Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge

Normally a budget traveler, I came to an important realization during a recent stay at Forte Village, an exclusive Italian resort on the coast of Sardinia. Somewhere between sunning myself on the bow of a yacht floating on the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean, and later sitting down for a seven-course traditional Sardinian meal at the resort's five-star Ristorante Belvedere, it dawned on me that feeling like a celebrity—if only for a day—is something worth paying for.

When staying at a luxury hotel or resort, getting the most for your money means more than 1,000-thread-count sheets and complimentary butler service. The best luxury properties not only give you a beautiful setting, high-end amenities, and personalized service, they also deliver those intangible experiences that are so hard to come by elsewhere. They transport you to a gentler and more refined reality and make you feel a little more important.

Being avid travelers, we, the writers and editors of SmarterTravel.com, have stayed at hundreds of hotels collectively and make use of these experiences regularly to help make the best recommendations to you, our readers. To give you some ideas for an upscale getaway, I interviewed nine editors about their favorite luxury hotel and also included my own personal favorite. The hotels recommended here are not necessarily the most well-known or the fanciest in their destination, but each succeeded in giving our editors an experience they'll never forget.

NEXT >> Forte Village, Sardinia, Italy

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Forte Village, Sardinia, Italy

Recommended by Associate Editor Molly Feltner

Set on the little-developed southern coast of Sardinia, an area that resembles some of the more popular Mediterranean island destinations minus 25 years of buildup, the secluded Forte Village is where European celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham and Sting go for paparazzi-free vacations. It also attracts well-heeled couples and families from Europe, and a small-but-growing number of Americans.

Although Forte Village comprises seven hotels—all four-star or five-star—14 restaurants, and a destination spa, the property's careful design and lush landscaping create a more intimate atmosphere than you'd expect at a resort of its size. When I visited, the hotels were all fully booked, but I never saw any crowds, had any trouble getting a table at a restaurant, or had to wait to use any of the amenities.

The resort has three five-star hotels: Villa del Parco, a Leading Small Hotel of the World; the more traditional Il Castello, where I stayed on an exclusive club floor; and Le Dune, which has 49 bungalows and suites. The four-star Il Borgo, Il Villaggio, Le Palme, and La Pineta offer more affordable but still-luxurious accommodations. Rates range from 190 euros to 3,200 euros (about $241 to $4,060 USD) per person per night.

Good food and wine are an integral part of the Forte Village experience, with many dishes incorporating fresh, locally produced cheeses, olive oil, vegetables, meats, and fish. Dining options range from casual seaside buffets to formal fine dining, and breakfast and dinner at any of Forte Village's restaurants are included in the resort rates (guests of the four-star properties are required to pay an additional supplement at the more high-end establishments).

The resort's spa, Thaermae del Forte, recently qualified as a Leading Spa of the World, and is best known for its Thalassotherapy treatment in which guests immerse themselves a series of six heated pools composed of varying amounts of salt water and sea oil. There's also an onsite water sports and boating area on the resort's mile-long beach, 12 tennis courts, a kids' club, and a huge entertainment complex with Go-Karts, a bowling alley, ice skating, and a disco.

NEXT >> Ladera Resort, St. Lucia, West Indies

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Ladera Resort, St. Lucia, West Indies

Recommended by Contributing Editor Erica Silverstein

At St. Lucia's remote Ladera Resort, there's no division between guest spaces and the surrounding rainforest; there's no need for bug spray or camping gear, either. Built into a mountain slope overlooking St. Lucia's iconic Piton peaks 1,100 feet above Jalousie Bay, this out-of-the-ordinary ecolodge cum romantic hideaway has 25 rooms and suites that are completely open on their westward-facing sides (but designed for privacy and protection against the elements).

"The uniqueness of the rooms is how they blend right into the rainforest," says Contributing Editor Erica Silverstein, who stayed at the resort last December. "I even had little lizards and birds in my living room. You don't notice that there's no air-conditioning because you get natural breezes. But it's nothing like camping; it's more like living in some jungle palace."

Likewise, Silverstein says the rooms' decor and amenities are anything but primitive: "The rooms are like luxury bungalows; they definitely are a cut above with handcrafted woodwork and innovative designs. The rooms are spacious and private and each has lounge chairs and a plunge pool, so if you want a romantic escape, you have everything you need right in your room. I also loved the big four-poster beds with mosquito netting. You crawl into bed and it's like you're in your own private world."

Ideal for honeymooners and other vacationing couples, Ladera also has an award-winning open-air restaurant, Dasheene, and a spa and infinity pool. Rates range from at $280 to $590 per night. "The hotel is worth its price for the unique rooms, beautiful setting, and friendly service," says Silverstein. "If you're going to spend a lot of money on a hotel, you can't do better than spending it here."

NEXT >> Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Mount Washington Hotel, NH

Recommended by Managing Editor Josh Roberts

Built in 1902 by railroad tycoon Joseph Stickney, the stately Mount Washington Hotel has no equal in New Hampshire's White Mountain region—much like its namesake peak, the tallest mountain in the Northeast. "You feel like you've been completely transported out of the 21st century and taken to a time when things were done on a grander scale," says Managing Editor Josh Roberts, who stayed at the hotel this August with his wife Penelope for a special weekend away.

