The 10 U.S. Cities With the Cleanest Hotel Rooms, Ranked

If you’ve ever checked into a hotel only to be met with questionable carpet stains, dusty nightstands, or a less-than-fresh bathroom, you know just how important cleanliness can be when traveling.

A new study by Boutique Hotel Hub analyzed Booking.com cleanliness scores for 7,731 hotels across 123 U.S. cities with populations over 250,000. Only hotels with at least 250 reviews made the cut, and the average cleanliness scores were tallied to determine where you’re most likely to find spotless stays.

Here are the top 10 cities with the cleanest hotel rooms in America — starting from #10 and working our way up to the city that outshines them all.

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10. Modesto, California (tie) – 8.48/10

It may not be the first California city that comes to mind for a hotel stay, but Modesto’s 17 qualifying hotels scored impressively high for cleanliness. With just over 7,500 reviews in the analysis, travelers here are finding rooms that are consistently fresh and well-maintained.

10. Durham, North Carolina (tie) – 8.48/10

Sharing the 10th spot, Durham’s 50 hotels earned top marks for cleanliness from more than 30,000 reviews. Whether you’re in town for its historic tobacco district or to explore Duke University’s campus, you can rest easy knowing your room is likely to be spotless.

9. Los Angeles, California – 8.49/10

Despite its size and heavy tourist traffic, Los Angeles managed to land in the top 10 with an impressive cleanliness score. The analysis covered a whopping 222 hotels and over 313,000 reviews — proof that even in a major tourist hub, hotel standards can remain high.

8. Lexington, Kentucky – 8.50/10

Known for its horse farms and bourbon trail stops, Lexington also delivers when it comes to tidy accommodations. Forty-five hotels and more than 25,000 reviews put it firmly in the upper ranks for cleanliness.

7. Nashville, Tennessee – 8.53/10

Music City might keep you out late, but at least you’ll return to a well-kept room. Nashville’s 143 hotels racked up more than 145,000 reviews, and the average traveler gave them high marks for cleanliness.

6. Louisville, Kentucky (tie) – 8.54/10

Louisville is known for the Kentucky Derby, bourbon, and… sparkling hotel rooms? Apparently so. The city’s 59 hotels and over 31,000 reviews point to a consistently clean stay.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana (tie) – 8.54/10

While Bourbon Street might get a little messy, New Orleans’ hotels are keeping things pristine. With 121 hotels and nearly 116,000 reviews in the mix, it’s impressive to see such high cleanliness ratings in a major tourist destination. (In this article, I share where I like to stay and what I like to do in New Orleans.)

5. Denver, Colorado – 8.66/10

Whether you’re here for the mountains or the craft beer scene, Denver’s hotels are ready to welcome you with clean sheets and spotless bathrooms. The study looked at 86 hotels and more than 71,000 reviews to land this Mile High City score. (These are the hotels I like, and how I like to spend my time in Denver.)

4. Chicago, Illinois – 8.67/10

Chicago’s 141 hotels were reviewed over 186,000 times, and travelers were impressed by the city’s cleanliness standards. From boutique stays to big-name chains, your odds of a tidy room in the Windy City are high.

3. Madison, Wisconsin – 8.72/10

Madison’s hospitality game is strong. The 30 hotels in the analysis had just under 15,000 reviews, and travelers consistently gave them glowing marks for cleanliness. Not bad for a city known more for its lakes and university spirit than luxury hotels.

As a Wisconsinite, this makes me very proud! I like the avid Hotel in Madison for its affordable rates and cleanliness. And these are some fun things to do in Madison when you visit!

2. Boston, Massachusetts – 8.82/10

Boston’s 78 hotels racked up more than 140,000 reviews, and travelers clearly appreciate the cleanliness — whether they’re staying in the historic downtown or near the waterfront. (There are so many fun things to do in Boston, too!)

1. Seattle, Washington – 8.84/10

Topping the list is Seattle, where 81 hotels and more than 84,000 reviews delivered the highest cleanliness score in the country. If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald City, you can sip your coffee knowing your hotel is likely spotless. Here’s a great Washington itinerary, complete with hotel recommendations, to help you plan your trip!

If you’re curious about the flip side of the spectrum, we also looked at the dirtiest tourist cities in the world — and let’s just say some of them might have you packing extra disinfectant wipes before your trip.

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