1951 Best Hotels in USA

This beachy little hotel, steps away from the bars, restaurants, and shops of Ocean Beach and a four-minute walk from the ocean, offers basic, clean rooms in the heart of this popular and touristy Fire Island community. Here you won't find too many frills, but it will give you just what you need for a summer vacation, right down to the complimentary beach chairs and towels. Breakfast is served on a lovely garden-like sundeck. Catering to a grown-up crowd, the minimum age to stay here is 25.

Built around 1860 for wealthy silversmith Norman S. Boardman, this glamorous Second Empire--style mansion combines the charm of the gilded age with modern conveniences. Glamorous public rooms have original architectural features, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, Persian rugs, and hand-carved marble fireplaces; elegant guest accommodations have antique furnishings, plush bedding, and luxurious bathrooms with radiant-heated marble floors.

Set along Long Beach's colorful main drag, this collection of comfortable and attractively furnished cottages includes a range of accommodation options, from cozy studios to two-bedroom units with kitchens that are perfect for families. All units have private decks, refrigerators, electric kettles, and French press coffee makers, and local pastries are delivered to each cottage in the morning, a hospitable touch though not a full breakfast. Beyond a cute barrel sauna, common spaces are limited, but guests are welcome to use the pool, spa, beach bikes, and other amenities at the sister property, the Adrift Hotel, which is just a few minutes away on foot—as is the beach. 

For a great location at a good price, check into this modest, but appealing, two-story motel at the north end of the island on the Marco River, close to the Gulf. Its white facade and turquoise trim set the tone for the clean units, most of which are decorated in their own individual style. King-size rooms have a balcony or walled-in terrace, and some have great water views. You can arrive by boat and dock at the hotel or, if coming by land, use the dock as a fishing pier.

Named after a fictional fun-loving world traveler, Bobby is designed to appeal to the wanderlust of guests with decor accented by global souvenirs, premium room amenities, and a variety of dining options. The rooftop bar features a vintage 1956 Greyhound bus that was craned onto the top of the building to act as a cocktail lounge.

A delightful, affordable, country hacienda that's a 15-minute drive southeast of the Plaza, this adobe bed-and-breakfast sits amid 10 secluded acres of piñon and ponderosa pine, with grand views of the Ortiz Mountains and the area's high-desert mesas. Ryan and Jessica Miller—along with their friendly dogs—warmly welcome guests to this low-key retreat and prepare expansive full breakfasts. Arts and Crafts furniture and Southwest pottery fill the common room, in which a hot breakfast is served and guests can relax throughout the day. The individually decorated rooms are brightened by Talavera tiles, folk art, and colorful blankets and rugs; some have kiva fireplaces. Two of the largest rooms, Eldorado and Luna, have wood-burning fireplaces and private entrances that lead out to a tranquil courtyard with wonderful views of the foothills. Guests have access to El Gancho Health Club nearby.

The owners of the Bookhouse Hotel in Kennett Square transformed this former B&B in a handsome mid-19th-century Italianate brick house 1½ miles from downtown West Chester into a cozy retreat (with books and bookshelves throughout) that nicely mixes antiques, stylish modern furnishings, and updated bathrooms in the individually decorated rooms. Some rooms are larger than others (a couple have fireplaces), and the color schemes range from pastel hues to deeper colors; all but one (the Darlington Suite, named for the original owners) have a literary theme, like Jane's Room (for Jane Austen) and Alice's Suite (for Alice in Wonderland). The grand library and parlor rooms on the first floor provide elegant but comfortable places to relax, as do the wraparound porch and patio in the shady grounds. A refrigerator and microwave are shared by guests. Check-in and the concierge service are contactless, but the hotel team can be called or texted for assistance.   

Redwoods, Douglas firs, and palms supply shade and seclusion at this lushly landscaped resort ¾ mile north of downtown Guerneville. The pool and hot tub, both saline, and the on-site spa facilitate decompressing, but Main Street's bustle and dining options—including Boon Eat + Drink, under the same management—are easily accessible. The hotel provides complimentary orange bikes for rides into town, out to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, or over to wineries and river beaches. Most guest rooms surround the pool, but a few quieter ones lie toward the property's rear. Beyond them, and more peaceful still, are a vintage camper and, available in summer only, three tasteful tent rooms sitting atop wooden platforms.

Tasteful antiques and interesting books fill this vintage 1920s beach house, where rooms have balconies or decks with ocean views, a jetted spa tub sits in an enclosed glass-and-cedar gazebo that looks toward the ocean, and a private path leads through the dunes to the ocean and joining the Discovery Trail.

