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The north is on the rise. This year, the first seven of the top 10 resort hotels in California are all from the upper half of the Golden State. Most can be found in the counties of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, the beloved land of wine and redwoods north of San Francisco. This year’s top two winners, however, belong to properties elsewhere in the north. Rosewood CordeValle, a luxury resort with its own championship golf course and vineyard, is tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, while Château du Sureau, near Yosemite, is an enchanting slice of Provence in the Sierra Nevada.

Every year for our 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. Readers praised the 45-room Rosewood CordeValle for its seclusion. “A hidden treasure,” said one reader, while another added, “We had wild deer grazing right outside our room.” All of this despite being just half an hour from San Jose on the 101.

That’s a common trait among many of California’s top resort hotels: they give you the feeling of getting away from it all while being relatively easy to reach — no small feat in a state of nearly 40 million people. Last year’s winner, Farmhouse Inn, located just up the road from some of Sonoma’s finest wineries, feels like a remote little forest kingdom, but it’s just 90 minutes from San Francisco. This year, the family-run boutique inn with a Michelin-starred restaurant claimed the No. 3 spot. In neighboring Napa Valley, three resorts ranked highly with our readers: Auberge du Soleil, in Rutherford; Calistoga Ranch, an Auberge Resort, in Calistoga; and Meadowood Napa Valley, in St. Helena. In southern California, both the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and Terranea are an easy drive from Los Angeles, making them great options for travelers wanting to tack a few days of relaxation onto a city trip. Read on to see the full list of top California retreats.

Some of the most luxurious resort hotels on the planet are located in Indonesia, home to everything a well-traveled hotel connoisseur would expect: beautiful beaches, delicious food, postcard-perfect views, and faultless service. Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that our readers are willing to endure multiple flights (and more than a full day of travel) to reach this archipelago of some 17,500 islands. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Importantly, properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

The love affair with Bali continues this year, as the island is home to four of the five resorts on the list. Of note is the recent renovation of the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, where all 147 thatched-roof villas received a fresh look using traditional Balinese ikat fabrics, wooden sculptures, and local artwork. Each villa features its own infinity plunge pool and breathtaking views over Mount Agung, making it a very private and romantic setting for visitors.

Amandari is a big hit with couples (and loyal Aman fanatics) due to its secluded setting near Ubud, nestled in Bali’s lush interior. Suites showcase coconut and teak wood accents and have their own private gardens, while the open-air lobby is modeled after awantilan(village meeting place). “The décor was stunning, and very true to the area and culture,” said one satisfied visitor. “Impeccable service,” they added.

Moreover, in the beachside area of Nusa Dua, the St. Regis Bali Resort impresses with an almost 40,000-square-foot swimmable lagoon. However, the sole non-Bali resort on the list also happens to be this year’s winner. Nihi Sumba Island, formerly known as Nihiwatu, scored rave reviews across the board for its remote location (it’s an hour by plane from Bali). Owner Chris Burch, who acquired the property in 2012, expanded its facilities while managing to preserve the edge-of-civilization vibe and strong community connection.

Read on to discover how each resort ranks.

The cities of Central and South America offer endless adventures. You can explore the arts in Buenos Aires, take in the vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro, or discover Incan history in Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indeed, Cuzco is prized as much for its Spanish-colonial architecture as for its rugged, mountainous setting. This gateway city on the road to Machu Picchu proves to be a favorite with travelers — three of the top 10 hotels, including this year’s winner, are located there. Each year, our World’s Best Awards survey invites travelers to weigh in on their experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. Another standout city is Buenos Aires, where prominent hotels such as the Alvear Palace, the Four Seasons, and the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt define the hotel scene. At the Alvear Palace, afternoon tea in the soaring lobby becomes a restorative art form, and the spacious rooms, adorned with Louis XVI-style furniture, offer a tranquil escape. One traveler gushed, “By far the best hotel in Argentina,” while another commented, “A grand hotel of the old school.” The Four Seasons, located in a former Belle Époque mansion in B.A.’s upscale Recoleta neighborhood, continues to shine, thanks in part to its light-filled guest rooms and lovely outdoor pool. The Waldorf Astoria Panama also made our list, as did Casa San Agustín, a recently renovated property nestled within the walls of Cartagena, Colombia. This boutique hotel consists of three interconnected buildings; its courtyard features a remarkable ancient aqueduct, and many of the rooms, styled in modern Colombian decor, come equipped with their own plunge pools or Jacuzzis.

Where our readers go, notable figures like Barack Obama follow. This past March, he checked into the Brando, an all-villa private-island resort in French Polynesia. It appears our readers share a similar desire for relaxation; this year, they voted the property as the second best in the world. “We are very busy with work and hardly get a chance to relax,” said one admirer. “At the Brando, if you can’t relax and enjoy yourself — it’s your own fault.”

