Many readers chose similar (if not identical) words to describe London’s classic properties. For No. 2, the Goring: “steeped in history.” For No. 3, the Connaught: “quintessentially British.” For No. 7, the Savoy: “first class.”

Even with such deep and celebrated history to contend with, London’s hotels continue to innovate. Take, for example, the very modern Aman spa at the Connaught, the contemporary art gallery at No. 6 Claridge’s, and the Gucci-designed suite at the Savoy.

No matter which of the best hotels in London a traveler chooses, the experience promises to be thoroughly English, but there are many reasons T+L readers have voted Shangri-La the Shard, London, No. 1 for the third consecutive year. Find out what they are below.

1. Shangri-La the Shard, London

“Probably the most incredible hotel on earth!” one voter wrote. Passionate words, but this T+L reader favorite, which has topped our list three years in a row, seems to stir deep feelings in the hearts of its guests. Occupying 18 floors of a Renzo Piano skyscraper, the Shangri-La has sumptuous suites, an acclaimed restaurant, and sybaritic spa treatments. But it’s the impressive views over London that keep travelers hooked. “I recommend this hotel to all who like to travel in London,” shared another voter, who specifically praised the views from the pool bar and Ting restaurant.

Score: 97.86

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2. The Goring

Score: 96.55

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3. The Connaught

Score: 95.79

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4. The Lanesborough, Oetker Collection

Score: 95.50

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5. Kimpton Fitzroy London

Score: 95.24

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6. Claridge’s

Score: 94.60

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7. The Savoy

Score: 93.63

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8. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Score: 92.95

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9. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

Score: 92.50

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10. Rosewood London

Score: 92.39

The best hotels in New York City capture a sense of bygone elegance while offering thoroughly modern hospitality.

Whether you’re enjoying ice cream cones from Mister Softee in the summer or snagging selfies in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in the winter, the streets are always bustling with excitement in the city that never sleeps. Looming high above it all, though, the best hotels in New York City are a welcome respite. Once you’ve visited, eaten, and shopped your way around town, returning to any of these guest rooms is a great way to recharge for another day in the Big Apple.

1. The Lowell

Tucked in among the sleepy side streets of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the Lowell Hotel is a perfect balance of subtlety and luxury. From the brick facade that blends into the neighborhood to the intimate lobby and bar, everything about this space feels special. “There may not be bargains at this hotel, but it’s worth every penny,” said one reader. The interiors also feel carefully curated, courtesy of designer Michael S. Smith, who was also tapped to design the Obama White House.

Score: 98.80

2. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Score: 95.27

3. The William Vale

Score: 95.14

4. The Mark

Score: 95.04

5. The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Score: 94.89

6. Public

Score: 94.31

7. Baccarat Hotel New York

Score: 93.03

8. The St. Regis New York

Score: 92.79

9. The Kimberly Hotel

Score: 91.90

10. The Plaza

Score: 91.73

11. The Standard, East Village

Score: 91.33

12. Park Hyatt New York

Score: 91.17

13. Sofitel New York

Score: 90.89

14. Lotte New York Palace

Score: 90.87

15. The Pierre, New York, a Taj Hotel

Score: 90.29

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. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city hotel, resort, or safari lodge based on their locations and amenities.

Istanbul is a city of dizzying contrasts, where ancient tradition meets modern-day culture. It sits quite literally on the crossroads of two civilizations, spread across Asia and Europe. Sleek, glassy skyscrapers tower over centuries-old mosques, and neighborhoods give visitors a peek into Old World Constantinople while trendy, newer districts offer a glimpse into the city’s future.

1. Raffles Istanbul

This contemporary hotel perfectly exemplifies the modern spirit of a historic city. Located in the upscale Zorlu Center, Raffles Istanbul has 136 rooms and 49 suites, with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide views of the Bosphorus, the Princes’ Islands, and Istanbul’s Old Town. The property blends high-end furnishings and amenities, such as walk-in closets and its renowned butler service, with traditional Turkish motifs. The public areas showcase an impressive art collection. Perfectly reflecting Istanbul’s place as a melting pot of east and west, the dining options at Raffles, which include multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges, blend pan-Asian, Turkish, and Mediterranean flavors.

Score: 98.25

2. Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul

Score: 95.90

3. Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Score: 92.87

4. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

Score: 92.86

5. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

WHERE IS TRUMP TOWER

Trump Tower is located at 721 5th Avenue between 56th and 57th Street (map).  It is open to the public from 8 am until 10 pm.

To enter the building, you will have to pass through a serious security check, including X-ray scanners for bags.

However, the process to get in will take under 10 minutes, if not less.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO INSIDE 

Trump Tower is a 58-story skyscraper with a mix of apartments, offices, and retail stores.  .

The first 5 floors are an open atrium with a few shops and eateries.

The remaining floors are divided between 26 floors of office space and 39 floors for condominiums.

The atrium and a small roof garden of the 5th level are the only parts open to the public so you won’t need more than an hour to check it all out.

