The following is a compilation of “Top Ten” lists from various sources around the web. We started with an old magazine article (torn from either a airline magazine they gave away in the back seat pocket or something like that) from the mid-90’s. Since then we will see the occasional similar listings online or in a blog, and we have compiled our own versions of these lists over time. I have sent countless of these lists in emails to anyone who asks me “What do you think the best….(fill in the blank) is?”, but recently thought, “Why don’t I just put it in the travel section of the web site, so everyone could use them?”
How does our rating system work? We have not tested every one of the items listed. Aside from the unaffordability of many of the places listed, no one will ever let us hack up the Old Course at St. Andrews, nor would we ever ask! The answer is we are very biased based on our own experiences combined with value for the dollar spent, combined with customer service, and/or what we have read/heard…just like any normal unscientific method.
We routinely move things around on the list and update it. Feel free to contact me with suggestions for adding, deleting, or moving things up or down (but be prepared to justify you requests) via the Contact Us link above.
Here are the categories:
- Top Domestic Airlines
- Top Rental Car Companies
- Top US Hotels
- Top US Budget/Business Hotels
- Top Las Vegas Hotels
- Top Hawaiian Hotels
- Top London Hotels
- Top US Spas
- Top US Golf Courses
- Top International Golf Courses
Top Domestic Airlines
- Virgin America
- Delta Airlines
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United/Continental Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- US Airways
Top Rental Car Companies
- Thrifty/Dollar
- Enterprise
- National/Alamo
- AVIS/Budget
- Hertz
Top US Hotels
- The Waldorf Astoria – New York
- Hotel del Coronado – San Diego
- JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa – Scottsdale, AZ
- The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows – Los Angeles
- The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs
- The Phoenician – Scottsdale, AZ
- Rosewood Masion on Turtle Creek – Dallas
- Four Seasons Hotels – Chicago and New York
- The Peninsula – Chicago
- The Biltmore Hotel – Coral Gables, FL
Top US Budget/Business Hotels
- Hilton Garden Inns
- Hampton Inns
- Comfort Inn and Suites
- La Quinta Hotels
- Marriot Hotels
- Holiday Inn Express
Top Las Vegas Hotels
- Bellagio
- Wynn Las Vegas
- Ceasars Palace
- Aria Resort and Casino
- The Venetian
- Mandalay Bay
Top Hawaiian Hotels
- The Fairmont Orchid – Kohala Coast
- The Ritz Carlton – Kapalua Maui
- Four Seasons Resort – Maui at Wailea
- JW Marriott Ihilani at Ko Olina Oahu
- Grand Wailea Maui
- Hyatt Regency Maui
- Grand Hyatt Kauai
- Four Seasons Haulalai
- Halekulani Oahu
- St. Regis Priceville resort Kauai
- Kauai Marriott
Top London Hotels
- The Savoy
- The Dorchester
- The Ritz
- 41
- The Egerton House
- The Rookery
Top US Spas
- Canyon Ranch – Arizona
- Waihu – Maui Hawaii
- Lake Austin Spa Resort – Austin TX
- Agua Spa at Delao – Miami FL
- Spa at Grand Del Mar – San Diego CA
- Spa at Mandarin Oriental – Miami FL
- Spa at JW Marriott Camelback Inn – Scottsdale AZ
- Golden Door, Escondido CA
Top US Golf Courses
- Pebble Beach California
- Torrey Pines California
- Mauna Kea Hawaii
- Fazio Canyons Texas
- Bay Hill Florida
- Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay California
- Harbour Town at Hilton Head South Carolina
- Cog Hill #4 Illinois
- Bethpage Black Farmingdale NY
- Troon North Arizona
- Pihehurst #2 North Carolina
Top International Golf Courses
- Old Course – St. Andrews Scotland
- Cape Kidnappers – New Zealand
- King’s Course – Scotland
- Old Course Ballybunion – Ireland
- Banff Springs – Canada
- Muirfield – Scotland
- Carnoustie – Scotland
- The Green Monkey – Barbados
- Ocean Club – Bahamas
- Dundonald Links – Scotland