From seaside sanctuaries and rustic ranches to urban oases and resorts for the rich, the USA is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary and spectacular hotels. But which should you make a beeline for?
Click through this gallery to find out which hotel our well-travelled experts believe should be on your bucket list in each American state...
With its links to music, culture, and the Civil Rights movement, the southern state of Alabama is a haven for history aficionados. Housed in the Empire Building, which was erected in 1909 as a symbol of Birmingham's golden era, the Elyton Hotel blends historical architecture with modern luxury. With its central location – ‘a special place in a special neighborhood’ – the Elyton is named after one of Birmingham's earliest entrepreneurs, William Ely, and provides easy access to the dynamic city’s business district and renowned cultural attractions.
Brooks Lodge is located just 22 miles from the volcanic ‘Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes’, the sight of one of the most violent eruptions in modern history and the heart of Katmai National Park. Often within minutes of their arrival, visitors to Brooks Lodge can enjoy unparalleled views of Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat, feasting on the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. You can also join the Park Service for an interpretive program, or try your luck at rainbow trout fishing.
The Old West meets modern luxury at Castle Hot Springs, an oasis in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. The hotel first opened in 1896, as the Grand Canyon State’s first wellness retreat, but before that, the Indigenous Yavapati would journey here to bathe in the property’s mineral-rich waters. Nowadays, guests check into free-standing bungalows or cottages, many with outdoor soaking tubs that can be filled from the hot springs.
What's more, with only about 60 guests allowed to stay at any one time, it all feels very exclusive.
Presidential visits, grand weddings, and fine society gatherings. Over the past century, the Capital Hotel in downtown Little Rock has been the city’s number-one meeting place. Nowadays, it stands as an icon of timeless elegance, with guests checking into its 94 guest rooms and suites to view the regal décor, sample Southern hospitality and try the food and drink at Capital Bar & Grill.
For sightseers, the hotel is perfectly located close to the Arkansas State Capitol and the William J Clinton Presidential Library & Museum.
This award-winning luxury hotel, set atop the cliffs on California's central coast, has some of the most breathtaking views of the Golden State. It's a place where guests can indulge in a whole host of rejuvenating experiences. From the Ocean House to the Cliff House, the impressive accommodations feature wood-burning fireplaces and decks.
Dining at Post Ranch Inn? Don't miss out on the exquisite cuisine at Sierra Mar, where the accompanying wine comes from the hotel’s award-winning cellar of over 14,000 bottles.
Since its opening in 1889 at the height of the town's silver boom, Hotel Jerome has established itself as a luxury landmark in the heart of chic Aspen. The three-story brick structure was the vision of Jerome B Wheeler, whose intention was to emulate the great European hotels of the time. During the 1950s, the hotel became a popular gathering spot for Hollywood stars, including Gary Cooper, Lana Turner and John Wayne.
Today, it draws in guests with its outdoor Jacuzzis, fine dining at the hotel’s signature Prospect Restaurant, and cocktails at subterranean lounge Bad Harriet.
Situated between the hamlets of Morris and Litchfield Hills in rural Connecticut, this luxury Relais et Chateaux property is surrounded by farmland and forest. Each of Winvian Farm's individually designed cottages is an adventure – there is even a real Sikorsky helicopter incorporated into one of the lodgings. The main building comprises the original 1775 farmhouse, a 19th-century addition, plus a 21st-century extension that sees a silo holding a magnificent rustic wooden staircase.
The restaurant is one of Connecticut’s best, while the large spa offers supremely relaxing treatments.
The second-smallest of the US states has a fair few beautiful boutique hotels. The quaint Quoin Hotel is a stately 1880s brownstone on Market Street in Wilmington, a city which brims with cultural attractions, including the Delaware History Museum, the Delaware Art Museum, and the Delaware Contemporary. Each of the Quoin’s 24 rooms and executive suites are highly personal, while former President and First Lady Joe and Jill Biden have recently been spotted dining in its restaurant and bar.
