The 13 Best Hotel Porches in America

The history of Southern California’s iconic Hotel Del Coronado dates way back into the late 1800s. Throughout its storied past, the hotel has served plenty of VIPs, including countless U.S. presidents and multiple Hollywood celebrities. In August of 2021, the Grand Victorian front porch was restored to its original splendor as one of the restorations in Hotel del Coronado’s $400+ Million transformation, breathing new life into its sturdy wooden bones. The porch was meticulously recreated using a combination of historic photos and old blueprints to include as many original details as possible, right down to distinctions like a second set of stairs that was once the “ladies’ entrance.” A combination of 24 recreated and original stained-glass windows adorn the front of the building, including the 6-foot Coronation Window, which was returned to its original second-floor location, offering guests an overwhelming sense of grandeur upon arrival.

Montana’s rustic luxury property, Triple Creek Ranch, sits about 80 miles south of Missoula in the heart of the scenic Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies. The lodge boasts two dozen standalone wooden cabins for guests to enjoy their own intimate space, as well as a spacious main lodge for spending communal time. At the main lodge, several decks look out on the treetops and surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as a separate forested patio area by the pool, perfect for settling down to spot some local wildlife. The ranch encompasses the romance of connecting to the backcountry with the safety of everything needed to survive and get cozy right on-site.

The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, sits right on the beach in Gulf State Park, offering guests unparalleled access to the sand and sea and the chance to soak up the sun on its big porch. The lengthy wooden stretch of the deck is perched behind the property and faces the ocean overlooking the water, dotted with comfy rocking chairs offering a fantastic vantage point to spot sea life, or the waves roll in. This lodge is on state park land and surrounded by nine different ecosystems, meaning sustainability is an important pillar of operations. The lodge practices an array of initiatives that go above and beyond the usual hospitality standards for protecting the environment, including bird-friendly safety measures within the design of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the main lobby and an array of impressive composting and recycling initiatives.

The Madrona is a storied property nestled into the quaint Sonoma Valley town of Healdsburg, and visiting this space feels like stepping into a Victorian-era dream. The striking mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation of its original, grand bones, and boasts an array of picturesque architecture, including a large wrap-around porch. The porch was recently restored to its original magnificence when the hotel underwent an expansive renovation in 2022. The property hosts guests in two dozen accommodations offered in a half-dozen buildings scattered across its eight acres of space, including within the mansion building itself. But no matter what room a guest is staying in, the option to grab a cup of coffee and relax on the deck while admiring a splendid view of Dry Creek Valley is an experience that can’t be missed.

Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan is nothing short of a legend. Commonly referred to as “America’s Summer Place,” the property has been open for over 130 years. This National Historic Landmark boasts multiple restaurants, a golf course, biking and walking trails, a gorgeous swimming pool, and much more. Each of the nearly 400 rooms is unique, with its own name and specific theme featuring vibrant décor and historical memorabilia. But perhaps most of all, the property is known for its stupendous porch. Measuring 660 feet, it’s said to be the longest porch in the world. The hotel’s signature red geraniums are displayed prominently, and a collection of white rocking chairs dot the deck, perfect for enjoying a lazy morning admiring the scenery or a happy hour drink. From their porch perch, visitors can gaze at the waters of the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron, and the beautiful front lawn.

Just 15 miles outside Boston, Massachusetts is the town of Lexington, which is commonly referred to as “the birthplace of American Liberty” for its rich revolutionary history. Those who visit can’t miss the Inn at Hastings Park, which offers its guests 22 stylishly luxurious accommodations, including a lovingly preserved guest house and barn that combines the town’s historical heritage and timeless architecture with an updated, modern American design. The inn’s beautiful front porch is enveloped in flowers and can be a splendid spot to relax or enjoy a bite to eat. It’s also a great home base for exploring the area. The property is just 1,600 feet from the historic Lexington Battle Green, where the American Revolutionary War began.

