Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India
Taj Hotels
There’s something special about arriving at a hotel that feels unique. It’s not just a place to sleep, but a destination filled with memorable moments and, let’s be honest, great photo opportunities. Tripadvisor has just announced the winners of its annual Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards, and this year’s list is impressive.
To make the list, hotels need to be in the top 1% of over 8 million listings on the site, based on both the quality and number of traveler reviews posted during 2025. That’s a tough standard, and after staying at many of this year’s picks, I can say they truly stand out.
A standout feature of the 2026 awards is the return of the One-of-a-Kind category, which celebrates hotels that offer more than just standard luxury. Leading the list is a crane hotel in Amsterdam, along with cliffside pods, treehouses in the Amazon, cave rooms, floating villas, and a famous underwater suite in the Maldives. These choices show that the most unforgettable stays often surprise us.
Faralda Crane Hotel in Amsterdam
Faralda Crane Hotel
Faralda Crane Hotel transforms one of Amsterdam’s old harbor cranes into a three-suite hotel high above the city. Each suite has its own style, from Free Spirit to Secret Suite and Mystique, with bold interiors set inside the crane’s mast overlooking the water. At the very top: a private rooftop with a Jacuzzi and sweeping views across Amsterdam.
According to Tripadvisor, “This spot takes ‘industrial chic’ to the next level, with three maximalist suites built in the mast of an actual crane. Oh, and did we mention there’s a sky-high hot tub with panoramic views?”
Valley Views Glamping in New Zealand
Valley Views Glamping
Valley Views Glamping sits on 100 acres in New Zealand’s Waitaki Valley, close to Kurow. The off-grid retreat overlooks the Waitaki and Hakataramea valleys, with a seven-hectare forest and the foothills of Mount Domett in the background.
There are six geodesic domes for guests, including a larger deluxe dome that fits up to four people. Inside, you’ll find a simple but comfortable setup with super-king beds, down duvets, candles, fairy lights, seating, and a big bay window looking out over the valley. Outside, each dome has a private deck and outdoor tub.
According to Tripadvisor, “There’s no denying New Zealand’s landscape is breathtaking. The best ways to take it all in? An off-grid, geodesic dome with uninterrupted views from your bed. Or, say, an outdoor heated bathtub in the forest.”
Cabin Parus at Eagle Brae in Scotland
Eagle Brae
3. Eagle Brae — Beauly, United Kingdom
Eagle Brae sits between Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar and offers a luxury self-catering village for travelers who want to enjoy the Highlands in comfort. The grass-roofed cabins are built from handcrafted cedar logs and use renewable energy, giving the resort a rugged, handmade feel.
Tripadvisor says, “Looking for some Hobbit-level cottagecore? Head to Eagle Brae, located an hour from Inverness, Scotland for 10 grass-roofed cedar cabins. Bonus: you can bring your pup along, too.”
Taj Lake Palace
Taj Hotels
Taj Lake Palace is one of India’s most iconic hotels. This white marble former royal residence seems to float on Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Originally built as Jag Niwas between 1743 and 1746 for Maharana Jagat Singh II, it became a hotel in 1963 under Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar. Now, the palace offers 65 rooms and 18 suites, featuring restored interiors, Mughal-inspired touches, and views of the lake, hills, and City Palace from almost every direction.
Tripadvisor says, “This former royal residence, which Bond fans may recognize from Octopussy, sits in the middle of a lake and is only reachable by boat. It’s all opulence from there, from the luxe pool to the art-filled rooms.”
Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild
Shinta Mani Wild is located in a protected river valley surrounded by three of Cambodia’s national parks. Designer and owner Bill Bensley founded the project to protect the valley from poaching, mining, and logging, while creating jobs for local communities.
The camp stretches for about 1.5 kilometers along the river and has 15 safari-style tents spaced out for privacy. The atmosphere is both glamorous and wild, with indoor-outdoor living areas, river views, the Landing Zone Bar, Waterfall Restaurant, and Boulders Spa, which offers treatments inspired by Khmer traditions. Guests can even arrive by zipline for a dramatic entrance.
According to Tripadvisor, “It starts with check-in, when you’ll take a treetop zipline to the lobby. From there, its all-out luxury, with tented suites, riverside sundowners, and spa treatments.”
Treehouse Lodge in the Amazon in Peru
Treehouse Lodge
Treehouse Lodge near Iquitos, Peru, lets guests stay in open-air treehouses high above the Amazon floor, all linked by rope bridges. Each morning, you’ll wake up to the sounds of birds, monkeys, and the river below. Your stay covers meals, a private guide, and trips into the rainforest.
Tripadvisor says, “There are treehouse hotels—and then there’s this all-inclusive version on the Amazon. Rope bridges connect the lodge’s open-air rooms, and daily river cruises will take you deep into the rainforest.”
La Tour d’Eole in Morocco
La Tour d’Eole
La Tour d’Eole is set between the Atlantic and the Sahara, with views over Dakhla Bay, one of Morocco’s most beautiful coastal spots. The resort welcomes travelers who love wind, water, and open space. Its bungalows, villas, restaurants, bars, and Ocean Academy are all designed to showcase the lagoon’s cliffs, dunes, and turquoise water. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are the main attractions, but watching the sunset from a terrace is just as unforgettable.
Tripadvisor says, “Getting to this stunning desert resort on the North African coast is half the adventure. The other half? The Ocean Academy, which will turn you into a kitesurfing or windsurfing pro by checkout.”
Nayara Bocas Del Toro in Panama
Nayara Bocas Del Toro
Nayara Bocas del Toro is an adults-only, all-inclusive eco-resort on Isla Frangipani, accessible only by boat from Panama’s Caribbean coast. It is genuinely secluded, with overwater villas, jungle trails, treetop hideaways, and clear water in every direction.
