Travel Story Contest Winner - Kathryn Parker
I can’t tell you where I am because I could be anywhere right now, but I can tell you I am always with you.
Experiencing the Spiritual Calm of Bali
People visit Bali for a lot of reasons: to surf or sunbathe in the south, to snorkel or scuba dive in the east, to see dolphins in the north, or see the national park in the west. Erika Suban, our Italian writer and travel specialist, had reasons more spiritual in mind.
A First-Timer's Guide to Montevideo
Smaller and calmer than nearby Buenos Aires, the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo is as fascinating a center of culture and history as anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. It also has a lot of meat.
12 Different Kinds of Caribbean Vacation
There’s a certain sameness to many travelers’ vision of a Caribbean vacation: sun, sand, rinse, repeat. But there’s a surprising amount of variety available throughout the region, especially when it comes to hotel experiences.
9 Unusual Foods For Adventurous Eaters
We’ve partnered with Atlas Obscura — chroniclers of all things odd and overlooked — to investigate nine of the most eye-catching, unusual, and fascinating foods throughout the world.
A First-Timer's Guide to Marseille
Besides its enviable Mediterranean geography, Marseille spent the aughts building new museums and revitalizing public spaces. It shows.
13 Hotels in Precarious Positions
Forget haunted hotels, you’ve seen that list a million times. This Halloween, we’re focusing on hotels in scarily precarious locations that are not for the faint of heart.
Why Hotels Continue to Love Modernism
Hotel design has been heavily influenced by Modernism for a couple of decades now, outlasting other trends along the way. It’s easy to see why.
16 Homes by Iconic Modernist Architects
Hotels frequently find inspiration in residential design. With help from Dwell, we’ve selected sixteen influential homes that were designed by some of the 20th century’s most iconic Modernist architects.
Hotel Pools with Awe-Inspiring Views
At many hotels in spectacular locations, the pools are positioned to provide the best possible views of the surrounding scenery. They’re often the star attraction of the property, and as we confirmed recently, Tablet users can’t get enough of them.
A First-Timer's Guide to Bhutan
Bhutan only opened to visitors in 1974, and keeps their numbers limited by charging a daily fee of $250 per traveler. Is it worth the price? Yes, it absolutely is.
The Pure Opulence of Palace Hotels
William Blake wrote that “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” Conversely, there are few better ways to achieve excess — the good, healthy kind — than through the incredible opulence of a palace hotel.
Cape Town Delivers in Three Distinct Ways
From the city to the coast to the countryside, Cape Town is the kind of place that has something for everyone.
14 Hotels Made From Old Monasteries
Sometimes you need a little rest and reflection. Sometimes you need a little spirited self-indulgence. These monastery hotels are for when you need quite a bit of both.
A First-Timer's Guide to Toronto
Diversity is the word to describe Toronto, both in culture and attractions. It’s a city where you can find any community of people, and almost any kind of activity.
Chiang Mai, Santiago or Cappadocia?
When you work in travel, you’re exposed to a seemingly endless amount of amazing vacation options, and choosing between them can sometimes be paralyzing. Our own Mitchell Friedman is experiencing this indecision quite acutely, and he needs your help. Where should he go next?
How Did You Spend Your Summer Vacation?
Do you have a great travel story? Send it to us and you could win $300, a lifetime Tablet Plus membership, and a celebrated place in Tablet history.
A First-Timer's Guide to Cusco
Don’t just settle for Machu Picchu — Peru’s Cusco region contains far more than that one amazing ancient ruin. It’s also got a lovely and lively capital city.
The Best College Town Hotels
If you’re struggling to decide which college you or your child should attend, just remember, there’s really only one factor that you need to consider: the quality of nearby hotels.
Our Most Exhilarating Hotel Photos, Part 2
The most-liked photos from our Instagram feed showcase an epic group of dream hotels and locations. Vote for your favorite, and we’ll give you more just like it. Part 2 of our series features hotel interiors.
