The Top Hotel for 2019 in Every State

Picking the best hotel in every state is sort of like picking your favorite ice cream flavor - when it comes down to it, they're all delicious and you try them all, but you just naturally gravitate to the one you think tastes the best.

That's how we approached picking the top hotel for 2019 in each state. There were definitely many to choose from, but in the end, we looked long and hard at a variety of reviews - other websites, track experts, people who have stayed at the hotels and offered up their opinion, as well as our own knowledge - and this is the list we came up with.

Right near the beach, this resort has it all - two golf courses, a 20,000 square-foot spa, 10 tennis courts, a pool complex and more. And the rooms and suites are impeccable.

Be sure to ride the aerial tram over Chugach State Park, go to the spa and certainly the fitness center - and that's just in the summer. In the winter, ski at one of Alaska's best resorts while staying in one of Alyeska's gorgeous 304 rooms. Relax with a dip in the indoor saltwater pool after you ski, snowmobile or dogsled.

There are a plethora of great hotels and resorts in the Valley of the Sun, but The Phoenician is arguably the most elegant. It's the amenities - both created by the hotel itself (like Italian marble bathrooms, an 18-hole golf course, tennis, spa and more) and by Scottsdale itself (make sure you get a room with a view of the Camelback Mountains).

This is one of the rare great hotels/resorts that is family-oriented. On the banks of Lake Ouachita, Mountain Harbor has individual cabins and an emphasis on getting out to enjoy nature through its hiking and biking trails. You can also rent a boat, or just relax at one of three swimming pools.

It would be hard to get much more elegant or more southern California than The Peninsula, the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel in the Los Angeles area every year since 1993. This is high class down to every silver spoon in its 195 rooms, suites and private villas. The Living Room is where Afternoon Tea is served daily and its rooftop swimming pool is incredible. And you can walk to Rodeo Drive.

Easily one of the most spectacular settings in the country. Have a drink at the Pool Café. Eat in one of several on-site restaurants. Have the kids tackle the waterslides - with you right behind. Relax in an over-sized room and enjoy the always-attentive service.

Perhaps the most oft-noted point about the Saybrook Point Inn, Marina & Spa - other than the gorgeous setting of being on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound - is the incredible staff. They cater to every whim, including, get this, pet-sitting. In short, this is where they make you feel special, as every great hotel should.

The lobby gives you an idea right away of the elegance with its gilded ceilings and gold chandeliers. And, just because you're staying here doesn't mean you can waltz down to the restaurant to grab a bite. Hotel DuPont's Green Room is so popular and so amazing that people come from miles around and it's booked several weeks in advance.

A relative newcomer on the South Beach scene, having opened in 2015, the Faena is the perfect hotel befitting of the glitz and glamour of Miami Beach. And it's not all showy - this is another hotel where the service is outstanding. A balcony room with a view of the beach tops it all off.

After you open your morning with a rain-head shower, make yourself a cup of Nespresso from in-room coffee-maker and sit out on the balcony and enjoy the beach view. Then either enjoy the water-related activities or the spa, or 18 holes at its PGA golf course.

If you close your eyes and think of Hawaii, this is it. More than 20 acres along Namalu Bay featuring 50 suites, which not only gives you that secluded feeling but also allows the staff to pamper guests like there's no tomorrow. The Hideaway restaurant is among the best in Hawaii, as is Spa Montage.

It's the rooms. The splurge is one of the fireplace suites overlooking the lake, which also features a large bathroom with a soaking tub. Or go for it all with the penthouse, a 2,500 square-foot suite with an in-room waterfall. No, seriously.

Lavish. That's the best word to describe the venerable Ritz Carlton. And where Ritz Carltons are prevalent in major cities, this one is unique in that it sits atop the Water Tower Place. The views of the city alone are worth it.

A National Historic Landmark built in 1902, the West Baden Springs Hotel is known for its incredible domed atrium. It's so magnificent that it was once nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World. The 243 rooms overlook the atrium.

There are surprisingly many deluxe hotels in Iowa, and this one is unique. Housed in the historic Battery Building, this Hard Rock has only 54 rooms but many unique features. That includes 'Rock Om,' its yoga package. (Rock Om, get it?) And, of course, the ability to attract some great musical acts.

