Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, IndiaTaj HotelsTripadvisor has revealed the winners of its annual Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards, highlighting hotels that received top reviews from travelers on the site.In 2026, the awards reintroduce the One-of-a-Kind category, which features hotels that offer much more than a typical luxury experience. Faralda Crane Hotel in Amsterdam claimed the top spot, followed by unique places like cliffside pods, treehouses in the Amazon, cave rooms, floating villas, and a well-known underwater suite in the Maldives.While the rankings are subjective, and based on traveler opinions, Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best winners are in the top one percent out of over 8 million hotels listed on the site. The winners are selected by looking at the quality and number of traveler reviews and ratings posted between January 1 and December 31, 2025.Faralda Crane Hotel in AmsterdamFaralda Crane Hotel1. Faralda Crane Hotel — Amsterdam, NetherlandsFaralda Crane Hotel transforms one of Amsterdam’s old harbor cranes into a three-suite hotel high above the city. Each suite has its own style, from Free Spirit to Secret Suite and Mystique, with bold interiors set inside the crane’s mast overlooking the water. The highlight is at the very top: a private rooftop with a Jacuzzi and sweeping views across Amsterdam.According to Tripadvisor, “This spot takes ‘industrial chic’ to the next level, with three maximalist suites built in the mast of an actual crane. Oh, and did we mention there’s a sky-high hot tub with panoramic views?”Valley Views Glamping in New ZealandValley Views Glamping2. Valley Views Glamping — Kurow, New ZealandValley Views Glamping sits on 100 acres in New Zealand’s Waitaki Valley, close to Kurow. The off-grid retreat overlooks the Waitaki and Hakataramea valleys, with a seven-hectare forest and the foothills of Mount Domett in the background.There are six geodesic domes for guests, including a larger deluxe dome that fits up to four people. Inside, you’ll find a simple but comfortable setup with super-king beds, down duvets, candles, fairy lights, seating, and a big bay window looking out over the valley. Outside, each dome has a private deck and outdoor tub, so you can enjoy the scenery as part of your stay.According to Tripadvisor, “There's no denying New Zealand's landscape is breathtaking. The best ways to take it all in? An off-grid, geodesic dome with uninterrupted views from your bed. Or, say, an outdoor heated bathtub in the forest.”Cabin Parus at Eagle Brae in ScotlandEagle Brae3. Eagle Brae — Beauly, United KingdomEagle Brae sits between Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar and offers a luxury self-catering village for travelers who want to enjoy the Highlands in comfort. The grass-roofed cabins are built from handcrafted cedar logs and use renewable energy, giving the resort a rugged, handmade feel instead of the usual polished hotel vibe.Tripadvisor says, “Looking for some Hobbit-level cottagecore? Head to Eagle Brae, located an hour from Inverness, Scotland for 10 grass-roofed cedar cabins. Bonus: you can bring your pup along, too.”Taj Lake PalaceTaj Hotels4. Taj Lake Palace — Udaipur, IndiaTaj Lake Palace is one of India’s most iconic hotels. This white marble former royal residence seems to float on Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Originally built as Jag Niwas between 1743 and 1746 for Maharana Jagat Singh II, it became a hotel in 1963 under Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar. Now, the palace offers 65 rooms and 18 suites, featuring restored interiors, Mughal-inspired touches, and views of the lake, hills, and City Palace from almost every direction.Tripadvisor says, “This former royal residence, which Bond fans may recognize from Octopussy, sits in the middle of a lake and is only reachable by boat. It's all opulence from there, from the luxe pool to the art-filled rooms.”Shinta Mani Wild in CambodiaShinta Mani Wild5. Shinta Mani Wild — Ou Bak Roteh, CambodiaShinta Mani Wild is located in a protected river valley surrounded by three of Cambodia’s national parks. Conservation is central to the camp’s purpose. Designer and owner Bill Bensley started the project to protect the area from poaching, mining, and logging, while also providing jobs for local communities.The camp stretches for about 1.5 kilometers along the river and has 15 safari-style tents spaced out for privacy. The atmosphere is both glamorous and wild, with indoor-outdoor living areas, river views, the Landing Zone Bar, Waterfall Restaurant, and Boulders Spa, which offers treatments inspired by Khmer traditions. Guests can