The Best Hotels
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Southern bohemian meets approachable luxury at the 62-room Arrive Hotel in Memphis. High ceilings, plush leather couches, and big comfy chairs make the lobby feel like a day spent in your chic best friend’s living room. Plus, it’s pet-friendly.

Throughout the building are remnants of the former industrial equipment manufacturing warehouse, including ladders, gear shifts, and old machine parts. The guest rooms feature exposed brick walls and large windows for great views of downtown Memphis. These industrial features are balanced by soft, floral wallpaper, Turkish rugs, and white Egyptian cotton bedding; each room also has plentiful closet and bathroom space. Unique touches, such as a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, sustainable toiletries by Grown Alchemist and safe sex kits in each room prove that the team behind Arrive have paid attention to every detail.

Hustle & Dough, the hotel café, serves up a delicious menu of vittles on homemade sourdough bread—the avocado toast is a favorite. It’s also worth trying the sea salt chocolate chip cookies and something from the extensive coffee and tea menu. Downstairs, the music goes into the night at Longshot, the city’s only shuffleboard bar with a full dinner and cocktail menu.

Bishop’s Lodge provides a rustic resort experience on 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe Natural Forest. Surrounded by adobe architecture and under a periwinkle blue sky, guests are offered hiking trails, horse stables with lessons in riding and roping, fly casting in a private pond, excursions with fishing guides, painting classes, meditation, yoga, healing spa treatments, and easy access to Santa Fe’s rich culture. One hundred guestrooms range from the bunkhouse for wedding and family reunion parties to comfortable Southwestern-styled rooms with private balconies and kiva fireplaces to three exclusive Kiva Suites, where glass doors open in accordion fashion and provide an inside-outside experience of elegant design, a private plunge pool and panoramic views of sunrises and sunsets over the mountains.

The Skyfire restaurant menu changes seasonally but keeps guest favorites like shrimp empanadas, tortilla soup poured tableside, and an extensive, international wine and cocktail list that also includes the best of New Mexico wineries and distilleries. Two Dogs Café has a grab-and-go menu with lighter fare, hot and cold drinks, and a selection of pastries. The staff is attentive, friendly, and happy to offer suggestions that enhance guests’ stay.

Lake Atitlán is Guatemala’s most glittering destination and Casa Palopó is its most captivating hillside hideaway with unobstructed views of three of the country’s 37 volcanoes. Consisting of a main hotel and a private villa with an infinity pool, Guatemala’s first Relais & Chateaux bolthole is an obligatory migratory stop for sophisticated travelers in the region.

A true rarity, Casa Palopó provides opportunities for helipad shaman blessings and yoga sessions overlooking the utterly beautiful crater lake and volcano silhouettes. Other unique experiences include moonlit tortilla tutorials, cultural excursions to outlying lake towns, and afternoons canvassing the village of Santa Catarina Palopó where the hotel spearheads a project to paint all 850 homes in vibrant hues to bolster tourism and community pride.

On the property, walls are lacquered in vibrant jewel and crayon colors and laden with Latin American art. Meals at the on-site restaurant 6.8 Palopó are also masterpieces imbued with supplementary magic by candles at dinnertime. There are ample lounge areas to slink into a chair for sun and lake adulation with one of the bar’s miss-at-your-peril cocktails such as the legendary Pata E Chucho made with Zacapa No. 23 rum. A stay here is a chance to experience one of Guatemala’s best hotels which boasts 15 rooms with private decks, a gym, a spa, and endless charm.

Newly opened in 2022, the 27-floor Dorian is Calgary’s premium lifestyle hotel. It’s conveniently situated downtown and the boutique property draws inspiration from The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde’s 1891 novel. Though a young Dorian Gray trades his soul to pursue a life of self-indulgence while remaining eternally youthful, his appearance in a portrait serves as a record of his immoralities as it becomes increasingly decrepit.

The Dorian’s lobby features a dynamic and interactive portrait of Gray, and guests are invited to anonymously divulge their own secrets via a QR code. In return, guests can either condemn or absolve an anonymous confession from another guest, transforming the portrait of Gray from his youthful self to a hideous version with a menacing sneer. 

