How to Choose the Best Hotel

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, choosing the best hotel depends on your preferences and budget. There are many factors to take into consideration, from room size and location to in-room amenities like a rooftop pool or Michelin-starred restaurant. A hotel’s customer service also plays a role, as some staff members excel at creating a warm and welcoming stay while others can leave guests feeling disappointed.

With so many hotels to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you? To help you make an informed decision, we’ve rounded up our favorite hotels and shared the criteria that makes them a top pick. From luxurious hotel perks like turndown service to convenient on-site restaurants, the hotels featured here offer everything you need for an unforgettable getaway.

The best hotel is the one that meets your specific needs, so before you start narrowing down your options, it’s a good idea to write out a list of the features you’re looking for in a hotel. That way, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate any potential matches that don’t meet your requirements. Once you’ve compiled your list, you can then use it to compare prices across different websites. Just keep in mind that some sites may include extra fees in their displayed prices, so it’s important to read the fine print before booking.

To help you find the best hotel, we’ve analyzed ratings from a wide range of review sites to create our own rankings. We looked at both quantity and quality of reviews to come up with our results. While the majority of our ranking system is based on crowdsourced reviews, we also included data from professional inspectors and comparison websites to ensure that we’re providing an accurate representation of the hotel landscape.

For a thorough, in-depth look at the hotel experience, we recommend choosing a property that’s accredited by the independent Hotel Inspection & Compliance Alliance (HICA). HICA uses trained and experienced inspectors to evaluate hotels. These professional inspectors conduct surprise visits to hotels and rate them on the quality of their facilities, services and overall experience. Inspectors also review guest feedback, which is then used to determine the HICA star rating.

A top pick among luxury hotels, this iconic New York City property exudes the spirit of the Big Apple. Its elegant rooms are reminiscent of Gilded Age splendor and feature classic details such as beveled wall mirrors, crown molding and Waterford crystal chandeliers. For a taste of history, book a room at the Hotel Chelsea, which has hosted artists and musicians like Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and Leonard Cohen.

The hotel has a great location – very close to the Central Park and Times Square, the rooms are very clean and comfortable. The breakfast was delicious and had a lot of choices, even for a vegetarian. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We had a very good time there and will definitely go back.