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A five-minute boat ride from Little Torch Key is all it takes to reach this tropical private islet covered in coconut palms. ‘Get lost’ is the proud motto of the adults-only Little Palm Island Resort & Spa – there are no TVs or telephones and the hotel has a ‘no news, no shoes’ formula. While there is an invitation to switch off, you can get adventurous by heading into the Florida Keys to paddle the mangroves, dive its reefs, or enjoy a sunset sail aboard the island’s motor cruiser.
On the shores of Lake Oconee, about halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds is a place that makes you want to put your phone in the safe and unplug for a while. The main resort overlooks a lake with a small beach, floating hammocks, and a dock with stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Accommodations vary from the 463-square-foot standard rooms to the 5,404-square-foot Lake House, while the resort’s recently renovated spa offers everything from a simple men’s shave to a full-body scrub utilizing Georgia red clay.
There's no shortage of lovely luxury properties throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a must-visit. One thing that sets it apart is its location on a quiet and expansive swath of coastline on the western side of the Big Island. Surrounded by white-sand beaches and black-lava landscapes, it is perfectly situated for all kinds of adventures.
The moment you inhale the plumeria-infused cold towel on arrival and bow your head to receive the kukui nut or flower lei, you know you’re truly in Hawaii. There are also eight tennis courts, a fitness studio, an expansive spa, and the Jack Nicklaus Signature Hualalai Golf Course.
Although it is sometimes overlooked by adventurers who favor Montana or Washington State, the state of Idaho, with its jagged mountains, expansive forests, refreshing lakes, and surging rivers is a wonderful north-western destination. Located one block from Lake Coeur d’Alene, one of dozens of lakes left behind by the glaciers from the ice age, One Lakeside has large, beautifully crafted suites, complete with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies with views of the lake. The hotel is also close to Coeur d’Alene’s boutiques, eateries, shopping, and nightlife.
The Windy City is renowned for its striking architecture, where shiny glass and steel towers sit adjacent to neo-Gothic buildings. While the modern Chicago is impressive, you can’t help but admire the grandeur of the city's historic buildings, none more so than 1920s gem LondonHouse on Michigan Avenue. The former office building-turned-luxury lifestyle hotel’s 452 indulgent rooms are modern, spacious, and have marble bathrooms.
Up above, the sweeping river views served up by the trendy LH Rooftop bar make it a popular spot with the selfie-taking crowd.
An architectural marvel, West Baden Springs Hotel is the crown jewel of French Lick Resort’s $500 million restoration. The National Historic Landmark has 243 exquisitely appointed rooms, a world-class spa, championship golf courses, and a wide array of dining and entertainment options. Prior to the completion of the Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1955, West Baden Springs’ 200-foot dome was the largest free-spanning dome in the United States (from 1902 to 1913, it was the largest in the world).
Want to stay in a room once used by Al Capone? Then head to Hotel Julien Dubuque, where the notorious Prohibition Era mobster would head whenever it got ‘hot’ in Chicago. Built in 1839, the old Julien Hotel would have been the first building travelers saw as they crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa’s first city, Dubuque.
The Al Capone Suite, the pick of the elegant hotel’s 133 guest rooms, has a vintage ‘old Hollywood glamor’ theme and panoramic views of the river. Abraham Lincoln, ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, and Mark Twain are some of Julien’s other notable guests.
Kathleen Holt, the current owner of the Cimarron Hotel, calls it the place 'where the cowboys went to get the heck out of Dodge'. Established in 1886, it became a home away from home for Kansas cowboys from the famous Dodge City and a place of significance during the Old West. The building, which is probably the smallest hotel on this list, has plenty of history and was added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 1983.
Today, Kathleen occupies the upper floors, while the main floor hosts two studio apartments and a parlor suite.
