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans ♥♥♥
✮ Maison Métier, New Orleans
✮ St. Francisville Inn & Spa, Francisville
✮ Windsor Court, New Orleans
New Orleans has many top-rated hotels and resorts as well (e.g. Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, The Roosevelt, etc.).
There are also several other large casino resorts in various places in Louisiana.
Most of Maine's finest accommodations are along its wonderful coastline. It takes at least 10-12 days to explore Maine's coast well (2 weeks is even better).
Mid-coast & Downeast Regions
✮ Bar Harbor Inn & Spa, Bar Harbor ♥♥♥ - a small waterfront hotel near downtown Bar Harbor
✮ Inn at Sunrise Point, Lincolnville - a small oceanfront B&B
✮ Norumbega Inn, Camden - a historic stone mansion/B&B that is just north of downtown Camden
✮ Samoset Resort, Rockport - a large waterfront resort with a championship golf course and walking paths to a historic lighthouse
✮ Topside Inn, Boothbay Harbor - a small B&B near the charming downtown of Boothbay Harbor
The Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor also receives positive reviews from most guests and is also worth researching.
Southern Coast
✮ Anchorage By The Sea, Ogunquit - oceanfront resort along the famous Marginal Way walking path
✮ Beachmere Inn, Ogunquit ♥♥♥ - oceanfront resort along the famous Marginal Way walking path
✮ Cliff House, York - a large oceanfront resort on Cape Neddick; one of New England's most expensive accommodations
✮ Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth - a large inn with a private boardwalk to Crescent Beach
✮ Kennebunkport Captains Collection, Kennebunkport - a series of four mansions, each offering various rooms
✮ Stage Neck Inn, York Harbor - an oceanfront resort on York Harbor
✮ Trident Inn, Ogunquit - a small inn in downtown Ogunquit; located about 0.4-0.5 mile from the beach
✮ White Barn Inn, Kennebunk - a historic 5-star inn with various types of accommodations and some of the best fine-dining in New England
All Other Areas of Maine
✮ Blair Hill Inn, Greenville
- a historic country estate near (but not directly on) Moosehead Lake
The Quisisana Resort in Center Lovell is an all-inclusive resort with weekly stays during peak season. It receives top reviews.
Although it is one of the smallest states, there are many great places to stay in Maryland.
✮ Brampton 1860, Chestertown
✮ Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor
✮ Gramercy Mansion, Stevenson
✮ Great Oak Manor, Chestertown
✮ Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites, Ocean City
✮ Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, Cambridge
✮ Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels
✮ Ivy Hotel, Baltimore
✮ MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino, Forest Heights
✮ St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina & Spa, St. Michaels
Baltimore also has several other luxury hotels (e.g., Four Seasons, Pendry, etc.).
You'll find plenty of historic charm in Massachusetts' best accommodations:
Eastern Massachusetts (excluding Cape Cod and the Islands)
✮ Beauport Hotel, Gloucester - a modern oceanfront hotel
✮ Hawthorne Hotel, Salem - a historic hotel near downtown Salem
✮ Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast, Salem - a historic B&B near the The House of Seven Gables (of Nathaniel Hawthorne fame)
Boston also has many highly-rated hotels and resorts (e.g. Four Seasons, Langham, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, The Verb Hotel, etc.)
Cape Cod and the Islands
✮ A Little Inn on Pleasant Bay, Orleans - a small but charming B&B
✮ Candleberry Inn, Brewster - a historic B&B in a former sea captain's home
✮ Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham ♥♥♥ - a large 5-star luxury oceanfront resort; one of New England's most expensive accommodations
✮ Chatham Inn Relais & Chateaux, Chatham - a historic small inn close to downtown Chatham
✮ Harbor View Hotel, Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard) - a large historic oceanfront resort in one of Martha's Vineyard most cherished areas
✮ Inn on the Sound, Falmouth - a historic oceanfront B&B
✮ Land's End Inn, Provincetown - a small B&B that is just south of downtown Provincetown (one of the most gay-friendly towns in the U.S.)