One of the standout features of the Northeast is its remarkable geographic diversity, allowing visitors to experience all four seasons. In the spring and summer, visitors can bask in the serene coastal beauty of Maine and Massachusetts, while Vermont offers thrilling ski getaways in winter. As fall approaches, a picturesque road trip through New York becomes an ideal leaf-spotting adventure. The resorts highlighted here are as varied as the seasons, catering to both families and couples with distinct experiences. For instance, Blantyre, a castle-like estate nestled in the Berkshires, dates back to 1901. Guests often describe their stay as stepping back in time, enjoying a dining experience adorned with fine china, crystal, and fresh flowers. As one guest remarked, “Blantyre is my top choice for a sybaritic luxury weekend, old-school style. This is the closest you can feel in the USA to being part of the aristocracy.”

Each year, GoTravelDaily conducts a survey inviting readers to share their top travel experiences worldwide, evaluating hotels, resorts, and more, based on facilities, location, service, and value. Among the resorts, Blantyre maintains its traditional vibe, while two beach retreats—the White Elephant Village on the upscale island of Nantucket and the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club on Cape Cod—offer quintessential American beach experiences. A guest of Wequassett noted, “Fourth of July is particularly fun, as they have an old-fashioned barbecue; my family and I go every summer.”

Notably, Vermont boasts the top two hotels in the region. The Rabbit Hill Inn serves as a charming 19-room B&B in northeastern Vermont, set on 15 acres of picturesque grounds and trails. On the other hand, Twin Farms stands out as an all-inclusive country retreat featuring ten unique cottages and expansive amenities across 300 acres of untouched wilderness. Read on to discover more about this romantic Relais & Chateaux property.

Canada, 150 looks good on you. This year, our northern neighbor is celebrating a milestone birthday along with a youthful, energetic new Prime Minister. Travelers are reveling in the opportunity to visit thanks to the favorable exchange rate and chic places to stay, like these top 10 urban winners. 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. The Magnolia Hotel & Spa jumped from the No. 7 slot last year to No. 1, giving charm-filled Victoria some much-deserved attention. Steps from the city’s Inner Harbour, the 64-room property earned rave reviews from readers for its boutique feel and rooms with water views. “I have been traveling for business and pleasure for more than 50 years, and this was truly a highlight,” wrote one voter. “The staff are friendly and accommodating, and everything from the amenities to the location was perfect.” Across the Salish Sea, Vancouver racked up the awards with five of the top 10 hotel winners, including runner-up the Loden Hotel, a 77-room property designed with natural materials — copper, stone, and sustainable wood — and wellness-inspired beds, linens, and bath products. Amenities like complimentary local car service (in a London cab) and cruiser bikes also attract repeat guests. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia (No. 4), ideally located downtown across from the Vancouver Art Gallery, is also home to one of the city’s best restaurants, Hawksworth. In Montreal, the Ritz-Carlton, which originally opened in 1912 and cocoons guests in rooms with original furnishings and fireplaces, made the list, as did the Hotel Le Crystal, a downtown build with a 12th-floor spa, indoor saltwater pool, and outdoor hot tub with unbeatable city views.

If the 50 states held a popularity contest, Florida might win for its beaches alone. Our readers have selected seaside properties across the state, from Miami and Palm Beach to Sanibel Island and the Florida Keys, as their favorite places to stay.

Jim Morrison said it: “The West is the best.” These extraordinary properties, showcasing the diverse natural landscape of the inland and coastal West (excluding California), truly support this claim. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Hotels were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. Like many of the resorts on this list, this year’s top Western resort hotel, the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, derives much of its character from the rugged terrain and open spaces of the surrounding mountains. It is an old-fashioned dude ranch located between the pristine Sierra Madre range and Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming, offering luxurious accommodations. “Cabins are appointed in a luxurious, Ralph-Lauren style,” said a reader. “Bravo!” The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is one of several properties that celebrate the frontier traditions of the West. The spirit of old Montana infuses both Triple Creek Ranch and the Ranch at Rock Creek. If your idea of a getaway involves horseback riding and fly-fishing, these destinations are ideal. “Best family vacation I have ever been on,” expressed a fan of the Ranch at Rock Creek. “They had amazing summer activities such as shooting, a ropes course, a weekly rodeo, and a barn dance. Can’t ask for more.” Last year’s winner, Gateway Canyons Resort, in the dramatic red-rock country of southwestern Colorado, remains a prime destination for outdoor-adventure enthusiasts, offering hiking, riding, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. This year, the property hosted its inaugural Gateway to Craft Beer festival during Memorial Day weekend. Two other properties in Colorado, the Hotel Jerome in Aspen and the Sebastian in Vail, cater directly to winter-sports lovers. Summer travelers who prefer a slower pace can head to Oregon to relax at golf resorts such as Brasada Ranch in Bend and Salishan Spa & Golf Resort on the central Oregon coast. For stunning sunsets over the water, consider visiting the Stephanie Inn, located a bit farther north, or the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa on the shores of Lake Washington, just outside of Seattle.

