Image courtesy of The Lodge at Blue Sky
It’s officially bucket-list season, when we all start dreaming of the fabulous destinations — new and tried-and-true — we plan to explore in 2023.
It’s also that time of year when Condé Nast Traveler releases its much-anticipated lists of the best places to go in 2023. This year, the magazine set its sights all over the globe, paying particular attention to the US, Spain and Portugal, India and the UK. 2023, it seems, is the year to finally visit the up-and-coming and under-the-radar gems the world has to offer.
Lucky for us, many of the hotels mentioned in Condé Nast Traveler's 2023 destinations list are among my absolute favorites — or, among my most anticipated openings. From a country house in Scotland to a sleek Egyptian hideaway, read on for my must-visit hotels and resorts (all with Fora perks, of course) from CN Traveler’s annual list. Happy planning!
Iberian Getaway: Our Favorite Spanish Hotels
La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca
Image courtesy of La Residencia
Nestled among olive groves and lemon trees on a verdant Mediterranean hillside, this chic hotel (with locally-sourced cuisine, a sparkling pool and award-winning spa, no less) is a study in luxurious serenity.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort, Tenerife
Image courtesy of Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort
Travelers flock to this exclusive oasis on the idyllic island Tenerife for its award-winning spa, numerous restaurants and cafés, coveted beachfront and slew of outdoor activities, including golf and tennis.
Fora Perks:
Complimentary lunch or dinner.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Palacio Solecio, Málaga
Image courtesy of Palacio Solecio
An Andalusian 18th-century palace serves as the setting for this ultra-stylish boutique hotel, located in Málaga's (a must-stop on any vacation to Spain) dynamic Jewish quarter, a multicultural and dynamic neighborhood steeped in history.
Fora Perks:
$50 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Looking to increase your familiarity with Spain before traveling? Check out our guide to the best places to visit in Spain for first-timers.
Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid
Image courtesy of Rosewood Villa Magna
This chic, contemporary hotel in the heart of Madrid was recently renovated, and, with its luxe spa, chef-driven cuisine and inspired art collection of over 380 works, is among the city’s most coveted stays.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
UK All Day: Our top picks in the UK
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
Image courtesy of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Each one of the 45 charming and elegant rooms in this sophisticated, cozy English getaway — housed on a lush, garden-laden estate in historic Bath — has been individually designed to guarantee an exquisite, luxurious stay during your trip to England.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Kimpton Blythswood Square, Glasgow
This gem is Glasgow’s most stylish stay, with wood-lined guest rooms, a prized afternoon tea service and distinctive, heartfelt service.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Scotland
Image courtesy of The Balmoral
The legendary Balmoral, a landmark clock tower, is at once regal and luxurious — an ideal stay on any trip to Scotland.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Additional exclusive offers.
The Grand, York
Image courtesy of The Grand
Come to The Grand for its stylish, handsome design, exquisite culinary program (the hotel boasts an esteemed Cookery School, at which guests can take classes), impeccable service and characteristic British sophistication.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Claridge’s, London
Image courtesy of Claridge's
This Art Deco gem, in London’s stylish Mayfair neighborhood, features glamorous design and impeccable service worthy of the Queen.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Take Me Away: Far-Flung Gems
Ananda, in the Himalayas, India
Image courtesy of Ananda
With wellness programs and experiences steeped in traditional Indian methods, this luxury destination spa resort — housed in an exquisite palace, with views of the lush Ganges River valley — helps guests balance and heal the body, mind and spirit, elevating your vacation to India.
Fora Perks:
Complimentary 50-minute massage for two.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Park Hyatt Auckland
Image courtesy of Park Hyatt Auckland
On your bucket list vacation to New Zealand, stay at the Park Hyatt. Its prime waterfront location, overlooking Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, makes it an ideal home base from which to explore the city and its dynamic array of bars, restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and more.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
The Chedi El Gouna, Egypt
For an especially luxe vacation to Egypt, head to the new Chedi El Gouna, on the glistening Red Sea. Staying here might just be the closest thing to living like royalty, with its impeccable dining, sumptuous spa, immaculate beach, extensive menu of activities (including golf and various water sports) and hyper-individualized service.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Complimentary lunch or dinner.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
The Vines Resort & Spa, Mendoza, Argentina
Image courtesy of The Vines Resort & Spa
The Vines offers laid-back luxury at the base of the majestic Andes Mountains, in Mendoza (a must-visit wine mecca on any vacation to Argentina) and curates unique adventures for wine lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. (Looking for even more adventure? Check out some of my favorite adventure resorts around the world.)