✮ Nantucket Hotel & Resort, Nantucket ♥♥♥ - a medium-sized hotel and resort
✮ Old Harbor Inn, Chatham - an adults-only historic B&B
✮ Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn, West Harwich - a small, adults-only historic B&B in a former sea captain's home
✮ Wauwinet, Nantucket - an oceanfront resort with guest rooms and cottages
✮ Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Harwich - a 5-star luxury oceanfront resort
✮ Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Edgartown (Martha's Vineyard) ♥♥♥ - an oceanfront resort near South Beach (the most famous beach on the island)
There are more highly-rated inns and B&Bs scattered across the Cape and islands as well.
Western Massachusetts / The Berkshires
✮ Blantyre, Lenox - a historic, Gilded Age mansion and resort
✮ Canyon Ranch, Lenox - a (very expensive) luxury wellness resort
✮ Devonfield Inn, Lee - a historic, country house-style B&B
The Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa in Lenox and the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge are also both popular Berkshires destinations, but reviews are mixed. The Red Lion Inn looks very impressive though, and its large front white porch is undeniably charming.
The best accommodations in Michigan are found in Detroit, along the Lake Michigan shoreline (western Michigan) and Mackinac Island, a lovely car-free island.
✮ Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island - one of America's largest and most majestic resorts
✮ Hotel Iroquois, Mackinac Island
✮ Hotel Walloon, Walloon Lake
✮ Inn at Bay Harbor, Bay Harbor
✮ Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior, Two Harbors
✮ Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island
✮ Saint John's Resort, Plymouth
There are also several other highly-rated inns on Mackinac Island in addition to those listed above. Detroit also has many fine hotels.
Minnesota offers a lot of natural beauty (probably more than you'd expect) and there are many fine places to stay across the state:
✮ Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
✮ Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Event Center, Ely
✮ Grand View Lodge Spa and Golf Resort, Nisswa
✮ Hotel Landing, Wayzata
✮ Madden's On Gull Lake, Brainerd
✮ Nature Link Resort, Nisswa
✮ South Pier Inn, Duluth
✮ Surfside on Lake Superior, Tofte
I probably wouldn't call it luxury, but I also like the Canal Park Lodge in Duluth.
Mississippi has several accommodations that are worth exploring, including:
Central & Northern Mississippi (including Jackson)
✮ Alluvian, Greenwood
✮ Fairview Inn, Jackson
✮ Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, Natchez
✮ Oak Hall Mansion & Boutique Hotel, Vicksburg
✮ Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center, Flowood
Southern Mississippi & Gulf Coast
✮ Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi
✮ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Biloxi
✮ Roost Boutique Hotel, Ocean Springs
✮ Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, D'Iberville
There are several other (mostly positively-reviewed) large casino resorts in Mississippi that are not mentioned above.
Missouri has a few top-rated accommodations, including:
✮ Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Kansas City
✮ Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale
✮ Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center, Branson
✮ Hermann Hill, Hermann ♥♥♥
✮ Inn at Hermannhof, Hermann
The Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach is also quite popular, but it receives mixed reviews.
St. Louis also has several luxury hotels (e.g., Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, etc.).
Montana is all about impressive lodges and all-inclusive ranches. Some of the finest places to stay in the state include:
✮ Glacier Park Lodge, East Glacier
✮ Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park ♥♥♥
✮ Montage Big Sky, Big Sky ♥♥♥
✮ Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg
✮ Sage Lodge, Pray
✮ Triple Creek Ranch, Darby
There are also many outstanding guest ranch resorts in Montana that I did not include in this list (e.g., Ranch at Rock Creek)
Nebraska isn't known as a major tourist destination, but these two properties are absolutely worth looking into:
✮ Farnham, Omaha
✮ Lied Lodge, Nebraska City
There is an absurd amount of accommodations in Las Vegas, but there are a few other noteworthy places outside of sin city:
✮ Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Stateline
✮ Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, Incline Village
✮ M Resort, Henderson
Las Vegas and Reno both have many luxury hotels and resorts. There are simply too many to list here. Some of the nicest hotels and resorts in Las Vegas include The Venetian Resort, Wynn Las Vegas & Encore, Bellegio Hotel & Casino, Four Seasons, and Waldorf Astoria.
