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Lap Of Luxury: 10 Top-Rated Five-Star Hotels to Treat Yourself

Whether you’re looking to book or just doing some window shopping,

this roundup of our favorite five-star hotels and resorts that embody the Lux Life also show which states boast the highest number of five-star accommodation proportionate to their total number of hotels. With a round of applause to start, let’s take a look at our top-rated five star properties by State.

Washington D.C.

When matters of state are at hand, only the best will do. Visitors to Washington D.C. enjoy the nation’s highest proportion of five-star hotels. Here international business converges with politics and this city commands the highest level of attention to detail, a respect for history and all the modern subtleties that make stays in the Nation’s capital five stars all that more memorable.

The Jefferson Hotel

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History has ensured that the Jefferson Hotel has remained on the radar of elite Washington visitors since its opening in 1895. Equal parts modern boutique and colonial historic, you arrive into the most classic of all hotel lobbies, decked out in black and white tiles. The hotel has received hundreds of accolades and can brag about its personalized parking spot on lists like Conde Nast Traveler‘s list of the best hotels in the US and trivago’s top-rated five-star DC property.

For those of us looking to check straight into luxury, the most opulent of The Jefferson’s suites is named after who else but hotel namesake Thomas Jefferson. Decorated with touches of his personality including wine, music, and horticulture, the suite also features original period artwork. A welcome seasonal amenity produced by the Chef nips hunger in the bud as soon as you arrive. You’ll be able to glimpse the Washington Monument from all corners of the suite including its five Juliette balconies. A formal dining room allows guests to entertain in style as well as hide in privacy in the daytime sitting room, the kitchen or study. The master bathroom is a vision of marble with ample natural light spilling in and a separate shower provides relief from daily stress with an intricate body massaging spray system. You’ll get the paper delivered in the morning or if you prefer digital to ink thumbprints over the hotel’s crisp white sheets, the WiFi comes compliments of the Jefferson.

The theme of “luxury good enough for a president” continues into the classic rooms. Tastefully decorated without any of the stiffness attributed to historic hotels, the level of service at the Jefferson lauds mention. Dupont Circle is a short skip away and the onsite dining offers options for upscale and bistro fare. Fine linens and toiletries bring a touch of elegance to even the most mundane acts of drying off post bath in the exquisite marble bathrooms. Technology here has received a decorative update with TV’s built straight into bathroom mirrors (no need to miss any news cycle updates) but old-fashioned telephones in the lobby remind guests of the hotel’s history. An indoor pool and fitness center will keep active guests happy and a library of books ensure your evenings don’t command mindless hours of CNN.

The Jefferson, Washington, DC

Top rated
Washington D.C.
8.8 Excellent (32 reviews)

Nevada

It should come as no surprise that Nevada and its sparkling city Las Vegas reigns supreme when it comes to luxury and top-rated properties. Visitors flock to Vegas for not only their chance of winning at the slots but also to enjoy its premier dining and shopping opportunities. The luxury hotels are landmarks of the city, with competitive stakes running high for best views, most exclusive clubs, award-winning onsite restaurants, and attractions. Our pick for the best in Las Vegas luxury hotels? See below.

The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

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With a 95/100 rating on trivago and that gleaming five-star title to match, the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas drips with new-world-old-money decadence. Looking for a faster foray into opulence than Jay Gatsby? Splurge on the roomy, stylish and exceedingly private Mandarin Suite: sleeping up to five people over two bedrooms and two bathrooms, here Art Deco soul has been grafted with the Oriental decor roots of the hotel. The interior design is the picture of luxury with its dark wood floors layered with priceless patterned rugs, silk pillows decorating the sofas and a cocktail bar helps you rustle up the perfect pre-drinks for an evening on the Strip.

Your bathroom is a sight to behold with the bathtub boasting views of the city that even the finest suites in other hotels can’t rival. Bang & Olufsen provide a high standard of audio and visual entertainment in-room. Best of all, special (to this particular) suite amenities include roundtrip airport transportation and a complimentary buffet meal in the MOzen Bistro.

