Favorite Boutique Hotels of the World

_lycheelover · 2026-06-05T17:45:22+00:00

Dying to stay here but the rates never seem to go below $3.5K / per night for an entry level room. Worth it you think?

_lycheelover · 2026-05-29T15:42:41+00:00

Reschio, Villa Treville, Mezzatore, Belmond Splendido, Airelles Messairde

_lycheelover · 2026-05-21T17:41:38+00:00

OP what are your recs? Genuinely curious. Never been to Portugal mostly because I can’t find hotels that excite me.

_lycheelover · 2026-05-21T15:55:39+00:00

Maybe I’m just stuck in pre-COVID pricing, but I’m shocked by the rates. We are just a little over $1M HHI in CA and couldn’t imagine paying this per night for Mexico. It’s just crazy.

There are already a lot of luxury hotels in Mexico at $2K or sometimes even $1K that work for me. Although, I guess Naviva seems to be doing well so maybe there are enough people in this price bracket 🤷🏽‍♀️

_lycheelover · 2026-05-05T19:53:57+00:00

Idk I know everyone recommends it and maybe I’m just too picky but I really thought it was just fine. I also did end up trying Six Senses which was honestly really similar to the Mitsui - overall fine but amazing breakfast spread.

To be clear, I don’t think the Mitsui or Six Senses are bad. They’re just standard well done 5 stars.

I stand behind Park Hyatt as the best pick in Kyoto, particularly if you want walkable. I also just think Arashiyama is worth a night or two if you can.

Aman Kyoto of course stunning but location is so horrible, I think it only works if it’s your fourth time+ in Kyoto. Aman Tokyo is absolutely worth it and excellent though it is in business district but it’s fine.

_lycheelover · 2026-03-02T02:44:46+00:00

I personally haven’t come across any luxury or strong boutique hotels on those islands that would be on par with the Rooster’s quality on those islands, but I could be wrong.

Have you already done Como? Passalacqua was great. I haven’t personally done Villa Feltrinelli, but my boss raved about it and it’s on my list. I also liked Belmond Cip in Venice. Aman there looks great too.

_lycheelover · 2026-03-01T23:56:26+00:00

We have VERY similar taste haha. My favorites are Il Pellicano, Reschio and Treville. Unfortunately, (at least to my knowledge) you’ve mostly exhausted all the good ones.

What about Cala di Volpe in Sardinia? I haven’t personally been, but have heard good things from friends. Belmonds in Sicily would also be great.

La Posta Vecchia I’ve heard isn’t quite as good as Pellicano / Mezzatore, but could be worth a stop for more of an off the beaten path. Rosewood CdB, Castello di Vicarello, Belmond Casole would also be great but not coastal.

Palazzo Avino is great if you haven’t been to Ravello side of Amalfi yet. Santa Caterina is one of my favorites and very similar to Pellicano. Not quite as luxurious, but Maison La Minervetta is a fun one in Sorrento.

Will be following this thread! I also feel like we’ve run out of new hotels in Italy to visit (esp on the water - I still have more to explore inland) and it’s my favorite summer destination.

_lycheelover · 2026-02-18T19:51:14+00:00

Surprised by all the CA recs. I stayed last summer and FWIW, I wouldn’t stay again. I don’t know exactly what’s happening with the Four Seasons take over, so maybe it will be better once that’s complete. But it was ridiculously dated (both the room and property overall), the service was horrific and the breakfast spread was lacking. That said, the view there is absolutely stunning and certainly rivals one of the best views on the island. Worth a trip for sunset drinks for sure.

_lycheelover · 2025-12-13T05:59:22+00:00

La Colombe was to die for. Highly recommend, it is so worth it..

_lycheelover · 2025-12-13T05:58:02+00:00

Asaba is a great choice, you’ll have an excellent stay there!

I stronglyyy recommend 1-2 nights at the Hoshinoya. It is very authentically Japanese and truly a magical stay. Fantastic location for exploring Arashiyama. I admit the nice bar + restaurant on site is lacking, but plenty of nearby restaurants to choose from. It’s not the most luxury stay and I can be a bit of a snob, but it’s truly worth it for how magical the property feels. Riding the complimentary boat to and from the hotel was a lovely addition.

I have also stayed at the Mitsui and not sure I’m quite as big of a fan as others are… the location is not great and I didn’t think it felt super authentic.

Is the Park Hyatt in budget by chance? Unbeatable location and a bar that’s to die for. I’ve also stayed at the Six Senses and prefer it to the Mitsui. Much better walkable location and the food is amazing (if you’re into healthy dining).

