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These 15 Resorts Were Just Voted the Best in the Continental U.S.—and No. 1 Is a Rural Virginia Gem With Tree Houses and a Stargazing Observatory

These 15 Resorts Were Just Voted the Best in the Continental U.S.—and No. 1 Is a Rural Virginia Gem With Tree Houses and a Stargazing Observatory

The U.S. stretches for more than 2,800 miles from coast to coast, offering a diverse range of scenery, attractions, cuisines, cultures, and, of course, hotels. From east to west, north to south, and everywhere in between, the U.S. is filled with fantastic places to call your next home away from home. And if this year's World's Best Awards winners are any indication, refined retreats are all the rage—especially those that give guests direct access to America's most stunning landscapes. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
A bedroom with a view at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Virginia.
Auberge Resorts Collection
This year's rankings revealed a distinct trend: readers are yearning for secluded luxury and a strong connection to nature. 2025 was also an excellent year for Auberge Resorts Collection properties, which secured six spots in the top 10 Continental U.S. resorts list. That includes Wildflower Farms in New York (No. 6), The Inn at Mattei's Tavern in California (No. 2), and The Dunlin in South Carolina (No. 7). Historic charm also resonated this year, with properties like San Ysidro Ranch, a Santa Barbara icon that open in 1893, snagging the No. 3 spot, while Deer Path Inn, an English-style retreat outside Chicago that opened in 1929, took home No. 13.
1. Primland Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection: Meadows of Dan, Virginia The pool at Primland's Hawk Eye house.
Auberge Resorts Collection
Primland Resort gives guests unparalleled access to the Appalachian wilderness, thanks to its perch in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can golf on a championship course, explore extensive hiking and biking trails, or stargaze at the on-site observatory. And while getting out into nature and getting your hands dirty is the point, a refined elegance flows throughout Primland's 12,000 acres. Its accommodations, ranging from lodge-style rooms to tree houses, are as charming as it gets, while the wellness offerings make the resort a favorite for those seeking both adventure and calm. "Such a beautiful venue sitting on top of a mountain," one reader said. "So many things to do to keep you busy."
Reader Score: 99.40
Such a beautiful venue sitting on top of a mountain. So many things to do to keep you busy.
— T+L Reader
2. The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection: Los Olivos, California
Cottage accommodations at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern.
Auberge Resorts Collection
Set in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, this historic stagecoach stop—which one reader called a "fantastic understated luxurious hotel"—opened in 1886 and has been transformed into a chic and modern retreat. Guests can enjoy farmhouse-style accommodations with roaring fireplaces and four-poster beds, seasonally inspired dining, and neighboring vineyards and tasting rooms.
Reader Score: 99.27
3. San Ysidro Ranch: Santa Barbara, California San Ysidro Ranch, in California.
San Ysidro Ranch is nestled in the Montecito foothills, tucked behind a lengthy driveway, lending it an air of exclusivity. It offers 38 cottages surrounded by colorful gardens and has a long history of hosting Hollywood legends and dignitaries, famously including John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for their honeymoon.
Reader Score: 98.76
4. Quisisana Resort: Lovell, Maine A Quisisana Resort cabin with an enclosed porch.
This classic Maine resort offers a nostalgic camp experience with a luxury twist. Guests can spend their days in their private lakefront cottage and come out for nightly performances by its on-site staff of professional musicians.
Reader Score: 98.32
5. Triple Creek Ranch: Darby, Montana Triple Creek Ranch's Stage Stop home.
This adults-only property in the Bitterroot Mountains is tailor-made for those looking to live like a Dutton. Here, guests can feel like a real cowboy with activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, and snowshoeing in the winter, while sleeping in rustic-chic cabins decked out in Western wear.
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 98.20
6. Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection: Gardiner, New York A cabin at Wildflower Farms, in New York's Hudson Valley.
Escape the hustle and bustle of New York City with a getaway to Wildflower Farms just a 90-minute drive away. The property spans 140 acres, including verdant meadows and woodlands, in the Hudson Valley. Guests can take part in hands-on farming activities like feeding the animals and learning how honey is made, along with wellness programs and seasonal outdoor adventures, including fly fishing and hiking.
Reader Score: 97.94
7. The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection: Johns Island, South Carolina A guest room at The Dunlin, set on the Kiawah River in South Carolina.
Peter Frank Edwards/Travel + Leisure
Set along the Kiawah River, The Dunlin is the very definition of Southern charm. It's bright, cheerful, and oh-so Instagrammable. It features a riverfront pool lined with mint-green chaise lounges and offers curated experiences, such as fishing excursions and coastal safaris.
Reader Score: 97.92
8. Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection: Telluride, Colorado Steam rises from an outdoor pool at Madeline Hotel & Residences, in Telluride.
Auberge Resorts Collection
This resort in Mountain Village may be a ski-in/ski-out dream, but it's also a place for year-round mountain adventures, including fantastic access to hiking and mountain biking trails. Plus, its top-notch spa makes it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want to unwind in style.
Reader Score: 97.83
9. Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection: Calistoga, California The relaxation room in the Solage resort's spa.
Auberge Resorts Collection
Oenophiles will adore this resort nestled in Napa Valley wine country. Solage is known for its geothermal pools, comfort-food dining at Solbar, and sleek cottages that feel like a home away from home.
Reader Score: 97.83
10. Hotel Hartness: Greenville, South Carolina Seating at the Patterson Bar in Hotel Hartness.
Hotel Hartness, a former family estate, combines classic Southern hospitality with contemporary design. The property emphasizes wellness with its Spa H and extensive walking trails throughout its 180-acre grounds for total relaxation.
Reader Score: 97.27
11. The Ranch at Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach, California An aerial view of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, home to a nine-hole golf course.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a laid-back SoCal escape that provides easy beach access, a nine-hole golf course, and eco-conscious programming to all its guests, including a regenerative farm for the freshest produce around.
Reader Score: 97.25
12. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa: Rancho Santa Fe, California A guest swims laps at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, in California.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Find a slice of Europe in Southern California at Rancho Valencia, a Spanish-inspired resort where guests can book their own private casita. Take part in racquet programs, including tennis, padel, and pickleball, then spend time in the five-star spa to unwind.
Reader Score: 97.02
13. Deer Path Inn: Lake Forest, Illinois Deer Path Inn amenities include bicycles for guests.
Travelers can find themselves in an English manor just north of Chicago by checking into Deer Path Inn. The quaint hotel charms guests with its elegant afternoon teas, wood-paneled lounges, and its close proximity to Lake Michigan's gorgeous shoreline.
Reader Score: 96.94
14. Castle Hot Springs: Morristown, Arizona Spa treatment cabanas at Castle Hot Springs.
Castle Hot Springs has long been heralded as the "it" place to be for wellness. The desert oasis offers guests the chance to dip in natural hot springs, refresh with farm-to-table cuisine, and find a thrill with its curated activities like canyoneering, archery, and axe throwing.
Reader Score: 96.71
15. The Winnetu Oceanside Resort: Edgartown, Massachusetts Young guests at Winnetu Oceanside Resort.
Check into seaside luxury, New England style, with a stay at The Winnetu Oceanside Resort, located on South Beach on Martha's Vineyard. The resort delivers family-friendly fun with spacious accommodations that can fit everyone. Its kids' programming and quick distance to the island's beaches and bike trails make it an ideal fit for a multi-generational trip.
Reader Score: 96.40
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