The property’s stylish interiors and 137 rooms capture Wilde’s wit, eccentricity, and playfulness with nods to his iconic novel throughout. Along with a bedside copy of the book, each guestroom is adorned with brass accents, marble decor and deep blue floral wallpaper that evokes the Victorian era in which the story takes place. With a rooftop patio and picture windows that feature views over downtown, The Dorian’s onsite cocktail bar and restaurant, The Wilde on 27, also serves as a destination for Calgarians.

Of Fairmont’s four Vancouver properties, the downtown waterfront Pacific Rim takes the sash for “Most Fashionable.” The ground floor resembles a long marble catwalk with couture-clad mannequins voguing in glass boxes and gold cages strung from the ceiling; a strut up the white staircase leads to rotating exhibits of bold contemporary art, and, in the evenings, locals gather at The Lobby Lounge and RawBar for live music, sustainable sushi, and cocktails crafted by guest mixologists.

The stylishness extends to Fairmont Pacific Rim’s rooftop pool, fringed by palm trees and red cabanas. Warm up in the hot tub as you gaze at the sunset over the harbor, Stanley Park, and tall North Shore mountains. The rooms maintain the vibe of chic indulgence with spa-like bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows with harbor views.

Dine at Botanist for an artful take on Pacific Northwest fare like the charred octopus with dabs of chorizo sauce, and a quail’s egg nestled on a nest of black truffles and edible flowers. The Michelin Guide awarded Botanist the 2022 “Exceptional Cocktails Award” for its mad scientist approach to flavor-building—the What the Flower features gin infused with electric daisies. 

There’s no better way to get to know a destination than exploring its history. Sarah and Jeff Shepherd, who renovated and restored Montfort Hall, an Italianate-style mansion completed in 1860, immerse their guests in Raleigh’s Boylan Heights historic residential neighborhood through a stay at mansion-turned-boutique Heights House Hotel. With only nine rooms, the intimate setting feels like an inside peek into a Southern aristocrat’s fabulously stylish manor.

In their overhaul of the mansion, the Shepards ensured a perfect harmony of up-to-date amenities with vintage charm. Original hardwood floors, clawfoot tubs, pocket doors, and 10 fireplaces are just a few of Heights House Hotel’s authentic features. The common spaces, including a grand library and parlor, host guests and neighborhood residents alike for drinks and socializing. It’s a joy to wander the property and marvel at the second-story stained glass cupola or grand staircase. Equally pleasant is the outdoor area, where underneath a canopy of oak trees, you can sit and savor a classic-contemporary cocktail. 

It’s the heirloom-meets-modernity ethos that can be felt in each room and space in the hotel, but even more so in its vibe. A diverse mix of guests find sanctuary in the property’s welcoming atmosphere. Neighborhood residents roll up for after-work drinks in everything from seersucker suits to athleisurewear. Wedding parties might take over the entire hotel for a weekend of festivity, while Raleigh residents are known to book respite weeknight staycations. The perfect balance of elegant authenticity and intimate comfort makes for an incredibly charming, one-of-a-kind stay.

Built by renowned architect James E. R. Carpenter, Nashville’s original million-dollar hotel is a 113-year-old Beaux Arts masterpiece harkening back to the elegant grandeur of bygone eras. Located in the beating heart of Music City just a few minutes walk from downtown, the iconic hotel was completely redesigned in 2022 to integrate modern luxury with timeless elegance.

Stepping under the Hermitage’s iconic arched ceilings and bespoke lighting is like stepping into a slice of history—with all the updated amenities, like newly reimagined event spaces and a business center for conferences, fog resistant bathroom mirror with embedded television you can enjoy while soaking in the deep marble tub, and a Bluetooth capable television and sound system equipped for streaming in every room. Immerse yourself in Old World opulence in the pet-friendly hotel with custom-made furniture imported from Europe, take advantage of exclusive music and arts events, and get chauffeured around town via private car service.

In addition to the more casual Pink Hermit Cafe, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new American eatery Drusie & Darr showcases the bounty of Tennessee produce (partially sourced from The Hermitage’s own garden) with creative seasonal fare and curated cocktails like the refreshing yuzu drop martini.

