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| What makes a great stay ... |
| by Brian Kelly |
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2025 was a busy year for me — I launched my first book, went on a cross-country book tour and, at the same time, took paternity leave after the birth of my second child.
Throughout my travels this year, I stayed at 37 different accommodations, ranging from a Holiday Inn airport hotel to an expedition cruise in Antarctica and Cheval Blanc in Paris.
I have many different thoughts after these experiences, but here are the highlights.
What I loved
I would wholeheartedly recommend each of these hotels, as they offer incredible service, perks and amenities, and beautifully integrate with their surroundings. After each stay, I left feeling inspired and still smile any time I think about my visit.- Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara in the United Arab Emirates: I spent three days here, and it was pure magic — I can’t recommend it enough. I really felt like I was staying in Aladdin’s palace. A 2 1/2-hour drive south of Abu Dhabi, it is a castlelike resort that rises out of the red desert sand.
- Andara Resort & Villas in Phuket, Thailand: It’s in a great area next to the Hyatt Regency and definitely gives “The White Lotus” vibes, but not at Four Seasons prices. It has a stunning infinity pool, great service and a yacht you can charter to the islands off of Phuket — definitely a highlight for me!
- Raffles Singapore: The grande dame of city hotels — history, elegance … you name it, it’s got it.
- Cheval Blanc, Paris: This was my first time booking a hotel through The Edit by Chase, and it was a great experience. Loved the location, dining and the hotel’s Dior Spa.
- Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier: It’s a new property, but feels historic, elegant and authentic, and it has one of the most spacious suites I’ve ever stayed in.
- Royal Malewane in South Africa: I’ve been on a lot of safaris — this is the one that had incredible design and rooms across its different camps. You can pick and choose different experiences, but at the end of the day, it has great service and incredible game sightings, including lots of rhinos.
- Belmond’s Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu: While not the most physically stunning property, its location wins! It’s simply magical and is the only hotel steps from the entrance of Machu Picchu. The experiences were really special here.
- National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions cruise to Antarctica: This was an epic trip with my whole family. We loved the landscapes, the focus on science and having naturalists on board.
- Ombroneta, a friend’s villa in Tuscany, Italy: We had a group of friends and family staying here. It’s an estate and winery and is available for rentals and weddings.
What makes a great hotel
It starts with a good night’s sleep. Blackout shades and reliable air conditioning that doesn’t shut off overnight are essentials. Beyond that, location, how well the hotel fits into its surroundings, and thoughtful, consistent service are what truly elevate a stay.
What I find most frustrating in hotels
Poor design is still the biggest miss I see. Bathrooms with clear glass, unenclosed showers that flood the floor, and barn doors with big gaps don’t offer the privacy or functionality travelers actually want. And when bathroom light spills into the bedroom at night, it’s disruptive — especially for couples or families. Thoughtful, practical design goes a long way in shaping a great stay.
Some stays that fell short this year
A few properties this year didn’t quite meet expectations. At The St. Regis Houston and Belmond’s Rio Sagrado, the rooms felt noticeably dated for their respective brands. Hotel Remota in Chilean Patagonia featured a see-through bathroom, which wasn’t ideal. And at Le Collectionist Villa Comporta in Portugal, a hornet’s nest near the pool led to a sting; while the issue was downplayed, it understandably affected the overall experience. These aren’t deal-breakers on their own, but they do matter—especially when travelers are booking based on brand promise.
My advice
Do a little homework before you book. Read recent hotel reviews from trusted travel sources and look at traveler photos online — they often give you a clearer picture of what to expect than marketing images alone.
And stay tuned: Next week, we’ll be sharing TPG’s favorite hotel openings of 2025. Early in the new year, we’ll also be rolling out our list of the most anticipated hotel debuts for 2026.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: BRIAN KELLY/THE POINTS GUY. |
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