Best Luxury Hotels in USA

Right in the heart of one of the USA’s most charming cities, quietly sitting centre stage, is the Palmetto Hotel, an understated boutique hotel that perfectly captures Charleston’s character. The 45-room hotel, including a 1,500 sqm penthouse, boasts warm Southern hospitality and thoughtfully designed interiors that are as beautiful as they are practical. Along with its chic guest rooms, guests can enjoy the lobby-bar, which showcases elegant finishings, custom design features and a truly considered cocktail menu with the best-ever Espresso Martini – as Ruchika, one of our trusted contributors, discovered on her recent stay. The hotel is in the historic district of the city with convenient access to many restaurants and bars. Bicycles can be hired from the hotel for those wishing to explore on two wheels, and valet parking is available for guests travelling by car.

There is a particular quiet at the western end of Waikīkī, where the crowds thin and the palms of Fort DeRussy Park stand between the tower and the sea. Ka Laʻi keeps its distance from the strip. Close enough to walk barefoot to the water, far enough that the evening comes in on birdsong rather than traffic.

Inside, the mood is domestic rather than hotel-like. Rooms open onto lanais wide enough to eat on, kitchens invite a morning spent slicing mango instead of queuing for a buffet, and the light shifts through the day from pale gold to the deep blue that settles over Diamond Head at dusk. Lava stone, teak and woven textures carry the islands indoors; Hawaiian artists carry their stories in with them.

Awarded the prestigious Michelin Key, The Dupont Circle Hotel is a luxurious hotel in the heart of Washington, D.C. with a host of world-class facilities. The hotel boasts a selection of comfortable and contemporary guestrooms and suites and features the spacious, 9th-floor Penthouse Suite with a private balcony overlooking the Washington Monument. Guests can dine in any of the multiple on-site restaurants and bars including the Michelin-recommended The Pembroke restaurant and the chic Doyle and Co Coffee Bar. There is a 24-hour fitness centre for exclusive guest use and a range of sophisticated event spaces. This hotel is pet friendly.

The Robey Chicago – a member of Design Hotels, is housed in an Art Deco skyscraper, formerly known as the Northwest Tower. There are 89 sophisticated guestrooms, decorated with a combination of historical elegance and modern flair. On-site dining includes all-day brunch at Café Robey and cocktails accompanied by panoramic views at the rooftop bar, The Up Room. Guests can enjoy in-room massages and exclusive discounts on off-site spa services or opt to lounge by the rooftop pool. Guests can benefit from access to the nearby Bucktown Athletic Club, and complimentary bikes are provided to allow guests to discover the hotel’s lively surroundings and the charm of the city.

Drift Nashville – a member of Design Hotels is a unique city escape in a lively neighbourhood, situated east of the river and boasting unparalleled city skyline views. The hotel comprises a collection of comfortable and contemporary guestrooms and one- to three-bedroom suites including a 1,800sqft penthouse overlooking the city from a private balcony. There are three on-site dining establishments including The Sun Room serving cocktails and small plates, Dawn Café to start the morning off right, and Poolside at Drift for cocktails in cabanas. In addition to the pool, there is a 24-hour fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment. There are dedicated event spaces including the lobby, pool deck, and Horizon Room with tailored bachelor and bachelorette packages available.

Viceroy Washington DC is a contemporary boutique hotel in Downtown DC. The hotel comprises 178 deluxe guestrooms and suites including the spacious King Suite overlooking the city. There are multiple on-site dining venues offering Mid-Atlantic cuisine at Dovetail Bar & Restaurant, house-baked goods at BPM Coffee & Wine, and poolside specialty cocktails at Hush Rooftop Bar. Guests are invited to take advantage of the wellness facilities on offer including in-room spa treatments and the round-the-clock fitness centre with a Peloton bike. There is an expansive outdoor patio and seasonal rooftop pool for guest use. Guests at Viceroy Washington DC will also receive exclusive discounts on local events and excursions. This hotel is pet friendly.

Make the Fairmont your base during your time in Pensylvania. The skyscraper building is close to the Cultural Quarter. It accommodates 185 bedrooms (one bedroom suites and the Fairmont Room are accessible), with floor-to-ceiling windows maximising its elevated outlook and four-fixture bathrooms as standard. For the most premium experience, book out the Presidential Suite on the 23rd floor; this has both north and south-facing aspects, can be set with up to four bedrooms and caters for dinner parties with as many as 20 guests. There’s a health club and spa onsite, as well as a Starbucks and second floor restaurant.

Encore is the newer, sister property to Wynn Las Vegas, found at the slightly quieter end of The Strip, ideal for those who need a little respite from the brightest lights. It’s also a little more refined, with fine art and foliage, yet as opulent as a Sin City hotel should be. The main hub of Vegas is a ten-minute walk away, but with an in-house theatre, casino, a spa, a salon and an array of restaurants, you certainly won’t get bored or hungry. All of its bedrooms are suites, with Asian and Middle Eastern decorative accents overlaying a timeless Nevada luxury.

Set on 600 acres of rolling hills, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has over 1000 bedrooms. The resort offers several dining options, including Cibolo Moon, a Southwestern-style restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the 18 Oaks Steakhouse for prime Texan cuts; and the High Velocity sports bar. Guests can luxuriate at the world-class spa, or take part in outdoor activities; two championship golf courses, a water park with multiple pools and a lazy river and a zip line course are all onsite and yoga/fitness classes are provided.

34 storeys of gleaming skyscraper make up this four-storey Marriott property. 570 rooms come with 55 inch TVs providing Netflix, Hulu and satellite channels. Guests can drink outdoors on the terrace beside the pool, warmed by the flames of the fire pit, shop at Bells & Whistles the hotel’s boutique and dine at the very top of the building, in the Bourbon Steak restaurant and Sky Bar. Sleek, high-end rooms are complemented by marble bathrooms, epic views and arrival gifts, with hairdressing services available in-suite. While children are accommodated, the JW Marriott is more of a grown-up property.

First imagined by the French restauranteur Claude Claude Rouas in the 1980s, this was the valley’s original fine-dining destination. Here hotel guests get a taste of Provence, surrounded by US wine country. There are 50 bedrooms at the property ranging from private Maisons to classic rooms. But of course, it’s the culinary offer that is the highlight at Auberge du Soleil. Three and four-course set menus are offered alongside five and six-course tasting menus – these are sensory experiences that excite the pallet. Meals are accompanied by French-inspired cocktails, bubbles from the tableside champagne cart and of course the extensive wine list. There’s also a bistro and bar for a more relaxed approach to mealtime, with stunning sunset views at the end of the day. Auberge du Soleil has been in receipt of a Michelin star for 14 consecutive years.

A coastal theme blends with a Tiki style and contemporary island living at this resort on the edge of the Everglades. The family-friendly poolside has its own waterfall and a mobile food truck serving ‘snacks and sips’, or there’s an adult-only swimming area and guests can make use of the private white sandy beach with a host of watersports. Fishing excursions are popular – take part in the hook-and-cook programme to bring your catch back to the kitchen, where the chefs will prepare it for you. Pets are especially welcome too, the hotel even has its own Director of Pet Relations!