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A quick glance at travel expenses from your last trip will likely reveal that one of the biggest line items is accommodation. A hotel is typically a travel necessity, but it’s also a whole lot more than just a place to stow your bags, take a shower and catch some ZZZs.
Hotels around the country are competing for travel dollars by offering a variety of amenities and creature comforts, ensuring that your time spent there is an enjoyable and relaxing part of your vacation or business trip. Some have even become destinations in their own right.
So, we need your help with crowning the winners in 15 categories for our sixth annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Hotel awards.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best All-Inclusive Resort
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We’re not sure which is more appealing: being in a stunningly beautiful place, or not having to think about money once you arrive. The combo of the two is a winning recipe for a relaxing vacation.
Vote: Best All-Inclusive Resort »
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand
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Hotels are often one of the biggest expenses when it comes to travel, but you shouldn’t have to blow through your budget or stay in a drab, personality-less room in order to save. These 20 hotel brands combine affordable rates, lots of amenities and frequent freebies to set the scene for a comfortable and wallet-friendly stay—whether for business or pleasure.
Vote: Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand »
Best Destination Resort
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Sometimes a hotel is simply a place to lay your head at night, and sometimes it’s a destination in its own right. Each of these 20 U.S. resorts, chosen by a panel of 10Best travel experts, is totally travel-worthy, complete with plush accommodations, world-class dining, relaxing spa treatments and a host of indoor and outdoor activities: a complete vacation in a single package.
Vote: Best Destination Resort »
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel
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As Kermit the Frog once said, “It’s not easy being green,” but these 20 U.S. hotels have gone above and beyond to promote environmental sustainability. Along the way, they’ve earned certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council or other industry awards in sustainability.
Vote: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel »
Best Family Resort
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These 20 American resorts cater to families with a host of awesome amenities, including programming just for kids, childproofed rooms (with multiple bedrooms), gourmet dining with child-approved kids’ menus and access to such essentials as cribs and baby swings while on the road.
Best Historic Hotel
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In today’s travel landscape dotted with sparkling new resorts and ultra-modern skyscraper hotels, a bit of history is often welcome. Each of these classic lodgings – nominated for the title of Best Historic Hotel by a panel of hotel experts – has witnessed a great deal of history, and each has held true to its historic roots and unique sense of place.
Best Hotel Bar
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Pull up a stool, and look over our nominees for Best Hotel Bar. These 20 bars win big for their ambiance, stellar mixologists, signature cocktails, food menus and happy hours, and at most of them, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy.
Best Hotel Pool
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For many travelers, especially during these hot summer months, the quality of a pool can make or break a hotel stay. Book one of these 20 hotels, nominated as having the best hotel pools in the nation, and your stay is sure to be a memorable one.
Best Hotel Restaurant
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Some of America’s best restaurants helmed by talented and often award-winning chefs can be found within hotels and resorts from coast to coast.
Best Hotel Spa
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Best Luxury Hotel Brand
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Best Pet Friendly Hotel
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A family vacation isn’t complete without your four-legged friends, but finding pet-friendly accommodations isn’t always easy. 10Best teamed up with a panel of hotel experts to nominate the 20 top pet-friendly hotels in the U.S.
Vote: Best Pet Friendly Hotel »
Best Romantic Hotel
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Best Waterfront Hotel
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Best Wellness Retreat / Resort
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Vote: Best Wellness Retreat / Resort »
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10best.com on Friday, August 7.
10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network, providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world, in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.