The 14 Best Hotels and Resorts in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean: The Gold List 2026

Property	Location	Best For...	Starting Rate
Sheldon Chalet	Alaska, USA	Extreme Adventure & Privacy	$32,000
Hermitage Bay	Antigua	Romantic Honeymoons	$1,938
Amangiri	Utah, USA	Minimalist Design & Wellness	$4,500
The Lowell	New York City, USA	Discreet Urban Elegance	$1,300
Wickaninnish Inn	British Columbia, Canada	Nature & Storm Watching	$540
Mayfair House	Miami, USA	Chic Urban Boutique Vibes	$299

Introduction: The New Standard of North American Luxury

What defines the "best" hotel in 2026? As the travel landscape shifts toward deeper emotional connections and architectural storytelling, the Condé Nast Gold List 2026 winners represent the pinnacle of this evolution. This year’s selection isn't just a list of expensive rooms; it is a curated collection of experiences that range from the minimalist sandstone sanctuaries of Amangiri in Utah to the lush, private infinity pools of Hermitage Bay in Antigua. Whether you are seeking the spiritual restoration of Kona Village in Hawaii or the historic "Old-Florida" charm of The Gasparilla Inn, these properties have been chosen for their ability to make a traveler feel like the main character in a grand narrative.

A striking 70% of the featured North American properties on the 2026 Gold List are "old friends"—hotels that have maintained their prestige through multiple accolades and Readers' Choice Awards over the past decade. This consistency signals a shift in luxury: it is no longer just about the newest opening, but about the enduring quality of service and the soul of the property. From urban boutiques starting at a reachable $299 to the world’s most exclusive glacial retreats reaching $32,000 a night, the 2026 Gold List proves that true luxury is found in the specific, the sensory, and the sincere.

Part 1: The United States — From Desert Stone to Gilded Age Glamour

1. Amangiri, Utah

If luxury existed on the moon, it would look much like Amangiri. Tucked into a protected valley in Canyon Point, the resort is a minimalist masterpiece that appears to grow directly out of 165-million-year-old Entrada sandstone. Here, the architecture doesn't compete with the landscape; it frames it. You’ll spend your days traversing the starkly beautiful ochre canyons and your nights staring at a sky so clear the Milky Way feels close enough to touch.

Key Highlights:

• Architectural Integration: 34 suites featuring raw concrete walls, white desert sand tones, and private terraces with outdoor fireplaces.
• The Aman Spa: A 25,000-square-foot sanctuary offering Navajo-inspired "Hozho" healing traditions.
• Adventure: Exclusive access to the Via Ferrata—a series of cables and ladder rungs that allow guests to scale the surrounding peaks.

2. Sheldon Chalet, Alaska

For those asking which hotel is the most expensive on the 2026 Gold List, the answer lies ten miles from the summit of Denali. Sheldon Chalet is less of a hotel and more of a feat of engineering and human will. Perched on a nunatak (a glacial rock outcropping) in the middle of the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, this hexagonal sanctuary is accessible only by helicopter. It offers a level of glacial silence that is impossible to find anywhere else on Earth.

Key Highlights:

• Exclusive Access: With only five guest rooms, the chalet is often booked by a single party for the ultimate private retreat.
• The Aurora Deck: Purpose-built for viewing the Northern Lights without the interference of light pollution.
• Gourmet Wilderness: Private chefs prepare "glacier-to-table" meals using locally sourced Alaskan seafood and game.

3. The Beverly Hills Hotel, California

Known affectionately as the "Pink Palace," The Beverly Hills Hotel remains the undisputed monarch of Sunset Boulevard. It is a place where nostalgia isn't just a theme; it’s the atmosphere. From the iconic banana-leaf wallpaper to the red carpet entrance, you are walking through a living history of Hollywood power. Even in 2026, the Polo Lounge remains the best place in the world for a "power lunch" where deals are still struck over McCarthy Salads.

Key Highlights:

• Hollywood Heritage: Stay in Bungalow 5, which was famously renovated to the tastes of Elizabeth Taylor.
• The Pool Scene: Private cabanas and the signature poolside service that has remained unchanged for decades.
• Lush Gardens: 12 acres of tropical gardens that provide a secluded oasis in the heart of Los Angeles.

4. The Gasparilla Inn & Club, Florida

Stepping into The Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande is like stepping back into a 1913 dream of Florida. It rejects the glass-and-steel modernism of Miami in favor of "coastal maximalism"—think pastel hues, wicker furniture, and a strict dress code for dinner. It is a bastion of Old-Florida grace where the most stressful part of your day is deciding which golf course to play.

