Like the idea of staying in a cool, stylish hotel on your next American holiday, but don’t like the idea of spending a small fortune? We’ve got you covered. You might have to book ahead to get the best deals, but all the hotels on our list had rooms for two that came in at less than £250 ($325) a night at the time of writing.
Read on to discover the stylish American hotels that won’t leave a crater where your bank balance used to be...
Located in New Orleans’ Garden District, the Pontchartrain Hotel radiates old school elegance and charm. From the deep crimson and wood panelling of its lobby to classically chic rooms and layered Moroccan rugs, the whole place has a relaxed, homey feel which will transport guests back to the last century. Vintage elevators give access to the hotel's rooftop bar, Hot Tin, which offers spectacular views over the city along with superb cocktails and mouth-watering snacks.
Housed in the former George Washington Hotel, the Freehand is a stylish, effortlessly chic addition to Manhattan’s Flatiron District. With an interior created by famed design house Roman and Williams and decorated with specially commissioned artwork by students and alumni from Bard College, every room has its own distinct personality, from small single-person spaces to larger quad rooms with bunk beds, or suites with separate living rooms. Award-winning rooftop bar Broken Shaker offers great cocktails and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, while Comodo serves up superb Latin American cuisine.
A boutique hotel with a distinct Rock ‘n’ Roll vibe, Hotel Zeppelin is definitely one of the more distinctive options in San Francisco. Its recently refurbished rooms blend a modern eclectic style with a bohemian edge, decorated in rich, dark colours, while the bathrooms give a nod to the city’s psychedelic heyday. Vinyl fanatics can even book a suite with a vintage record player. The hotel café, with its exposed brickwork and imposing fireplace, is a great place for breakfast or a cocktail, and the hotel's central location is ideal for exploring the city.
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Situated at the end of Chicago's historic Navy Pier, every room at the Sable offers breathtaking views over Lake Michigan and the iconic skyline of the Windy City. Taking a cue from its location, a nautical theme runs throughout the hotel, with a marine blue and whitecap colour scheme, weathered brass, curved wood and classic shipbuilding design throughout. Even the cupboards in the rooms resemble vintage ship’s lockers. Guests can experience Latin-inspired cuisine and sweeping views of the lake at the Lirica restaurant, or grab a cocktail at Offshore, the world’s largest rooftop bar.
The Revolution Hotel offers stylish but affordable modern boutique accommodation a stone’s throw from Back Bay, South End and downtown Boston. Situated in a redeveloped YWCA hostel, its industrial chic rooms range from shared bathroom and small en suite options to much more spacious lofts and suites which are almost like living in your own brownstone apartment. The striking lobby is decorated with a 65-foot (20m) mural by renowned artist Tristan Eaton, and the hotel also offers a fitness centre and complimentary bike rentals.
Located in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region, The Lake House offers lakefront access and beautifully designed rooms. Featuring hand-crafted pale wood furniture, rain showers and deliciously soft bed linens, many also have private balconies. Guests can enjoy a stunning array of amenities including a luxury spa complete with picturesque sauna garden, heated lakefront pool, hot tub and private daybeds. In the summer boating activities are on offer, while in the winter months there is skiing nearby.
Although normally associated with luxury and glamour, Las Vegas has some more affordable options too. One of the best is the Westin Lake Resort and Spa, nestled on the edge of the man-made (but surprisingly beautiful) Lake Las Vegas. With its warm terracotta tones, ornate tile-work and hanging lanterns, it’s an inviting location to enjoy some time away from the casinos. It offers two palm tree-lined pools, a spa, a fitness studio, an 18-hole golf course and a range of restaurants and bars.
Situated in the former Tennessee Trust Bank building in the heart of downtown Memphis, the Hu Hotel offers sleek, contemporary accommodation with a retro Art Deco aesthetic. With a nod to the building’s rich architectural history, the hotel lobby has a distinct 1930s feel, blending varied natural wood tones and textures with curved custom leather furnishings and long maple reading tables. By contrast, the restaurant recalls a diner from the classic era of Sun and Stax Records, with copper and zinc details, white wall tiles and wooden floors.
Just two blocks from Northwestern University, the aptly-named Graduate occupies what was once a 1928 Colonial Revival apartment hotel known as The Homestead. Its nostalgic interior is based around tweed couches, wood panelling, Persian rugs, vintage light fittings and thrift store paintings on the walls, with flashes of purple and white (the school’s colours) for contrast. The Graduate Homestead Room is a cosy lounge serving seasonal dishes and cocktails inspired by famous Chicago native John Hughes, such as a ‘Save Ferris’.
