The Hotel Guide’s 2025 Awards Edition celebrates the most exceptional luxury hotels across the United States—properties that define excellence through elevated design, world-class service, and unforgettable guest experiences. This year’s Top 10 Luxury Hotels showcase destinations that continue to raise the standard for refined travel.

Leading the list is Acqualina Residences & Resort, a coastal sanctuary renowned for Mediterranean-inspired architecture, impeccable service, and lavish oceanfront accommodations that make every stay feel restorative and indulgent.

Amangiri, set in the untouched landscapes of southern Utah, remains a benchmark of modern minimalism. Its dramatic desert surroundings, holistic wellness programs, and unparalleled privacy create a transformative luxury escape.

In New Mexico, Four Seasons Resort Santa Fe blends timeless Southwestern culture, culinary artistry, and handcrafted luxury. Its adobe-style casitas and serene desert setting offer an elevated retreat with authentic regional charm.

The Boca Raton earns recognition for its iconic waterfront presence, vibrant redesigns, and expansive dining and wellness offerings that make it one of Florida’s most dynamic luxury destinations.

Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas marries refined European influence with Texas hospitality, offering sumptuous suites, an acclaimed spa, and walkability to the city’s cultural heart.

A historic favorite, The Brown Palace in Denver captivates with its century-old architectural beauty, majestic atrium, and legacy of personalized service rooted in timeless luxury.

Chicago’s beloved The Drake continues to shine with its grand lakefront views, storied elegance, and legacy as one of America’s most iconic luxury hotels.

In Arizona, The Phoenician Resort delivers desert luxury at its highest level—complete with expansive pools, championship golf, curated dining, and artful modern design.

Rounding out the list is The Thompson San Antonio, a contemporary urban retreat known for its sleek design, rooftop experiences, and elevated boutique-luxury atmosphere.

Together, these hotels represent the very best of American luxury travel—destinations where craftsmanship, culture, and comfort converge to create unforgettable stays.

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This edition takes readers across continents and cultures, showcasing the very best in luxury travel, wellness retreats, culinary journeys, hotel design, outdoor adventure, and international experiences.

From iconic U.S. cities to far-flung tropical islands, groundbreaking wellness sanctuaries, next-level cruise experiences, and award-winning resorts, this issue is your guide to where to go next—and how to travel deeper, better, and with intention.

What’s Inside This Edition

Global Destinations Worth Exploring

Wander cobblestone streets in Savannah, absorb the artistic pulse of Berlin, relax on the beaches of Sunny Isles, or escape to the peaceful Austrian Alps. Discover inspiring locations perfect for leisure travelers, families, digital nomads, and dreamers seeking their next adventure.

Luxury Resorts & Iconic Hotels

This issue spotlights some of the most celebrated hospitality brands in the world, including:

• Acqualina Resort & Residences

• The Boca Raton

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

• Thompson San Antonio

• Resorts World Las Vegas

• Atlantis Paradise Island

• Omni Barton Creek
  …and more destinations redefining modern luxury.

Wellness, Mindfulness & Restorative Retreats

Unwind inside the serene worlds of:

• The Golden Door

• Le Monastère des Augustines

• Amansala Resort

• Transformational travel programs and women-led retreats designed to restore, empower, and inspire.

Culinary Experiences

Taste your way through chef-driven cities and emerging culinary hotspots. From family-friendly flavors in Buena Park to elevated dining in Texas and beyond, this issue delivers food-focused recommendations readers will want to bookmark.

Championship Golf Destinations

Fairways meet luxury at:

• Fairmont St Andrews (Scotland)

• Omni Barton Creek

• Tapatio Springs Resort
  Perfect for golf enthusiasts seeking world-class courses combined with resort-level pampering.

Cruises, Adventure & Festival Culture

Explore:

• Riverside Luxury Cruises

• The iconic Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival

• A Kilimanjaro & safari mastermind retreat
  Adventure and culture await at every turn.

