15 Incredible Hotels to Visit Before You Die

Get ready for some wanderlust, as I walk us through the top hotels around the world that deserve a place on your bucket list!

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A few of the best hotels in the world...

I don't know about you, but being *stuck at home* has me reflecting pleasantly on some of my previous global wonderings. So, I decided to compose a list of my top 10 hotels, around the world, that you need to visit - and it quickly grew to 15. From quaint California wine country to bustling downtown Chicago, the heart of London, and the birthplace of the Renaissance, I've got a broad-ranging collection of hotels to show off! We'll start on the West Coast of the U.S and work our way east toward Europe!

Amazing dinner at Mercer Barcelona

MacArthur Place, Sonoma, California, USA

Sonoma, California truly is the gem of California wine country. The birthplace of fantastic American wines that compete on a global scale has managed to maintain a charming, local feel, even in the midst of the workings of a massive wine industry. The recently renovated MacArthur Place is the perfect home base for a luxurious stay in Sonoma. With its campus of small, multi-room dwellings, surrounding a pool and manicured gardens, with plenty of cozy spots to crack open your newly purchased bottle of wine, it's a romantic retreat from an already quaint day exploring wineries. Walkable to downtown Sonoma, you couldn't get a better location.

Read more about a stay at MacArthur Place, Sonoma

L'Auberge de Sedona, Sedona, Arizona, USA

View of the red rock formations from L'Auberge de Sedona

If stunning scenery and access to a multi-acre location are your must-haves, L'Auberge de Sedona should be on your list. With sweeping views of the red rock formations surrounding Sedona, and charming seating areas on babbling Oak Creek, L'Auberge is a luxurious retreat, worlds away from the often touristy center of Sedona, which is a short (uphill) climb away. You can rent your own multi-room cabin for groups, or opt for the romantic Lodge, as we did.

Check out my list of romantic things to do in Sedona, Arizona

JW Marriott Camelback Inn,
​Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Our gorgeous casita at The Camelback Inn!

Stay where it all began, at the resort "where time stands still." While luxury travelers and retired doctors flock to Scottsdale these days, it was "Camelback" that started the trend of "going West," back in the 1930's. Celebrities made it a mainstay of the US's luxury hotel scene in 40's and 50's. Today, you can enjoy a private "casita," drinks by the pool, and running from shaded spot to shaded spot, escaping "the dry heat," we all know and love!

The Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

Tudor exterior of The Deer Path Inn

We're working our way east, with a stay in the historic, high-end suburb of Lake Forest, outside of Chicago. Channeling 1920's England-inspired Tudor coziness, the century-old Deer Path Inn recently underwent a stunning rebirth. 

The Deer Path Inn is the heart of downtown Lake Forest, with pub and restaurant-style English dining, and rooms decorated to tasteful perfection. The suburb itself boasts tasteful boutique shopping, and more than a few restaurants that are worth your while.

The Drake Hotel, Chicago, Illinois USA

Lobby of The Drake Hotel, Chicago

At the northern end of Chicago's Magnificent Mile looms the iconic Drake Hotel. Liveried footmen, and an unbelievable lobby are relics of another age, when The Drake's rates were several times what they are these days and the hotel played host to kings, queens, presidents, and Princess Diana. For old school Chicago glamour, even today, you can't beat a (surprisingly affordable) stay at The Drake. Don't forget to spring for afternoon tea and stop by the bar, to rub elbows with a few patrician Chicagoans who know their way around a martini bar.

Everything you need to know about a historic stay at The Drake!

The Homestead Resort, Glen Arbor, Michigan, USA

View of Lake Michigan from The Inn at The Homestead, Glen Arbor

Midwestern hospitality, incredible views of Lake Michigan, and a surprising array of restaurant options in the charming town of Glen Arbor make The Homestead a must-see. It's the hotel I've visited more than any other, and there's a reason I keep coming back, beyond nostalgia. With quite a few lodging options, from a small traditional hotel style to condo and entire house rentals, there's something to fit every party size. Walking paths, several pools, and wooded areas beyond the beach make the for the perfect, family-friendly retreat, "Up North."

The full report on a stay at The Homestead, Glen Arbor, Michigan!

