Which hotel restaurants, bars, and pools are best?
There are lots of reasons to stay at one hotel over another, and when you’re trying to decide where to book, it often comes down to which hotel has the best features. Maybe the property is home to an amazing spa or has an awesome pool area, or perhaps you appreciate the farm-to-table dining at the on-site hotel restaurant or that a resort is focused on sustainability.
To find the hotels with the best features and amenities, we asked an expert panel to nominate their top picks in each of five categories. Then, readers voted for their favorites to decide the winners.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel: The Cliffs at Princeville in Princeville, Hawaii
The Cliffs at Princeville wins Best Eco-Friendly Hotel for second consecutive year — Photo courtesy of The Cliffs at Princeville
The Cliffs at Princeville, located on 22 acres of Kauai’s North Shore, has won recognition for its sustainability achievements. Renewable energy powers the resort by more than 50%, LED lights are in use, over 20% of waste generated on the property is recycled, and their water conservation program supports reusable containers over bottled water.
Full list of winners: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel »
Best Hotel Bar: Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, Louisiana
Sip while you spin at the Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone — Photo courtesy of Laura Steffan
The Carousel Bar & Lounge is a famous stopping point in the revered Hotel Monteleone. Built in 1949, the 25-seat bar gently spins its patrons around as they sip a drink from the expansive cocktail menu. Non-revolving seating is available for those drinkers who’d rather stay stationary while they imbibe.
Full list of winners: Best Hotel Bar »
Best Hotel Pool: Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu in Koloa, Hawaii
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu wins Best Hotel Pool for fifth year in a row — Photo courtesy of Koloa Landing Resort
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu is home to one of the largest single pools on the island of Kauai, a 350,000-gallon masterpiece packed with waterslides, swim-through waterfalls, a grotto, and an infinity edge.
The smaller but equally spectacular Lagoon Pool offers more than 6,000 square feet of family-friendly fun, while the more intimate Tranquility Pool provides a quiet oasis for guests 18 and older.
Full list of winners: Best Hotel Pool »
Best Hotel Restaurant: Chez Philippe at The Peabody Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee
For the second year in a row, Chez Philippe at The Peabody Memphis wins Best Hotel Restaurant — Photo courtesy of Trey Clark and The Peabody Memphis
For fine dining with a French twist, look no further than Chez Philippe at the historic Peabody Memphis. Executive chef Andreas Kisler is at the helm of this top dining destination offering a four-course prix fixe menu and a seven-course tasting menu, which you can enhance with a six-course wine pairing.
Full list of winners: Best Hotel Restaurant »
Best Hotel Spa: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida
The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando wins Best Hotel Spa for third consecutive year — Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Spa Orlando, Grande Lakes
This grand dame of spas in Orlando is a 40,000-square-foot retreat that includes 40 treatment rooms, an enormous heated lap pool, a full salon, and a spa cafe. You might become so relaxed from The Ritz-Carlton’s signature treatments — which incorporate ingredients from the resort’s organic garden — that you forget to visit the theme parks.
Full list of winners: Best Hotel Spa »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers’ Choice Awards.
