“The travel industry has faced many disruptions over the past two years, highlighting the need to support and recognize hotels that continue to maintain excellent standards,” said Zach Watson, senior travel editor, U.S. News. “The 2022 Best Hotels rankings offer a dependable guide for travelers to use when organizing their next trip, whether that’s in a few weeks or later in the year.”
The Peninsula Chicago is the No. 1 Best Hotel in the U.S., impressing experts and guests with its luxurious on-site offerings, including The Peninsula Spa and Shanghai Terrace restaurant, and afternoon tea in the lobby, according to the evaluators. The hotel’s bright, modern guest rooms invite guests to wind down while looking out over Chicago. Montage Kapalua Bay on Maui follows at No. 2 and Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, comes in at No. 3.
For the first time for the Best All-Inclusive Resorts and Best Resorts listings, select qualifying 3.5-star properties have been added to the hotels, resorts and all-inclusive resorts ranking lists in Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
“The Best Resorts and Best All-Inclusive Resorts lists offer information on everything from the number of pools and restaurants on-site to the daily activities available and nightly resort fees (if applicable),” said Watson. “The easily accessible information allows travelers to fully enjoy these luxurious resorts without spending months planning.”
Eden Rock—St Barths in St. Barts is the Best Hotel in the Caribbean and the Best Resort in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Jade Mountain in St. Lucia maintains the top spot as the Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean.
For the Best Hotels in Mexico and the Best Resorts in Mexico, Montage Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas takes the top spot, while Grand Velas Los Cabos is the Best All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico.
Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver earns recognition as the Best Hotel in Canada, and Rosewood Bermuda ranks No. 1 on this year’s Best Hotels in Bermuda list. Le Bristol Paris once again came in as the No. 1 Best Hotel in Europe.
U.S. News scores hotels using a methodology that combines each hotel’s industry awards with its star rating and guest sentiment. U.S. News did not include COVID-19 data in the rankings, and some hotels and resorts may be currently offering different or modified services and amenities. However, several of the major industry awards factored into the rankings take property cleanliness into account.
2022 U.S. News Best Hotels Rankings
In the U.S.
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The Peninsula Chicago
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Montage Kapalua Bay
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Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
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Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
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Hotel Bel-Air
In Canada
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Rosewood Hotel Georgia
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The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal
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Fairmont Pacific Rim
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Auberge Saint-Antoine
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Fogo Island Inn
In Mexico
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Montage Los Cabos
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Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
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Rosewood Mayakoba
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Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort
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One&Only Palmilla
In the Caribbean
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Eden Rock—St. Barths
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Jade Mountain Resort
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Belmond Cap Juluca
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Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts
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Eden Roc at Cap Cana
In Bermuda
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Rosewood Bermuda
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Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club
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Royal Palms Hotel
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Fairmont Southampton
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Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa
In Europe
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Le Bristol Paris
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La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa
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The Milestone Hotel & Residences
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Ashford Castle
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Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
General industry trends
During its research for the rankings, U.S. News and World Report also tracked the following trends:
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Resort fees are still a common add-on across the travel industry—and they continue to increase.
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Many hotels and resorts have made permanent changes to their processes and offerings in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. Examples include more outdoor dining and socializing options; contactless check-in, checkout and payments; and sanitization stations throughout hotels. Some properties now also require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative coronavirus test result before your stay, and indoor mask mandates may be in place.
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Housekeeping processes have changed, and most hotels no longer offer daily housekeeping. However, some properties allow you to request how often you would like your room cleaned, and most hotels recommend calling the front desk for additional towels, toiletries and any other amenities you may need, which can be brought up right away.
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With international coronavirus travel requirements rapidly changing, many would-be adventurers now opt to travel close to home. Hotels rolled out elaborate staycation and work-from-hotel packages this year to attract locals’ attention.
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Hotels continue to debut more eco-friendly policies and programming. These changes will impact every aspect of a guest’s stay, from their room’s toiletries (fewer single-use plastics) to the architecture of the larger hotel.