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I look to Stripe's API as the ultimate REST example - https://stripe.com/docs/api.

It's very complicated and follows the pattern very closely.

Stripe's API is good, but it is far from the "ultimate REST example." What is the statistical sample set of APIs that you are comparing from?

From my experience, I would suggest something like Twilio, Github or FoxyCart as the epitome of a REST API.

FamilySearch could be one example https://familysearch.org/developers/docs/guides

GitHub is an example of an API that makes use of HATEOS, and is quite real.

Soooorta. Much of GitHub's core functionality involves either logging in (using cookies. not RESTful.) or using Git (not a MIME type. not HATEOS. not RESTful.).

Still, GitHub is a far more complete RESTful example than most.

Wikipedia might be another not-quite-but-pretty-close example.

The World-Wide Web.

REST came about as a formal description of the architectural patterns that made the WWW a success.

But isn't it a stretch to call the World-Wide Web an "API"? At least in the sense that most people use the term API?