Fora Perks:
Complimentary three-course dinner.
Complimentary tour and tasting.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Staying Stateside: Hotels in the USA
Freehand Los Angeles
Image courtesy of Freehand Los Angeles
This hip urban enclave is housed in the old Commercial Exchange building, revamped with stylish rooms, a neighborhood restaurant and café plus a rooftop pool and bar. The Freehand makes a fantastic, trendy home base for a vacation to LA. (And here are a few of my other favorite hotels in LA.)
Fora Perks:
10% off best available rate.
Same-day cancellation.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Ritz-Carlton NoMad, NYC
Image courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton NoMad
This recent addition to Manhattan's foodie-centric NoMad neighborhood (an impeccable restaurant wonderland to enjoy during your trip to New York City) boasts a culinary program helmed by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, a well-equipped fitness center (complete with Peloton bikes) and a luxe spa featuring, among other fabulous treatments, custom facials using Augustinus Bader products, which have earned a cult following of sorts among the city's skincare-obsessed. (Add this to my list of the best hotels in NYC.)
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Pendry Park City, Utah
Image courtesy of Pendry Park City
This ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel in Utah's premier ski destination merges its sunny West Coast disposition with a cozy, modernist alpine design.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah
Image courtesy of The Lodge at Blue Sky
This luxe, sleek property perched on 3,500 acres of wild, breathtaking landscape offers an extensive array of outdoor activities (heli-skiing, ski lessons, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, dogsledding…), a farm-to-table restaurant, a world-class spa and ample wellness offerings.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
$50 daily breakfast credit.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The St. Regis Deer Valley, Utah
Image courtesy of The St. Regis Deer Valley
This pet-friendly hotel is one of the country's best ski lodges, bringing traditional luxury to Park City's beautiful Wasatch Mountains, an outdoor lover's playground at any time of year.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
$80 daily breakfast credit.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk
Image courtesy of Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk
Come to this hip boutique hotel during your vacation in Texas for its exquisite cuisine, popular rooftop lounge, lively pool deck and sleek rooms, all amidst San Antonio's bustling art scene.
Dreaming of the rooftop pools? Check out the best hotel swimming pools.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Welcome amenity. (with Hyatt Privé, not Virtuoso Travel)
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
European Luxury: A few of our favorite European Hotels
Les Sources des Cheverny, Loire Valley
Image courtesy of Les Sources des Cheverny
On your vacation to France, stay at this forest château in the idyllic Loire Valley. The hotel features a hamlet of elegant cabins, plus a serene lake surrounded by vineyards and a spa by the famed French skincare company Caudalie.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Welcome amenities.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
Rosewood Vienna
Image courtesy of Rosewood Vienna
Housed in an immaculately-restored 19th-century building in the capital’s bustling Old Town, Rosewood Vienna, with its rooftop bar, innovative dining and elegantly modern rooms, is both timeless and contemporary, a must-stay on your trip to Austria.
Fora Perks:
€100 food / beverage / spa credit.
Welcome amenity.
Complimentary breakfast for two.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Escape to the Beach: Tropical Resorts
Sailrock Resort, Turks & Caicos
Image courtesy of Sailrock Resort
This luxe, ultra-private beachfront getaway for your vacation to Turks and Caicos is home to the world's fourth-largest coral reef, and boasts miles of untouched land — the ideal destination for blissful exclusivity.
Fora Perks:
$300 hotel / resort credit.
$40 daily breakfast credit.
Airport transfer.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico
Image courtesy of Hotel Esencia
This exquisite hotel, originally the home of an Italian duchess, sits on the Riviera Maya’s last stretch of undeveloped shoreline. (Also check out some of my favorite hotels in Tulum and Cancún.) Come for the meticulously-sourced cuisine, modern fitness center overlooking a cenote and impressive spa, where each tailored treatment features concoctions handmade on-site in a traditional Mayan kitchen, using local ingredients derived from nature.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Complimentary bottle of wine.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
