As 2023 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on my 10 favorite hotel stays from 2023.
My Top 10 Hotel Stays In 2023
As a reminder, this is not a top-1o all-time list, but only covers my hotel stays this year. I stayed at more hotels in 2023 than in 2020 – 2022 and narrowing my list down was a bit of a challenge. As in years past, I was fiercely loyal to Hyatt but for good reason…I have enjoyed superior service, generous upgrades, and great treatment overall. That said, my list is split evenly between Hyatt and non-Hyatt properties. Indeed, some of my best hotel stays this year have been at other chains.
We’ll get into my Bali-Cambodia-Nepal-Bhutan trip report next month, which included so many fine hotels.
And of course this unique year in that I spent a month living in hotels after a tree fell on my house…that gave me a lot of nights at several Los Angeles-area hotels.
10. Andaz Bali
A beautiful Hyatt property in beautiful Bali. Great breakfast and lovely grounds.
9. Andaz Amsterdam
We started the year at the Andaz Amsterdam with a beautiful suite upgrade at this premier property in the heart of Amsterdam. It was a sobering visit, but we love this hotel.
Review here.
8. Spirit Sanctuary – Paro, Bhutan
This was one of the most unique hotels I ever stayed in. I liked the all-inclusive concept not just for the meals, but for the spa treatments. Stay tuned for this review – it will be an interesting one.
7. The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
This is a classic hotel right in my own backyard. It was great to finally have a chance to stay in this hotel and there is much to love about it…it is now the hotel I will recommend for out-of-town guests.
Review here.
6. Park Hyatt Siem Reap
I love this hotel, which has changed very little since I stayed just weeks after it opened a decade ago. I was upgraded to a beautiful suite and loved the central location.
5. Park Hyatt Washington
What made this stay special was that it was with my father – this was a wonderful trip together. We were upgraded to a nice suite as well and enjoyed a great breakfast at Blue Duck Tavern.
Review here.
4. Raffles Siem Reap
The Raffles Hotel in Siem reap is a classic hotel with beautiful common areas and posh guest rooms. The Park Hyatt offered an excellent breakfast, but breakfast here was even better.
3. Park Hyatt Sydney
This hotel never fails to impress. The location overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House is perfect, the breakfast is sumptuous, and the guest rooms are thoughtfully decorated.
Review here.
2. Four Seasons Bali At Jimbaran Bay
The stay here was so relaxing…it’s a beautiful resort with an amazing spa, expansive breakfast buffet, great service, and beautiful views of the bay.
1. Six Senses Thimphu
This my first time staying in a Six Seneses hotel and I was blown away by how excellent everything was: the room, the amenities, the food, and the service. This is not a cheap hotel, but it the sort of hotel that I would splurge for under special circumstances with my family.
Which hotel stay was best for you in 2023?
I’ve always found your hotel reviews to be highly accurate, in addition to your usual well written. Based primarily upon your hotel review, in April this year we made a side trip to Dusseldorf to stay at The Wellem. Wow! Now a top 10 for us. That was immediately after a very nice stay at The Andaz Amsterdam. Your review of the Hyatt Regency Mainz put me there in 2020. Great review, again, and it did not disappoint.
Bruin? Trojan?
Bruin!
Thanks for your kinds words.
We’re Bruins, too.
Seems like over half your hotel stays don’t have a review yet.
Stayed at my first Andaz in Vienna in September and fell in love. It seems to succeed at what W tried .– and failed — to do 20 years ago; namely be hip, warm and welcoming all at the same time.
No reviews for the Siem Reap hotels?
If you’re headed back to Bali sometime, I have a driver/guide who’s honest and unusually good if you’re looking.
Glad you had great experiences in Bhutan, my top #5 country in the world.