TripAdvisor Reveals Best Hotels for 2011

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

See recent posts by Carl Unger

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TripAdvisor is out with its annual list of the best hotels in the world, including top picks for bargain, romance, luxury, and spa stays. The final tally is based solely on reviews from real travelers.

So without further ado, let’s get straight to the lists!

Best Overall: Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) Prague, Czech Republic
Best U.S.: Cedarbrook Lodge, Seattle
Best Bargain: SeaCoast Inn, Hyannis, Massachusetts
Best All-Inclusive: Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, Playa Paraiso, Mexico
B&Bs/Inns (World): The Old Manse, Invermoriston, U.K.
B&Bs/Inns (U.S.): Sedona Views Bed and Breakfast, Sedona, Arizona
Luxury (World): Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) Prague, Czech Republic
Luxury (U.S): Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui
Romance (World): Capella Ixtapa, Ixtapa, Mexico
Romance (U.S.): Spindrift Inn, Monterey, California
Spa (World): Alder Thermae Spa Resort, San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy
Spa (U.S.): Bardessono, Yountville, California

Also worth checking out is the Europeans’ favorite hotels list, which I find usually includes smaller, out-of-the way places that may not be on many Americans’ radar. You can also get a sense of which destinations are more popular with Europeans, which can be helpful when figuring out where to go in Europe.

So, readers, have you stayed in any of the places on these lists? If so, which? And which of these properties stirs your wanderlust?

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