There are quite a few choices in Wichita but the Hotel at Old Town has a fun feel to it. It's a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown, and in fact, that's the appeal. Step outside the front doors, go in any direction, and you're within walking distance of more than 40 restaurants, shops and museums.

It's ironic. The '21c' in this hotel stands for the 21st century, and there are new-fangled touches everywhere from the art in the lobby to how your room is decorated. Yet, there are many things that are old-fashioned - starting with the incredible service by the staff and, of course, the bourbon, Kentucky's calling card.

If you haven't been to New Orleans, but you've seen pictures - especially of Mardi Gras - this hotel is classic New Orleans. From its wrought-iron railings on its balconies to its unbelievable oysters at the Desire Bar, this is the place to stay in the French Quarter at any time of year.

Welcome to New England, ocean-style. The Bar Harbor Inn is the classic waterside retreat, a throw-back with modern-day amenities. Timeless is probably a better description. It's within walking distance of downtown Bar Harbor and its myriad restaurants and shops.

Maybe the best views of Baltimore's signature attraction, the Inner Harbor. The 29th-floor restaurant, The Bygone, is outstanding. The lobby and the pool scream of luxury, and the service is befitting of The Four Seasons.

How popular is this nearly 100-year old hotel? Even the locals come here for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the White Elephant is the place to be seen on Nantucket. Whether that's to dock their multi-million dollar boat or to brunch at its Brant Point Grill, this is the place on the island.

Grandeur. That's the only way to describe the Grand Hotel, with its magnificent world's longest porch overlooking northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac. Take a step back in time on an island where you can't bring your car. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages only.

It didn't take long for W Hotels to gain a well-deserved reputation as one of the coolest, hippest hotel chains in the world. This one is no exception. W turned a historical building, The Foshay, into a luxurious hotel. It's also desirable to many because of its location and ability to walk to numerous downtown attractions.

Romantic four-post beds, Jacuzzis, fireplaces … what's not to like? There are only 30 rooms and suites here, and everybody had a chance to meet and greet fellow travelers either at the daily Southern breakfast or the nightly cocktail hour.

This place is massive and yet homey at the same time. There's a spa, water sports, hiking trails and more. You can go upscale to eat at the Chateau Grille and have drinks at Atrium Cafe & Wine Bar, or grab a sandwich at the Downstairs Deli topped off with something decadent at the Sweet Shoppe.

This is ultra-exclusive, intimate and romantic. No kids here. There are only 12 private, but luxurious, log cabins here where you can horseback ride, hike, fish, play tennis and more. And the hospitality is over the top.

Location is everything, and the Hilton is within steps of the Omaha Civic Center, Holland Performing Arts Center and the Old Market. For business people who don't like to skimp, this is the place.

In a town filled with luxury, it's hard to go wrong trying to find it. But the Aria, a AAA Five Diamond Award, is another world altogether. You are greeted by a waterfall running down the wall at the entrance. Your room is controlled by an iPad, and the moment you walk in the door the curtains on the main window open up to the brilliance of Vegas. The bathroom is bigger than some people's apartments. It's opulent, to say the least.

Spectacular. The resort just underwent a $60 million renovation, and looking at it from the outside one thinks it's almost surreal that it could be this beautiful. Ski in the winter, golf in the summer, get a spa treatment at any time all under the shadow of the great White Mountains.

Don't throw in the towel on Atlantic City just yet. The Water Club is among the most luxurious resorts on the east coast, and nearby is one of the world's most famous - if not the most famous - boardwalks. Everywhere you look is a staff member, and that's no coincidence in a place that prides itself on service. In the summer, check out the pool and the pool bar.

Located in one of Sante Fe's most historic and desirable neighborhoods, there are more than 80 restaurants located within a half-mile of its front doors. The Inn of the Five Graces has just 24 suites decorated by noted designers Ira and Sylvia Seret, who owns the hotel.

If you have about a grand per night to spend - not kidding - this is the place for you. To say it is upscale would feel like a backhand swipe across the face. Located at 53rd Street, the Baccarat is literally in the middle of everything in Manhattan.

