Best Hotels in USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean; Four Seasons Dominates

U.S. News has come out with its much=awaited list of the top hotels around the world, and Four Seasons is definitely in the driver’s seat.

Four Seasons, which is based in Toronto, came out on top for the best hotel in the USA (Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island), while Four Seasons Hotel Toronto was named best hotel in Canada.

Four Seasons Lana’i was named second best USA hotel, while Four Seasons Firenze in Italy was tagged as number two in Europe. Four Seasons Whistler Resort was number three in Canada, and Four Seasons Hotel Montreal was fifth.

“Maintaining the No. 1 spot on the Best Hotels in Canada list, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto offers guests rooms and suites equipped with modern amenities, and spa offerings sure to provide serenity for visitors seeking relaxation,” judges said.

Ireland’s Adare Manor held onto its No. 1 position in the Best Hotels in Europe category. “The property is situated just outside Limerick, Ireland, and impresses guests with well-appointed rooms and suites, food and wine at its on-site dining venues, and welcoming staff,” U.S. News stated.

Esperanza, Auberge Collection in Cabo San Lucas emerged as No. 1 on the Best Hotels in Mexico ranking,
with amenities including yoga classes, an oceanfront infinity pool and a sculpture garden. Holding on to the No. 1 rank for Best Hotels in the Caribbean is St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain. The hotel’s open-air rooms and private infinity pools allow ample opportunities for taking in the gorgeous views.

Here’s a look at some of the major categories, with some thoughts about places I’ve stayed or spent considerable time at.

BEST HOTELS IN THE USA

1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii Big Island, Hawaii (amazing grounds, food, Hawaiian cultural programs and a great golf course)
2. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii (a magnificent property with a South Seas feel that’s just steps from one of the states’ best beaches)
3. The Langham Chicago
4. Mandarin Oriental, New York (an elegant, central New York property with tremendous service)
5. Mandarin Oriental, Boston

6. The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island

7. Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford (Napa Valley) California

8. Four Seasons at the Surf, Surfside, Florida

9. Montage at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina

10. The Setai, Miami Beach

Other notables I’ve stayed at and love include Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles (49), Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (40), The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco (29), The Four Seasons New York Downtown (12) and the Beverly Hills Hotel (11).

BEST HOTELS IN CANADA

1. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (haven’t stayed but love their Cafe Boulud restaurant)
2. Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver (modern and vibrant, with cutting-edge food and cocktails)
3. Four Seasons Resort Whistler, B.C.
4. The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto (a spectacular hotel in the trendy Yorkville area of town)
5. Four Seasons Hotel Montreal

6. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Montreal

7. The Wickaninnish Inn, Vancouver Island, B.C.

8. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Toronto (elegant property with fabulous food)

9. St. Regis Toronto (gorgeous main restaurant and bar called Louix Louis, and lovely rooms)

10. Wedgewood Hotel and Spa, Vancouver

Other notable Canadian properties I really like include Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City (11), Shangri-La Hotel Toronto (12), Park Hyatt, Toronto (14), Cabot Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (15), Bisha Hotel, A Luxury Collection, Toronto (16), Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver (22), Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, (23), Fairmont Empress, Victoria, B.C. (24), 1 Hotel Toronto (29), Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (31), Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Victoria B.C. (37), Muir Hotel Halifax (45), The Douglas Autograph Collection, Vancouver (47), Le Germain Hotel Calgary (49), and Ste. Anne’s Spa, Grafton, Ontario (50).

BEST HOTELS IN EUROPE

1. Adare Manor, Ireland (an historic and elegant property with a magnificent golf course)
2. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Florence, Italy
3. Le Bristol, Paris (whisper quiet service and first-class rooms in a great part of the city)
4. The Connaught, London

5. Claridge’s, London

6. Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel, London (excellent place to stay in one of the world’s great cities)

7. The Merrion, Dublin, Ireland

8. Grace Hotel, Auberge, Santorini, Greece

9. Hotel 41, London

10. Le Royal Meridien Raffles Hotel, Paris

BEST HOTELS IN THE CARIBBEAN

 

1. Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia. (Truly one of the most incredible places I’ve ever spent the night)
2. Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
3. Cheval Blanc St-Barth
4. Calabash Hotel (Grenada)
5. Baoase Luxury Resort (Curaçao)

BEST HOTELS IN MEXICO

1. Esperanza, Auberge Collection (Cabo San Lucas)
2. Casa de Sierra Nevada (Guanajuato)
3. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Collection (Cabo San Lucas)
4. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (Cabo San Lucas)
5. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort (San José del Cabo)

 

BEST RESORTS IN CANADA

 

1. Four Seasons Resort Whistler
   2. Fogo Island Inn, Joe Batt’s Arm, Newfoundland (a spectacular setting and a unique, local story to tell)
   3. Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec
   4. Fairmont Château Whistler
   5. Hotel X Toronto (a fine urban retreat with a terrific rooftop pool and fitness/tennis centre)

BEST RESORTS IN THE USA

1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
   2. Four Seasons Resort Lana’i
   3. Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, California
   4. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho Santa Fe, California (a super restful spot north of San Diego, with spacious grounds and great food)
   5. Montage Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, South Carolina)