New Hampshire is one of America's prettiest states, and you'll find both modern and historic luxury accommodations spread across the state.
Northern New Hampshire
✮ Glen House, Gorham
✮ Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa, Jackson
✮ Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, Whitefield
✮ Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa, Bretton Woods ♥♥♥
✮ Tall Timber Lodge, Pittsburg ♥♥♥
✮ Wentworth, Jackson
✮ White Mountain Hotel & Resort, North Conway
The Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club in Jackson and Stonehurt Manor in North Conway are both popular, but reviews are mixed for these properties. The Adventure Suites in North Conway offer fun themed suites (although most are very expensive).
Southern & Central New Hampshire
✮ Bedford Village Inn & Restaurant, Bedford
✮ Chesterfield Inn, West Chesterfield
✮ Church Landing at Mill Falls, Meredith
✮ Davenport Inn, Portsmouth
✮ Lake Estate on Winnisquam, Tilton
✮ Pickering House, Wolfeboro
✮ Top Of The Ridge Farm, New Durham
✮ Wentworth By The Sea, New Castle
Head to the wonderful (and underapprecated) Jersey coastline for some great accommodations:
✮ Armada by the Sea, Wildwood Crest
✮ Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, Asbury Park
✮ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa / MGM Tower, Atlantic City
✮ Congress Hall, Cape May
✮ Fleur de Lis Beach Resort, Wildwood Crest ♥♥♥
✮ ICONA Avalon, Avalon
✮ ICONA Cape May, Cape May
✮ ICONA Diamond Beach, Wildwood Crest
✮ Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
✮ Pendry Natirar, Peapack
✮ Reges Oceanfront Resort, Wildwood Crest
✮ Virginia Hotel & Cottages, Cape May
Wildwood Crest has many more highly rated hotels and resorts.
The Grand Cascades Lodge in Hamburg is also popular, but reviews are mixed for this property.
Cape May also has many excellent inns and B&Bs (too many to list here).
Northern New Mexico is where you'll find most of the finest inns and hotels in the state:
✮ Adobe and Pines Inn, Ranchos De Taos
✮ Bishop's Lodge, Santa Fe
✮ Dreamcatcher Bed & Breakfast, Taos
✮ Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
✮ Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe ♥♥♥
✮ Inn of the Mountain Gods, Mescalero
✮ Inn of the Turquoise Bear, Santa Fe
✮ Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, Albuquerque
✮ Riverbend Hot Springs, Truth or Consequences ♥♥♥
The Inn on the Alameda in Santa Fe also looks nice, but I haven't been and I don't know much about it.
The variety of accommodations you'll find in New York is impressive, especially if you count the hundreds of highly-rated properties inside New York City.
Adirondacks
Region & Lake George
✮ Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid
✮ Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid ♥♥♥
✮ Point, Saranac Lake
✮ Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing
✮ Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid
Finger Lakes Region
✮ Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa, Aurora
✮ Lake House on Canandaigua, Canandaigua
✮ Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Skaneateles
Geneva On The Lake in Geneva and the Belhurst Castle in Geneva are also worth considering.
Catskills Region
✮ Hotel Mountain Brook, Tannersville ♥♥♥
✮ Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
✮ Roxbury, The, Roxbury, ♥♥♥
✮ Wildflower Farms, Gardiner
Long Island
✮ Cedar House on Sound B&B, Mattituck
✮ East Hampton Art House Bed and Breakfast, East Hampton
✮ Montauk Manor, Montauk
✮ SEVEN, Shelter Island Heights
The Rest of New York
✮ Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown
✮ Red Coach Inn Historic Bed and Breakfast Hotel, Niagara Falls
New York City obviously has an amazing number of luxury hotels as well. There are several large casino resorts in the state as well (e.g. Turning Stone Resort Casino).
The Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon (on the border of NY and PA) is also very popular, but reviews aren't great.
