Fodor's Expert Review Hotel El Capitan

Famed architect Henry Trost designed this Spanish Revival hotel, which takes its place among such other glamorous Trost landmarks as the Hotel Paisano (Marfa), the Holland Hotel (Alpine), and the Gage Hotel (Marathon) and is just an hour south of Pine Springs Visitor Center via a picturesque desert drive on Highway 54. Typical of Trost buildings, it features a grand lobby, European tiles, exposed Spanish vigas, room balconies, and wrought-iron bannisters. With the downstairs Gopher Hole Bar and El Capitan Dining Room, this is the jewel of Van Horn. It's also a good option en route if you're headed to Big Bend, which is 200 miles farther south.