Dinogo Readers' Top 15 City Hotels in the Continental U.S. for 2023

It’s official: domestic leisure travel has outpaced pre-pandemic figures, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. With Dinogo readers at the forefront, it's no surprise that the hundreds of thousands who participated in this year's survey had enthusiastic feedback about local hotels. On the 2023 favorites list, Chicago secured three spots, including the No. 3 winner, Arlo Chicago. Noteworthy hotels were also highlighted in popular cities like Charleston and New York. Remarkably, two Austin hotels made the top 15: Hotel Magdalena (No. 12) and Hotel San José (No. 15).

Voting Process Overview

Each year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences from around the world—expressing their views on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers participated in the 2023 survey, marking a nearly 25 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic voting. More than 685,000 votes were cast for over 8,500 distinct properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically evaluated against the following criteria:

Room and facilities
Location
Service quality
Dining options
Overall value

Respondents could rate each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the average of these ratings.

What Captivated Our Readers

A standout newcomer on this year’s list is The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, an elegant hotel that opened last summer in Manhattan’s NoMad district (marking the 106th Ritz-Carlton globally). “The service here is exceptional,” praised one voter regarding the No. 13 hotel. “I never had to handle my luggage or open a door— the bell staff were some of the best I've encountered.”

Kudos also go to the stylish Riggs Washington D.C. (No. 6), set within the historic Riggs National Bank, and Charleston’s Wentworth Mansion (No. 5). “We’ve experienced many wonderful hotels over the past two decades, and this one ranks among the finest,” noted a reader about the South Carolina treasure. “It’s a charming spot in a fantastic location, complete with delightful perks like a full breakfast at Circa 1886, afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres, plus evening port, sherry, and brandy. We can’t wait to return.”

However, it was last year’s No. 2—a stunning hotel in Chicago, located just steps from the iconic Magnificent Mile—that clinched the title of T+L readers’ favorite city hotel in the continental United States.

The Champion

The Peninsula Chicago: Chicago, Illinois

Nighttime exterior view of The Peninsula Chicago

Image courtesy of The Peninsula

This modern, technology-driven hotel in downtown Chicago is well-acquainted with the World’s Best Awards—one reason being the outstanding service that guests consistently enjoy. “The staff and customer service are unmatched compared to any other hotel I’ve experienced,” shared one guest. Voters also appreciated the hotel’s expansive multi-level spa and fitness center, covering 15,000 square feet, which provides everything from massage treatments to breathtaking city views. Dining options feature The Lobby for high tea and the rooftop Z Bar, offering views of Michigan Avenue. The hotel’s new Naturally Peninsula menu showcases plant-based dishes inspired by global Blue Zones, from Okinawa, Japan, to Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.