Key Highlights:

• Historic Landmark: A member of Historic Hotels of America, maintaining its original Gilded Age charm.
• Social Hub: The Beach Club and the private golf island provide a country-club atmosphere that encourages multi-generational family stays.
• Accommodations: A mix of 63 elegant rooms in the main inn and charming yellow clapboard cottages.

5. The Lowell, New York City

While most New York luxury hotels strive for "bigger and bolder," The Lowell opts for "quiet and residential." Located on a tree-lined block of the Upper East Side, it feels more like a private townhouse than a commercial hotel. With real room keys and analog light switches, it caters to a traveler who values the tactile and the timeless over the digital and the flashy.

Key Highlights:

• Design Pedigree: Interiors designed by Michael S. Smith, the man responsible for the Obama-era White House makeover.
• Wood-Burning Fireplaces: One of the very few hotels in Manhattan where you can enjoy a real fire in your suite.
• The Club Room: A guest-only lounge that serves as a sophisticated retreat for afternoon tea or late-night cocktails.

6. The Point, New York

Hidden in the Adirondack Mountains, The Point was originally built by William Avery Rockefeller II as a "Great Camp." Today, it maintains the Gilded Age rustic gentility that defined that era. It is intentionally "unplugged"—there is no Wi-Fi in the guest rooms, and the cell service is spotty at best. The experience is centered around communal dining (often black-tie) and the simple joy of the Great Outdoors.

Key Highlights:

• Adults-Only: A sophisticated, quiet environment limited to just 11 guest rooms.
• All-Inclusive Luxury: The rate includes everything from top-shelf spirits to use of the resort’s fleet of classic wooden boats.
• Seasonal Magic: Whether it's ice skating on Upper Saranac Lake in winter or hiking through vibrant fall foliage, the property celebrates the cycles of the mountains.

7. The Lodge at Primland, Virginia

Spanning 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Lodge at Primland is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. While it offers world-class golf and hunting, it has gained international fame for its Observatory, where guests can peer through a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 telescope to see the rings of Saturn. It is luxury at a massive scale, yet it feels intimately connected to the Appalachian landscape.

Key Highlights:

• Unique Stays: In addition to the main lodge, guests can stay in ultra-private treehouses perched on the edge of the mountains.
• Stargazing: A dedicated resident astronomer hosts nightly tours of the cosmos.
• Farm-to-Table: The dining program highlights local Virginia ingredients, including trout from nearby streams and mountain-grown produce.

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Part 2: Canada — Storm Watching and Old-World Terroir

8. Wickaninnish Inn, British Columbia

On the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, the Wickaninnish Inn has mastered the art of the "cozy adventure." Known as the pioneer of the storm-watching season, the hotel encourages you to visit during the winter months when ferocious Pacific storms lash the coastline. From the safety of your room—which features floor-to-ceiling hurricane-proof windows—the sight of thirty-foot waves crashing against the rocks is nothing short of hypnotic.

Key Highlights:

• Direct Beach Access: Located right on Chesterman Beach, perfect for misty morning walks or surfing.
• Artistic Soul: The property features wood carvings from local Tofino artists, many of whom worked on-site during the hotel's construction.
• Ancient Surroundings: The inn is flanked by old-growth rainforests that have stood for centuries.

9. The Royal, Ontario

Located in the heart of Prince Edward County (PEC), The Royal has breathed new life into a historic 19th-century building in Picton. This is the "new" Canada—sophisticated, farm-focused, and deeply connected to the local terroir. The hotel serves as a community hub, where guests rub shoulders with local winemakers and farmers in the beautiful dining room.

Key Highlights:

• Cool-Climate Wines: The PEC region is famous for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all of which are featured prominently on the wine list.
• Restoration Excellence: The project saved a crumbling landmark, restoring its brick facade while adding modern, Nordic-inspired interiors.
• Farm Connection: Much of the produce served in the restaurant comes directly from the owners’ nearby Edwin County Farms.

Part 3: The Caribbean & Hawaii — Tropical Reinvention

10. Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Consistently cited as the top-rated Caribbean resort for 2026, Hermitage Bay is the gold standard for romantic seclusion. Comprising 30 individual villa suites, the property is tucked into a lush hillside that tumbles down to a turquoise bay. It is an all-inclusive experience, but not in the way you might expect—there are no buffets or wristbands here, only five-star service and Nobu-trained chefs.

