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    People Are Sharing The Single Best Hotel They've Ever Been To, And I'm Taking Notes

    Private pools, luxurious spas, balcony views...you name it, these places have it.

    Andy Golder
    by Andy Golder

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community which hotels they've stayed at that they loved SO much, they want to go back. The comments were full of suggestions, ranging from homey and cozy to modern and posh AF. Here are 21 places to stay to add to your travel bucket list!

    (Prices are estimates based on the current rates as of the time of publishing. Also includes submissions from this Reddit thread.)

    1. Fairmont Mayakoba — Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    An aerial view of the resort, with a boat traveling along a river that is lined with casitas
    Courtesy Fairmont Hotels / Via fairmont-mayakoba.com

    "It's practically its own jungle. You feel like you're in the middle of the wildest environment; it's sort of arranged on a little river, so to get to your room you ride a nice little boat to it. It's great for golf fans too. The food was just unbelievable, and the beach was to die for."

    —macdalita

    One of the hotel's buildings, set among trees alongside a river
    Courtesy Fairmont Hotels / Via fairmont-mayakoba.com

    Price: Rooms at the Fairmont Mayakoba generally range from $350 a night for a regular room to $2,500 a night for a beachfront suite with a private infinity pool and butler service.

    Perks: All-inclusive packages available; oceanfront rooms with private pools available; swim-up bar; spa; family activities

    2. Kilkea Castle — Kildare, Ireland

    Hotels guests posing for a picture with owls perched on their gloved hands
    slad619 / Via buzzfeed.com

    "Hands down, the best hotel I've ever been to was Kilkea Castle in Kildare, Ireland — about an hour outside of Dublin. Not only was it an actual CASTLE from the 12th century with ridiculously beautiful grounds, the friendliest, kindest staff, and a bar that looked like a dungeon, but the EXTRAS, Y'ALL.

    They had a spa where any treatment you booked came with a trip to their **hydrospa** that was literally one of the coolest, fanciest-feeling things I've ever done. It was basically a six-zone hot tub massage, then a sauna, then a eucalyptus-scented steam room, and then an ice bucket shower to finish it off. And all of this was the lil' free perk BEFORE the literal best massage of my life. Audrey, the massage therapist, made it her mission to get the knots out of my shoulder/neck that had been there for god only knows how long.

    BUT the coolest, craziest, once-in-a-lifetime amenity was the FALCONER, Bernard. You can book for $300 a two-hour session with him, in which we got to hold, pet, and learn about his barn owls (Tiddlywinks and Twinkletoes — TELL me you've heard cuter names), a falcon, a hawk, and a crazy hybrid condor, each of which he's raised for years. He made us feel so safe, you could tell the birds respected and loved him, and my life was MADE when Tiddlywinks the owl fell asleep on my arm 😭💗. But the coolest part? Bernard had us walk the condor like a dog down the path, holding our arms out with treats (I truly don't want to know what it was) to coax him to swoop down to us like we were frigging medieval falconers.

    I will never in my lifetime forget the experience we had at Kilkea Castle, and I could not recommend it more. If you're going to Ireland, you need to make it a priority!"

    —slad619

    A view of the castle grounds, which includes a long manicured grassy lawn and garden with hedges
    slad619 / Via buzzfeed.com

    Price: Rooms at Kilkea Castle generally range from $200–$350 a night, with options to stay in the castle or in lodges with more of an extended stay/B&B vibe.

