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USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
Best hotels and resorts in the US? Here are readers' top picks
Whether you're planning a vacation, honeymoon, or business trip, choosing your hotel is about so much more than just a place to sleep. The best hotels and resorts offer a variety of amenities, activities, and dining options to ensure you have a stellar experience. To identify the best hotels and resorts across the United States, we invited a panel of hotel and travel experts to nominate their top picks, then readers voted for their favorites across nine categories. Here are the winners. Click on each category below to see the full winners list: Advertisement Best All-Inclusive Resort: The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania Get away from it all with a stay at The Lodge at Woodloch – Photo courtesy of Annie Killam for The Lodge at Woodloch The Lodge at Woodloch, an all-inclusive, adults-only spa resort in the heart of the Pennsylvania Poconos, invites guests to step away from the whirlwind of life to refocus. Guests enjoy a full-service spa and a wide range of classes and activities — everything from meditation, yoga, or spinning to painting, cooking, or wine tasting. Full list of winners: Best All-Inclusive Resort » Best Bed-and-Breakfast: C.W. Worth House Bed & Breakfast in Wilmington, North Carolina Escape to Wilmington and enjoy some Southern hospitality at C.W. Worth House Bed & Breakfast – Photo courtesy of Matt McGraw This Queen Anne-style bed-and-breakfast has just seven rooms, giving it a cozy, intimate feel. Guests of C.W. Worth House enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast each morning, and the property is close enough to downtown and the Wilmington Riverwalk that you can walk to many restaurants and attractions. Advertisement Full list of winners: Best Bed-and-Breakfast » Best Boutique Hotel: Bottleworks Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana Explore Indianapolis with Bottleworks Hotel as your home base – Photo courtesy of Bottleworks Hotel A former Coca-Cola bottling plant, Bottleworks Hotel puts the fizz in its experience with architectural throwbacks and modern amenities ranging from a chic bar, a coffee shop, and a billiards salon to plush appointments in the rooms. Guests enjoy an experience that's both grand and intimate. Full list of winners: Best Boutique Hotel » Advertisement Best Destination Resort: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida You won't even want to leave the resort grounds when you stay at Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach – Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences Situated on the shores of Sunny Isles Beach, Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach offers a perfect blend of Miami's cultural richness and serene beachfront relaxation. Plus, guests can indulge in the resort's Acqua Experiences, which provide unique ways to enjoy South Florida's beauty. With its top-notch service, sumptuous dining options, an award-winning spa, and opulent accommodations, this resort is a destination that truly embodies the essence of a tropical paradise getaway. Full list of winners: Best Destination Resort » Advertisement Best Extended Stay Hotel: AKA Upgrade your extended stay with AKA – Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Totaro AKA properties blur the line between luxury hotel and upscale apartment living, offering white-glove service in residential-style suites. These are far beyond the typical extended stay, with designer furnishings, chef-inspired kitchens, amenities like fitness centers and libraries, and a concierge who can curate local experiences. The brand works for those who refuse to compromise on style during extended assignments. Full list of winners: Best Extended Stay Hotel » Best Family Resort: Woodloch Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania Woodloch Resort wins Best Family Resort for fifth year in a row – Photo courtesy of Woodloch Resort The Woodloch Resort welcomes families to the Poconos with accommodations ranging from single rooms to two-bedroom suites. If you need more space, vacation rentals are also available. Advertisement Meal plans mean all-inclusive family dining at flexible prices, and guests can enjoy access to a range of activities daily, with amenities like a rock-climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, go-karts, bumper cars and boats, kayaking, and snow tubing in the winter. Full list of winners: Best Family Resort » Best Historic Hotel / Resort: Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania For fifth consecutive year, Historic Hotel Bethlehem wins Best Historic Hotel / Resort – Photo courtesy of Historic Hotel Bethlehem Guests of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem can learn about the hotel's storied history in the Lower Lobby. A hotel has occupied the site since 