Courtesy of Charleston Place Hotel

Charleston Place in Charleston, S.C., is home to 442 elegant rooms furnished with Chippendale-style furnishings and flat-screen TVs.

The Brown is a Kentucky institution: the Georgian Revival–style hotel in Louisville wows guests with marble flooring, ornate ceilings, feather beds — and the Hot Brown, a decadent, open-faced turkey sandwich. Even more impressive, the rates start as low as $129.

Slideshow: See the hotels and where they're at

This irresistible combination of character and value makes The Brown one of America’s top affordable city hotels, as selected among high-scoring properties in Travel + Leisure's annual World’s Best reader survey. All these favorite hotels offer room rates between $90 and $250 a night — meaning there’s bound to be a hotel that’s right for you.

That’s especially good news considering that finding a good deal may get a little tougher for travelers in 2012. Business data firm TravelClick predicts that, after a long slump in hotel prices, rates will rise almost 4 percent in 2012, thanks to increased demand as the economy recovers.

At least there’s no need to compromise on quality. The Waldorf Astoria Orlando, for instance, has outposts of celebrated dining venues from the flagship property in New York. Not to mention two pools and a spa with 21 treatment rooms. But at $159 a night, its rate is less than half that in Manhattan — and you get a free shuttle to Disney World. Besides, visiting a city that’s not on the West Coast or in the Northeast practically guarantees that other costs, such as dining and entertainment, will be more affordable, too.

Top affordable hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria Orlando also defy the conventional wisdom that you should look to a city’s outlying neighborhoods for a good deal. In Santa Fe, N.M., the pueblo-style Inn of Anasazi wins over guests with its tasteful, luxurious décor — handwoven rugs, paintings by acclaimed local artists, kiva-shaped gas fireplaces, and four-poster beds — placed in the heart of the action.

Although plenty of celebrities have been spotted checking into the fashionable Inn of Anasazi, you don’t need to star in a hit movie to be able to afford its nightly rates.

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Courtesy of Earthship Biotecture

Before we abandon Earth for another planet, it'd be useful to test out the potential new digs. The Earthship Project in Tres Piedras, New Mexico, has been at it since the 1960s and in 1997 began allowing guests to sleep in its sustainable pods (for periods of less than an eternity).

On a Sri Lankan riverbank stands a lone, slightly misshapen, enormous elephant. As you approach cautiously, you realize this creature isn’t some freak of nature; it’s an eco-lodge of grass and twigs that sleeps up to 10 people in its belly.

Kumbuk Hotel belongs to a peculiar breed of hotels that continue to crop up worldwide, winning over travelers with their sheer novelty. Some of these unusual hotels have never-knew-you-needed-them amenities like an in-room sailboat, while others go for shock factor: ever slept in a coffin bed or a rescue pod? Still others are in improbable locations: the depths of a silver mine; atop a coral reef. But what all the world’s most unusual hotels promise is that you’ll be talking about your stay long after you check out.

Slideshow: See the world's most unusual hotels

Make no mistake: while these unusual hotels may look crazy, they aren’t the result of hoteliers gone mad. The owners are often forward-thinking architects or tinkerers inspired to make their small hotel creations into quirky destinations in and of themselves. They’re well aware that anything strange attracts publicity and curious travelers.

Berlin’s Propeller Island, for example, has become popular among artists, who seek stimulation among the green padded walls, floating beds, and fun-house interiors, which, not surprisingly, have been featured in many music videos. While it jives with Berlin’s artsy reputation, some other unusual hotels go to more radical lengths to blend in with their surroundings. The salt pans of Bolivia make the Palacio de Sal hotel—constructed entirely from salt blocks (even the beds)—a true product of the environment.

Sure, your usual tastes probably run sweeter—say, to a hotel pool, a king-size bed with a down comforter, and tasteful décor. Yet there’s something liberating about letting loose and giving in to a strange suite once in a while—just as there’s something reassuring about knowing these properties exist and thrive. In cases like Sweden’s futuristic all-suites Treehotel, unusual hotels can even be beautiful examples of out-of-the-box design.

Still, that doesn’t account for a life-size hamster hotel where guests are greeted with masks on arrival. That’s just downright strange—and you need to see it to believe it.  

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It’s that time again.

Condé Nast Traveler unveiled its annual Hot List on Tuesday, a selection of the very best hotels all across the globe.

Forty-one reporters visited 172 hotels in 49 countries. Their anonymous visits resulted in 121 properties that made the 2012 list of editors’ picks.

Click here to see a slideshow of the 121 top hotels.

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Courtesy of Gladstone's Library

Gladstone's Library at St. Deiniol's, Hawarden, Wales, is a hotel inside a library. British Prime Minister William Gladstone founded the residential library in 1889 as a sleepover haven for bibliophiles.

Books have long been essential traveling companions — perfect for pulling out on airplanes, perusing during solo meals or sparking conversations (remember how Jesse met Céline in "Before Sunrise"?). Libraries, too, have traditionally been welcome retreats for those abroad; travelers can learn about a new culture through its literature, or find comfort in the familiar pages of a favorite novel.

Slideshow: See the wonderful hotel libraries

These days, as travelers turn increasingly to e-readers and tablets, the allure of libraries might seem to be fading — but luckily, some hoteliers are preserving, and even revitalizing, the tradition of linking travelers with books. And they’re doing so right in their own hotels.

For these hoteliers, a carefully curated in-house library speaks volumes (no pun intended) about their property’s character. Some, like the Taj Falaknuma Palace, in Hyderabad, India, embody the timeless bibliophile’s fantasy of ceiling-high shelves, leather-bound tomes and cozy armchairs. Other properties put a distinctly modern spin on the library experience: For example, The Library resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, where the slick, white-on-white reading room evokes a poolside gallery space. And some hotels have been teaming up with art-book publishers to offer brand-specific reading material — like the Trump SoHo in New York City, where the library is stocked exclusively with Taschen monographs and art anthologies.

Some hoteliers need guidance in selecting what should go on their library shelves — which is where companies such as the Oxford-based Ultimate Library come in. By helping to create bespoke library collections especially for hotels and resorts, says Ultimate Library’s chairman, Philip Blackwell, his company “enhances the guest experience with books to educate, inspire and entertain.

“Someone once said that ‘a hotel should be a home from home but better,’” Blackwell continues. “Books are a vital component in creating this homeyness. Carefully chosen, they create a sense of place.”

