The global hotel industry is expected to hit $550 billion in revenue in 2016, according to Statista. This is almost a $100 billion leap from 2011, which shows the industry's incredible pace of growth.

While existing hotel brands have undergone considerable change as they try to keep pace with the digital age and millennial guests, there are also new and innovative brands in the market. Offbeat places and road trips have dominated the domestic market for the past two years, thanks to low gas prices, and this has opened a whole new avenue for local brands.

U.S. News & World Report explored these trends earlier this year to rank the best hotels across the country. Based on an analysis of expert and user opinions, these rankings take into account guest reviews and feedback from travelers, accolades received, the brand's reputation among professional travel experts as well as the hotel's class and star ratings.

A closer look will reflect the diverse lodging choices of Americans, from cozy B&Bs and charming resorts to the historic hotels.

Out of the 2,600 "best" hotels reviewed across Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the United States, 1,775 are located within the U.S. Some of the key features that made these hotels stand out are

1. Great room amenities even for standard guest rooms
2. Minibars and connecting rooms made a lot of difference for some guests
3. No extra fees charged for Wi-Fi access, parking or other special amenities like kids clubs, which 287 hotels provided
4. Out of the top hotels, 118 sported rooftop restaurants and bars, which is a big draw for travelers
5. 96 percent had on-site dining, another big draw

More than 200,000 data points have been closely analyzed to arrive at these conclusions.

A look at the top names in this list:

1. The Lodge at Sea Island, Georgia — A perennial favorite that always lives up their guests' expectations and more, offering a wealth of amenities.
2. The Jefferson, Washington, D.C. — A hotel that not just offers great features but constantly strives to improve its standards, as is evident from its rise from No. 99 in 2014 to No. 10 in 2015.
3. Aria Sky Suites, Las Vegas — A boutique retreat atop Aria Resort & Casino, it offers all the grandeur and excitement for the Strip and the cozy seclusion of a resort as well.
4. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai — Stellar views, ample on-site amenities, high level of service and impressive staff makes this popular with families and other travelers alike.
5. The Peninsula Beverly Hills — Situated in an upscale Beverly Hills neighborhood, this luxury hotel is known for the warm welcome of its concierge and staff as well as its exquisite rooms.
6. Montage Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina — This cozy resort is known for its excellent service, great staff and delicious fare.
7. The Langham, Chicago — This new entrant has made a mark from day one, wowing guests with personalized attention from the staff and state of the art features in each room.
8. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas — Promising a great Las Vegas experience, this hotel has made name for itself with its helpful and knowledgeable staff, upscale atmosphere and spectacular Strip views.
9. Waldorf Astoria Chicago — This elegant Chicago landmark is known for its consistency, in its amenities, warm and welcoming staff, great service and food.
10. Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley — This cozy and secluded hotel in the heart of Napa Valley has become synonymous with exclusive R&R facilities. Easy access to the area's top wineries, gorgeous suite views, the patio's panoramas of the countryside landscape, very tasty food and excellent staff has helped it climb up from No. 35 rank in 2015.

As we can see, gourmet restaurants and superior offerings, luxury hotels with direct beach access, spas and luxe ski amenities are popular as well.

But the one feature that was evident across all the distinguished properties was excellent customer service. So whether it was chic urban retreat or a secluded countryside resort, they have all scored high in customer satisfaction big time.

Complementing this list is USA Today's 10 Best Hotels as a part of their second annual Readers' Choice hotel awards. The key difference here is the categories in which each hotel falls and the fact that readers vote for their favorites based on reviews and experience.

1. Brush Creek Resort in Saratoga, Wyoming, won the Best Destination Resort. Nestled in Wyoming's Platte River Valley, it offers the spectacular glories of the American West blended in with sophistication and comfort.
2. The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana, won the Best Family Resort. Sitting on a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch, this resort offers luxury private homes as well as glamping sites, all of which offer authentic Montana ranch activity amidst respondent luxury.
3. Nature Inn at Bald Eagle in Howard, Pennsylvania, won the Best Eco-Friendly Hotel. This LEED Gold-certified Nature Inn uses of Green Seal Certified cleaning products making the hotel one of the top stewards of environmental protection.
4. Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, California, won the Best Historic Hotel. From a cozy 19th-century adobe boarding house to a charming modern hotel, this hotel has been consistent in its warm hospitality and stunning architecture.
5. Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, won the Best Health & Wellness Resort. Located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, this retreat offers peace of mind and the ultimate R&R for guests.
6. Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Florida, won the award for the Best Hotel Pool. May not sound like much, but guest reviews show the 7,590-square-feet pool overlooking the lake, beach entry and underwater sound system can lure guests way from millions of Orlando attractions.
7. The Immigrant Restaurant at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, won the award for the Best Hotel Restaurant. This fine dining restaurant is divided into six themed rooms and offers a variety of experiences that blend in easily with the local culture.
8. Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes, won the Best Hotel Spa, this multifloor spa has numerous treatment rooms, services the sister properties of JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton, has a huge heated lap pool, along with an exclusive boutique and café.
9. Refinery Rooftop at the Refinery Hotel in New York won the Best Hotel Bar award. Located atop the Refinery Hotel, this offers stunning views, chic ambiance and signature cocktails with natural ingredients.
10. Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, New York, got the award for Best Waterfront Hotel. Upscale accommodations on the shores of Seneca Lake and excellent service makes this stand out among peers.

As we can see, the second list stresses customer service as well, but adds the mystique and uniqueness of these properties as a winning factor.