Exclusive Feature: Wanderlust is a good thing, it's the perfect way to escape on a rainy day, and the ideal way to plan your next dream vacation.

There's no better way to lose yourself in a moment than by opening up the pages of a glossy travel magazine and reading about the best beaches in the world, the most luxurious hotels, or the private islands of the rich and fabulous.

And so every year, when Conde Nast Traveler releases their best picks of new hotels, it's not uncommon to find me hiding with this hot list and daydreaming about where I'll visit next.

This year, the editors of the 18th edition of the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List pulled together a list of 33 properties (down from 510 new hotels ) from around the world and divided them into seven categories for better travel planning. 

Whether you're looking for a beach vacation, a family affair, a culinary escape or luxury beyond belief, these hotels are sure to accommodate.

BEST BEACH HOTELS OF 2014:

Andaz Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
Mukul Resort, Nicaragua
Nizuc Resort & Spa, Cancun
Point Yamu by Como, Phuket
Salt House Inn, Provincetown
 
BEST FAMILY HOTELS OF 2014:

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
La Bandita Townhouse, Italy
Palihouse Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
 
BEST FOOD HOTELS OF 2014:

Domaine de la Baume, Tourtour, France
Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Thompson, Chicago
The Vines Resort & Spa, Argentina
The Wild Rabbit, England
Zero George Street, Charleston
 
BEST BARGAIN HOTELS OF 2014:

American Trade Hotel, Panama City
The Dean, Rhode Island
The Line, Los Angeles
The Marlton, New York City
Temple Hotel, Beijing
 
BEST DESIGN HOTELS OF 2014:

Ace Hotel, Los Angeles
Hotel B, Lima
Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
The London Edition, England
 
BEST WAY-OUT-THERE HOTELS OF 2014:

Amanoi, Vietnam
Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland
Segera Retreat, Laikipia Plateau, Kenya

BEST OVER-THE-TOP HOTELS OF 2014:

Aman Canal Grande, Venice
Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives
Four Seasons Lion Palace, St. Petersburg
The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland
Rosewood, London

This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted.

Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world.

Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com