The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are one of my favorite releases of the travel year, and the 2026 results landed today. The Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 are built on close to 800,000 survey responses from readers across the United States, which makes them one of the best snapshots of where well-traveled people actually loved staying. I like to read them in two passes: first for the headlines, then to see how they line up with the hotels I have written about and the places I keep recommending.
Here is what stood out to me and the few places I would add.
What the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 Got Right
A few results caught my eye right away:
- Corinthia London was voted the number one hotel in London, up from number two last year. The hotel has refurbished 26 suites, launched a wellness concept called Biome and opened Georgie’s Bar in September.
- Victoria, British Columbia was named the Best Small City in the World for the fourth year in a row, on a list that also includes Venice, Florence, Amalfi, Lucerne, San Sebastian and Puerto Vallarta.
- New York City came in at number 18 on the Best Cities in the World list, down from 14 last year, and The Carlyle topped the city’s hotel ranking, followed by The Mark and The Lowell.
- Closer to home, The Beatrice in Providence ranked number 19 on the Best Hotels in the Northeast list, the only Providence hotel to make it.
None of this surprises me. Readers reward hotels that feel personal, and the Carlyle and the Corinthia both have that quality of feeling like a residence that happens to have perfect service.
1. London Still Belongs on Every List
London is one of the cities I write about most and the competition at the top is fierce. The Corinthia taking first place makes sense to me, but London’s depth is the real story. The OWO, the historic Old War Office on Whitehall, is still one of the most exciting hotel projects the city has seen in years and you can read my take on Raffles London at The OWO if it is on your list.
My rule for London: pick your neighborhood first, then your hotel. Whitehall puts you on foot to the theaters and the river, while Knightsbridge is better for shopping and Hyde Park mornings.
2. Paris and Monaco Are the Classics for a Reason
Readers’ lists tend to favor the grand palaces in Paris and I understand why. Some hotels simply know how to do it. The Four Seasons George V is my reference point for Paris, from the famous floral displays to the courtyard.
Down the coast, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is the hotel I would point anyone to for a first trip to Monaco. It sits right on Place du Casino and few hotels anywhere carry that much history so lightly.
3. Italy, Where Readers and I Agree
It was nice to see Venice, Florence and Amalfi on the small cities list again. Italy is where I think readers’ taste and mine overlap the most. Milan does not always get the same love as Florence or Rome, but it is a wonderful long weekend and the Four Seasons Milano, set in a former convent in the fashion district, is one of the best addresses in the city.
4. The Riviera Hotels I’d Add
If I could add a few hotels to the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, I would start on the Italian Riviera.
Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino. It sits on the hill above the harbor and my advice is to book the Premium Room. It is the room type I recommend for the view and the space.
Imperiale Palace Hotel, Santa Margherita Ligure. For a stay that puts you a short drive or boat ride from Portofino, this grand hotel on the Santa Margherita waterfront is the one I would book.
Hotel Belles Rives, Cap d’Antibes. Across the border in France, this villa on the water is the Riviera at its most elegant. I wrote an insider’s guide to Hotel Belles Rives with what to know before you go.
5. New England Deserves More Attention
The Northeast list always has a few New England hotels and I would love to see even more. My pick for Connecticut is the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, which readers have recognized as a top Northeast hotel in the past. It is one of the few places in New England that does a destination spa well and I wrote about why the Mayflower Inn is New England’s ultimate summer escape. In the fall it is even better.
I would also add a nod to the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, another Four Seasons I recently checked off my list. It is a reminder that great hotels are not only on the coasts.
How I Use the Readers’ Choice Awards
A ranking is a starting point, not a booking. Here is how I read the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 lists:
- Look at the regional lists, not just the world list. That is where the most useful finds are, especially for a long weekend from Boston.
- Read the year-over-year movement. A hotel climbing, like the Corinthia, often means a renovation or new leadership is paying off.
- Match the hotel to the trip. A palace hotel is perfect for a city break, but for a Riviera week I want a terrace, a pool and a short walk to dinner.
- Book early for fall and holiday dates. Award winners fill up fast once the lists come out.
I will keep sharing the hotels I love here and in Santé Magazine. For me, the best list is always a mix of what readers loved and what still feels a little personal.
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