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Hotels Above Par
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Historical landmark · Marrakech
"A must for anyone who appreciates meticulous craftsmanship, this palace is known for its sculpted stucco and zellij tilework." - Joey Skladany
Museum · Marrakech
"A fascinating departure from city chaos, this museum dedicated to designer Yves Saint Laurent provides a refreshing change of pace." - Joey Skladany
Hotel · Santo Spirito
"An artful sanctum just around the corner from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and a short walk from most of the city’s attractions, this regal small hotel is forged from two side-by-side 15th-century palaces—now connected as one—and bedecked in original frescoes, stucco-work, paintings, lush fabrics, and statuary, living up to its past life as the 16th-century residences of distinguished aristocrats. With maximalist flourishes and period lashings, cleverly designed common-area nooks feel like wunderkammer-like displays, yet it never reads stuffy or old school; rather, contemporary and cosseting, it feels like a private party with just a few lucky souls and hepcats on the guest list. Choose from 86 rooms, including 8 suites, spread between the two blended houses and six stories; more modern than the lobby and bar areas, they retain some original elements, and many face the Duomo. The Presidential Suite, reached by private elevator, opens to an expansive personal terrace. Breakfast carries the cabinets-of-curiosity theme with dramatically festooned tables of fresh-baked breads, homemade jams, Prosecco, and perfectly brewed coffees. On-site, taste creative cuisine at Terrae overseen by Chef Iside de Cesare (of Michelin-starred La Parolina) and executed by Chef Salvatore Canargiu from seasonal bounty; two standouts are roasted lamb with preserved lemon and sardines, and risotto with black chanterelles. The Milton Bar & Bistrot, with masculine vibes, nods to the famed English poet who visited in 1638 and was inspired to write Paradise Lost; expect stunning cocktails (try the Paradise Lost, awash in floral notes from the hotel’s Secret Garden) and comfort food from burgers to ravioli. A Tea Room with delectable offerings makes for a civilized place to sit and study guidebooks. Up top, Aria Rooftop—our favorite for vibe and view—frames the Duomo so closely it looks touchable; reserve for sunset and sip craft cocktails as the sky turns candy marshmallow pink. Classic five-star amenities include special turndown gifts and twice-daily housekeeping, plus standout concierge suggestions, immersive in-house activities such as cooking classes, and VIP off-property outings from helicopter rides over Tuscany to Chianti wine tastings. Meeting rooms are atmospheric and historic, there’s a centuries-old ballroom with majestic frescoes by Giacinto Fabbroni (ideal for weddings), it’s pet-friendly, and the verdant indoor/outdoor Secret Garden is an outstanding city refuge. Set in the Centro Storico, you can walk to everything, including the Ponte Vecchio and the city’s most prominent galleries." - Becca Hensley
Hotel · Tucson
"An ode to the great American road trip with Mid-Century flair and modern desert style, this redone 1969 motor lodge of 112 rooms wraps low-slung buildings and design-forward, 200-square-foot rooms around a banana-shaped, ice-cold pool with wide-open mountain views; distinctly desert landscaping frames the scene, while yellow umbrellas and rope-y blue chairs add pops of color. Contemporary, artsy references to the American, Mexican, Native American, and Western cultures that define Tucson appear via pieces by whiz kids such as Tucson-born Ishi Glinksy and Tucson-based Jessica Gonzalez and materials like brass, chunky stone, saddle leather, and potted cacti. Set right off I-10 minutes from downtown, it stays utterly design-centric and effortlessly unpretentious, elevating heyday funk with a sense of humor and playful rituals: the ranch bell rings for daily Shady Hour, a jaunty “Shady Toast,” and complimentary mini-slush shots. Rooms feel luxuriously kitted out—beds as comfortable as you’d expect in a posh presidential suite, geometric tile that conjures southwestern woven blankets, rain showers with plenty of force, and Marshall speakers to bring the party to your room. Perks like early-morning elevated coffee, complimentary cruiser bikes, and a 24/7 fitness room with Peloton bikes make it easy to explore by day and wind down after the poolside pulse at night." - Becca Hensley
Swim club · Tucson
"Poolside, you’re swept into the Shady Cactus Swim Club, where the ranch bell summons guests and a handful of locals for daily Shady Hour, a jaunty “Shady Toast,” and complimentary mini-slush shots before the music kicks in. Stellar programming—local bands, traveling musicians, and talented DJs—sets the tone around the curvy, ice-cold pool, and the Saturday pool parties should not be missed. In keeping with things you yearn to eat and drink in the sun while splashing with new friends, the pool bar serves festive drinks and Baja-inspired shareable small plates: chili-dusted chicken fingers, yucca fries, nachos, and street tacos. Signature sips range from Barbie in the Barrio (rosé, vodka, strawberry, lemon) to The Greenhorn (blanco tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde, sweet & sour, lime, Tajin), and mornings roll in with breakfast burritos, waffles, and upscale coffee." - Becca Hensley
Hotel · Aiguafreda
"Perched on the cliffs above Sa Riera beach in Begur, this Design Hotels property reimagines a 1960s estate and artists’ hideaway that once hosted Dalí and his contemporaries, restored by Barcelona-based GCA Architects to marry Catalan farmhouse tradition with contemporary Mediterranean design. The 38 rooms (including 10 suites) feel sparse and luminous—ecru linen curtains, cream-colored duvets, white ceramic bathrooms with rainfall showers, and maritime-themed art—while standout accommodations like Suite El Torreón, set in the original three-story watchtower, and the aptly named Pool Suite with its private plunge pool, impress. Throughout, whitewashed stucco walls, original wood ceilings and banisters, Toba Catalana ceramic floors, and vintage wood furnishings channel the Costa Brava’s easy elegance. Common spaces invite lingering, especially the Listening Room, where guests spin vinyls while gazing through a picture window at the Mediterranean, and the terracotta patio and pool, where attentive servers are quick-handed with another drink or extra towel. Beach lovers can decamp to a private corner of Sa Riera, and chef Jordi Vilà of Michelin-starred Alkimia helms the on-site restaurant, Al Kostat del Mar; mornings bring a generous courtyard breakfast of Catalan cured meats and cheeses, local yogurt with fruit and granola, homemade baked goods and cakes, and eggs of any style à la carte. This 5-star retreat offers a pool, spa, gym, restaurant, and beach access, with rates starting around $300 per night—and if the steep hill into town feels daunting, there’s free transport from the hotel." - Catherine Tansey
Restaurant · Aiguafreda
"Set in the leafy central courtyard at Finca Victoria, this on-site restaurant from chef Jordi Vilà of Michelin-starred Alkimia centers its menu on open-fire cooking with local seafood, grilled meats, and produce from across the Empordà region. The food is exceptional—a perfectly grilled prawn of the famed fat, juicy gamba de Palamós variety; a savory, sweet, humble ratatouille with the Catalan sausage butifarra; and a meaty shank of monkfish in beurre blanc. “This is definitely the case of a restaurant with a hotel, not a hotel’s restaurant.”" - Catherine Tansey
Temporarily Closed
"A small-plates and natural wine spot that makes you feel like you’re in Barcelona for the night—a five-minute stroll from the property and not to be missed." - Catherine Tansey
Beach · Aiguafreda
"A wide stroke of beach with a massive red rock rising up from the crystalline waters, reached along the pine-studded Northern Coastal Path, the Cami de Ronda." - Catherine Tansey
Hotel · Juneau Town
"Just past the entrance, this rainbow-hued gift shop sets a playful, art-first tone before you even reach the front desk." - Karla Walsh