Disney's Grand Floridian

Headed to Orlando and not sure where to stay?  You might want to start with one of the seven area hotels that received  a “Top 100 Resorts on the U.S. Mainland” designation in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveler’s “Readers’ Choice Awards.”

The best of the best that Orlando has to offer, according to the readers of the luxury travel magazine, included:

#51 Disney’s Grand Floridian – this Disney property specializes in luxury for guests  of Walt Disney World.

#53 Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios - one of three hotels on site at the Universal Studios complex, this one is modeled after the Italian Riviera.  If you can’t follow in your favorite celebrity’s footsteps and jet off to the real thing, the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a lovely substitute for a romantic getaway – even if you have no interest in the nearby roller coasters.

$58 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – no surprise, another Disney property makes the list, with this one catering to fans of the wildlife at the Animal Kingdom park.  Guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge can watch giraffe, gazelle and other African animals frolicon the wildlife preserve that surrounds the hotel.

#71 Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando – I’ve been a longtime fan of the spa here, but the guest rooms aren’t too shabby either.  This luxury resort caters to visitors who come for the golf, the sun, and the relaxation instead of the amusement parks.

#88 Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – and we’re back to the parks.  Looking for family-friendly luxury?  Disney’s Wilderness Lodge fits the bill with campfire songs and marshmallow roasting in the evenings.

#96 Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios – another option for people planning a trip to Universal Studios, this is the slightly less expensive option.  You’ll still find spacious rooms, luxurious decor, sprawling swimming areas, and complimentary motorboat transportation to the heart of the Universal Studios resort.

#98 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress – while it barely squeaks into the top 100, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a worthy contender among Orlando hotels, especially if you’re a golfer; the resort includes 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf.  If you’re coming to Orlando to enjoy the sun, consider this resort for swimming, golfing, tennis, and other Sunshine State-approved activities.

How’d they do?

Have you stayed at one of these resorts?  Do you agree with the rankings, or was your favorite left off the list? (Personally, I’d rank Gaylord Palms above the Royal Pacific Resort.)  Share your input in the comments!

Photo Credit

Condé Nast has published its listings of the 2010 Readers Choice Awards. The list includes the top 100 hotels in the world and in the US, in addition to separate listings of the top hotels in Mexico, Canada and other parts of the world.

The 21C Hotel in Louisville, KY got the award of being the best hotel in the US and the sixth best hotel in the world with an overall score of 97.7.

The 21C Museum Hotel – which combines art with lodging and the trademark red penguins, was the winner in last year’s list too. Before that, the top slot was held by The Peninsula Chicago for several years running, but they ended up getting beat again by 21C this year.

The Peninsula, Chicago scored 96.4 and was followed by the Mandarin Oriental in Boston in third place with 96.1. 

21c Museum Hotel, Louisville, KY

Here’s the list of the top 10 hotels in the United States, according to the Condé Nast 2010 Readers Choice Awards:-

1. 21C, Louisville, KY
2. The Peninsula, Chicago, IL
3. Mandarin Oriental, Boston, MA
4. The Peninsula, Beverly Hills, CA
5. Auberge Du Soliel, Napa Valley, CA
6. Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR
7. Rosewood Crescent, Dallas, TX
8. Hotel Murano, Tacoma, WA
9. Rosewood Mansion on Turtlecreek, Dallas, TX
10. The Setai, Miami Beach, FL

See the full list of the top 100 hotels in the US at Concierge.com.

Photo courtesy 21c Hotel

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21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, winner of Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice award
Check-in and Checkout the Hotel Art

Rancho Bernardo Inn

San Diego, California’s Rancho Bernardo Inn is easily a 5 star spa hotel. Conde Nast named it #1 in the U.S. in 2008. Normally, you’d pay a minimum of $250/night to stay in one of their “regular” rooms, which is of course very large and beautiful. But, like many of us, the economy has taken its toll on the hotel business as well, and Rancho Bernardo Inn is once again unrolling its “Survivor Package” to entice guests to the grounds. The maximum you’ll pay for this package is $219/night, but you can customize it any way you want to save money.

For example: for only $19/night (yep, you heard me right!), you get a room with a tent. No lights, no toilet paper, no bed sheets or towels. Just you and a tent on the floor, camping in a luxury hotel room. The best part? You still get to use all the facilities at the hotel such as the three amazing, relaxing pools, the tennis courts three restaurants and the spa! And, you never have to worry about bears. No campfires, please.

Personally, I have never seen a promotion like this before. It runs from August 16-August 31, and reservations are being taken now. If I were in San Diego, I’d totally do this. When else would I have the opportunity to stay at this classy and very expensive hotel?

Happy camping!

Photo Credit: Rancho Bernardo Inn website