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Courtesy of Ibis Hotels

The Ibis hotel chain has 919 outposts around the world, including this one in Casablanca, Morocco.

Whether you favor basic, no-frills bargain hotels or accommodations with a happy balance of perks and price, you've probably already found a hotel chain or two that suits your needs — at least here in the States.

But what happens when you travel abroad? We searched far and wide for the foreign hotel chains locals rely on most, from Mexico City to Moscow, compiling them all in this international cheat sheet to a good, cheap night's sleep (almost) anywhere on Earth. Among our search criteria, consistency was key — we prioritized chains with reliable standards of service, cleanliness, and amenities (since you can't always trust hotel ratings abroad, and filtered out those with erratic pricing or less-than-desirable locations. But that doesn't mean there won't be some (pleasant) surprises in the mix — many of our bargain picks also include indulgent extras like monsoon showers, on-site spas and design-mag-worthy interiors.

Slideshow. See these dependable hotel chains around the globe

Best Worldwide:

NH Hotels
Started in Pamplona, Spain in 1978, NH has grown to become one of the top 20 largest chains in the world, with more than 400 properties in 26 countries, from Andorra to Uruguay (most are concentrated in Europe and South America). The look varies from one hotel to the next, but many are set in historic buildings with original architectural details and filled with stylish, modern furnishings: solid, neutral-hued linens on the bed and abstract art on the walls. NH also often has several hotels in the same destination, so it's worth it to check out all your options for the best rate and location. Sample rates:from $120 at the Hotel NH Musica, Amsterdam; from $114 at the Hotel NH Anglo American, Florence; from $143 at the Hotel NH Tango, Buenos Aires. nh-hotels.com
Properties: 400-plus
Average size: Medium
Typical location: All

Ibis
Sure, the hotels may be cookie-cutter (furniture is of the basic, blond-wood variety) and the locations aren't exactly thrilling (most properties are near business districts and airports), but the brand definitely has a lock on convenience, thanks to 24-hour snack bars, WiFi and often on-site parking. All 900-plus outposts, from continental Europe to Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East and Australia, also serve locally-influenced breakfast buffets (say, crepes in France, or tropical fruits in Brazil). Sample rates: from $100 at the Ibis Praha Old Town Hotel in Prague; from $117 at the Ibis Antananarivo Ankorondrano in Madagascar; from $94 at the Ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco in Argentina. ibishotel.com
Properties: 919
Average size: Large
Typical location: Transit hubs

Mercure
Most of Mercure's 725 hotels (across 49 countries) are in Europe, with the remainder in Australia, South America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.The three- and four-star properties include both business-friendly city spots and resorts — the latter of which are more likely to incorporate vernacular design elements such as thatched-roof cottages at a Bali resort or a hammam at a Morocco hotel. All have on-site restaurants, and most offer packages with conveniences such as breakfast and Internet access. Sample rates: from $104 at the Mercure Montpellier Centre in France; from $63 at the Mercure Resort Sanur in Bali; from $66 at the Mercure Ouarzazate in Morocco. mercure.com
Properties: 725
Average size: Medium
Typical location: All

TRYP by Wyndham Hotels
A boutique brand from the Wyndham group, TRYP aims for the spot where form and function overlap, providing urban adventurers with 21st-century amenities (WiFi, fitness centers, flat-screen TVs), a streamlined aesthetic (neutral color palettes, hardwood floors), and legitimate social scenes (on-site bars and active lobbies designed for mingling). Spain, Germany, Portugal and Brazil have the most properties now, but there are one-offs in Europe, South America, Canada and the U.S. Sample rates: from $79 at the TRYP Valencia Azafata in Spain; from $99 at the TRYP San Jose Sabana Hotel in Costa Rica; from $90 at the TRYP Berlin in Germany. tryphotels.com
Properties: 91
Average size: Large
Typical location: City center

Room Mate Hotels
A spunky upstart based in Spain, Room Mate's outposts in Buenos Aires, Mexico, NYC and Miami cater to a nightlife-loving crowd: Most are located in hip, culture-centric neighborhoods, each one has live DJ-spun music, and hearty buffet breakfasts are served until noon daily. The décor is playfully avant-garde and picks up on motifs that reference some aspect of the destination. (In Mexico City, a pair of cartoonish white cacti stands in front of a colorful mural of ceramic fish scales, while the Granada hotel skews moodier and more elegant.) Bonus: The bathrooms are typically spacious, and Wi-Fi is always free. Sample rates: from $82 at the Room Mate Leo in Granada, Spain; from $79 at the Room Mate Valentina in Mexico City. room-matehotels.com
Properties: 14
Average size: Medium
Typical location: City center

Best by region:

Asia & The Pacific
Insider advice is especially helpful in Asia. While several countries have government-run hotel ratings systems, many are voluntary and self-assessed and, consequently, are unreliable. Plus, some countries — Japan, for one — don't use ratings systems at all. Australia is a bit easier: They recently revamped their popular ratings system, AAA Tourism, to focus on a combination of cleanliness, amenities and quality, rather than just a checklist of facilities.

APA Hotels & Resorts
Japanese hospitality meets no-nonsense frugality in this robust nationwide chain. APA is an acronym for "Always Pleasant Amenity," and depending on your location, that might refer to a traditional public bath (available at no cost to hotel guests), a free breakfast of bread, coffee, rice, and miso soup, or a choice between a standard room (of the floral-bedspread variety) or a Japanese room, with tatami-mat floors for lounging. Sample rates: from $93 at the APA Hotel Takasaki-Ekimae in Tokyo; from $93 for a single at the APA Hotel Nagasaki-Ekiminami in Nagasaki; from $124 at the APA Villa Hotel Yudoyabashi in Osaka. apahotel.com
Properties: 76
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

Centara Hotels & Resorts
With their fancy pool decks, on-site spas, and concierges, properties from the Centara brand (Thailand's largest) all feel like splurges, even if they're not. You'll find them in most of the country's major tourist destinations, from Chiang Mai to Krabi, along with the Maldives, Bali, Vietnam and the Philippines. The brand includes several sub-categories: The five-star Centara Grand and the Centara Boutique Collection are on the pricey side, so stick to the four-star Centara and three-star Centra properties for comparable quality at better rates. And watch for deals when you're booking — often, the online rates are much lower (up to 60 percent) than standard published prices. Sample rates: From $46 at the Centara Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai; from $81 at the Centara Villas Phuket; from $62 at the Centra Taum Seminyak Bali. centarahotelsresorts.com
Properties: 55
Average size: Medium/Large
Typical location: All