There are great accommodations scattered across the state of North Carolina. If you are looking for accommodations near the Great Smoky Mountains, you should review the Tennessee list as well.
Western North Carolina & Carolina Mountains
✮ Grand Behemian Lodge, Asheville
✮ Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
✮ Lodge at River Run, Banner Elk
✮ Graystone Inn, Lake Toxaway
✮ Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands
✮ Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, Asheville ♥♥♥
✮ Swag, Waynesville
The Fire Mountain Estate in Scaly Mountain also looks promising.
Central North Carolina
✮ Ballantyne, Charlotte
✮ Fearrington House Inn, Pittsboro
✮ Grandover Resort & Spa, Greensboro
✮ Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst
✮ Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
✮ Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary
North Carolina Coast
✮ Atlantis Lodge, Atlantic Beach ♥♥♥
✮ Oasis Suites Hotel, Nags Head
✮ Pecan Tree Inn, Beaufort
✮ Surf Side Hotel, Nags Head
The Sanderling Resort in Duck (within the Outer Banks), Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach, and the Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach are also quite popular, but some reviews of this properties are mediocre or worse.
There aren't many notable resorts in North Dakota. The City of Fargo has a few large hotels, but nothing really on a grand scale.
Two nice places in Medora are Hotel 1883 and the Rough Riders Hotel.
Ohio has several excellent accommodations, including:
✮ Cliffs at Hocking Hills, Rockbridge ♥♥♥
✮ Grand Resort, Warren
✮ Inn Walden, Aurora
✮ Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva
✮ Villas at Gervasi Vineyard, Canton ♥♥♥
Landoll's Mohican Castle in Loudonville has a fascinating design, but suffers from many poor online reviews. The Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point is also very popular, but reviews are mixed. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati also have several luxury hotels (e.g. Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland).
There are a few notable accommodations in Oklahoma.
✮ Cedar Rock Inn, Tulsa ♥♥♥
✮ Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant, Durant
✮ Shangri-La Resort, Afton
✮ Shiloh Morning Inn, Ardmore
Oregon is one of America's most underrated states, and these accommodations will help convince you of that:
Oregon Coast
✮ Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon
✮ Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, Astoria
✮ Hallmark Resort, Newport
✮ Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, Pacific City
✮ Inn at Nye Beach, Newport
✮ Little Creek Cover Beach Resort, Newport
✮ Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach
✮ Surfsand Resort, Cannon Beach
✮ Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach
✮ Tu Tu Tun Lodge, Gold Beach
✮ Whale Cove Inn, Depoe Bay
The Inn at Spanish Head Resort Hotel in Lincoln City also looks promising.
The Rest of Oregon
✮ Allison Inn & Spa, Newberge ♥♥♥
✮ Atticus Hotel, McMinnville
✮ Bella Collina Bed & Breakfast, Amity
✮ Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard, Dundee ♥♥♥
✮ Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park
✮ FivePine Lodge and Spa, Sisters ♥♥♥
✮ Running Y Resort, Klamath Falls
✮ Sunriver Resort, Sunriver
✮ Timberline Lodge, Government Camp
Bend has several nice upscale hotels and inns, including Thetherow Resort and the Oxford Hotel. Portland also has several luxury hotels as well (e.g., Ritz-Carlton).
The majority of the finest accommodations in Pennsylvania are found in the eastern side of the state, which is where its mountainous regions are (e.g., the Poconos).
✮ Camelback Resort, Tannersville
✮ Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie ♥♥♥
✮ Hotel Hershey, Hershey ♥♥♥
✮ Inn at Leola Village, Leola
✮ Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford ♥♥♥
✮ Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley ♥♥♥
✮ Nemacolin Resort, Farmington
✮ Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, Bedford ♥♥♥
✮ Skytop Lodge, Skytop ♥♥♥
Philadelphia and Pittsburg also have several luxury hotels (e.g., The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia).
You'll find most of Rhode Island's finest accommodations along its' lovely coastline:
✮ Beatrice, Providence
✮ Castle Hill Inn, Newport
✮ Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport
✮ Ocean House, Watch Hill
✮ Vanderbilt, Newport
✮ Weekapaug Inn, Westerly
Newport has many other excellent small inns and B&Bs (e.g., The Cliffside Inn, The Francis Malbone House, Serenity Inn, Town & Tide Inn, etc.)