    Perks: Tennis and golf; amazing spa; falconer lessons; horseback riding; river tour; whiskey tasting


    3. Crystals Villa Hotel — St. Lucia

    A private patio at the hotel with a plunge pool and a beautiful high-up view of mountains in the distance
    Crystals Villa Hotel / Via stluciacrystals.com

    "Tucked in the rainforest with an amazing view of the sea and Pitons, they have built villas into and around the trees. Each villa has its own private pool and is decorated so beautifully. One of the bathrooms even had the shower outside to use surrounded by the rainforest. All villas are extremely private; the property is quite large, and walking through the coconut and papaya trees made it feel like we were in a movie. Amazing homemade breakfast with fresh fruit from the property brought to your villa every single morning. The drive up to it is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth it. They have dinners in their treehouse (yes, it’s really a treehouse) as well as rum punch. The owners are fantastic. They will take care of booking things for you, including a rental car, and it was always cheaper than when we tried to do it ourselves. You do have to drive to the beach, but we loved Crystals so much we did not mind driving at all, and it’s literally like a two-minute drive. You get the best of the island at Crystals. It’s truly a tropical paradise."

    —saluki_loo

    Price: Rooms at Crystals St. Lucia generally range from $900–$2,200 a night.

    Perks: Private pool; full villa; AMAZING views; treehouse restaurant; privacy; indoor/outdoor shower

    4. Grand Hotel Nastro Azzurro — Sorrento, Italy

    GTO Resorts / Via gtoresorts.com

    "The staff were amazing; the food was out of this world; the hotel was beautiful and in a perfect location. I wish we could afford to return sometime soon... It's a little piece of heaven, that place."

    —reginaphilangee

    Small cabanas set up among the trees on a grassy lawn at the resort, lit up at night
    GTO Resorts / Via gtoresorts.com

    Price: Rooms at Nastro Azzurro in Sorrento are generally around $100 a night.

    Perks: Hillside views; two pools and multiple hydromassage whirlpool tubs; tennis; nearby beaches


    5. Royal Palms — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

    A terracotta and brick courtyard at the resort with seating, a large fountain, a fire pit, and pergolas
    Jon-Michael Poff / Via buzzfeed.com

    "I can't say enough good things about Royal Palms in Scottsdale/Phoenix. The hotel, nestled against the picturesque Camelback Mountain, was once a private home (!), and although additions to the property have significantly transformed it since the mid-1950s, it still feels secluded and small scale. Our room was tastefully decorated, with a balcony that opened onto the courtyard pictured in the photo above. While there last fall, we spent time by the pool (which served food and beverages all day), dined at the on-site restaurant, and sipped Southwestern-inspired cocktails at the bar. (Full disclosure: This place is pricey, but we saved up credit card points ahead of time to pay for a good chunk of it.)" 

    —jonmichaelpoff

    Another courtyard at the resort featuring Spanish-style architecture and a rectangular fountain pool
    Jon-Michael Poff / Via buzzfeed.com

    Price: Rooms range from about $450 a night for a standard room to $1,500 a night for the Presidential Villa, which includes three outdoor patios, an outdoor fireplace, and a fountain.

    Perks: Beautiful mountain views; poolside café; Spanish-style architecture; spa; hiking trails and bike rentals


    6. Salish Lodge & Spa — Snoqualmie, Washington, United States

    Thomas M. Barwick / Courtesy Salish Lodge

    "The Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, Washington (about a half hour outside Seattle). The Lodge is right next to the gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls, which you have a view of from the restaurant and some of the rooms. It has a very rustic but super luxurious and comfortable feel to it, and their customer service is amazing. The spa is fantastic as well, and features treatments that reflect the local area. Fun fact: Twin Peaks was filmed here and in the surrounding town!"

    —ladyem

    An array of armchairs next to an indoor spa tub in a window-lined lodge-style room
    Thomas M. Barwick / Courtesy Salish Lodge

    Price: Rooms at the Salish Lodge & Spa generally range from about $450 a night to $1,000 a night.

    Perks: Pillow menu; spa and in-room massages/treatments; surrounded by nature; beautiful views; gas fireplaces in rooms; destination for Twin Peaks fans

    7. Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa — Bora Bora

    Romeo Balancourt / Courtesy IHG Hotels / Via ihg.com

    "The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa in Bora Bora was amazing. The food was to die for (especially at Le Corail), the staff was super friendly and helpful, and the overwater bungalow was awesome. The view of Mount Otemanu was fantastic. It was to die for, and I hope to someday go back."

    —pepperopigeon

    A view from the bedroom of one of the villas, which features a large picture window overlooking the ocean
    Romeo Balancourt / Courtesy IHG Hotels

    Price: Overwater villas at the Intercontinental Bora Bora range from about $1,250 a night for a standard villa to $3,000 a night for a suite villa.

    Perks: Overwater bungalows; private pools in suite villas; beautiful lagoon, beach, and mountain views; arts & crafts activities

    8. Mohonk Mountain House — New Paltz, New York, United States

    An aerial view of the hotel, which has tall towers set on a cliffside overlooking a lake with rolling hills covered in forest in the background
    Courtesy Mohonk Mountain House / Via mohonk.com

    "The food is outstanding (and included with your stay); rooms are beautiful (I stayed in a room with a fireplace and a balcony facing the lake). There are lots of things to do (hiking, boating, spa, fitness classes, etc.), and lots of cozy places to relax. Expensive, but memorable!"

    —adina1

    A room overlooking the water
    Courtesy Mohonk Mountain House

    Price: Rooms range from about $800–$1,200 a night, which includes three meals a day at the resort's restaurants, afternoon tea, and more.

    Perks: Private beach; complimentary activities like archery, golf, and tennis; hiking trails; afternoon tea service; indoor heated pool; heated mineral pool

    9. Ojai Valley Inn — Ojai, California

    Lanterns hanging from the branches of an oak tree with mountains lit pink by the setting sun in the distance
    Lindsay Golder

    This resort is located in the Ojai Valley, which is one of the most absolutely beautiful spots in California. The grounds are just gorgeous: They have this very old oak tree right in the center of the grounds with lanterns hanging from the branches, rolling lawns, and amazing views of the surrounding hills. Every evening you can watch the "pink moment," when the sun sets and the mountains on the east end of the valley are illuminated a pinkish-red by the setting sun. When my wife and I first visited, we joked that it was the real-life Good Place.

    There are multiple restaurants on site, and all of them are great. The drinks are incredible too (I dream of the lavender lemonade), and you can get drinks and food poolside. There's a main adults-only pool, a family/kids pool, and a quieter spa pool. There's a big emphasis on healing at the resort, so the spa has a lot of offerings, and there's also stuff like art classes, cooking classes, nature hikes, candle making, and more. Downtown Ojai is only about a mile away, so you can also check out some of the local art and food.

    Prices have unfortunately gone up since they reopened after shutting down during the pandemic, so it's pretty pricey (and the food and drinks — while worth it in my opinion — can also be expensive), and I usually only go for one or two nights for a staycation since I live nearby. But to me, it's always worth the splurge. I love this place so much; I almost don't want to tell anyone about it!

    —Andy Golder

    A view from one of the balconies at the resort, overlooking Spanish-style rooftops and mountains covered in trees in the distance
    Lindsay Golder

    Price: Rooms range from about $600 a night during non-peak season to $900 a night during peak season.

    Perks: Beautiful grounds; adults-only pool; arts, crafts, cooking, and fitness classes; complimentary bike rentals; golf and tennis; restaurants and wine bar


    10. Von Stackelberg Hotel — Tallinn, Estonia

    A cozy spa room lit by candles and featuring historic-looking wood ceilings and exposed brick walls
    Von Stackelberg Hotel / Via vonstackelberghotel.com

    "The Von Stackelberg hotel in Tallinn, Estonia, is incredible. Central location, large bedrooms, luxury bathroom with a jacuzzi, and a spa that's on site. A bit on the pricey side, but it's worth it."

    —katej11

    Price: Rooms range from about $80–$550 a night, depending on the type of room and the season.

