No holiday destination has an array of luxury hotels quite like the US, a country that prides itself on doing it bigger and better than anywhere else on the planet. From rooftop plunge pools in Las Vegas to whale watching on your own private patio in Hawaii, check out our top 12 luxury hotels in America.

The Hay-Adams, Washington DC

The most famous hotel in the capital, it’s worth staying for the bar alone – ‘Off The Record’ is a haunt of Washington’s top movers and shakers.

The St. Regis, San Francisco

The St. Regis is a modern hotel in the artsy SoMa district of San Francisco known for its modern take on luxury: chocolate truffles and champagne served in the spa, a 15-metre infinity pool, 24-hour butlers and the culinary delights of the Ame restaurant make this the destination of choice for those looking for a sanctuary in the big city.

The Grand Del Mar, San Diego

The stunning Brisa Villa incorporates old world charm with new world tech. For old schoolers there’s hand-stencilled ceilings, a marble-columned living space and European-style garden to look out on from the patio, while new schoolers get to enjoy a media room with leather recliners and a wall-shaking sound system.

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Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley, Arizona

Casa Five at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is the ultimate desert retreat. The five bedroom/five-and-a-half bathroom accommodation comes complete with its own pool, tennis court and hot tub. And when the evening takes a cooler turn, you can relax by the fire pit on the outdoor patio while a personal chef cooks your meal.

Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles

Imagine waking up in your hotel suite and opening the patio doors onto a 420-square-metre Spanish courtyard with a full-length swimming pool and jacuzzi. If you’re staying in the Presidential Suite at the Hotel Bel-Air you can do that AND enjoy a gorgeous living area, fully stocked bar and his-and-her tubs with built-in TVs.

Honua Kai Resort and Spa, Maui

The six-room, oceanfront Kamehameha suite has all the luxury you might expect from a top end hotel but its piece de resistance is a 300-square-metre lanai – a Hawaiian-style patio – with views out to the Maui mountains and the Pacific. If you choose the right time, you can even see migrating whales passing by right outside your window.

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Hotel Beaux Arts, Miami

With a flatscreen TV, iPad, marble bath and bay views of Miami, hotel rooms don’t get much better than those at the Hotel Beaux Arts in Miami. Boasting minimalist design, floor-to-ceiling windows and giant beds, you might be hard pushed to find the motivation to actually leave your hotel room during your stay.

Wentworth Mansion, South Carolina

There are few places better to enjoy some refined Southern hospitality than at the Wentworth Mansion in the heart of old Charleston. You can live the life of a southern gent or lady by partaking of a book in the Rodgers library, enjoying breakfast on the sun porch or taking a relaxing afternoon in the spa, while all the while being looked after by friendly and attentive staff.

Four Seasons Hotel, New York City

The Ty Warner Penthouse offers panoramic views of Manhattan from the 52nd floor of at the Four Seasons Hotel – and it should seeing as it takes up the entire floor. With four balconies, a spa room and gym, library with grand piano, a butler and a Rolls Royce driver to take you wherever you want in New York, it’s a snip at US$40,000 per night.

SEE ALSO: Luxury five-star hotel: Four Seasons, New York

Carmel Valley Ranch, Monterey

Rest and relaxation is the order of the day at the Carmel Valley Ranch in Monterey, California. As well as rooms with flat screen TVs, large baths, fireplaces and spacious decks, there’s two outdoor pools, an 18-hole golf course and a ton of activities to choose from, including hiking, biking, an adventure kitchen and bee-keeping.

The Boulders, Arizona

The Boulders resort has a world-class spa compound and two tournament-quality golf courses in the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. If you stay at the exclusive Villa Retreat, you’ll enjoy the comforts of an infinity pool, private jacuzzi and views onto the stunning cactus-lined desert landscape.

MGM Grand, Las Vegas

The SkyLOFTS at the MGM Grand spirit you away from the neon tackiness of the strip to a world of high-end luxury. The three-bedroom suite has a gallery foyer, bar, dining area and billiard room (fit for any half-naked member of the English royal family!), while the two-bedroom lofts have a plunge pool on an outdoor balcony. Note: Mike Tyson’s tiger is not included in the price.