The 19 Hotels the Matador Editors Loved Staying in Most This Year

Over the course of 2024, Matador Network’s editors and writers spent more than 500 nights in hotels in more than two dozen countries around the globe. The year witnessed the opening of many incredible properties in both big cities and remote locales. Historic properties saw massive renovations, though some the hotels that have long been crowd favorites proved new isn’t always better. Case in point: Standby properties we stayed at in places like Whistler and Washington, DC that helped establish local lodging standards and prove that it’s possible for a great hotel to remain true to its mission over the long-term. From high-end luxury stays to quaint boutiques to coastal resorts, these are the hotels that we loved the most in 2024.

Entries are in no particular order. Picks were chosen and written by Katie Scott Aiton, Alex Bresler, Suzie Dundas, Nickolaus Hines, Morgane Croissant, and Tim Wenger.

We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

• Location: Gran Canaria, Spain
• Why we love it: The five-star all-inclusive breaks the mold with Michelin-star level dining and a range of immersive cultural excursions
• Price: From $1,386 per night

Paradisus by Meliá on Gran Canaria is a perfect example of the new wave of all-inclusive European resorts offering a more luxury boutique experience. The Canary Islands are the go-to for European tourists looking for winter sun, but I’ve long avoided them due to the unfair reputation of the islands as culturally vapid. The Paradisus is leveling that stereotype.
This expansive five-star resort, nestled on the south coast’s Playa de San Agustín, is a mere 20-minute drive from the international airport. As a Reserve guest, I was privy to an elevated all-inclusive experience. This adults-only haven features exclusive perks like private check-in, a dedicated lounge, a serene pool, and a complimentary 90-minute spa treatment. The Reserve rooms offer the epitome of relaxation with their stunning ocean and garden views, luxurious amenities, and locally inspired and crafted decor.

Beyond the resort’s opulent accommodations, Paradisus by Meliá is committed to immersing guests in the local culture. The resort’s design elements, culinary offerings, and curated activities all pay homage to the Canary Islands. Every detail reflects the island’s character, from handcrafted woven light shades and carved wooden frames to the locally sourced rum, banana chips, and chocolate in the minibar.

The range of excursions that can be added to your itinerary really sets this resort apart from other European resorts. But what surprised me most was the diverse and exceedingly high standard of dining options. With eight restaurants, ranging from the casual Gastro Hall to fine dining at Peseta, this is not your cookie-cutter package hotel. Each restaurant focuses on championing local ingredients and chefs. The tasting menu at Peseta, steered by chef Germán Ortega, who has run Michelin star restaurants, is a triumph. I enjoyed the three-course Earth menu with ingredients originating within 60 miles of the resort. The stars of the show: the truffle and mushroom risotto and almond ice cream. If you’re a foodie and want an all-inclusive vacation to Europe in spring, I highly recommend Paradisus by Meliá. — Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

Read Matador’s full review of Paradisus by Meliá

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• Location: Hustadvika, Norway
• Why we love it: 10 minutes from The Atlantic Road, this turf-roofed hotel’s restaurant has an exceptional regional tasting menu
• Price: From $130 per night

The Atlantic Road, one of the 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes and one of the most famous roads in the world, draws visitors to Northwest Norway. And although it is indeed worth building a regional itinerary around, there are multiple reasons why you should spend your vacation time in this area of the country. I recently ate my way around the region from the home of klippfisk (salted and dried cod) in Kristiansund to the pretty-as-a-picture Ålesund. Along the way, I had the pleasure of staying at Hustadvika Havhotell — a hotel surrounded by Lord of the Rings-esque scenery and within a 10-minute drive from the main road.

You want to experience The Atlantic Road when the weather is at its best. That’s one of the many reasons a night or two at Hustadvika Havhotell is a must. It allows you some breathing time to experience the view and a second chance if it’s overcast your first time around. Hustadvika Havhotell is situated by the coast. With ocean views and neighboring mountains, its turf-roofed accommodations range from standard rooms and suites with water-view private balconies to small cabins with kitchenettes for groups and families. It’s part of Classic Norway Hotels, a brand known for its historic and unique accommodations.

