1951 Best Hotels in USA

The epitome of a grande dame, this massive property in the center of the Loop recently underwent a $215-million renovation, but the lobby—with its wow-worthy ceiling mural and lots of gold, marble, and tapestry—preserves the original splendor. Guest rooms, which aren't quite as glitzy, have a boutique-hotel feel. This is the longest continually operating hotel in the United States; it's also the place where brownies were invented in 1893, thanks to socialite Bertha Palmer. The Palmer House celebrates its history along with its more modern attributes, among them a 10,000-square-foot fitness center and spa.

Spectacular desert views can be had from this small, 1950s hotel that displays an authentic mid-century modern look, with Mondrian influences and original art by local artists. For extreme privacy, request a poolside room with a fireplace. When the place was called the Hoberg Resort, Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, and Clark Gable, Lon Chaney Jr., among others, vacationed here. Although property owners have come and gone, it only gets better with time, now showcasing an Olympic-size pool and dive bar—literally, with underwater windows to the pool. For more space and privacy, request one of the two poolside casitas with kitchenettes. Service is casual and there's a dinner-only steak house (open Wednesday through Sunday) that is about as fine dining as you'll get in this area.

If you're seeking a relaxed property away from the noise but close to both Mid-Beach and South Beach nightlife, you'll find an exceptional beach, an easy pace, and beautiful gardens with soaring palm trees and inviting hammocks here, with rooms as fabulous as the grounds. An expansive lobby, filled with ceiling fans, palm trees, and French doors is an inviting place reminiscent of a Caribbean mansion by the sea. From the lobby, take a walk through the extensive property that features an edible garden, walking paths, and many places to get away from the world. Rooms offer either a city view, garden view, or ocean view and all are decorated in browns and beige with hints of tropical orange. The hotel also has a 5,000-square-foot Aveda spa and a signature farm-to-table restaurant, Essensia. The property combines excellent service, laid-back sophistication, and oceanfront serenity into a destination where wellness and environmental awareness are high priorities.

Tucked into a quiet neighborhood just off Highway 111, what was once a date farm and then a 1950s-era Elizabeth Arden spa is now a small but colorful palm-dotted resort with sizeable, comfortable, and fun suites and stand-alone bungalows. It feels like a Frida Kahlo painting come to life, with murals of succulents and cacti splashed across interior and exterior walls, eye-catching throw pillows and curios, wallpaper in bold patterns, hot-pink umbrellas, goldenrod-hued patio chairs, and encaustic-tile bars. The heated pool and adjacent bar, hot tub, putting green, and scattered second-story shared hallway patios invite you to linger outside while the wellness bungalows—part of the first outpost of the respected Palm Springs' day spa, Grounded—lure you back inside.

You'll have to drive down a winding back road to reach this Hawaiian-named retreat, but once you see the beautiful rolling valley below its hilltop perch overlooking a sparkling lake, you'll be glad you made the trip. The property features five accommodations—four private cottages, each with a suite or two rooms as well as luxurious living spaces; and one suite in the main house. The O'Hana House is the most private and has some of the best views of the ranch; it also has its own hot tub, ideal for stargazing before bed.

Right on picturesque Kaneohe Bay amid the junglelike fauna of the windward side, this resort offers apartment-style units ranging from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom suites with breathtaking views of the majestic Koolau Mountains; one stand-alone cottage is in a remote area not generally frequented by tourists. All accommodations have either a full kitchen or kitchenette; suites have a private lanai. Units do not have their own washer/dryers, but there is guest laundry on-site. For an additional fee, you can take a guided tour of Kaneohe Bay on Wednesday afternoon to snorkel with endangered Hawaiian sea turtles and manta rays, or, on Saturday morning, take a chartered boat to the sandbar. Wi-Fi, use of the pool, and beach gear are included in the hefty resort fee; pets can stay for an additional nightly fee.

A young Ukrainian couple bought and completely revamped this older motel-style lodging in the center of Ashford, giving it a fresh, distinctive look and an upbeat energy. The unique hot tub—a bubbling cauldron over an open flame—is a particularly fun touch. Guest rooms have an inviting rustic-chic aesthetic, with timber ceilings, rough-hewn wood beds, and stylish bathrooms with heated floors.

One of the largest hotels in town, the Parc 55 (a Hilton hotel) brims with activity, but its size is by no means overwhelming, thanks to features like the acclaimed Kin Khao restaurant and spacious but dated standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, handsome desks, and ergonomic chairs. Love seats placed by picture windows offer a comfortable respite to take in city and bay views. A FedEx business center and other amenities for professionals are provided, along with full concierge services, and the well-equipped 1,500-square-foot gym is open 24 hours.

