1951 Best Hotels in USA

With the university in its name and images of esteemed alums throughout the hallways, it's clear why many guests stay at this upscale boutique stalwart. The Stanford Park resides right at the border of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, across from Stanford Shopping Center. It’s part of the Woodside Group, a small collection of Northern California low-key luxury destinations. The hotel actually only dates back to 1985, but it feels like it should have opened decades earlier because the architecture is inspired by early-20-century California design visionaries Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck, lending a subtly grand air to much of the decor inside and to the shingle-covered exterior and well-appointed grounds. Among the many notable amenities, the on-site Menlo Tavern is a terrific spot for guests and locals to gather for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.

Three blocks west of Union Square and loaded with high- and low-tech amenities, this Pineapple Hospitality boutique property delivers value in a stylish package, starting with the lobby's paintings and sculptures and the giant black-and-white art above the adjacent bar. Inside a renovated 1913 structure, the hotel has rooms with bright-yellow curtains, light-colored walls, and Carrara marble-tiled bathrooms. All accommodations have air-conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers, USB charging stations, and 50-inch HD LED TVs with cable.

Although technically not in the park, this stunningly situated luxury inn lies just east of Bryce Canyon, and rooms and the excellent on-site restaurant, The Stone Hearth Grille, have astounding views of the park's hoodoos—there's even a trailhead nearby that accesses some of Bryce's best trails. You'll find several types of accommodations, from cottages to elevated tree houses, and all have sleek, contemporary furnishings and plenty of cushy perks, ranging from deep soaking tubs to gas fireplaces.

Still the hottest spot in town, this Western grande dame opened for business in 1887 and has been visited by Butch Cassidy, Louis L'Amour (he wrote many of the Sackett novels here), Francis Ford Coppola, John Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe (the latter two stayed here at separate times). The individually decorated rooms are exquisite—no surprise, as the hotel owns the country's largest collection of American Victorian antiques. The on-site Mahogany Grill serves breakfast and dinner; the Diamond Belle Saloon features live ragtime music; and the Office Spiritorium offers an escape for drinks and conversation.

Although this upscale inn surrounded by neatly manicured gardens dates to 1789, it has a decidedly current vibe, from its sumptuous rooms with such modern perks as whirlpool tubs, gas fireplaces, and Bose sound systems, to the superb prix-fixe restaurant serving sublime contemporary American fare. Although popular year-round, this is an especially enjoyable roost in summer and fall, when you can relax around the outdoor pool and waterfall. The prix-fixe meals feature seasonal, often locally sourced ingredients.

This small, centrally located property offers tastefully appointed suites with kitchens and work spaces, private baths, washers and dryers, and Internet. Choose one- or two-bedroom suites, and ask for long-term pricing if settling in for an extended stay.

Easygoing hospitality, vineyard-view rooms, and elaborate breakfasts make this inn a mile west of U.S. 101 worth seeking out. Associated with SummerWood Winery, which specializes in Rhône and Bordeaux blends, the inn was completely remodeled in 2013 in a contemporary country French–inspired style. The overall effect is upscale but casual. All rooms have gas or electric fireplaces and balconies or decks with vineyard or garden views; some have vaulted ceilings.

The views are superb and the hospitality gracious at this lakeside lodge 3 miles south of Tahoe City, where locally crafted furnishings decorate the guest rooms. Some rooms also have river-rock fireplaces, wet bars, or pullout sofas. Families favor the lodge for its proximity to water sports and hiking (there's an adjacent marina). The lively restaurant emphasizes beef and seafood but also serves fish tacos, burgers, and lighter comfort food. Be forewarned: this is not a quiet place on summer weekends, when the bar and sprawling outdoor deck get packed with boaters and bacchanalian revelers.

The 1814 Georgian mansion channels a classic New England style into three buildings on 4 acres of lawns and gardens. The largest and most luxurious rooms are in the carriage house, which include king-size beds, fireplaces, and jetted tubs, not to mention a steam room and sauna on the lower level; rooms in the gatehouse cost less but sometimes suffer from street noise.

Built circa 1890 of native cypress and handmade bricks, some rooms in the Acadian-style "Little Brother's House" are furnished with French and Louisiana antiques while others are more modern. Additional accommodations are in an Acadian-style cottage behind the main house. You are welcomed to this charming home with a complimentary "T'julep" and "Cajun canapés," which are hors d'oeuvres made with boudin. The Cajun breakfast combines regional ingredients with traditional southern cuisine. The friendly owners are available to help guests with tour bookings.

On the edge of the John Muir Wilderness Area, where cross-country ski trails lace the woods, this 1924 lodge looks like something out of a snow globe. The lake it borders is serenely beautiful, and during warm months fishing, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking can be had right outside. For more privacy, opt for one of the cabins, which range from rustic to downright cushy—many have kitchens and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. The softly lit Lakefront Restaurant (reservations encouraged) serves outstanding seasonal cuisine.

