Best Gemstone Collection

Hemmed in by the Sammamish River in Woodinville wine country, the Willows Lodge stands as a quiet, wooded retreat just 18 miles northeast of Seattle. The hotel's guest rooms boast rustic touches like stone fireplaces and private patios or balconies, from which guests can catch a glimpse of imposing Mount Rainier on a clear day. Guests can also savor a glass of local vintage paired with pan roasted sea scallops at Barking Frog, the lodge's on-site restaurant, or go for a day of pampering at the spa. Even with its luxurious amenities, Willows still welcomes canine friends along for the trip, and even provides doggie beds. However, this luxurious lodge probably isn't the best place to bring your kids. Recent guests applaud Willows Lodge's prompt, personalized service but some say the accommodations were a bit outdated for the price.

Sitting at the heart of the trendy Back Bay area – just a few blocks from the Newbury Street shops –this boutique hotel impresses guests with its enviable location and contemporary accommodations. Guest rooms feature simplistic decor with shades of cream and grey and red accents. Though most recent guests report a pleasant night's sleep overall, some say while clean and comfortable, the rooms are slightly compact, even for city standards. Outside your digs, you'll find plenty of amenities, including a fitness center, and when dinnertime rolls around, indulge in tasty fare at XHALE. If you're more of a night owl, take advantage of the hotel's in-house bar, Storyville, which overflows with innovative libations as well as an extensive array of small plates available until the wee hours.

Foodies rejoice: This laid-back New England resort — located just east of Burlington in Essex Junction, Vermont — offers a bounty of culinary offerings. The Cook Academy is popular with recent guests for its private courses in sushi-rolling, pasta-making and baking using local ingredients. And there's fine-dining at the much-adored Junction and The Tavern restaurants as well. When you're ready to work off your meal, the resort allows the chance to swim in the indoor and outdoor pools, play tennis and test your golf game. Or if you would prefer to unwind, book a treatment at the tranquil, full-service spa. Afterward, cozy up in your comfortable accommodations, appointed with 300-thread-count linens, iPod docking stations and classic brick-enclosed fireplaces (in some suites). Some recent guests did feel that for the price tag, the rooms could use some updating.

Il Partenone Resort Hotel is a 4 star hotel. It has a 4.0 overall guest rating based on 131 reviews.

Travelers speak highly of their time at the Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando. Previous guests, from families to couples to business travelers, describe the resort – which is tucked onto Orlando's North Jacaranda Street – as a gem. Rooms here feature spacious bathrooms with separate bathtubs and glass-enclosed showers, flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffee makers and high-speed internet access. What's more, the villas come with a pretty sweet view; private patios or decks face either the nearby waterways or the resort's fairways. Speaking of greens, the Villas of Grand Cypress boasts 45 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus to conquer. The resort also prides itself on being family-friendly. Outdoor activities found on-site include a pool and several biking trails. Tennis courts, a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a pool with a waterslide and a game room can also be enjoyed at the resort's sister property, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. What's more, on-site The Clubhouse serves delectable cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But there's a catch: A stay at the Villas of Grand Cypress doesn't come cheap.

According to past guests, Tivoli Lodge offers an ideal location near White River National Forest and Vail, Colorado's world-renowned ski slopes. A member of the Gemstone Collection, this mountain-inspired hotel features two outdoor hot tubs, a fire pit, the Brown Hound Lobby Lounge (where children 4 and younger eat for free) and fitness and business centers. During ski season, visitors can enjoy complimentary ski valet services, as well as free cookies and beverages. Additional perks, such as free Wi-Fi access and complimentary access to the fitness and wellness amenities at the Vail Vitality Center, are available year-round. Plus, each of the 66 guest rooms and suites offers mountain or village views, a minifridge, a microwave and a flat-screen TV. Gas fireplaces and balconies are available in select rooms as well.

Taking design inspiration from Miami, this Vero Beach outpost (owned by musician Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio) is a favorite for couples and families in need of a quick getaway. With art deco furnishings and portholes looking out over the white-sand shoreline, the Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa offers guests a more relaxed resort atmosphere than that found in crowded Miami Beach. Recent guests praise the spacious rooms, superior service and pet-friendly accommodations this resort offers. Rooms are contemporary in design and feature a balcony or patio. When you're not relaxing in your room, lounge by the outdoor infinity-edge pool, take a nighttime stroll along the beach or check out Ocean Drive's shops and restaurants. For an extra dose or relaxation, book a massage at the on-site spa.

As its names suggests, this resort offers unparalleled views of the Garden of the Gods and the Rocky Mountains from its perch just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Aside from the landmark vantage point, which guests can enjoy from their guest room's balcony or patio, each room and suite is equipped with a minifridge, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, a fireplace and an iPod docking station. When you're not admiring the resort's enviable perch from your balcony, take in the views during a round of golf on the 27-hole course. The resort offers plenty of ways to work up a sweat, including tennis courts, a fitness center and a recreation center, which boasts a junior Olympic-size swimming pool, a playground and a basketball court. If you'd rather relax, the property also features a full-service spa and a heated outdoor infinity pool. Along with the many facilities, past guests raved about the on-site dining, which is composed of three restaurants. However, recent visitors said they'd return for the amazing views alone.

Xenones Filotera is a 4 star hotel located at Imerovigli in Santorini. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 370 reviews.

Marenas Beach Resort is a modern beach resort sitting on another stretch of Collins Avenue in the northern Miami Beach suburb of Sunny Isles Beach. Rooms here are predominately suites with the exception of the classic guest rooms, which are a mere 200 square feet. But that doesn't mean amenities are few and far between. All rooms feature Gilchrist & Soames bath products, Keurig coffee makers, iHome radios and balconies with bay or ocean panoramas, while suites include kitchens and washers and dryers. The stretch of Miami Beach is also equally spectacular, and the resort will distribute towels and lounge chairs. For kids, the property boasts a game room and a pool. Meanwhile, Caracol Restaurant serves up fresh seafood with Mediterranean flavors, and the in-house spa offers a wide array of massages and skin treatments. Also note that from Marenas, you're about a 5-mile drive from the Bal Harbour Shops, making this a good home base for those looking to do some shopping.