GreenTree Inns
Whether you're in Beijing or Nanjing, you can expect this fast-growing Chinese chain to deliver clean, pleasant rooms with free WiFi, TVs and basic amenities, all in locations that are convenient to universities, train stations and conference centers. Sample rates: From $34 at the Beijing Tuanjie Lake Spring Hotel; from $24 at the Chengdu People's Park Hotel; from $29 at the Shenzhen Huaqiangbei Express Hotel.998.com/eng
Properties: 300-plus
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

Lemon Tree Hotels
Travelers looking to set up a home base in one of India's larger cities can take good advantage of Lemon Tree's growing chain. The hotels were originally designed for business travelers — but you'd never know it at first glance. The rooms are cheerful (brightly hued bedspreads, colorful expressionist and abstract artwork) and well-equipped (LCD TVs, orthopedic mattresses, free bottled water), and nearly every hotel has a decent swimming pool. There are even a few affordable resort outposts — one in Goa, and one near Vembanad Lake. Solo female travelers can book into a "Lemon Tree Diva" room, which is on a women-only corridor and has extras like reflexology foot massagers. Sample rates: from $72 at the Lemon Tree Electronics City in Bangalore; from $138 at the Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort in Goa; from $94 at the Lemon Tree Hotel in Chennai. lemontreehotels.com
Properties: 15
Average size: Medium/large
Typical location: City center

Rydges
With the exception of the three five-star "Art Series" hotels (with slightly higher rates — and style quotients), this Australian-owned chain is known more for its reliable, middle-of-the-road rooms and much-touted signature Dream Beds — pillow-top numbers made from breathable latex — than for trendy flourishes. Founded in 1988, the brand has properties all over the continent as well as some in New Zealand, one in Dubai and one in London. Sample rates:from $191 at the Rydges World Square in Sydney; from $138 at the Rydges South Park in Adelaide; from $106 at the Rydges Hobart; from $170 at the Rydges South Bank in Brisbane. rydges.com
Properties: 40
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

Tune Hotels
At this Malaysian chain (with a few outposts in Bali, Thailand, the Philippines and London), you get what you pay for — literally. While prices are rock-bottom for the rooms (under $20 for singles in many cases), you'll rack up fees for things that come standard at many other hotels (TV and Wi-Fi cost roughly $7.50 for 24 hours, while air conditioning, shower gel, and towels run from $5-$15, depending on the location). Still, the bright rooms are more than mere crash pads, with 250-thread-count bedding, power showers, housekeeping and 24-hour security. Book early and you may even luck into one of the extremely-limited-quantity $1 a night deals. Sample rates:from $18 at the Tune Hotel in Downtown Penang; from $30 at the Tune Hotel in Downtown Kuala Lumpur; from $20 at the Tune Hotel Kita in Bali. tunehotels.com
Properties: 20
Average size: Large
Typical location: City center

Europe
While Great Britain has a fairly trustworthy hotel rating system, many other European countries use ratings that are far less predictable and intuitive. For example, French hotels earn stars based not on quality but the presence of certain features (air-conditioning and bathroom facilities, for example), while in Italy, a hotel can earn a single star just for changing the sheets on the beds once a week.

Dedeman Hotels & Resorts
Founded in Istanbul in 1966, Dedeman now has hotels and resorts all over Turkey, as well as in Bulgaria and Uzbekistan. Rooms are more comfortable than cutting-edge, but the properties have worthwhile bonuses such as Turkish baths, indoor/outdoor swimming pools and multiple options for on-site dining, drinking and even dancing. Sample rates: from $147 at the Dedeman Ankara in Turkey; from $88 at the Dedeman Silk Road in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; from $169 at the Dedeman Istanbul. dedeman.com
Properties: 16
Average size: Large
Typical location: City center

Husa Hotels
No one-trick pony, this Spanish chain's strength lies in its diverse roster of hotels, each defined by the type of experience the traveler might want. In Barcelona alone, you can choose between nearly two dozen very different Husa options — 12 branded "Urban" for their strategic city-center settings, and five in the higher-end "Luxury" level . Other lodging categories include "Holiday" (resorts like the beachfront Conil Park on the Atlantic Coast),"Well Being" (serenity-focused spots like Sant Bernat in the Sierra del Montseny, surrounded by woods and gardens), and "Mountain" (the Chalet Bassibé in the Valle de Aran, with a lobby fireplace and indoor-outdoor pools). At all hotels, however, you'll find well-priced rooms decorated with the kind of details that channel old-world glamour: leather, velvet and wood-paneling. Often, you'll find top-quality fitness centers, serious restaurants and spas. Sample rates: from $78 at the Husa Bonanova Park in Barcelona; from $67 at the Husa Conil Park in Conil; from $117 at the Sant Bernat in the Sierra del Montseny; from $112 at the Chalet Bassibé in Valle de Aran. husa.es
Properties: 101
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

Jurys Inn
Location is key at the Jurys Inn hotels, which are positioned in city centers all across England, Ireland and Scotland (plus one in Prague). They don't take many risks with the décor — most color palettes revolve around gray or brown — but the rooms are spacious and the hotels have on-site restaurants and consistent, professional service. Sample rates: from $78 at the Jurys Inn in Cork; from $87 at the Jurys Inn Prague; from $104 at the Jurys Inn Glasgow; from $98 at the Jurys Inn Liverpool. jurysinns.com
Properties: 32
Average size: Large
Typical location: City center

Median Hotels
This small French chain's strong suit is simple: solid, three-star rooms at reasonable prices in some of Europe's most expensive cities (Paris and Geneva). They're mainly in business suburbs or near convention centers and transportation hubs, and facilities typically include parking, WiFi and an on-site restaurant serving a buffet breakfast. (Depending on the hotel, they may also provide dinner and lunch service.) Reception is open 24 hours, and most rooms have minibars. Sample rates: from $103 at the Hotel Median Paris Châtillon; from $116 at the Hotel Median Geneve Aeroport. medianhotels.com
Properties: 5
Average size: Medium/large
Typical location: Airport/highway