One of the grandest hotels in Kentucky, The Seelbach Hilton in Louisville began as the dream of two Bavarian brothers – Otto and Louis Seelbach – when the latter came to Louisville in 1869 to learn the hotel business. The Beaux Arts landmark has 308 rooms and has housed many high-profile people including a duchess, nine US Presidents, and 14 Grammy-winning musical groups. The Golden Era landmark was also a favorite spot for American author F Scott Fitzgerald, and some scenes from the 2013 movie adaptation of The Great Gatsby were filmed there.
Since 1886, generations of Monteleones have kept the spirit alive at this family-owned French Quarter hotel. In the past it has been a favorite hangout of literary icons, including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Anne Rice, Stephen Ambrose, and John Grisham. In June 1999, the storied hotel received Literary Landmark designation by the Friends of the Library Association.
As well as featuring ‘literary suites’, the 150-year-old hotel is also home to beloved tourist attraction, the rotating Carousel Bar and Lounge.
Located about five miles south of Portland on the southern Maine coast, the town of Cape Elizabeth was named by Captain John Smith in honor of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I and Queen Anne of Denmark in 1604. Just inland from its Crescent Beach, you’ll find Inn By The Sea, a luxury resort with 61 upscale suites and rooms. Blending top-level service with laidback chic, this place should certainly be on dog lovers’ bucket lists – it’s one of the most canine-friendly properties in New England.
Its lawn and poolside patio are the perfect places to spend a lazy afternoon with a glass of wine.
On the banks of the Potomac just outside of Washington DC, is the sprawling MGM National Harbor entertainment complex which features a 3,000-seat theater, 308 luxurious hotel rooms, restaurants from acclaimed chefs, and a gaming floor bigger than the White House. With its seasonal installations, the lobby alone is worth making the effort for.
There is also an extensive spa program and an outdoor pool, open seasonally. If you fancy heading to the capital, a bus runs seven days a week into the heart of DC’s tourist attractions.
Just 15 minutes outside of Boston, only steps from the Lexington Battle Green, where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, is the historic Inn at Hastings Park. The carefully restored boutique inn, originally a private residence built in 1841 for a local politician, has 22 stylish rooms and suites in the Main House and a contemporary American aesthetic that also nods to Lexington’s historic heritage. The chef at its restaurant Town Meeting Bistro reinterprets classic New England cuisine using local produce.
A former fire station, the Detroit Foundation Hotel’s décor and features chronicle the golden age of the 1920s, the city’s down years, and its recent transformation into one of America’s coolest urban centers. A lot of the original fire house features have been preserved, and a former fire commissioner's office has been turned into a gigantic suite. The hotel’s signature restaurant The Apparatus Room dishes up new American fare, while its world-class hotel bar serves craft cocktails.
The Motor City’s elevated light railway, the People Mover, is right on the hotel’s doorstep.
Built in 1910 at the behest of local businessman Lucius P Ordway, the magnificent Saint Paul Hotel was originally designed by Reed and Stem, the architects responsible for creating New York’s Grand Central Terminal. Overlooking historic Rice Park amid St. Paul’s business and cultural districts, the luxury European-style hotel is known for its sophistication, superlative service, and luxurious accommodations. A number of US presidents have stayed at Saint Paul Hotel, while organized crime leader Leon Gleckman, aka the ‘Al Capone of St Paul’, kept a suite there.
Cora White, the wife of Gulf Coast lawyer and later Circuit Court Judge Walter White, began accepting boarders into their home while her husband was establishing his new law practice at the turn of the 20th century. Facing a wonderful sandy beach and the beautiful Gulf waters, the White House Hotel is still a great place to sip on a classic martini and enjoy the warm sun once the winter is over. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, fittingly called Cora’s, is due to reopen in 2025 following a revamp.
As well as wide-open spaces, lush forests, and spectacular mountains, Missouri also boasts colorful country towns and swish, sophisticated cities, including St Louis. It’s here you’ll find historic hotel and apartment complex The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza, made up of two buildings – the Chase Hotel, built in 1922 by developer Chase Ullman, and the Art Deco-style Park Plaza tower, built in 1929, which now houses condominiums. Situated just a short walk from Central West End Station and across the street from Forest Park, The Chase is the Place, as they say.