    Perks: Very central location; whirlpool tubs in Zen Deluxe rooms; spa and sauna; restaurant and tapas bar


    11. The Line Hotel — Washington, DC

    A view from the Line Hotel's rooftop lounge overlooking the city
    The Line Hotel / Via thelinehotel.com

    "I love the Line Hotel in DC. My husband and I stayed there for our anniversary. It's in an old restored church, and the rooms are very unique — plus it had a claw foot tub. The customer service was also wonderful. It's definitely one of the more unique hotels I've ever stayed in."

    —Anonymous

    Price: Rooms range from about $250 a night for a standard room to $500 a night for a suite.

    Perks: Historic building; restaurant and mezzanine bar; rooftop views; park with weekend farmers market across the street

    12. The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace — Budapest, Hungary

    One of the rooms at the hotel, featuring French doors opening onto a balcony
    The Four Seasons / Via fourseasons.com

    "The building itself is a work of art, and I'm a big fan of art nouveau in general, but the building was on a whole level of its own in terms of artistry and quality. The rooms were spacious and had [about] 12-foot ceilings (I'm not great at estimating height, but they seemed higher than what most people call 'high ceilings'). Each room had its own doorbell, which was novel. And the rooms looked over the Danube onto the other side of the city with the castle and historical district. My aunt's room had a balcony with the view, and my room had a wide stone 'windowsill,' with windows that opened like French doors so I could sit on the windowsill while admiring the view."

    —u/AlizarinQ

    Price: Rooms range from about $400–$800 a night while suites range from $1,200 a night to $5,000+ a night.

    Perks: Afternoon tea; wine tasting room; restaurants and cocktail bar; spa with infinity pool; Danube River views; Art Nouveau architecture

    13. Home Hotel — Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

    The exterior of the historic Home Hotel with a butte in the distance
    The Home Hotel / Via youtube.com

    "Nothing fancy or exotic, but I will always love the Home Hotel in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. The rooms are very nice and reasonably priced, and it’s right across the bridge from some public hot springs. Even better: The hotel rooms have their own jacuzzi-style bathtubs (large enough for two people) that are connected to the hot spring system.

    The two times I’ve stayed there, the service has been incredible, and the owners surprised the guests with homemade baked goods each morning, even though they don’t offer a continental breakfast or whatever. For a little middle-of-nowhere tourist trap of a town, this hotel is what keeps me coming back.

    Edit: I forgot one of the best features! Each room is themed after a famous artist! My favorite room is the Gustav Klimt room."

    —u/Rainingwaen

    Price: Rooms range from about $80–$150 a night depending on room type and season.

    Perks: Mineral bath jacuzzi tubs in every room; walkable to hot springs; homey vibes; historic building; proximity to skiing, hiking, and more

    14. Hotel Xcaret — Mexico

    A room at the hotel featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the ocean
    Xcaret Hotels / Via hotelxcaret.com

    "It was listed in Time magazine as one the top 100 places to travel in 2018. It also has [a restaurant by a] Michelin-star chef. We liked it so much we just booked our second trip."

    —u/MRSD1640

    Price: Rooms range from about $650–$2,500 a night depending on which hotel in the hotel's group you choose, as well as season and room type.

    Perks: Access to various parks and activities like zip-lining, cenotes, and more; airport, parks, and Isla Mujeres transportation included; restaurants by Michelin-star chefs; spa with cave rooms

    15. The Brando — Tahiti

    A view of a villa with a thatched roof, a deck with a small plunge pool, and a sandy beach surrounded by palm trees
    Courtesy The Brando / Via youtube.com

    "I went there several times for work. Although I wouldn't really call it a hotel...more like a luxe resort. We had a butler, private beach; the food was incredible, etc. It was amazing."

    —u/dadadawn


    A view of the ocean and sunny beach from the villa's infinity pool
    Courtesy The Brando

    Price: A one-bedroom villa in the low season starts at about $2,500 a night (two- and three-bedroom villas are also available; add about another $400 a night for each). There is an all-inclusive rate that starts around $3,200 a night that includes meals and room service, beverages including beer and wine, one excursion per day, and one spa treatment per day. 