Traveling businesspeople and families like the modern look and efficiency of this 26-story high-rise hotel in Kendall Square, mere steps from the subway and MIT. The guest rooms and suites are decorated in soothing neutrals with pops of color, and the Revive beds feature crisp white duvets and fluffier pillows. Book a room on one of the two concierge floors and score entrance into the exclusive M Club Lounge for complimentary breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, and a full bar.

It's busy-busy, with throngs of tourists and business travelers, but you can't beat the location of this 38-story megahotel, which sports three entrances—a street-level door, a glass sky bridge from the Prudential Center, and a walk-in from the Copley mall—ensuring that you rarely have to go outside to shop or eat, which is especially nice in winter. Rooms have the quintessential Marriott flavor with flat-screen TVs; the best ones are high up and overlook Boston Harbor or the Charles River. Experience an expansive 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, and a brand new exclusive M Club for Marriott members. The on-site Yard House is great for casual eats and good beer.

Near historic Faneuil Hall, The Bostonian has guest rooms featuring Frette linens, pillow-top mattresses, and 40-inch TVs—many also have fireplaces and French doors with step-out balconies showcasing city views and the popular North End. Warmed up with red wall coverings, the lobby provides sofas and arm chairs, perfect for relaxing with a book chosen from one of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The hotel's restaurant, North 26, serves a little bit of everything. There's also a children's program for the tiny tots.

A National Register property built in 1912 in the American Foursquare style, Böttger Mansion offers thoughtfully refurbished rooms incorporating fine woodwork and other period details like a claw-foot tub, a lovely mural by the original owner's grandson, or a pressed-tin ceiling. The rooms are calm and classic, and each is dedicated to a person of particular import to Albuquerque history, from Erna Fergusson to Clyde Tingley; they all have the freshest linens and terry robes. A grassy courtyard provides an instant escape from the Old Town crowds. The two-course breakfast, which may be taken outdoors, might include stuffed French toast or a cheese soufflé. Resident cats on site (though they are allowed in public spaces only) means no guest pets.

Built in 1995 with rough-hewn timber, this rustic yet modern lodge is an excellent choice for those who want to be smack dab in the middle of Nederland, 10 minutes from Eldora Ski Resort. Upstairs guest rooms have cathedral ceilings, and those downstairs have gas fireplaces; all are spacious and have coffeemakers, mini-refrigerators, and microwaves. The hotel has a wood-beamed lobby with seating areas, as well as a laundromat.

Located down Hell's Backbone Road, about 7 miles from Boulder proper, this funky, eco-friendly, rustic ranch features cozy bunk rooms with shared baths for the budget minded, slightly more upscale standard rooms with private baths in the main lodge, warmly appointed cabins with private baths and kitchens, and distinctive yurts for fans of glamping. A ranch-style breakfast buffet is included in the rates in summer; packed lunches to go and sit-down dinners are served in the farm-to-table-inspired Sweetwater Cafe. On-site activities include trail rides, waterfall hikes, yoga, and bird-watching.

If bathing with the masses at the local hot springs is not your cup of tea, opt for a semiprivate plunge at this friendly lodge with a great location off the main drag and near the stream. Soak away your cares in four redwood tubs full of steaming water kept between 103°F and 108°F, all with terrific mountain views. The rooms are nondescript but clean and comfortable.

An iconic, vintage yellow cab is permanently parked outside this former door factory-turned-stylish hotel featuring not just rooms, but 40 suites that feel like stylish New York City apartments—complete with kitchens, living rooms, and homey touches like book-lined shelves. Some suites even have terraces or balconies.

This lovely boutique hotel in one of Boston's only flatiron buildings features a contemporary, industrial-chic look. As is typical for historic accommodations, rooms are small, but guests who score a junior suite get perks like extra space and really cool city views—these suites sit on the curve of the building. Cramped or not, the Boxer is a welcome oasis away from the cacophony of concert- and sporting-event crowds at nearby TD Garden, and it's an easy walk to Government Center, Faneuil Hall, and the North End.

On the second floor of a refurbished 1920s building, these light-filled lofts that debuted in 2024 position guests in the middle of downtown Calistoga’s retail, dining, and wine-tasting action. As with the affiliated Brannan Cottage Inn two blocks away (the properties are run jointly as the Brannan Hotels), upscale comfort is the goal, achieved here via custom contemporary furnishings, up-to-the-moment electronics, flat-screen smart TVs, espresso machines, and bathrooms with rain showers and heated floors and toilets. Four lofts have kitchenettes with induction cooktops. With contactless check-in, keyless rooms, and no front desk, the experience resembles an Airbnb more than a boutique hotel, though the GM and other staffers are nearby at the inn, whose café provides a complimentary breakfast for patrons booking directly through the website or by phone.

