My Top Five 2024 Favourite Hotels

🔝5️⃣. I stayed in 39 hotels last year, over a hundred nights not in my own bed, and there were plenty of AirBnB stays too, but I can’t get excited about them.

I do like a hotel, especially fancy ones, although sadly they weren’t always fancy. Anyway, I have selected a handful and these are my 2024 Top Five Favourite Hotels 🏨

1️⃣ Pan Pacific, London 🏙️

Right smack bang in the middle of the City. Upon entry to it, the light and plant filled lobby sets a scene of serenity. The room (quietly) screamed restful, had loads of nice touches plus the shower alone was larger than a lot of hotel rooms I have stayed in. The common areas of the hotel were chic with a nod to its Asian origins. There’s also a very well regarded restaurant and Ping the barman served plenty of good martini’s.

2️⃣ St Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya ⛱️

40 minutes south of Cancun, this futuristic resort is suspended over 400-year old mangroves with an ocean view from every angle. Typical St. Regis hospitality included tequila and chocolate tastings as well as an enlightening stargazing experience given by a local astronomer. The unique Bloody Mary was as good as always.

3️⃣ The Edition, Tampa 🌃

I have stayed here at this Channel District hangout a few times. The rooms are great, the bed comfy, but you ain’t here to sleep. There are five bars and restaurants plus a spa on the property, so many that you could conceivably visit for a weekend and never leave the hotel, but the hotel sits in the middle of a host of other entertainment offers.

4️⃣ The Riding Academy Hotel, Ocala, Florida 🐎

In Ocala we’ve stayed in AirBnB’s and a range of different suite-apartment type hotels, but once we found this place we’ve never stayed anywhere else. The cheaper sibling to the stylish Equestrian Hotel, the Riding Academy is a modern, spacious hotel with all mod-cons and they love dogs.

5️⃣ Hilton Canopy, London 🌉

This hotel had me at ‘we have your room ready’ when I showed up at 7am after an early flight arrival. Good location, over-sized bedrooms with an excellent breakfast included, this impeccably designed hotel is my new go-to City hotel. The influence of Whitechapel’s contemporary art scene is also all around.