Rooms celebrate the region’s natural beauty with a palette of earthy tones and natural materials. My terrace had outdoor seating, where I enjoyed my morning coffee while listening to the gentle lapping of waves — a stark contrast to the storm-like weather that dramatically cloaked the hotel the night before. Outside the accommodations are piers where you can jump off for an ocean dip before warming up in the on-site sauna. Aside from aesthetics, the restaurant is a destination in itself. The tasting menu here champions regional produce from within a very small radius with dishes like moreish fish soup and succulent lamb. — Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

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• Location: Ålesund, Norway
• Why we love it: An Art Nouveau boutique hotel with an unbeatable quayside location that’s unpretentious and homely
• Price: From $169 per night

Another place that captured my heart in Northwest Norway this year was the provincial town Ålesund and the Art Nouveau hotel, Hotel Brosundet. It might sound hard to believe, but it’s rare for me to stay somewhere and wish I had more time. Although I travel for a profession, I’m a home body. So it takes something special: a blend of upscale without pretentiousness, warm but not fussy service, and a design-forward aesthetic. Hotel Brosundet ticks all those boxes. The uber stylish boutique hotel was once a warehouse and was renovated in 2017. It’s on the quayside, within strolling distance to the Art Nouveau buildings that line the cobblestone streets, the harbor where you can buy fresh crab from fishing boats, and some of the best food shops in the region.

The 131-key hotel welcomes visitors through a lobby with a three-story, floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Although it’s temping to set up camp on one of the comfy Scandinavian design couches, the rooms are equally inviting. Everything from the beautiful wood flooring to neutral-toned furnishings is of a very high calibre. But rather than feeling like you need to walk around your room in a straight jacket to avoid breaking anything, I was instantly at ease. The hotel is like my Pinterest board for my dream home.

Dining here is also a draw. Although there are many excellent places to eat in Ålesund (round-the-corner fish restaurant Sjøbua being one), Apotekergata No.5, the hotel’s brassiere, is popular with hotel guests and residents alike, as is the copper-clad bar Arkivet Bar which is where you want to be at the end of the day with a gin and tonic made with local spirits.

The on-site spa and fitness facilities is also a destination in its own right. Set on water-level with the harbor, you can start your day with a swim off the hotel’s pier, followed by a sauna. There was a yoga class on during my stay, which time did not permit, but I spoke to some other guests who raved about the instructor. One of the most unique features of the wellness center are the outdoor baths which have views over the quay as boats come into dock. There are two beautiful granite baths, which you can hire for an hour. Filled with gorgeously rich bubbles, this is one of those experiences I’ll never forget. — Katie Scott Aiton, Lifestyle Editor

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• Location: Rome
• Why we love it: The hotel’s location, at the top of the Spanish Steps, is unbeatable
• Price: From $1,199 per night

There’s plenty to love about staying at the historic Hassler Hotel. First, you can claim to all your friends and family members that you stayed where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly spent part of their honeymoon. Second, because it’s a five-star establishment, everything is top of the line, from the food and service at the on-site dining venues (one of which has a Michelin star), to the Amorvero Spa, to the rooms and suites filled with high-end amenities like Dyson Supersonic hair dryers.

But what I liked best about staying at the Hassler Hotel is the fantastic, and absolutely unbeatable, location. Because it’s at the top of the Spanish Steps, you can get exceptional views over the Eternal City at all times from just about any windows. And if you wake up early enough, you can have the Spanish Steps, Trinità dei Monti Church, and Piazza di Spagna all to yourself. In a city as crowded as Rome, this is no small feat. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Read Matador’s full review of Hassler Hotel

• Location: Oxford, England
• Why we love it: Stunning inside and out, this iconic Oxford hotel was a filming location for one of the greatest British TV series ever made
• Price: From $274 per night

Although The Randolph Hotel is owned by the hospitality company Graduate Hotels, itself part of the Hilton brand, it looks nothing like a chain. Built in 1866, the hotel is a grand example of Gothic Revival architecture, and its exterior beauty is on par with the many magnificent buildings (colleges, libraries, churches, etc.) you’ll see while walking around Oxford.

