[Top Hotels for Travel Writers 4X3] * CORONAVIRUS HAS INTERRUPTED TRAVEL ON A GLOBAL SCALE FORCING TRAVELERS TO CANCEL AND REASSESS PLANS IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS. * AS TRAVEL EDITORS AND WRITERS, WE FEEL THE STRAIN NOT ONLY ON OUR COVERAGE BUT ON OUR OWN PLANS AND PASSPORTS. WE TOO ARE HUNKERED DOWN AT HOME, FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FROM CDC, WHO, AND HEALTH OFFICIALS TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL DISTANCING. * BUT WE NEVER STOP THINKING ABOUT TRAVEL. IN FACT, WE'RE FOCUSED ON IT MORE THAN EVER, DREAMING OF THE PLACES WE'LL GO AS SOON AS THIS ENDS. WE ASKED THE WRITERS AND EDITORS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO INSIDER REVIEWS TRAVEL TO TELL US THE PLACES THEY'VE BOOKMARKED TO GO FIRST. * READ ALL BUSINESS INSIDER HOTEL REVIEWS HERE. _A note from your Insider Reviews travel editor: Coronavirus has interrupted travel on a global scale __forcing travelers to cancel and reassess plans__ in the coming weeks and months. We understand that right now is a challenging time to plan travel. But when this time passes and things return to normal, we know you'll be eager to explore the world again._ _Whenever that happens for you, and we know it will, we hope our travel content helps you make informed, useful, and inspiring choices on the best places and hotels to book. So whether you use our reviews now, bookmark them for the future, or simply need an escape from the news, we'll continue to share the world with you. In the meantime, we encourage all travelers to stay safe, follow guidelines from the CDC website, and take precautions._ As a travel editor, I'm deeply focused on discovering and sharing inspiring places, must-book hotels, and affordable yet dreamy resorts. And as someone who simply just loves to travel, I'm also always thinking about where I want to go next. For me, that was supposed to be Santorini, where I envisioned spending my birthday sipping something delightful while perched on the edge of a private infinity pool overlooking the glittering sea. Instead, like most people around the world right now, I'll just be hunkered down at home, practicing vigilant social distancing. The only exploring I'll be doing is taking a walk around the block — but only if I can keep six feet away from others — and peering out my front window. But I also know this difficult time will eventually end. And when it does, I'm going straight to Santorini. Or maybe Hawaii. Palm Springs is always a good idea. Because while I can't travel right now, thinking about the world out there, and where I'll go first, distracts and transports me out of my isolated corner of Queens, New York, if only for a moment. And I'm not alone. I reached out to fellow travel editors and writers who review the best hotels and places for Insider Reviews to find out which properties are top of mind. These are the 13 places we're going first, as soon as we can, from beach resorts to desert escapes and mountain retreats. We hope to see you there. KEEP READING FOR 13 HOTELS AND PLACES THE INSIDER REVIEWS TRAVEL TEAM CAN'T WAIT TO VISIT. ELEMENTS OF CALDERA SUITES - SANTORINI, GREECE Trip Advisor BOOK ELEMENTS OF CALDERA SUITES STARTING AT $248 PER NIGHT The Greek islands have long been on my travel bucket list and I was so excited to finally tick it off the list this year. I imagined staying in a pristine white stone villa with a private plunge pool overlooking the sea. However, due to the increasing severity of the novel coronavirus, I never booked a hotel for my Santorini birthday trip. But I had my sights set on a few properties. One that especially stood out was Elements of Caldera Suites. It was far removed from the tourist trodden city centers of Oia, which not only made it seem more laid back and serene, but also significantly cheaper than many similar alternatives. Rooms start at just $248 for a spacious Junior Suite with a hot tub and sea view, but even the top tier Executive Suite with private pool and sea view comes in at just $380. In other parts of Santorini, those same amenities go for nearly $1,000 per night. I had visions of sunset pool swims coupled with renting a car to explore the island, wine tasting excursions, scenic hiking, copious amounts of grilled calamari, and boat rides to uncover beach coves and dip into the warm Mediterranean waters. Soon Santorini. Soon. — EMILY HOCHBERG, INSIDER REVIEWS TRAVEL EDITOR IL CASTELFAFI - TUSCANY, ITALY Trip Advisor BOOK IL CASTELFAFI STARTING AT $345 PER NIGHT I had plans to travel around Italy after a friend's wedding, which was unfortunately canceled due to the current health situation. But I'm still dreaming of visiting Tuscany's rolling hills and famed sun after this is all over. My preferred spot is the Toscana Resort Castelfafi. It's set in the countryside of Montaione and I can't think of anything better after being confined to my tiny New York apartment than waking up to views of more than 2,700 acres of lush fields, woods, and vineyards. The serene setting is just what I need to let all my pent up anxieties go, while still being able to indulge in activities I've been missing like hiking, biking, and lounging poolside. Not to mention visiting some of Tuscany's wineries and sipping a few too many reds in the name of finding the perfect blend. That sounds pretty ideal right about now. — HANNAH FREEDMAN, INSIDER REVIEWS ASSOCIATE TRAVEL EDITOR THE JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB RESORT - JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA Trip Advisor BOOK THE JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB RESORT STARTING AT $199 PER NIGHT The Jekyll Island Club Resort, just off the coast of southern Georgia, has been a vacation spot for my partner's family for decades. I first visited with them a few years ago and it's a true happy place for my partner and me — we even got engaged there in 2018 — and we can't wait to go back. The Club Resort dates back to 1877, becoming the winter home of America's wealthiest families including the Vanderbilts, Morgans, Rockefellers, and Pulitzers — their Club-adjacent houses still stand and are available to tour. Now, Jekyll Island is a state park, preserving generations-old live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, the hauntingly beautiful driftwood beach, and all the lush natural southern flora. The Club Resort hosts guests year-round on its massive property complete with a pool, a croquet lawn, and two on-site restaurants. Rent a bike from the hotel and ride around the property — or the entire island if you're feeling ambitious. Also, be sure to stop by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where they rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles right on the hotel grounds. It's a fantastic spot for anyone who needs a relaxing escape full of southern charm that manages to stay relatively affordable. — JEN GUSHUE, INSIDER REVIEWS ASSOCIATE GUIDES EDITOR SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER SEE ALSO: * The best online deals and sales happening now * 12 movie night essentials for fun family time at home, as recommended by a dad of 2 * The best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
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