Our Most Exhilarating Hotel Photos, Part 1
The most-liked photos from our Instagram feed showcase an epic group of dream hotels and locations. Vote for your favorite, and we’ll give you more just like it. Part 1 of our series features hotel exteriors.
The Unexpected Side of Chicago
Chicago’s famous attractions are as iconic as the Midwestern reputation for niceness. But things are not always what they seem. With help from Atlas Obscura, we’re exposing a lesser-known side of the city — and its residents.
A First-Timer's Guide to Prague
Prague is 10 centuries old and full to the brim with castles, monasteries, gorgeous Gothic architecture, and of course, a whole lot of delicious beer.
14 Carefully Converted Mansion Hotels
By paying attention to both the past and the present, the brand new owners of these grand old homes transformed them into boutique hotels that are bursting with personality.
Finding Faith in the Parklands of Utah
Utah is overflowing with glorious landscapes and breathtaking scenery. Its backcountry is blessed with numerous state and national parks, monuments, forests, and preserves — and Mark Fedeli spent his honeymoon trying to visit them all. The experience was profound.
Inside the Bush, Outside of Sydney
North of Sydney, a modern house sits comfortably amidst the bushland of a valley estuary. Lucky for you, there’s no shortage of hotels that will immerse you in nature, yet keep plenty of cutting-edge amenities close by.
Minimalism Meets Maximalism in Iceland
Set on a ridge overlooking a deep ravine, this understated summer home in Iceland is surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery, reminding us of how the best way to experience a maximalist landscape is with a minimalist hotel.
Southern Modernism in Charleston
After a thoughtful revamp, this 19th century Charleston row home is now an example of “southern modernism,” a style we’re seeing more often from hoteliers who’ve rejuvenated historic structures in the United States.
Traditional Chinese Cave Dwelling
A traditional Chinese cave dwelling is transformed into a chic and modern residence, providing the same exciting sense of novelty and adventure that’s on hand at our favorite cave hotels.
The Exquisite Country Hotels of England
Perfected over centuries, the great hotels of the English countryside offer a peerless mix of service, comfort, and coziness, with a view back into the beginnings of modern hospitality.
The Sober Guide to Secret Tuscany
Tuscany isn’t all just vineyards and wine tours. With help from our friends at Atlas Obscura, we’re shedding some light on the hidden places, mysterious marvels, and curious oddities that often go overlooked in the region.
If You Could Only Choose One Island Hotel...
It’s hard to go wrong with an island getaway: sun, sand, surf, and the feeling that you’re basically in paradise. But don’t get too comfortable yet. When it comes to your hotel, you still have some big decisions to make.
Five Reasons You Should Visit Madrid
Everyone knows Madrid. It is, after all, Spain’s capital and largest city. But when it comes to arousing the imagination, it tends to get overshadowed by Barcelona and Seville. Well, not anymore. We’ve compiled five reasons why Madrid is just as exciting as those splashier Spanish cities.
A Celebration of Immigrant Culture in NYC
The history of New York, like the history of America, is the story of immigrants arriving in search of new lives and lasting success. Inspired by the late Anthony Bourdain, we’re taking a look at the diverse cultures of our home city the same way he always did: through their comfort foods.
A Fresh Batch of First-Class Beach Hotels
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or you’ve saved for years to finally get away, there’s one thing we can all agree on: it’s hard to beat a beautiful beach hotel. Here are a dozen of the best examples that have been recently added to Tablet.
The Ecstasy Inside India's Festival of Colors
Every year, friends and strangers alike come together in explosions of color at India’s Holi festivals. Photographer Michael Greenberg visited the city of Jaipur for an up-close look at this year’s euphoric celebration.
New England Hotels Are Finally Having Fun
The Lark group is subverting expectations in New England by creating playful hotels that put an irreverent spin on revered forms.
The Best Hotels in Europe
If there’s one thing to understand about Tablet, it’s that our greatest joy in life is handing out well-deserved recognition to the world’s most unforgettable hotels.
Restored Motels Are No Longer a Novelty
They seemed like a novelty in the nineties, but restored motels have gone from kitsch to cutting-edge, and are now playing a key role in the future of hospitality.
