Top 5 Hotels in the World (Worth Seeking Out) + How Hotels Can Transform Your Travels with National Geographic Author Annie Fitzsimmons

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Feb 25, 2025

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How can your hotel or accommodations change how you experience a place?

Annie Fitzsimmons is a seasoned luxury travel expert and author of the National Geographic book 100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Retreats. Annie has covered hotels, travel, lifestyle, restaurants, and destinations around the world for the last 20 years, working with major travel media companies such as National Geographic Travel and AFAR, and is currently the editor-in-chief at Embark Beyond.

Annie shares the top five hotels that are worth seeking out in your life, covering not just luxury stays but those that tell a story, bring people together, and enhance the entire travel experience.

We talk about the best hotels in the world that are actually worth their price tag and why you should experience these places even if you’re not a guest. You’ll learn how to find places that match your travel style, gain insight into the world of hospitality, and learn how the hotel industry is evolving in the era of Airbnb.

We also discuss how she landed her dream job as National Geographic’s first-ever Urban Insider and how you, too, can forge your own unique career path.

PLUS: You'll hear part three of our Top 5 Road Trips in the USA series!

What was the most memorable hotel you’ve ever stayed in? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Tune In To Learn:

What it was like to leave her home country, raise a family abroad, and navigate cultural differences
How to match the right hotel to your travel style and expectations
Tips for making the most of a hotel, even if you’re not a guest
Where to find unique stays beyond typical luxury hotels
The top hotels in the world that immerse you in the local experience
Why “affordable luxury” is on the rise and what that means for travelers
Where the future of hotels is headed in a world of alternative stays
How Annie landed a dream job at National Geographic and created her own career path
Her best advice for writing and interviewing
And so much more

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