Looking for the best hotels in the world?
Maybe the dreamiest Tulum hotels with private pools? Or the 10 most romantic hotels in Venice, Italy?
You’ve come to the right place.
We’ve curated collections of cool and beautiful hotels in popular places around the globe. You’ll find links to our honest hotel reviews of the hundreds of hotels we’ve stayed at!
We’re professional travel writers, and we only report on finds we really like – from charming B&Bs with loads of character to gorgeous overwater bungalows.
Find out where to stay on your next trip here!
Contents: The world’s best hotels
Best hotels in the world – Find collections of cool hotels around the world, from Maui (Hawaii) to Mallorca (Spain)
- USA hotels
- Mexico hotels
- Caribbean hotels
- Europe + Mediterranean hotels
- South Pacific hotels
- Other hotels
Types of hotels – Overwater bungalows? All-inclusive resorts? Cave hotels? See here!
Collections: Best hotels around the world
We’ve done the research – so you don’t have to!
Best USA hotels
Maui (Hawaii)
Deciding where to stay on Maui is tricky. There are great resorts in Ka’anapali and also posh luxury hotels in Wailea.
If you’re vacationing as a couple, you’ll want to know about the most romantic hotels in Maui. They range from a deluxe adults-only sanctuary (Hotel Wailea) to the affordable boho-chic Paia Inn.
Kauai (Hawaii)
What’s the best part of Kauai to stay? The North Shore or sunny Poipu?
As for the hotels on Hawaii’s garden island, they range from a boutique adult getaway on Poipu Beach to a grand and gracious resort. Oh, and let’s not forget Kauai’s lovely condo-style resorts!
USA hotels with private pools
Experience ultimate luxury in the USA at hotels with private pools!
From the Fairmont Kea Lani’s beachfront villas to the desert oasis of Amangiri in Utah, these exclusive retreats ensure a truly memorable stay in some of America’s most breathtaking destinations.
Best Mexico hotels
Tulum (Mexico)
Tulum Beach is the best area to stay in Tulum for a luxury vacay. (There’s also the town and Aldea Zama).
Tulum hotels range from deluxe boho-chic beach digs (like Lula, with its yoga studio and vegan resto) to cool boutique hotels in Aldea Zama (like KAN Tulum, with rooms overlooking a cenote).
The swankiest Tulum digs even have rooms with private plunge pools.
Cabo San Lucas (Mexico)
The top hotels in Cabo San Lucas are among the most deluxe in the world. Find reviews of the best, from an artsy boutique hotel in San Jose del Cabo to the top all-inclusive resort. Bonus: Discover where Jennifer Aniston likes to stay!
Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)
We loved the Hacienda San Angel in the heart of the historic area. Then again, Casa de Mita is a sweet secret getaway in Punta de Mita. And what about Imanta? Hmmm. Tough choice!
Mexico hotels with private pools
Nothing says indulgence like having a private pool in your hotel room. From the Viceroy Riviera Maya to the Nizuc Resort in Cancun, discover the best Mexico resorts with private pools.
Read: 21 Most Beautiful Mexico Resorts With Private Pool Suites
Best Caribbean hotels
Bocas del Toro (Panama)
For an eco-adventure, escape to the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama. We stayed at three great places here.
Check out Nayara Bocas del Toro – it has a cool “overwater beach”! La Loma Jungle Lodge is award-winning with hand-crafted bungalows. You can even find overwater bungalows at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge!
St. Martin (Caribbean)
Trying to decide where to stay on St. Martin (French side) or St. Maarten (Dutch side)? The two best areas on the French side of this Caribbean island are Grand Case and Orient Bay.
As for the best hotels, they range from the boutique L’Esplanade to the stylish all-inclusive Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
Caribbean villas
Vacation like a multi-millionaire at these luxury Caribbean villas and villa resorts in Barbados, Jamaica, the Grenadines and other Caribbean islands. Pssst! They’re not as expensive as you may think.
Caribbean overwater bungalows
Also check out these bucket list overwater bungalows in the Caribbean!
Best Europe and Mediterranean hotels
Venice (Italy)
From splurgey 5-star hotels to a beautiful former palazzo (reasonably affordable too!), these hotels are delightfully romantic places to stay for couples.
Mykonos (Greece)
Of course you want to stay on the beach in Mykonos! These Mykonos beach hotels are the finest places to stay on the glam Greek island.
Rhodes (Greece)
What’s your fancy on the Greek island of Rhodes? A seaside hotel? A quaint inn in the lovely village of Lindos? Or a centuries-old historic hotel in the Old Town?
Our reviews of these beautiful boutique hotels in Rhodes should help you decide.
Istanbul (Turkey)
It’s hard to choose! But whether hip or historic, all of these boutique Istanbul hotels are great places to stay in the exotic East-meets-West city.
Mallorca (Spain)
Where exactly on this Spanish island should you stay? Deia? Soller? Palma de Mallorca?
We also review the best hotels – from castles to trendy boutique hotels to charming fincas (farm estates).
Best South Pacific hotels
Bora Bora (French Polynesia)
In Bora Bora, you must stay in an overwater bungalow! Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows redefine paradise.
But how do you choose which resort to stay at? The uber-deluxe Four Seasons Bora Bora? Or the recently rebranded Le Bora Bora, with a glass coffee table for peering down at fish in the lagoon below?
Fiji
Yes, Fiji has overwater bungalows too. Beautiful ones! These idyllic accommodations offer a unique escape, providing unrivaled views and direct access to the vibrant sea life below.
Other best hotels in the world
Bali (Indonesia)
Are you a romantic? Is beachfront key? Do you want “affordable luxury” or a “splurge”? Find the right Bali hotel or resort for you.
Sri Lanka
You’ll love these insanely gorgeous places to stay in Sri Lanka.
Victoria, BC (Canada)
We live in Victoria, BC. And we know where to stay. Indeed, we’ve personally unpacked our suitcases in these 10 best luxury hotels in Canada’s garden city.
What’s your hotel style?
Wow! These hotels are seriously decadent
1) Want swank? Check out these 27+ luxury villa resorts with private pools
2) Take a peek at these 18 amazing hotel bathrooms!
3) Historic palaces in Venice? Riverside mansions in Hamburg? These are our favorite romantic hotels in Europe
All our hotel reviews
Check out all our hotel posts and collections.
Booking.com
By the way, our go-to hotel booking site is Booking.com.
Rates are often less than those quoted when booking directly with the hotel, and we like the option of free cancellation. Plus, there are no booking fees.
If you reserve through Booking.com on our site, we’ll earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!