Home Cooking and Hospitality in Mexico
Join us for a ten-region tour of the complex cuisine and exciting accommodations that make Mexico one the world’s most diverse and deserving destinations.
The Influence of Youth-Oriented Lodging
It’s not often that a new style of hotel arrives on the scene, but when an idea gets big among the young, it isn’t long before it gets big everywhere else.
12 Hotels for a Different Kind of Camping
Have you ever really wanted to go on a camping trip but you have no gear and no idea what to do? Consider starting with these luxury tent hotels instead.
Monumental Hotels and National Parks
In the shadow of unimaginable beauty, the designers of these hotels chose not to shy away, but to offer a monumental experience of their own.
A Brief History of Boutique Hotels
This is the true story of what happens when a group of independent thinkers stop following the status quo and start creating a better kind of hotel.
Airport Hotels That Don't Stink
Often disparaged and rarely respected, the airport hotel is in dire need of an image makeover. Thankfully, some top-gun brands have come to the rescue.
Farm Hotels Are Growing Up
As the farm-to-table movement grows and travelers seek more artisanal experiences, hotels with an intimate focus on food are surging in popularity.
Explorations Along the California Coast
The aesthetic diversity on display in California makes it a destination worth revisiting, especially for hotel fans. Exploring the Golden State’s best lodgings can be very easily done — just take a drive out on Highway 1.
The Reinvention of the Ryokan
Today’s ryokans are putting a modern spin on a dependable format, helping carry it forward into yet another millennium.
The Best Hotels in North America
If there’s one thing to understand about Tablet, it’s that our greatest joy in life is handing out well-deserved recognition to the world’s most unforgettable hotels.
Hotels You Can Have to Yourself
If your idea of the perfect getaway is being in a stunning location surrounded by only your favorite people, then we’ve got the hotels for you.
Cabin Hotels to Cure Cabin Fever
Just like a vaccine contains the virus, when you’ve got cabin fever, the only prescription is more cabins.
Fantastic Hotels for Your Inner Child
As children, we used our imaginations to create worlds of joy and wonder. We don’t do that nearly enough as adults, sadly — but these awe-inspiring hotels might offer us something even better.
Hong Kong From Ground Level
Hong Kong is famous for its Chinese New Year celebrations, but these streets are colorful and animated even on a normal day. Photographer Michael Greenberg captures the human moments that stand out amidst that chaos.
Get Active for a Better Getaway
When the real world gets too heavy, some people escape to a comfortable chair on a quiet beach. Others, though, seek to release their stress via more aggressive methods. These hotels are for them.
The Passion of the Themed Hotel
Themed hotels often risk sacrificing comfort for concept. But thanks to some uniquely passionate visionaries, these hotels achieve the perfect balance.
Clifftop Hotels of the Highest Quality
Sometimes you just want to see a bunch of amazing hotels on the edge of incredible cliffs high above gorgeous blue waves. We’re happy to oblige.
9 Top-Shelf Hotel Libraries
Whether you could spend all day with your nose in a book or just want some conversation pieces to accompany a cocktail, these hotel libraries all get top marks.
What Do These Hotels Have In Common?
These hotels all share one uncommon thing in common. Can you figure out what it is? Whoever is first to guess correctly will win a $300 credit to use on Tablet.
The Top-Rated Boutique Hotels of 2017
Tablet users are known for being sophisticated and discerning hotel guests. So when they say these are the best boutique hotels of 2017, there’s no higher praise.
2017's Best Hotels for Escaping 2017
What a long, strange year it was. We all deserve some time away to unwind. Thankfully, there are hotels designed to help us do just that.
Our Annual Employee Hotel Wish List
Tablet’s own travel experts talk about which hotels they’re most excited to visit in 2018 — some old, some new, all extraordinary.
The Power of Interior Design, Part 2
Hotels aren’t as simple as they used to be. The best have evolved into performance spaces that allow guests to star in their own sort of theatrical production — to try on a whole different life, if only for one night.