Inside, it’s an explosion of cozy, twee, and vintage decor, with colors, patterns, and objects that will transport you straight back to England of yore. This rich and atmospheric decor is filled with Easter eggs about Oxford University’s past alumni, from the on-site Alice restaurant (in reference to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”) to your room key, which is a replica of J.R.R. Tolkien’s student card. My personal favorite part of The Randolph Hotel is the comfortable and intimate Morse Bar on the ground floor, a tribute to the popular British TV series Inspector Morse, of which several episodes were filmed in the hotel. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Read Matador’s full review of The Randolph Hotel

• Location: Hamburg, Germany
• Why we love it: A unique and unexpected building that’s not only iconic of the city of hamburg, but also rich with history
• Price: From $147 per night

Staying at the REVERB by Hard Rock Hamburg is Hamburg’s equivalent to spending the night in London’s Big Ben – it’s iconic and impossible to pass on. The St. Pauli Bunker, was built under the Nazi regime in 1942 and 1943 as an air raid shelter. Since July 2024, after many years of renovations, the immense concrete structure is a modern four-star hotel of 134 rooms and multiple drinking and dining venues.

Because it is owned by the Hard Rock brand, the hotel is music-themed. More specifically, it was designed with music fans in mind, with plenty of smart decor touches that adhere to that ethos, as well as a music studio for musicians to use. My favorite part of staying at the REVERB was the sweeping views of the city you get when you use the exterior staircase that takes you from the ground floor all the way to the lush garden located at the top of this historic structure, 190 feet above the ground. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Read Matador’s full review of REVERB by Hard Rock Hamburg

• Location: Richmond, Canada
• Why we love it: An airport hotel that looks and feels more like a luxury boutique establishment
• Price: From $240 per night

Travelers aren’t often fussy about airport hotels. All we typically ask for is a reliable shuttle service and a clean and quiet room to catch up on sleep in between flights. I have stayed at a lot of airport hotels, most of them non-descript chain establishments that I forgot almost immediately after leaving. The Versante Hotel near the Vancouver airport delivers a totally different experience. For one, you get picked up by a private chauffeur driving an electric Mercedes SUV. After a comfortable 10-minute ride from YVR, you’re welcomed in a small and artsy lobby that sets the tone for the rest of the hotel.

The Versante is decorated with joy in mind, using colors, patterns, and unexpected furnishings (think poodle-shaped lamps) that will brighten up your stay rather than dull your senses. The vibrant atmosphere doesn’t take away from the luxury feel of the hotel, however. The service is top-notch and the amenities (Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, wireless chargers on the bedside tables, huge freestanding bathtub, outdoor pool, etc.) are abundant. The on-site drinking and dining venues are just as special, with a Japanese izakaya, a whisky bar, and an afternoon tea salon, among others, at your disposal for you to relax, reset, and indulge without having to leave the premises. — Morgane Croissant, Deputy Editor

Read Matador’s full review of The Versante Hotel

• Location: Gstaad, Switzerland
• Why we love it: Live like a billionaire in rooms bigger than your house
• Price: From $1,500 per night

In the small mountain town of Gstaad is The Alpina, less a resort and more an exclusive retreat meticulously curated for those to whom cost is inconsequential. Yes, millionaires stay here, but it’s billionaires who book the suites. The resort’s architectural grandeur is unmatched, from the restored Italian painting on the lobby ceiling tiles to the massive white-marbled underground swimming pool styled after an elegant Roman bath.

Rooms and suites are spacious and detailed, with views that sweep across the Bernese Alps. Rooms include perks like complimentary organic slippers, $600 blow dryers in each bathroom, and king-size beds in rooms that feel like private enclaves – and at the Alpine, it’s possible a king did sleep there.

Amenities are equally indulgent, with one of the most luxurious spas in Europe, a private cinema (often used by celebrities for private showings), the highly rated Japanese fusion restaurant MEGU, and staff who will bend over backward to accommodate every need. Want only certain fabrics in your room? A box of homemade vegan cookies delivered with breakfast? An invite to the most exclusive restaurant in town? That’s the bare minimum of what staff will do for guests.

The Alpina is incredibly expensive, but for guests who can afford it – or guests who save up – it’s a chance to live like a billionaire, at least for a few days. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot and it’s without a doubt the most luxurious place I’ve ever stayed. — Suzie Dundas, Editor

• Location: Jackson, Wyoming
• Why we love it: Watch wildlife from your deck and walk to downtown
• Price:From $400 per night

The Rusty Parrot Lodge is a unique blend of Western charm and sophistication. Art inspired by the rugged spirit of the American West hang on the walls, but Eastern-inspired wellness treatments dot the spa menu. At about three blocks, it’s far enough from downtown Jackson to be quiet at night but close enough to walk to restaurants and tour meet-up spots without dealing with a car. The best way I can describe the property is an elegant retreat with a touch of frontier grit.