South Carolina has a fantastic coastline, and there are many outstanding places to stay. There are few more outstanding properties found inland as well.
Hilton Head Island
✮ Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort ♥♥♥
✮ Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa
✮ Inn & Club at Harbour Town
✮ Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
✮ Sonesta Resort
Charleston
✮ Charleston Place, The
✮ Hotel Bennett
✮ John Rutledge House Inn
✮ Loutrel, The
There are many other top-rated luxury inns and hotels in Charleston. This includes the French Quarter Inn, 86 Cannon, and more. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina is also very popular, but reviews are mixed.
The Rest of South Carolina
✮ Dunlin, Johns Island
✮ Grand Behemian Lodge, Greenville
✮ Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave, Myrtle Beach
✮ Island Vista Oceanfront Resort, Myrtle Beach
✮ Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach
✮ Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton
✮ Red Horse Inn, Landrum
✮ Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island
✮ Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island
The Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palm is very well-known, but reviews of this property are also mixed.
The best accommodations in South Dakota are (surprise!) in the Black Hills region in the western portion of the state.
✮ Bank Hotel, Deadwood
✮ Shortgrass, Spearfish
✮ Summer Creek Inn, Rapid City
The Spearfish Canyon Lodge in Spearfish and the State Game Lodge in Custer aren't really luxury, but they are large and attractive lodges.
The majority of Tennessee's visitors are clustered around Nashville and the Great Smoky Mountains, but there's more areas to explore in this state. Some of its best accommodations include the following:
Western Tennessee (including Memphis)
✮ Peabody Memphis, Memphis
Central Tennessee (including Nashville & Franklin)
✮ Edwin Hotel, Chattanooga
✮ Fairlane Hotel, Nashville
✮ Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville
✮ Harpeth Franklin Downtown, Franklin
✮ Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
✮ JW Marriott Nashville, Nashville
✮ Southall Farm & Inn, Franklin
There are many other luxury inns and hotels in and around Nashville (e.g., Four Seasons, The Joseph).
Great Smoky Mountains Region (including Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg)
✮ Blackberry Farm, Walland
✮ Blackberry Mountain, Walland
✮ Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn and Cottages, Sevierville ♥♥♥
✮ Buckhorn Inn, Gatlinburg
✮ Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa, Pigeon Forge
✮ Margaritaville Resort, Gatlinburg
✮ RT Lodge, Maryville
The Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park in Gatlinburg is great for families, but I wouldn't say that it's luxury (it also receives some mixed reviews). There are many other lodges and inns in this region as well. After all, this is one of the most touristy areas in the entire U.S.A. (think Disney-level crowds).
As one of America's largest and most populated states, it should be no surprise that there are many amazing accommodations in Texas. Some of the finest include:
Dallas & Forth Worth area
✮ Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine
✮ Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas ♥♥♥
✮ Rough Creek Lodge, Glen Rose
There are also many luxury hotels in Dallas and the surrounding area (far too many to list here).
Austin, San Antonio & Hill Country
✮ Canyon Ranch Austin, Spicewood
✮ Champion Ranch, Rochelle
✮ Commodore Perry Estate, Austin
✮ Hotel Emma, San Antonio
✮ Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas, San Antonio
✮ Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Cedar Creek
✮ JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
✮ La Cantera Resort & Spa, Austin
✮ Miraval Austin Resort and Spa, Austin
Austin and San Antonio also have several additional luxury hotels not listed above.
The Rest of Texas
✮ JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, Sonora
✮ Post Oak Hotel, Houston
The Woodlands Resort in The Woodlands (near Houston) and the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Montgomery will also appeal to some (especially families), but online reviews are mixed.
Utah has several excellent ski resorts in the northern section of the state, plus some oasis-type resorts and hotels in the southern part.