For those of us who won’t be investing our life-savings in a night to remember in the Mandarin Suite, the hotel still holds dear to its sumptuous offerings everywhere else. The hotel has no onsite casino keeping things quite low-key and serene for Vegas and focusing instead on delivering guests an impeccably high level of service. Two onsite restaurants deliver on the fine-dining front whether you are looking for innovative French cooking by award-winning chef Pierre Gagnaire at Twist, or looking to load up on fine fare at the Asian-American MOzen Bistro. The rooftop pools offer up views of the city while you swim and cabanas are available for discerning guests looking for a private pad poolside stocked with a mini-bar and fresh fruit, plus an attendant to cater to any further whims.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Top rated
Las Vegas
8.9 Excellent (2649 reviews)

Hawaii

Hawaii is calling your name: it’s hard to believe that you don’t need a passport to visit this exotic land and US residents continue to flock here for its incredible beaches and good weather, laid-back culture and luxurious hospitality. Luxury here ranges from all-inclusive resorts to city hotels and bed & breakfasts bringing up the ante on reaching new levels of opulence.

Four Seasons Maui at Wailea

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You’ve come all the way to Hawaii with high expectations of a perfect vacation and the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, the island’s top-rated (93/100) five-star property, delivers. Whether you’re traveling with your partner and want all the romantic bells and whistles or you’re coming with the kids in tow, this hotel bowls full steam ahead with their massive list of luxurious amenities.

If you’re staying in one of their two presidential suites, rest assured the rest of us are green with envy. A bevy of complimentary benefits wait patiently for your arrival: daily complimentary breakfast in the Duo restaurant or in bed if you’d prefer; roundtrip airport transportation in Uber’s Black Car service from your house to the airport and upon arrival in Hawaii, you’ll get whisked away to the resort via private SUV or a green-friendly Tesla vehicle. A personal Guest Experience Manager will make sure everything is up to par once you’ve arrived, but what sort of person would be disappointed with the spacious rooms, elegant bathrooms as well as the indoor and outdoor living spaces with 180-degree views of the surrounding landscape. Altogether this forms the perfect backdrop for the hotel’s dedicated photo ambassador to snap a frame-worthy photo to hang at home.

The show doesn’t stop with the suites. Three pools are available for your use, including one sexy adults-only infinity pool, plus the Four Season’s beachfront location on the calm water of Wailea ensures you maximize on water time. There’s no resort fee but if you’re coming with kids you can sign them up to the Kids Club to keep them entertained while you enjoy some peace and quiet. There are loads of free equipment to exploit including snorkel gear for finding Nemo and beach balls for impromptu volleyball matches. The angled rooms ensure that you make the most of the views of the ocean, gardens or mountains every single day. Three onsite restaurants mean no one will go hungry with a choice of either Hawaiian and California fusion, rustic Italian with fresh Hawaiian touches or the classic surf and turf. With such an impressive list of amenities, this property should figure on everyone’s hotel bucket list.

Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea

Top rated
Wailea-Mākena
9.7 Excellent (8251 reviews)

New York City

With swanky boutique hotels lining its streets like trees bordering a forest walkway, New York has its impressive share of five-star hotels catering to its (nearly) 55 million yearly visitors. Pandering to decorative tastes ranging from classic to uber minimalist, the Big Apple is at the forefront of any hotel-related innovations. Yet even among the hotel masses here, there are those who manage to boldly stand apart from the pack, staking claims to supreme leadership over New York’s five-stars.

Crosby Street Hotel

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Arguably the most fashion-forward city in America, a visit to New York merits an equally impressive stay. Located in the devastatingly chic SoHo neighborhood, the Crosby Street Hotel boasts the best of New York — fabulous skyline views, a rooftop garden and an impressive clientele (especially come Fashion Week time) who have bestowed upon the hotel a monumental 94/100 rating.

If you opt for a two-bedroom suite, you’ll get to enjoy livin’-large Manhattan. You can skip the check-in line at the front desk in favor of a stress-free check-in inside the suite, all done while you check out the pillowy beds. If you fancy a nap instead of unpacking, close your eyes and let the Crosby Street staff do your unpacking — and also leave them to do your packing up, once your city adventures are done. Not only do the suites offer up enviable decorating tips, a welcome gift and the smell of freshly cut flowers upon arrival, but the Meadow Suite sees the welcome addition of a private garden terrace with native plants for you, and only you, to enjoy.