Motel One
Boutique style at wallet-friendly prices is the hallmark of this German brand, which has more than 30 hotels in Germany, one each in Vienna and Scotland and dozens more in the pipeline (including places in Edinburgh, Brussels and Krakow). No matter which one you visit, you'll find the same design elements popping up in each: Mid-century-style egg chairs, damask-patterned wallpaper and lots of turquoise accents. It may not look as current in a decade, but for now, the interiors strike a nice balance between playfulness and polish. Free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs and monsoon showerheads round out the appeal. Rates start at $65 at each hotel. motel-one.com
Properties: 39
Average size: Large
Typical location: City centers

Omena Hotels
For fabulously affordable accommodations in a famously expensive region, check in to one of Omena's über-consistent Scandinavian locations. Rooms are nearly identical from one hotel to the next: All have a sleeping area with a double bed, a separate sitting area (with two armchairs that fold out into extra beds), an en-suite bath, and a TV, mini-fridge and microwave. One drawback: There's no staff on-site, so guests check themselves in with a security code from their online reservations, and contact a remote "reception desk" via phone with any questions. Rates start at $60 at all properties. omenahotels.com
Properties: 14
Average size: Medium/large
Typical ocation: City center

Premier Inn
This is the fastest-growing budget brand in the U.K., and it shows: With more than 600 hotels in cities, near airports, and along highways, there's pretty much always a Premier Inn nearby. With that kind of presence, they don't really have to deliver much else, but they've still improved upon the bare-bones motor lodge model. King-size platform beds are standard, bathrooms come with tubs and showers (not always a given in Europe), and most of the properties have their own restaurants and bars. Sample rates: from $52 at the Premier Inn Dublin Airport; from $95 at the Premier Inn Plymouth East in Plymouth, England. premiertravelinn.com
Properties: 600-plus
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

SORAT Hotels
This German chain's hotels are all over the map when it comes to décor: In Brandenburg you'll find leather sofas in the lobby and a restaurant that resembles a library, while the Nurnberg hotel has plaid-upholstered armchairs and framed drawings of sheep, and the IBB Hotel Erfurt is a restored medieval inn with exposed beams. What they all share, though, are reasonable rates, solid service and a not-too-big, not-too-small size that's perfect for folks who don't go for B&Bs or bland business hotels. Sample rates: from $68 at the SORAT Hotel Agneshof in Nurnberg; from $66 at the SORAT Hotel Ambassador in Berlin; from $79 at the IBB Hotel in Erfurt. sorat-hotels.com
Properties: 13
Average size: Medium
Typical location: City center

UNA Hotels
Enjoy affordability with style — and individuality — from this Italian brand. You can check into a converted 16th-century palazzo in Florence, a "2001: A Space Odyssey"-inspired hotel in central Bologna with white walls, primary-colored accents and space-age globe lamps, or a historic hotel in Sicily updated with a modern-Baroque décor. Sample rates: from $137 at the UNA Hotel Vittoria in Florence; from $152 at the UNA Hotel Venezia in Venice; from $144 at the UNA Hotel Modena; from $162 at the UNA Hotel Roma in Rome. unahotels.it
Properties: 26
Average size: Medium
Typical location: All

Mexico and South America
South American ratings systems tend to be fragmented (with different standards for different types of lodgings) or superficial, taking into account only facilities, not service or quality. In Mexico, however, you'll recognize the same AAA Diamond ratings you see in the U.S.

Casa Andina
Each of this homegrown Peruvian chain's hotels has its own style and charm — and reflects its unique location, whether it's in the Sacred Valley or on the banks of Lake Titicaca. The brand is split into Private Collection, Select and Classic hotels, with the latter being the most affordable. Choices include the rustic, village-style Casa Andina Classic in Colca, which has clay-roofed stone casitas and its own planetarium and observatory; and the Casa Andina Classic in Cusco Koricancha, set in two adjacent colonial manor houses. Sample rates: from $142 at the Cusco Koricancha in Cusco; from $120 at the Miraflores San Antonio in Lima; from $92 at the Puno Tikarani in Puno. casa-andina.com
Properties: 20
Average size: Medium
Typical location: City center/resort

One Hotels
There may not be much romance to Mexico's budget-friendly chain — hotels are typically located near airports or other transit hubs — but the rooms are bright and streamlined, with furnishings a step above Ikea, and man, do they pile on the perks. At most hotels, breakfast, WiFi and parking are all free, and snack bars and coin-operated laundry stations are readily available. Rates from $50. onehotels.com
Properties: 16
Average size: Large
Typical location: Airports/highways

Africa and the Middle East
Across the African continent, efforts are being made to standardize ratings. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGSCA) revised its quality-oriented ratings system last year, resulting in lower ratings for many borderline properties; ratings will be reviewed annually. Malawi launched its first ratings system in 2010, and the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) is currently working toward a unified ratings system. Abu Dhabi debuted a new five-star system in 2011, although a handful of super-luxe hotels in the region have declared themselves as 6- or 7-star properties.

City Lodge Family of Hotels
This South African brand's hotels are separated into four categories: one-star Road Lodge hotels, two-star Town Lodges, three-star City Lodges and four-star Courtyards. Not surprisingly, the Courtyard options are the most charming, and have studio and suite options with kitchenettes, which can help offset the higher nightly rates (a March price check at the Courtyard Cape Town revealed a promo rate of $139 per night). Still, most all hotels under the brand's umbrella have on-site restaurants and WiFi, and even the one-star spots offer 24-hour service, breakfast and, in some cases, swimming pools. Sample rates: from $146 at the Courtyard Cape Town; from $158 at the City Lodge Durban. citylodge.co.za
Properties: 52
Average size: Medium/large
Typical location: City centers

Protea Hotels
Africa's largest hotel group, Protea has properties in eight countries — Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa and Malawi — plus one outpost in London.They range from country inns and mountain retreats to seaside resorts and city-chic spots. The urban hotels tend to be edgier — a purple pool table here, neon-pink lighting there — while the out-of-town properties are more likely to feature native artwork or old-fashioned canopy beds and floral-upholstered furniture. Sample rates: from $131 at the PH Thuringerhof in Windhoek, Namibia; from $165 at the PH Cape Castle in Cape Town. proteahotels.com
Properties: 120
Average size: Medium
Typical location: Resort