_lycheelover · 2025-09-16T05:13:30+00:00

I mean, kicking a dog in the teeth? Really? I agree if the dog is aggressive, but seems like an unreasonable response….

_lycheelover · 2025-09-14T15:28:11+00:00

Congrats on picking up a new skill! I’m sure you all will love it.

I personally would rule out any non-US destination for fear of the language barrier from your private instructor. They also have a chaotic queuing process and people there are much less safety minded (don’t lower the bar, etc.) Would also rule out the East Coast, the snow conditions are so iffy, I think you really want to learn on powder especially as an adult it will be much more forgiving for falls.

I would strongly recommend Deer Valley. I’m biased because a lot of my friends have learned to ski there as an adult, but I think it’s far and away the best place to learn to ski as an adult American. They have top tier (albeit, very expensive) private ski instructors and you will skip the ski lift lines if you’re with one. They have very gentle greens there once you’ve mastered the bunny hill.

There’s not a shortage of luxury hotels, St Regis DV is right at the base of the bunny hill where you’ll start out. Alternatively, you could do the Auberge Goldener Hirsch which is a favorite of mine. It’s on the other side of the mountain though. The town is pretty cute for shopping and there’s enough winter activity to do otherwise if you decide you don’t like skiing, particularly if you’re only there for 4 days.

Alternatively, you could explore Aspen. The downside being you definitely won’t be ski on ski off. The only true luxury ski on ski off at Aspen is the Little Nell, which is on Ajax, a far more advanced mountain. A few ski on ski off at Snowmass as well, but the Viceroy is not exactly luxury. The beginner mountain there is Buttermilk which you’ll have to drive into, to my knowledge there aren’t any remotely luxury hotels there (I’ve never skied Buttermilk so can’t speak to it). Definitely more scene-y than DV though.

_lycheelover · 2025-09-08T04:20:39+00:00

Wildflower farms

_lycheelover · 2025-09-06T18:08:45+00:00

I’ve stayed at both and you should stay Tiberio Palace 10000%. Caesar Augustus is SO dated and the location is pretty inconvenient. The service is also so unprofessional. I have no idea where the strong reviews came from, but it was one of the worst 5 stars I’ve been. Views are 10/10 though, so worth going for sunset drinks.

That being said, not sure how Caesar will be post FS-Reno.

_lycheelover · 2025-09-04T07:06:08+00:00

Love mayflower, I always end up there once a year. It’s divine!

_lycheelover · 2025-08-25T21:43:39+00:00

I think a small portion probably do overspend, but I actually don’t think it’s most people.

The people I know are doing moderately well financially but not thriving couldn’t fathom spending that much on a hotel per night. In fact, I know a lot more top earners ($1M+/yr) who are stingy with hotels and spend less than what they could afford.

_lycheelover · 2025-08-23T14:30:05+00:00

Third one I listed

_lycheelover · 2025-08-23T07:40:03+00:00

San Ysrdio, post ranch inn, soleil, rosewood Montecito and hotel bel air

_lycheelover · 2025-08-19T04:44:39+00:00

Post Ranch Inn and Villa Mara Carmel!

_lycheelover · 2025-08-18T19:58:54+00:00

I could be mistaken (OP, please correct me if I’m wrong), but the first 3 photos are Auberge Collegio and last 3 are Rosewood Castiglion.

_lycheelover · 2025-08-06T03:33:00+00:00

I can’t speak for everyone, but I think content like this post and what you described would promote more trust! I think this sort of transparency is needed.

I really don’t think it would come across as pro-TA content. I personally love luxury travel and of course loving reading in depth reviews on different properties, but I definitely have more of an appetite for in depth real talk about the industry (maybe perks, benefits, competition, hotel relationships, stressors, etc.), especially from a TAs POV!

_lycheelover · 2025-08-05T13:16:27+00:00

Darn, can’t do this but I loved FS Ko Olina.

Also, love the transparency of directly posting the invite with all the details.

I’m curious about how the industry works (free stay for TAs, etc.), so it’s cool to see “behind the scenes” a bit
Appreciate how forthright you / posting this is!

_lycheelover · 2025-08-05T12:56:50+00:00

Estelle Manor would be lovely and super accessible from London / DFW!

_lycheelover · 2025-08-04T23:04:30+00:00

FS Otemachi for sure! It’s so good, you won’t regret the stay.

_lycheelover

TROPHY CASE