An aquatic retreat: the moment you enter this hotel, the mood is set with a soothing water wall. The water-themed relaxation continues on the property's two-acre pool terrace overlooking downtown Miami. Guests can relax with complimentary yoga classes or dip into three heated pools, one complete with palm-tree "islands." Rooms have blond-wood accents and, fittingly, deep soaking tubs.
Read the full Fodor's review »Fodor's Choice Gold Awards 2010
Best Urban Escapes
Properties that offer a relaxing getaway within a U.S. city.
In alphabetical order Photo: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
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Four Seasons Hotel Miami Miami, FL
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Hotel Drisco San Francisco, CA
This quiet haven has served as a celebrity hideaway, and it's easy to see why. Tucked away in a wealthy residential neighborhood, the 1903 Edwardian hotel's location is far more tranquil than the Union Square area. Rooms are decorated with genteel traditional furnishings and pale-yellow-and-white fabrics, and the morning newspapers, plush robes, slippers, and turndown service bring little luxuries to each day.
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Maison Dupuy New Orleans, LA
Just two blocks from rowdy Bourbon Street, this hotel provides a well-priced French Quarter oasis. Tucked behind five restored 19th-century townhouses is one of the neighborhood's prettiest courtyards, anchored by a spectacular fountain. Lush tropical greenery makes it a serene setting for meals or cocktails, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the courtyard. A pool and an excellent restaurant provide additional comforts.
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Mandarin Oriental New York, NY
Above the bustling Time Warner Center, starting on the 35th floor, the Mandarin provides a serenely insulated perch for viewing the city. Rooms are a sumptuous treat, with silk throws, plush beds, and marble-clad baths. The swimming pool is one of the city's best, with panoramic Hudson River views. Spa treatments here cover an international menu of massage styles.
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Mandarin Oriental Boston Boston, MA
On arrival, guests are greeted with a pot of green tea signaling that they've crossed over from Boston's Boylston Street into a peaceful Asian-style escape. Pale woods and silk in gold or jade green dominate the decor, and rooms have soaking tubs with rain shower heads and 400-thread-count Frette linens. Don't miss the quartz-crystal steam room at the spa.
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Peninsula Chicago Chicago, IL
On weekend nights the Peninsula's lobby becomes a chocolate fantasia with an overflowing dessert buffet—and that's just one of the many indulgences here. Rooms are luxuriously outfitted with plush pillow-top beds and state-of-the-art bedside consoles. Beyond the rooms, the rooftop pool is enclosed in a Zen aerie offering stunning city and lake views, just steps away from the award-winning spa.
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Rittenhouse 1715 Philadelphia, PA
Like a manor straight out of a period movie, the Rittenhouse has a quiet regal look perfect for unplugging from the modern world. Rooms are decorated with Louis XVI–inspired chairs, vintage mirrors, Chippendale-style tables, and neoclassical rugs; some have skylights and a whirlpool. Every evening a wine reception is held in the lobby, where you can relax on fauteuil-style chairs and play a game of chess.
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Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park New York, NY
Situated in lower Manhattan along the peaceful waterfront, this classic Ritz-Carlton hotel provides big rooms with serene views. Guests can cocoon themselves in featherbeds while ordering 24-hour room service. The staff also offers a bath butler who will fill your tub with anything from rose petals to rubber duckies. A full-service spa keeps the public space just as pampering.
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Swann House Washington, DC
From breakfast under an antique chandelier to a fireside evening sherry, the days pass grandly in this 1883 mansion. The Dupont Circle location is full of restaurants and nightlife, but many guests stay in, especially if they've booked a room with a Jacuzzi or a two-person claw-foot tub. A swimming pool beckons in summer, and fireplaces warm up the rooms in winter.
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Wentworth Mansion Charleston, SC
Fulfilling aspirations of an elegant life of leisure comes easily at the Wentworth, a mansion built in 1886. Austrian-crystal chandeliers, hand-carved marble mantles, and stained-glass windows set the tone. In the evenings, complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres are served on the glass-enclosed porch. A few steps away is the carriage house, now converted into a laudable restaurant and cozy spa.
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