Rooms are carefully curated to evoke a sense of the West without a hint of kitsch, and small details like complimentary in-room eye masks and a high-end snack tray that gets refilled each day helps justify the cost – though in Jackson, even a Motel 8 can run into the $300s per night. The hotel has just 40 rooms, making it small enough for a personal level of attention but large enough to sustain ongoing amenities like complimentary e-bikes and freshly baked cookies each afternoon.

The Rusty Parrot is also home to The Wild Sage, which has a seasonal menu creative enough to outshine many of the standard American-fare restaurants that dot Jackson’s tourist square. It’s comfortable as can be, and while it is high-end, it’s not over the top. That makes it a comfortable splurge for your average occasional traveler, especially in October and November, when rates are their lowest and the town is likely to be less crowded. — Suzie Dundas, Editor

Read Matador’s full review of the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa

• Location: Whistler, Canada
• Why we love it: Ski-in in the winter, use the mountain bike valet in the summer
• Price: From $172 per night

The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler combines the best of British Columbia’s outdoor adventures with a level of luxury that complements the mountain surroundings, but doesn’t feel at all pretentious. It sits in the Whistler Village, about a three-minute walk from the high-speed Fitzsimons lift. It seems designed for travelers who want a certain level of elegance and convenience – especially since all rooms have in-suite kitchens – but don’t need to spend hundreds every night for five-star features of Whistler’s pricier hotels.

With a ski valet in the winter and on-site gear rentals, as well as a grab-and-go coffee shop and cozy aprés-ski bar, it’s as comfortable as can be for a ski trip. And come summer, the resort shifts gears with a mountain bike valet, catering to the influx of riders who come for Whistler’s world-renowned bike park. It’s a thoughtful touch, signaling that summer isn’t an afterthought – and the outdoor pool with mountain-view pool deck is an unbeatable place to relax after a long bike ride or hike (both of which you can start in the Whistler Village).

I’ve stayed at other ski-in hotels in Whistler, and they’re certainly lovely – I’d never say no to a chance to spend a few nights at the Fairmont Whistler. But the Westin is a more affordable option, making it a great pick for couples or friends who want to hit the slopes (or the trails) without breaking the bank. — Suzie Dundas, Editor

Read Matador’s full review of The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler

• Location: Boulder, Colorado
• Why we love it: Historic stay near some of the college town’s best restaurants and bars
• Price: Rooms from $112 per night

For Mother’s Day, my wife and I took the rare short trip without our toddler. We didn’t go far — it’s a quick drive to Boulder from where we live in Dener — but the right hotel can make even places near to home feel like an escape. Boulderado checked all of the boxes.

Boulderado (a portmanteau of “Boulder” and “Colorado”) was the first luxury hotel built in the town when it opened on New Year’s Day in 1909. Accommodations options in Boulder have gotten a lot better to serve the lively college town in the modern era. There’s something special about staying in a landmark building, though, and Boulderado has the listings to set it apart: a City of Boulder landmark, member of Historic Hotels of America, and a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

A renovation in 2018 brought Boulderado’s public spaces to modern standards. That said, walking into the lobby still feels like stepping back in time (if you ignore all the people staring at their phones and wheeling fancy luggage around). The architecture folds Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival inspiration into the five-story brick building, and the original Otis elevator is still in operation.

Boulderado trends more toward charming than modern luxury. The rooms have a Victorian feel and layout you won’t find in new builds, but which still offer plenty of comforts. The hotel’s downtown location near Pearl Street is one of the biggest draws. A celebration-worthy dinner at Bramble & Hare (a Michelin Green Star restaurant with an impressive wine list) is a short walk away. This isn’t wine country by any means, but the bottles from Silver Vines Winery down the street can stand up to the wine regions people know and love. More casual offerings abound: Bohemian Biergarten for a wide beer selection and pub food, T/aco for drinks and modern Mexican food (breakfast margaritas are more than just accepted here). Or stick closer to your bed for the night. License No. 1 in the basement of Boulderado has speakeasy vibe with live music and classic cocktails, while The Corner Bar above feels as historic as the hotel itself with a dark wood bar, but has a modern food menu.

