Here are some favorite hotels I visited this year. They’re generally on the smaller side and have a sense of personality. Some are modest, a few are indulgent, but all have a personal touch that I enjoy when I’m on the road.

-Marbella Club, Spain. A great resort in the old style with wonderful food and an all-time bar. No real need to leave the property except to walk along the sea. Great for families if you want the poolside life with European charm.

-Jardin Escondido, Buenos Aires. A small, delightful hotel ideally located in Soho Palermo. My favorite place to stay in one of the great, underrated cities. Yes, it’s a haul to get to BA, but it’s a sprawling, easygoing, attractive place worth getting to know.

-Palazzo Experimental, Venice. Where I stay in Venice. A lovely, modern hotel in an ideal setting with views across the water towards Giudecca.

-Lundies House, Scotland. A very special house in Northern Scotland that’s worth the drive. You can read more about this trip in my FT story.

-The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana. If you are going all out in Montana then this is the place. An easy and scenic two-hour drive from Bozeman (half that from Missoula) this is where you can fish, ride, eat very well and live the big sky dream.

-Marktgasse Hotel, Zurich. A handsome hotel with understated rooms, in an attractive neighborhood. The public spaces are modest and the cafe is adequate. But if you’re looking for reasonable, straightforward place in one of the more expensive cities anywhere then try here—the “historic rooms” are preferred.

-La Maison du Bassin, Cap Ferret. When hotel has a lot of character, that usually means the rooms are small. And in this case that’s true. But this is a lovely place in Cap Ferret where we always return.

-Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic, Marbella. This is where I went on my fast, which I’ll be writing about later. It’s an extraordinary place. If you are making serious resolutions for next year then I highly recommend it. Up the hill from the Marbella Club.

-Black Earth Angling Co, Wisconsin. Not a hotel, but if you want serious smallmouth fishing in Wisconsin (not too far from Madison), then get on it.