1741, though the structure was used as a convalescence home for World War I soldiers for a period. Today, guests enjoy modern amenities at this historic setting in the heart of Moravian Bethlehem. Advertisement Salamander Collection claims the No. 1 spot for Best Luxury Hotel Brand for third year in a row – Photo courtesy of Provided The Salamander Collection offers one-of-a-kind getaways. Authenticity is always a priority, especially regarding cuisine and fine dining, wellness, and the overall experience of each stay. In addition to luxury amenities, guests can enjoy unique adventures, equestrian events, and golf. Full list of winners: Best Luxury Hotel Brand » Advertisement Best Waterfront Hotel / Resort: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Take in the Atlantic Ocean scenery at Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach – Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Find your peace: 8 stunning forest bathing destinations in the US
The immersion in nature that you need Forest bathing is one of many wellness activities at the Lodge at Woodloch — Photo courtesy of Annie Killam / The Lodge at Woodloch Advertisement When the world (the greater or your own) feels like it's spinning out, sometimes you need to take a beat. Running to nature is one of the easiest things you can do for your well-being. Forest bathing is a wellness practice encouraging mindful observation of nature's sights, sounds, and scents. It's intentionally slow-paced and combines walking, meditation, stretching, and breath awareness outdoors, creating a profoundly peaceful experience. The best news is that you can do it just about anywhere, whether walking in a nearby park or garden or heading to an actual forest. Even better, you can build it into a vacation itinerary or make it the destination. Here's everything you need to know about forest bathing, plus eight beautiful destinations where you can do it. Benefits of forest bathing Forest bathing grounds you and contributes to overall well-being — Photo courtesy of PamelaJoeMcFarlane / E+ Intense sensory attention to the natural world may offer physical and emotional healing and preventive health benefits beyond the actual experience. Forest bathing, called shinrin-yoku in Japanese, gained mainstream popularity in Japan in the 1980s as a potential remedy for various ailments, from high blood pressure to depression. It draws inspiration from ancient Buddhist practices that emphasize nature's restorative power. Whether or not you swallow forest bathing's medicinal qualities, communing with nature is, at the very least, a therapeutic retreat from the hustle of daily life. Where can you go forest bathing? Despite the name, forest bathing doesn't require water; bathing pertains to soaking in the elements. You don't need to be in a real forest either — any serene, open-air environment, from an arid desert to a tranquil city park, will do. An expert guide can help you make the most of the experience. For a relaxing bond with Mother Nature, visit these hotels that offer forest-bathing experiences. Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa, Mendocino, California The deep woods in Mendocino are perfect for forest bathing — Photo courtesy of Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa Perched on California's north coast, Mendocino is in a remote part of the state geographically blessed with old-growth redwood forests and rugged cliffs overlooking the windswept Pacific. Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa is a bed-and-breakfast surrounded by wooded glens and wetland ponds. Its main building, constructed from reclaimed redwoods, has striking 15-foot cathedral ceilings. Forest bathing here might include a half-day respite with a gentle hike, lunch, and yoga class or a 90-minute option with walking, meditation, and sipping locally made tea. Both experiences offer exploration of Van Damme State Park, where the lush tangle of ferns and velvety moss look like a habitat for hobbits. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale, Arizona Forest bathing in the Arizona desert hits different — Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi The area surrounding the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale in the Sonoran Desert is punctuated with towering saguaros, vibrant desert blooms, and groupings of large rocks that wouldn't look out of place on Mars. Adobe-style guest casitas incorporate natural materials, blending into the surroundings and providing a sense of place. The property is adjacent to Pinnacle Peak Park, where the hikes offer panoramic payoffs. The resort's 60-minute desert bathing activity starts with yoga stretches and simple breathing exercises to prime you for a walk on sand-dusted paths that are easy on the joints. Your guide will help you purposefully tune into subtle scents and sights, pointing out prickly pear cacti and aloe plants along the way. Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, Maine Being immersed in Maine's natural beauty has restorative powers — Photo courtesy of Hidden Pond Located in a quintessential Maine seaside village, Hidden Pond's birch groves and forest of balsam firs offer a wilderness escape. It's only minutes from the soft sand at Goose Rocks Beach and the luscious lobster rolls served at The Clam Shack. Guests stay in seasonal cottages and treetop lodges that offer peace and privacy. A destination resort favorite, Hidden Pond facilitates contact with the natural environment through gardening, fishing, and forest bathing. Led by a certified forest therapy guide from Connect to Wilderness, it's an invitation to explore the pine-scented woods as you walk quietly, taking time to process the world around you with all of your senses. A concluding tea ceremony allows time for reflection. Mandarin Oriental Boston, Boston, Massachusetts Urban forest bathing is a great option for anyone stuck in the city — Photo courtesy of Suzanne Wenz / Meet Boston Boston's Emerald Necklace is a series of urban parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Many consider the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University its crown jewel; the rambling preserve has a vast collection of temperate woody plants from eastern North America and eastern Asia. Located in Back Bay, the Mandarin Oriental's lobby is a swanky sanctuary filled with floral arrangements as beautiful as sculptures. To combat stress, book the hotel's urban forest bathing option. Participants head to Arnold Arboretum, where a certified forest therapy guide leads a 90-minute meditative session and tea ceremony to refresh and restore while remaining within the city limits. The hotel and forest bathing are dog-friendly, so bring the pooch. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas Forest bathing can take place anywhere in nature — Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort Lake Austin Spa Resort is an easy drive from downtown Austin's dynamic music scene and vibrant nightlife; yet, it feels a world away. This award-winning spa resort leans into wellness with multiple daily fitness classes, locally sourced meals, and a top-notch spa. Lake Austin, a dammed portion of the Lower Colorado River, is the resort's centerpiece. Fittingly, many activities focus on water, including forest bathing. The experience begins with a boat ride across the calm waters of Lake Austin, setting the stage for a serene adventure. Once ashore, you'll embark on a guided sensory journey through Hill Country scenery, where you'll be encouraged to be fully present as you look, listen, and feel Mother Nature's embrace. AutoCamp Catskills, Saugerties, New York Sleeping under a canopy of trees is a form of forest bathing — Photo courtesy of AutoCamp The patchwork of mountains, meadows, and streams in the Catskills has been a balm for generations of city folk who crave communion with nature near New York City. AutoCamp Catskills sits just west of the Hudson River. The resort's custom-designed Airstreams invite guests to sleep in an icon of mid-century design. Classic cabins and glamping tents are also available. AutoCamp is a hub of health-conscious activities, from a sound bath in the woods to aromatherapy. Forest bathing includes breath awareness and a council sharing circle, an informal meeting to promote kinship between participants. Blackberry Mountain, Walland, Tennessee Forest bathing may include wandering in a labyrinth at Blackberry Mountain — Photo courtesy of Blackberry Mountain, a Relais & Châteaux Blackberry Mountain offers a back-to-the-land experience without sacrificing creature comforts. Painterly scenes of mountain streams and meadows look like they're from a fairytale. With a seemingly endless sky, healing makes sense here. Positioned in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, luxurious guest accommodations include secluded tree houses and multi-bedroom homes with private decks. Forest bathing may be customized to include sunrise yoga and wandering along the circuitous path of a labyrinth, a venerable practice used to promote inner harmony. The Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania Forest bathing can happen anywhere in the Poconos — Photo courtesy of Annie Killam / The Lodge at Woodloch Located in the Pocono Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is a Best All-Inclusive Resort winner adorned with a carpet of ferns and a cranberry bog. Guest rooms blur the line between indoor and outdoor with whimsical terrariums, fresh flowers, and air-purifying Himalayan salt lamps. From Pilates to lectures on improving sleep, health-focused activities await here. The extensive nature therapy program includes foraging and beekeeping workshops. A certified expert leads forest bathing, which involves wandering around the property's pristine woods. The goal is to lower stress levels through breathing techniques. Advertisement