Belize Lives Up To Its Reputation
You’ve probably heard of Belize. For years, adventurous travelers have championed its many virtues, speaking of it with a wide-eyed, almost mystical reverence. Well, what you’ve heard is true.
The Power of Interior Design, Part 1
A boutique hotel stay is a chance to try on a different life — to inhabit new spaces, explore new fantasies, and check yourself out against a new interior-design backdrop.
The World's Most Gorgeous Wine Hotels
Maybe it’s the pleasant climates, or the wide open spaces, or the short commute home to your room — but for whatever reason, there’s nothing quite like a vineyard-hotel getaway.
What Your Dream Hotel Says About You
The hotel you choose for your dream getaway reveals a lot about the kind of person you are. Find your dream hotel — and find out what it says about you.
13 Old Structures Reborn as Hotels
These decaying and decrepit buildings have been resurrected from the dead, brought back to life as shockingly fresh hotels.
Unforgettable Hotel Lobbies, Ranked
The best hotel lobbies spare no expense to immediately grab your attention and make a grand statement about the experience to come.
15 Hand-Crafted Hotel Experiences
Some of the world’s best hotels were hand-crafted by a single visionary with the burning desire to have every detail be perfect. Because if you want something done right…
It's Adventure Time in New Zealand
Adventurers have no shortage of destinations for finding their thrills, but nowhere collects so much dramatic variety in one place as New Zealand.
The Higher Standards of Ski Hotels
We used to struggle finding ski hotels as unique and full of personality as our favorite urban boutique hotels — but not anymore. The standards have gone up, and modern ski hotels are distinguishing themselves in memorable ways.
A Complicated Journey to Marfa, Texas
Sometimes you need a place exactly like Marfa, even if Marfa doesn’t exactly need you.
Inside the Philadelphia Hotel Revival
Philadelphia is in the midst of a renaissance that has it exploding out from behind New York’s cultural shadow — and its hotel scene is leading the charge.
The Spirit of Havana, in Pictures
Photographer Michael Greenberg recently visited Havana. His pictures display the indomitable spirit of the Cuban people and the vibrancy of their capital city.
The Past is Present in Morocco
Morocco’s labyrinthine medinas were built to slow and confuse invaders. But what was once an inconvenience for ancient attackers is now a desirable feature for modern travelers.
It Took a Village to Raise These Hotels
The days of a totally immersive Westworld-style hotel park may be some years off — but we know a few hotels that come pretty close. For when one roof just isn’t enough; sometimes it really does take a village.
Industrial Design Goes Mainstream
From poured concrete and exposed pipework to transformed factories and converted shipping containers, more hotels than ever are taking their design cues from industrial architecture.
Two Kinds of Masterpiece in London
This is an exciting time for fine art and fine hotels in London, so we asked artist, designer, and long-time Tablet Plus member Rymn Massand for a full report on both. Below, she breaks down the four must-see exhibits currently running, and reveals her picks for the city’s most well-crafted hotels.
A Ride Through the Sicilian Renaissance
Sicily hasn’t always been a part of the standard Italian itinerary, but lately that’s been changing, as visitors rediscover the island via one of Italy’s most cherished methods of travel: the automobile. Here are the hotels you need to see along the way.
13 Trailblazing Beach Hotels
This week we’d like to tip our straw hat to some trailblazing hoteliers who showed up in tiny beach towns — or in no towns at all — and through sheer force of hospitality, put a new pin on the map.
12 Brands That Rejuvenated Hotel Design
In the years since we launched Tablet the hospitality landscape has continued to evolve. Here’s a look at the hotel brands that changed the game, and the hotels with which they did it.
History Transformed in 14 French Hotels
In honor of Bastille Day, we shine a spotlight on a country where Tablet’s got some roots, as well as more than a few extraordinary hotels.
A Tour of the World's Finest Ham
What goes into each leg of the world’s finest ham? How is it best experienced? Where should you book your next trip? Take a seat and prime your appetite for this 6-part tour of the pride of Iberia.