Even with the security checks, you won’t need too much time, unless you plan on a full meal at the Trump Grille.

In that case, give yourself time to as you would dining out at any other restaurant.

First things first, pass through the security checkpoints which don’t take as long as one might expect.

Remember, the Secret Service is not there to smile for the camera – they have a job to do! But you can probably get a picture near one of them.

Once inside the atrium, gaze at the 7-story indoor waterfall and pose for photos.

Trump gave many campaign interviews in front of this waterfall so you can say you were showered with history during your visit.

Be sure to ride the escalator – the same one Trump used when he announced his candidacy.

If you ride up to the 5th Floor you will find a roof garden with a few tables and chairs. It is open after 11 am.

Grab a coffee at the Starbucks on the 2nd level and enjoy some fresh Midtown Manhattan air.

Do some window-shopping at the Trump Store where you can pick up a tie or cufflinks from the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection.

Check out Ivanka’s line of purses and sunglasses or pick up the reissued edition of “The Art of The Deal”.

Get a “Make America Great Again” hat or coffee mug! The store is open daily 9 am-6 pm.

FOOD AT TRUMP TOWER

One way to experience Trump Tower is to have a meal or drink there.

Many people seem to enjoy getting a drink at the bar and the ice cream parlor also gets rave reviews.

Trump Café offers food to go. You can enjoy it sitting by the waterfall. There are many choices on the menu. The cafe is open daily 8 am-5 pm.

Trump Grill is a full-dining restaurant located in the Atrium. Open Daily 11:30am-4pm.

Trump Bar is located off the lobby and is open Monday-Friday from 12 pm-10 pm.  The drinks are priced a little bit higher than the standard for New York City.

Ranging from $12-18 for cocktails or a glass of wine.

From February to October, they have a ‘Happy Hour’ from 4 pm-7 pm, offering cocktails, beer, and wine for $7 and under.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of Happy Hour,

Trump Ice Cream Parlor has many excellent flavors of ice cream and also serves sorbet and fresh juices.

Prices are standard for Midtown Manhattan starting at $4 a scoop. It is located in the Atrium and is open daily from 10 am-5 pm.

If you want a non-Trump snack or drink there is a Starbucks is on the second level and you will find that is pretty much the same as every other Starbucks in the world, just in a much more opulent setting.

TIP:  Be sure to take advantage of the luxurious public restrooms on the lower level!!

SECURITY AND PROTESTS

During the election, security was light, which made it possible for 20-year-old Stephen Rogata, a Virginia resident to scale the Tower’s glass walls using large suction cups.

Why was he climbing the Tower?

He just wanted to ask for a meeting with Trump.

He went undetected for almost three hours making it to the 21st floor before the NY Police Department apprehended him and he never did get that meeting.

He did get his 10 minutes of fame though.

Following the election, Trump Tower became the location of protests against his political agenda. In fact night following the election, a massive crowd gathered.

Since then there have been multiple protests with crowds of thousands.

Immediately after the election in November 2016, the New York City Police Department provided heightened security was installed at the Trump Tower.

From Election Day, November 2016 to the inauguration January 20, 2017, New York City paid the bill of $37 million dollars – amounting to half-a-million dollars a day!

APARTMENTS AND FAMOUS RESIDENTS

It shouldn’t surprise you that living in Trump Tower is pretty expensive – but just HOW expensive is expensive?

Here are some prices and what you get for your money.

This 1 bedroom apartment with spectacular views is 1092 sq. ft. with a corner living room and a corner bedroom and two full bathrooms. But the kitchen is awfully small!

It seems that many residents of Trump Tower don’t do a lot of cooking at home. With some of the top restaurants in the world within a short cab ride away, why eat in?

If you are only in town for a month or so, the apartment comes furnished.   The price tag: $6,500 a month.

This is actually not a bad price in Manhattan believe it or not!

If you are thinking of staying for good in New York, here are a few apartments in Trump Tower you may want to look into.

It’s not hard to get an apartment there, provided you have the money.

In December 2016, there were 11 apartments for sale in Trump Tower.  If you have $2.1 million on hand you’ll get a one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom 1,052 sq. ft. on the 31st floor.

Need more room and an even better view, fork over $11 million and you’ll get a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom 2,200 sq. ft. on the 58th floor.

Here’s what you get when living in Trump Tower:

Believe it or not, until March of 2017, an apartment in the Tower was listed on Airbnb, the home-stay rental website. It was available to stay at for about $300 to $450!

Compared to hotel listings in the area, it actually isn’t bad.

Because it is illegal in NYC to rent most apartments for less than 30 days when the apartment resident isn’t there, the apartment resident took down the listing when the New York Times caught on to it and started asking questions.

But not before some people had the opportunity to stay in the Tower. Reviews left on the Airbnb site described the experience as “surreal”.

Another guest wrote “The view is amazing! …

The only inconvenience  is that when you arrive, you have to go through a check by the Secret Service, kinda like in the airport.”