even arrive by zipline for a dramatic entrance.According to Tripadvisor, “It starts with check-in, when you'll take a treetop zipline to the lobby. From there, its all-out luxury, with tented suites, riverside sundowners, and spa treatments.”Treehouse Lodge in the Amazon in PeruTreehouse Lodge6. Treehouse Lodge — Payorote, PeruTreehouse Lodge brings a new kind of luxury to the Amazon. This all-inclusive eco-lodge near Iquitos, Peru, lets guests stay in open-air treehouses high above the forest floor, all linked by rope bridges. Each morning, you’ll wake up to the sounds of birds, monkeys, and the river below. Your stay covers meals, a private guide, and trips into the rainforest.Tripadvisor says, “There are treehouse hotels—and then there’s this all-inclusive version on the Amazon. Rope bridges connect the lodge's open-air rooms, and daily river cruises will take you deep into the rainforest.”La Tour d'Eole in MoroccoLa Tour d'Eole7. La Tour d'Eole— Dakhla, MoroccoLa Tour d’Eole is set between the Atlantic and the Sahara, with views over Dakhla Bay, one of Morocco’s most beautiful coastal spots. The resort welcomes travelers who love wind, water, and open space. Its bungalows, villas, restaurants, bars, and Ocean Academy are all designed to showcase the lagoon’s cliffs, dunes, and turquoise water. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are the main attractions, but watching the sunset from a terrace is just as unforgettable.Tripadvisor says, “Getting to this stunning desert resort on the North African coast is half the adventure. The other half? The Ocean Academy, which will turn you into a kitesurfing or windsurfing pro by checkout.”Nayara Bocas Del Toro in PanamaNayara Bocas Del Toro8. Nayara Bocas Del Toro — Bocas del Toro, PanamaNayara Bocas del Toro is an adults-only, all-inclusive eco-resort on Isla Frangipani, accessible only by boat from Panama’s Caribbean coast. The resort feels wonderfully secluded, offering overwater villas, jungle trails, treetop hideaways, and easy access to clear water.Tripadvisor says, “Overwater bungalows may be par for the course in the Maldives, but they're a rare treat in South America. Here, you're never far from a swim, and the spa delivers full-body relaxation.”Fingal Hotel in EdinburghFingal Hotel9. Fingal Hotel — Edinburgh, United KingdomFingal adds a touch of old-world glamour to the Leith waterfront in Edinburgh. Once a Northern Lighthouse Board ship, it is now a floating hotel with 23 cabins, a restaurant, event spaces, and interiors inspired by its maritime history without feeling overdone. It looks as polished as a yacht, has the character of a working ship, and is conveniently close to the city center.Tripadvisor says, “This ship may be permanently docked in Edinburgh's buzzy Leith neighborhood, but the elegant rooms here feel like a getaway all their own. Even if you're not a guest, the afternoon tea is a can't-miss.”Skylodge Adventure Suites in PeruSkylodge Adventure Suites10. Skylodge Adventure Suites — Urubamba, PeruSkylodge Adventure Suites isn’t the place for anyone who’s scared of heights. Its clear sleeping capsules are attached to a cliff in Peru’s Sacred Valley, about 1,000 feet above the ground, offering mountain views during the day and starry skies at night.Getting to Skylodge is an adventure in itself. Guests either climb a via ferrata or hike a trail with ziplines before arriving at one of the three capsule suites. Made from aerospace aluminum and tough polycarbonate, each pod has beds, a dining area, and a private bathroom. The 300-degree views make you feel like you’re floating in the open air.“Spend the night in a clear pod that hangs 1,000 feet above ground. The panoramic views of Peru's Sacred Valley are unparalleled, and the zip-line ride down is once-in-a-lifetime,” says Tripadvisor.Sextantio Le Grotte della CivitaSextantio11. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita — Matera, ItalySextantio Le Grotte della Civita sits within the Sassi di Matera, an ancient cave district in Basilicata that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel offers a unique kind of luxury, transforming old stone homes into 18 candlelit rooms with simple decor and a strong sense of history.Tripadvisor says, “Nourish your inner romantic in this hotel's candlelit cave bedrooms, which are carved right into the hillside. The views of the Italian countryside at breakfast are unforgettable, too.”Ashford Castle in IrelandAshford Castle12. Ashford Castle — Cong, IrelandAshford Castle offers the kind of history many guests look for in a castle hotel. Built in the 13th century, this Irish estate in Cong has changed from a medieval fortress into a grand country retreat. Its manicured grounds, elegant interiors, and history of welcoming royals, dignitaries, and famous visitors make it truly special.Tripadvisor says, “When you think ‘castle hotel,’ you're probably picturing Ashford, with its stately canopy beds, manicured grounds, and slew of regal activities (think falconry, archery). Bonus: It's also kid-friendly.”Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel in ArgentinaEntre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel13. Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel — Lujan de Cuyo, ArgentinaEntre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel is surrounded by Malbec vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo, with the Andes mountains in the background. This 24-room boutique hotel blends modern design with the laid-back atmosphere of Mendoza’s wine country. Guests can stay in rooms set in the gardens, enjoy views of the vineyards, dine at a restaurant that highlights local flavors, and relax in an award-winning hammam spa.Tripadvisor notes, “Some hotels offer a glass of wine at check-in. This one has you sleeping over Malbec vines, thanks to suites on stilts. Even better? The tastings (obviously) and the wine-based spa treatments.”Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & ResortAnantara14. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort — Chiang Saen, ThailandAnantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort sits on 160 acres of bamboo forest in northern Thailand, offering views of Myanmar and Laos. Designed by Bill Bensley, this Chiang Rai resort combines jungle luxury with cultural tours, Mekong River trips, spa treatments, and up-close elephant encounters in its caretaker village. One of the highlights is the transparent Jungle Bubble, where guests are surrounded by the forest.Tripadvisor notes, “From your vantage point in the hotel's luxe transparent bubble rooms, there's no forgetting you’re in the middle of a bamboo forest: You're bound to see families of elephants strolling by.”The underwater Muraka suite at Conrad Maldives Rangali IslandConrad Hotels15. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island — MaldivesConrad Maldives Rangali Island has been a standout resort in the Maldives for years, set across two islands in the South Ari Atoll. It is famous for The Muraka, a luxury residence beneath the sea, and Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant. With whale sharks nearby, beautiful lagoons, white sand beaches, a vibrant house reef, and a certified PADI Eco Center, this resort truly offers an experience that is hard to find anywhere else.Tripadvisor puts it this way: “At most hotels, ‘ocean view’ means you can sorta see the water from the balcony. Here, you’re sleeping under it. The underwater Muraka suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows put the reef’s action on full display.”Additional Hotel WinnersBest Luxury HotelKapama Karula — Kapama Private Game Reserve, South AfricaBest World Hotel G.H. Universal Hotel — Bandung, IndonesiaBest All InclusiveEmerald Maldives Resort & Spa — Fasmendhoo, MaldivesBest Family Friendly HotelCasa Cayuco Eco-Adventure Lodge — Isla Bastementos, PanamaBest Small Boutique HotelChandys Drizzle Drops — Munnar, IndiaBest B&B, InnsSapa Centre Hotel — Sapa, VietnamBest Hotels in the World Master List1. G.H. Universal Hotel, Indonesia2. Hotel Colline de France, Brazil3. Hotel Sporting Family Hospitality, Italy4. Royal Lancaster London, United Kingdom5. FivePine Lodge and Spa, United States6. La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, Vietnam7. Abigail's Hotel, Canada8. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba9. Hotel Moments Budapest, Hungary10. La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa, Vietnam11. Hotel Schutterhof, Austria12. Milaidhoo Maldives, Maldives13. Hotel Da Baixa, Portugal14. Nayara Gardens, Costa Rica15. Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Belize16. Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Peru17. Serenity at Coconut Bay, St. Lucia18. The Loutrel, United States19. Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius20. Kapama Private Game Reserve, South Africa21. Emporium Hotel South Bank, Australia22. The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove, Australia23. Hotel Nordik, Italy24. The Bryant Park Hotel, United States25. Sant Jaume Design Hotel, Spain
The 15 Most Unique Hotels In The World, According To Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards
From a glamping dome in New Zealand to a treehouse lodge in the Amazon, Tripadvisor’s 2026 Best of the Best Awards highlight the one-of-a-kind hotels that travelers could not stop raving about.