Before we left, we stopped by Lighthouse Bookstore for a tarot reading and a gift for the little one. Our cups felt full, according to the cards, but were about to get even more full. Which naturally got me thinking about our next weekend escape together and where Boulderado fits into those future plans. — Nickolaus Hines, Managing Editor

• Location: Denver
• Why we love it: An elegant stay in the heart of the city reminiscent of Gilded Age travel
• Price: From $399 per night

For all of the hotels I stayed in this year in cities and towns around the world, the one I bring up most when asked which properties really stand out to me is the one I traveled the shortest distance for. In fact, just about a 10 minute drive from my home in Denver.

My wife and I took a romantic staycation at The Crawford Hotel in Denver’s Union Station this summer and immediately fell for its charms. Union Station, originally Union Depot, opened in 1881. It was the epitome of the golden age of rail travel through the early 1900s. In the past decade, Union Station has undergone a massive renewal and once again is a gathering place for locals and tourists alike — in no small part thanks the addition of The Crawford in 2014. Renovations to the hotel’s 112 rooms and Union Station’s Great Hall wrapped up shortly before our stay, and The Crawford was awarded a Michelin Guide One Key designation in the first iteration of the listings a few months prior.

Check-in at The Parlour on one side of the Great Hall includes a welcome beverage of local whiskey from Laws Whiskey house or a glass of bubbly. The process is personal and elegant, the room’s design reminiscent of what I imagine 19th-century Orient Express riders were accustomed to. Live music and small plates are available in the afternoons, making The Parlour more than just a check-in desk. Taking our drinks to the other side to the Great Hall past the restaurants, bars, and mingling travelers, we took the private hotel elevator to the the LoDo Suite on the fourth floor.

The repurposed top floor speaks to its previous use as practical storage space with angled ceilings and exposed brick and support beams. The communal room is spacious and broken up by comfortable custom couches and chairs with light streaming in from an elevated rectangular window, a half-bath just to the side. The bedroom, accessed by a small walkway and a few stairs, has eye-catching floral wallpaper on the ceiling, a king-size bed, a chaise lounge, and a coffee table artfully filled with photo books. In the large master bathroom, a freestanding tub quietly whispers relaxation.

We took full advantage of the room and spent most of our hours there, leaving briefly for small plates and cocktail hour at the equally luxurious Cooper Lounge on the Union Station mezzanine. Some of our favorite local restaurants and bars were just a short walk away — Ghost Donkey, Sunday Vinyl, and Tavernetta, to name a few. In the morning, we stopped by The Oxford Club & Spa across the street for massages before heading back home.

Staycations don’t often get the same love as faraway destinations. This year, my Crawford staycation was the most elegant getaway I took, and one where the accommodations truly were the main event. — Nickolaus Hines, Managing Editor

• Location: Puumala, Finland
• Why we love it: A private, spa-like stay in Finland’s soul-resorting Lakeland region
• Price: From $336 per night

A trip to Finland quickly teaches you to expect saunas in most Finnish hotels. At Elsanranta, there’s a sauna inside each of the studio-apartment-sized villas, acting as perfect complements to the hot tubs found on the decks of every unit.

Elsanrata is made up of a handful of villas that share a small private cape on the banks of Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake. But the exclusive enclave is just one piece of the greater Sahanlahti Resort, which also operates a woodsy hotel, homestyle villas, and campsites along with three different restaurants and other amenities (yes, that includes communal saunas).

When you’re not busy with the self-care routine that your villa is bound to inspire — including in-room breakfast upon request — borrow a bike or rowboat to explore different parts of the property. Enjoy three courses of locally sourced goodness on the terrace of the Koskivahti restaurant, or snack on fried muikku (a small white fish and seasonal specialty) lakeside at the Rantamakasiini restaurant in the summer. Live music is likely.

