Certain hotels stand out in noteworthy ways that don’t fit into our other award categories. Here is where we recognize their special qualities. But Andrew Harper editors don’t just stay in hotels: We also review luxury cruises and trains around the world (always some of our favorite editorial trips). The following are 2025’s Best in Class.

Most Impressive Star Turn: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand

You can’t always believe what you see on TV. Ever suspicious of how hotels appear in the media, we set out to see how much fact was behind the fiction of “The White Lotus.” Could Bill Bensley’s 71-key Four Seasons, built almost 20 years ago, still be as glamorous as it was depicted in the series? The answer was an unequivocal yes. This Koh Samui resort is a place apart. Set on a former coconut plantation overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, it has playfully plush interiors, lush landscaping, exquisite Thai food and unfailingly kind staff members. We wanted for nothing, except to stay forever.

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Most Charming Hotel: Villa Inkognito, Oslo, Norway

As soon as we checked into this 19th-century mansion with just 11 rooms, we noticed its striking décor, emphasis on comfort and sense of exclusivity. Opulent public and private spaces display Norwegian antiques, artwork and furnishings. We appreciated our room’s high ceilings, intricately carved moldings and well-stocked minibar. Each night, we had a restorative sleep thanks to the comfortable bed, velvet blackout curtains and excellent soundproofing. A talented chef prepared custom breakfasts, and when we felt like getting some air, we opened a secret door to the 231-room Sommerro hotel next door, where we enjoyed special access to its rooftop pool.

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Best Sense of History: Vocabolo Moscatelli Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Umbria, Italy

Set in a 12th-century monastery, the 12-room Vocabolo Moscatelli evokes the charm of a small Italian village, complete with a former chapel, a piazza-like courtyard and centuries-old stone façades that imbue the property with a palpable sense of heritage. Thoughtfully integrated into the design-forward interiors, exposed terra-cotta bricks and original wooden beams contrast with contemporary artwork and bright accents, creating an ambience that feels authentic and fresh. The owners intended to create an intimate retreat where visitors can slow down and engage with the history and character of Umbria, and they’ve unquestionably realized their ambition.

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Most Glamorous Suite: Capella Bangkok, Thailand

All 101 accommodations at Capella Bangkok face the Chayo Phraya River, and I likely would have found any of them satisfying. But when the hotel upgraded my room to a Verandah, I was thrilled. As we entered the serene space, window shades silently raised to reveal the pièce de résistance: an expansive, landscaped terrace and elevated whirlpool overlooking the river. Equally inviting was the large marble bath awash in natural light. Capella had thought of every little luxury, from the practical to the posh. In one of those rare cases, the hotel website didn’t do the suite justice — it couldn’t have.

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Best Villa: Uxua Alma, Trancoso, Brazil

Needing an excuse to revisit one of my all-time favorite beach towns, I booked a weeklong stay in one of the Uxua Alma villas in hippie-chic Trancoso. We have recommended its sister property, Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa, for years, so it was a treat to return to Trancoso to stay in the three-bedroom Casa do Beco, hidden on a side street off the town plaza. It comprises three structures with vaulted beamed ceilings, including one with an indoor lounge and another with a fully stocked kitchen, all situated around a communal outdoor living area and a palm-shaded swimming pool. Each space, like those at nearby Uxua Casa, stylishly incorporates handcrafted and vintage pieces. Guests have signing privileges at the nearby beach club and access to all hotel facilities, including the spa and gym.

Read our review of Uxua Alma »

Best Bang for the Buck: Park Hyatt Auckland, New Zealand

Nowadays, it’s a refreshing change when you can pay under $1,000 a night for a luxury hotel room, especially in a large city in one of the most scenic countries on earth. So when I got the bill for our stay at the 195-room Park Hyatt in Auckland, I thought the staff had made a mistake. Not only did our 500-square-foot room have an expansive balcony looking out to the harbor and gleaming city skyline, but it was one-third the price of a similarly sized room in a nearby hotel with far fewer services. Sometimes you get what you pay for, but at the Park Hyatt Auckland, you get much more.

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Best Cruise Ship: Riverside Debussy

Our journey aboard the Riverside Debussy from Amsterdam to Basel along the storied Rhine, past fairy-tale castles, medieval villages and terraced hills dotted with sheep, surpassed our (high) expectations. We loved our chic stateroom’s floor-to-ceiling panoramic window — the top half descended at the press of a button — and the thoughtful rhythm of days shaped by a tempting array of excursions, lavish daily-changing buffet breakfasts and lunches, and gourmet multicourse dinners. The Debussy’s elegant design, impeccable service and inviting atmosphere made it feel more like a floating boutique hotel than a cruise ship, and best of all, we formed meaningful connections with fellow travelers.

Read our review of the Riverside Debussy »

Best Train: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Things started off on the right foot at Rome’s Ostiense train station, with glasses of Champagne and hot hors d’oeuvres in a private waiting room, and they only got better from there. Run by Accor, the new La Dolce Vita Orient Express launched in April, and it delivered an exceedingly comfortable and original way to experience Italy. Our cabin evoked 1960s Roman glamour, our excursions to Venice and Portofino were ideal cameo visits of those towns, and the food and service on board were both commendable. The convivial bar car kept the fun going well into the evening. It seems Belmond’s trains finally have some competition!

Read our review of La Dolce Vita Orient Express »