Dating back to 1909, the Sorrento is one of Seattle’s oldest hotels. Each of its 76 rooms and suites is unique, but all share a 'step back in time' feel reflecting the old-fashioned elegance of the building itself, which was inspired by one of the grand hotels in Sorrento, Italy. The Italian theme is echoed in the hotel’s restaurant, Stella, which offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine with an innovative, modern twist in a cosy wood-panelled setting, while the bar has a speakeasy vibe perfect for enjoying a classic cocktail.
Perhaps the ultimate blend of history and modernity, the Russell has transformed a 120-year-old church into a modern boutique hotel. Although retaining many of the church’s original features, including stained-glass windows, brick walls and even the pews (which have been repurposed as bed headboards), each of the 23 rooms is thoroughly modern and utterly unique. Brightly lit, with bold colours and clean contemporary design, they make ingenious use of this unusual space. What’s more, the hotel gives a portion of its profits to support local homeless charities.
Originally opened in the 1960s as the Hilton Inn Dallas, the Highland has undergone a major transformation, and now combines its vintage mid-century architecture with stylish contemporary design. The hotel offers unbeatable amenities, from a spa and 24-hour fitness centre to a heated infinity pool. It’s also home to Knife, one of the finest steakhouses in Dallas, famed for chef John Tesar’s skill with local dry-aged meats and deluxe offerings such as an 18-hour braised crispy pig’s head. Vegetarians can relax, though; they also serve salads.
Ideally situated just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World and 20 minutes from Universal Orlando, the Wyndham Grand offers classic hotel grandeur with a contemporary twist. Its 400 spacious rooms, almost half with balconies, feature an elegant blue-grey colour scheme offset with dark wood furnishings and white granite countertops. Set on the edge of a picturesque 10-acre lake, its dazzling array of amenities includes five pools, a spa, mini-golf and three restaurants – including Deep Blu, which is famed for serving some of the finest local seafood.
Celebrating its 165th anniversary in 2024, the Menger is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Almost directly opposite the Alamo, this is a place steeped in history, from its refined architecture and elegant Victorian lobby to the wood-panelled Menger Bar where Teddy Roosevelt once assembled his famous Rough Riders. The hotel’s 316 rooms combine traditional décor with modern comforts, and guests can relax in the peaceful Spanish courtyard garden, which boasts the largest heated pool in San Antonio.
Kinship Landing’s minimalist cabin chic has something for everyone wanting to explore the Pikes Peak Region. Guests can choose from relaxing suites with mountain views, junior suites and fun lofted bunk options for friends and families. All rooms are individually styled with boutique art and décor and feature custom built wood furniture by local craftsmen. Downstairs the Homa Bar and Restaurant serves up an all-day menu made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Situated in downtown New Orleans, the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot offers an intriguing study in contrasts. The flamboyance of the lobby, restaurant and bar nods to the city’s colourful history, while the rooms offer a chic, elegant minimalism which is thoroughly modern. Bright whites and clean lines, defined by black wrought iron fittings, are complemented by soft pinks and purples to give an elegantly contemporary feel. The highlight, though, is the delightfully extravagant Peacock Room, a dining area and bar with an eclectic retro atmosphere and great live jazz.
From the team behind the luxurious Proper Hotel chain, Hotel June is a more budget-friendly boutique option. Housed in a timeless mid-century modern building in west LA, it offers spacious rooms complete with luxurious Fili D’oro linens, walk-in showers and Aesop bath products. There’s also the Baja-inspired Caravan Swim Club, a poolside meet-up space for everything from cabana drinks to fire pit gatherings, and an elevated terrace where you can spend lazy days lounging and enjoying the view. Dining options include locally-caught grilled fish, organic steaks and seasonal salads.
The White Water Cambria oozes contemporary California style. Each uniquely designed room takes inspiration from the local terrain and California coastline. You’ll find retro tiled fireplaces, vintage and custom furnishings by Haus Interior and artwork by local artisans and craftsmen. Relax in the airy lobby with a drink and enjoy the view of Moonstone Beach, or hop on one of the hotel’s Linus bikes to explore the surrounding area.
Narrative runs throughout the design concept of Denver’s Life House Lower Highlands Hotel. Its concrete shell is a nod to the industrialists who built the city, while the interior’s fantasy Victorian prospector vibe is a homage to the neighbourhood’s original pioneers. Each room is a contemporary take on Old West and Victorian aesthetics with richly coloured walls and dark wood complemented by sumptuous velvets and rustic cushions. The story continues in the pioneer-inspired Wildflower restaurant, where guests can dine on a menu of seasonal fare prepared with foraged ingredients.
Located near the Gondola One ski slopes, Gravity Haus Vail is an ideal spot for ski enthusiasts, and indeed anyone who is drawn to the spectacular scenery of the area. The rooms have a contemporary alpine vibe with wooden floors, sage green walls and fur and plaid scatter cushions. Elegantly designed bunks in dark wood are positioned above larger beds in the family rooms. The hotel’s Slope Room restaurant offers a modern twist on the classic steakhouse menu.