Rotana Hotels
Beginning with the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi in 1993, the Rotana group has grown to include dozens of properties in Egypt, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar and more; by the end of 2012, their roster should total more than 70 properties in a variety of price categories. The "young and fresh" Centro sub-brand is the most budget-friendly — and even those properties feel decidedly upscale, thanks to features like floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs and marble-topped desks. On-site dining and amenities like full gyms and rooftop pools enhance the experience. Sample rates: from $116 at the Centro Barsha in Dubai; from $81 at the Centro Al Manhal in Abu Dhabi. rotana.com
Properties: 70
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

5 new hotel brands to watch

Eaton Hotels
A sub-brand of the luxury Langham hotels, Eaton Hotels are split into Eaton Smart and Eaton Luxe options, plus one Eaton House Apartments location in Hong Kong: Eaton Smart properties have on-site eateries and gyms or pools, while Eaton Luxe adds extras like 24-hour room service and complimentary Internet access — and an aesthetic that's straight from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog. There are currently one Eaton Luxe (Shanghai) and two Eaton Smarts (Hong Kong and New Delhi Airport.) More are set to open in China through the next two years, along with one in Bali in 2014. Sample rates: from $107 at the Eaton Luxe in Shanghai; from $142 at the Eaton Smart in Hong Kong. eatonhotels.com
Properties: 4
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

dusitD2
Thailand's luxury Dusit brand has earned raves for its sleek boutique sub-brand dusitD2, which is both design-focused and more wallet-friendly than its exclusive sibling — and comes with resort-worthy perks such as on-site spas, spacious pool decks and concierge service. At present there are only two dusitD2 locations — one in central Chiang Mai, another near the beaches of Pattaya — with two more in the works (New Delhi and Pasadena, California.) Sample rate: from $130 in Chiang Mai. dusit.com/dusit-d2
Properties: 2
Average size: Medium/large
Typical location: Resort

CitizenM
Citizen M's first outpost, at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, revolutionized the concept of the transit hotel. Now, the budget brand has expanded to city centers (Amsterdam and Glasgow currently, with London and New York on the way). Their "affordable luxury" concept shows up in swanky lobbies outfitted with Eames loungers and 24-hour canteens, and in the guest rooms, where colored mood lighting, wake-up calls, in-room movies, the thermostat and even the window blinds can all be controlled from the same high-tech “mood pad” remote control. Sample rates: from $92 in Amsterdam City; from $94 in Glasgow. citizenm.com
Properties: 3
Average size: Large
Typical location: All

The Big Sleep Hotel
With their floral Orla Kiely wallpapers, pastel accents and clawfoot tubs, this mini-chain of hotels (one in Wales, two in England) might be better suited for girlfriend getaways than stag weekends — but some of the rooms do come in blue, and the prices for the family suites can't be beat (from $55 for a double plus bunk beds in Cardiff). All rooms have flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, WiFi and broadband (for a fee), and rates include a buffet breakfast. Starting rate: from $46. thebigsleephotel.com
Properties: 3
Average size: Medium
Typical location: City center

YOTEL
Inspired by the mod — and modular — design of first-class airplane cabins, YOTEL's four branches (three at airports in London and Amsterdam, one on New York City's west side) feature supremely compact rooms (aka "cabins") with fold-down work desks, flat-panel TVs, and, in some cases, bunk beds. The WiFi is free, kitchenettes are in the hall, dining is on-site, and rates are by the hour. Sample rates: from $113 in London Gatwick for 24 hours; from $99 in Amsterdam Schiphol for 24 hours. yotel.com
Properties: 4
Average size: Medium
Typical location: Airport/highway

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Courtesy Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

The Easter bunny gives a basket to a young guest at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

Families looking for a hopping good time are in for a basketful of fun at these five hotels rolling out the grassy green carpet for the Easter Bunny this year. These unique Easter offerings are sure to please egg-seeking kids as well as picture-snapping parents.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa – Huntington Beach, Calif.
In addition to traditional hunts on the hotel lawn, guests at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach can collect underwater eggs from the hotel pool. Egg-decorating, an egg-and-spoon race and a waterslide relay race add to the seaside fun. Easter room rates range from $203-$415. Non-guests can dine on an elaborate brunch featuring a live jazz band, raw bar, chocolate fountain and more ($72 for adults, $25 for kids, free for those 5 and under) – then join in the Easter activities for free.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin – Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
If you’re looking for an Easter activity that really shines, check out the glow-in-the-dark egg hunt hosted by a live DJ at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Children are given luminescent necklaces and bracelets to aid in their search for the glowing candy-stuffed eggs.  As though waking up at the “Happiest Place on Earth” wasn’t enough, children can receive a surprise delivery from the bunny himself. Parents arrange for the Easter Bunny to bring a basket filled with candy and a plush toy to the hotel room. Cost is $55 for the first basket and $40 for each additional basket. Easter room rates start at $239 per night.

The James Chicago – Chicago, Ill.
For a unique twist on the classic Easter activity, The James Chicago is encouraging families to explore the Windy City. The hotel provides bicycles to borrow and a map to several tourist attractions around Chicago so kids can receive an egg stamp in their “passport” for each place visited. Hotel guests 12 and younger who bring back a full passport receive a complimentary Easter dessert at the on-site David Burke’s Primehouse. Back in their room, families are treated to an Easter-themed turndown with hidden candies to find. Easter rates start at $359 per night in a loft suite featuring family-friendly movie screenings in a private media room.

Red Mountain Resort – St. George, Utah
This holistic active resort located amidst Southern Utah’s red rock cliffs and canyons is offering an Easter Geocache Fitness Activity for its guests (age 12+). Families will use a GPS unit to find camouflaged eggs. Instead of candy, the eggs are filled with exercises to be completed in order to win a prize (like a yoga mat or other exercise accessories). A last-minute deal for Easter weekend starts at $230 per person per night.

The Somerset on Grace Bay – Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
Don a snorkel mask and flippers and dive into the Somerset’s first annual “Sea”ster egg hunt. During the first week in April, kids will paint egg-shaped rocks. On Easter weekend, these painted treasures will be scattered into the turquoise waters of Grace Bay where families can snorkel to collect as many painted "eggs" as possible. The winning family will receive a family portrait to commemorate the trip. Holiday rates start at $900 per night for a one-bedroom villa.

These Easter festivities are offered to hotel guests only and are included in room rates unless otherwise noted.

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Courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge

Southern Ocean Lodge offers luxury accommodations on Kangaroo Island, Australia, Situated on the island's southwest coast, the lodge adjoins both the Flinders Chase and Cape Bouguer national parks.