The storied Holbrooke Hotel has seen and hosted it all—cowboys, gambling, gunfights, and good fortunes in the form of real treasure during California’s gold rush era—and its fair share of heartbreak and hatred. 

It’s housed in a historic building that dates back to the mid-1800s and has hosted many famous guests including U.S. presidents like Ulysses S. Grant and writers like Mark Twain. 

Legend tells us even Prohibition didn’t stop the whiskey from being served in its 100+-year-old on-site restaurant and bar, Golden Gate Saloon, which boasts an elegant dining room with an outdoor patio overlooking Grass Valley’s bustling main street. The restaurant’s menu is updated seasonally, so diners will never tire of their locally sourced dishes. 

This rustic but resilient property has caught fire twice and actually burned to the ground once, but always bounces back to offer locals and visitors a spot to spend time with the Grass Valley community. 

Through the years, the hotel has been revitalized and reborn, today mixing refined vintage decor with modern and upscale amenities—but it still holds true to its Gold Rush roots, radiating a timeless sense of charm and a welcoming atmosphere.

Charleston is full of charming historic hotels, but Hotel Bennett belongs in a league of its own thanks to its old-world delights, array of on-site amenities, and excellent food and beverage offerings. Set on the corner of bustling King Street downtown, the 179-room family-owned boutique has been elegantly reimagined, with modern sophistication at every turn even as it honors its origins. 

With subtle nods to its historical past, guest rooms come kitted out with booklined shelves and a neutral color palette complemented by plush furniture, including insanely comfortable beds. The marble spa-like bathrooms, many of which come equipped with deep pedestal tubs, only add to the allure. You don’t have to have a balcony to enjoy the views here, though, in our opinion, the best rooms overlook Marion Square Park. 

On the hotel’s rooftop, Fiat Lux offers some of the best steeple views, cabana service, oysters on the half shell, and a stiff Palmetto punch. Back on the ground floor, Gabrielle serves as The Bennett’s signature Southern fine dining restaurant, and after a recent menu overhaul, it now offers seafood-centric options from snapper ceviche with yuzu to black linguini with clams, mussels, shrimp, tomato, fennel served in a spicy shrimp jus. Cap off the night with some bubbles at Camellias, Bennett’s pretty-in-pink champagne and caviar bar just off the elegant foyer. In the morning, get your caffeine fix—and Camellia Cake, a lemon-almond sponge cake layered with strawberry marmalade and glazed with pink chocolate—at La Pâtisserie, Bennett’s Parisian-themed all-day coffee shop before exploring Charleston’s many antique shops.

The fact that Hotel Esencia’s guests feel like nobility has everything to do with its past life as the private abode of an Italian duchess, Rosa de Ferrari. The brainchild of Hollywood heavyweight producer Kevin Wendle, this 50-acre estate is tucked between Tulum and Playa del Carmen on Xpu-Ha’s white-as-can-be sands that will undoubtedly hog your camera lens.

In-the-know travelers—like Uma Thurman and Bella Hadid—adore this elegant collection of ocean-facing or jungle suites and villas with walk-in showers, walk-in closets, and standout art from Picasso and Botero. The Main House is the hotel’s beating heart with tree-lined paths leading to 47 whitewashed suites and four decidedly private villas. Chambers come with European linens, Nespresso machines, and complimentary Havaiana sandals though traipsing the sugary beach barefoot is highly recommended.

At the restaurants, hyper-fresh ingredients are prioritized for all meals right down to the homemade bread at breakfast. Complimentary yoga takes place daily and there is a pilgrimage-worthy Mayan-inspired spa and health club with over 40 treatments on the menu. Wellness-minded guests clamor to stay in the two-story Rooftop Wellness Suites with private pools and private fitness studios. The eclectic buffet of amenities at this aristocratic tropical playground includes daily afternoon tea, a U.S. Open-standard tennis court, two heated pools, its very own estate cenote, and the new fit-for-a-royal Esencia Mansion proudly houses an underground speakeasy and 20-seat cinema.

