Our founder, Robert Atkinson, loved exploring the world, but too often, he noticed that a promised paradise turned out to be a letdown. He started writing the Hideaway Report in 1979 to share reviews of places truly worth traveling for. We carry on his mission, circling the globe incognito, because today, the trickle of exaggerated claims has become a waterfall. We’re all awash with influencer fluff, AI-doctored photography and pay-to-play “reviews” that are nothing more than thinly veiled advertorials.

As Andrew Harper editors, we’ve developed keen noses to sniff out mediocre places masquerading as fabulous. But ever the optimists, hoping that what we’re seeing and reading is true, we inevitably encounter disappointments. These awards highlight the most ignominious of 2025.

Biggest Waste of Potential: Peter Island Resort
British Virgin Islands

Once something of a secret treasure in the Caribbean, Peter Island was forced to close in 2017 after Hurricane Irma. Now reopened, it still looks as glamorous as ever, with idyllic beaches and unspoiled tropical landscapes, but that, unfortunately, is where the magic ends. Throughout our stay, the spectacularly amateurish service consistently amazed us: Our “private island host” couldn’t remember my name, housekeeping arrived unannounced, and the receptionist-concierge stayed glued to her phone. The low point? Fishing a metal staple out of my guacamole shortly after a raucous day-tripper knocked my drink over at the Drunken Pelican (this resort is a hot spot for young seafarers looking to party). Even the purported eco-ethos is lost amid a sea of plastic straws and water bottles. Once a paradise in the British Virgin Islands, Peter Island is now almost a parody. I felt deeply disappointed, especially knowing how effortlessly polished it once was.

Read more about our stay at Peter Island »

Worst Hotel Restaurant: Baja Club
La Paz, Mexico

Set in a former colonial estate along the Malecón, Baja Club seemed promising at first. The understated yet stylish property comprises the estate’s original hacienda and a newer building that houses the 32 rooms and a rooftop bar. Between them lies a courtyard with a fountain, cozy lounge spaces and a pretty — but bafflingly terrible — restaurant situated under a pergola. We discovered, with confusion, that the restaurant was Greek. At lunch, our clumsy waiter seemed brand new to the job (and perhaps brand new to the concept of restaurants). Throughout the meal, I had to ask for menus, water, napkins and silverware. When our souvlaki finally arrived after around 30 minutes, the chicken was dry and the pita was slimy. We also received the wrong salad. Getting the check seemed so daunting that I just went inside and paid at the bar. Although we didn’t have alcohol, it was our second-most-expensive meal in La Paz.

Read more about our trip to Baja California »

Most in Need of an Overhaul: The Peninsula Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand

We recommended The Peninsula Bangkok for decades, but after receiving several member complaints, we added it to our Bangkok itinerary to make a reassessment. Despite a central location, a glamorous lobby, an impressive spa and romantic waterside restaurants, the 27-year-old hotel is, indeed, in need of an overhaul. Our spacious 24th-floor suite had large windows showcasing the city and river below, but the furnishings showed wear, the technology was obsolete, and the aroma was less than fresh. It felt like visiting the home of an aunt whose comfortable condo is well loved and familiar but has seen better days.

Read more about our trip to Thailand »

Most Disappointing Design: Warren Street Hotel
New York City, New York

I had high hopes for the Warren Street Hotel, the latest venture from Kit Kemp’s Firmdale Hotels, whose properties are known for their distinctive maximalism. But surprisingly, our Luxury Junior Suite was much plainer than I’d expected. There were a few nods to Kit Kemp’s typical style, including a cream fabric headboard printed with peacocks and a yellow striped love seat facing the bed, but apart from the dressmaker’s form lurking in the corner (a Firmdale signature), it was bland compared to photos online. Downstairs, the lounge had much more color, but the restaurant looked as if it had been decorated by Catherine O’Hara’s character in “Beetlejuice.” Weird carved blocks hung from the ceiling, and the chairs were covered in a hideous orange vinyl. The service, unfortunately, lived up to the décor.

