I’m A Travel Writer, And These Are The Best Hotels I Stayed At In 2022

2022 has been the year travel has triumphantly returned after years of Covid lockdowns. I felt very comfortable.

Above all, the same four walls of my home, with majestic views of the city and ocean, plush beds wrapped in crisp sheets, oversized bathrooms with luxurious bathtubs, and the simple pleasures of room service. From Cairo to Connecticut, Vancouver to Vieques, these are the best hotels I’ve stayed in in 2022.

Varadero: Todos Santos, Mexico

This stunning oasis is just over an hour’s drive from Baja California Sur’s super-popular Cabo, but it feels like another world.

From the moment you enter the dirt road leading to Varadero, you know this is no ordinary hotel. The organic gardens that surround the property (some of which can be savored with Varadero’s top-notch modern Mexican cuisine and creative cocktails) and the brutal architecture that rises seamlessly from the dramatic desert landscape make for a unique location. “We’re not a hotel, we’re a high-design landscaping project with luxury suites,” jokes Paradero.

These luxurious suites promote deep relaxation and rejuvenation with features such as oversized hammocks, soaking tubs and rooftops with panoramic views perfect for watching the sun set behind the mountains or the stars rising from the night sky.

Stretch in morning yoga class. Soak in the sleek main pool, or he one of several smaller soaking pools located on-site, surrounded by sculptural cacti. Then, peruse Paradero’s curated menu of activities and experiences, including centuries-old temazcal rituals, soothing sound healing, farm tours, and expert hikes. You can also lily on a sailing expedition on the Sea of ​​Cortez aboard the resort’s sleek 46-foot luxury sail-powered catamaran.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza: Cairo, Egypt

This elegant Garden City luxury hotel is located on the banks of the Nile in central Cairo, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the city and the nearby Pyramids of Giza.

All rooms and suites are spacious, well-equipped and elegantly designed. But the quieter Diplomatic Suite feels even more luxurious. The residential-style layout boasts 1,000 square feet of living space, including two bathrooms, a living room, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large terrace with breathtaking views of the River Nile. Listening to the voices of prayer floating over the city at dusk is something you will never forget.

The hotel has several excellent restaurants, including Zitouni, which offers an elegant breakfast of authentic Egyptian cuisine, Riviera, which serves coastal Italian cuisine, and 8, which serves traditional Cantonese dishes such as Peking duck and dim sum brunch. There are also dining options.

Of course, no trip to Egypt is complete without a visit to the magnificent Giza Complex. See the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in signature Four Seasons style at one of the hotel’s once-in-a-lifetime ‘Seven Wonders’, including live music, private Four Seasons dinners by his chef, and unparalleled cuisine. Book the “Dinner” tour. Views of the pyramids from a private tent high above the Giza Plateau.

The other side of Escalante: Escalante, Utah

This stylish, modern glamping destination is surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, enchanting slot canyons, and breathtaking panoramic views of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We are also approximately one hour from Bryce Canyon National Park and two hours from Zion. (And if you want to see all of Utah’s “Mighty Five” National Parks in one scenic trip, you can also head northeast from Yonder and visit Capitol He Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks. )

Yonder is rustic and sophisticated, with minimalist cabins, upgraded Airstream, oversized pool and hot tub, outdoor showers, communal lounge areas, and classic cars serving as seating where guests can snack and drink at Reese’s Pieces. There is a nostalgic drive-in movie theater.champagne while watching a movie E.T. When cool hand Luke.

Please note: Yonder is currently closed for the season, but will reopen on March 15, 2023.

Mayflower Inn & Spa: Washington, Connecticut

Part of the prestigious Auberge Resorts Collection, the Mayflower Inn & Spa has gone through several upgrades since its construction in 1894. The first was a boarding school for boys. It was later converted into a private residence. But the best is arguably its current chapter as a serene country retreat, with chic, sober rooms carefully curated by renowned interior designer Celerie Kemble.

The inn is surrounded by 58 acres of lush gardens and idyllic woodlands that can be explored on foot or by bike.

The inn’s year-round beauty is complemented by an award-winning spa as well as a Chef-in-Residence program that has become a destination for restaurants in recent years.

Finca Victoria: Vieques, Puerto Rico

Finca Victoria is nestled in the hillsides of the ruggedly beautiful Caribbean island of Vieques, eight miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico. In this position, guests can enjoy stargazing thanks to cool breezes, lush vegetation, a soothing soundtrack from Coqui Frogs, and almost no light pollution.

Each room at the eco-friendly Boho-chic B&B is unique, with different structures, vintage furnishings and original artwork by local artists giving each space its own character.

Finca (meaning ‘farmhouse’) is set in 2.5 acres of lush vegetation including medicinal and edible gardens used to make meals, teas, essential oils and other Ayurvedic wellness products .

Daily morning yoga classes on the sundeck are included in your stay, as is a delicious vegan breakfast made with produce freshly picked from the farm’s gardens and fruit trees.

Shangri-La: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Occupying 15 floors of Vancouver’s tallest building, this gorgeous ‘urban sanctuary between mountain and sea’ features light-filled floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.

Our prime downtown location puts guests in the middle of some of the city’s best luxury shopping districts. Retailers such as Prada, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Tory Burch and Moncler are just steps away, and Robson Street offers even more high-end shopping. The hotel also offers an exclusive shopping experience at Holt Renfrew, a top luxury fashion destination for women and men.

While the streets outside bustle with city activity, Shangri-La offers a calm retreat. Plush beds ensure a luxurious night’s sleep, and spacious seating areas, walk-in closets, minibars, and sleek desks make spacious rooms feel more like well-equipped urban apartments than hotel rooms. It feels like An oversized marble-clad bathroom with city views has luxurious, modern touches such as an automated privacy he shade and a TV seamlessly integrated into the vanity mirror. Don’t miss the chance to get a massage or facial in one of Chi, The Spa’s beautiful and tranquil treatment rooms.