Start here · Essential guide
The Most Unique Hotel Experiences Around the World
An overview of unusual lodging types, from treehouses and ice rooms to caves and converted buildings, and what to weigh before you book one.
Destinations and Special Stays
Boutique, Luxury and Unique Stays
Special-occasion and distinctive stays around the world, explained in general terms.
A Guide to Luxury Resorts in Bora Bora
How Bora Bora's overwater bungalows, lagoon setting and boat transfers work, and why remote island resorts cost more than comparable stays elsewhere.
Discover the Best Boutique Hotels in Rome
What boutique means in Rome: small historic buildings, quieter areas and trade-offs such as lifts and room size, explained without naming or ranking hotels.
The Best Boutique Hotels in the World
What defines a boutique hotel worldwide, and how to compare design, size and service when choosing one, without ranking any particular property.
The Most Romantic Bed and Breakfasts in the World
What makes a bed and breakfast suit couples: host style, privacy, setting and how to book one for an anniversary or other special occasion.
The Top 10 Hotels in Abu Dhabi for a Luxurious and Futuristic Experience
A general guide to luxury stays in Abu Dhabi: area types, season and climate, and what to check before booking, with no hotels named or ranked.
The Top 10 Hotels in the World for Luxury Travelers
What luxury travelers weigh when choosing a hotel worldwide: service, space, privacy and value, and why star ratings differ from one country to another.
The Ultimate Guide to Booking a 5-Star Hotel
What a five-star classification generally implies, how it varies from country to country, and practical steps for booking a high-end hotel sensibly.
Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Austin for a Unique Stay
A neighborhood-based guide to boutique stays in Austin, covering music-event weekends, heat, and how much you may rely on rideshare, with no hotels named.
Top 10 Boutique Hotels in London for a Unique Stay
A general guide to small independent hotels in London: converted townhouses, compact rooms and how to choose a borough, without naming any property.
Top 10 Boutique Hotels in New Orleans for a Unique Stay
A general guide to boutique stays in New Orleans: the historic quarter versus quieter districts, festival periods and noise, with no hotels named or ranked.
Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Paris
A general guide to small Paris hotels by type of arrondissement, with notes on lift availability and realistic room size, without naming or ranking any hotel.
Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Portland for a Unique Stay
A general guide to neighborhood-focused boutique stays in Portland, Oregon, covering walking and transit, and how to plan for the rainy season.
Top 10 Hotel Chains for a Luxury Getaway
How luxury hotel brands differ in general, what loyalty and consistency mean for a high-end stay, and why this guide names and ranks no chain.
Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the United States for a Royal Treatment
A survey of the kinds of US destinations that suit pampering stays, from big cities to coasts, mountains and desert, and what service to expect, without ranking.
Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the World for a Royal Treatment
What pampering service looks like in practice, from butlers and concierges to turndown and transfers, and how to verify it before you book.
Top 10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the World
How luxury is generally defined in hotels, which service signals to look for, and why this guide does not rank or name any individual property.
Unconventional Hotel Rooms Around the World
Categories of unconventional hotel rooms, including treehouses, caves, ice, capsules and converted buildings, with practical checks on comfort and access.
Related topics
More in destinations and special stays
New York City Stays General guidance on choosing where and how to stay in New York. Eco-Friendly Stays Sustainable lodging and how to choose it responsibly. International City Stays City-by-city guidance for Asia, the Gulf and Europe, with no named properties. History and Culture Stays Choose stays for heritage, museums and local culture. California City Stays General stay advice for Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. US Music, Coast and Lake Cities Stay advice for Austin, Nashville, Seattle, Miami and Chicago. European City Stays Neighborhood and purpose guidance for London, Paris, Rome and other European cities. Australian City Stays Where to stay in Sydney and Melbourne by view, beach and season. Cape Town and Rio Stays Scenic coastal city stays in South Africa and Brazil. Canadian City Stays Vancouver and Toronto stays by view, waterfront and neighborhood. Northeast US City Stays Historic and riverside stays in Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Heartland and Southern City Stays Choosing a base in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City and Minneapolis. Country Stay Guides Planning where to sleep across Europe and Japan by region and style. Rome and Milan Stays Neighborhoods, timing and styles of stay for two Italian cities. Asian City Stays Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok bases for culture and history. Budget Booking by Region How to book cheaper stays across regions and major cities. Tokyo Hostels and Budget Stays What to know about hostels and small budget rooms in Tokyo. Nightlife and Party Cities Where to stay for nightlife, beach parties and late nights. Island and Mountain Retreats Planning relaxing luxury stays on tropical islands and in mountain country.