If the best architecture aims at eternity, to paraphrase famed English architect Christopher Wren, then these new hotels are bound to be immortal. The 11 hotels on our list all opened within the last four years, and each is an example of awe-inspiring design in its own right. You can stay in a wave-like skyscraper in Chicago, a stack of cantilevered cubes in Portugal, or a hotel tucked into the wild cliffs of an Australian island. And, even better, it won't cost a fortune to spend a night in these architectural wonders. Seven of the 11 are under $200 a night.

Slideshow: The hotel world's most striking architecture

Bella Sky Comwell, Copenhagen, Denmark

The two structures that make up the Bella Sky each incline at a slightly different angle. Or as the architects sweetly put it, the towers are drawn to each other, "yet seem a little shy." In fact, the creative use of angles is employed both inside the property and out — geometric angles give the exterior a filigreed look, while inside the hotel there are rooms where there are no 90-degrees at all (there are more than 200 different room shapes in the 812-room hotel). The location, in the Copenhagen neighborhood of Orestad five miles from the city center, actually inspired the leaning-tower design. The buildings are so close to the airport that height restrictions dictate that they must not exceed 246 feet. (011-45/3247-3000, bellaskycomwell.dk, from $155 per night.)

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Queensland architecture firm DBI Design won the World's Leading New Hotel Award for 2011 for this stunning $1 billion residential and retail center. The complex is made up of five towers on a beachside stretch on a peninsula in Abu Dhabi. Constructing the buildings that now dominate the modern skyline posed structural challenges. The towers all curve, meaning each floor slab is a different shape. The 382-room Jumeirah hotel takes up 66 stories of one of the towers. (888/645-5697, jumeirah.com, from $192 per night.)

Hotel Consolación, Teruel, Spain

Perched atop a ridge, this collection of 10 freestanding, wood-clad modernist cubes, or "Kube" suites, opened in 2009. Located in the rural mountain town of Teruel (a three-hour drive from both Barcelona and Valencia), the sleek cubes create a beautiful juxtaposition with the groves of olive and almond trees that surround them. Each suite has a sliding glass wall that opens onto a private terrace, and, inside, sparse interiors combine slate, copper-treated pine and metal sheeting. The hotel incorporates some classic elements as well: a converted 14th-century hermitage serves as a communal area for guests. (011-34-978/85-67-55, consolacion.com.es, from $185 per night.)

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Architect Max Pritchard designed this lodge to blend into the dramatic surroundings of Kangaroo Island. Tucked back behind cliffs, the hotel opened in 2008 and consists of 21 suites cascading down a windswept slope, following the natural curve of the land, each with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and sweeping views of the Southern Ocean. Suites were constructed from lightweight materials — steel screw piles, timber framing, iron cladding — that could be carried in to create minimal disturbance to nature, and which also could handle the challenge of building on precarious soil conditions (several feet of sand atop solid limestone). Inside are environmentally sound sandblasted limestone floors and recycled spotted-gum walls. The off-the-grid location led to innovations such as sculptural containers for collecting rainwater. (931/924-5253, southernoceanlodge.com.au, from $1,000 per person, per night with a two-night minimum.) 

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

This trio of 55-story towers opened in 2010 and hold an incredible 2,561 hotel rooms, plus a museum, casino, convention center, waterfront promenade, shops and restaurants. Architect Moshe Safdie has said that his challenge "was to create a vital public place at the district-urban scale-in other words, to address the issue of megascale and invent an urban landscape that would work at the human scale." His way of dealing with that was to design the complex around two central axes to give a sense of orientation. The towers are connected at the top by the cantilevered, two-and-a-half-acre SkyPark, home to gardens, 250 trees, a public observatory and a 492-foot swimming pool — all perched high in the sky like a fantastical cruise ship forever suspended in midair. (011-65/6688-8868, marinabaysands.com, from $350 per night.)

Yas Viceroy Hotel, Abu Dhabi

This 499-room hotel was the first to be built straddling a Formula 1 racetrack (it opened in 2009 and was renovated in 2011 to become a Viceroy). The structure consists of a pair of 12-story towers joined by a sweeping, 700-foot curvilinear skin of glass and steel — actually 5,800 pivoting, diamond-shaped glass panels that reflect the sky by day and are illuminated up by an LED system at night. The architects' aim was to reflect artistry and geometries associated with ancient Islamic art and craft traditions, and from a distance the panels create the appearance of a spectacular veil. (888/622-4567, viceroyhotelsandresorts.com ; from about $210 per night.)

Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm

The pièce de résistance at this 414-room hotel of white polished stone and rough black stone is its attached conference center — a glass structure with an exterior made up of 13 miles of semi-transparent stainless steel rods. They reflect the sky and water, radically change the skyline, and are what architect Hans Forsmark describes as "a reminiscence of the Nordic Light." The interiors of the hotel, which opened in 2011, follow straight lines and geometric precision. (800/333-3333, radissonblu.com, from $155 per night.)

Axis Viana Hotel, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

The 88-room Axis Viana Hotel was a striking addition to the folkloric village of Viana do Castelo when it opened in 2008. The exterior is made up of reflective aluminum, black glass and green stone, and the cantilevered design changes the shape of the hotel depending upon your vantage point. The contrasting interior consists of white finishes and materials including wood and stone. It's all edged by a shimmering outdoor pool and surrounded by views of the Lima River and Mount St. Luzia. (011-351/258-802-000, axishoteis.com, from $100 per night.)

Hôtel Americano, New York

The 10-story Americano sits on the site of a former parking garage in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. Neighbors were likely pleased with the swap when the hotel opened in 2011. The building looks like a massive metal sculpture — perfect for the gallery-filled neighborhood — with floors connected by catwalks and wrapped with stainless-steel mesh. The industrial façade holds 56 rooms plus two restaurants, a lobby café and two basement bars; for urban escape, there is a roof deck with a pool, bar and peaceful garden terrace. (212/216-0000, hotel-americano.com, from $295 per night.)