The Spanish Renaissance Revival-style resort once played host to such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, and Babe Ruth, but it now attracts a mix of families, couples, and mature travelers looking for a luxurious retreat in the heart of the White Mountains National Forest. "You can use the hotel as a base for exploring the White Mountains, and after a tough day of hiking, you can come back and have an incredible meal in the grand ballroom," says Roberts, who highly recommends the lobster creme brulee appetizer.

The 200-room hotel is part of the larger Bretton Woods complex, which includes two other hotels, more than 70 town homes, 27 holes of championship golf, 12 tennis courts, pools, horse stables, and an "Adventure Center" where guests can sign up for fishing clinics, guided hikes and walks, geocaching (treasure hunting with a GPS tracker), mountain bike tours, and equipment rentals. In the winter, there's also an alpine skiing area with 101 trails plus groomed tracks for nordic skiing and snowshoeing.

Rooms cost between $99 and $740 per night. They range from standard doubles and kings to multi-bedroom suites with canopy beds, fireplaces, hot tubs, and kitchens. There are more than a dozen dining options at Bretton Woods, but "The Dining Room" is the Mount Washington Hotel's signature restaurant, where you can enjoy formal four-course dinners in the presence of a live orchestra.

NEXT >> Hotel Secreto, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Hotel Secreto, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Recommended by Executive Editor Anne Banas

Hotel Secreto, a nine-room boutique property located a 30-minute boat ride from Cancun on the Isla Mujeres, is a perfect escape for couples and the antithesis of the many impersonal, sprawling resorts that blight Mexico's Caribbean Coast. "It's very small and intimate—it really feels like a private beach house," says Executive Editor Anne Banas, who visited the hotel this February while researching a column on Isla Mujeres. "All you hear are the waves and wind and the occasional bird."

Set on a secluded cove on northern end of the island overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Secreto was opened in 2001 by American journalist Scott Boyan, who came to Isla Mujeres on assignment but decided to stay after falling love with the island and a local woman, Maria del Mar, now his wife and mother of their two daughters. Sleek, airy, and modern, but not cold or over-designed, Secreto exudes Mediterranean sensuality, a quality inspired by the couples' honeymoon in Mykonos and Santorini, Greece.

Each room's design takes full advantage of the hotel's location, with floor-to-ceiling windows enabling guests to have stunning ocean views even while laying in bed. Plush white beds and sofas invite visitors to stay and enjoy the vista for a while, and original artwork adds a touch of color to the interior.

Guests can also lounge by Secreto's infinity pool or on the beach, where they can make use of free poolside iPods and Wi-Fi. The hotel doesn't have an onsite restaurant, but the Isla Mujeres' eateries and shops are only a short walk away. Rates range from $185 to $225 per night. At check in, guests are greeted with Mimosas and chilled towels.

NEXT >> New York Palace Hotel, New York, New York

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: New York Palace Hotel

Recommended by Senior Producer Toby Streett

A tasteful blending of old-world decadence and 21st-century New York style, the New York Palace Hotel is known for its great location, exceptional service, and mixing of European-style architecture with sleek, modern amenities.

"It's in a prime Midtown location, minutes from the Theater District, across from St. Patrick's Cathedral," says Senior Producer Toby Streett, who stayed at the Palace while attending a black-tie charity event. "I'd recommend the Palace to anyone looking for a taste of luxury in the heart of Manhattan."

The Palace incorporates several 19th-century mansions built by financier Henry Villard with a contemporary 55-story tower that contains the hotel's 809 rooms and 88 suites. The glass-covered tower soars above the courtyard—the original carriage entrance to the Villard Mansion—which was renovated to include design elements from several 15th-century Italian cathedrals. There's also a 7,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and two restuarants—the bistro-style Istana and the brand new, fine-dining restaurant Gilt.

The hotel's spacious rooms feature oversized marble bathrooms, comfortable beds, terrycloth or micro-fiber robes, and high-end toiletries. Those who really want to spoil themselves can book Executive Club accommodations that include use of the Executive Lounge, full breakfasts, afternoon snacks, and evening hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and desserts. Rates start at $525 and range up to $15,000 per night for the Penthouse Triplex Suites

NEXT >> Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua, Guatemala

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Wentworth by the Sea, NH

Recommended by Copyeditor Carl Unger

The epitome of the classic Victorian seaside resort, Wentworth by the Sea was saved from demolition in the late 90s, and, since restored to its former glory, now boasts a AAA four-diamond award and membership in the Historic Hotels of America. Perched on a rocky outcropping above the Atlantic on the island of New Castle, the gleaming red-roofed resort dates back to 1874 and is best known as the site where Theodore Roosevelt helped devise the treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.

