“Where’s the best place you’ve ever visited?” is a question the Elite Traveler team gets asked a lot. And rightly so – we are fortunate enough to say our jobs take us to some pretty special locations. While narrowing down an all-time favorite is a tricky task, as 2024 draws to a close, we have been reflecting on our favorite hotels of the year.
From time-honored metropolitan mainstays to glitzy new kids on the block, the world’s hotel industry continues to delight and intrigue, offering a whole host of experiences and amenities to keep the most demanding of travelers (we try not to include ourselves in that demographic) happy. There’s subterranean spas five stories under the streets of London, there’s remote countryside boltholes – and there’s even a three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Without further ado, we present Elite Traveler’s favorite hotels of 2024.
[See also: The Best Hotels in New York and the Best Suites to Book]
Alex Martin, Editor-in-Chief
Atlantis the Royal, Dubai
I went into this year most excited for Atlantis the Royal, and the ‘world’s most ultra-luxury experiential hotel’ did not disappoint. Like it or not, you can’t not be stunned by the sight of a 46-story Jenga tower on a man-made island. It is an architectural wonder, inadvertently making its next-door neighbor Atlantis the Palm look like an ancient ruin. Inside, it’s a similar story. The high ceilings, lashings of marble and countless gilded sculptures leave you in a permanent state of heightened privilege.
Yes, it can get very busy, and very noisy. The locals rev their Lamborghinis upon arrival at the porte-cochere, which seems to have been designed to amplify such acts of disregard. But it wasn’t all ‘see and be seen.’ I found a few quiet nooks like The Royal Club, where (for a price) you can enjoy fine food and cocktails away from the madding crowd while influencers jostle for position in the main lobby.
Where the hotel really excels, however, is the food. There are 17 restaurants in all, including a Nobu, Estiatorio Milos and one from Heston Blumenthal. I loved La Mar, a Peruvian fusion restaurant from Gaston Acurio. The food feels authentically Peruvian but is perfectly designed for what is ultimately an Instagram-conscious clientele.
Insider tip: Traveling with children? The hotel is surprisingly family-friendly, and suite-staying guests get unlimited access (and free buggy transport) to Atlantis the Palm’s water park. Most restaurants have kids menus and there’s even a small kids club for when you want to pop to the adults-only Nobu pool.
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Kim Ayling, Deputy Editor
Claridge’s, London
We don’t need to introduce you to Claridge’s: the hotel has stood as a time-honored icon of London’s luxury hotel scene since way back in 1856. But, despite her grand reputation (on which the hotel could continue to rely to pull in guests) Claridge’s refuses to rest on its laurels and continually updates, reinvents and betters itself. The bulk of this reinvention came in the form of an enormous, top-to-bottom refurb which saw it dig down to add five new floors below ground (including an all-new spa) and a further three on top (making room for a swanky new penthosue that has quickly become one of the most lavish rooms in all of London).
I was lucky enough to check in to one of Claridge’s suites this spring, just as London was beginning to de-frost after another chilly winter. Twenty-four hours of pure indulgence ensued, kicking off with a roast dinner lunch in the newly-reopened Claridge’s Restaurant, followed by a sneak peek of that all-new penthouse (complete with a floating piano pavilion, inclusive fine wine fridge, the world’s largest private Damien Hirst collection, an outdoor ‘lake,’ 29.5-ft heated pool, private gym, marble bathtubs and 360-degree city views).
Next it was to The Fumoir for martinis, then champagne in front of the TV back in the suite. In the morning, a hangover-clearing trip to the spa preceded a lavish room service breakfast. I can’t imagine a better-spent day; Claridge’s might be one of the oldest hotels in London but it also remains one of the most exciting.
Insider tip: Don’t forget about The Fumoir bar. As part of its mega refurb, Claridge’s introduced the Painter’s Room in 2021 and, thanks to its undeniably chic pink decor and highly exclusive nature (seats are few and far between), it quickly became an Instagram darling. But in my eyes, The Fumoir remains the place to be. Open since 1929, the intimate space has welcomed some of London’s brightest names in its lifetime and still serves some of the best cocktails in the city. Intentionally poor lighting makes snapping a photo virtually impossible, too.
[See also: The Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2025]
Toby Louch, Lifestyle Feature Writer
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast
Perched atop the steep cliffs of the small village of Ravello — one of the best-kept secrets on Italy’s Amalfi Coast — Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, bends Mediterranean simplicity with a design aesthetic that gets close to palatial.
The hotel was originally constructed during the 11th century, and called Palazzo D’Afflito, meaning ‘the afflicted’ – a reference to a shipwreck the family endured while voyaging to Constantinople. While little of the original palace remains, Caruso’s hallways still hum with history.
Situated only 40 miles from Naples, Caruso offers visitors a new way to experience this often touted corner of Italy, escaping the buzz of Amalfi and taking the more laid-back approach.
I had the pleasure of spending a few days at Caruso this summer and it certainly lived up to the hype. This part of Europe is particularly seasonal, to the extent that Caruso actually closes during the winter and is set to reopen in March 2025. But during the summer months, the surrounding picturesque cliffs are bursting with activity, a wedding seemingly occurring on every corner.
