U.S. News & World Report Names Its Best Hotels Hotels For 2016

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Sea Island, Georgia may be an overlooked vacation destination. But its beloved Lodge at Sea Island has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the best hotel in the U.S. for 2016.

The consumer advice and information publisher revealed its annual lists of the best hotels across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Thursday, ranking the cream of the crop based on thousands of independent reviews from guests and travel industry experts.

In all, more than 2,500 hotels across the four regions were evaluated. 

The Lodge at Sea Island was followed by Washington, D.C.'s The Jefferson at No. 2 and third-place ARIA Sky Suites in Las Vegas made its top five debut. 

Representing Canada, The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal takes the top spot for the third straight year.

Here's how the top five break down for all four regions in 2016:

Best Hotels in the U.S.

1. The Lodge at Sea Island

2. The Jefferson, Washington, DC

3. ARIA Sky Suites

4. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu  

5. The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Best Hotels in Canada

1. Ritz-Carlton, Montreal 

2. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

3. Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto

4. Rosewood Hotel Georgia

5. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

Best Hotels in the Caribbean

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

2. Jamaica Inn

3. Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

4. Tortuga Bay

5. Jade Mountain 

Best Hotels in Mexico

1. Rosewood Mayakoba

2. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

3. One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos

4. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort

5. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

"The hotels on our list are adored by both travelers and expert reviewers for their high-quality amenities, comfortable rooms and exceptional services," said U.S. News Travel Editor Erin Shields in a statement. 

To determine its Best Hotels, U.S. News said it "combines a hotel's industry accolades with expert and guest reviews and hotel class ratings." 

Afterward, the top 10 percent in each region are awarded Gold badges, while the top 30 percent receive Silver badges.

Source:  PATRICK CLARKE , www.travelpulse.com