Don your rose-tinted glasses and white linen shirt and make your way to Hotel Panamera, a stylish escape on Tulum’s beach road. Brought to you by the founder of the “Studio 54 in the Jungle” beach club Gitano, this see-and-be-seen boutique hotel is part of Distrito Panamera, a hospitality concept centered around holistic well-being, cuisine, culture, and music. As such, boredom is practically impossible with events like popcorn-filled beachfront movie nights, sound healings, and full moon meditation dinners that attract scenesters, nomads, epicureans, and artsy types from all corners of the globe. The Roof bar is where both guests and locals congregate for front-row seats to breathtaking sunsets with resident DJs providing a laidback and funky soundtrack.

Hotel Panamera passes with flying colors on the entertainment front, and it’s also lauded for its location on South Tulum Beach mere minutes from the famed “Follow That Dream” sign. Those that prefer sand-free swimming may preen at the artisan-made and laid red and white-tiled outdoor pool which is the hotel’s instantly recognizable focal point. Formerly known as Casa Pueblo, Hotel Panamera has 14 air-conditioned rooms (including three suites) that are minimally elegant and capture Tulum’s essence in each white and beige detail.

Accommodations in upstate New York are plentiful and run the gamut in style, price point, and comfort. Amid the rustic cabins and chic lodges, the idyllic Inness rises above the rest. 

Found in Accord, New York, about two hours driving from Manhattan, Inness stands out for its Scandinavian-meets-American rustic aesthetic. An unassuming country road leads visitors to a hilltop where a welcome building, flanked by pastoral views and forests rising in the distance, includes a small shop selling locally crafted goods and an expansive lounge with a larger-than-life fireplace best enjoyed from the oversized cream-colored couches surrounding it. This is also where The Restaurant, lauded for its fresh and uncomplicated cuisine and natural wine selection, is housed. With vintage chairs sourced from a Belgian church, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Catskill Mountains, it’s no wonder it’s a draw for locals too.

Overnight guests are led to luxurious and spacious standalone cabins in hues of creme, ivory, and natural wood so as not to distract from the vibrant scenery outside. 

Walk a little further, and you’ll find the Farmhouse; brimming with common spaces, the space features plush antique couches, colorful wallpaper, and roaring fireplaces. Reminiscent of the bygone family resorts that once dotted the Hudson Valley, once you park at Inness, there really is no reason to leave until check-out.

Distinguished guests have stayed at this boutique Beaux-Arts beauty just blocks from the White House since 1923—first when it was a luxury apartment block and then, after 1955, a hotel. Maintaining plenty of antique charm, including the marble lobby and elegant porte cochère, the Jefferson has moved gracefully into the modern age with state-of-the-art technology and an esteemed restaurant. But what sets it truly apart is its homage to the third president. You’ll find nods to Jefferson throughout, including the Book Room resembling his personal library, custom-scented “Monticello Grove” toiletries that smell like blooming spring gardens at his Virginia estate, and original documents bearing his signature in one of the hallways. 

Ninety-nine meticulously renovated, high-ceilinged rooms are at once classically refined and contemporary, decorated with wall moldings and dark-wood furnishings in a variety of layouts and themes: birds, horses, butterflies, and books. The most coveted rooms overlook the White House.

At the Greenhouse restaurant, Chef Fabio Salvatore’s elevated menu showcases Mediterranean and coastal Italian influences—the Apulia burrata cheese and 24-hour braised-beef short rib are divine. Quill is a luxury bar decorated with maps depicting wine regions Jefferson visited. Its bar is the world’s largest illuminated glass bar.

For a truly transporting vacation in Latin America, few destinations match the landscapes-meet-natural-hot-springs appeal of Arenal Volcano National Park, near the town of La Fortuna in Costa Rica (about a 2.5-hour drive northwest from San Jose’s international airport). 

For all the lovely places to stay here, one address truly stands out. With a safari-meets-rainforest feel, Nayara Tented Camp opened in 2019 as Latin America’s first luxury tented camp and offers guests unimpeded views of Arenal Volcano’s impressive cone from individual canvas tents with terraces crowned with private thermal infinity pools fed by local hot springs. 