The design aspect of this hotel is not limited to the upper-crust suites, however — a high level of detail has been poured into each bespoke room, many also mirroring views of skyline through the truly gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern color combinations up the ante a notch, as does the property’s impressive LEED certification. There’s also a free 24-hour gym onsite, artwork dotting the walls that could be hanging in the Whitney and a film screening room where you can join other guests and the local community for their Sunday night Film Club.

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Crosby Street Hotel

Top rated
New York
9.5 Excellent (72 reviews)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a seafaring playground of stately homes and elegant yachts. The historic colonial town of Newport has met fresh beginnings with students from RISD filling gilded houses with modern art. The city boasts two premiere Folk and Jazz music festivals while the yacht regattas are still the event to attend of the season. Here, personalized touches and cozy but elegant inns win the five-star accolades — no chain hotel in sight.

The Francis Malbone House B&B

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Soar past your five-star expectations with a stay at the Francis Malbone House and its astounding 96/100 rating on trivago. This historic 18th-century Georgian mansion in the heart of Newport makes it easy to picture yourself as a member of high society during the days of Colonial America.

The expansive Counting House Suite is located in a separate building joined through the library from the main house and with its own private entrance. A fireplace is a cozy addition for those blustery Atlantic ocean-swept nights and a canopy King-sized bed brings some princess-charm to your stay. Difficult choices are faced by Counting House Suite guests when deciding whether to take an evening bath in the double Jacuzzi or steam in the separate marble shower — we’re positive either will do wonders for your pores.

All rooms are upscale yet charming and outfitted with antique colonial pieces, four poster beds sitting comfortable among the high ceilings, working fireplaces and wing-back chairs made for curling up with a book. Your hosts provide a formidable gourmet breakfast for guests including delectable choices of pecan waffles with maple whipped cream or eggs benny with a special house-made twist — this is the sort of breakfast you will write home about. If you’ve got special dietary restrictions let your hosts know and your taste buds will still delight in this truly five-star experience.

The Francis Malbone House

Top rated
Newport
10.0 Excellent (344 reviews)

Massachusetts

In a city packed with so many iconic pieces of American history, Boston has played an important role in almost every moment of defining modern America and its borders. Tradition plays an important role in Boston’s hotel landscape with many exemplary five-star hotels having held down the fort since the days around the American Revolution.

Boston Harbor Hotel

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Arrive by sea on your personal ship or yacht and dock straight into the 34-slip marina at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Arrive by car and toss your keys to the valet before making your way up to the rooms, residing on the 8th-16th floors and offering incredible views of the historic city. With a 92/100 rating on trivago, you know that you and all your worldly belongings are in good hands.

The suite life is helmed by the hotel’s Presidential Suite with its 2,500 square feet of lush living space, awash with luxurious fabric and detailed finishes. With a decor inspired by the sailboats that dock in the harbor, the classically decorated rooms evoke the historic marine spirit of the city. Should you choose to book the Suite, limo pickup and delivery from the airport are included. Take advantage of the fully stocked wet bar and throw a dinner party to remember in the spacious dining area, stocked daily with fresh flowers. Freshening up in the Carrara marble bathroom might take you all evening if you’re trying out the deep soaking tub, rain shower, and private dressing area. The panoramic views of the city and the harbor from the Suite are truly breathtaking.

While the Presidential Suite is fit for royalty, lesser royal cousins will still appreciate the class of the other rooms. Also elegantly furnished, the rooms boast the same picture frame worthy views through massive windows of the Boston skyline or harbor. Serenity comes by way of the peaceful rainfall shower in the chic bathroom. If you’re looking to explore the most of Boston you can, the house car can drop you off anywhere within a two-mile radius of the Hotel. Don’t forget your bathing suits as there’s also a heated indoor saltwater pool and jacuzzi.

Boston Harbor Hotel

Top rated
Boston
9.6 Excellent (2301 reviews)

California

With probably the highest ratio of celebs to regular folks, it should come as no surprise that the ratio of five-star hotels to the rest of them is also high. From the big city hotels to resorts in the quiet hills of SoCal, to the wine estates of Napa and beyond, for every roadside motel there seems to be a five-star hotel filled to the brim with soft linens, sparkling large windows and more pools than an entire suburb.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

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Blending old-world Mediterranean stylistic tones with SoCal lifestyle and an exquisite location in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar begets the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the endless California sunshine. Once you’ve read about what to expect from your Grand Del Mar experience, the bewildering 96/100 rating it has received on trivago should come as no surprise.