Why This Issue Matters

This edition is built for travelers who crave more than a vacation—those who seek deeper meaning, richer experiences, and luxury that feels personal. With immersive editorial storytelling, stunning imagery, and trusted guidance, The Hotel Guide continues to be a leading resource for discovering the best in travel and hospitality.

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This season’s features transport readers around the globe. In Florida, St. Augustine’s legendary Nights of Lights transforms the nation’s oldest city into a dazzling wonderland with millions of twinkling lights. In Texas, Grapevine—the Christmas Capital of Texas®—offers more than 1,400 events over 40 days, from enchanting ice sculptures to festive wine trails.

For those seeking sun and serenity, Fiji’s Tropica Island Resort and the InterContinental Maldives deliver unparalleled luxury amid breathtaking landscapes. Readers craving cooler climates can retreat to the snowy elegance of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Canada or indulge in the cozy charm of Quebec’s Manoir Hovey. Napa Valley also joins the celebration with its Merry Meritage holiday experience, blending wine country sophistication with holiday nostalgia.

Adventure seekers aren’t left behind—American Sailing Vacations is redefining experiential travel with intimate yacht journeys in Mallorca, Croatia, and the British Virgin Islands. These curated flotillas promise connection, culture, and community at sea.

For more than 30 years, The Hotel Guide has been a trusted source for showcasing extraordinary destinations, luxury hospitality, and memorable travel experiences. This Holiday Edition continues that tradition by highlighting the places, people, and celebrations that make travel so meaningful.

Whether you’re planning your next getaway or simply dreaming of one, this issue invites you to stay curious, stay inspired, and discover the magic of travel this season.

Explore the Holiday Edition now at www.thehotelguide.com

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So, what exactly makes a destination “hot” this year?

1. The Rise of Micro-Trends: Niche is the New Norm

Instead of following the crowd, travelers are now following themselves — and destinations that cater to hyper-specific interests are thriving. Think:

• Astrotourism: Stargazing destinations like Chile’s Atacama Desert or West Texas are trending.
• Regenerative Travel: Not just eco-friendly, but experiences that leave the place better — from coral restoration in Belize to reforestation in Costa Rica.
• Quiet Luxury: Travelers want understated elegance — think boutique mountain lodges, private island retreats, and service-first hospitality that whispers rather than shouts.

These micro-trends are helping shape the travel landscape with more depth and nuance than ever before.

2. Overlooked Regions Are Having a Moment

Travelers are looking for the next “it” place before it gets flooded with influencers and tourists. This shift has turned attention to second-tier cities, hidden coastlines, and culturally rich interiors.

• Northern Portugal instead of Lisbon.
• Yucatán’s inland towns instead of the overbuilt Riviera Maya.
• Montenegro instead of Croatia.
• Oaxaca’s coast instead of Tulum.

These destinations offer what today’s traveler craves: authenticity, affordability, and fewer crowds — without compromising experience.

3. Digital Detox & Cultural Reconnection

While Wi-Fi is still essential for many, more travelers are seeking places that encourage disconnection and deeper connection — to nature, to culture, to self.

Hot destinations are leaning into:

• Local storytelling and guided immersion.
• Heritage crafts, food, and rituals.
• Off-grid lodges and unplugged itineraries.
• Smaller, curated group travel with purpose-driven themes.

4. Authenticity Over Algorithms

In a world ruled by viral trends and curated feeds, travelers are craving realness. What makes a destination desirable in 2025 isn’t how “Instagrammable” it is — it’s how real it feels.

That means:

• Fewer filters. More folklore.
• Less fabrication. More flavor.
• Not trying to be the next Bali or Paris — just being proudly you.

Destinations that hold true to their roots while embracing thoughtful evolution will win hearts — and return visits.

How to Ride the Wave Without Losing Your Soul

Whether you’re a tourism board, resort, or small business, staying relevant in 2025 means walking the line between trendy and timeless.

Here’s how:

• Tell your story, not someone else’s.
• Elevate what’s unique — not just what sells.
• Invite travelers into your world — not just into your hotel.
• Build with your locals, not just for your visitors.

Bottom Line: Hot destinations in 2025 aren’t just “new” — they’re meaningful. Travelers want to go where they feel something. Where they return home not just with selfies, but with stories.