Celebrating the Diversity of American Hotels
The US is a large country, and between its coasts it contains multitudinous modes of hospitality. In the spirit of the Fourth of July, we’re celebrating the best way we know how: by sharing a selection of singular hotels from across the thrillingly diverse American landscape.
Travel Story Contest Winner
We asked our readers to tell us about their most memorable travel experiences, and they delivered. The winner of our first-ever travel stories contest is Katrina Turner, whose tale of an unlikely Frenchman took home the big prize.
15 Hotels Not Suitable for Children
There are times when you need a break from the kids — yours, and everyone else’s. Whether you’re in the mood for something R-rated, or you just need a break from the pitter-patter of little feet, we’ve got 15 hotels where kids need not apply.
11 Lakeside Hotels for the Summer
Nothing against beaches, but some of us associate summer with fresher water altogether. So go jump in a lake, and do it from one of these hotels.
The Boutique Hotels of Montreal
The advent of springtime in New York can feel like a revelation, but it’s nothing compared to what happens when Montréal, North America’s most European city, finally comes out of the annual deep freeze.
China's Most Extravagant Hotels
If you’ve been with us for a while you know we’ve always been bullish about China — the boom in the Chinese economy has ushered in a corresponding boom in Chinese hotels, and the results, especially at the high end, are unlike anything else in the world.
An Odyssey of the Mediterranean
It would be an exaggeration to call the islands of the Aegean Sea underrated, as they’ve been a byword for sublime natural splendor for literally thousands of years. But sometimes in the search for the next big thing you run the risk of overlooking a sure thing. Here’s why your next island escape should be to the Greek Isles.
Why This Is Your Next Island Destination
The most remarkable thing about Sri Lanka might just be the immense variety that’s packed into such a compact island — you’d normally have to travel a thousand miles, across several countries, to experience everything Sri Lanka has to offer.
The Cave Hotels of Cappadocia
Cappadocia, Turkey is famous for its “fairy chimneys,” its unique vertical rock formations, and for the general strangeness of its landscape. But around here the region is equally famous for what’s below ground level, and it’s one of the most delicious two-word phrases in the language: cave hotels.
The Fall of the Soviet Union, by Train
In 1991 Tablet’s co-founder and CEO rode the Trans-Siberian railway by himself, from Beijing to Moscow, a distance of nearly 5,000 miles.
Springtime for Amsterdam
It’s a classic European city destination, for good reason: Amsterdam is many cities at once, equally attractive to history buffs, fashionistas, diehard cyclists, design devotees, and urban explorers.
10 London Weekend Getaways
London is one of Tablet’s favorite cities, and its hotels are among the best in the world. But there’s more to England than the capital — and with springtime suddenly in the air, the country calls.
Tracking Down the World’s Best Beers
We’ve tapped our in-house beer expert Josh Cotton to guide us through an exploration of brewing’s boldest pioneers — hopping from monastery to metropolis to seek out the best and find out what makes them so extraordinary.
An Alternative Guide to New Orleans
Now that Mardi Gras has run its perennial course, we figured we’d walk you through New Orleans the right way, with an alternative guide to a most unorthodox city.
Hotels for Leaving Technology Behind
While we love a business hotel where we can stay effortlessly wired, when it’s time for a proper escape, the technology needs to be the first thing to go.
On the Ground in North Korea
With North Korea in the news again for all the old familiar reasons, we thought it was time for a first-person perspective on what life is like in this most singular of countries.
Argentina Hotels for Wine Lovers
Come along with us to Argentina’s wine-producing province of Mendoza, a place where the incredible scenery, the extraordinary quality of life, and the perfect climate for growing grapes — not to mention some truly extraordinary hotels — combine to offer travelers an experience to remember.
Urban Spas for the Business Traveler
Business travelers: you owe it to yourselves to slow the hectic pace for at least a few hours and unwind with some “me time.” And don’t just settle for a hot bath — these spas are institutions unto themselves, well worth the pleasure of a dedicated afternoon.
