BBC Travel
The US that World Cup fans didn't expect to love
From roadside convenience stores to lonely landscapes, travellers are discovering little-known slices of Americana away from the host cities.
Condé Nast TravelerDec 7, 2025
Expect to See These Hotels All Over Your Feed in 2026
From Venice to Kyoto and Costa Rica, it's going to be an unforgettable year for newcomers and familiar faces alike.
21 hotels in this story
- The Knox Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts CollectionHotelAnchors the magnetic Knox Street neighborhood
- Elsewhere
- The CooperHotelCharleston, United StatesWaterfront location overlooking Charleston Harbor
- White ElephantHotelAspen, United StatesThird outpost with 54 rooms and mountain views
- The Selvedge, a SingleThread InnHotelHealdsburg, United StatesRestored 1895 River Belle Inn on Russian River banks
- The Huntington HotelHotelSan Francisco, United StatesGrande dame of Nob Hill, renovated by Ken Fulk
- The Vineta, Oetker HotelsHotelPalm Beach, United StatesHistoric building on Cocoanut Row, recently renovated
- 1 Hotel AustinHotelAustin, United StatesNature-driven approach on banks of Waller Creek
- AmanvariHotelCosta Palmas, MexicoUltra-luxe serenity within Costa Palmas community
- Siari, a Ritz-Carlton ReserveHotelNayarit, MexicoEstate on 920 acres along Mexico's Pacific coast
- JW Marriott Costa ElenaHotelGuanacaste, Costa RicaChic new all-inclusive property with 415 rooms
- Four Seasons Hotel and Residences CartagenaHotelCartagena, ColombiaSpans heritage buildings in vibrant Getsemaní
- Explora El CalafateHotelEl Calafate, ArgentinaLuxury lodge near Lake Argentino with glacier views
- Inkaterra Cabo BlancoHotelPiura, PeruEco-tourism destination on Peru's northern coastline
- Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty ArchHotelLondon, United KingdomOccupies a Grade-I listed monument near Trafalgar Square
- Cambridge House, Auberge CollectionHotelLondon, United KingdomGeorgian mansion on Piccadilly, balancing heritage and polish
- The NewmanHotelLondon, United KingdomBoutique hotel in Fitzrovia with Art Deco design
- HopeHotelScottish Highlands, United KingdomRetreat on vast Sutherland estate, part of rewilding project
- Mercer MadridHotelMadrid, SpainLandmarked building, former HQ of Sociedad General Azucarera
- Vestige Can JordiHotelFormentera, SpainLocated on Cala Saona, one of the island's best beaches
- Zannier BendorHotelÎle de Bendor, FranceReimagined Provençal village on a private island
- Airelles Palladio VeneziaHotelVenice, ItalyOccupies three historic buildings on Giudecca
Condé Nast TravelerNov 26, 2025
25 Best Cities to Spend Christmas in America
You never have to venture far across the States to find holiday cheer.
25 things in this story
- Holiday at the ArboretumFestivalChristmas village with millions of lights and visits with Santa.
- Dallas Zoo LightsFestivalDrive-through light route at the Dallas Zoo.
- Galleria Dallas Ice Skating CenterSightSkate next to the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree.
- MiracleRestaurantChristmas-themed pop-up bar at Royal 38.
- Rosewood Mansion on Turtle CreekHotelHotel with beautiful grounds and tasty food.
- Elsewhere
- Magnificent MileNeighborhoodChicago, United StatesIt divides the neighborhood of Streeterville, on its east, from River North, on its west.
- Grand Ole OpryTheatreNashville, United StatesIt was founded on November 28, 1925, by George D.
- Cosmopolitan of Las VegasHotelLas Vegas, United StatesOffers rooftop ice skating.
- Millennium ParkParkChicago, United StatesLocation of the 51-foot Christmas tree.
- City ParkSightNew Orleans, United StatesBecomes a wonderland for the entire month with Celebration in the Oaks.
- Canyon Road Farolito WalkFestivalSanta Fe, United StatesChristmas Eve event with farolitos lining streets and adobe buildings.
- Rosewood Inn of the AnasaziHotelSanta Fe, United StatesCondé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award favorite with kiva fireplaces.
- ChristkindlmarketMarketChicago, United StatesEuropean-inspired holiday market.
- Let It ShineFestivalChicago, United StatesDrive-through Christmas lights display.
- The Godfrey HotelHotelChicago, United StatesOffers heated igloos.
- ZooLightsFestivalChicago, United StatesAnnual light festival at Lincoln Park Zoo with 2.5 million LEDs.
- Lincoln Park ZooSightChicago, United StatesHosts the ZooLights annual light festival.
- The Langham, ChicagoHotelChicago, United StatesHoused in a landmark Mies van der Rohe building along the Chicago River.
- Country ChristmasFestivalNashville, United StatesChristmas shows, ice skating, and light displays at Gaylord Opryland.
- Gaylord OprylandHotelNashville, United StatesHosts "Country Christmas" with shows, ice skating, and lights.
- Jingle BeatFestivalNashville, United StatesTwo-mile drive-through light show at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
- NoelleHotelNashville, United StatesHotel with a Holiday Glow Package and Sugar & Vice pop-up bar.
- Sugar & ViceRestaurantNashville, United StatesGlitter-soaked pop-up bar with seasonal bites and drinks.
- Celebration in the OaksFestivalNew Orleans, United StatesFestival with vendors, food, and decorations in City Park.
- The Ritz-Carlton, New OrleansHotelNew Orleans, United StatesOffers holiday offerings like gingerbread house building and Christmas Eve dinner.