Miura Hotel, Celadná, Czech Republic

Rising like a geometric spaceship in the Beskydy Mountains is this distinctive hotel made of concrete, sheet metal, violet glass, Corian and stone. Miura opened in 2011 and is divided into three parts, one of which seems to levitate above the ground, plus two side wings containing the 44 rooms. The arrangement means that all of the rooms have views of the surrounding mountains. The striking hotel also has an impressive art collection, with works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Czech sculptor David Černý. Known for his large-scale installations, Černý's works here include an almost 30-foot-tall stainless-steel man pushing against the exterior of the hotel. (011-420/558-761-100, www.miura.cz, from $126 per night.)

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

Architect Jeanne Gang literally made waves in a city full of iconic skyscrapers with her showstopper building. The 82-story glass structure's exterior has undulating concrete balconies resembling the swirls and ripples of nearby Lake Michigan. Such a unique design brought with it a unique construction challenge — each floor plate is a different shape, which means a different concrete pour was required for every story. To manage it, the concrete was poured into a specially designed flexible metal edge that was reused over and over again — an important detail for green architecture. Much of the building is designated for private residences, but the 334-room Radisson Blu Aqua opened on 18 floors in November 2011. (312/565-5258, radissonbluchicago.com, from $175 per night.) 

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Courtesy of The Equinox

The Equinox in Manchester Village, Vt., was a meeting place for the fathers of the American Revolution and has been offering others comfort ever since.

Ma Bailey couldn’t have been more right in "It’s a Wonderful Life" when he said, “It’s deep in the race for a man to want his own roof and walls and fireplace.” It’s no different when you’re at the mountaintops for ski season or just enjoying time away from home during the chilly months. Curling up next to a classic stone fireplace can be the perfect antidote for a long day of shopping, skiing and sightseeing. And let’s face it: Sometimes spending a lazy afternoon fireside with a good book and a cup of cocoa is the most anticipated part of a traveler’s itinerary.

Slideshow: See these and more hot fireplaces

Departures.com scoured the country to find hotels that offer not just a roof and walls, but also decadent fireplaces to fend off the cold. Park City, Utah’s hillside Washington School House hearth is filled with 18th-century charm, while The Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., features a double-sided fireplace built with local stone. The crackling blaze of The Equinox in Manchester Village, Vt., is the fabled meeting place of the state’s Green Mountain Boys, and over in New York City’s East Village, an urban oasis awaits in the lobby of The Bowery Hotel. And for a change of pace, soak up some southwestern warmth in front of an ornate adobe-beehive fireplace at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz., or next to the buffalo-adorned one at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas. Here, a menagerie of glowing hearths that would make Pa Bailey blush, from modern architectural marvels to bastions of old-world glamour.

The Bowery Hotel, New York City

Travelers looking to escape the city’s chaos can seek shelter in this hotel’s lobby, which is soothingly lit by a vaulted Gothic fireplace. A mural depicting 19th-century New York wraps around the room, surrounding oversized chairs, sofas and antique wooden newspaper racks alongside the cozy wood-burning fireplace. The atmosphere is casual and unhurried, perfect for lingering guests. Rooms, from $425; 212-505-9100; theboweryhotel.com.

Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Visitors to the West’s most Western town can kick off their boots and unwind by the fire at this homey oasis in the Sonora Desert. The original adobe-beehive fireplace (installed in 1936, the same year the resort was built) is flanked by vibrant Navajo rugs and plush leather couches — perfect for travel-weary cowboys to sink into at the end of a long day. Rooms, from $160; 480-948-1700; camelbackinn.com.

The Equinox, Manchester Village, Vt.

This legendary meeting place for the fathers of the American Revolution has been serving up comfort by the fireplace’s warm glow since 1769. The original stone hearth from the tavern where Ethan Allen and the militia group Green Mountain Boys once regularly gathered now sits amid the browns, burgundies and old hardwood floors of the resort’s upscale restaurant. Oversized tables and cream leather banquettes make it the ideal spot for guests to connect over a leisurely meal. Rooms, from $200; 800-362-4747; equinoxresort.com.

Hotel Burnham, Chicago

The landmark building, designed by legendary Chicago architects Daniel Burnham, John Root and Charles Atwood, offers an intimate, one-of-a-kind architectural setting. The living-room-style lobby, washed in burgundy and gold, has modern, cozy touches that make snuggling up to the marble-framed hearth an easy segue to happy hour. Rooms, from $160; 312-782-1111; burnhamhotel.com.

The Little Nell, Aspen, Colo.

After a day on the slopes, guests — and their dogs — can enjoy a cocktail around the lobby’s double-sided-wood-burning hearth, crafted using local buff sandstone. Guests seeking a little more privacy are in luck: Each of the 92 Holly Hunt–designed guest rooms at The Little Nell — the only ski-in and -out hotel in the city — have an electric stone fireplace. Rooms, from $265; 888-843-6355; thelittlenell.com.

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Fitness centers will be prominent at InterContinental Hotels Group's new EVEN hotels, designed to help travelers maintain their health and wellness routines when they're away from home.

If you’ve ever struggled with maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling, help may be at hand. On Tuesday, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the launch of EVEN, a new hotel brand designed to help people maintain their health and wellness routines when they’re away from home.

“We did a lot of research and 80 percent of the people we talked to said they find it hard to maintain their routines and discipline when they travel,” said Kirk Kinsell, president of IHG Americas. “They tend to fall off the wagon.”

To counter that, the new brand is designed to provide support in four main areas: exercise, food, work and rest. Among the amenities:

• Exercise: Fitness centers will be front and center; a “Wellness Wall” will provide advice and  complimentary fitness gear, and workout-friendly rooms will be equipped with multi-functional amenities, such as coat-rack/pull-up bars.
• Food: Restaurant meals will highlight fresh, natural foods; free coffee and mini-smoothies will be offered in the morning, and free, flavored and filtered water in refillable glass bottles will be available throughout the day.
• Work: Rooms and lobby areas will feature natural light, free Wi-Fi and easy access to outlets and USB ports.
• Rest: Rooms will be outfitted with hypoallergenic sheets, antibacterial wipes and other wellness-oriented features.

Courtesy IHG

Rooms at EVEN hotels will be outfitted with hypoallergenic sheets, antibacterial wipes and other wellness-oriented features.

Nevertheless, and despite the holistic focus, Kinsell maintains that guests don’t have to be hardcore fitness buffs to stay at the hotel.

“It’s not a boot camp; it’s not a place where you have to get up and do the 10-mile run,” he told msnbc.com. “It’s a place where people who want to be healthier or need to be healthier will have that choice.”