Set back from traffic on the south end of I-Drive, this condo hotel offers a good deal for a family, with suites that have separate bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, full kitchens with dishwasher, and bathrooms; the I-Ride Trolley passes the front door.

There’s an exciting energy in the courtyard of this charming boutique hotel. That fun central patio setting would fit right in with the low-key alfresco party atmosphere found in cities like Austin, Texas, but is rarely seen in the Bay Area. Nature and technology are the recurring theme throughout the hotel, with the former seen in the oak tree–inspired decor and farm-to-table restaurant on-site. For tech industry travelers looking for something small and hip, this is a good choice.

The closest hotel in town to Washington Park, this comfortable if not especially fancy apartment-style hotel is one of the city's better-kept secrets; it's on the southern edge of the Nob Hill shopping district, and about a 15-minute walk from downtown. Suites have one or two bedrooms and come with spacious, work-friendly living areas and kitchens stocked with dishware, lots of cabinet space, and a full-size refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, and dishwasher. Standard rooms, which are in a motel-style building across the street, have bamboo floors and a simple midcentury-modern aesthetic.

Small and intimate, this beautifully updated 1922 establishment charms with its fern-bedecked wrought-iron balconies and such offerings as free Wi-Fi and coffee and tea service in the lobby. The best accommodations are suites that open onto a flower-filled balcony over Park Avenue itself. The separate but high-end BoVine Steakhouse is in the same building.

This hotel dramatically transformed the Parker Building, a narrow structure that was the city's tallest building when it was erected in 1906. An antique cage-style elevator takes you to contemporary rooms with dark-wood furniture and floral-fabric accents. Maroon velvet curtains and vintage movie posters in the lounge downstairs are a nod to the inn's neighbor, Proctor's Theatre; before and after shows, a chic crowd gathers for drinks, dinner, and snacks.

Perched on top of a hill overlooking Augusta, this National Trust Historic Hotel is part of Hilton's Curio Collection. The inn's 12 common balconies and breathtaking upper veranda create lustrous outdoor retreats for a coffee and newspaper read. Rooms are fresh and modern and many have private balconies. There's a restaurant, rooftop bar, and pool on-site. Located at the gateway to Summerville, a hilltop neighborhood of summer homes dating to 1800, the inn was built in 1910 on the foundation of a home dating to 1836.

On the site of an old spa hotel of the same name, this inn has various buildings clustered around a lush, shaded garden with a pool. Each of the 18 Deluxe Spa rooms has a hot tub in its bathroom or on its balcony, and bears the name of a local winery that supplied the room's photography, artwork, and other special touches. The Piccolo at the Paso Robles Inn is a four-story luxury hotel with a rooftop bar adjacent to the historic property.

Since becoming part of Hilton's indie-spirited Tapestry collection, this elegant 1910 classic hotel with a distinctive gray exterior has undergone a complete top-to-bottom renovation, with a substantial increase in room rates to go with it. The spacious rooms with period-style furnishings capture the spirit of Salt Lake City's early years, and the grand lobby is a lovely spot to relax in or meet up with friends. Amenities include a fitness center and a pair of lively restaurants.

This 19th-century building with homey accommodations is close to CBD sights like the Riverwalk and the casino, and offers a less hectic alternative to the convention hotels. The small lobby has a green marble floor and fresh flowers. Some of the small rooms have four-poster beds, all have marble and granite baths, and some, though attractively furnished, do not have windows.

From its slate roof to its whitewashed plaster walls, this Tudor-style inn built in the 1970s is English to the core, with its cozy upstairs guest rooms (no elevator) featuring plenty of antiques and draped half-tester beds. Downstairs, a weathered little pub pours ales and ports; the Snug offers a private fireplace lounge for overnight guests; and a tavern-like restaurant serves fish-and-chips and beef Wellington in candle-lit nooks. Lunch is served, too—a good thing, since your nearest alternatives are miles away via winding roads.

City history and contemporary design come together with stylish elegance at the Pendry Chicago, in the iconic 1929 art deco Carbide and Carbon Building. The minimalist decor with gold accents complement the original building design making guest rooms feel bright and modern. The ground-floor restaurant, Venteux, and the rooftop bar, Château Carbide, highlight French cuisine.