Emeline oozes sophistication from top to bottom. The sumptuous lobby with its plump sofas and carefully curated collection of coffee table books is likely to make you want to linger. Head to the richly coloured rooms and you’ll find an enticing blend of velvet, marble, wicker and artisan woodwork which may prove even harder to leave. Should you manage to do so you have the option of dining in the Italian-influenced Frankie and the Fox restaurant before slipping into The Den, the hotel’s secret bar, for a nightcap.
For those looking to escape the big city, Urban Cowboy is the place to go. Set on a 68-acre site in the heart of the Catskills, bounded on one edge by the Esopus creek and by the Elkbush on the other, the hotel offers 26 rooms spread across five different buildings. These range from cosy cabin-style king rooms to bathing suites with claw tub baths in which you can linger while taking in the glorious views from a picture window. Rustic leather sofas, wooden furniture and bold, clashing Native American prints create a cosy yet quirky aesthetic.
Washington DC’s Melrose Georgetown Hotel is an elegant option for a stopover in the nation’s capital. The public spaces have a contemporary, clubby feel – think plump leather sofas, armchairs and plum-coloured banquettes. Upstairs the refined décor of the rooms is enlivened by bright green accents and blow-ups of the Founding Fathers on the walls. The hotel’s Jardenea Restaurant serves upscale farm-to-fork dining with a patio that offers spectacular views of Pennsylvania Avenue. The Jardenea Lounge is the place to head to if you feel like unwinding with a hand-crafted cocktail.
Rising 35 storeys into the Midtown skyline, Moxy NYC Chelsea brings a playful, organic sense of style to its 350 rooms and public spaces. The work of noted international design studio Yabu Pushelberg, the hotel’s soaring greenhouse-style atrium and lobby bar offer a modern twist on traditional hotel luxury. The rooms have a minimalist aesthetic, with subtle Japanese influences, and are flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. After dark, guests can head to The Fleur Room, a glass-enclosed rooftop lounge, to enjoy a cocktail and savour the breathtaking 360-degree views across Manhattan.
Hotel Via is a stylish boutique hotel in San Francisco’s fashion-forward South Beach, once the city’s industrial district. The cool minimalist design of the communal areas has intriguing touches, such as a glass-panelled wall and an artist-designed chandelier in the bar. Upstairs the guest rooms are light and airy with crisp white bedlinen and neutral walls enlivened by touches of turquoise. A highlight is the hotel’s rooftop bar, which offers spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay and Bay Bridge.
The Pfister hotel is an enticing blend of old and new. Its magnificent lobby replete with elaborate tiled floor and painted ceiling is a memento of the hotel’s late-19th-century beginnings, while bedrooms have a more contemporary boutique feel. The hotel boasts a number of intriguing features including an indoor swimming pool and 23rd-floor cocktail bar, both of which offer stellar views of the city. Thanks to the hotel's founders, the Pfister also has the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world. It can be visited on a self-guided tour or with the hotel’s artist in residence.
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, Vanessie is only a short walk from the historic Plaza and the Railyard Arts District. Each of its spacious guest rooms and suites, all of which have their own sitting areas, are decorated in authentic New Mexican style. The combination of rustic wooden furniture, brightly-coloured woven textiles, pastel-hued walls and wooden or brick floors creates a charming, homely feel. The Vanessie’s restaurant and piano bar (temporarily closed) have been delivering a winning combination of dining and entertainment for over 40 years.
Kimpton hotels always have a strong focus on innovative, slightly quirky design, and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City is no exception. Mustard yellow armchairs in front of the fireplace and vibrant framed prints on the wall create a cool yet cosy ambiance in the living room. The Vault cocktail bar has a sultrier vibe, with its mahogany bar, sage green velvet chairs and tan leather banquettes. Bedrooms are bright and airy with coloured headboards and scatter cushions and beautifully coloured tiled bathrooms.
The Omni Shoreham has an illustrious history dating back to the 1930s. A Historic Hotels of America member, it has hosted presidents, world leaders and celebrities including the Beatles and Judy Garland. Today its 834 rooms are a sophisticated blend of past and present. Deluxe bedding in shades of plum and cream, wooden framed headboards and marble bathrooms add a sense of luxury. Robert’s Restaurant offers casually elegant dining and Alice’s Tea Party every Saturday. There’s also a pool, a spa and a fitness centre.
Situated on the historic Espanola Way in South Beach, the Esme is almost the textbook definition of a stylish boutique hotel. From the thick crimson carpeting and Moroccan benches in the lobby to the dark greens, yellows and peaches of the bedrooms, it's a stunning setting for a vacation. Guests can relax in the rooftop pool, wind down with a cocktail (and glorious views of the city) at The Roof bar, or enjoy superb Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, The Drexel.
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