Top 15 Continental U.S. Resort Hotels (Video)
Travel + Leisure readers know you don’t have to whip out your passport to check into one of the finest resort hotel destinations in the world. From the hills of northern California to the woods of New England, the continental U.S. is home to scores of stunning resorts.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
Related: The World's Best Awards 2019
It’s clear from the 15 honorees that travelers seeking rest head to the American West, as just over half of the winners are located there. Five lie in California — a perennially popular destination — and out of those, three are surrounded by the vineyards of Napa Valley. Beyond fine wine, readers value fresh air and wide-open spaces, with picks in Oregon, Vermont, and Montana. Properties like Triple Creek Ranch in Big Sky Country do “everything right,” according to one reader, by employing a warm, welcoming staff in a downright picturesque setting.
Coastal resorts didn’t go unloved either. The Setai in Miami Beach, Florida, boasting sleek oceanfront suites and three jaw-dropping infinity pools, is a familiar sight on this list. The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande also made an appearance. As one fan described, it’s “a true taste of old Florida beauty, charm, and service.”
Planning to scope out the No. 1 property? Read on to discover which hotel it is, where you’ll find it, and what makes it great — and to check out the full list of the top resort hotels in the continental U.S.
15. Vintage House at The Estate, Yountville, California
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Score: 94.16
More information: vintagehouse.com
14. Tu Tu' Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon
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Score: 94.18
More information: tututun.com
13. Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande, Florida
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Score: 94.33
More information: the-gasparilla-inn.com
12. Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Emigrant, Montana
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Score: 94.40
More information: mountainsky.com
11. Inns of Aurora, Aurora, New York
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Score: 94.96
More information: innsofaurora.com
10. The Setai, Miami Beach, Florida
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Score: 95.16
More information: thesetaihotels.com
Book This Deal
The Setai Miami Beach, skylark.com, rates from $418/night
Includes $100 spa credit, daily breakfast
9. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
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Score: 95.53
More information: postranchinn.com
Book This Deal
Post Ranch Inn, skylark.com, rates from $1,024/night
Includes $100 resort credit, daily breakfast
8. Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
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WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 95.62
More information: triplecreekranch.com
7. Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena, California
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Score: 95.67
More information: meadowood.com
Book This Deal
Meadowood Napa Valley, skylark.com, rates from $519/night
Includes $100 spa credit, daily breakfast, welcome box of handcrafted chocolates
6. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, San Diego, California
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Score: 95.74
More information: ranchovalencia.com
Book This Deal
Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, skylark.com, rates from $649
Includes $100 resort credit, daily breakfast
5. Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
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Score: 95.80
More information: thedeerpathinn.com
4. North Block Hotel, Yountville, California
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Score: 96.00, northblockhotel.com
3. Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford, Vermont
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Score: 96.89
More information: rabbithillinn.com
2. Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, Virginia
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Score: 97.22
More information: innatwillowgrove.com
1. The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
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Score: 98.67
More information: brushcreekranch.com
“We've been to many ranches, and this is uniquely spectacular,” said one reader of the winning resort hotel in the continental U.S. It’s so spectacular, in fact, that the all-inclusive property in Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley jumped from the number two spot last year to number one — and for good reason. More than 30,000 acres of a working cattle ranch to roam, including 50 miles of hiking trails, make the ranch a nature lover’s paradise. It offers stunning diversity of landscapes, stretching across rivers, creeks, prairies, and mountains. That’s on top of elegant lodge rooms and cabin residences. With rustic-chic charms and comforts, they allow for some restorative rest after a day spent horseback riding, fly fishing, and all-around adventuring.
Want to experience one of the World’s Best resorts for yourself? This October, join Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqueline Gifford and Food & Wine’s executive wine editor Ray Isle for an intimate trip to California’s Wine Country during fall harvest season. With the iconic Meadowood Napa Valley as your home base, you’ll be treated to exclusive tastings at some of the region’s best wineries, including a handful that are typically closed to the public. Book your trip now before spots disappear.
See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019.