For off-property adventures, ask about guided tours ranging from snowshoeing to stargazing. And make good use of your villa’s cutest amenity: a pair of pocket-sized binoculars meant to help you spot Lake Saimaa’s famous ringed seals and other resident critters. — Alex Bresler, Branded Content Editor

• Location: Marshall, California
• Why we love it: A front-row seat to some of California’s most remarkable coast
• Price: From $234 per night

Point Reyes National Seashore — with its windswept beaches, imposing yet hikeable headlands, and award-winning contributions to the California Cheese Trail — is a popular day trip for anyone in the Bay Area. The Lodge at Marconi makes a good case for staying the night.

Overlooking Tomales Bay from within a 62-acre California State Historic Park, the 45-room lodge is bigger than you’d expect for a property that’s hidden among the pines. Accommodations sleep between two and five. Families will love the loft-style rooms while the lone A-frame is ideal for couples — or newlyweds, as was the case during my visit, which coincided with one lucky couple’s wedding weekend at the lodge.

From the communal fire pit to the somewhat secret Adirondack chairs, the Lodge at Marconi finds the sweet spot between fostering socialization (lawn games, anyone?) and facilitating seclusion (say, grabbing a bottle of pinot from general store to enjoy back in your room). Another reason to check out the property: Mable’s, the on-site restaurant whose veggie-forward share plates bring something different to the seafood-dominated Shoreline Highway.

But, really, it’s the lodge’s location on that beautiful stretch of highway that makes it so irresistible. Drive a few minutes up or down the road for a shucking good meal at the Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Hog Island, or The Marshall Store — best enjoyed after a day spent kayaking on the bay, walking the trails, or spotting feathery, furry, and blubbery friends. — Alex Bresler, Branded Content Editor

• Location: Seoul, South Korea
• Why we love it: A restorative world unto itself within walking distance of Seoul’s must-see sights
• Price: From $287 per night

For all of the big tech, trendsetting K-streetwear, and soju shots that fuel Seoul’s near-futuristic side, entire pockets of the city are dedicated to traditional Korean culture. Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno District is one example. A hanok is a traditional Korean house with a wooden framework dating back to the 14th century. The winding alleyways of Seoul’s largely residential Bukchon Hanok Village neighborhood are full of them; some have been restored to serve as guesthouses, including Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae.

A stay at Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae starts with welcome tea in your suite. There are just a few suites situated harmoniously around a Zen-garden-like courtyard, where guests stay at eye level with the surrounding Seoul skyline. All are simple but meticulous, like the traditional dwellings of Korean nobles, with soft bedding set on the naturally warmed jade floor and wooden soaking tubs in the bathroom (plus a few modern amenities like instant noodles in the mini-bar and complimentary facial sheet masks).

Tea ceremonies, spa treatments, and hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) photo shoots are some of the experiences you can arrange on site — some free, some for a fee. But even the complimentary Korean-style breakfast feels like a special event, with a delicious variety of banchan (vegetable sides) accompany savory bites like seaweed soup, grilled fish, and a fried egg. (You can also opt for a Western-style breakfast, and alcohol like Korean gin and makgeolli (fizzy rice wine) are available for purchase.)

Beyond the bukchon, you’re centrally located near important landmarks like the Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces and tons of great restaurants. As you come and go, keep in mind is that restfulness is not only fundamental to the meditative environment at Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae but the entire Bukchon Hanok Village — be respectful of those who live there, and embrace the peace and quiet. — Alex Bresler, Branded Content Editor

• Location: Washington, DC
• Why we love it: Walkable location in the historic neighborhood Foggy Bottom neighborhood that represents the vibe of the capital city
• Price: From $167 per night

In big cities, the neighborhood you stay in sets the tone for an entire trip. I hadn’t been to DC in 25 years, but Foggy Bottom was exactly how I remembered the city from my youth: well-kept historic row houses lining easily walkable streets, bikes and people constantly buzzing past vendors hawking political trinkets from lopsided card tables, a ping of humidity leaving a permanent drop of sweet on my brow. The River Inn is in the heart of the neighborhood, a three-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro station.

The view from my room was negligible but the room itself was perfect: a suite complete with a simple kitchen, work desk, couch, and, all-important on a work trip, an ironing board. I spend upward of 50 nights a year in hotels and I rarely sleep great multiple nights in a row. At The River Inn, I slept through the night each of three nights. The bed was comfortable, and I couldn’t hear anything from the streets eight floors down.