    Perks: Private villas with plunge pools; excursions; spa services; butler service at the residences

    16. Mira Hotel — Hong Kong

    A terrace room at the hotel featuring a terrace with covered seating outside the bedroom
    The Mira Hotel / Via themirahotel.com

    "Apart from the basic amenities they have (e.g., mini bar, complimentary water, coffee and tea, hairdryer, bathtub, etc.), what I loved about it is their Pillow Menu. And they're all complimentary. You can request a full-body pillow, a lavender- or rose-infused pillow, a hypoallergenic pillow, and others. They have around six kinds of pillows to choose from besides the two regular pillows included. I asked for a lavender-infused pillow and a full-body pillow, and they are glorious to use.

    I know one of my coworkers tried to request six pillows, and her bed started to look and feel like a coffin, LOL. But she says she had the most amazing sleep."

    —u/wailing_banshee


    Price: Rooms range from about $90 a night for a standard room to $1,500 a night for a high-end suite.

    Perks: Complimentary pillow menu; variety of restaurants including bakery and sweets shop; spa and meditation classes; specialty suites; theater room


    17. Taj Hotel Falaknuma Palace — Hyderabad, India

    A horse-drawn carriage outside the hotel, which features domed towers and ornate archways
    Taj Hotels / Via tajhotels.com

    "Breathtaking experience. Some highlights:

    —Best hospitality I have seen, even for Indian standards.

    —Rich culture and Nizam heritage to the palace. The hotel (Palace) is filled with opulence. The richest person in the world for most of 19th century lived there.

    —Amazing food!!! You think you know about Indian food? Think again!

    —A+ list in the dinner guest list. You will be surprised with the guests in your adjacent dinner table."

    —u/productofthesociety

    A grand bathroom in one of the hotel's suites, featuring a large marble bathtub
    Taj Hotels / Via tajhotels.com

    Price: Rooms start at about 45,000 rupees a night, which is about $590 USD. The most expensive suites go up to about $7,500 a night USD.

    Perks: Former palace of the Nizam with beautiful architecture and grounds; arrive in a horse-drawn carriage; afternoon tea and fine dining; bath menu; spa

    18. Ololo Lodge (and also Giraffe Manor) — Nairobi, Kenya

    A sweeping view of the savanna from the Ololo Lodge's grounds
    Ololo Lodge / Via olololodge.com

    "It's located right at the edge of the national park, and it's incredible. From the airport, I was driven through the park itself and saw almost everything on my bucket list before even arriving. I stayed in one of their 'tents' for a few days, started safari with my amazing guide every morning before sunrise (who is so knowledgeable, he could see things hundreds of yards away I never would have been able to by myself). At one point, we got stuck in mud surrounded by a pride of lions, and he got us out like a champ. The lodge itself is eco-friendly, grows most of its own food (chefs are FANTASTIC), and is staffed by incredibly kind people. At night, you hear the sounds of the savanna, and you can even watch wild animals (giraffes, monkeys, etc.) while eating outside. I absolutely cannot stress how amazing this place is, and I can't wait to go back.

    I also stayed in Giraffe Manor right after Ololo Lodge. It's the hotel you always see on Facebook where the giraffes eat breakfast with you, etc. It was a different type of experience (much more laid-back, no safari, etc.), but also tops my hotel list. Breakfast and afternoon tea with giraffes, plus it's located on AFEW grounds (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife). You have to REALLY love giraffes though, as everything is geared around them. It's the most expensive hotel I've stayed in, at over $1,200 USD/night for one of the smaller rooms, and I only got in because of a cancellation; otherwise, the hotel is booked out over a year in advance — but you're not just paying for the room; it's the entire experience they offer. I plan on going back in 2021, staying with all four hotels under their brand."

    —u/Flootloop

    Price: Rooms at the Ololo Lodge start at about $500 a night for tented cottages and $750 a night for suites. Those prices include airport transportation, three meals a day, alcoholic and soft beverages, two game drives a day, and some excursions. Rooms at Giraffe Manor start around $965 per person.

    Perks: Ololo Lodge features rooms with terraces, guided safari tours, included meals, and spa treatments. Giraffe Manor includes all kinds of giraffe experiences, plus various nature tours and activities.

    19. Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) Pavilions — Tasmania, Australia

    An outdoor jetted tub on a balcony overlooking the river in one of the hotel's suites
    Mona / Via mona.net.au

    "First of all, it’s the most incredible museum; after traveling in Europe and visiting many world-renowned museums, I can confidently say that this place is miles ahead of the game. It also has a small number of architecturally designed stand-alone apartments on the grounds, each completely different from the next. We arrived via the Mona Catamaran and were escorted to our apartment via golf cart, with a tour of the grounds on the way. Our apartment was the 'Walter' and was a two-story block, which basically looked liked a square had been tipped up on its edge (kind of hard to explain). It featured the biggest beds I have ever seen, with what might as well be 10 billion thread count sheets, a TV that came out of the roof via remote, a climate-controlled wine fridge full of beautiful wine, stacks of art books, and a view over the river. Not to mention an infinity pool, breakfast at the on-site restaurant, and early access to the museum the following morning.

    This was the fanciest thing I have ever done."

    —u/mediocredarling

    One of the rooms at the hotel, featuring angular windows and ultra-modern design
    MONA / Via mona.net.au

    Price: Pavilions start at about $600 USD a night and go up to about $900 USD a night. Rates include breakfast, and beer and wine tasting.

    Perks: Priority access to the museum; River Derwent views; modern, artistic design; heated infinity pool; sauna and gym

    20. Tickle Pink Inn — Carmel Highlands, California, United States

    A view of cliffs by the Pacific Ocean from a balcony at the inn
    Tickle Pink Inn / Via ticklepinkinn.com

    "We stayed in the Senator's Cottage. It had a tree growing up through the living room.

    Perched up overlooking the Big Sur coastline, the view was breathtaking."

    —u/OoLaLana


    Price: Rooms start at about $340 a night and go up to $700+ a night for the Senator's Cottage.

    Perks: Balcony or terrace in every room; whirlpool tubs or fireplaces in some rooms; complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival; evening wine and cheese hour; ocean views

    21. The Fontainebleau — Miami, Florida, USA

    A circular pool with a gazebo and fire pit on a peninsula in the middle of the hotel's grounds
    Courtesy The Fontainebleau / Via fontainebleau.com

    "The restaurants are to die for (Scarpetta for an upscale option, Pizza & Burger for something casual...best pizza ever). The outdoor area has pools, cabanas, a walk up to a private beach with drink service, tons of beautiful plants, bars, etc. It is amazing! The hotel’s best kept secret is a pool on the seventh floor — it's always chill, more relaxed, and has pretty views. It’s open to guests but not mentioned on the website. I didn’t get to the nightclub, but there were huge lines for it and notable DJs playing. The entire resort has a very luxe feel to it; there is so much attention to detail and beautiful architecture throughout the lobby and other common areas. You could easily stay there for a week and never leave the resort; there is everything you could need and more. It has the feel of a nice all-inclusive resort. And not to mention, the staff was truly incredible! So many kind, professional, accommodating people, whether it was the front desk, poolside, or at the restaurants."

    —u/laneloveslipstick

    "The spa has a rain room where it rains warm rain that starts out slow and eventually becomes torrential."

    —u/evetrapeze

    Marble loungers lined up in a modern spa next to a long spa pool
    Courtesy The Fontainebleau / Via fontainebleau.com

    Price: Rooms start at about $330 a night, with junior suites in the $400–$500 range and presidential suites in the $2,500–$3,500 range.

    Perks: Pet friendly; 11 pools including 21+ day club pool and interactive kids pool; spa; nightclub; beach adjacent


    Is there a hotel you've stayed at that you can't wait to go back to? What did you love about it? Let us know in the comments — and include a photo if you have one to share!