In a prime location with stunning views and ski-in/ski-out access, Montage Big Sky is a refined Rocky Mountain retreat. After a day on the slopes, soothe weary muscles in one of the spa’s 12 treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, heated plunge-pools, and steam rooms. As well as snow sports during the winter, there is also golf, fishing, hiking, biking, and horse-riding in the warmer months.
Although almost every room comes with a mountain-facing terrace, the Spanish Peak Suite, with its panoramic balcony and views of the snow-capped summits, should be on your bucket list.
Owned and operated by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, the serene Lied Lodge’s mission focuses on 'inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees'. The lodge is situated in the historic Arbor Day Farm, 260 acres of natural beauty ready to be explored, and has 140 guest rooms, including two suites. Guests here can splash in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, savor nature’s best flavors in the restaurant, soothe their senses in the spa, or play golf at three nearby courses.
One of the glitziest of the new breed of hotel resorts, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was completed in 2010. It is one of the few hotels on the Strip with balcony rooms, with many overlooking the iconic Bellagio Fountains. If you’re expecting quiet and tranquility, forget it – the entertainment inside is as big and colorful as the décor and contemporary art pieces throughout.
Sun worshippers will love the Cosmopolitan’s three pool districts, while night owls will have the time of their lives in the big-name restaurants, Chandelier bar, and Marquee nightclub.
If you’re a fan of the festive season, then a trip to Christmas Farm Inn and Spa in the White Mountains should be on your bucket list. Although its website says it’s not Christmas-themed as such (it actually got its name from the gifting of the property at Christmas time), it certainly feels like yuletide all year round. Spread over 15 acres, each of the accommodations, including the Main Inn, Salt Box, Family Barn, Carriage House Suites, cottages, and log cabin, has been customized with its own distinctive theme.
With its iconic Boardwalk, Atlantic City has long been the go-to vacation destination for generations of Americans. Following a somewhat tricky period, the Jersey Shore destination has bounced back stronger than ever, with its largest casinos and resorts making significant investments. Borgata Hotel & Casino towers over Atlantic City's Marina district.
Guests enjoy hanging out at the resort's 3,200-square-foot palm-fringed outdoor pool and cabanas, as well as dining at B-Prime Steakhouse, the first New Jersey restaurant to receive Japanese Kobe certification.
New Mexico's most lauded hotel is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe (the USA’s oldest state capital), and celebrates the enduring creative spirit and traditions of the American Southwest. Relatively small with just 57 rooms, the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi has nods to Native American and Spanish-Mexican cultures – while the walls hold unique works from local artists. The Sante Fe Plaza, markets, and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum are just a short walk away, while Anasazi Restaurant honors the area’s culinary history and is a downtown destination in its own right.
One of the most famous hotels in the Big Apple, if not all of America, this Art Deco icon was built by William Waldorf Astor in 1893 on the site of what is now the Empire State Building, before moving to its current location – 301 Park Avenue – in 1931. The Midtown Manhattan masterpiece has hosted royalty, world leaders, and the social elite over the course of its history. Following a meticulous update, bringing it ‘from the Golden Era into the Modern Age’, it is set to fully reopen in spring 2025.
Although it looks more like a stone castle than a hotel, the historic Graylyn Estate features 85 well-appointed and uniquely decorated guest rooms across its pristine 55-acre estate. Once the home of JR Reynolds Tobacco Company Chairman, Bowman Gray Sr and his wife Nathalie Lyons Gray, the property features a seasonal outdoor pool, two fitness centers, and two restaurants. Although it is popular for meetings and conferences, the estate also hosts weddings and is perfect for a romantic getaway.
While the Peace Garden State boasts expansive wilderness, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife, there are also plenty of quirky and fun local attractions to enjoy. The brainchild of Enchanted Highway creator and scrap metal sculpture artist Gary Greff, Enchanted Castle Hotel is located in the aptly named Regent. When you arrive, you’ll park under the drawbridge, be guarded by knights in armor, and be attended by the royal staff.