Tripadvisor says, “Overwater bungalows may be par for the course in the Maldives, but they’re a rare treat in South America. Here, you’re never far from a swim, and the spa delivers full-body relaxation.”
Fingal Hotel in Edinburgh
Fingal Hotel
9. Fingal Hotel — Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Fingal adds a touch of old-world glamour to the Leith waterfront in Edinburgh. Once a Northern Lighthouse Board ship, it is now a floating hotel with 23 cabins, a restaurant, event spaces, and interiors inspired by its maritime history without feeling overdone. It looks as polished as a yacht, has the character of a working ship, and is conveniently close to the city center.
Tripadvisor says, “This ship may be permanently docked in Edinburgh’s buzzy Leith neighborhood, but the elegant rooms here feel like a getaway all their own. Even if you’re not a guest, the afternoon tea is a can’t-miss.”
Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru
Skylodge Adventure Suites
Skylodge Adventure Suites isn’t the place for anyone who’s scared of heights. Its clear sleeping capsules are attached to a cliff in Peru’s Sacred Valley, about 1,000 feet above the ground, offering mountain views during the day and starry skies at night.
Getting to Skylodge is an adventure in itself. Guests either climb a via ferrata or hike a trail with ziplines before arriving at one of the three capsule suites. Made from aerospace aluminum and tough polycarbonate, each pod has beds, a dining area, and a private bathroom. The 300-degree views make you feel like you’re floating in the open air.
“Spend the night in a clear pod that hangs 1,000 feet above ground. The panoramic views of Peru’s Sacred Valley are unparalleled, and the zip-line ride down is once-in-a-lifetime,” says Tripadvisor.
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Sextantio
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita sits within the Sassi di Matera, an ancient cave district in Basilicata that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eighteen candlelit rooms are carved into old stone homes, with simple decor and the weight of 9,000 years of history in the walls.
Tripadvisor says, “Nourish your inner romantic in this hotel’s candlelit cave bedrooms, which are carved right into the hillside. The views of the Italian countryside at breakfast are unforgettable, too.”
Ashford Castle in Ireland
Ashford Castle
Built in the 13th century, this Irish estate in Cong has gone from medieval fortress to grand country retreat. Today, it has manicured grounds, elegant interiors, and a guest list that has included royals and dignitaries for centuries.
Tripadvisor says, “When you think ‘castle hotel,’ you’re probably picturing Ashford, with its stately canopy beds, manicured grounds, and slew of regal activities (think falconry, archery). Bonus: It’s also kid-friendly.”
Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel in Argentina
Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel
Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel is surrounded by Malbec vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo, with the Andes mountains in the background. This 24-room boutique hotel sits at the easy pace of Mendoza’s wine country, with modern design and a restaurant focused on local flavors.
Tripadvisor notes, “Some hotels offer a glass of wine at check-in. This one has you sleeping over Malbec vines, thanks to suites on stilts. Even better? The tastings (obviously) and the wine-based spa treatments.”
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Anantara
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort sits on 160 acres of bamboo forest in northern Thailand, offering views of Myanmar and Laos. Designed by Bill Bensley, this Chiang Rai resort combines jungle luxury with cultural tours, Mekong River trips, spa treatments, and up-close elephant encounters in its caretaker village. The transparent Jungle Bubble rooms put guests in the middle of the forest canopy.
Tripadvisor notes, “From your vantage point in the hotel’s luxe transparent bubble rooms, there’s no forgetting you’re in the middle of a bamboo forest: You’re bound to see families of elephants strolling by.”
The underwater Muraka suite at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Hotels
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been a standout resort in the Maldives for years, set across two islands in the South Ari Atoll. It is famous for The Muraka, a luxury residence beneath the sea, and Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant. With whale sharks nearby, beautiful lagoons, white sand beaches, a vibrant house reef, and a certified PADI Eco Center, there is nothing quite like it.
Tripadvisor puts it this way: “At most hotels, ‘ocean view’ means you can sorta see the water from the balcony. Here, you’re sleeping under it. The underwater Muraka suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows put the reef’s action on full display.”
Beyond the One-of-a-Kind list, Tripadvisor also named winners across several World categories.
Best Luxury Hotel
Kapama Karula — Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Best World Hotel
G.H. Universal Hotel — Bandung, Indonesia
Best All Inclusive
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa — Fasmendhoo, Maldives
Best Family Friendly Hotel
Casa Cayuco Eco-Adventure Lodge — Isla Bastementos, Panama
Best Small Boutique Hotel
Chandys Drizzle Drops — Munnar, India
Best B&B, Inns
Sapa Centre Hotel — Sapa, Vietnam
Best of the Best Hotels in the World for 2026
1. G.H. Universal Hotel, Indonesia
2. Hotel Colline de France, Brazil
3. Hotel Sporting Family Hospitality, Italy
4. Royal Lancaster London, United Kingdom
5. FivePine Lodge and Spa, United States
6. La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, Vietnam
7. Abigail’s Hotel, Canada
8. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
9. Hotel Moments Budapest, Hungary
10. La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa, Vietnam
11. Hotel Schutterhof, Austria
12. Milaidhoo Maldives, Maldives
13. Hotel Da Baixa, Portugal
14. Nayara Gardens, Costa Rica
15. Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Belize
16. Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Peru
17. Serenity at Coconut Bay, St. Lucia
18. The Loutrel, United States
19. Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius
20. Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa
21. Emporium Hotel South Bank, Australia
22. The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove, Australia
23. Hotel Nordik, Italy
24. The Bryant Park Hotel, United States
25. Sant Jaume Design Hotel, Spain
