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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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I'm TPG's hotels reporter — these are my favorite hotels
Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.
May 31, 2026 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
A travel journalist shares personal favorites among luxury and boutique hotels worldwide, highlighting unique experiences and standout amenities.
Featured properties span iconic cities such as Venice, Sydney, London and Seoul, as well as resort destinations like Cabo San Lucas and Cap Cana.
Hotels are praised for exceptional pools, culinary offerings, spa treatments and immersive local experiences, with several participating in major loyalty programs.
Rates and points redemption options are noted for select properties, illustrating both cash and points-based booking possibilities.
What to consider
Some hotels offer exclusive club access, culinary tours or spa experiences that may require advance booking or incur additional charges.
Points redemption rates and availability can vary by season and demand, so planning ahead is advisable for popular destinations.
Certain properties participate in preferred hotel programs, providing extra perks for eligible guests.
What you'll miss from the article
Personal insights into what makes each hotel memorable, plus tips on maximizing loyalty benefits and unique amenities at each location.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Growing up, I was lucky that my parents' work sent them on road trips all around the country, with me tagging along in the back seat of the pickup. Not to mention, in high school, our family and our Dachshund, Lucky Wayne, ended up living in a Best Western for a few months after my folks sold their house. Then, at 16, there was nothing better than Texas-shaped waffles, an indoor hot tub and a pool to enjoy with my friends.
When I realized writing about hotels could be a job, it was a lot of hard work — and some lucky timing that led me to travel journalism. Eventually, I got my gig as TPG's first dedicated hotels reporter. Now, over a decade into my career, I still can't believe this is my job. Along the way, I have fallen in love with many hotels — but even then, only a few stand out against the rest.
So here I present some of my favorite hotels in the world, from points hotels in iconic cities to boutique properties where you can flex your credit card benefits through programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Edit by Chase Travel.
The Nam Hai, a Four Seasons resort in the culture- and food-driven city of Hoi An, is a favorite among travel journalists. There, I enjoyed lounging by the long, reflective swimming pool; listening to the waves crash by the beach; and getting a spa treatment in my own private villa by a pond. But what really won me over was the food. Standout experiences included a mind-blowing breakfast buffet where I learned that hot noodle soup really is the ultimate way to start the day, as well as a culinary tour on Vespas that had us sampling the best bites of the ancient town. Oh, and did I mention the Cooking Academy, where you can go to the market to shop for groceries and learn to cook on the property?
In Venice, the only way to arrive to a hotel is by boat. At the St. Regis, not only do you arrive by boat to a stunning hotel, but that hotel actually doubles as an art museum with pieces by renowned artists like Ai Weiwei. During a visit, be sure to book a room with Grand Canal views, stop for art-inspired cocktails at Arts Bar and book a luxe treatment at The Valmont Spa. Luxury shopping and Venetian history are also right outside the door at this St. Regis, so you don't always have to depend on boats. But trust me, when it's time to head to the airport, be sure to ask the concierge to organize boat service to take you there — it's one magical experience.
My colleagues at TPG always raved about Park Hyatt Sydney, and when I had the chance to visit in 2025, I finally understood why. Not only is the hotel beautiful and refined, but it also offers some of the best views of the Sydney Opera House you can find in coastal Sydney, including from the breakfast buffet, where you can enjoy the view with an equally beautiful omelet. Located in The Rocks, the hotel is in a lovely area for exploring and not too far from ferries that'll take you to other iconic places like Manly Beach. I loved this hotel so much that I burned all of my World of Hyatt points to book another stay there later this year when I run the Sydney Marathon.
Rates at Park Hyatt Sydney start around $703 per night or 35,000 points
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
I love an all-inclusive resort — seriously. I love the ease of just being able to show up and not worry about what you're going to spend, the fact that there's lots of food and activities to choose from and simply being near the ocean. At the Hyatt Zilara, you can have all of that, plus access to a water park, a cenote-inspired spa and one of my favorite infinity pools in the world. Best of all, the adults-only Hyatt Zilara is attached to the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva resort, so adults can take advantage of both resorts' offerings while kids can only access one. If you haven't given an all-inclusive a try recently, I'd say start here to give it another go.
Rates at Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana start around $684 per night or 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night, based on double occupancy.
I've never felt as cool as I did while staying with my husband at the Rosewood London. From the outside, its a stately manor building full of history — but the inside reveals itself as a chic maze of textured design, whimsical art, and bars and restaurants that bring out the who's who of London's cosmopolitan scene. Scarfe's Bar, and its whimsical portraits of notable Brits, is my favorite bar in the world, only made better that after a candlelit night cap (while pillows with monogrammed initials are waiting for you upstairs).
Every year, my mom and I try to go deep-sea fishing around Cabo San Lucas. And every year, we try to book a room at The Cape, a beautiful resort with one of the most incredible pools I've ever gone swimming in. Seriously, I'd sleep in a tent on the beach for access to the pool alone, but the resort also has great rooms overlooking the sea, restaurants with mouthwatering food and a spa you won't want to miss. (Mom, if you're reading this, let's go halvesies on a Residence there, okay?!)
When Brian Kelly, the literal Points Guy, sent me on a journey to spend 150,000 Chase Rewards points, I was lucky enough to spend some time at The Madrid Edition. A few years earlier, I'd stopped in the cooler-than-cool lobby for a drink, but hadn't had the chance to stay. Now that I have, I can confirm that every inch of this perfectly-located property is visually intoxicating. Whether you're sipping martinis at the bar or playing pool at the blue-topped pool table, this Marriott Bonvoy-participating hotel will make you feel like you're part of the "it" crowd.
Rates at The Madrid Edition start around $391 or 77,500 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
Seoul is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, and the Four Seasons Seoul matches that energy. I'll never forget my stay, specifically because of the absolutely incredible Four Seasons Club Seoul, a multilevel club with Korean-style sauna experiences (various pools, showers, steam rooms), that I hit every morning. And because of its bars and restaurants, including a speakeasy with mindblowing Korean fried chicken, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant and kimchi-infused cocktails at Oul. And while the food and spa were amazing, the hotel's staff are truly some of the best in the business.
In January, I decided to take advantage of all the luxury hotel perks that come with my American Express Platinum Card® after a work trip around Morocco. Using those perks, I was able to save about $500 on what otherwise would've been a pretty expensive stay at La Mamounia in Marrakech. It made it worth it because I wanted to experience the beautiful pool (perfect for planespotters), the gorgeous Moroccan-style spa, and its location within walking distance of Marrakesh's legendary souks.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