The castle delivers large deluxe rooms with ‘royal’ décor, a continental breakfast, and a quest involving gigantic fish, pheasants, and grasshoppers.
This lovely historic mansion is situated in the lively area of the University Circle. The building was commissioned in 1910 by Francis ‘Frank’ Kavanaugh Glidden, the eldest son of Francis Harrigton Glidden, a famous Clevelander and founder of the Glidden Paint Company. Now a 60-room boutique hotel, it maintains most of its historic features.
On the property, you’ll find fire-resisting salamanders, family crests, green men, and grotesques which have survived for over a century. The Juniper Room was added in spring 2016 and can hold up to 150 guests for weddings and other special events.
This Old West hotel, constructed in 1911, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman called Effie. According to legend, she was a maid who had an affair with the hotel's owner WB Skirvin, and when it was discovered, he locked her in a room on the top floor, where she eventually went mad and died. Nowadays, the Skirvin is enjoying a second life as a Hilton property and has an indoor pool, a fitness center, extensive event space, a top-class restaurant, and live jazz music in its luxurious lounge, the Red Piano.
Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and backed by forests and hills, the wild and rugged Oregon coast is a particularly beautiful part of the United States. The oceanfront Stephanie Inn on Cannon Beach is great for a couple's getaway, and with jaw‐dropping views of Haystack Rock and the Pacific, guests get access to some of the USA’s most spectacular scenery and adventures. Featuring country-style furnishings, fireplaces, large bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, and balconies, the rooms are so comfortable you won't want to leave.
Like most iconic city center hotels, The Rittenhouse has an illustrious history (despite only opening in its current guise in 1989). It also has a coveted location close to Philadelphia’s landmarks. The hotel’s Superior Park View rooms are the most comfortable, especially for those who prefer a separate living and dining space.
Although the restaurant scene in Philly is strong, it’s worth staying put for dinner at the signature Scarpetta eatery, which serves elegant Italian plates. The Rittenhouse Spa and Club has an indoor pool, outdoor sun deck, state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service spa, and unisex salon.
If you’re looking for a quintessential New England retreat, then the elegant Ocean House should be at the top of your bucket list. Dating back to when the Vanderbilts and the Astors summered on this idyllic stretch of coast, the original 1868 building fell into disrepair before being demolished in 2005, then lovingly and painstakingly rebuilt five years later. The award-winning COAST restaurant has some of the best waterfront dining you'll find in this part of America.
Celebrities love it here. Taylor Swift’s vacation home High Watch is just up the road.
Stepping into Montage Palmetto Bluff is like entering a world where time slows down. Three-quarters of the Bluff, as locals call it, is a protected nature reserve. And when you drive into the property, up a tree-lined path, beside the tranquil May River, you’ll feel instantly relaxed and know you’re approaching somewhere special.
‘Porching’ with a cocktail in hand will be a nightly event when you stay here, while the Canoe Club, with its breathtaking water views, is the hotel’s fine-dining option.
Proudly calling itself ‘Deadwood’s first and finest hotel’, the owners of the fun Historic Bullock Hotel welcome guests to step back in time and walk through the very same rooms and entryways that the city’s first Sheriff, Seth Bullock, still ‘haunts’. Apparently, his ghost wants to ensure that the staff are working hard, as paranormal events are said to increase when staff stand idle, whistle, or hum. The hotel is within walking distance of the legendary Saloon #10, as well as Adam’s Museum, and the Days of ’76 Rodeo Arena.
Memphis' most unique and distinctive hotel opened in 1869 and is famous the world over for its five resident mallards who march daily through the lobby at 11am and 5pm. But it’s not just ducks who like to hang out here, the Peabody plays a big role in the social life of the city and everybody who is anybody in the Delta has called in or stayed here. Fun fact: the check that RCA wrote to buy Elvis Presley from Sun Studios was written on Peabody Hotel notepaper.
The hotel’s signature cocktail – the Jack Daniel’s Peach Sour – is made using ‘Peabody Select’ Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel.
