The best resorts in the United States, according to Travel + Leisure readers, deliver a strong sense of local character and a distinct connectedness to their geographic surroundings, whether they’re in New England or California. Attentive, warm service placed these resorts — many of which are returning favorites — ahead of their competitors.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L invites its readers to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
On the West Coast, dreamy properties in popular Southern California locales snagged three spots: No. 5 San Ysidro Ranch and No. 9 Rosewood Miramar Beach (both in Santa Barbara County) and No. 15 Sparrows Lodge (part of the boutique-resort renaissance in Palm Springs). One voter said this property is “stylish, well-situated, and has exceptional service. Sparrows Lodge is my favorite destination in Palm Springs.” The promise of wide-open spaces attracted travelers to nature-centric options like No. 10 the Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, in the Park City, Utah resort area, and No. 3 Under Canvas Mount Rushmore, a glamping venue in South Dakota. “There are amazing views right from the camp,” affirmed one voter. “Sit on the patio with a glass of wine for a beautiful sight.”
Courtesy of Pickering House
Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and elevated hospitality created a powerful triumvirate in Florida. The Nobu Hotel Miami Beach won this year’s No. 8 spot, impressing readers with food, service, and stylish interior design. One voter raved about the in-room dining (in the evenings, guests can order signature Nobu dishes such as spicy tuna), while another “loved the Japanese-designed rooms.” For a quieter escape farther north, off the coast of Georgia, the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island (No. 4) embodies what one traveler called “a true luxury eco-lodge.” Guests can learn about local wildlife, go kayaking, and disconnect from plugged-in society. “There are no TVs or radios,” wrote one voter. “It’s a rare, unspoiled environment where nature is celebrated.”
As travelers continue to seek out natural settings for their next getaway, it’s no surprise New England destinations have a strong pull, too. Small towns are home to welcoming inns with big personalities that complement hyper-local dining with outdoor activities. At Twin Farms (No. 6), in Vermont, guests can chat with a resident apiarist or swim in Copper Pond, while at Chatham Inn(No. 12), in Massachusetts, travelers can reserve a tailored 10- to 12-course tasting menu and, afterward, walk along Lighthouse Beach.
- Pickering House Inn, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Courtesy of Pickering House
This cozy 10-room guest house in eastern New Hampshire has been a T+L reader favorite for years. One factor contributing to its staying power? Its location in the center of leafy Wolfeboro means the inn is within walking distance of Lake Winnipesaukee and nearby hiking. “Everything here is wonderful,” gushed one voter. In December 2020, co-owners Peter and Patty Cooke braved the COVID lockdown and opened a new restaurant, Pavilion, right next door.
Score: 98.95
Book on Tripadvisor
- White Elephant Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida
Courtesy of White Elephant Palm Beach
Score: 98.13
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- Under Canvas Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota
Bailey Made
Score: 97.47
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- Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, St. Simons Island, Georgia
Phillip Murdaco
Score: 96.76
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- San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California
Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
Score: 96.57
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- Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
Courtesy of Twin Farms
Score: 96.42
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- Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
Courtesy of Deer Path Inn
Score: 96.40
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- Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Courtesy of Nobu Hotel Miami Beach
Score: 96.22
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- Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, California
Courtesy of Rosewood Miramar Beach
Score: 96.14
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- The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Wanship, Utah
Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
Score: 95.85
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- Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
Score: 95.83
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- Chatham Inn, Chatham, Massachusetts
Courtesy of The Chatham Inn, Relais & Châteaux
Score: 95.68
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- Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont
Courtesy of Rabbit Hill Inn
Score: 95.59
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- Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Nik Koenig/Courtesy of Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Score: 95.58
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- Sparrows Lodge, Palm Springs, California
Courtesy of Sparrows Lodge
Score: 95.58
Book on Tripadvisor
The best resorts in the United States, according to Travel + Leisure readers, deliver a strong sense of local character and a distinct connectedness to their geographic surroundings, whether they’re in New England or California. Attentive, warm service placed these resorts — many of which are returning favorites — ahead of their competitors.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L invites its readers to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
On the West Coast, dreamy properties in popular Southern California locales snagged three spots: No. 5 San Ysidro Ranch and No. 9 Rosewood Miramar Beach (both in Santa Barbara County) and No. 15 Sparrows Lodge (part of the boutique-resort renaissance in Palm Springs). One voter said this property is “stylish, well-situated, and has exceptional service. Sparrows Lodge is my favorite destination in Palm Springs.” The promise of wide-open spaces attracted travelers to nature-centric options like No. 10 the Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, in the Park City, Utah resort area, and No. 3 Under Canvas Mount Rushmore, a glamping venue in South Dakota. “There are amazing views right from the camp,” affirmed one voter. “Sit on the patio with a glass of wine for a beautiful sight.”
Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and elevated hospitality created a powerful triumvirate in Florida. The Nobu Hotel Miami Beach won this year’s No. 8 spot, impressing readers with food, service, and stylish interior design. One voter raved about the in-room dining (in the evenings, guests can order signature Nobu dishes such as spicy tuna), while another “loved the Japanese-designed rooms.” For a quieter escape farther north, off the coast of Georgia, the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island (No. 4) embodies what one traveler called “a true luxury eco-lodge.” Guests can learn about local wildlife, go kayaking, and disconnect from plugged-in society. “There are no TVs or radios,” wrote one voter. “It’s a rare, unspoiled environment where nature is celebrated.”
As travelers continue to seek out natural settings for their next getaway, it’s no surprise New England destinations have a strong pull, too. Small towns are home to welcoming inns with big personalities that complement hyper-local dining with outdoor activities. At Twin Farms (No. 6), in Vermont, guests can chat with a resident apiarist or swim in Copper Pond, while at Chatham Inn(No. 12), in Massachusetts, travelers can reserve a tailored 10- to 12-course tasting menu and, afterward, walk along Lighthouse Beach.
1. Pickering House Inn, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
This cozy 10-room guest house in eastern New Hampshire has been a T+L reader favorite for years. One factor contributing to its staying power? Its location in the center of leafy Wolfeboro means the inn is within walking distance of Lake Winnipesaukee and nearby hiking. “Everything here is wonderful,” gushed one voter. In December 2020, co-owners Peter and Patty Cooke braved the COVID lockdown and opened a new restaurant, Pavilion, right next door.
Score: 98.95
Book on Tripadvisor
2. White Elephant Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida
Score: 98.13
3. Under Canvas Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota
Score: 97.47
4. Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, St. Simons Island, Georgia
Score: 96.76
5. San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California
Score: 96.57
6. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
Score: 96.42
7. Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
Score: 96.40
8. Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Score: 96.22
9. Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, California
Score: 96.14
10. The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Wanship, Utah
Score: 95.85
11. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
Score: 95.83
12. Chatham Inn, Chatham, Massachusetts
Score: 95.68
13. Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont
Score: 95.59
14. Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Score: 95.58
