The Upgraded Points Team’s Best Hotel Stays in 2025

A good hotel offers a winning combination of location, service, amenities, and can’t-wait-to-come-back feelings at checkout.

Our team spent countless nights in hotels this year, and not every hotel stay had this winning combination. Those that did, though, left a lasting impression — an impression that’s stuck with us throughout the year and has become our favorite amongst a sea of hotel visits during 2025.

What were our favorite hotels this year? Read on to find out.

Ryan Smith, News Managing Editor

My best stay of the year was in March during a trip to Valencia, Spain. The Grand Hotel Centenari, Valencia, Autograph Collection, remains a standout in my mind for several reasons.

The staff members were absolutely incredible. We loved them. And with just 53 rooms, the property felt incredibly boutique.

We also found the breakfast incredible, the hotel’s design both refined and playful, and the location unbeatable. And we loved our upgraded room.

What really sticks out about this property was the incredible deal when redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay. This property was available for 35,000 and 36,000 points per night during our stay, meaning it’s accessible with Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point free night certificates.

Lori Zaino, Senior Content Contributor

My favorite hotel stay of this year was in August at the Iberostar Waves Herceg Novi in Montenegro. The all-inclusive property was stunning, with gorgeous views across the Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic Sea. My stay was perfect in almost every way.

The room, although simple, was spacious, quiet, and comfortable, boasting a balcony with picturesque views. The resort was all-inclusive, and everyone in my family (yes, even my 4-year-old) found something they enjoyed eating at every meal. We had a great time swimming in the warm waters, lounging on the pebbly beach, and enjoying the rooftop bar at sunset. My son loved the kids club activities, while I appreciated the relaxing beach chairs that came with sunshades.

Best of all? I paid for my 5-night stay entirely with IHG One Rewards points. I hope to return to this beautiful hotel and corner of the world someday soon.

Katie Corrigan Seemann, Travel Partnerships Manager

If we’re talking about our best hotel stays of the year, I have to mention my experience at the W Punta de Mita in Mexico. This was my final stop on a trip comparing 3 Marriott hotels in Puerto Vallarta, and it was awesome.

The room I stayed in, the Marvelous Suite, was spectacular — one of my favorite hotel rooms ever. This luxurious suite had an indoor/outdoor bathroom with a huge shower. From the shower, you could enter the courtyard area, which had another shower, a bathtub, plants, and an open roof.

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This indoor/outdoor shower was incredible. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

The patio had a private pool that was heated to perfection — making it a perfect spot for a floating breakfast in the morning or an evening swim. On top of the fantastic room, the beach in front of the hotel was incredible — a gorgeous spot for a morning walk with a cup of coffee in hand.

Tiffany Eastham, Director of Compliance

My favorite stay in 2025 was at the Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town, in Lijiang, China — a stunning IHG property.

It may have taken a plane, a train, and a 3-hour car ride to reach this peaceful mountain town, but the trek was more than worth the effort to experience Lijiang’s UNESCO-designated Old Town — all under the command of the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The hotel itself was reminiscent of an ancient village, with winding cobblestone pathways, bubbling streams, and lush greenery throughout the complex. Each “room” stood alone as if it were an ornate temple with exquisite architecture and its own Naxi-style courtyard. It perfectly blended historical touches with modern comforts.

We were blown away by the staff’s exceptional friendliness. English speakers were hard to come by deep in China’s Yunnan province, but they made every effort to accommodate us. When they couldn’t understand our request over the phone, they’d dash from reception to our door to speak to us in person. It reached a point where they could reliably clock a sub-60-second jog each time.

And because I hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, I strategically chose to spend 4 nights at this property to take advantage of the fourth-night free perk on award stays.

At just 24,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, I saved over $800 for my entire stay during peak Lunar New Year dates.

Chris Hassan, Social Media and Brand Manager

My family and I love visiting Walt Disney World, and I have stayed at my fair share of points and miles hotels in and around Orlando. But there was one relatively new property that I had been eagerly waiting to check out — the Conrad Orlando at Evermore.

Conrad is a luxury brand under the Hilton umbrella, which makes any stay a treat in itself. However, what makes the Conrad Orlando special is that it is situated within the stunningly beautiful Evermore complex. Evermore is a massive resort complete with rental homes, apartments, restaurants, 2 golf courses, and its signature Evermore Bay and 20-acre beach … yes, in Orlando.

As expected, the hotel was excellent, and a great use of the free night certificate from my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. But what really made the stay memorable was everything that the resort had to offer. From the giant waterslide to hammocks on the beach, this resort made my kids forget that Disney was just minutes away.

Stella Shon, Senior Features Editor

I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley on 3 separate occasions this year, and it’s officially become my favorite staycation hotel.

Living in Salt Lake City — just about a 45-minute drive from Deer Valley — it’s the perfect home-away-from-home escape. Sometimes, you just want to escape the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning for a weekend and be pampered, and the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley delivers.

I love it in every season, not just winter — especially since I’m not a big skier. What really draws me back is the greater Park City area, which offers incredible hiking and summer activities that are much more my pace. (There’s also a complimentary shuttle to Main Street!)

The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley itself is expansive, modern, and undeniably luxurious. From the moment you step into the lobby, the signature scent is instantly captivating, and the staff consistently goes above and beyond to make guests feel welcome.

Because it’s a true resort property, you never need to leave for great food and beverage. There’s an on-site coffee shop, bar, speakeasy, and steakhouse. The breakfast buffet (especially the chicken and waffles) is something I genuinely look forward to every stay.

When I think about my favorite hotels, it’s not just about a great room. At the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, I’m genuinely excited to explore everything the property offers. The game room, sprawling hot tubs, heated pool, and countless fire pits make the entire resort feel incredibly cozy and inviting.

It’s also (wonderfully) pet-friendly. My dog is always treated like a VIP here, and we request rooms near the fenced dog relief area, which is large enough for a quick game of fetch.

In short, the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is a place I’ll continue returning to again and again.

Keri Stooksbury, Editor-in-Chief

I’ve had some fantastic stays this year in high-end hotels. At my core, though, I’m most excited to score a stellar deal for my family of 5, and that’s just what happened when we stayed at Hyatt Place Goa Candolim in India in February.

Upon arrival, my jaw dropped because it was unlike any other Hyatt Place we had ever stayed at. The hotel was built in 2023 and was contemporary and chic, with a design and finishes that felt fresh and hip. The family-friendly amenities included an outdoor pool, a kids playroom, an activities room, an arcade, and a fitness center. And the beach shacks and clean sands of Candolim Beach were just a 10-minute walk away.

What made our stay truly memorable was the excellent breakfast at Zing. Not only did Hyatt Place Goa Candolim offer a breakfast buffet that would put most high-end properties to shame, but the options rotated fully daily. Chefs were crafting custom eggs, dosas, waffles, and more outside alongside a masala chai station that my kids adored.

The buffet also provided us with the opportunity to easily explore a wide variety of Indian savory curries and breakfast dishes, alongside a selection of standard European breakfast options and a multitude of baked goods, fruits, and yogurts. Starting each day with this excellent breakfast really set an excellent tone for our visit.

Final Thoughts

From Utah and Florida to Mexico, Montenegro, China, Spain, and India, we stayed at some incredible hotels this year. Our favorites were memorable for different reasons: the location, the charm, the food, and usually a touch of great service.