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Study: Luxury hotel guest satisfaction is on the rise (and these brands top the list)

New J.D. Power hotel study highlights guest satisfaction

By Mark Reif Jul 18, 2024 7:32 AM

TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo — The Luxury Collection

Guest satisfaction is up at high-end hotel chains — and down at lower-end ones — according to the J.D. Power 2024 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index (NAGSI) Study. The comprehensive survey sought to “understand the voice of the customer” through targeted questions about guests’ entire hotel experience. Further, the study identified trends regarding stay length, pricing, and hotel investments. Here are the details.

J.D. Power 2024 NAGSI Study: How luxury hotels set themselves apart

San Diego Margaritaville Hotel — Margaritaville Hotel, San Diego, CA Margaritaville Hotels

In the NAGSI study, J.D. Power analyzed key performance indicators (KPIs) with the greatest impact on customer satisfaction. Guests were polled on topics like value for price, staff service, food and beverage, hotel facility, guest room, and communication and connectivity. The results identified some interesting trends.

The study’s key findings include:

As of 5/24, the average daily rate (ADR) for a hotel room is $158.45 — second only to 10/23 at $159.01
Luxury and upscale hotels are seeing steady or increasing guest satisfaction, even with higher room rates.
Travelers are taking fewer trips and staying longer. North American travelers now take an average of nine trips per year, compared to 10 in 2023. Stay length is now an average of 3.43 days, an increase from 2023’s 3.36 days.
Investing in facilities, service, and staff leads to a higher perceived value among guests. Even though upscale hotels cost more, their investments in these categories create greater satisfaction.

The top-scoring upscale hotels included:

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Mark Reif is a storyteller focused on the intersection of outdoor culture, travel, and design. From the peaks of Banff to the… Read Full Bio

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door.

5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.