Favorite Hotel Stays
The stays I recommend to my own friends — from overwater bungalows to mountain lodges.
These are the hotels I’ve actually stayed in and loved — the ones I’d rebook tomorrow. From an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora to grand mountain lodges and a waterfront New England inn, I’ve slept at every one and I’d stay again.
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The favorites
Alpe di Siusi, Italy
Alpina Dolomites
One of my favorite mountain stays in the world. The Dolomites stole my heart — jagged pale peaks, meadows, and this was the perfect home base for exploring it all.
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Arenal/La Fortuna, Costa Rica
The Springs Resort & Spa
My pick for the Arenal region of Costa Rica — volcano views, hot springs, and the kind of stay that makes a family trip feel like a real vacation.
Check ratesBora Bora, French Polynesia
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
I slept in an overwater bungalow here and it ruined me for normal hotels. The lagoon, the fish right under your floor — the whole thing was worth it.
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Groveland, California
Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite
Our base for Yosemite on our California road trip — close to the park with real lodge comfort. This is where I’d send anyone doing Yosemite.
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Asheville, North Carolina
The Omni Grove Park Inn
A grand old mountain lodge in the Blue Ridge — my favorite stay in Asheville. It has that rare kind of place-feel you remember for years.
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Death Valley, California
The Inn at Death Valley
We stayed here on a full moon — no stargazing, but watching moonlight pour over the desert was its own kind of magic. The pool in the middle of the desert still lives in my head.
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Grindavík, Iceland (Blue Lagoon)
Silica Hotel
One of my favorite hotel experiences ever. Guests get the private Silica Lagoon — I went twice in one day. Amazing doesn’t cover it.
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Westminster, London
St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection
Our London stay for a girls trip put us right in Westminster, a short walk from St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey.
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Paris, France
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Our Paris base on the same girls trip, with the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars just a few minutes away on foot. The location made sightseeing incredibly easy.
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor Inn
Right on the water and walkable to downtown Bar Harbor, this was a beautiful home base for the Acadia leg of my New England fall trip.
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Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Omni Mount Washington Resort
A grand resort in the White Mountains with the classic Mount Washington view. Staying here during my New England fall trip made the hotel feel like part of the destination.
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Ivalo, Finnish Lapland
Aurora Village Ivalo
Glass-roof cabins in Ivalo made for watching the northern lights from bed (we didn’t get them, and I’d still go back). The Adventure Package bundled the reindeer sleigh ride, husky and snowmobile safaris, and ice karting — the ultimate Lapland base.
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Telluride, Colorado
The Madeline Hotel & Residences
I’ve stayed at the Madeline in Telluride — it earned its spot on my favorites list.
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Aria Resort & Casino
I’ve stayed at Aria on the Vegas Strip — it earned its spot on my favorites list.
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Marco Island, Florida
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
I’ve stayed at the JW Marriott on Marco Island — it earned its spot on my favorites list.
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Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
I’ve stayed at Aulani on Oahu — it earned its spot on my favorites list.
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