For upscale, lodge-style accommodations in a serene mountain setting, this resort is a great option. The stone fireplace in the lobby is an impressive 70 feet high. The rooms, some with fireplaces and balconies overlooking the valley, are comfortable and spacious. For dining, there are two restaurants and a lobby bar. The Friday evening seafood buffet and elaborate Sunday brunch buffets are especially popular. Brasstown's full-service luxury spa, Equani Spa, is just outside the property. The resort also features a variety of sports activities like golf and horseback riding—making it a perfect family destination or couples retreat.

One of Austin’s most impressive 1880s Victorian homes provides an excellent base for travelers just west of downtown. It’s a historic and quiet neighborhood, just a short drive from nearby hubs like downtown's Whole Foods and West Sixth Street's bars. Interiors are exceptionally well restored, featuring hardwood floors, bay windows, and high ceilings. The two-room Fitzgerald suite is a guest favorite. Breakfasts are served buffet-style, with a wider range of dishes on weekends. Several local restaurants, shops, and a neighborhood park in Clarksville are within walking distance.

A great choice for families, this well-maintained 50-room boutique motel is less than a quarter-mile from the ocean. Guests have access to 150 feet of private beachfront with free parking and a coveted key to a surfside bathroom. The motel has cheery guest rooms, grounds dotted with fountains, and a pool with plenty of comfortable lounge chairs. The Bellone family, which also owns the nearby Hotel Maria, has operated the Breezeway since 1970.

This circa-1947, Caribbean colonial–style property—more of a condominium property than a hotel—is across from the beach and is a community within itself. Three buildings accommodate guests: The Royal Palm, the Sabal Palm Building, and the Queen Palm offer a range of options, from townhomes to studio suites and "apartos." Part of the charm of BridgeWalk is the brick walkway to the long, historic pier to various restaurants and quaint attractions.

Famed architect Mary Jane Colter designed this 1935 log-and-stone structure, which sits within a few yards of the canyon rim and blends superbly with the canyon walls; its location is similar to El Tovar's but for about half the price. Accommodations are in surprisingly attractive motel-style rooms or cabins. Lodge rooms don't have TVs, and some rooms share a bath. Scattered among the pines are 50 cabins, which do have TVs and private baths; some have fireplaces, and a few have virtually unobstructed canyon views. Expect rustic, historic charm but not luxury. The Fred Harvey Burger serves casual, affordable meals all day, and the Arizona Steakhouse serves lunch and dinner. Adding to the experience are an ice-cream parlor, gift shop, and small history museum.

Mod pop art inspired by artists such as Andy Warhol and Ed Ruscha sets the tone at this casual boutique hotel. The 1960s' feel continues in the guest rooms, which were renovated in early 2017, but with modern amenities such as HDTVs, single-cup coffeemakers, eco-friendly toiletries, complimentary Wi-Fi, and bathrobes. There's no restaurant on-site but the hotel bar and lounge is open for cocktails and happy hour specials in the evenings. The San Diego Trolley's Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines stop nearby at the Civic Center stop at Second and C Streets.

Tucked away in a wooded glen a short distance from Tanglewood, this cozy 1880s inn often has classical music playing in the fireplace-lighted library; the breakfast room, overlooking the glen, serves afternoon tea with homemade scones on weekends. Guest rooms have antique furnishings, romantic style, and, in some, fireplaces, wicker rocking chairs, and tiled bathrooms; the carriage house offers a pair of handicap-accessible rooms.

This boutique hideaway in an 1825 Federal-style building is a favorite of design enthusiasts, both for its striking five-story atrium and for its convenient location near the neighborhood's best shops and galleries. Rooms are tight on space, though if you can splurge on the penthouse, you'll get a massive terrace. This property is a prime pick for guests who want to get a feel for downtown day-to-day life.

Tucked in a historic district just west of downtown, this striking bed-and-breakfast dates from 1910. Antique furnishings enhance the inn's original woodwork throughout. The lower level has a professional theater and master acting studio. Rooms are Victorian in style with wood accents. Downtown Milwaukee is less than a mile away.

A city landmark towering over the New York Public Library and Bryant Park in a Midtown sweet spot, this sleek hotel has rooms featuring padded leather headboards with decorative bolster pillows and marble bathrooms with rainfall shower heads and Molton Brown products. Rooms are bigger than average, though those on the lower floors tend to be a bit dark and don't have great views. Both the Koi restaurant and Célon Cocktail Bar & Lounge are popular with the after-work crowd, though later in the evening both the restaurants and the neighborhood tend to get quiet. Still, during the day, the location can't be beat, with 5th Avenue and Times Square quick walks from the front door.

Atop a hill off Lake Street, this old mansion has lake and mountain vistas and provides a country-manor-house experience. The resident dog and cats pay you visits in the spacious public rooms, which have wood details, paneling, and floors. In the dining room the windows open so wide that you feel like you're on a porch. Guest rooms are done in dusty pastels, whites, and florals.