Unsurprisingly, the enormous porch at The Omni Homestead in Virginia, which has been hosting visitors for more than a century, is commonly said to be a must-visit for travelers. It’s a perfect place for enjoying a quiet moment in one of the relaxing rocking chairs or sipping on a cocktail around the cozy fire pits. After enjoying a leisurely morning on the porch, continue winding down with a trip to the property’s luxurious spa or at the newly restored Warm Springs Pools.

Rising from the sandy shores and seemingly perfectly perched above the Atlantic Ocean, Pelican Grand Beach Resort is proud to be one of the last true boutique beachfront resorts on Fort Lauderdale beach. This seaside property is known for its expansive oceanfront verandah. The porch space is lined with a nostalgic set of white rockers paired with the sounds and sights of the Atlantic Ocean. The verandah stretches out the entire width of the resort, boasting a feeling of “Old Florida grandeur” and decorated with pops of navy and paired with views of the calm ocean waters and clean sandy beaches below.

The veranda at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, has offered hotel guests (and tourists alike) a laid-back place to unwind since the hotel opened its doors in 1902. From the outside, the property looks like nothing short of a castle perched in the kingdom of New Hampshire’s majestic white mountains. Sitting on the hotel’s opulent outdoor deck is the perfect way for guests to enjoy a light meal, a cocktail, or even just a morning cup of coffee paired with a stunning view. Guests sitting on the deck can enjoy the extraordinary sights of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeast, and the rest of the Presidential Mountain Range from its perch.

Located in the charming town of Cooperstown, nestled in the Catskill Mountains, The Otesaga Resort Hotel dates back to 1909 and boasts a gorgeous, historic porch. Referred to by the property as its “veranda,” this porch space looks out onto Otsego Lake, which can actually mirror the greenery and trees surrounding it on a clear, calm day. The veranda is fully stocked with ample rocking chairs and serves as the perfect spot to sit with a book and a cup of coffee or The Otesaga’s homemade hot cocoa and a cozy blanket. Views from The Otesaga’s veranda are impressive throughout each of the four seasons, ranging from gorgeous autumn colors in the fall, to bright sunny days and greenery in the spring and summer, to icy snowscapes with a peaceful layer of mist rising from the water in the winter.

Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, is a historic, Five Star Five Diamond property that overlooks the water from a beachfront location perched above the Atlantic Ocean. Its sprawling, wraparound porch offers guests an inviting place to enjoy the awe-inspiring water views. Seasonally during summer months, the Verandah portion of the expansive porch also serves a full raw bar of bites and traditional New England specialties, making it an idyllic spot to enjoy a true “sea-to-table” experience.

The charming Greyfield Inn is a family-run property sitting on Cumberland Island, Georgia. It is the largest and southernmost island of Georgia’s Golden Isles. It was once home to the Carnegie family, built back in the 1900s, before being converted to a 14-room inn in the 1970s. Today, this elegant inn focuses on a full-immersion experience for guests, allowing them to fully disengage from the chaos of everyday life. Guests can enjoy spending time on the porch, on one of the swings, reading a book pulled from the library. It’s a place to fully disconnect and bask in the property’s tranquil elegance and enjoy its solitude. Various outdoor excursions include naturalist-led tours, biking, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, and more. 

The historic Cavallo Point Lodge sits upon over 75,000 acres of national parkland in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and boasts unbeatable views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The main lodge, where guests check in, boasts a fantastic grand porch that is a spectacular spot to sit, wind down, and relax after a day of adventure. This deck space is adorned with heat lamps and an ample number of chairs made for guests to enjoy spending time outside. The lodge itself is a longstanding landmark that used to be an active army post through World War II and the Cold War Era but has since been transformed into a beautiful hotel. There’s even a Resident Historian on-site who can give guests a tour around the grounds and military buildings dating back to the 1900s, including barracks, a gym, a chapel, and a jailhouse.