Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Best Hotels Of 2013, As Ranked By US News & World Report

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) on Jan 30th 2013 at 1:00PM

The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report are out, and this time, we're not talking about the best jobs or colleges; it's all about the hotels. While we'd normally be more inclined to trust a travel publication with these rankings, we like that U.S. News has a tendency to base their rankings on methodology rather than review roundups we've seen.

"This is our third year ranking hotels, and the bar continues to climb for luxury properties," said Chad Smolinski, Vice President of Rankings and Reviews at U.S. News & World Report in a release. "Desirable amenities and hotel loyalty programs will no longer suffice. People are seeking hotels that go above and beyond to give their guests an unforgettable experience. Hotels that consistently meet the high expectations of experts and travelers are recognized in our rankings."

Of course, we're always eager to add to our hotel bucket lists as well!

Here are some of the tops:

United States:
Out of the 1,639 U.S. luxury hotels across the United States evaluated for the 2013 rankings, 164 properties scored high enough to earn a place on the list of the Best Hotels in the USA . The top three are:
1. Amangani; Jackson, WY
2. Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele; Lanai, HI
3. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, An Auberge Resort; Bluffton, SC

Caribbean:
For the first time, the magazine has ranked these island hotels. Of the 273 luxury properties analyzed, 27 scored high enough to be named Best Hotels in the Caribbean by U.S. News. The top three are:
1. Tortuga Bay; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
2. Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France; Baie des Flamands, St. Barts
3. Eden Rock, St. Barths; Baie de Saint Jean, St. Barts

By Brand:
U.S. News has also released its first-ever ranking of the 2013 Best Hotels by Brand to help travelers select the best brand-backed hotels across the United States and the Caribbean. From New Mexico to Boston, some of a brands' "best" may surprise you.

What do you think? Have you stayed at these properties and are the rankings fair?

[Image Credit: Four Seasons Magazine]

Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations