How do you know you are selecting the best location for your annual meeting or board retreat? Ask the experts—planners who have been there and experienced it for themselves. Smart Meetings does this every year and our readers can be brutally honest. They are not just telling us about the most amazing swimming pool or golf course: They are sharing feedback about the actual experience of working with the team, brainstorming innovative ideas to engage attendees and solving problems before anyone ever knew there was one.

We call this no-holds-barred list of 191 of the best of the best as voted on by our readers our Smart Stars Winners. You will call it your go-to guide for ensuring that your next event exceeds your expectations, and wows clients and attendees. This year, we expanded the categories to include airlines, CVBs, DMCs, casinos and best F&B—35 categories in all. They are all searchable here by category, name and region. Feel free to bookmark and print the results so you can find a property vetted by your peers whenever you need it.

Enjoy.


2019 Winners

Category Property Region
Best Airline Alaska Airlines
@alaskaair | alaskaair.com
Best Airline American Airlines
@americanair | aa.com
Best Airline Delta Airlines
@delta | delta.com
Best Airline Southwest Airlines
@southwestair | southwest.com
Best Airline United Airlines
@united | united.com
Best Airport Hotel Fairmont Vancouver Airport
@fairmonthotels | fairmont.com
Canada
Best Airport Hotel Grand Hyatt DFW
@grandhyattdfw | hyatt.com
South Central
Best Airport Hotel Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago
@hyatttohare | hyatt.com
Midwest
Best Airport Hotel Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
@hyattsfo | hyatt.com
West
Best Airport Hotel The Westin Denver International Airport
@westin_denver_dia | marriott.com
Midwest
Best Attraction/Theme Park Great Wolf Lodge Southern California Garden Grove
@greatwolflodge | greatwolf.com
West
Best Attraction/Theme Park Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
@kalahariresorts | kalahariresorts.com
Best Attraction/Theme Park Monterey Bay Aquarium
@montereybayaquarium | montereybayaquarium.org
West
Best Attraction/Theme Park Universal Orlando Resort
@universalorlando | universalorlando.com
East
Best Attraction/Theme Park Walt Disney World
@waltdisneyworld | disneyworld.disney.go.com
East
Best Attraction/Theme Park Warner Brothers Studio Tour
@wbtourhollywood | wbstudiotour.com
West
Best Ballroom Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
@amwaygrandplaza | hilton.com
Midwest
Best Ballroom Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport
@hyattlakewash | hyatt.com
Pacific Northwest
Best Ballroom The Breakers Palm Beach
@thebreakers | hyatt.com
East
Best Ballroom Trump International Washington, D.C.
@trumpwashingtondc | trump.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Ballroom Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
@washingtondukeinn | washingtondukeinn.com
Southeast
Best Beach Hotel Hotel del Coronado
@delcoronado | hoteldel.com
West
Best Beach Hotel The Kahala Hotel & Resort
@kahala_resort | kahalaresort.com
Hawaii
Best Beach Hotel The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
@naplesbeachhotel | naplesbeachhotel.com
Southeast
Best Beach Hotel The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
@ritzcarlton | ritzcarlton.com
West
Best Beach Hotel The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
@westingcayman | westingrandcayman.com
Caribbean
Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Belmond El Encanto
@belmondelencanto | belmond.com
West
Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Hutton Hotel
@huttonhotel | huttonhotel.com
Southeast
Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
@kimptonindc | monaco-dc.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
@lhchicago | londonhousechicago.com
Midwest
Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel The Brazilian Court
@thebraziliancourt | thebraziliancourt.com
Southeast
Best City Hotel Boston Harbor Hotel
@bostonharborhotel | bhh.com
East
Best City Hotel Hyatt Regency St. Louis At The Arch
@hyattstl | hyatt.com
Midwest
Best City Hotel Kimpton EPIC Hotel
@epichotel | epichotel.com
Southeast
Best City Hotel Sheraton Grand Los Angeles
@sheratonladt | marriott.com
West
Best City Hotel The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
@westinstfr | westinstfrancis.com
West
Best City Hotel The Post Oak
@postoakuptown | thepostoakhotel.com
South Central
Best Coastal Hotel Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
@grandhyattkauai | hyatt.com
Hawaii
Best Coastal Hotel Monarch Beach Resort
@monarchbresort | monarchbeachresort.com
West
Best Coastal Hotel Terranea
@terranearesort | terranea.com
West
Best Coastal Hotel The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
@kingandprince | kingandprince.com
Southeast
Best Conference Center AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
@meetattexas | meetattexas.com
South Central
Best Conference Center Boise Centre
@boisecentre | boisecentre.com
Northwest
Best Conference Center Convene at 333 South Grand Avenue
@convene | convene.com
West
Best Conference Center Lied Lodge & Conference Center
@arbordayfarm | liedlodge.org
Midwest
Best Conference Center Monterey Conference Center
@montereyconferencecenter | montereyconferencecenter.com
West
Best Conference Center The National Conference Center
@thenationalnova | conferencecenter.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Convention Center Austin Convention Center
@accdtx | austinconventioncenter.com
South Central
Best Convention Center Hawaii Convention Center
@hawaiiconventioncenter | meethawaii.com
Hawaii
Best Convention Center Anaheim Convention Center
@visitanaheim | anaheim.net
West
Best Convention Center Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
@lbconventionctr | longbeachcc.com
West
Best Convention Center Hotel Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
@gaylordnational | marriott.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Convention Center Hotel Hyatt Regency Orlando
@hyattregencyorlando | hyatt.com
Southeast
Best Convention Center Hotel Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
@grandhyattsd | hyatt.com
West
Best Convention Center Hotel Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas
@mandalaybay | mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com
West
Best Convention Center Hotel The Broadmoor
@thebroadmoor | broadmoor.com
West
Best Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises
@celebritycruises | celebritycruises.com
Best Cruise Line Holland America Line
@halcruises | hollandamerica.com
Best Cruise Line Hornblower Cruises & Events - New York
@hornblowerny | hornblowernewyork.com
Best Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
@norwegiancruiseline | ncl.com
Best Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International
@royalcaribbean | royalcaribbeanincentives.com
Best CVB/DMO Destination DC
@visitwashingtondc | washington.org
Mid-Atlantic
Best CVB/DMO Discover The Palm Beaches
@palmbeachesfl | thepalmbeaches.com
Southeast
Best CVB/DMO Explore St. Louis
@explorestlouis | explorestlouis.com
Midwest
Best CVB/DMO Explore Utah Valley
@exploreutahvalley | utahvalley.com
West
Best CVB/DMO Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
@discover_phl | discoverphl.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best CVB/DMO Visit Denver
@visitdenver | denver.org
Midwest
Best CVB/DMO Visit Newport Beach
@visitnewportbeach | visitnewportbeach.com
West
Best CVB/DMO Visit Orlando
@visitorlando | visitorlando.com
Southeast
Best CVB/DMO Visit San Antonio
@visitsanantonio | visitsanantonio.com
South Central
Best CVB/DMO Visit Seattle
@visitseattle | visitseattle.org
Pacific Northwest
Best CVB/DMO Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
@vspc | visitstpeteclearwater.com
Southeast
Best CVB/DMO International Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
@banff_lakelouise | banfflakelouise.com
Canada
Best CVB/DMO International Costa Rica Convention Bureau
@visit_costarica | costaricacvb.com
Central America
Best CVB/DMO International Japan National Tourism Organization
@visitjapanjp | japan.travel
Asia
Best CVB/DMO International Los Cabos Convention and Visitors Bureau
@visit_loscabos | visitloscabos.travel
Mexico
Best CVB/DMO International Madrid Convention Bureau
esmadrid.com
Europe
Best CVB/DMO International Tourism Australia
@austrourism | tourism.australia.com
Oceania
Best Decor/Design Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa
@andazscottsdale | andazscottsdale.com
West
Best Decor/Design Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa
@eaupalmbeach | eaupalmbeach.com
Southeast
Best Decor/Design The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe
@edgewoodtahoe | edgewoodtahoe.com
West
Best Decor/Design The Venetian Resort
@venetianvegas | venetian.com
West
Best Desert Hotel Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
@fairmontscotsdl | scottsdaleprincess.com
West
Best Desert Hotel Hotel Valley Ho
@hotelvalleyho | hotelvalleyho.com
West
Best Desert Hotel Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa
@hyattregencytamaya | hyatt.com
West
Best Desert Hotel JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa
@jwmarriottlvevents | marriott.com
West
Best Desert Hotel La Quinta Resort & Club
@laquintaresort | laquintaresort.com
West
Best Desert Hotel Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, a Curio Collection by Hilton
@miramonteresort | miramonteresort.com
West
Best Desert Hotel The Phoenician, Scottsdale
@phoenicianscottsdale | thephoenician.com
West
Best DMC ACCESS Destination Services
@accessdmc | accessdmc.com
Best DMC DMC Network
@dmcnetworkllc | dmcnetwork.com
Best DMC Global DMC Partners
@globaldmcs | globaldmcpartners.com
Best DMC Hello! Destination Management
@hellodmc | hello-dmc.com
Best DMC Hosts Global
@hostsglobal | hosts-global.com
Best DMC PRA Destination Management
@prabusinessevents | pra.com
Best Eco/Green Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
@fairmontqueene | fairmont.com
Canada
Best Eco/Green Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
@hyattmaui | hyatt.com
Hawaii
Best Eco/Green Oregon Convention Center
@oregonconventioncenter | oregoncc.org
Pacific Northwest
Best Eco/Green Portola Hotel & Spa
@portolahotel | portolahotel.com
West
Best Eco/Green The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel
@lodgegsp | lodgeatgulfstatepark.com
South
Best Executive Retreat Boulders Resort & Spa
@thebouldersresort | theboulders.com
West
Best Executive Retreat Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa
@devilsthumbresort | devilsthumbranch.com
West
Best Executive Retreat Salamander Resort & Spa
@salamanderresort | salamanderresort.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Executive Retreat Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
@steinlodge | steinlodge.com
West
Best Executive Retreat The Hotel Hershey
thehotelhershey.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Executive Retreat Villas of Grand Cypress, Orlando
@thevillasofgrandcypress | grandcypress.com
Southeast
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
@disneyaulani | disneyaulani.com
Hawaii
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort Big Cedar Lodge
@bigcedarlodge | bigcedar.com
Midwest
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
@elconresort | elconresort.com
Caribbean
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg
@greatwolflodge | greatwolf.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
@hyattlostpines | hyatt.com
South Central
Best Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort Sun Valley Resort
@sunvalley | sunvalley.com
West
Best Food and Beverage Aria Resort & Casino
@arialv | aria.mgmresorts.com
West
Best Food and Beverage Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
@caesarspalace | caesars.com
West
Best Food and Beverage Nobu Hotel Miami Beach
@nobuhotelmiamibeach | nobuhotelmiamibeach.com
Southeast
Best Food and Beverage Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
@sanctuaryaz_ | sanctuaryoncamelback.com
West
Best Food and Beverage Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago
@trumpchicago | trumphotels.com/chicago
Midwest
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel Aria Resort & Casino
@arialv | aria.mgmresorts.com
West
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
@caesarspalace | caesars.com
West
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
@hrhcpuntacana | hardrockhotelpuntacana.com
Caribbean
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel MGM National Harbor
@mgmnationalharbor | mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel Talking Stick Resort
@talkingstickresort | talkingstickresort.com
West
Best Gaming/Casino Hotel Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Hotel
@wynnlasvegas | wynnlasvegas.com
West
Best Golf Resort Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
@hyatthillcountry | hyatt.com
South Central
Best Golf Resort Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
@nemacolin | nemacolin.com
Mid-Atlantic
Best Golf Resort Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club and Spa
@parkhyattaviara | hyatt.com
West
Best Golf Resort PGA National Resort and Spa
@pganational | pgaresort.com
Southeast
Best Golf Resort Streamsong Resort
@streamsongresort | streamsongresort.com
Southeast
Best Golf Resort The Broadmoor
@thebroadmoor | broadmoor.com
West
Best Golf Resort Trump National Doral Miami
@trumpdoral | trumphotels.com
Southeast
Best Historic Hotel Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
@fairmontfrontenac | fairmont.com
Canada
Best Historic Hotel Hotel Monteleone
@hotelmonteleone | hotelmonteleone.com
South
Best Historic Hotel Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
@millenniumbiltmore | millenniumhotels.com
West
Best Historic Hotel Royal Palms Resort and Spa
@royalpalmshotel | royalpalmshotel.com
West
Best Historic Hotel The Sagamore Resort
@thesagamoreresort | thesagamore.com
East
Best Hotel Pool Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
@atlantisbahamas | atlantisbahamas.com
Caribbean
Best Hotel Pool Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
@fsorlando | fourseasons.com
Southeast
Best Hotel Pool Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
@grandwailea | grandwailea.com
Hawaii
Best Hotel Pool Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
@hyattscottsdale | hyatt.com
West
Best Hotel Pool Marriott Marquis Houston
@themarquishou | marriott.com
South Central
Best Hotel Pool The Resort at Pelican Hill
@pelicanhillresort | pelicanhill.com
West
Best Hotel Spa Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
@calaviespa | cal-a-vie.com
West
Best Hotel Spa Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
@fairmontscotsdl | scottsdaleprincess.com
West
Best Hotel Spa Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
@grandcoralbeach | coralbeachcancunresort.com
Mexico
Best Hotel Spa Grand Velas Riviera Maya
@grandvelasmaya | rivieramaya.grandvelas.com
Mexico
Best Hotel Spa Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa
@miravalresorts | miravalarizona.com
West
Best Hotel Spa The Resort at Pedregal
@resortatpedregal | theresortatpedregal.com
Mexico
Best Incentive Hotel One&Only Palmilla
@ooresorts | oneandonlyresorts.com
Mexico
Best Incentive Hotel Sea Island
@sea_island | seaisland.com
South
Best Incentive Hotel The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
@cosmopolitan_lv | cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
West
Best Incentive Hotel The Resort at Paws Up
@theresortatpawsup | pawsup.com
West
Best Incentive Hotel UNICO 20°N 87°W Hotel Riviera Maya
@unico2087 | unicohotelrivieramaya.com
Mexico
Best Island Hotel Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
@atlantisbahamas | atlantisbahamas.com
Caribbean
Best Island Hotel Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
@grandhyattbahamar | hyatt.com
Caribbean
Best Island Hotel Paradisus Punta Cana Resort by Melia
@paradisuspuntacana | paradisuspuntacanahotel.com
Caribbean
Best Island Hotel The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
@kingandprince | kingandprince.com
Southeast
Best Island Hotel The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
@westingcayman | westingrandcayman.com
Caribbean
Best Mountain/Ski Resort Keystone Resort and Conference Center
@keystone_resort | keystoneresort.com
Midwest
Best Mountain/Ski Resort Montage Deer Valley
@deervalleyresort | montagehotels.com
West
Best Mountain/Ski Resort Snowbird
@snowbird | snowbird.com
Midwest
Best Mountain/Ski Resort Sun Valley Resort
@sunvalley | sunvalley.com
Midwest
Best Mountain/Ski Resort The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
@westinriverfront | marriott.com
Midwest
Best On-Site Support Staff Hyatt Regency Orlando
@hyattregencyorlando | hyatt.com
Southeast
Best On-Site Support Staff Orlando World Center Marriott
@orlandoworldcenter | marriott.com
Southeast
Best On-Site Support Staff The Hammock Beach Resort
@hammockbeach | hammockbeach.com
Southeast
Best On-Site Support Staff The St. Regis Deer Valley
deervalley.com
Midwest
Best On-Site Tech/AV AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
@meetattexas | meetattexas.com
South Central
Best On-Site Tech/AV Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa
@marriottharborbeach | marriott.com
Southeast
Best On-Site Tech/AV Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
@gaylordtexan | marriott.com
South Central
Best On-Site Tech/AV Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
@grandcoralbeach | coralbeachcancunresort.com
Mexico
Best On-Site Tech/AV Park MGM
@parkmgm | parkmgm.mgmresorts.com
West
Best Outdoor Event Space Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
@hiltonloscabos | hiltonloscabos.com
Mexico
Best Outdoor Event Space Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
@hyattmaui | hyatt.com
Hawaii
Best Outdoor Event Space Napa Valley Wine Train
@winetrain | winetrain.com
West
Best Outdoor Event Space Ojai Valley Inn
@ojaivalleyinn | ojaivalleyinn.com
West
Best Outdoor Event Space The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood
@diplomatbeachresort | diplomatresort.com
Southeast
Best Overall Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Brand Andaz
@andaz | hyatt.com
Best Overall Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Brand Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group
@kimpton | ihg.com
Best Overall Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Brand Pendry Hotels
@pendryhotels | pendryhotels.com
Best Overall Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Brand W Hotels Worldwide
@whotels | w-hotels.marriott.com
Best Overall Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Brand Woodside Hotel Group
@woodsidehotelgroup | woodsidehotelgroup.com
Best Overall Hotel Chain Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts
@crowneplaza | ihg.com
Best Overall Hotel Chain Four Seasons
@fourseasons | fourseasons.com
Best Overall Hotel Chain Hilton
@hiltonhotels | hilton.com
Best Overall Hotel Chain Hyatt
@hyatt | hyatt.com
Best Overall Hotel Chain Marriott International
@marriottbonvoy | marriott.com
Best Special Event Venue Bowlmor Lanes
@bowlmorlanes | bowlmor.com
Best Special Event Venue Dave & Busters
@daveandbusters | daveandbusters.com
Best Special Event Venue Folktale Winery and Vineyards
@folktalewinery | folktalewinery.com
West
Best Special Event Venue Golden 1 Center
@golden1center | golden1center.com
West
Best Special Event Venue Topgolf
@topgolf | topgolf.com