My TOP 10 Hotels & Airbnbs Ranked!
TRUTH: I have stayed in some pretty AMAZING and some pretty CRAPPY hotels (especially in my 20's) during my years of traveling! I get asked quite often which hotels/Airbnbs have been my absolute favorites and that question has inspired this blog!
Let me tell you, it's been a lot of fun finding places to lay my head across 6 continents! So here's my TOP 10 favorite places I've stayed:
10. Brazil | Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Located right across the street from the famed Copacabana Beach, this hotel was an easy choice when it came to choosing a room in Rio! Yes, the hotel itself is a bit dated, but the rooftop lounge with BREATHTAKING views of the beach most definitely made up for everything! Plus the cost of the room wasn't bad either! The Hilton Copacabana is centrally located as well!
Check out my experience here: Visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil For the 1st time!
9. Mexico | Papaya Playa Project
I've visited Tulum quite a few times and on 2 occasions I've stayed at this hotel! It's a beach lover's PARADISE! The rooms are these amazing casitas (some of them come with pools) right in the middle of the jungle! Walking to my casita barefoot in the sand was 1 of my favorite things about this place! And I have to mention the "Full Moon" party that takes place here! OMG! I've never seen so many beautiful people in 1 place! If you're visiting Tulum, add this hotel to your list!
My experience @ Papaya Playa Project: A Beach Lover’s Paradise @ Papaya Playa Project | Hotel Review!
8. U.S.A | Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Here's what we already know about the Waldorf Astoria brand - it's synonymous with LUXURY! When my girl Staysia & I pulled up to this hotel to check in, we knew we were in for a DOPE stay! And that's exactly what we experienced! Our superior queen room was absolutely BEAUTIFUL with a terrace that boasted stunning views of Beverly Hills!
Our FAVORITE thing about this hotel is its spectacular rooftop pool! We opened & closed that pool, OK?! (LOL)! Of course, the room rates are very pricey (sidebar: 2 glasses of OJ cost $30), but if you're looking for EXCELLENT customer service & posh digs - this is the spot!
More deets on a fabulous girl's weekend right here: Your Perfect Girl's Weekend @ the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills!
7. Greece | Elysian Santorini
While visiting Santorini, we stayed in an AMAZING Airbnb (which isn't listed anymore) and a gorgeous boutique hotel located in Finikia. Elysian Santorini was simply a beautiful place to stay and it is only about a 10-15 minute walk to the heart of all the action, Oia, Santorini!
There were 4 of us traveling, so we opted for the 'Luxury Cave Villa with Private Jacuzzi'. Our room also came with a complimentary bottle of wine and a DELICIOUS breakfast the next morning!
Get all the info + more on my Santorini blog: Island Hopping in Greece! | The Santorini Travel Guide!
6. United Arab Emirates | Cayan Tower Dubai
1 thing there is no shortage of in Dubai is top notch hotels & AirBnbs! This was one of the hardest places to book a room because there are so many options! After weeks of searching, I found the perfect place for my family & I at the Cayan Tower (a.k.a the Twisting Tower) right on the Dubai Marina! This Airbnb was perfect; 1 bedroom that sleeps 4, 1.5 baths, cozy living room, kitchen and access to the building's phenomnal pool! Not to mention, it was walking distance to my appointment with Skydive Dubai!
Going to Dubai? Get all the deets now: Visiting Dubai for the 1st time! | The Travel Guide!
5. Maldives | SAii Lagoon Maldives
I'm going to be completely honest. When I arrived in Maldives for the 1st time, my initial thought was, "I'm never coming back here again!" Granted I was extremely exhausted after a 30-hour journey from the U.S.A. But when I checked into my beautiful room @ SAii Lagoon Maldives, that initial thought went right out the window! The turquoise waters, warm weather and the palm trees quickly reminded me why I was there! This trip was 1 of the most incredible solo trips of my life! I met so many amazing people! I seriously thought about destroying my passport and staying forever (LOL)! The overwater bungalows here are so quaint, surrounded by crystal clear water with a bathtub on the deck! Another cool thing about this hotel is that SAii shares an island with the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives!
If you're looking for affordable luxury in Maldives, check out my blog: SAii Lagoon Maldives Hotel Review: An Affordable Paradise!
4. French Polynesia | Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort
Easily one of the most unique rooms I've stayed in on one of the most picturesque islands! After a long day of exploring the incredible island of Mo'orea, I couldn't wait to get back to my 'luxury bungalow with garden view'. This room had a relaxing rain shower, comfortable bed & tranquil views of the resort's garden. It was HARD leaving this place....
Are you heading to Mo'orea? Then check out my review on this hotel + more: Visiting Mo'orea | How much does it cost?
3. Mexico | Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Whew! Where do I even begin on this property?! It's HEAVENLY! And the fact that every room comes with it's own pool and views of the ocean makes this hotel DOUBLE HEAVENLY (LOL)! I was really struggling with the ranking for the #2 & #3 spot for this blog. Both the Waldorf and the next hotel are equally AMAZING! Do yourself a favor - book this hotel. N O W!
Get in here and get the deets on this hotel right now: An Unforgettable Stay in a Rocky Paradise | A Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Hotel Review!
2. Seychelles | LXR Mango House Seychelles
There are hotels and then there are H O T E L S! I don't even know where to begin on how to describe Mango House Seychelles! All I know is, this hotel will easily become one of the best, if not THE BEST in Mahe! The hotel = OUTSTANDING! The food = OUTSTANDING! The villas = OUTSTANDING! The staff = OUTSTANDING! This hotel is a 10 across the board for me! The staff did an EXCELLENT job making my friend & I feel like family! I CANNOT WAIT TO RETURN!
Are you ready to experience Mango House Seychelles? Let's go: A Day in Paradise! | LXR Mango House Seychelles Hotel Review!
1. French Polynesia | Conrad Bora Bora Nui
We're here! The #1 spot! And this hotel definitely deserves it! The customer service, the remote location and the renovated OVERWATER BUNGALOWS! W O W! I honestly have no words! I will never forget my 1st step into my overwater bungalow! I was literally screaming on the inside while the concierge was explaining how everything worked in the room (LOL)! Do you know how incredible it was to watch the sunrise & the sunset right from my bed in the middle of the ocean?!?!? It was INSANE is what it was! I enjoyed every millisecond of my time here at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. I cried the day I left. No lie.
See the hotel that made me cry at checkout: Visiting Bora Bora | How much does it cost?
I hope you enjoyed my TOP 10 favorite hotels & AirBnb experiences! I will update this list as I continue to travel around this beautiful world!
Happy travels y'all!
Let's chat! Have you visited any of the hotels or Airbnbs above? What has been your favorite hotel experience? Drop a comment below!