Read more about our stay at the Warren Street Hotel »

Most Disappointing Attraction: The Pink City
Jaipur, India

Almost every travel writer makes Jaipur’s historic center sound like a step back in time, with alleys of old havelis (mansions) and vibrant markets that are a pleasure to explore on foot. Alas, the vaunted Johri Bazaar has become a traffic-choked boulevard — a far cry from the atmospheric souks of Marrakech. Pretty gingerbread façades still line the main streets, but off these large avenues, ugly lanes of ill-preserved buildings contain little of interest. Noisy motorbikes pass within inches of pedestrians, making exploring unpleasant in any case. Jaipur still has sites worth visiting, but the famous Pink City is ruined.

Read more about our trip to India »

Most Overhyped Hotel: The Georgian
Santa Monica, California

One notable hotel-rating company calls The Georgian “a fantasy version of Golden Age opulence that’s more inspiring than the real thing.” A major glossy travel magazine put this hotel on its 2024 Hot List and pronounced that “The Georgian has quickly reclaimed its place as Santa Monica’s First Lady.” Not so fast. Among the hotel’s many problems: A housekeeper entered our suite without knocking, the soundproofing was wholly inadequate, and already there are signs of wear. Another reviewer (who stayed for free) noted, “There are some small differences in amenities between the suites and nonsuite rooms.” There’s the understatement of 2025. Nonsuite rooms are shoeboxes with grungy carpets and cramped baths. We took one look and asked to move. The Georgian is fun for dinner or drinks, but its accommodations are luxurious only on Instagram.  

Read more about our stays in Santa Monica »

Most Overhyped Restaurant: La Dolce Vita
Beverly Hills, California

Food critics and travel writers have lavished praise on this historic restaurant, which reopened in 2023 after a three-year closure and a refurbishment. Based on my research, I expected “Italian American classics done right, elite service, and legit Hollywood history, all in a room that feels like a boozy Oscars afterparty.” I looked forward to dining in a “wonderful place for people watching, where grizzled rock stars sit in a booth next to sunny starlets, and old timers talk to friendly waiters at the bar.” I didn’t spot any rock stars, but I did discover shrimp overwhelmed by spicy tomato sauce and a dish of paccheri that was essentially just pasta in salty cream, clumsily topped with full slices of prosciutto. If any celebrities do still go to La Dolce Vita, they’re celebrities who don’t care much about food.

Read more about restaurants in Beverly Hills »

Most Basic Failure: Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bad weather is a fact of life. Rain may happen in typically sunny Santa Fe and, as we learned, so might hail. Still, we were in good spirits — until our hotel’s electricity suddenly went out, along with its phones. As our room descended into darkness and took on a chill, we wondered whether management would reach out. They did not. And then it happened again on our second night, for hours. The staff treated the power outage as just another day in the desert. When I suggested getting generators, I was told that they were only for “emergencies.” I suppose no one was dying, but when paying $1,600 a night, I expect a little light in my room — and more than a proverbial shoulder shrug when I mention the inconvenience.

Read more about our trip to Santa Fe »

Most Misleading Hotel Website: The Loutrel
Charleston, South Carolina

Every one of our editorial trips begins with in-depth research. Before visiting Charleston, I investigated more than 25 hotels, reading through articles from the travel press, reviewing recent awards and browsing website photos. The Loutrel made the cut. After all, it had two Michelin keys, five stars from guests and “reader favorite” accolades. As I unlocked the door to our suite, I remembered the flowers, artwork and colorful décor that had brightened up online photos of the accommodation. But surprise! It was just a nondescript gray-on-gray space with no flair or personality. A case of false advertising, it proved once again that there is no substitute for incognito, in-person assessments.

Read more about our trip to Charleston »

Most Inconsistent Hotel Ratings: Michelin Keys
International

In April 2024, the Michelin Guide started rating hotels as well as restaurants. In a system akin to its stars, one key indicates “a very special stay,” two “an exceptional stay” and three “an extraordinary stay.” I’ll provide some examples of the guide’s hotel rankings and let you draw your own conclusions as to their value. In New York, the Pendry Manhattan West has two keys. The Baccarat Hotel, The Greenwich Hotel, The Lowell and The Peninsula all have one. In Chicago, the Pendry has two keys, and the Four Seasons has zero. In Santa Monica, The Georgian (see entry above) has one key, the same number as the Regent Santa Monica Beach. Certainly, Michelin’s restaurant ratings are often useful when I research a destination. I wish the company all the best as it figures out how to handle hotels.