A sole, beautifully decorated cabin nestled in the woods across from Kenai Lake, Teddy's is surrounded by mountains and hiking trails. The cabin sleeps up to four comfortably. The grounds are superbly manicured and convey a sense of a magical forest. The inn is 6 miles from Moose Pass and 23 miles from Seward.

Comprising six airy, high-ceilinged modern cabins with stylish kitchenettes, indoor-outdoor geothermal soaking tubs, and expansive decks, this 100-acre woodland hideaway is ideal for a restorative retreat in nature—within moments of your arrival, you'll probably notice your blood pressure abating. This a cabin-rental complex rather than a hotel per se, as there's no lobby or common facilities, but that also means you'll enjoy total privacy throughout your stay. Downtown Stevenson is a 10-minute drive, and there's plenty of great hiking nearby. 

Kampgrounds of America transformed a traditional Bar Harbor campground into its first glampground; the 64 wood and canvas tents have wood floors, beds, porches, and in most cases roomy indoor baths and armchairs. Anchoring its 45 acres is a striking lodge with a soaring sloped wood ceiling, towering stone fireplaces, decks, chic chairs and couches, and a restaurant kitchen that serves the courtesy breakfast and draws folks later for, say, espresso or beer and flatbread. Tents sleep two or five, and some have bunk beds; premium ones have outdoor and indoor showers. Loaded with hardwoods, Terramor is awash in color come fall.

This romantic 1780s tavern feels authentically Colonial, from the wide-plank paneling to the low ceilings, but it's comfortable and intimate guest rooms are appointed with historic and modern furnishings, including heavenly feather beds. Most have fireplaces and mountain views, and a few have private decks.

This welcoming, third-generation family-owned motel is the only lodging option on the water and near the ferry dock. It was built on a bridge overlooking the harbor, and all rooms have wonderful views. All but three of the rooms have private decks. If you want a real treat, get up early enough to watch the lobster boats leave around 5 am. You'll find great personal service here—Sarah, the owner, is happy to help guests make the most of their visit. The property has kayaks, canoes, and SUPs available for rent, and you can catch a ride to good spots for paddling, picnicking, and swimming. Sarah can also arrange boat rides—around the harbor, out on a lobster boat, or an excursion to see puffins—as well as dinner reservations. Continental breakfast is included; a full lobster dinner is served once a week ($50) on the patio.

Guest rooms are simple, rustic, and charming (a handful of them lack private baths), but don't expect a cushy experience—the reason for staying here is the location and setting. The approach builds excitement: an unforgettable 6-mile ascent that curves its way up to an elevation of about 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood. Then the Lodge materializes out of the mist, and you momentarily forget about the snowcapped peak high above. No wonder Stanley Kubrick used shots of the exterior for The Shining. Complementing the size and majesty of Mt. Hood, the massive structure was erected using timber and rock from the forest and mountain: in 1936–37 more than 500 people toiled, forging metal for furniture and fixtures, sculpting old telephone poles into beams and banisters, weaving, and sawing. A 22-minute film, shown on the lower level, tells the story. You don't need to be a guest to appreciate Timberline—there are daily tours in summer, and day visitors can wander around on their own. Enjoy the restaurants, snow sports, and hiking paths, or relax by the massive fireplace in the "headhouse."

This minimalist hotel has many oak-covered surfaces, a large fireplace in the rustic lobby, amazing views of Mt. Greylock from the patio deck and courtyard, and walking trails that lead guests to a suspension bridge, sound sculpture, and a restaurant. Guest rooms all have a window nook to curl up in, and a TV, desk, minibar, and radio, but otherwise lack extras, including phones.

Newly updated after a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Town and Country Resort—a staple of Hotel Circle since 1953—has been given a second life while returning to its stylish roots. Its more than 600 rooms have been spruced up with mid-century modern furniture and a splash of color, while its grounds, rife with a new waterslide pool and various outdoor activities, look brand new. The hotel features a fitness center, lawn games, and wellness classes. It also features five restaurants and bars, including modern Mexican cuisine at Lapper Kitchen and Bar and Mediterranean fine dining at Arlo.

The region's most elegant and atmospheric lodging option occupies a graceful 1892 redbrick former bank building with nine luxuriously appointed rooms with high ceilings, plush beds with pillow-top mattresses, hidden flat-screen TVs, and spacious bathrooms with glass walk-in showers. The lobby and hallways exude Victorian and Old-West ambience, and the on-site bar and restaurant is both classy and inviting. Attention to detail—chocolate mints and glass stemware on the tray—creates a seamless mix of old-fashioned charm and contemporary comfort. Book early, as this property fills up fast.