The Next Big Thing in Hotel Design
If you focus only on visual style, you might miss out on the fact that the biggest change to hit the world of hotels has been a conceptual one. The best hotels these days are social spaces.
Hotels for the Solo Traveler
Sometimes the greatest thrills are the ones you have without a partner, when you can simply indulge yourself wherever and whenever you want, as often as you like. In honor of Singles’ Day, here’s the solo traveler’s guide to enjoying yourself in the city.
There's No End of Amazing Hotels
Once upon a time, we thought we might someday finish our list of the world’s finest hotels. But year after year, they’re opening faster than we can add them to our selection.
New Hotel Inspiration in North America
Looking back over this year’s additions, we found plenty of hotels to be excited about in North America alone — we’ll save the rest of the world for a future installment. Today, ten hotels in the US and Mexico that remind us why we’re still in the game.
An Open Letter to an Aspiring Hotelier
When we heard that Kanye West was talking about adding “hotelier” to his already overstuffed résumé, we thought there’d be no time like the present to arrange an interview. But even though we’re arguably the world’s experts on unique and extraordinary hotels, our calls went unreturned. Nothing personal, we understand; but in the spirit of open collaboration, we offer our advice below.
Asia's Amazing Beach Hotels
You might think you know a thing or two about getting away, but if you haven’t seen the best of Southeast Asia’s coastal and island resorts, you don’t yet know the meaning of true relaxation.
10 Apartment-Style Boutique Hotels
You don’t have to choose between a conventional hotel and a totally self-serve apartment-share. These hotels offer the privacy and the chill residential style of a standalone apartment along with the service, comforts, and professional hospitality of a boutique hotel.
Ten Hotels With Overwater Villas
A room on the beach may be enough for the average island-hopper, but for a more immersive experience, nothing beats sleeping offshore, with the waves lapping practically at the foot of the bed. Two words: overwater bungalows.
10 Fantastic Castle Hotels
A castle is excellent raw material for a hotel, owing partly to the rare perspective it affords, partly to the implied seclusion, and overwhelmingly to the sheer promise of the unusual. But the most elegant and splendorous interior hardly means a thing if it can’t muster a good (k)night’s sleep. Here are our picks for the true royal treatment.
Top hotels of San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the busiest hotel markets in America, and one of the hardest places to build new hotels. When demand outstrips supply, there aren’t a lot of hidden gems left lying around — but if you want to look beyond the big chains and try something unique, we’ve got you covered.
Top 10 Scandinavian Hotels
Escape the summer heat where the autumn chill comes early and hospitality traditions share a distinctive local character — Scandinavia.
American Hotels for a City Getaway
Sometimes you just want to get away, and do it with as little hassle as possible. Why spend hours at the airport when there’s often a very fine escape within easy reach of your hometown — or, if you’re the staycationing type, actually in your hometown….
Seaside Hotels of the Amalfi Coast
Not only are these already some of the finest hotels anywhere, but they’re made even finer by the fact that many of them are Tablet Plus hotels — which means special privileges and room upgrades for members. Dolcissimo!
10 Reasons to Travel To Great Britain Now
The Kingdom: still United. London’s still got what is arguably the finest collection of luxury hotels anywhere, the English country-house hotel tradition is alive and well, and Scotland has a plentiful supply of both stylish city hotels and classic castle hotels.
10 Essential Honeymoon Hotels
The fact that a honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime(-ish) trip gives you license to spoil yourself in all sorts of ways, and the best hotels are built for exactly this kind of indulgence.
The Next Generation of Paris Hotels
Though battered by rough seas, Paris is far from going under. It’s the world’s most visited city for a reason, and its essential appeal remains undimmed.
Recycled Buildings Now Boutique Hotels
We love plenty of purpose-built hotels, of course. But for the kind of architectural contrast that’s impossible to plan, we’ve also got some favorites among hotels whose buildings have been adapted from a very different use. Prisons, factories, firehouses, seminaries — here are eight of Tablet’s finest repurposed hotels.
