Dordle

At least in comparison to other nearby tourist destinations like historic New England or Manhattan, New York State's appeal is often subtle and slow to take hold. The Adirondacks and Finger Lakes have enchanted many visitors after just one visit. The Empire State's charming small towns and the warm hospitality found at the best New York resorts seem to be particularly appealing to Travel + Leisure readers.

Travel and Leisure (T+L) conducts a World's Best Awards survey every year, in which readers are asked to share their thoughts on the best destinations around the world. A hotel's facilities, location, service, food, and overall value were all taken into consideration when rating hotels (including safari lodges). Based on their location and amenities, properties were categorized as a city hotel, a resort, or a safari lodge.

Only two of this year's best resorts in New York are in the city proper, at the Rockaway Hotel & Spa in the Rockaways, and Gurney's Star Island Resort & Marina on Long Island's eastern tip. The rest are in upstate New York, where a flurry of new resorts have opened in recent years. Regardless of where the property is located, there are plenty of reasons to stay on the land. Whiteface Lodge's complimentary amenities, including "skates for ice-skating at their on-site pond, bowling, a large movie room, and cozy lean-tos outside for fires," enchanted one voter. Voters at Lake Placid Lodge (No. 8), a private lakeside cabin, appreciated the opportunity to simply disconnect: "We relaxed in front of the fire reading and playing Scrabble.