The U.S. News & World Report released its 13th annual ranking of the best hotels for travelers this week.
The rankings, published Tuesday, are based on three factors: the number of awards received from the travel industry, a hotel’s star rating, and guest reviews from the travel website Tripadvisor.
More weight was given to recipients of “highly selective” awards, as well as those with more traveler reviews, according to the press release. That makes it harder for new hotels to break into the upper ranks of the annual list.
The report ranks only “luxury” hotels and resorts, which U.S. News defines as those that consistently average from 4- to 5-star ratings, though it now includes select hotels with 3.5 stars too, the company said.
To be considered, hotels must also have at least 20 rooms, according to the release.
Best hotels in the U.S.
These are the top ranked hotels in the U.S.:
- Acqualina Resort & Residences — Miami, Florida
- The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort — Scottsdale, Arizona
- Pendry West Hollywood — Los Angeles, California
- The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort — Kiawah Island, South Carolina
- The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Sea Pines Resort — Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Miami’s Acqualina Resort & Residences took the top spot in the United States for the first time. It has three pools, ocean views and an award-winning spa.
U.S. News also published additional hotel rankings that can be searched by state or by city.
For example, travelers can search for the best hotels in California, or explore hotel rankings in 46 different towns and locations there, such as La Jolla, Disneyland and Napa Valley.
They can then filter hotels based on star ratings, price and amenities.
Best hotels in Europe
Acqualina Resort & Residences in Miami was ranked the best hotel in the United States in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report.
Source: Acqualina Resort & Residences
These are the top ranked hotels in Europe:
- Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam — Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Grand Hotel Tremezzo — Tremezzo, Italy
- La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa — Paris, France
- The Goring — London, U.K.
- The Connaught — London, U.K.
Last year’s No. 1 hotel, Le Bristol Paris, came in at No. 6 this year.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam clinched the top spot in Europe for the first time. It comprises six canal-side mansions and houses a two-starred Michelin restaurant that specializes in vegetarian cuisine.
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Amsterdam, comprises six connecting houses beside the Herengracht Canal.
Sebastiaan Kroes | Moment Open | Getty Images
Europe’s No. 2 hotel, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, overlooks Italy’s famous Lake Como.
The U.S. News & World Ranking also ranks hotels in 39 European countries, from Albania to Wales.
Similar to the U.S. rankings, visitors can core into these rankings by “popular regions,” such as Capri, Cinque Terre and Venice in Italy.
Best hotels in the Caribbean
These are the top ranked hotels in the Caribbean:
- Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla — Maundays Bay, Anguilla
- Jumby Bay Island, Oetker Collection — Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
- Jade Mountain Resort — Soufriere, St. Lucia
- Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France — Saint Barthelemy
- Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club — Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Caribbean’s best hotel, Cap Juluca, has dome-shaped villas with views of the ocean and direct access to the beach.
A view of St. Lucia’s Pitons mountains from the Jade Mountain Resort, which was ranked the third best hotel in the Caribbean in 2023 by the U.S. News & World Report.
Thomasfluegge | E+ | Getty Images
The No. 2 hotel, Antigua’s Jumby Bay Island, provides snorkeling expeditions and kayak tours for guests.
