32 Best Hotels in USA

This newly renovated hotel has a stylish lobby; a sleek bar, The Doyle, where dapper bartenders serve craft cocktails; and modern, minimalist rooms done in neutral colors with splashes of orange or purple. The hotel is within walking distance of many Dupont Circle attractions, and its proximity to the Metro makes it a great base for exploring the rest of the city as well.

Understated elegance and refined service can be found at this soothing city getaway, where the guest rooms—designer Tony Chi's minimalist tribute to the American experience—feature walnut floors, hard-covered books, and folk-art accents. The spa-inspired stone bathrooms have rain showers and marble soaking tubs. The Blue Duck Tavern embraces local flavors and local produce, while the Tea Cellar, with its unusual collection of rare teas, holds regular tastings.

Great for exploring Georgetown, this hotel centers on an elegant central courtyard and gardens, overlooked by the large glassed-in lobby and half of the bright, spacious rooms. Accommodations are furnished with a stylish mix of traditional and contemporary pieces in a soothing palette of gray and white with purple accents. The Juniper restaurant serves Mid-Atlantic fare that might incorporate herbs and honey from the rooftop garden and hives. The hotel's canine ambassador, Georgie, a two-year-old yellow lab, is often in the lobby greeting guests. Children can ask for a copy of her coloring book.

Fronted by the historic Horseshoe Garden, this 1907 grande dame spans 23 acres and includes an Italianate-style main building, Spanish Revival cottages, a lanai, an azalea-filled Japanese garden, and several dining options. Traditional guest rooms are handsome. Brocade fabrics are found throughout, as are flat-screen TVs and CD players. Restaurants include the contemporary Cal-French restaurant Royce, with a glass-walled wine room and showy chef's table, and California bistro, The Terrace. The Tap Room hosts Thursday night jazz, and other live music on weekends. The Chuan Spa, L.A.'s skin-technology destination du jour, features treatments derived from Chinese medicine and chemistry labs around the globe.

Erected in 1928 during the Oil Rush era, the eight-story Padre is a sophisticated contemporary haven. Inside and out, a $18-million renovation completed in 2010 pays homage to the hotel's colorful history: the exterior reflects much of the original Spanish Colonial Revival character; the marble-tiled lobby's neoclassical columns sparkle again; and the rooms and suites bear names such as the Oil Baron, Head Honcho, 40 Winks, and Maverick. Amenities include spa tubs, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi throughout the building, and five dining venues, the fanciest of which, the elegant, neoclassical Belvedere ($$$), emphasizes fresh, seasonal California fare. Noteworthy among the others, the second-floor rooftop lounge pleases with its views and fire pits, and the Farmacy café is open from 6 am to 10 pm.

Easily Stockton's nicest nonchain property, the glass-walled University Plaza is also one of the city's most conveniently located large hotels: overlooking McLeod Lake and Miners Levee, it's near the Stockton Arena, Banner Island Ballpark, the Haggin Museum, and the Bob Hope Theatre. It's also quite fabulous and packed with perks such as free Wi-Fi everywhere and Starbucks coffee in all the guest rooms. The rooms' thoughtful layout—the desks are large and the data ports and electrical outlets are easily accessible—keeps the hotel's business clientele happy, and the comfortable beds, crisp decor, and fancy bath products leave them and the many leisure travelers feeling pampered indeed. The hotel's Delta Bistro and Lounge serves American favorites and pours local wines and clever cocktails.

Step directly from the heart of the city into the high-tech lobby of this hotel—look for a tucked-away media center and a sleek bistro that offers coffee, cocktails, and breakfast and dinner fare. Guest rooms are equally suited to the modern traveler, with ergonomic plug-and-play workstations and flat-screen TVs. Ceiling fans and framed photographs of Charleston give these spaces a homey feel. Kids will love the heated (but small) outdoor pool, and fitness buffs will be impressed by the spacious gym. Parking is valet only and $37 a day.

Although not truly in Georgetown (but nearby), this Westin's location in a busy part of the West End makes it popular with both business and leisure travelers—all of whom appreciate the stately, comfortable rooms and spalike bathrooms with sunken tubs and separate glassed-in showers. The courtyard, with its fountain and comfortable seating, is especially nice for relaxing, and there's a lovely outdoor pool. Runners can join the concierge for Tuesday and Thursday morning guided runs, and the fitness studio has Pelotons.

This pale-stone, upscale hotel combines luxury with convenience, with Pioneer Square and the MAX just two blocks away, and West End and Pearl District dining within a 10-minute walk. The stylish rooms, decorated in warm earth tones, include entertainment-center armoires, work desks, plush beds covered with layers of down, and granite bathrooms with separate showers and tubs; in-room spa treatments can be arranged. The curated art collection in the common areas includes a signed etching by Picasso (look by the elevators).