And that kind of desirability? It doesn’t fade with a season — it defines a legacy.

To share your story with the world, let The Hotel Guide be your vehicle. Message Edward R. Leos, publisher, at erleos@thehotelguide.com.

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At the time, The Hotel Guide had only released its very first issue: a humble publication focused solely on San Antonio. There were no big teams, no national reach — just the idea that travelers deserved a trusted guide to the best in hospitality, and that hoteliers deserved a platform to tell their stories.

“I didn’t have a single contact,” Edward recalls. “But I believed in the vision. I believed in relationships. And I knew the hospitality world was where I belonged.”

That belief — and a few thousand cold calls later — turned into something extraordinary.

Today, 32 years later, The Hotel Guide has grown from a single-city publication to a nationally-distributed travel media brand seen by more than 24 million travelers annually. With Edward Leos now at the helm as Publisher, The Hotel Guide includes a print and digital magazine, a strong social media presence, a creative marketing and design firm, and the expanding Travel Talk podcast, heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and Amazon Music.

What began with one issue in San Antonio has become a trusted platform showcasing the finest hotels, resorts, culinary destinations, wellness retreats, and unforgettable travel experiences across the globe.

Through it all, the mission remains the same: connect travelers with extraordinary destinations, and elevate the people and places that make hospitality shine.

Here’s to the past 32 years of grit, growth, and gratitude — and to the road ahead.
— Edward Leos & The Hotel Guide Team

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With more than 32 years of showcasing premier travel destinations, hotels, resorts, wellness retreats, and culinary spots, The Hotel Guide brings unmatched industry expertise and media reach to the partnership. Through its widely distributed travel magazine, engaging ‘Travel Talk’ podcast, and comprehensive online travel network, The Hotel Guide will help spotlight TCN’s initiatives, programs, and success stories from around the globe.

Expanding the Vision of Transformative Travel

Founded on the belief that travel can be a powerful tool for wellness, personal growth, and transformation, The Travel Coach Network offers a unique approach to the travel industry. Its ICF-accredited Travel Coach Certification Program trains and guides travel coaches worldwide, helping them bring awareness to why individuals travel, how they can travel more intentionally, and how to use travel for holistic development.

By partnering with The Hotel Guide, TCN aims to reach an even larger audience of travel enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and industry professionals. Together, the organizations will drive impactful storytelling, thought leadership, and promotional campaigns highlighting the benefits of intentional and transformative travel.

A Natural Fit: The Hotel Guide’s Media Reach and Expertise

The Hotel Guide’s longstanding presence in the travel and hospitality industry, with an audience reach of 24 million travelers annually, makes it the ideal media partner to elevate TCN’s message. Its multimedia platforms, including social, digital, and podcast content, provide dynamic avenues to feature travel coach spotlights, expert advice, and industry events.

“We are honored to welcome The Hotel Guide as our Official Media Partner,” said Sahara Rose De Vore, Founder of The Travel Coach Network. “Their proven success in promoting the best of travel experiences, combined with their commitment to meaningful storytelling, will help us showcase how travel coaching can change lives and revolutionize the travel industry.”

A Shared Commitment to Industry Growth

Both organizations share a commitment to innovation within the travel sector. As the official media partner, The Hotel Guide will collaborate with TCN to promote upcoming workshops, training sessions, and success stories from certified travel coaches. Key initiatives will be featured across The Hotel Guide’s platforms, enhancing visibility and engagement within the global travel community.

“At The Hotel Guide, we believe that travel is more than a destination-  it’s an experience that can leave a lasting impact,” said Edward R. Leos, publisher of The Hotel Guide. “Our partnership with TCN aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire and inform travelers. Together, we’ll share the stories that matter and support the growth of travel coaches worldwide.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership is expected to kick off with collaborative content, interviews, and joint promotions. Both organizations are excited to work closely on upcoming projects, ensuring that travel coaching receives the recognition and awareness it deserves.

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Travel. Make Memories.

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Travel. Make Memories.

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