By Ann Abel

Normally at this time of year, I write an admittedly self-indulgent look back at my favorite new and new-to-me hotels of my year. (Here’s last year’s, if you’re curious.) This year, I figured I ought to skip it, because, you know.

But then I realized that I still managed to discover some fantastic places this year—places that weren’t just indulgences for me but also longtime dreams of passionate entrepreneurs (it’s not a coincidence that almost all of them are independent hotels) and workplaces for thousands of dedicated employees.

I got off to a racing start in January and February. In hindsight, those stays feel all the sweeter. I ventured out to the rest (mostly in my Portuguese backyard) during Europe’s timid summer of travel.

Was it the same as before? No, of course not …

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Ann Abel is a travel writer and editor and was a senior editor at ForbesLife. She writes for Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Well + Good NYC, and other print and online publications.”In the name of lifestyle journalism, ” she says, ” I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents.” She lives in Lisbon.