Many of the cottages at this warm, affordable, pet-friendly resort—named for the sea-turtle nesting site across the street along Sarasota Bay—date from the 1940s, a romantic plus for yesteryear lovers. Some units have courtyards, and those on the bay side have the best view; only 10 of the cottages allow children and pets. The grounds are private, shielded by high wooden fences and palms, bougainvilleas, and other tropical foliage. If you really want to escape, use one of the resort's canoes or kayaks to paddle a short distance south to a beach dotted with sand dunes and sea oats.

Built in the late 1990s on a 26-acre former homestead, this expansive, luxurious B&B offers suites with electric fireplaces, jetted tubs, and private balconies or patios. Each room is unique, with decor that runs from Victorian to Alpine, some warm and dark and others bright and airy. A full three-course breakfast is served at your private table in the dining room, and complimentary coffee and snacks are available in the open kitchen and rec room. The meticulously manicured grounds have a picnic area and two gazebos. All profits go to a local charity.

Formerly the James Gettys Hotel, the building, dating back to 1804, was renovated in 2020, and its eclectic-contemporary design belies its ragtag history. With about a dozen names over the years, it's been a boarding house, youth hostel, and soldiers' hospital after the Battle of Gettysburg. Each suite is unique, from the tiling in the bathrooms to the rich colors on the walls, and has a wet bar with a microwave and fridge. This is a thoroughly modern boutique hotel, but in many small touches it pays homage to the Union's hard-won victory on the nearby battlefield.

Universal's nostalgic, mid-century-theme beach resort transports you to a 1950s Florida beach town with a modern twist; it also offers families a less-expensive but still benefit-rich alternative to on-site Universal properties. Extras include a 10-lane bowling alley, a Jack LaLanne fitness studio, early park admission, two pools (one with a slide), a lazy river, poolside activities, and free shuttle buses to and from Universal parks and CityWalk, as well as to nearby SeaWorld and Aquatica.

The US Grant may be more than 100 years old (it first opened in 1910), but thanks to a top-to-bottom interior renovation in 2017 and historic exterior restoration in 2024, this grand old dame is now one of the most glamorous hotels in Southern California. A white Carrera marble promenade gives way to a stylish lobby with mirrored walls and several sleek seating areas, and white-walled guest rooms feature oversize beds that overflow with soft pillows and modern conveniences like Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. The lobby offers a complimentary coffee bar in the morning and fresh juices in the afternoon. The Grant Grill, located just off the lobby and once a male-dominated power spot, has softened up its look and lightened its menu to serve seasonal produce alongside choice meats and fresh seafood. A comprehensive mixology program gives diners interesting pairing options for their meals.

This family-friendly hotel offers spacious guest rooms, two swimming pools, and Disney magic throughout, from the blue fiberglass-and-resin life-size Star Wars Stormtroopers who greet guests arriving from the parking garage to the whimsical Fantasia-style hallway carpet. Some of the guest rooms have bunk beds and the views of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. It's less than a 2-mile walk or drive to Disneyland and the Convention Center. The ground floor heated swimming pool is family friendly and adults prefer the exclusive rooftop pool near the lounge and fine dining "Top of The V" food and beverage venue. It's a great spot for magnificent views of both Disney Parks, the city of Anaheim and those Disneyland fireworks. Pets are welcome. There is a $150 nonrefundable pet fee per room per stay.

South Beach meets desert Zen at this all-suites tower inside Mandalay Bay. Elaborate wet bars, giant plasma TVs, plush carpeting, and floor-to-ceiling windows make the all-white guest rooms oases in the Nevada desert. In the lobby, muted tones provide a sophisticated feel. The property is connected to the rest of Mandalay Bay but also has its own check-in, swank coffee bar, see-and-be-seen lounge, and fantastic restaurant, Rivea. Guests of W enjoy full use of Mandalay Bay's sprawling pool complex and beach, as well as access to the W's Bathhouse Spa and the gym therein. It's all unquestionably high-end, but rates are surprisingly competitive with other leading hotels. And like a growing number of Las Vegas resorts, it accepts pets.

Pacific Northwest–inspired art, handmade furnishings, and fine fabrics fill this rambling timber-frame home overlooking the Rogue River, 11 handsomely outfitted cabins, and an A-frame bungalow that comprise the most luxurious accommodations between Ashland and Eugene. Built as a vacation retreat in 1924, with a guest list that included Walt Disney, Clark Gable, and Carol Lombard, the resort offers accommodations that range from smaller doubles in the main lodge to romantic Jacuzzi suites with deep tubs and separate slate-wall walk-in showers; many units have private decks with rocking chairs overlooking the river.

Nearly demolished in the 1980s, one of coastal New England's most elegant Victorian grand resorts—where the likes of Harry Truman and Gloria Swanson once vacationed—has been meticulously restored and now ranks among the cushiest golf, boating, and spa getaways in New Hampshire. The hotel has spacious rooms, all with ocean or harbor views. Huge sunny suites, which have gas fireplaces, occupy a modern building overlooking the marina.