Reading through this thread made me realize I've had quite a year myself! Until the past few years, I tended to gravitate towards properties that were part of loyalty programs, but earning lifetime status and the continual devaluation of hotel points has led me to stay at properties I would have never considered in the past.

St Regis Deer Valley (Superior Room)
Spent a few nights here alone to ski early this year. Driving up to the entrance at the base of the funicular was a little embarrassing - despite making it all the way from SLC in a snowstorm, I got stuck for about 5 minutes trying to make my way up the driveway. No one from the hotel came out to lend a hand, which would have been nice. My base room would have been a little small for more than one person, especially with ski equipment. Breakfast was mediocre, dinner at the bar was a little better but also left room for improvement. However, with the exception of when the bottom of my skis got scraped up from when they laid them against a rock wall and they fell over, the ski concierge was great. More importantly, the smores situation they have every evening is out of control and I still can't get over that they i) have peanut butter cups and ii) will have someone assemble the smore for you. Can't wait to return next month.

Park Hyatt Zurich (King Room)
Just a work trip where I spent more time in the office than anywhere else. Staff was efficient, but cold. Rooms seem to be the same as they were on my last stay about 10 years ago - could probably use some refreshing soon. Would stay again, but that's more a factor of how bad my other work options are there (i.e., Marriott Zurich, blah).

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi (Executive Suite)
Just a quick one night layover to start our honeymoon, so we weren't able to build much of an opinion. However, they blew us away with the welcome amenity - an overwhelming selection of chocolates including several large pieces that had photos from our wedding printed on them, recently held at a Four Seasons in the US. Would definitely return if I wanted to be in a city hotel in Abu Dhabi.

St Regis Maldives (St. Regis Suite)
This was our first trip to the Maldives and to be honest, I didn't think I'd like the Maldives in general or the property (we did this one on points). F&B was a highlight. We had also raised some questions to the hotel in advance regarding mosquitos and the property's treatment protocols. Based on the absurd amount of bug spray they left in the room and fogging they did during our outdoor dining, it was clear they took our questions/concerns seriously. Room fittings were top notch. My new wife also got a little sick on this trip and while we haven't had to ask for a doctor on any of our prior stays elsewhere, I couldn't imagine a more professional resort-based doctor (continuously on-site). Would definitely return and don't feel the need to try anywhere else in the Maldives.

Four Seasons Golden Triangle Tented Camp (Superior River View Tent)
We hemmed and hawed about whether to book the Four Seasons or the Anantara next door for half the price. Ultimately, we decided we didn't want to compromise for this stay and went for the FS, in large part due to the property thread from this forum. Couldn't have been happier with our choice. Similar to the St Regis Maldives, we had raised some questions about mosquitos in advance and almost cancelled our trip last minute. The property graciously offered to let us rebook our non-refundable stay for another time, and even though we decided to keep it as-is, I really appreciated that and it set the tone for the upcoming stay. Walking into the tent and seeing a photo from our wedding (similar to what they did in Abu Dhabi) was very special. The various elephant experiences were fantastic and I was pleasantly surprised that every activity was private, with the same guide throughout. F&B was also excellent - not too fancy, not too low-key - just right for the resort. We tried very hard to think of ways the stay could have been better and the only thing we could come up with was how nice it would have been if they customized and/or let you keep the mahout outfits (I know they'll sell them to you but that's not the point).

Four Seasons Bali Sayan (One Bedroom Villa)
We had a difficult time choosing between this property and Amanusa, and I was a little disappointed with our choice. Sure, the entrance with the lily pond is fantastic, but once you're inside, it just didn't seem as special. I regretted not going for the river river villa - perhaps that would have made a difference. We only had a few meals at the hotel, but found them to be just average, especially breakfast. On a more positive note, being able to do the white water rafting right back to the hotel was pretty cool. Would try another property before returning.

Peninsula Bangkok (Grande Deluxe Room)
Loved the location and hotel transport from the airport (looked into the chopper but couldn't justify the current cost). Dinner at Thiptara was one of the best meals we had in Bangkok and breakfast on the water every morning was awesome. Rooms are definitely showing their age but even with all of the other great properties in Bangkok, as long as the location and package made sense for my stay, I would return.

Four Seasons Scottsdale (Jerome Suite/Premier Casita)
We've stayed here a number of times and its one of our favorite hotels. Rooms have recently been refreshed. F&B at Proof continues to be fantastic, especially breakfast. I also borrowed one of the house cars for the first time (MB S63 Cab), which was a nice treat. Can't wait to return, although rates seems to be creeping up rapidly year over year.

St Regis Florence (Arno River Junior Suite)
Not sure what all the fuss about this place is. Our junior suite was large and had a small balcony, but was really just one large room. Normally that would be fine for a junior suite, but the website photos were not representative of what we got. Breakfast was underwhelming, although we did like the setting looking down into the restaurant/bar below. Would try to avoid returning unless there was no other reasonable option.

St Regis Rome (Metropolitan Suite)
Loved everything about this place. This was our first stay, so I don't have a point of comparison, but the renovation seems amazing. The lobby is beautiful. Our suite was small, but very comfortable, with well-utilized space. Funny enough, one of the things that stuck out the most was the hallway off the elevator - I couldn't recall seeing a wider hallway or one with taller ceilings anywhere else. Really added to the grand feeling of the place. Would love to return.

Ritz Carlton Al Bustan Palace Muscat (Mountain View Room)
Very nice check-in experience in the impressive lobby. We did not have breakfast included in our rate but the agent offered to comp it, which was nice but not needed. On the other hand, they also upsold us to a dinner package which ended up creating a lot of confusion at check out. Base room was very, very small and I wouldn't want to stay in one again. Would return but only in a different room category.

Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman (Ridge View Room)
Underwhelming arrival experience after a two hour drive up the mountains. No doormen, had to walk in and ask if someone could help us check in. Check in was a little unpolished and took a really long time. We had planned to do some hiking but got some bad personal news almost the moment we arrived so ended up mostly just in our room and in the restaurant for meals. The setting is incredible and meals outside are special. I'd consider visiting again but would need to think through an itinerary with enough to keep us busy with.

Al Maha Dubai
This property, along with the FS Tented Camp, was a highlight of our year. I actually had relatively low expectations given the expected high occupancy level and fact that I booked on points, but couldn't have been more wrong. The service here was top notch - everyone addressed us by name, tons of little gifts, spotless room (which admittedly was showing its age). F&B was better than expected but has room for improvement. Had a hard time finding any other reasonable areas for improvement. Would definitely return and in fact was browsing for our next reservation before we even left.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi (Superior Room)
Lobby is obviously a bit over the top in St Regis extreme style but it is impressive nonetheless. I was pretty disappointed with the lack of upgrade (I am lifetime titanium and it wasn't my first stay here), but they made up for it by proactively offering to comp us dinner one night. The beach club was packed every day but we were always able to get seats we liked. Breakfast buffet was probably the best of ay of the hotels on this list. Would return.

Prince de Galls Paris (Mosaic Suite)
Really liked this hotel - much better service, both in-advance and on-site, than expected (e.g., helped us book a last minute dinner reservation for NYE). Art deco style was right up our alley and since we were there over NYE, I actually liked that our room faced the interior courtyard so that it would be a bit more quiet. Breakfast was very enjoyable - small but very high quality (similar to many European Park Hyatts). Considered booking the FS Georges V next door but was glad I didn't spend the $ after we tried to get a drink there and were kicked out (told the hotel was too busy so they were only allowing guests).