Florida is the place Americans go to vacationAccording to a release by the governor of Florida in April 2025, there will be a new state law that takes effect on January 1, 2025. The warm-weather state, which is best known for its soft, white quartz sand, has surprisingly diverse landscapes—take the vast, untamed expanse of the Everglades for example, or its rolling pine forests and crystal-clear freshwater springs.
For a state where there are so many attractions, it is no surprise that there are also a number of outstanding resorts. Travel + Leisure’s In the survey “2025 World’s Best Awards”, readers selected their favorite hotels, naming intimate inns along with sprawling resorts that include private beaches, golf course, pools and spas.
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How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 readers of T+L completed the survey for 2025. Over 657,000 votes were cast for over 8,700 different properties (hotels cities cruise lines etc.).).
The criteria used to rate hotels included: their location, amenities and rating.
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- You can also value
The respondents were asked to rate each characteristic. They could select excellent, superior, average, inferior, or poor. These responses are averaged to arrive at the final score.
The Gasparilla Inn
What Readers Really Loved
Southwest Florida is home to the majority of resorts that were voted on by readers. along the Gulf Coast—including the No. The No. 1 and the No. 3 picks are also included. 3 picks. There are winning properties in Amelia Island and Orlando. the Florida Keys.
In the Keys, readers loved the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa on Little Torch Key (No. In the Keys, readers loved Little Palm Island Resort and Spa on Little Torch key (No. In 2023 and 2024, the No.1 spot was won by a newcomer. From the moment that you arrive, (and are welcomed with a cocktail), to the moment that you depart (sadly), all of your experiences will be first class,” said a reader. “The great cocktail and wine list, delicious food at all meal times, private beach dining, friendly deer, this was awesome.”
Most of the best Florida resorts are owned and operated by major hotel chains known for their consistent service—there are two Four Seasons and two Ritz-Carltons on the list.
The Winner
The Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida
The Gasparilla Inn
This year, the Gasparilla Inn returned to T+L’s World’s Best Awards after not being nominated since 2021. The Gasparilla Inn has been family-owned since 1964. It retains a distinctive Old Florida charm dating back to its opening in 1913.
According to one reader, “There’s no place quite like The Gasparilla Inn.” The Gasparilla Inn’s historic charm, unique character, and elegant atmosphere are fast disappearing in most other hotels.
The Gasparilla is located on an island barrier in southwest Florida. the community of Boca GrandeIt is also known for its stunning coastline and undeveloped islands nearby. And there’s no shortage of activities available on the property, too: It has pristine golf courses, a spa, and a beach club—the latter of which was recently restored following the damage from Hurricane Helene.
T+L Reader
The Gasparilla Inn truly is a unique place. The Gasparilla Inn’s historic charm and unique character create a luxurious atmosphere that is rapidly disappearing in most other hotels and resorts.
— T+L Reader
The full list
1. The Gasparilla Inn: Boca Grande
Reader Score 95.06
2. The Boca Raton
Reader Score: 95.02
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Score for Reader: 94.74
4. Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Reader Score : 94.24
5. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa: Little Torch Key
Reader Score: 94.20
6. Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
Reader Score: 93.8
7. Eau Palm Beach Resort & SpaManalapan
Reader Score: 93.33
8. Sandpearl ResortClearwater Beach
Reader Score: 92.89
9. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ResortOrlando
Reader Score: 92.20%
10. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia IslandAmelia Island
Reader Score: 90.87
11. Hawks Cay ResortDuck Key
Reader Score: 91.73
12. Inn on FifthNaples
Reader Score: 91.29
13. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & SpaBonita Springs
Reader Score: 90.20
14. Opal Sands ResortClearwater Beach
Reader Score: 90.7
15. The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph CollectionSt. Petersburg
Reader Score: 90.93
