After a tumultuous two decades of political instability and civil war, calm has returned to Sri Lanka, and visitors are flooding back. This Indian Ocean island has a deserved reputation as a top spot for adventurous backpackers, but is it also a suitable destination for a family holiday? We set out to explore this very question.

Some of the very best cities on the planet can be found in the continental United States — so is it any wonder that some of the most exciting hotels are in the lower 48? For instance, the Old 77 Hotel & Chandlery, located in Louisiana, has quickly become one of the coolest new hotels in the country. Debuting at the No. 7 spot this year in New Orleans, it features two galleries promoting local artists and a French-Caribbean restaurant, where conch croquettes share the menu with black drum fish with beurre blanc and caviar. Inside the 167 rooms, guests will find custom vintage-inspired writing desks and exposed-brick walls.

If you’re planning on heading to the Great American West, we know where you should stay. Consider the lodge in Washington State’s wine country, where each guest room features a stone fireplace and a tub for two. Alternatively, you can choose a modern resort on the craggy Teton Mountains of Wyoming, or opt for a Mission-inflected, cedar-beamed lodge on an Oregon river that offers “do nothing” as an official activity — alongside hiking, golfing, fishing, and visiting the spa. These accommodations include Willows Lodge, Amangani, and Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, among the 10 best resorts in the western U.S. this year.Every year, for the GoTravelDaily World’s Best Awards survey, readers are asked to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In the hotels category, properties are rated on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Hotels are categorized based on their locations, which in the West includes Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.The properties that made this list share some common features. Several are located in ski areas, including Montage Deer Valley, Utah (No. 10) and Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail, Colorado (No. 4). However, readers also demonstrated a fondness for retreats far from ski towns. For example, Montana’s Triple Creek Ranch, formerly voted best hotel in the world and ranked second in the region this year, offers luxurious log cabins with wood-burning fireplaces and large soaking tubs, making it a favorite for romantic getaways thanks to its adults-only policy.At Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, located along the banks of the Rogue River in Gold Beach, Oregon, exceptional service and serene surroundings are the main attractions. “This is the gold standard for how a lodge should be run,” praised one GoTravelDaily reader. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Gateway Canyons Resort — this year’s top resort in the West — provides thrill seekers with river rafting, rock climbing, and off-roading adventures. Owner John Hendricks, the founder of the Discovery Channel, aims for every visitor to leave having tried something new.No. 10: Montage Deer Valley, Park City, UtahCourtesy of MontageScore: 93.50No. 9: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, Teton Village, WyomingCourtesy of Four Seasons ResortScore: 93.62No. 8: Willows Lodge, Woodinville, WashingtonCourtesy of Willows LodgeScore: 93.80No. 7: Red Mountain Resort, Ivins, UtahJessica SampleScore: 93.91No. 6: Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, Park City, UtahCourtesy of Stein Eriksen LodgeScore: 94.18No. 5: Amangani, Jackson, WyomingCourtesy of AmanganiScore: 94.43No. 4: Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail, ColoradoCourtesy of SonnenalpScore: 95.04No. 3: Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, OregonCourtesy of Tu Tu’tun LodgeScore: 95.06No. 2: Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MontanaCourtesy of Triple Creek RanchScore: 96.76No. 1: Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, Gateway, ColoradoScore: 97Situated within a canyon on 6,000 acres, Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa is a paradise for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. John Hendricks, founder of the Discovery Channel, has developed an extensive range of activities for guests — from hiking through the surrounding red rocks to white-water rafting in the Dolores River and helicopter tours. Car lovers will appreciate the on-site museum showcasing historic automotive beauties, such as a rare 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 concept car and a 1906 Cadillac Model H Coupe, highlighting a century of American automotive history.

Whether your French vacation fantasy involves striding through a glamorous 1920s resort on the Côte d’Azur, cozying up in a stone-walled farmhouse in Provence, or bedding down in an 18th-century manor in wine country, there is an exceptional hotel for you on this year’s list of top French resorts. Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily gathers reader feedback on travel experiences around the globe—particular emphasis is placed on the top hotels and resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, and airlines.

Adventure travel and young children don’t precisely go together. Parents often find it challenging to enjoy a peaceful vacation, as they might have to alternate parenting duties while the other indulges in relaxing activities like soaking in geothermal pools, learning to kite board, or enjoying a hot stone massage. Therefore, instead of searching for resorts featuring kids’ clubs and babysitting services, seize the chance to embrace your child-free lifestyle. Here are a few remarkable destinations you should consider visiting before welcoming a baby into your lives.

When the words “Bora-Bora” and “Tahiti” come up in conversation, they’re usually followed by that often-used adjective, “bucket list.” This adjective is well-deserved; with their lush landscapes, turquoise lagoons, and overwater bungalows, French Polynesia’s Society Islands—an archipelago formed by Bora-Bora, Moorea, Huahine, and Tahiti—are legendary for a reason. However, an unforgettable way to experience French Polynesia and the South Pacific is on the water, where you can sail from one picturesque spot to the next and truly feel the essence of life on the high seas. Clearly, readers of GoTravelDaily agree: for the second consecutive year, Paul Gauguin Cruises—a single-vessel line sailing to the Society Islands, the Marquesas, Fiji, and the Cook Islands—won the title of the World’s Best Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line. One satisfied traveler stated, “ThePaul Gauguinperfectly complements the breathtaking views and calm waters of these island paradises. The intimate feeling, unrivaled crew-to-passenger ratio, and outstanding service make you feel like the entire cruise was put together for YOU alone!”

The glittering cities of Asia are a magnet for world travelers. Not only do places like Hong Kong, Beijing, and Mumbai draw in scores of people on business, but they’re also vacation destinations in their own right, with centuries of history and culture to offer the curious explorer. Luckily, they’re also home to several of the world’s best hotels, famed for their exquisite service, near-perfect locations, and an atmosphere that stays true to its sense of place. Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily 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. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. It’s no surprise that Bangkok, the starting point for many trips through Southeast Asia, is full of top hotels—including the Mandarin Oriental, No. 5 on this year’s list. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, it’s a short boat ride from the Grand Palace, though some guests find it hard to leave the property, with its two swimming pools, Thai-boxing classes, large spa with 10 treatment rooms, and nine restaurants and bars. In India, the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai has been an architectural marvel since its construction in 1903, with an ideal location overlooking the Gateway of India. And nearby, readers love the Oberoi for its modern design and the fact that it sits along Marine Drive—the bayside boulevard known for the large collection of Art Deco buildings lining it. China is well represented on the list this year, with properties in Beijing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, and Chengdu—a city that is emerging as a major tourist destination thanks to its panda-breeding center, fiery Sichuan food, and cultural monuments such as the Leshan Giant Buddha—all having hotels on the list. Indeed, Chengdu appears to be having a moment, now that brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Six Senses have arrived on the scene. But it was the Temple House—a property from Swire Hotels that made GoTravelDaily’s It List in 2016—that came out on top for the entire region. Read on to see why.