Best in Travel 2025 (As We Lived It)

Another yr of journey, one other yr the place each of us miss Delta Diamond standing by a really insulting margin of spend. Close sufficient to sting like a nasty flight delay. Not shut sufficient to justify a last-minute, long-haul miles run that may require ditching our households over the vacations within the identify of securing a standing that, at this level, feels extra symbolic than really helpful.

How’s that for a run-on to open the ultimate publication of the yr? Strategy be damned.

Clearly, we’re a little bit jaded. But on to happier issues…

It has really been an exquisite yr of journey. So in the present day, we’re taking a second to share the inaugural ‘FCJ Bests in Travel’ from the yr. Our personal little awards present. Best Flight. Best Stay. Best Hotel Room. Best Room Service. The record goes on. We’ve had membership sandwiches in all places we’ve gone—so that you higher consider that Best Club Sandwich is included as properly (official membership evaluations coming in 2026!).

As we glance into the way forward for First Class Jerk, we’ve by no means been extra positive that we’re on to one thing significant. To know that we’re nonetheless simply pulling away from the jetbridge—inching this plane towards the runway, nearer to takeoff every day—is a joyful feeling. The hope is that even in moments of battle and strife, we’ll look again on these very days as the nice ol’ days. And that after we do, we’ll be capable to emphatically say we knew we have been in them. May that perception turn into positively circuital.

If we are able to want something for you in 2026, it’s that you simply stay with that form of optimism. Believing that you simply’re within the good days. Because all the times we’re dwelling are.

Keep studying for all our bests of this yr. Wishing you a lot bests within the subsequent.

– Matt & Adam

BEST HOTEL CHECK-IN // Ashford Castle. We have been escorted by horse and hound down the historic highway initially constructed for George V’s royal go to. The clouds lifted to disclose the Irish emerald inexperienced and the citadel within the distance. We can’t shut up about this one, and we by no means will.

BEST HOTEL ROOM // Raffles at the OWO. Rarely have we seen a historic constructing that was not a lodge be reworked so gracefully into an excellent lodge. The rooms, particularly, have been completely appointed, spacious, and simple to grasp. Definitely may stay there for a yr.

BEST HOTEL BED // The Goring. Kate Middleton spent her final night time as a commoner in the identical Royal Suite that we checked into. Just a little bizarre? Maybe. But we slept like a dream, and it was most actually as shut as we’ll ever be to royalty.

BEST HOTEL SHOWER // Orient Express La Minerva. A bathe fully encased in beautiful crimson Italian marble. New will entry: after we die, bury us in {custom} coffins which are actual replicas of this bathe (solely smaller!). Quite the ultimate resting place.

BEST HOTEL VIEW // Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A room with two flooring and two non-public balconies wanting over Victoria Glacier. There are some views that one may by no means tire of…and that is certainly one of them. We’ll at all times come again.

BEST HOTEL BREAKFAST // Amangiri. Breakfast poolside subsequent to a 165 million yr outdated rock. This one’s most likely much more in regards to the setting than the meals itself…however rattling have been these cast-iron pancakes and eggs benny value writing residence about.

BEST TURNDOWN SERVICE // St Regis Rome. There’s nothing fairly like returning to your room after a protracted night time and all the pieces is healthier than you left it. Then add custom-monogrammed PJs laying out on the mattress? That’s actually one thing particular.

BEST HOTEL COFFEE // Iceland EDITION. This is the #1 factor that nice motels persistently get flawed. The EDITION in Reykjavik obtained it proper. We’ll at all times admire their lobby-side espresso counter with really distinctive bean juice.

BEST CLUB SANDWICH // Castelfalfi. We’ll at all times swear by the membership sandwich—a luxurious lodge staple and room service icon. Nobody this yr did it fairly in addition to Castelfalfi. Perfect temperature (barely heat). Perfect ratios (it stays collectively). Perfectly runny egg (subsequent degree!).

BEST HOTEL MEAL // Castello di Vicarello. A supremely good bowl of carbonara with glowing white went far past simply the very best lodge meal. This was the very best meal of our yr in any setting. And perhaps of our lives. The better part? It was lunch.

BEST HOTEL BAR // Hotel Hassler Roma. We usually love a grand lodge bar that’s entrance and heart. This one is totally different: tucked away, supremely cozy, gorgeously lit, wealthy intimately, and rattling can they whip up a Negroni. Always in good firm.

BEST SPA // Raffles Istanbul. If you haven’t had a correct Hammam (Turkish bathtub) expertise, e book your keep and catch a flight right here instantly. We used to assume there was nothing like a bathe in an excellent lodge room after a protracted flight…after which we arrived in Istanbul and went straight for the Hammam. Life-giving stuff right here.

BEST ROOM SERVICE // Ponant Le Commandant Charcot. A lodge doesn’t really supply room service until it’s a 24HR affair. A luxurious expedition ship isn’t any totally different. Ribeyes after an evening of drinks with nice associates and a 4AM swim in the midst of a frozen river in January…this one was by no means to be beat.

BEST IN-FLIGHT DINING // Turkish Airlines. Even on the comparatively brief flight from Istanbul to London, our meals have been really satisfying. Maybe it’s our love for Turkish delicacies coming by right here…however extra seemingly: our detesting nearly each in-flight meal from US airways. Do higher in 2026, please.

BEST FLIGHT EXPERIENCE // A&K Private Jet. From Malta to Reykjavik. An complete plane to ourselves—insane service, Dom, caviar, cockpit time, the works. We by no means wished to land…and no different flight from 2025 actually stood an opportunity.

BEST HOTEL MERCH DROP // Ritz-Carlton × Late Checkout. Installment #2 from two manufacturers that we all know and love. The LC boys from Madrid actually know what they’re doing. And the Ritz-Carlton model mark is actually the very best within the lodge world.

And yet another, at my very own expense, for good enjoyable…

WORST FLIGHT OF THE YEAR // JFK → Amsterdam. Yes, it’s barely a long-haul route. But it was lengthy sufficient to be taught that Delta One Lounge cocktails + an undisclosed variety of whiskey shooters at 30,000 ft is a recipe for passing out and hitting the plane flooring like a ton of bricks. Twice.

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That’s all for in the present day. If you’re into this sort of factor, give it a coronary heart so others understand it’s value a learn. And, as at all times, clean skies to the lot of you!

If you had a selected ‘travel best’ this yr, tell us within the feedback.

We’ll see you on the market in 2026.