The Petit Salon is dripping in crystals at this midtown Manhattan hotel. (Baccarat Hotels)
Great service, sublime settings and attention to detail are what you'll get with Gayot's top picks of America's best new hotels.
While many worthwhile hotels have recently opened across the country, these stays offer a personalized experience that are a cut above the rest. Whether it's an urban oasis or an eco-friendly beachfront getaway, get ready to find your new favorite home away from home.
1) Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York - New York City, NY
This swanky hotel celebrates the craftsmanship of the famed Baccarat company. From pleated silk walls to silver-leafed ceilings, every detail is exquisite. With only 114 guest rooms and suites, the experience here is an intimate one. A Parisian mood can be enjoyed throughout, most notably in Chevalier restaurant, the chic bar and the elegant Grand Salon. Given the hotel’s innovative flair, its location is perfect: right across the street from the Museum of Modern Art.
2) Virgin Hotels Chicago - Chicago, IL
(Virgin)
If there’s one thing Richard Branson has mastered, it’s how to elevate the hospitality experience. Launching his Virgin Hotels brand (not to be confused with his Virgin Limited Edition brand), this Chicago property plays to trendsetters. Chambers—no mere guest rooms here—come with Sleeping Lounges and Dressing Rooms, and the on-site spa is home to a Turkish steam bath. Miss Ricky’s offers modern American diner fare, The Commons Club features shared plates and Cerise is great for rooftop cocktails.
3) Hotel Covell - Los Angeles, CA
Five apartment-style suites atop the popular Wine + Beer bar welcome travelers to L.A.’s trendy Los Feliz neighborhood. This hotel suits its perennially cool setting with themed rooms—the 1950’s NYC Flat features midcentury furnishings and herringbone hardwood floors, while the Parisian Atelier boasts a bay window with views of the Hollywood Hills. Step outside and you’re mere blocks from lively Sunset Junction, and the Metro Red Line stop is just a short walk away.
4) 1 Hotel South Beach - Miami Beach, FL
(1 Hotels)
This beachfront hotel gets our eco-friendly vote, beginning with a farm stand in the lobby. The socially responsible 1 Hotels group created this winner by combining green principles with panache. Reclaimed wood adorns guest room walls and poolside daybeds—creative touches that enhance the luxurious atmosphere. Four pool decks include cabanas with built-in Champagne buckets, and guest rooms of choice offer floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views. Chef Tom Colicchio is behind the sustainable menu at Beachcraft, and unlike many hip hotels, this one offers a kids clubs with activities such as seashell art and nature walks.
5) The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery - New Orleans, LA
This French Quarter beauty inhabits a former coffee warehouse dating back to 1854. Original details add character, while modern touches bring comfort in the form of signature menus for everything from pillows to Spotify soundtracks to spiritual reading—the latter even includes books on pet massage and pet psychology for four-legged guests. The hotel lobby serves as a rotating gallery for works from the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, and the on-site restaurant, Compère Lapin, unites Caribbean, French and Italian cuisine.
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