Sometimes a hotel is simply a place to lay your head at night, and sometimes it's a destination in its own right. Each of these 10 U.S. resorts, nominated by a panel of 10Best travel experts and voted the best by our readers, is totally travel-worthy, complete with plush accommodations, world-class dining, relaxing spa treatments and a host of indoor and outdoor activities – a complete vacation in a single package.
Hidden Pond Kennebunkport, Maine
Hidden Pond, a resort nestled amid 60 acres of birch groves and balsam fir trees on the southern coast of Maine, invites guests to kick of their shoes and relax by the pool, the fireplace or an al fresco bar. Travelers who just can't stay still can go stand-up paddleboarding on Goose Rocks Beach, chat with the resort gardener, take a mixology class or hop on a shuttle into Kennebunkport for further exploration. Photo courtesy of Hidden Pond
C Lazy U Ranch Granby, Colo.
The traditions of the American West are alive and well at C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado. This luxury guest ranch offers 43 rooms of varying sizes, including three bedroom cabins ideal for families. Visitors to this four seasons property can go horseback riding, practice cattle pushing, hike, mountain bike, cross country ski or go snowshoeing between hearty, family-style meals. Photo courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch
Ocean House Watch Hill, R.I.
Set atop a bluff overlooking the sea in Watch Hill, Ocean House offers an iconic New England seaside experience, complete with a full-service spa, Forbes Five Star-rated restaurant, a private beach with butler service, croquet lawn and squash courts. Daily resort activities include classes at the Center for Wine & Culinary Arts, movie screenings, sports clinics, morning fitness programs and guided tours of the resort property. Photo courtesy of Ocean House
Favorite Bay Lodge Angoon, Alaska
Favorite Bay Lodge offers luxurious accommodations amid the majestic Alaskan wilderness. While fishing ranks as the most popular resort activity, guests can also go whale watching on the Chatham Straits, hike through Tongass National Forest or kayak through the waterways of Southeast Alaska. Guest rooms feature native cedar walls, soaking tubs and handcrafted rugs. Photo courtesy of Favorite Bay Lodge / Facebook
Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve Dorado, Puerto Rico
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve was the only Caribbean hotel to win the Forbes Five-Star award in 2017. Occupying a former plantation, the luxury Puerto Rican resort features rooms with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and oversized terraces, two oceanfront pools, free wifi, a five-acre spa, three golf courses and a water playground for both kids and adults. Photo courtesy of Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
Inn by the Sea Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Situated on a mile of sandy beach just outside Portland, Maine, the Inn by the Sea features 61 rooms, suites and cottages for a relaxing coastal escape. Days begin with early morning yoga and garden tours, while evenings finish with beachfront sunsets and nightly fire pits. Photo courtesy of Inn by the Sea
The Resort at Paws Up Greenough, Mont.
Pristine wilderness and thoughtful luxury join forces to create an exquisite guest experience at The Resort at Paws Up. This Montana resort sits on a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch with a range of accommodations (from luxe private homes to glamping sites) and activities. Horseback riding is the signature experience, but guests can also mountain bike, fly fish, geocache or partake in an authentic Montana ranch activity. Photo courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up
Twin Farms Barnard, Vt.
Twin Farms offers 10 free-standing cottages, as well as rooms in the main house, nestled in 300 acres of Vermont’s lush countryside. The only five-star accommodations in the state, the all-inclusive inn boasts unique décor throughout. Delectable cuisine, highlighted by fine wines revolves around the seasons, using locally grown herbs and produce. A full service spa and fitness center, complement activities such as golf, kayaking, hot air ballooning in summer, and skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding in winter. Photo courtesy of Twin Farms
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
The 243 guest rooms and suites – housed in two-storey bungalows – at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalei on the Big Island are the pinnacle of Hawaiian-style luxury. Guests have their choice of seven swimming pools, fitness facilities, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, yoga classes and a whole menu of aquatic adventures, while the Ka‘upulehu Cultural Center offers insight into the local heritage through its interactive programming. Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina Kapolei, Hawaii
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, a five-star beach resort on Oahu's western coast, features 371 guest rooms, a Ted Robinson-designed golf course, full-service day spa, Hawaii's only deep-draft marina, tennis center, swimming pools and a beach where guests can go stand-up paddleboarding or take an outrigger canoe ride. Photo courtesy of Christian Horan / Four Seasons
The top 10 winners in the category Best Destination Resort are as follows:
Hidden Pond - Kennebunkport, Maine
C Lazy U Ranch - Granby, Colo.
Ocean House - Watch Hill, R.I.
Favorite Bay Lodge - Angoon, Alaska
Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve - Dorado, Puerto Rico
Inn by the Sea - Cape Elizabeth, Maine
The Resort at Paws Up - Greenough, Mont.
Twin Farms - Barnard, Vt.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina - Kapolei, Hawaii
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Marla Cimini (USA TODAY), Eric Grossman, Gerrish Lopez, Eileen Ogintz (Taking the Kids) and Christopher Parr (Pursuitist) were chosen based on their knowledge of the American hotel scene.
Marla is a journalist with a passion for travel,... Read More
Marla is a journalist with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (combining all three whenever possible)! An avid globetrotter, she has covered topics such as exotic Tahitian getaways; Santa Fe’s chocolate trail; Argentine wines; and Japan's Washoku cuisine. Marla is co-author of the book, A Century of Hospitality, a historical exploration of US hotels. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter or see more of her work at USA TODAY.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a journalist with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (combining all three whenever possible)! An avid globetrotter, she has covered topics such as exotic Tahitian getaways; Santa Fe’s chocolate trail; Argentine wines; and Japan's Washoku cuisine. Marla is co-author of the book, A Century of Hospitality, a historical exploration of US hotels. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter or see more of her work at USA TODAY.
Eric Grossman is a travel and food writer based in Boston and New Orleans. He has edited dozens of DK Eyewitness Travel guides, and is constantly on the road searching for new and inspiring experiences. Having traveled to 50-plus countries, Eric is always up for an adventure; memorable experiences have run the gamut from sharing a stage with Coldplay to discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food writer based in Boston and New Orleans. He has edited dozens of DK Eyewitness Travel guides, and is constantly on the road searching for new and inspiring experiences. Having traveled to 50-plus countries, Eric is always up for an adventure; memorable experiences have run the gamut from sharing a stage with Coldplay to discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià.
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer based in her hometown of New Orleans. A true travel enthusiast, she enjoys experiencing the flavors and cultures of the world. Her adventures have taken her far and wide, from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, from smoked pork jowl in Thailand to whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer based in her hometown of New Orleans. A true travel enthusiast, she enjoys experiencing the flavors and cultures of the world. Her adventures have taken her far and wide, from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, from smoked pork jowl in Thailand to whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Eileen Ogintz
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family... Read More
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 10-book Kids Guide series; The Kid’s Guide to Maine is being released in April.
Eileen Ogintz
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 10-book Kids Guide series; The Kid’s Guide to Maine is being released in April.
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief for Pursuitist, the leading luxury travel and leisure website. An award-winning travel writer, Parr is also a luxury marketing veteran, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. He launched Pursuitist in 2010 as a curated list of the good things in life, with guest contributors from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more sharing their favorite luxuries. Follow along on Twitter.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief for Pursuitist, the leading luxury travel and leisure website. An award-winning travel writer, Parr is also a luxury marketing veteran, a frequent speaker at luxury and interactive marketing conferences and a pioneer in web publishing. He launched Pursuitist in 2010 as a curated list of the good things in life, with guest contributors from Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, Glamour, Saveur and more sharing their favorite luxuries. Follow along on Twitter.