On the southern edge of SFO's runway, this Starwood-branded property has comfortable, compact rooms with triple-paned windows and blackout curtains that help diminish the noise. The glass-front lobby is the place to be, as guests can take advantage of the live music, well-made cocktails at the W XYZ bar, and a pool table and other house games. Throw in Re:fuel, the hotel's grab-and-go eatery, the Re:mix lounge, a heated pool, outdoor sun beds, and a state-of-the-art fitness center (Re:charge, of course) open 24/7, and this funky property starts to seem attractive to those not wanting to trek into the city. Another added bonus: A popular jogging trail runs parallel to the bay.

A safe choice, the full-service Marriott caters to the business and convention crowd with spacious, tech-updated rooms that also serve vacationing families well. Welcome splashes of color enliven the public spaces, and the room furnishings are handsome and smartly arranged. All rooms have flat-screen high-def TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi and are stocked with nice bath products.

The European-country style of this airport hotel—think poster beds and heavy wooden furnishings—is pleasant enough, but the selling point is the bayfront address, promising unsurpassed views out of the double-paned windows. In the entrance hall, guests play chess or read before the crackling fireplace, looking up from time to time to photograph planes that pass close by (strangely quiet) as they approach the runway.

This property is convenient to both the Oakland airport and downtown Oakland, and to make up for its removed location, the inn offers free shuttle service to the Oakland airport, BART stations, and Jack London Square. Rooms are clean and were stylishly renovated in 2013; each room has a microwave, a refrigerator, and Wi-Fi access. Splurge for a water view for a really pleasant stay.

Right in the heart of Golden, this hotel is a comfortable place to stay midway between downtown Denver and the mountains, where the rooms have beds covered by high-quality bedding with triple sheeting, backed by a faux-leather chocolate-colored headboard. Expect flat-screen TVs, free local calls, Wi-Fi, and bottled water in the rooms. Request a room overlooking Clear Creek. If you're traveling alone, have a drink at the community table at the inside bar, or choose the outdoor bar, with heaters for cold days. The snazzy restaurant, Bridgewater Grill, sports muted greys and browns, has a contemporary feel.

Close to Larimer Square, the theaters, the 16th Street Mall, and the Colorado Convention Center, and with unpretentious, comfortable rooms—downtown hotels don't get much better than this. Rooms sport Colorado details, such as bison prints and aspen-gold and sky-blue tones, and the lobby features a bar scene backdropped by stacked fireplaces in the walls and granite communal tables. It's worth the $75-per-night upgrade for the Grand Club–level concierge floor for evening snacks and beverages and an elaborate breakfast spread. The newsroom-themed Courier. Bar and Courier. Kitchen ($$) both serve small plates and craft cocktails, while Courier. Market offers fresh sandwiches and other pre-made snacks. The well-equipped fitness center overlooks a small pool, which opens onto a sundeck with city views, and the roof is configured for tennis and running.

Located directly across the street from Factors Walk, this former cotton warehouse has antique heart-pine floors that extend the length of the lobby. A long expanse of glass overlooks Bay Street, and a vintage bar add some character. Everything is just as contemporary as the interiors you'd find in some of the newer surrounding properties. The rooftop pool is a plus after a day of exploring.

Two blocks south of busy Colorado Boulevard, the Hilton Pasadena is still within walking distance of the city's vast convention center and close to Old Town's boundless options for shopping and dining. A light and airy sandstone lobby says California casual, as do the rooms done in soft beige and browns, complete with pillowy beds. Business travelers appreciate the chaise lounge with a movable desk to work from the chaise or standard desk area. Expect the typical technological gadgetry: flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and plenty of outlets for devices. The rooms with balconies are best.

Convenient to the freeway and 4th Street shopping, this peach-and-beige hotel provides good bang for the buck. The three-story property is surprisingly elegant; high ceilings lend the lobby and rooms an airy quality. Each room has a small kitchen area with a refrigerator and a microwave; some include a sink and cabinets. Free amenities include Wi-Fi, a business center, a small but well-equipped gym, a breakfast bar each morning, and parking.

A convivial lobby and smartly designed rooms set this Kimpton-managed hotel apart from other chains; because of its proximity to UCLA, the Palomar is perfect for friends and families of students. An ergonomic work chair and desk space plus a 24-hour business center aid efficiency; the on-demand yoga (plus a yoga mat in each room!), as well as meditation and Pilates channels promote relaxation. Recycling bins and eco-conscious practices abound. Complimentary coffee and tea in the morning, and a nightly wine hour bring guests together. Pets get pampered for free.