The living is easy in the Grand Del Mar’s Brisa Villa. With 4,500 square feet of living space including two bedrooms and separate sitting areas, a kitchen with state of the art appliances, a media room, office, private terrace, and patio plus Jacuzzi, personal elevator and attached garage, not only is the Villa twice the size of the average American home, but an attempt to list all of the Suite amenities will leave you breathless.

Love the idea of having your own private in room jacuzzi? See our list of the best hotels with jacuzzi in room and make it a reality!

Did we mention the baby grand piano for evening sing-alongs fueled by the goods lining the accompanying wine cellar? If you get bored playing in your personal villa, you can always take the free round-trip shuttle to the Del Mar Beach or play a round of golf at the 18-hole Grand Golf Club course designed by Tom Fazio. And, that’s barely scraping the surface of what makes this five-star stand apart from the rest in California.

The five-star experience can come without the Suite package at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar as well. Guests have access to four heated pools that pump out the jams with underwater speakers, two tennis courts and a stable full of horses for riding lessons and trail rides on the beautiful surrounding landscape. A Mercedes or Escalade can whisk guests anywhere in a 14-mile radius of the hotel during daytime hours for trips to the local wildlife reserves or the many neighboring beaches. For those coming with sulky teens in tow, a teen club and/or kids club keeps them entertained while you take advantage of The Spa at the Grand Del Mar, one of the top-rated spas in the country.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Top rated
San Diego
9.6 Excellent (3668 reviews)

Arizona

Rugged, red and reliably sunny, Arizona has become a hotspot for destination hotels and resorts. While natural wonders like the Grand Canyon still bring in visitors to the State, they also come with a goal in mind to relax and unwind, looking for award-winning golf courses, yoga retreats, scintillating pools and ornate gardens that defy the very nature of the Arizona landscape.

The Phoenician

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Backed up against the Camelback Mountains in the striking Sonoran Desert, the Phoenician brings an unrivaled level of luxury and decadence to the dry and hot Phoenix climate with its 92/100 rating on trivago. Lush gardens, waterfalls that lap against koi ponds, a USGA 27-hole golf course and nine onsite pools introduce a level of attention only this property has lavished upon guests — and the full list would require its own article. An expansive art collection is showcased inside the Resort, and, when matched with the marble floors and chandeliers, you’ll be momentarily transported to a luxurious southern European mansion.

Over 2,400 square feet of living space usher you into the sweet, Canyon Suites life, surrounded by views of the city, the mountains, and the exotic local vegetation. You’ll be able to enjoy four of your own private outdoor entertainment areas on the furnished patios in the Presidential Suite. There you will reside like a king or queen, lording over two bedrooms, a kitchen with a fully stocked fridge (midnight fridge raids anyone?), several entertainment areas and expansive Italian marble bathrooms. Contemporary artworks will dot your walls and the interior palette mimics the same dusty, mellow tones found in the landscape. Guests of Canyon Suites are also granted access to a private pool, complete with private poolside cabanas. As a souvenir of your visit, you will also be mailed personalized Canyon Suites bathrobes following your stay, adding a touch of this five-star life to your dreary every day and perhaps inspiring another getaway to the Phoenician.

The five-star experience, however, continues for all guest across the vast Phoenician property. Standard room amenities still soar high above average with many guest rooms boasting private balconies, Egyptian sheets, original Southwestern artwork and cool marble bathrooms.

If you’re looking to indulge in a bit of high-brow culture, peruse the cactus garden with over 250 varieties of cacti spread over two acres, catch a smartphone photography seminar or take a free audio tour of the impressive collection of fine art and antiques at the Resort, plus bank two free tickets to the Phoenix Art Museum. There’s also complimentary wine tastings and cocktail demonstrations — your daily itinerary will fill up fast! For families and those looking to revive that glorious summer camp feeling, there are iScavenger hunts available on loaner iPads that take you on a tour of the resort, koi fish feedings, a movie theater, ping pong and foosball tables, board games, video game room, a basketball court and covered playground — not a moment to lose. It’s safe to say, even your grumpiest great-aunt would be knocked off her feet with a stay at the Phoenician.