I was in the city on a reporting trip and made a habit of stopping into the bar at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Matera, each evening for happy hour to unwind and go through my notes over a local beer. The entire trip and the story that resulted came together so well that I’m a bit nostalgic already, and The River Inn is a big part of that memory. — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

• Location: Phoenix
• Why we love it: Trendy pool scene that attracts as many locals as visitors, minimalist and airy room design that remains cool even when Phoenix is scorching hot
• Price: From $85 per night

I’m a fan of hotels that signify the rebirth of a neighborhood that needed it. RISE Uptown is that hotel in Phoenix’s Uptown neighborhood, an area that has historically lacked the trendy vibe and easily navigable layout of Uptown neighborhoods in the western United States but that is now on its way up — quite literally. This property created a scene for itself with a pool bar and a rooftop club where most of the clientele are local residents.

Then there are the booze-laced popsicles available at the check-in counter. Its restaurant, Lylo Swim Club, welcomes travelers to Phoenix with spruced-up Tex-Mex, the coffee shop roasts its own beans, and the minimalist concrete-lined rooms are designed to maximize the flow of cool air – a necessity in this city, even in May when I visited. Staying at RISE Uptown feels like becoming a member of a cool club that you’re surprised let you in. After checking in I spent 10 minutes or so meandering the cactus-and-plant-lined property muttering to myself things like, “Oh, wow!” or, “I’ll stop in there later.”

I desire to return, pull up a poolside lounge chair and a fruity cocktail and watch the evening roll by. It’s also located right across from a light rail station, making this a good place to stay if visiting Phoenix without a car. — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Read Matador’s full review of RISE Uptown

• Location: Kartalkaya, Türkiye
• Why we love it: All-inclusive ski resort with private slopes and endless food
• Price: From $465 per night

Until I visited Kaya Palazzo Ski & Mountain Resort this past winter, I’d never done the “all-inclusive” ski trip thing. After experiencing the property’s hamam after a long day on the slopes, I get it — there’s nothing like a Turkish bath and massage when your legs are screaming to the heavens. To get there, I wound my way to the top of Kartalkaya ski area and was welcomed to the hotel with a trip through the buffet line, the perfect greeting for weary travelers arriving via private coach from Istanbul.

At other points during my stay, I dined at Swiss Fondue (which serves its namesake), dined on Turkish fare across the parking lot at Palazzo Lounge, and took apres at the Lobby Bar. The property operates its own private ski runs, with a rental and lesson center and lots of space to explore. My room was plush and pristine, macarons included, and included a living room area to unwind. The place is luxurious from top to bottom – emblematic of Turkish hospitality with appetizers aplenty, fanciful decor, and excellent customer service. — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Read Matador’s full review of Kaya Palazzo Ski & Mountain Resort

• Location: Denver
• Why we love it: The world’s first carbon-positive hotel with ample sustainability initiatives, hip lodging, and great dining in the heart of the city
• Price: From $223 per night

Populus made international headlines months before it opened with its claim to be the first “carbon positive” hotel – meaning that from an emissions standpoint, the world is better off because this property exists. This built around the massive rooftop solar garden, an industrial-scale food composter and top-notch recycling, and a massive tree planting initiative to offset and exceed what carbon the property emits (the chefs insisted on gas-burning stoves, after all). Architecture firm Studio Gang and the property’s owner, Urban Villages, built a property that resembles the “eyes” of an aspen tree, and the rooms look through those eyes out onto the city beyond.

I was handed a key card holder full of wildflower seeds and instructed to simply “plant it whole” when I got home. The food at both the rooftop Stellar Jay and lobby-floor Pasque is exquisitely prepared from locally sourced ingredients (my party especially loved the panko-fried Dellacotta Squash dish at Stellar Jay). The cocktail program matches the menus with alpine-inspired flavors and spirits.

Walking in the front door at Populus feels like stepping into the future. Repurpopsed timber features heavily in the aesthetic, and the clean, dimly lit, and minimialist interior design is befitting of a hip urban hotel near a conference center. I also appreciated the property’s embrace of “new urbanism.” Don’t bring your car, because there’s nowhere to park it – get here by transit or bike. Everything in downtown Denver and the adjacent Capitol Hill, Golden Triangle, and Baker neighborhoods is within walking distance. I slept soundly at Populus, surely comforted by the fact that my stay would result in the planting of two trees (one for each night). — Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor

Read Matador’s full review of Populus