Best of the Best: Marriott Associates’ 5 Favorite U.S. Hotels and Resorts to Visit Now

Choosing your favorite hotels and resorts for personal getaways is no easy task. But Marriott International associates cast their votes for top spots in the U.S., and the results are in. From a desert hideaway with an acclaimed spa and swanky suites in Scottsdale to a sun-soaked refuge on a northern barrier island in Southwest Florida, here are the five winners along with don’t-miss highlights at each property.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara; California

Framed by the Pacific Ocean and reminiscent of a modern Mediterranean oasis dotted with white stucco walls, palm trees and bougainvillea, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is the ideal destination for rest and relaxation with a 42,000-square-foot spa, four Har-Tru clay tennis courts and three zero-edge saline pools.

Sample local Santa Barbara wines at the resort’s Bacara Wine Tasting Room (Marriott Bonvoy members receive a 20-percent discount on the Santa Barbara premium flight), venture downtown on one of the resort’s fleet of electric bikes, or sign up for a guided kayak tour along the Gaviota Coast, a 76-mile stretch of rugged coastline.

The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort; Scottsdale, Arizona

Located at the base of Camelback Mountain, The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale features cascading fountains, an 18-hole golf course and a cactus garden featuring 250 species of cacti and succulents. With extensive guest programming and experiences designed to create a sense of place, the property offers self-guided tours of a collection of 11 bronze, limestone, and marble statues by lauded sculptor Allan Houser, and wine tasting on Thursday afternoons at the property’s own working winery, The Praying Monk.

The pièce de résistance here is the 37,000-square-foot spa, with a Drybar salon, rooftop pool with private cabanas available by reservation, and daily fitness classes including aerial yoga. In addition, guests will find a two-story athletic club replete with top-of-the-line equipment, shuffleboard and arcade games.

Learn all about falcons with an on-site falconer, and tap into your adventurous side with the new Bike & Hike offering, a sunrise ride to the Cholla Trailhead followed by a hike to the saddle of Camelback Mountain.

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Florida

At JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, dip your toes in the turquoise-hued waters of the Gulf of Mexico or take a stroll along a three-mile-long beach dotted with thatch huts. Before grabbing your swimsuit and sunscreen, get an up-close look at the weather and waves from the resort’s live beach cam.

Spend time signing up for a wellness class (think beach boot camp or morning yoga) or dine at one of the resort’s restaurants, including Kane Tiki Bar & Grill featuring Indonesian-inspired street fare. At sunset, head back to the beach for live performances by skilled fire dancers.

For a true sense of escape, book a stay at Paradise by Sirene JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, an adults-only haven replete with 94 rooms and suites, a private beach and rooftop pool.

The Miami Beach EDITION; Florida

Situated near South Beach’s beloved main fashion thoroughfare, Lincoln Road, glamorous The Miami Beach EDITION recalls the days of Miami’s historic opulence. Housed in the former Seville Hotel, the historic property once lured the likes of celebrities such as Joan Crawford. Grab a book and make a beeline for a hammock at the Sandbox, a secluded corner near the pool (and steps away from the beach) surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants. Unwind on low-slung lounge beds, try your skills at the pingpong table or build a sandcastle on the beach.

Worked up an appetite? Snag a table at Matador Room, a sleek restaurant evocative of a 1940s speakeasy with menu selections influenced by Caribbean and Latin American cuisine and conceived by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Nashville

Set on nine sprawling acres, the family-friendly Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville is a veritable playground for adults and children alike with in-house attractions including Soundwaves, an indoor-outdoor water park comprised of multiple waterslides (some equipped with music and LED lights); lazy and rapid rivers; and a double Flowrider surf simulator that allows up to two people to surf and boogie board at the same time.

Choose from a slew of on-site eateries, explore the hotel’s history aboard a flat boat tour that winds along an interior river, or opt for some solo time at the Relâche Spa with an extensive menu spanning tropical-inspired body treatments and restorative, organic facials.

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