The Phoenician - A Luxury Collection Resort - Scottsdale

Top rated
Scottsdale
9.1 Excellent (2168 reviews)

Colorado

Visitors come to Colorado for the landscape and enviably healthy climate. In a land of deserts and snow-capped mountains, rivers and deep green valleys, visitors are skiing, hiking, biking or walking around with some areas of the state boasting 300 days of sunshine a year. Historic resorts catering to city visitors have laid claim to large swathes of land, offering a retreat into the wild and straight into luxury with a high percentage of those same resorts boasting those coveted five-star honors.

The Broadmoor

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Set amid picturesque mountains with the freshest air money can buy you, the Broadmoor has been welcoming guests searching for an escape into the American wilderness for over 98 years. Here you can enjoy the rare sort of sleep that comes with Sealy® Posturepedic Mattresses with feather beds and packed days outside indulging in a summer camp worthy list of activities. This 5,000-acre five-star playground is top rated by visitors including many famous heads of state, sports heroes, and celebrities.

The Broadmoor does not boast a singular star suite but rather seven stately signature suites. Several of these expansive private apartments once played home for their permanent residents, assuring guests that there is ample space to romp around whether you are visiting with a lover or your entire immediate family. Some feature casual sitting rooms separate from the more formal living rooms, sunrooms plus balconies and terraces with fantastic views and an opportunity to let in that incredibly fresh air. Each of the suites retains its own unique character and are beautifully decorated with touches of the former owner’s (the Penroses) world travels.

Ascend to your rooms via a dramatic curved marble staircase and marvel at the handpainted ceiling. Be sure to take note of the cherub sporting two left feet — a mark of the original artist who believed only God could create perfection and thus feared painting a perfect creature. The resort offers guests a myriad of possibilities for their daily planner with options to do everything from biking and walking the surrounding Colorado Springs trails, horseback riding, swimming indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) and 54 holes of championship golf. The man-made lake provides the perfect landscape for paddling and canoeing while a lovely collection of art dots the hallowed halls of this classic American resort.

The Broadmoor

Top rated
Colorado Springs
9.6 Excellent (2086 reviews)

Florida

Even as the Spring Break crowd grows up and gets rich, the lure of Florida is as strong as ever. Warm turquoise waters, endless white sand beaches, and countless hotels, dotting both the seaside and its cities continue to make Florida an ideal winter retreat for Americans. With a tradition of historic resort living, Florida counts more five-star hotels and resorts among its total accommodation population than several other states combined.

The Breakers

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Since 1896, guests have been flocking to the Breakers. The name originates from the high number of requests for rooms near the breakers, where the waves lapped against the shore of the private beach accompanying the Hotel. The Breakers was modeled after a Medici palace in Rome following a second fire to the original wood build and continues to lure in visitors with its Italian-Renaissance upon the coast of Florida charm — and its consistent five-star rating.

The hotel’s impressive Imperial Designer Suite was designed by Badgley Mischka, purveyors of exclusive couture evening wear. The decor, awash with soft pink tones, golds, and sparkling mirrors is classically chic and reminiscent of their incredible gowns. Five private step-out balconies lead to ocean views but floor-to-ceiling windows offer up the same views from almost every inch of the Suite, which is paved in marble. This lavish love nest is better suited to your romantic rendezvous than a family affair but it comes with an astonishingly spacious one bedroom with its own master bathroom plus a living room with pullout couch and dining area with wet bar. Also included is the use of a personal concierge, a welcome present and exclusive membership to their Spa and Fitness center.

This destination hotel enjoys a prime oceanfront setting with a half-mile private beach for guests with free beach chairs and umbrellas. Don’t like the feeling of salt on your skin? Five pools overlook the ocean, including one adult-only pool and one family pool that ensure you still get to cool down without the stress of the beach. Two 18-hole golf courses help you keep your game perfectly in-swing and ten tennis courts will see you matched for early evening doubles before heading to HMF for cocktails and dinner. Don’t forget to wear your best cocktail chic as many of the restaurants enforce a dress code! Take your scuba diving certification with instruction right at the hotel and dive their own personal reef straight off the coast, teeming with over 400 species of aquatic life.

The Breakers Palm Beach

Palm Beach
8.0 Very good (283 reviews)