Everybody knows The Biltmore, America's largest home. But nearby is The Inn at Biltmore Estate, an elegant counterpart to the bigger estate and tourist attraction. Relax on the veranda. Sip afternoon tea in the library. Soak in the elegance.

Romance for couples, fun for families, getaways for girls and guys … Woodland has it all for everybody. There are suites and there are also separate cabins. The resort can be visited at any time, though many like the summer so they can turn it into a fishing trip. The service is impeccable and the views are amazing.

A luxurious mix of art, history, luxury, style and technology. This is a fun place to stay, with hundreds of bars, restaurants and attractions downtown within a third-of-a-mile of the hotel. It's great for business travel, with a business center and on-site dry cleaning and laundry.

A mix of history and current style. The hotel is named for the building itself. When it was completed in 1910, it was the first skyscraper - 12 stories - in Oklahoma City history. The original marble still adorns the columns and walls of the main lobby; the original nickel and bronze letterbox and elevator doors still remain. Today, 47-inch flat screens and L'Occitane bath and shower products await guests.

Another great hotel with a long history. The Heathman has been around since 1927 and his highly regarded by Oregonians the state over. The hotel went through another renovation and revamp just this past year, but one thing hasn't changed - arguably the most visible thing to guests is an amazing service.

Located in one of the most fashionable addresses in the city, The Rittenhouse isn't just one of the great hotels in Philadelphia but is routinely named among the top 100 in the world by numerous polls and publications. The rooms are oversize by hotel standards, and the views of Rittenhouse Square are priceless.

The Ocean House is one of a kind. Literally. Sitting above the shores of the Atlantic, this is Rhode Island's only five-diamond resort and was once named one of 13 most luxurious properties in the world by Forbes. Ocean House is also home to the state's only five-star restaurant and spa.

An AAA Four-Diamond and Forbes Four-Star hotels, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town has just 60 rooms. But each is large and loaded with personal amenities, turn-down service, 24-hour room service and a personal butler.

Top-notch. If you're visiting the Black Hills, this is the place to stay for luxurious lodging, great dining and the chance to come out ahead by stopping in the casino. The staff is extraordinarily responsive.

The daily parade of ducks through the lobby of The Peabody is arguably the coolest, most fun aspect of any hotel in the country. That aside, southern hospitality is the rule of law here by the ultra-friendly staff. And the location near every major tourist attraction, including Beale Street, can't be beaten.

Now we all know they do things big in Texas, right? Well, Hotel Emma is just over the top. It's luxurious and understated at the same time, with great amenities and a location near the Riverwalk in the Pearl District that can't be beat.

Park City screams ski season but Montage Deer Valley is a year-round resort. In the spring and summer, take a nice walk to Park City's famed Main Street with its clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shopping. Whether it's skiing, hiking, biking, golf or fly-fishing, end the day by hitting the 35,000 square-foot spa.

There are just 20 rooms here, which only adds to the romance of this great New England resort. Set on 300 acres, Twin Farms likes to boast that it customizes every detail. No two accommodations are the same. Gourmet meals and fine wine don't hurt, either.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this first-class resort is amazing in every sense of the word. This is really for outdoor lovers, as most of the activities are centered outside, including horseback riding and skeet shooting at its on-property range. The price is not for the faint of heart, but oh so worth it.

Look, the bottom line is you will never go wrong with a Four Seasons hotel. In Seattle, floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms allow you one of the most spectacular views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the mountain peaks. Its location within a short walk to the Seattle Art Museum and Pike Place Market is a bonus.

Certainly one of America's great hotel resorts, not only for West Virginia residents but for the world. And why not? Situated on more than 11,000 acres, the Greenbrier - which opened in 1778 - has hosted kings, queens, celebrities and 26 American presidents in its 700 rooms and 33 suites. Elegance has never been an issue here.

The American Club is a Forbes Five-Star Resort Hotel and the Midwest's only AAA Five Diamond Resort, pretty heady stuff when you consider how many great states and cities make up the Midwest. The rooms are charming; the bathrooms are over the top.

See previous slides in terms of our regard for Four Seasons properties. Though it's a stone's throw from Jackson Hole and some of the best skiing in the world, the resort is, as its name suggests, a four-season facility. Enjoy the pool, hit up the concierge for suggestions, or just stay in and get comfy in your room while ordering room service.