If we’re being honest, the word luxury is thrown around a little too easily these days. It’s easy to create a beautiful hotel. It’s extremely difficult to build an experience that matches it. And so, if you’ve been wondering, “What’s the best luxury hotel near me?” then you’ll want to hear our two cents.
Luxury is found in the little details: the way a server speaks to you; the thoughtful touches in your guest room; the quality of a mattress; the expertise of a bartender; the food; the pool temperature…the list is endless because the best luxury hotels in the world are constantly pushing the boundaries of what five-star service means.
We’ve found a few properties at different price points that embody luxury. They’re all vastly different, but you can guarantee they’ll all be unforgettable. These are some of the best luxury hotels near me, near you, and around the world.
Budget
Big Cedar Lodge
Location: Ridgedale, Missouri
Price: $200+
Vibe: Backcountry and brilliant
The rundown: When looking for the best luxury hotels near me, you might be stumped for budget. Finding high-end luxury in the US under $300 is a feat in itself—in fact, you might have to go a little remote to find it. Thankfully, a trip to Big Cedar Lodge will only set you back $200 a night. The magical location would be enough to distract you from a subpar experience, but every time you pull yourself away, an outstanding experience is waiting for you.
Cabins, rooms, and suites are expansive and decked out with plush bedding fit for a king, while its communal spaces are tone-perfect cabin-chic. It’s the perfect compromise for a couple divided by a love of luxury or adventure.
Epoque Hotel
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Price: $170+
Vibe: Regal in Romania
The rundown: Eastern Europe is another hotspot for luxury gems at rock-bottom prices. If you’re on the hunt for the best luxury hotels near me while you’re in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find several stunning five-star hotels for under $200. One of the finest among them is the Epoque Hotel.
An enviable location in the city is bolstered by lavish guestrooms, an excellent restaurant and spa center, and one of the best views in the city from its deck bar. Rooms start at $170, effectively making it a bargain for American tourists in this up-and-coming tourist market. It’s hard to tell how long prices will stay this low, but you can bet it won’t be too long.
Boutique
Datai Langkawi
Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Price: $450+
Vibe: Eastern dream
The rundown: The level of luxury found in Southeast Asia is tremendous. While prices are catching up with its Western counterparts, finding the best luxury hotels near me in this part of the world offers outstanding value for world-class hospitality. The Datai Langkawi is a perfect example of this.
Nestled amongst the rainforest on a private beach on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, Datai has been honing a reputation as one of the finest properties in the world. The location is incomparable, the dining is delectable, and the rooms are designed to perfection. Grabbing rooms for as low as $450 is possible, but they can soar over $1,000.
Banana Island Resort
Location: Doha, Qatar
Price: $350+
Vibe: Never lift a finger, and fabulous
The rundown: Anantara is already a trusted giant in the luxury hotel world, and its Banana Island Resort in Qatar is one of the glittering gems in its collection. The naturally banana-shaped island is about 20 minutes from the mainland and boasts an array of overwater villas and cheaper (but no less wonderful) rooms back from the water.
It’s a dry resort, but don’t shut it down for that. Guests report leaving more refreshed than ever, switching the booze for the resort’s outstanding mocktails and juices. The surrounding water is crystal clear, the service is hugely attentive, and the food is sublime. What more could you want at that price point? There’s a reason it’s being mentioned in a ton of lists as one of the best luxury hotels in the world.
Bougie
Atlantis The Royal
Location: Dubai, UAE
Price: $800+
Vibe: Opulence overload
The rundown: Usually, when a property claims to be the most luxurious on the planet, you’d take it with a grain of salt. Atlantis The Royal is one property where you might want to readjust your expectations. This really is one of (if not the) best luxury hotels in the world.
Designed to be at the forefront of experiential travel, the staggering property is dripping with opulence. Rooms have private infinity pools and toothbrushes made of gold; there are 18 restaurants, high-end brand freebies, and fountains that literally spit fire. I mean, Beyoncé opened the hotel with her first performance in years.
It’s an aspirational hotel for most of us, but what a place.
Post Ranch Inn
Location: Big Sur, California
Price: $1,968+
Vibe: Cliffside and classic
The rundown: Spectacular doesn’t come close to Post Ranch Inn’s epic backdrop. Built expertly into the cliffs of Big Sur, this options for the best luxury hotels near me celebrates the surroundings while curating a unique and luxurious experience for its guests to unwind in.
Simply having access to one of the guest rooms is enough to understand the level of luxury on display here. But not indulging in the world-class spa, award-winning restaurant, a selection of pools, and guided nature walks over the area would be criminal.
A stay here is unforgettable.
by travelers, for travelers.