Northern Utah
✮ Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City
✮ Montage Deer Valley, Park City
✮ St. Regis Deer Valley, Park City
✮ Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley
Southern Utah
✮ Amangiri, Canyon Point
✮ Black Desert Resort, Ivins
✮ Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa, Bluff
✮ Desert Pearl Inn, Springdale
✮ Moab Springs Ranch, Moab
✮ Open Sky Zion, Virgin
✮ Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab
✮ Sentierre Resort, Ivins
The Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort in Orderville and Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa in Moab are also very popular, but reviews are mixed. The Zion Lodge in Zion National Park is also a beautiful place to stay, but it's not really luxury.
You'll find several charming inns, hotels, and resorts scattered across Vermont, widely considered one of the U.S.A.'s prettiest states.
✮ Edson Hill, Stowe
✮ Inn at Burklyn and Restaurant, East Burke ♥♥♥ - a hidden gem and very close to some of Vermont's best mountain biking trails
✮ Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe ♥♥♥
✮ Pitcher Inn & Wellness Center, Warren
✮ Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford ♥♥♥
✮ Stone Hill Inn, Stowe
✮ Twin Farms, Barnard ♥♥♥
✮ Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort, Stowe ♥♥♥
✮ Woodstock Inn & Resort, Woodstock
✮ Woodstocker B&B, Woodstock
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester, the Topnotch Resort in Stowe, and the Essex Resort & Spa in Essex are all also quite popular, but reviews of these properties are mixed.
Our favorite places to stay in Virginia are in and around its finest wineries, but there are great places to be found all across the state:
✮ Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery, Charlottesville ♥♥♥
✮ Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, Virginia Beach
✮ Farmhouse at Veritas, Afton
✮ Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, Virginia Beach
✮ Glen Gordon Manor, Huntly
✮ Inn at Little Washington, Washington
✮ Inn at Willow Grove, Orange
✮ Jefferson Hotel, Richmond
✮ Keswick Hall, Keswick
✮ Lodge at Primland, Meadows of Dan ♥♥♥
✮ Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Hot Springs
✮ Salamander Middleburg, Middleburg
✮ Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg
You'll find an awesome variety of landscapes in Washington, and some fantastic accomodations that go along with them:
✮ Davenport Hotel, Spokane
✮ Domaine Madeleine Hotel, Port Angeles
✮ Iron Springs Resort, Copalis Beach
✮ Lodge at St. Edward Park, Kenmore - I believe this will be closed for renovations in 2027
✮ Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park
✮ Roche Harbor Resort, Roche Harbor
✮ Salish Lodge & Spa, Snoqualmie
✮ Snug Harbor Resort & Marina, Friday Harbor
✮ Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop
✮ Willows Lodge, Woodinville
The Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, the Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinault, and the Sagecliff Resort and Spa in Quincy are also quite popular, but reviews of these properties are mixed.
Seattle also has several luxury hotels and resorts (e.g., Four Seasons).
There are several luxury hotels in Washington, D.C., including The Jefferson, The Riggs Washington DC, and the Willard InterContinental Hotel.
There are a few notable accomodations in the mountain state of West Virginia:
✮ Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs
✮ Hillbrook Inn & Spa, Charles Town
✮ Morning Glory Inn, Slaty Fork
✮ North Fork Mountain Inn, Cabins
✮ Oglebay Park Resort, Wheeling
✮ Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe
✮ Stonewall Resort, Roanoke
There are a few excellent lodging opportunities in Wisconsin, including:
✮ American Club, Kohler
✮ Canoe Bay, Chetek
✮ Edgewater Hotel, Madison
✮ Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva
✮ Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan
✮ Osthoff Resort & Spa, Elkhart Lake
✮ Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
You'll find the best accomodations in Wyoming in the northeast corner of the state in and around its two national parks (Yellowstone and Grand Teton).
✮ Amangani, Jackson Hole
✮ Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole
✮ Hotel Jackson, Jackson
✮ Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park
✮ Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, Jackson ♥♥♥
✮ Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Teton Village
There are also outstanding guest ranch resorts in Wyoming that I did not include in this list.
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel within Yellowstone National Park is also impressive, but reviews are mixed. The Old Faithful Inn is undeniably better. |
