The world's 25 most sleep-friendly cities — Hualien ranks third in Asia

Reported by You T-Ru / Compiled report

Which cities are both fun and restful? A new survey by the well-known booking website "Travel Smart Survey" has revealed the top 25 popular destinations voted by travelers as having the best accommodations. Scenic Hualien also made the list with a score of 8.03 out of 10.


▲ Hotel illustration. (Photo / Reported by You T-Ru)

Based on real accommodation review scores filled out by international guests after checkout, the survey found that the quality of stays at global hotspots varies greatly. Cape Town (South Africa) topped the global destinations with an impressive average score of 8.43, earning its reputation as a top honeymoon spot. The Maldives, often hailed as a dream destination for couples, closely followed with 8.33 points—just 0.1 point behind. Zermatt (Switzerland), nestled in the Swiss Alps ski resort, ranked third with an average score of 8.29. And Taiwan didn’t disappoint—Hualien stood out with 8.03 points, securing third place in Asia.

The beauty of Hualien is undeniable, even captivating international travelers, among whom Hungarian visitors were clearly enchanted by its stunning scenery and accommodation experience, giving it a high score of 8.24. Mainland Chinese tourists also seemed to love it, rating it 8.09, above the overall average. However, Taiwanese travelers may have been more critical of their own, giving Hualien’s accommodations a score of 7.83—0.2 points lower than the overall average.

Here’s the ranking of the most traveler-beloved cities:

1. Cape Town (South Africa)
2. Maldives
3. Zermatt (Switzerland)
4. Queenstown (New Zealand)
5. Seychelles Islands
6. Budapest (Hungary)
7. Santorini (Greece)
8. Bruges (Belgium)
9. Gdańsk (Poland)
10. Hoi An (Vietnam)
11. Sofia (Bulgaria)
12. Crete (Greece)
13. Verona (Italy)
14. Rotorua (New Zealand)
15. Khao Lak (Thailand)
16. Hualien (Taiwan)
17. Sunshine Coast (Australia)
18. Edinburgh (Scotland)
19. Cusco (Peru)
20. Chicago (USA)
21. Kraków (Poland)
22. Nagano (Japan)
23. Durban (South Africa)
24. Granada (Spain)
25. Marrakech (Morocco)

Interestingly, high prices and luxury accommodations are not necessarily prerequisites for earning top ratings. The Maldives and Zermatt, which ranked second and third respectively, are known for their upscale hotels and resorts. Yet, in the list of the world’s 25 most popular destinations for the best accommodations as voted by travelers, many cities stood out by offering budget-friendly yet high-value lodging options.

Take Cape Town, which took first place, for example — some of the accommodations with very high ratings are actually affordable guesthouses and small boutique hotels. In Budapest, Hungary, where the cost of living in Eastern Europe is relatively low, travelers can stay in satisfying hotels for less than NT$3,000 and still enjoy Europe’s breathtaking scenery. Hoi An, Vietnam, the Asian champion, is even more filled with small guesthouses that offer great value for money, allowing travelers to create unforgettable journeys without breaking the bank.

Errol Cooke, Agoda.com’s Vice President of Global Hotel Business, said: “Many people have the travel misconception that ‘you have to spend a lot to have a perfect holiday.’ In reality, with the right booking choices, many popular travel destinations offer a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets.” Reviewing the 25 top-rated quality accommodations selected based on traveler reviews, it becomes clear that many of these places not only boast stunning scenery and rich tourist activities and attractions, but more importantly, the quality accommodations they offer are well-equipped, service-oriented, and come with diverse price options. This allows travelers to book according to their individual needs, enhancing their overall trip experience.

This survey restricted reviews to customers who had checked out, and evaluation invitations were sent directly to travelers’ personal email addresses and membership accounts, inviting them to submit reviews via the website or mobile app (App) to ensure fairness and objectivity. Travelers could not only comment on the pros and cons of their stay, but also rate their experience on six criteria — value for money, location, service, overall condition and cleanliness, room comfort, and dining — on a scale from 0 to 10. They were also encouraged to provide suggestions to help the accommodation improve its services in the future.