The property adjoins sister resorts, Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs, and sits within a forest of Kapok and Cecropia trees, a portion of which is a sloth sanctuary, with excellent opportunities to see Costa Rica’s celebrated birds, too, just outside your tent’s door. 

Safari tents from Botswana inspired the luxe design, which elevates the glamping game thanks to touches like Italian and Guatemalan marble and Central American hardwoods throughout. Between the three resorts, guests can access a range of restaurants on foot that span innovative Latin American, Asian and Mediterranean options. And be sure to make time, too, for a spa treatment incorporating ingredients like volcanic mud and organic coffee in open-air treatment pavilions where the rainforest twitterings are the only soundtrack.

Considered the grande dame of Chicago’s historical hotels, this 1,641-room Palmer House in the Loop dates back to 1873. The first location perished in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Since Conrad Hilton bought the property in 1945, it’s been part of Hilton.

After entering through bronze peacock doors by Louis Comfort Tiffany, it’s impossible not to look up and gawk at the lobby’s Greek mythological frescoes. A 2021 renovation unveiled revamped guestrooms and an updated pool, among other things. Take a deeper dive into the hotel’s history via curated artifacts and archives in a dedicated room. Or bite into the “Palmer House” brownie at Lockwood Lobby Bar—created at the hotel during the late 19th century and, at the founder’s wife’s urging, served at the 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair.

Opportunities to imbibe and nosh include martinis at The Lobby Bar at Lockwood (with live music by local guitarists and pianists Thursdays through Sundays) or a lobster roll at Lockwood Restaurant. At Potter’s Chicago Burger Bar, the signature burger is topped with bourbon bacon onion jam and local craft beers are on tap.  

More chill activities are at the three-level, 10,000-square-foot health club or at the spa, where treatments include a Chicago Fire and Ice Massage, using hot and cold stones to detoxify the body and improve sleep.

The Ramble Hotel’s hand-cut brick façade and 17th-century French salon interior touches (green tufted-leather check-in desk, crystal chandeliers, brass room keys) make the venue appear as though it’s occupied the same corner for decades. It’s a welcome response to the glut of fast architecture that’s taken over Denver in recent years. The luxe result—which includes plenty of modern touches, too, like Bluetooth-controlled Victrola gramophones in all 50 guest rooms—has made the Ramble a go-to gathering place for neighbors and visitors alike.

With some of the Mile High City’s best bars and restaurants just beyond its front doors in the bustling River North Arts District and historic Five Points neighborhood, the Ramble didn’t have to lean into F&B. But the owners went for it: James Beard-nominated chef Dana Rodriguez’s Super Megan Bien, a Latin spin on dim-sum—carts deliver dishes like tuna ceviche and arepas tableside—shares the building. And the lobby bar is actually the only outside-of-NYC outpost of craft cocktail tastemaker Death & Co. It’s such a popular spot that the velvet- and leather-filled lobby was reimagined over the winter to add more bar seats. Make the most of a visit by ordering in the hidden-gem Garden patio bar or reserving a Cocktail Cart—a Death & Co. bartender will come to your room and shake up custom cocktails, an amenity sure to be appreciated in any era.

In case you missed it, Tampa’s having a major moment. It has a lot to do with a certain late-2022 hotel opening in the heart of the city’s new Water Street Tampa district that completely remade the downtown corridor into a liveable and visitable urban core on par with other Florida heavy hitters. 

With Ian Schrager’s signature spiral staircase at the heart of a spectacular lobby overflowing with lush tropical plants and palms, the 172-room Tampa Edition is the city’s first true five star hotel (and one of only five Editions in the U.S.). The hotel’s nonstop nightlife scene—especially at the bougainvillea-draped rooftop pool bar but also at the swanky lobby bar (where you should not miss sipping a harissa margarita)—make it a firm favorite hangout among locals. 