Key Highlights:

• Hillside Pool Suites: Each villa features a private infinity pool that feels like it’s floating between the jungle and the sea.
• Holistic Wellness: Daily yoga, meditation, and organic spa treatments are integrated into the stay.
• Culinary Excellence: The daily "sunset and sushi" cocktail hour is a guest favorite, featuring the freshest catch from the Caribbean Sea.

11. Coral Sands Inn, Bahamas

The Bahamas has many resorts, but few possess the iconic soul of Coral Sands. Located on Harbour Island, famous for its pink sand beaches, the hotel underwent a significant seaside-aesthetic redesign in late 2024. The result is a vibrant, chic, and breezy atmosphere that captures the "barefoot luxury" of the Caribbean.

Key Highlights:

• Pink Sand Beach: The sand is legitimately pink, creating a surreal and beautiful backdrop for your stay.
• The Pink Mermaid: The hotel’s signature beach bar serves what many consider the best cocktails on the island.
• Boutique Feel: Despite its fame, the hotel remains small and intimate, ensuring personalized service.

12. Hotel Le Toiny, St. Barts

St. Barts is the Caribbean’s most glamorous playground, and Hotel Le Toiny is its most private corner. Situated on the rugged "Toiny Coast," the hotel feels worlds away from the busy harbor of Gustavia. The architecture draws from 18th-century English colonial styles, but the 2024 suite redesign has added a crisp, modern edge that appeals to a new generation of luxury travelers.

Key Highlights:

• The Beach Club: Accessible by a private shuttle, the beach club is situated on a wild, untouched stretch of coastline.
• Privacy First: Every one of the 22 villas features its own private pool and large terrace.
• Gastronomy: The restaurant, Jarad, is a destination in itself, offering a modern take on French-Caribbean fusion.

13. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, Hawaii

The return of Kona Village is perhaps the most significant opening in Hawaii this decade. Originally a beloved 1960s hideaway that was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011, Rosewood has painstakingly restored it with a focus on spiritual heritage and environmental sustainability. It is a "deconstructed" hotel, where guests stay in individual hale (bungalows) spread across 81 acres of lava-rich landscape.

Key Highlights:

• Shipwreck Bar: The original bar, built from the remains of a sunken boat, has been restored to its former glory.
• Asaya Spa: Built into the black lava rock, the spa offers treatments that utilize indigenous Hawaiian botanicals.
• Cultural Immersion: The resort features a dedicated cultural center that teaches guests about the history of the land and the local community.

14. Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, Miami

For those who want the luxury of the Gold List without the four-digit price tag, Mayfair House is the answer. Located in Coconut Grove—Miami’s original bohemian neighborhood—the hotel is a masterpiece of eclectic 1980s architecture. Following a major revitalization, it now features lush interior gardens that make you feel like you've entered a tropical greenhouse.

Key Highlights:

• Affordable Luxury: With rates starting at $299, it is the most accessible entry on the 2026 Gold List.
• Rooftop Pool: The Sipsip Calypso Rum Bar and pool offer stunning views of Biscayne Bay.
• Eclectic Design: No two rooms are exactly alike, featuring custom furniture and art that reflect Miami’s diverse culture.

Trends: What’s Defining Luxury Travel in 2026?

The 2026 Gold List reveals three major shifts in the desires of the modern traveler. First is the rise of the "Unplugged Escape." Properties like Sheldon Chalet and The Point are proving that in an age of constant connectivity, the ultimate luxury is silence and the absence of a Wi-Fi signal.

Second is the "Heritage Revival." Whether it's the 18th-century influence at Hotel Le Toiny or the 1960s restoration of Kona Village, travelers are gravitating toward places with a sense of history. This "America250" and "Route 66 Centennial" era has sparked a deep interest in landmarks that have stood the test of time.

Finally, "Environmental Storytelling" has replaced standard sustainability. It is no longer enough to just "save the towels"; resorts like Amangiri and Kona Village are expected to tell the story of the land they occupy, respecting the geological and indigenous history of the region.

FAQ

What is the best time of year to visit the 2026 Gold List winners? It depends on the experience you seek. For "storm watching" at the Wickaninnish Inn, winter is peak season. For the Caribbean resorts like Hermitage Bay, the "dry season" from December to April offers the best weather.

Are these hotels suitable for families? While many are family-friendly (like The Gasparilla Inn and Kona Village), others are strictly adults-only or have age restrictions. For example, Hermitage Bay generally welcomes guests aged 14 and over, and The Point is an adults-only property.

How do I secure the best rates for these luxury properties? Booking 6-9 months in advance is recommended, especially for smaller properties like Sheldon Chalet or The Point, which have very limited inventory. Mid-week stays often offer more competitive pricing than weekends.

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