French Lick Resort,
​White Sulphur Springs, Indiana, USA

Front porch at French Lick Resort

It's history that draws us to Southern Indiana to explore French Lick Resort and West Baden - two formerly competing hotels who hung up the boxing gloves to undergo a massive, turn of this century renovation, to bring them back to early last century splendor. Tourists came for the "springs" and now they come for world-class golf and spas (and, a bit of gambling).

Discover all of my top Midwest road trips!

The Dewberry, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

Southern hospitality is on order at the refreshingly midcentury modern Dewberry in pastel-colored Charleston. From the most gorgeous rooftop bar I've ever visited, to the "living room" style lobby bar straight out of Mad Men, why not make it a boozy retreat?

A perfect weekend in Charleston, South Carolina

Disney's Beach Club Resort

View from Disney's Beach Club Resort, Orlando

 A stay "on property" at Disney world is an enchanting experience, even for us kid-free adults. Disney's Beach Club Resort is a quieter retreat (if you avoid the cafe downstairs during peak hours), with unbeatable walkability to Epcot and Disney's Boardwalk. Consider splurging for a park hopper pass to allow you to experience all the dining that Epcot has to offer.

Discover an adults-only stay at The Disney Beach Club!

The Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande, Florida

The portico of The Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida

"Old Florida" at its finest, The Gasparilla Inn, is almost unbelievably refined. There's nothing like the white-columned portico to welcome you to your home-away-from-home in bucolic Boca Grande. Enjoy gorgeous Floridan furnishings, amazing golf, and plenty of Instagram-worthy backgrounds.

An insider's guide to Boca Grande, Florida

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac,
​Quebec City, Canada

We're leaving the US behind and heading to our charming neighbors to the north! Chateau Frontenac is impressive for so many reasons, from the sheer number of rooms, to the view over the St Lawrence, and the way the hotel and the city immediately immerse you in European glamour. The Chateau Frontenac is a must-see on a trip to Quebec City (one of the main attractions!) so why not make it yours during your visit?

5 reasons to visit Quebec City & a stay at the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

InterContinental Edinburgh The George, Edinburgh, Scotland

View of Edinburgh from the InterContinental Edinburgh The George

Let's journey across the pond to our first European hotel! The new moniker is a mouthful, the result of quite a few name (and ownership) changes over the last several years, but the InterContinental Edinburgh The George is the perfect hideaway in medieval Edinburgh. A former townhouse (imagine this as your personal townhouse!), it's been a hotel since 1881 and today it's been meticulously revolutionized into a high-end hotel, complete with that awesome bathroom tile that looks like wood. Tasteful tartan adorns the rooms, public spaces, and even the guests who flock to luxurious weddings during the weekend.

10 Scottish activities in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Goring Hotel, London, England

We've made it to my "favourite" hotel on the list - the place where we spent our honeymoon, and where The Duchess of Cambridge spent her last night as Kate Middleton. It feels incredible that a random American like me is actually allowed to stay at The Goring, rubbing elbows with celebrities and posh Londoners grabbing a cocktail. Home to one of the largest private gardens in London, it's a surprisingly cozy corner of leafy Belgravia.

The full report on a stay at The Goring Hotel, London

Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo, Florence, Italy

If you've ever wanted to rent a room with real, frescoed walls, Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo is a dream come true. Locates steps from Florence's famed Duomo, the location dates back to the 1500's, with the Niccolini's owning it since 1879. It's a comfortable hotel, with few rooms, personalized service, and a grandeur that cannot be topped.

A perfect weekend in Florence, Italy

Mercer Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Built into the ancient Roman fortifications that surrounded the city of Barcelona during its time in the Roman Empire, the Mercer Barcelona somehow manages to simultaneously feel like the height of modern luxury. The Roman and medieval stone work is visible in the public areas, and in many of the rooms, contrasted starkly with the modern fixtures and simple furnishings. Located in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, be sure to print out the directions before your trip - our taxi driver had a hard time winding his way through the ancient streets.

What you need to know about The Mercer Barcelona

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Hope a few of these hotels get added to your bucket list! Drop your favorites in the comment section below! Cheers!

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