Located 2 miles south of SFO, the Hyatt Regency is one of the largest airport convention hotels in Northern California, but the spectacular 10-story, 29,000-square-foot lobby atrium sets it apart for those seeking more than the typical business-center ambience. Following a top-to-bottom renovation in 2016, the services and amenities include free Wi-Fi, double-pane windows, roomy workstations, comfortable beds, 49-inch flat-screen HD TVs, and spacious bathrooms. The hotel provides numerous 24-hour business center kiosks, a 24-hour gym, and a heated outdoor pool. A free trolley whisks guests to downtown Burlingame for shopping and dining, and a shuttle services SFO, where you can catch a BART train to San Francisco.

Framed by stone pillars and sloped rooftops, the Lodge at Tiburon has the feel of a winter ski chalet, though the outdoor pool and its cabanas provide a summery counterpoint. Despite the incongruity, the feeling here is one of comfort. The white linens and gentle green walls reflect the natural light that fills the guest rooms. Many rooms have private balconies or patios with courtyard or mountain views.

The Denver outpost of this Texas-based chain has remarkably spacious, elegant rooms with sophisticated furnishings—some with fireplaces—and warm colors, all built within the confines of the 1906 former American Bank Building. The rooms are business traveler–friendly, with oversized desks and plenty of outlets and lighting. Breakfast is included, as is an evening guest reception, constantly replenished water flavored with fresh fruit in the lobby, and late-night cookies and milk. One block off the 16th Street Mall, the Magnolia is convenient to downtown and LoDo, and the jazzy, retro-hip Harry's Bar is often a locals' stop. There's also an on-site Starbucks.

Directly across from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the Hilton is a good choice for travelers flying in late or departing early in the morning. The upscale decor coordinates muted pastel colors with the soft-pink Caribbean-style exterior. The handwoven area rugs are from England. Check out the 21-station fitness center and oversize outdoor hot tub.

A good choice downtown for business travelers—and not bad for leisure ones, either—the Marriott, conveniently located near the Old Oakland and Uptown neighborhoods, provides comprehensive services and amenities including a fitness center, pool, and second-floor restaurant. Rooms are large, and the ones on the upper floors have views of downtown and beyond.

Guest rooms at the ever-bustling Sheraton are roomy and streamlined, with unfussy furniture and nice workstations that appeal primarily to the business traveler. An ongoing, $80 million remodel has spruced up the lobby, which has been opened up dramatically yet still retains a cheerful vibe, with an oversized fireplace and cozy sitting area. The beer-oriented Yard House ($$) offers a staggeringly varied menu of pub grub and upscale comfort foods and there's also a coffee shop with wine and beer for takeout in the lobby. Both the fitness center and heated outdoor pool are inviting.

With views of Lake Union, free parking, and family-friendly services, this property offers great value for guests looking to explore more of Seattle than just Downtown. Rooms are simply and adequately furnished. The hotel is on the southeast corner of the lake, and dining options within easy walking distance are a bit better here than on the west side. Breakfast is complimentary, and free wine and cheese await guests on Tuesday evenings. There is also a complimentary shuttle service to Downtown sights. Book early for summer, as weekends fill up quickly.

Views of the Colorado River are sure to wow guests at this all-suites hotel that shares a large pool area and hot tub with the neighboring sister property, the similarly excellent (and usually a bit more affordable) Fairfield by Marriott. Accommodations are furnished in sleek, contemporary style with comfortable beds, well-designed desks, comfy sofas, and nicely designed bathrooms. The lobby and common areas are also colorful, modern, and welcoming, and there's a wide variety of amenities, including a nice fitness center.

Retreat to this quiet and artful oasis steps from UCLA, where you can find a cabana-lined pool and sleek lounge, two on-site restaurants with regional cuisine, and a spa that serves brownies and champagne post-massage. This all-suites hotel aims to bring the outdoors in, with mirrors depicting gown-wearing models submerged in the sea, photos of L.A. traffic, and fog-hued interiors. All suites are sizable, and bigger suites include offices and sitting areas. The fern and palm tree-hugged pool area is the place to be on Sunday in summer, when free pool parties lure the young and beautiful locals to line up for free yoga, followed by fruity cocktails.

This stylish midsize business- and family-friendly hotel is ideally located on the edge of downtown, and the spacious rooms have been updated with comfortable beds and the latest in high-tech perks to complement the brass and mahogany furnishings and roomy marble bathrooms. All rooms contain wet bars and private terraces with exceptional city views. The restaurant, Gattara ($$), sends out Italian cuisine for all three meals daily—including pizzas from the wood-fired oven—and features a reasonably priced and well-chosen wine list (not surprisingly, Italian-heavy), as well.