Today, the resort is sought by those looking for a memorable New England getaway and total luxury experience. "The completeness of the experience was outstanding—from the setting to the exterior to the rooms, service, and pool. It was worth the cost to me," says Copyeditor Carl Unger, who stayed at Wentworth after proposing to his girlfriend Jess this past March. (She said "yes.")

"The whole hotel is an antique, so to speak," says Unger. "The design is classic Victorian, with lots of carved wood, plush seating, and vibrant accent colors. The room, like the rest of the hotel, was elegant but not lavish. There were big windows that offered a sweeping view of the water. The bathroom was gorgeous and huge with marble floors and ample amenities."

Onsite there are three restaurants and an 8,500-square-foot spa and fitness center with an indoor pool. Outside there's a pool, a 170-slip marina, and the nearby Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. Rates for the resort's 161 rooms and suites range from $179 to $600 per night.

NEXT >> Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Nevis, West Indies

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Recommended by Associate Editor Sarah Pascarella

For the ultimate Caribbean splurge, it's hard to beat the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which topped this year's Conde Nast Traveler Gold List for Caribbean resorts and the Travel + Leisure Top 500 List for Caribbean hotels. Earlier in 2006 the resort finished a $10-million enhancement, which included the addition new open-air restaurant and a third pool.

Located on Nevis, a West Indies isle known for its natural beauty and lack of commercial buildup, the Four Seasons is the only hotel on Pinney Beach, a half mile of fine golden sand on Nevis' west coast. "Many people visit this hotel and never leave to explore the rest of the island," says Associate Editor Sarah Pascarella who stayed at the resort this spring. "It's a property where you can have everything right at your fingertips—the beach, tennis, spa, pools, golf, and outdoor recreation."

Guests here don't need to go far to find recreation or pampering. There's an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II-designed golf course (which offers complimentary clinics twice weekly), 10 tennis courts, a large sports complex, and an award-winning spa.

There are 196 rooms and suites and 35 villas and estate homes available, with rates ranging from $325 to $5,900 per night. Meal plans may be added for $100 per day for breakfast and dinner or $125 per day for three meals. The resort has four restaurants: the French- and Asian-influenced Dining Room; Neve, which offers a breakfast buffet and Italian dishes for dinner; Mango, the new, more casual eatery; and the Pool Cabana.

NEXT >> Prince of Wales, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Prince of Wales, Ontario

Recommended by Editorial Assistant Kate Hamman

The Prince of Wales is the crown jewel of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, a place that feels more like a village in the English countryside than a Canadian town less than an hour from Buffalo. Consistently ranked as one of the top hotels in Ontario, the Prince of Wales was named in honor of King George V, who stayed at the property in 1901. Today, the hotel stills feels like a regal abode.

"I fell in love with the beauty and old-charm elegance of the exterior," says Editorial Assistant Kate Hamman, who stayed at the hotel in January while attending the Niagara-on-the-lake Ice Wine Festival. "The interior is lavishly decorated with dark wood and antique paintings and gives the impression of a wealthy English manor."

An Old World feels pervades the hotel's amenities as well. High tea is served from noon to 6:00 p.m. in the Drawing Room with a selection of teas from around the world, finger sandwiches, and fresh scones. There's also an English-garden themed spa and a lounge that Hamman says "is reminiscent of a gentleman's library." Escabeche, the hotel's flagship restaurant, highlights local wines and dishes made from local produce. Sommeliers are on hand to help make selections for wine pairings.

The Prince of Wales' 110 guestrooms and suites are decorated with antiques and traditional brocades and tapestries, but still have modern touches like wireless Internet and heated towel warmers. A nightly turn-down service includes a rose placed on each bed. Room rates range from $175 to $225 CAD ($158 to $230 USD).

NEXT >> Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada, Florida

Ten luxury hotels worth the splurge: Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada, Florida

Recommended by Contributing Editor RaeJean Stokes

For a taste of the Caribbean without having to leave the States, Contributing Editor RaeJean Stokes recommends Cheeca Lodge, a resort in the Florida Keys where she spent three days this summer. Set on 27 acres of oceanfront property on the east side of Islamorada, Cheeca has everything you'd expect from a world-class resort: a gorgeous setting, spacious guestrooms with modern amenities, gracious service, and lots of recreational options.

Onsite there's a par-three golf course and tennis courts (use of these amenities is included with the resorts daily $39 resort fee), two pools (including one just for adults), a 525-foot fishing pier, a fine-dining and more casual restaurant, and a spa that offers treatments ranging from oceanside couples massages to facials for teens.

The resort also runs sport fishing excursions (starting at $28) and snorkeling trips ($34). "I saw sea turtles, sting rays, and tons of fish," says Stokes of the snorkeling excursion. "The staff that runs the trips is amazing. Besides having a great sense of humor, they remembered everyone's names throughout the duration of our stay."

Cheeca has 199 guest rooms, suites, and adult-only beachfront bungalows. "The rooms in the main lodge were recently remodeled and boast gorgeous bathtubs. You can soak in the tub while looking out at the sea because they're placed near the middle of the room with a removable door," says Strokes. "The rooms all also have plasma TVs and nice comfy beds." Rates range from $149 to $1,098 per night.