The Alamo’s next-door neighbor is a beloved historic landmark of its own. Named after Davy Crockett, one of history’s favorite frontiersmen and folk heroes, who has been played on screen by John Wayne, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bob Thornton, it has operated independently for over a century. The hotel has a newly appointed historic atrium, and 138 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, renovated in 2007.
The Alamo Plaza Coffee Bar is great for grab-and-go meals before exploring San Antonio's fantastic River Walk.
If you’re looking for a European-inspired upscale ski chalet, then you won’t find anywhere better than Chateaux Deer Valley in the heart of Silver Lake Village. While the stone exterior, courtyard fountain, and marble lobby exude the charm of a French inn, there are plenty of North American conveniences here as well, with amenities including a heated pool, two hot tubs, restaurant, lounge, sports rental shop, and fitness center. Park City’s Main Street, with its art galleries, swanky boutiques, ski-in distillery, and gastro-saloon, is just a short shuttle ride away.
If cross-country skiing, mountain biking, tennis, swimming, and wagon and sleigh rides are a few of your favorite things, then check into the Trapp Family Lodge. Managed by Sam von Trapp, son of Johannes von Trapp of the famous Austrian musical family, the lodge has 93 rooms and also houses a restaurant, lounge, and gift shop. As a working farm, they produce their own maple syrup, brew traditional German and Austrian-style lagers, raise Scottish Highland cattle, chickens, pigs, and grow their own vegetables.
In 2012, the world-famous Cavalier Hotel, perched high on the hill at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, was facing demolition. However, six years later, it reopened as a distinguished member of Marriott's Autograph Collection. The grand lobby has been returned to its pre-war condition, while the Crystal Ballroom has been restored to its former grandeur.
Guests can relax in the Raleigh Room, a new take on the original Grand Salon, or take a dive into the luxurious plunge pool, where writer F Scott Fitzgerald (yes, him again) spent his days lounging by its waters.
Brilliantly reinvented for the 21st century, the glamorous Davenport Hotel, named after Louis Davenport who founded it in 1914, now sparkles with a new luster and encourages guests to immerse themselves in 100 years of history. In 2002, after it narrowly escaped demolition, Walt and Karen Worthy completed a multimillion-dollar restoration of the Davenport, with the hand-painted frescoes, ornate woodwork, and European-inspired marble all meticulously returned to their former glories. It is also among America’s greenest, most energy-efficient buildings.
Reflecting the wealth of the oil and gas boom era during the 1880s, the Blennerhassett Hotel was built by Colonel William Nelson Chancellor to cater for millionaires. The Queen Anne-style property remains a beacon of elegance, heritage, and innovation in the heart of Ohio River Valley, with the grand lobby extending into a remarkable working library boasting over a thousand volumes. Start your day with a visit to Café Blennerhassett, before unwinding with massages and facials at the spa, and dining at the exquisite Blennerhassett Restaurant & Lounge.
Built in 1893 by German immigrant and tannery businessman Guido Pfister near Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward, The Pfister Hotel is home to the largest collection of Victorian artwork of any hotel in the world. The historic gem’s artist-in-residence, who works in an open studio on the premises, takes guests on tours. Adding to the grand dame’s bucket-list appeal is Blu, the sophisticated wine bar on the hotel's 23rd floor, where you can sip a signature martini while listening to jazz music, and enjoying spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
While the location of this 55-room Old West-themed hotel in central Jackson Hole is its strong selling point, there are also plenty of treats when you step inside The Wort Hotel. Nowhere is this truer than in the Teton, Cowboy, Cowgirl and Shoshone-themed suites, which feature custom-made furniture, stunning original artwork, and luxurious linens. However, the pièce de résistance is the Silver Dollar Suite with its dining table that converts into a poker table.
Downstairs, there is also a rotating list of local and big-name musical acts performing at The Silver Dollar Showroom inside The Silver Dollar Bar.
Now discover the most beautiful weekend road trip in every state