The trip to Caruso focused on the joys of the Mediterranean Diet, which is cherished globally for its health benefits. Mediterranean cuisine is all about high-quality ingredients utilized in a simple way, and nowhere is this better highlighted than in Caruso’s Ristorante Belvedere, where the views into the bay below are almost as good as the food.
Insider tip: Ristorante Belvedere is a truly special restaurant that’s well worth a stop if you’re staying at the hotel, or even just passing by.
Ellys Woodhouse, Digital Writer
Akelarre, San Sebastian
Anyone heading to San Sebastian only has one thing planned on their tourist itinerary – and that’s to eat. With the same intentions drawing me to the northern Spanish city, I was lucky to stay in the pristine Akelarre, the boutique hotel that opened out of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name by chef Pedro Subijana.
With just 22 rooms, Akelarre feels intimate and exclusive, but its sleek minimalist design and panoramic views make it feel boundless. The vast windows and earthy tones create a seamless flow between the interiors and the breathtaking scenery outside. Perched above the Bay of Biscay, the hotel exudes a quiet sophistication, where the only distractions are the waves and the endless horizon. Each detail invites you to slow down and savor the experience – much like the dining itself.
Insider tip: Book your dinner reservation for just before sunset – the views while dining above Akelarre’s cliffs are worth breaking Spanish culinary conventions. But if your timekeeping skills prevent that, try to resist immediately breaking into the complimentary bottle of Rioja wine left in your room and savor it on the private balcony as a pre-dinner tipple.
[See also: The Three-starred Restaurants in Spain with Green Michelin Stars]
Thyme, Cotswolds
While 2024 has been a year of far-flung travels, spanning from Lisbon to Manhattan to Harbour Island, I’m as surprised as you are that my highlight was found less than two hours from home. For anyone based in London, it’s no secret that the Cotswolds offer a quiet slice of countryside charm and Thyme captures the very best of this stunning region.
A family-run gem spread across a 150-acre estate, Thyme is a thoughtfully restored collection of honey-hued stone cottages, stately manor houses and converted barns. Though it’s undoubtedly Instagram-perfect, the boutique hotel lets land-led living take center stage, whether it’s in the Ox Barn restaurant, where homegrown produce shines, or in the Meadow Spa, where crackling log fires and homegrown botanicals offer moments of memorable relaxation.
The hotel has perfected the art of unobtrusive yet impeccable five-star service, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the city-born-country fantasy over a dreamy weekend. Will I ever forget the pure joy of returning from dinner to find a deconstructed Negroni waiting on my nightstand and a hot water bottle tucked perfectly under the covers? Unlikely.
Insider tip: A long Sunday lunch at the hotel’s village pub, The Swan, is a must. And don’t let dietary restrictions stop you from indulging in a traditional Sunday roast. As someone who is both gluten-free and vegetarian, I’d usually hesitate to book into a countryside pub, but at The Swan, the staff were completely unfazed by my fussy eating habits and I was treated to the most divine celeriac roast, with all the adapted trimmings in tow.
[See also: The Best Hotels in Miami From South Beach to Bal Harbour]
Samantha Coles, Print Editor
Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Bali
If I can’t step out of my canopied bed directly into my private infinity pool that overlooks the beach some 230-ft below, then I don’t want to know. I stayed at Umana Bali in summer 2024 and the endless pampering (massages next to the aforementioned private infinity pool, in-villa dining a mere WhatsApp away, cocktails created on the spot) certainly left its mark. While the resort itself is expansive, lush and serene, it’s the genuinely immersive experiences — both on and offsite — that made my visit exceptional.
Think: creating a flower-petal canang sari (meaning ‘offering to the gods’), visiting ancient temples and having my soul blessed, calling into a traditional Balinese home for a breakfast of klepon (a sweet rice cake ball filled with molten palm sugar and coated in grated coconut), and a traditional — and utterly hypnotic — private Legong performance within one of the resort’s largest suites. To explore further afield, Umana can arrange a yacht charter — I sailed around Nusa Penida and Lembongan I and was lucky enough to see a frolicking pod of dolphins.
Insider tip: The top key is the Three-bedroom Umana Ocean View, set within its own 12,915-sq-ft estate. But, if you want a suite with the best views over the beach and maximum sunshine, be sure to book either villa 218, 219 or 221.
Ella Danson, Creative Director
Amanpulo, Philippines
Nestled on the private island of Pamalican in the Sulu Sea, Amanpulo offers something rare: the feeling of complete escape. When I touched down on the island’s private airstrip, greeted by turquoise waters, and powder-soft white sand, I felt a sense of calm that felt worlds away from reality.
Amanpulo isn’t crowded or flashy—it’s intimate and serene. My villa opened directly onto the beach, where I could walk out each morning and feel the sand between my toes without seeing another soul. It feels as if the entire island belonged to you.
I’ve never been one to sit still for long, often gravitating toward adventure over relaxation, yet Amanpulo managed to strike the perfect balance. There was always something to discover from scuba diving in the Pamalican waters – the most vibrant corals I had seen in over a decade – to go-karting on the airstrip.
Insider tip: Book the floating bamboo Kawayan Bar at Sunset. Sipping a cocktail, surrounded by nothing but crystal clear waters as the sky turned golden pink, was one of the most magical moments of my stay.