EVEN, of course, is not the first hotel brand to highlight health and well-being. At Westin, guests can  reserve special rooms with a treadmill, exercise bike or dumbbells while Hilton Garden Inn offers complimentary Stay Fit Kits, including Pilates bands, yoga mats and hand weights.

“It all goes back to basics,” said Robert Mandelbaum, director of research information services at PKF Hospitality Research. “A hotel’s mission is to make people feel at home and what do people do at home? They work out.”

At the same time, say observers, the time is ripe for new brands, which was clearly not the case in the years before the recession when dozens of new hotel brands hit the market.

“It’s different this time because the industry is on a recovery path and so few new hotels are being built,” said consultant Scott Brush of Brush & Co. Not surprisingly, perhaps, IHG, which operates Holiday Inn and several other brands, is focusing on converting existing properties rather than trying to finance expensive projects from scratch.

For now, IHG is keeping mum on EVEN’s inaugural property, saying only that it’ll announce the first location in the second quarter of this year and that the company expects to open its first property in “the first part” of 2013.

“We’re reloading for the future,” said Kinsell. “It takes time for these things to get going and we’re not going to have one in every community for a while.”

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Want to bask in Oscar buzz? Consider a stay at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, site of the first Academy Awards and just steps from Kodak Theatre.

On a weekend when Hollywood comes together to celebrate the 84th Academy Awards, some fans go on location to celebrate the festivities.

Call it Oscar tourism.

Guests book rooms at posh Hollywood hotels with the hopes of rubbing shoulders with the stars in hotel elevators, halls or lobbies. Most probably won’t get past security at the private after-Oscar parties, but who knows?

Sometimes it's enough just to be in a star's orbit, something many fans from around the world enjoy.

“As soon as the dates for the Academy Awards are announced, we start getting calls from long-time guests who love nothing more than to be here on Oscar night,” says Bob Gregson, sales and marketing director for the Hollywood Roosevelt. 

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the hotel’s Blossom Ballroom on May 16, 1929. 

“There were 200 people there and the whole ceremony was over in 15 minutes,” Gregson says. “I don’t think anyone then ever imagined how big it was destined to become.”

In 1942, growing attendance prompted a move to Grauman’s Chinese Theater, directly across Hollywood Boulevard from the 300-room, 84-year-old landmark hotel. Since 2001, the Academy Awards ceremony has been held at the Hollywood & Highland Center's Kodak Theatre, just steps from the Hollywood Roosevelt.

Those same ballrooms used on the first Oscar night this year will serve purposes more utilitarian than celebratory: The Roosevelt is headquarters for E! Entertainment Television, and the network uses the ballroom to stage its coverage.

Slideshow: City of Angels

David Livingston / Getty Images

Visitors to La-La Land will find beaches, culture, history and much more.

Launch slideshow

Guests over the years — during Oscar week and year-round — have included Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Alec Baldwin and Marilyn Monroe.

When Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed at the penthouse suite, it cost $5 a night. Today, it’s $5,000. Basic rooms there this weekend start at $366.

A newer cluster of stars are shining in the two-year-old Redbury Hotel at the iconic address of Hollywood and Vine. Recent guests at chef Daniel Elmaleh’s Cleo restaurant include Jeremy Piven, Elizabeth Banks and Joe Jonas.

“Any night of the week at the Redbury, you’re likely to see the stars,” says hotel general manager David Lang. “But on Oscar night, you might find yourself walking down the hall where A-list stars are hosting their private Oscar parties.

“We’re getting guests from around the world who are eager to immerse themselves in the buzz that comes from staying at a luxury hotel right in the center of all Hollywood has to offer. They’re booking rooms as much as a year in advance.”

Those rooms this weekend start at $339 a night.

Other Hollywood hotspots:

• The W Hollywood boasts that it allows guests to "watch the stars under the stars." Another Hollywood and Vine address, this one includes a massive outdoor movie screen. Rooms this weekend start at $459, with a minimum 2-night stay.

• Looking to make a splash during your Oscar week stay? Check out the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. Its proximity to Kodak Theatre make it the headquarters for the world media due to descend on Hollywood for the Oscars. Renaissance rooms start at $419.

“The logistics of the Oscars tend to surprise guests as much as the glamor,” said Gregson. “There’s security, staff and media, and they’re all crowded around this one little neighborhood.”

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CuisinArt Resort & Spa sits by the crystal blue of Anguilla's Rendezvous Bay.

Beachgoing travelers know the truth: not all Caribbean hotels are created equal. And during a long winter, when all you crave is warm sun and soft, colorless sand, you want to know that you’ve picked the right spot.

Slideshow: See the finest lodgings in the Caribbean

To help you make the best choice, Travel + Leisure asks readers each year to score their favorite hotels on rooms, location, service, restaurants and value. The top-ranked hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas run the gamut from affordable boutique hotels to clubby all-inclusives. But what they share is excellence — and a stamp of approval from thousands of travelers.

Four of the top 20 Caribbean hotels are in St. Lucia, but you won’t have to worry about fighting the crowds: it’s easy to find a quiet paradise on the shoreline of this volcanic atoll. Ladera Resort, in Soufrière, had the highest score here — its secluded, open-air cottages have sweeping views that stretch from the towering Pitons to the turquoise sea. And the view gets even better at night, when you can stargaze from a private plunge pool.

Jamaican hotels won big this year as well, with four top spots. Couples Tower Isle, the highest-rated winner in Jamaica and No. 2 in the Caribbean, has been a romantic getaway since the 1950s, when Eva Gabor and Noël Coward cocooned at the resort. Fresh from a recent $30 million renovation, the all-inclusive property offers twilight catamaran tours and unlimited time on the golf course — all, of course, without having to pay extra. A lesser-known Jamaican gem is the Rockhouse Hotel, set on a craggy cove and known for its affordable rates — often less than $125 a night.

Homing in on excellent accommodations is important to the 10.8 million American travelers who headed to the Caribbean last year, according to Sylma Brown Bramble, director of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. According to Bramble, “The Caribbean has hotels that suit any type of traveler, from families to single travelers — and many have an affordable price point.” In fact, according to Smith Travel Research, the average price of a Caribbean stay is less than $200 a night.

So which Caribbean hotel nabbed the No. 1 spot? Head to eco-friendly Nevis, where Nisbet Plantation Beach Club comprises 36 breezy cottages on a stretch of beachfront sand so white it could be mistaken for snow.

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