In this casual cedar-shingle inn on a tree-lined street, the first floor has a wide porch with rocking chairs—perfect for enjoying coffee or tea with homemade cookies that are set out in the afternoon—and there's a small breakfast room where you can help yourself to muffins and quiche in the morning. The furniture is quirky but comfortable, and the old wing has the most atmosphere. Rooms are set within the main house, an annex (no TVs in the annex), and the 'middle building.' The complimentary mimosas are a nice treat on Sunday.

Symmetrical topiaries flank the steps to this 1785 Georgian manor with leaded-glass windows. A major renovation in 1865 resulted in the Victorian demeanor you see today; amid all the original artwork, period architectural details, and antiques, you could easily mistake your surroundings for a museum. In the dramatic crimson hall, stairs rise to the four guest rooms, all stocked with plush bathrobes, 360-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, boxes of chocolates, bottled water, and fruit baskets.

A cobblestone courtyard and country-French custom furnishings evoke a Provençal mood at this cheery inn. With extensive experience in luxury lodging, the owners are serious about the details: the individually themed rooms, sprinkled with lavender water, have L'Occitane bath products and homemade pillow chocolates. Rates include wine and appetizers at cocktail hour and a full homemade breakfast on the sun-filled patio or in the dining room.

The French provincial room decor of Petite Auberge—bright flowered wallpaper and an armoire that compensates for a lack of closet space—pleases Francophiles seeking old-world charm. Many rooms have gas fireplaces, and the lone suite has its own outdoor deck and a whirlpool tub. Afternoon tea, wine, and hors d'oeuvres are served in the lobby by the fire, and breakfast is laid out in the downstairs dining room. The staff has been delivering cordial, personalized service for years.

Milwaukee's grandest old hotel dates from 1893. The lobby's long, high barrel-vaulted ceiling puts you in a Victorian frame of mind from the moment you step in. Rooms are decorated with a Victorian flavor and some are odd shapes, reflecting the complications of pouring modern amenities into an old structure—but this actually adds to the charm. The Pfister is three blocks east of the lakefront. The penthouse-level bar Blu has a view of the skyline. An English tea is served in the fern-shaded dining room most afternoons.

This bustling convention hotel fills an entire city block, and for an intrinsically impersonal type of place, the Marriott tries hard to meet special needs; it also offers some of the lowest rates in its price category. The softly lit lobby has comfortable seating areas with a sushi bar and a Starbucks steps away. The more than 1,300 guest rooms are brightly decorated, and at no additional cost, you can request one of the hotel’s \"rooms that work,\" with adjustable desks and extra lighting and outlets. The on-site restaurants, Circ Bar and THIRTEEN, serve contemporary American food. If you're driving, you may want to park in a public parking lot, as the hotel charges upwards of $56 a night.

The top-hatted bulldog on the sign of this 1880 farmhouse isn't just a mascot: it reflects the hotel's welcoming attitude to pet owners. Inside, a playful attitude permeates the colorful common areas, rooms, and suites, evinced by a seemingly endless supply of knickknacks.

A 1825 brick inn in the heart of the village is filled with antiques, from Chippendale to chinoiserie. If you fall in love with that four-poster bed or mahogany armoire, you can buy it (price tags hang from nearly every furnishing). Most rooms have a wood-burning stove or a fireplace; two have hot tubs. Breakfasts, served in the light-filled Victorian conservatory or on the garden patio, are ample. Sweet aromas also waft from the kitchen in early afternoon, when the innkeeper often bakes cookies to serve with tea.

A favorite with generations of visitors, the Pine Inn is four blocks from the beach and has Victorian-style furnishings, complete with a grandfather clock, padded fabric wall panels, antique tapestries, and marble tabletops. The property includes a brick courtyard of specialty shops and a modern Italian restaurant. 

Entry to the property, which is in a residential area, is through a courtyard overflowing with colorful flowers and featuring a koi pond. Each of the four rooms has plantation-style furniture, well-equipped kitchenettes, private bathrooms and lanais, and either full or partial ocean views; the separate two-bedroom cottage is ideal for families.

Tucked a few blocks behind Las Olas Boulevard in the residential neighborhood of Victoria Park, clothing-optional Pineapple Point is a magnificent maze of posh tropical cottages and dense foliage catering to the LGBTQ+ community and is nationally renowned for its stellar service. Amenities abound at this clandestine retreat, including four hot tubs and swimming pools, hammocks, a gymnasium, and gardens, all showered with touches of luxury and class. Units range from standard suites to individual three-story homes, often attracting the power players of the LGBTQ+ community.