As you’d expect, rooms are posh yet minimalist, with light wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, Bose bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machines, and marble bathrooms outfitted with cult Le Labo products. The hotel’s piece de resistance, however, is its signature restaurant, Lilac, a prix-fixe affair all done up in emerald-hued velvet and the recent recipient of one of Tampa’s first Michelin stars. But the Neapolitan-style pizzas at the more casual Market and spectacular Greek fare at Azure, just off the pool deck, also assure you won’t go hungry–and don’t even need to leave the hotel–for some of downtown’s best eats. 

The proliferation of the boutique hotel has, in many cases, diluted the hip cool factor of this particular type of accommodation. Fortunately, this couldn’t be any less true for Umbral, Hilton’s Curio Collection 2021 debut in Mexico City. Housed in a heritage building dating back to 1924 in the city’s historic downtown, Umbral provides easy access to the Zocalo and other attractions. In spite of its central location, the 59-room hotel offers a quiet respite. Enter a dark and moody corridor, flanked by on-site eateries and a curated gift shop—Matisse for pastries and cafe, Chocalateria San Gines for exquisite chocolate, Ojo de Agua for healthier fare, and El Cubo Concept Store, respectively—before heading upstairs.

Guest rooms, furnished with modular furniture, are located along long, dimly-lit corridors and open into dark vestibules before giving way to bedrooms with soaring ceilings, tall windows with rich drapes, and bright, white bathrooms (the 12 suites include a record player and guests are invited to borrow something from the hotel’s vinyl collection). 

Daniel Ovadía is responsible for the innovative cuisine at Oliva, the rooftop restaurant serving ash-coated butter among other inventive creations, and Paxia, for upscale Mexican cuisine. Ramón Tovar deserves credit for Nardo Cocktail Club’s selection of tequila and Mexico wine, and it’s in this chill space too that the chaos of Mexico’s largest city is temporarily drowned out.

Urban Cowboy is exactly what Nashville needed. Drive a few minutes outside the unadulterated madness (and complete fun) of Broadway and central Nashville and you’ll be greeted by a stately Victorian in green in cozy East Nashville. Urban Cowboy’s inviting and warm atmosphere doesn’t stop at its front door though. Check into “The Tower” suite for a room reminiscent of the Old West with vintage trunks, oversized leather furniture, and a sunken bed with Pendleton sheets. The “Midnight Rider” suite falls somewhere between Game of Thrones and Americana with wooden chevron wall details, a cozy wolf den-like feel, and unique accents like a deer antler chandelier.

The self check-in feature is a thoughtful addition, making sure you don’t wake the whole house up, and we loved other sweet ‘n Southern touches, like welcome drinks and a mini bar with selections of spirits and local favorites like Goo Goos chocolate, artisanal nuts, and Blowfish tablets (to cure any potential hangovers). 

The owner’s local pal even makes the inn fresh bagels every morning (reach for the cacio e pepe if they have it!). No one at Urban Cowboy rushes or fusses, leaving you plenty of time to soak up the vintage architecture, like the funky leather wingbacks in the parlor, brass wall ornaments, and ornate tiled fireplaces. Take to the lounge in the back patio for live music most nights of the week. The cocktails are strong and delicious, and if you’ve partook in one too many you can head back upstairs with some Roberta’s pizza, available on site.

Long before slope-bound travelers discovered the perfectly powdered mountain that would become Park City’s playground, this historic Utah town was home to a vibrant silver mining community. A limestone quarried schoolhouse stood as the community’s backbone, weathering life and world events—including the Great Fire of 1898—with grace before changing hands to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1936. Years of glamorous social events—and a brief stint as a B&B—quickly turned to forgotten years of disrepair before the historic schoolhouse was once again transformed, this time into an opulent boutique hotel. 

The Washington School House Hotel opened in 2011 after an extensive renovation, ready to weave the building’s future tales with its “as-you-wish” approach to hospitality. Twelve rooms and suites are outfitted with white Pratesi linens and exquisitely curated furniture. The oak floors throughout the hotel are made from reclaimed barn wood, while heated tiles warm the icy-white marbled bathrooms. Among the many extravagant details, like all-inclusive high-end food and beverage options, gazing out on the original 2002 Winter Olympic torch from the intimate heated outdoor pool (open year-round) is a clear favorite among the hotel’s guests.