Choosing the right hotel can often make or break a vacation and to help travelers with that important decision, Travel + Leisure has just revealed its annual list of the 500 best hotels in the world.

On December 16, Travel + Leisure revealed its annual list of the 500 best hotels in the world based on readers’ ratings. Out of the 500, at least 10 properties are new to the list this year and there are an impressive 66 properties that offer rooms for $250 a night or less.

Each year, T +L asks its readers to vote on the places they’ve recently stayed at and even though this year was financially turbulent for many, T + L discovered that hotels that deliver unique experiences with top-notch service still take the cake. Hotels that deliver all of that in addition to a great price were even more popular, not surprisingly. Ratings were based on characteristics such as rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, and value.

The comprehensive list includes the top places to stay in six continents and provides an overall description with contact information and starting room rates. T + L editors also highlight the 500 hotels with notable features such as rooftop scenes, culinary excursions, and wildlife treks.

The number one hotel in California was the new 200–room London West Hollywood located in the Hollywood Hills and known for its vibrant rooftop bar scene. It is also one of the 66 hotels with rooms offered for $250 or less. Another rooftop scene which grabbed raters’ attention (and made it to the list) was the Peninsula New York, ranking in a number three in New York City.

The top hotel in America, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, somewhat of an unexpected choice, is a secluded golf and spa resort in Bluffton, SC.

Over in Thailand, the iconic Mandarin Oriental Bangkok took the first place spot in the Thai capital, up from its 2008 ranking of number 3.

In Europe, it probably comes as no surprise to our haute readers that the intimate, 32-room Domaine des Hauts de Loire, located just two hours from Paris, once again took top honors.

If you want to know more about the 500 hotels that we selected, you can visit the website and browse by region, or check out the top 50.

Via: Travel + Leisure