Afar Hotels & Accommodations
Find the best place for a truly local stay.
This curated list of “maisons,” boutiques, and family-run hotels showcase the kind of style and attitude only Parisian hotels can deliver.
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Hotels We Love
From beaches to jungles, these Costa Rica resorts immerse travelers in the country’s most picturesque natural settings.
These are the top luxury hotels to book in the Golden State, where experiences range from world-class culinary destinations and beachfront retreats to storied city hideaways.
In Toronto’s burgeoning hotel scene, you’ll find Canada’s first Ace Hotel, a reimagined St. Regis, and an ultra-cool boutique stay in a private women’s club.
As travel to Japan continues to boom, we rounded up the 23 best hotels across the country, many located in sublime—and often less-visited—destinations.
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Chicari Camp in Mozambique puts you at the heart of Gorongosa National Park, where lions, pangolins, and other keystone wildlife are returning after decades of war and poaching.
At Driftwood Ranch Resort in the Catskills, Western-style charm pairs with mountain air and outdoor adventures.
At Nimmo Bay in British Columbia, luxury means snorkeling in 50-degree water, sipping water from cedar-lined mountain streams, and spotting grizzlies from a floating sauna.
Housed in a restored 1907 warehouse, the new, eco-conscious Populus Seattle brings world-class art, native rooftop plants, and Pacific Northwest storytelling to Pioneer Square.
Waldorf Astoria opens in Costa Rica with rainforest views, spa rituals centered on Indigenous healing practices, and ambitious sustainability goals—while navigating the scale of a nearly 200-room property.
In the Pacific Northwest, guests are encouraged to unplug, embrace the outdoors, and commune over s’mores.
The new Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore blends wellness, biophilic architecture, and conservation to help guests reconnect with nature.
The stylish, residential-feeling new Nickel hotel in Charleston is in a neighborhood known for its historic charm and lively energy.
The new Oberoi Vindhyavilas offers world-class luxury while giving you prime access to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
FEATURED PARTNER: WORLD OF HYATT
Experience luxury at its finest, where thoughtful service elevates each stay and where awe-inspiring spaces and high design offer escapes that delight. Hyatt’s collection of unique luxury brands redefines the meaning of more—of the extraordinary and more ways to uncover moments of indulgence in world-renowned destinations across the globe, from urban gems to the most secluded retreats. Explore where you want to travel next.
500 Weihai Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China, 200041
Alila Shanghai blends modern elements (skyscraper views and open-plan bathrooms) with traditional customs and harmonious design. Geometric floor tiles, inspired by nearby historic Shikumen mansions, feature a pattern that references that era of building in Shanghai. Calm, earth-toned spaces may serve as a retreat from the busy streets below, but the hotel ensures its guests still feel integrated within the destination through experiences like the local custom of afternoon tea and locally crafted artwork.
7 Nine Elms Lane, London, England, United Kingdom, SW8 5PH
At Park Hyatt London River Thames, creativity and discovery unfold around you as soon as you enter the lobby. A Charlie Whinney commission inspired by the iconic waterway outside the hotel, Ebb and Flow, welcomes guests. From there, explore a “park by water” art gallery, admiring pieces by more than 20 world-renowned artists throughout the property for a distinctive cultural experience that reflects London’s international appeal. It’s a significantly quieter, more personal journey than you might find at the nearby Tate Modern or other major institutions here, but no less impactful.
C. El Ciclo, El Valle de Antón, 07064, Cocle, Panama
Hotel La Compañia del Valle, a Tuscan retreat–inspired hotel in Panama, is home to just 70 rooms and suites and an 18,000-square-foot Elysium Spa, which opens in July 2025. Of course, massages and other body treatments are on the menu, but other unexpected additions—like chocolate and wine therapy, underground Roman baths, and Reiki healing—allow you to design your ideal day.
Hotels by destination
In a city known for its luxury, these 19 hotels are standouts. Each offers a unique take on world-class hospitality and L.A. glamour.
Rome’s hotel scene is as lively and varied as the city itself. Here are 21 places that let you experience the Eternal City in comfort and style.
History meets modern luxury at these 14 hotels we love—perfect for your next getaway in Washington, D.C.
Escape the crowds and discover a quieter Japan at these 12 hotels, from mountaintop ryokan to island hideaways.
Plan your best-ever trip around one of these 11 Vegas hotels and resorts that offer a different side of Sin City.
The British capital may be expensive, but there are affordable design hotels in every corner of the city.
Timeless icons, next-gen retreats, and private island hideaways—this is the Caribbean at its finest.
Italy remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations—but you’d never believe it at these 7 hotels in less-visited destinations.
The French capital is filled with stylish hotels that are big on personality—and easy on the bank account.
From a cliffside aerie to a hideout on the sand, France’s Mediterranean coastline is filled with outstanding luxury hotels—and these are the 10 best places to stay.
A dose of luxury, at a gentler price—these are the 23 best four-star hotels in New York City.
Greece is always a good idea. Here are the 16 best hotels and resorts across the country, whether you’re looking for a beach retreat, a high-design city escape, or a mountain getaway.
Hotels by type
Afar’s picks for the 25 best new hotels in the world.
At these 14 luxury resorts, it’s possible to have that dream vacation on a private island—without having to own one.
These retreats around the world offer a dreamy setting for your next romantic getaway.
These are the 24 hotels we recommend most for wellness.
Book one of these romantic retreats in these off-the-beaten-path honeymoon destinations.
Not into camping? These hotels near national parks offer upscale luxury and comfort in remote, scenic locations.
These hotels and resorts in Mexico deliver superlative hospitality to travelers of all ages.
Urban escapes, dude ranches, island retreats, and more: This list of the top 15 family-friendly hotels across the United States is your go-to guide for a multigenerational getaway.
AFAR’s picks for the 31 best new hotels in the world.
There’s never been a better time to travel with kids, thanks to these top-notch family-friendly hotels and resorts around the world.
These retreats are the top places in the world for a honeymoon getaway.
If you’re looking for serenity in 2024, check out these top destination spas.
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