Someone should really tell South Africa to lay low and let someone else have a turn in the spotlight. The country once again dominated our rankings of the best city hotels in Africa, with Cape Town (which has been on the best city in Africa list since 2001) taking four of the top five spots. The first-place winner, Ellerman House, a Cape Edwardian mansion with sweeping views of the Atlantic from its pool, shot up from its fourth-place ranking last year. Moreover, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, a 70-room property decorated in cool, coastal-inspired hues, nabbed second place in its first time on the list in several years.Location AdvantageIt’s only fair to note that the hotels of Cape Town have a location advantage. With the Atlantic on one side and Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the Twelve Apostles mountains on the other, there’s no such thing as a bad view at this town’s best properties. Although readers may have a soft spot for Cape Town, Johannesburg has plenty of five-star stays as well. It’s a testament to the Saxon Hotel, Villas, & Spa’s secluded location and eye-catching design (it houses 200 works by South African artists) that it’s been the lone Johannesburg pick for two years running. The Saxon, in fact, is close to making our Hall of Fame: it has placed on the list nine out of the past 10 years. Therefore, with travelers around the world finally giving Johannesburg’s thriving art and food scenes a second look, we expect the city’s five-star stays to prove stiff competition for Cape Town in coming years.World’s Best AwardsEvery year for our World’s Best Awards survey, we ask readers to weigh in on travel experiences globally—sharing 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. If you haven’t already started planning your next trip to Africa, these five hotels may be just the motivation you need. Read on for the perfect places to stay, pre- or post-safari.5. One&Only Cape TownCourtesy of One&OnlyScore: 92.974. Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, Johannesburg, South AfricaCourtesy of Saxon Hotel, Villas and SpaScore: 94.003. Cape Grace, Cape TownCourtesy of Cape GraceScore: 94.102. Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape TownCourtesy of Twelve Apostles Hotel & SpaScore: 94.591. Ellerman House, Cape TownCourtesy of Ellerman HouseScore: 95.78When international royalty and celebrities like Oprah come to Cape Town, this is their stay of choice. Set on a cliff in the tony Bantry Bay neighborhood, Ellerman House has 13 rooms and two private villas. Consequently, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 3-to-1, there’s no better place in the city for exclusivity, privacy, and personal attention. Readers raved about its impressive art collection (the pieces on display are curated to give a comprehensive look at the history of South African art, and an on-site guide is available for private tours) as well as the exceptional food and top-notch wine cellar, which houses 7,500 bottles from around South Africa. One reader said it best: “I keep telling my husband that he could just leave me at Ellerman House and I would be very happy!”

There are great philosophical arguments about which people feel passionately (think cats versus dogs, Rome versus Florence), but few incite the same vehemence as naming the finest hotel in Paris. This delightful disagreement offers an excellent opportunity to experience each of these hotels, ensuring a fair comparison.

Everything old is new again in Rome — at least when it comes to legendary hotels that have received face-lifts. The historic Eden, now under new management with Dorchester Collection, has expanded the size of its rooms and added a 2,000-square-foot penthouse suite, three new restaurants, and a spa. What remains unchanged at this 1889 building is its ideal location atop the Spanish Steps. Also overlooking the famed steps is the Hassler Roma, which has its fervent fans thanks to its elegance, reflected in the intimate bar and expansive rooftop restaurant that seems to overlook the entire city. The property has a fresh look thanks to renovated rooms, but it still retains the romance that drew Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco for their honeymoon. As one reader wrote, “This is the best location in Rome for vista viewing and imbibing, for superb food and general old-style class.”Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated based on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. This year, readers also chose two relatively new Roman hotel properties — this is an ancient city, after all — the First Luxury Art Hotel Roma and J.K. Place Roma. (The latter won the No. 1 spot last year.) Both hotels are located in renovated historic buildings within easy walking distance of the Spanish Steps, yet feel like chic oases in this noisy city.At the Art Hotel, the public spaces feature contemporary works by Italian artists, and rooms are outfitted with permanent and temporary “exhibits.” As for this year’s winner, the Hotel de Russie also combines modernity with the impressive architecture of a historic building. One fan remarked, “A luxurious spot with all the excitement of Rome at your door. I loved the garden, where it was easy to relax and sip Prosecco all day.” One thing these five-star lodgings all attest to: in the Eternal City, visitors need not sacrifice a sense of history for the lap of luxury.5. Hotel EdenScore: 90.524. Hassler RomaScore: 90.803. First Luxury Art Hotel RomaCourtesy of The First Luxury Art HotelScore: 92.552. J.K. Place RomaCourtesy of J.K.Place RomaScore: 93.821. Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte HotelCourtesy of Rocco Forte HotelsScore: 93.95Although nearby sites like Piazza del Popolo and the Borghese Gardens await discovery, you’d be forgiven for staying put at the de Russie. The courtyard — which some argue is the most beautiful in the city, with its roses and orange trees — lures with its verdant calm and award-winning Italian fare. The 121 contemporary rooms and suites, designed by Olga Polizzi, offer serene silence, while the small spa embodies tranquility. Readers described this as the best spot in Rome using words like “gorgeous,” “private,” “best location,” “luxury,” and “bellissima!” One fan summed it up perfectly with two words: “Pure perfection.”

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.

It’s a big world out there — so many destinations to visit, so many ways to get there, so many places to stay. How to choose?