2025 wrapped
Which hotels stood out a little extra in 2025?
Every year when I look back I get the feeling that this has really been a great hotel year. And standing here at the end of 2025 looking back I feel that familiar sensation. But I must say, that this year has been something extra. It has never been more difficult to choose my favorites for the ten different award categories. I managed at the end but it was tough to leave out some truly amazing hotels such as La Mission, Regina Experimental and Melsted Badehotel.
OK, life goes on. Back to the awards. Which of all of the hotels from 2025 will earn a coveted Selected by RG Award? This is the 6th time that I am doing this and I will present my front runner in ten different categories:
Mountain
“Hygge”
Water
Historic
Urban
Cabin or Apartment
Budget
Food
Rural
Unique
My favorite mountain hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Shishi Iwa House / Japan
In the Japanese mountains, between Tokyo and former Winter Olympic host city of Nagano, there is a small alpine town of Karuizawa. In the mountains above the town there is an amazing design hotel by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban. This wooden alpine hotel is truly a treat for all senses.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Shishi Iwa House.
My favorite “hygge” hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Corte Pravecchio / Italy
This category is new and it highlights hotel that makes you feel extra welcome. These are hotels that excel at service, that are cozy and reeking of “hygge” (as the Danes call it). The winner this year is the outstanding Corte Pravecchio just south of Lake Garda in Italy. This hotel had just opened when we stayed here (we were actually their first guests) and Mia and her family (including puppy Barrique, pictured in the photo above) made us feel like we were royals.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Corte Pravecchio.
My favorite hotel by water of 2025…
…and the winner is: Svinkløv Badehotel / Denmark
I love Danish bade hotels. And this one stands out among the rest. Sinvkløv is located on the north western coast of Jutland. A wooden hotel hidden among the grass covered sand dunes, right in front of the ferocious Vesterhavet. The design is amazing, the food is amazing, the location is amazing, the service is amazing. Basically, everything about this hotel is amazing.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Svinkløv..
My favorite historic hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Villa Berg Badhotell / Sweden
This year there are two bade hotels on my list. The winner of the historic category is Villa Berg, and is not a Danish but a Swedish badehotel. An old, wooden Art Nouveau building dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, that has been gently transformed into a contemporary design hotel with roots firmly planted in local traditions. The location is hard ot beat, on a small hill overlooking the Baltic Sea.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at The W Budapest.
My favorite urban hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Ace Kyoto / Japan
This is the category where I usually have the most amount of hotels since I often stay in cities. This year it was very difficult since I stayed at some really great urban hotels. But the one that one in the end was Ace Kyoto. A fabulous take on a traditional Japanese hotel paired with an attractive hipster vibe. A great example of how a new build can have soul.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Ace Kyoto.
My favorite apartment hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: ATTO Suites / Italy
The Dolomites has a special place in my heart after having worked there for years in my youth. In the northeastern part of Italy, right on the border to Austria is where you’ll find this minimalist apartment hotel. The monolithic building is sleek and strict while the interior is warm and bright. And best of all is that all of the apartments have front row seats to one of the most stunning ridges of the Dolomites.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at ATTO.
My favorite gastro hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Hisa Raduha / Slovenia
I am not a hard core foodie, but every now and then I seek out hotels that are real gastro destinations. Like this one, Hisa Raduha, located in a remote corner of Slovenia where you stay in stylish cabins on stilts. The dinner we had here was one of the best experiences ever. Dish after dish of interpretations of local Slovenian classics.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Hisa Raduha.
My favorite budget design hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: d’une île / France
I always say that this is my favorite category. I love to highlight hotels that offer great design where you don’t have to sell a kidney in order to afford to stay. This rural escape in Normandie is a great example of where great design is accessible to the many. We paid 155 Euro for a double room in July during peak season. And the reasonable price is not the only reason to stay here. The place looks amazing and the food is equally wonderful.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at d’une île..
My favorite rural hotel of 2025…
…and the winner is: Aire de Bardenas / Spain
It almost doesn’t get more rural or remote than this. Aire de Bardenas is located in the Spanish desert, close to the French border. A design retreat with an almost military-inspired look where you can come to enjoy the rugged landscape and total tranquility.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Aire de Bardenas.
And the final one, the Unique Award of 2025…
…and the winner is: Palazzo Daniele / Italy
This award is the big one. And my favorite in this category of categories this year is Palazzo Daniele located on the edge of the heel of the boot that is Italy. A former private residence turned uniquely stylish boutique hotel, filled with contemporary art and exquisite design. They go out of their way to make you feel at home where it was easy to pretend this was all our own private Puglian villa. I really did not want to leave. Ever.
Here is a link to my blog post where you can read all about my stay at Palazzo Daniele.
If you are curious to read about which hotels stood out to me in my previous annual Selected by RG Awards, you can find those post here:
For 2026, I have already booked some great hotels that I am very excited about. There will be some great ones in Spain, both on the islands as well as the mainland. Spain is a country I have not explored much thus far. I will return to Japan which I am over the moon excited about and I hope to add a new country to my hotel list, Switzerland.
I hope you will join me in what will hopefully be another great hotel year.
Happy new hotel year!
//RG
