Best Urban Hotels in USA

An international go-to brand, Hilton occupies a city landmark in Chicago, with this beautifully restored 1920s hotel. It’s close to the DuSable Bridge, offering centrality and many rooms with river views. The three-level rooftop lounge – a new addition during the 2016 refurb – is where the best panoramic vistas are to be enjoyed and is a very popular spot for marriage proposals. A 22 storey glass tower was also added during the overhaul when the interiors received a contemporary facelift. Londonhouse also has two restaurants, a full-service spa and a fitness centre.

The famed British brand occupies floors 15 to 30 on Water Tower Place, close to the lake. 434 rooms have massive picture windows and a warm colour scheme. Steaks, seafood and pasta are the specialities at The Ritz restaurant, Torali, but there’s also a cafe, lobby bar and cocktails on the roof (when the weather allows). It’s a great choice for those with children: Ritz Kids Club provides a ‘red wagon’ on arrival from which each child can choose a toy, a candy cart does the rounds, the restaurant has menus for younger diners and rooms come with mini-sized robes and slippers. And there’s a lovely spa for the grown-ups.

Built in the 1920s, the Viceroy’s terracotta and brick exterior has remained. But an entirely new 18 storey glass building has been erected behind, filled with mid-century furnishings, all imagined and created by Goettsch Partners and TAL Studio. It’s an arty design hotel, slightly high-brow – the grand lobby even sports a poetry wall. A rooftop pool offers summer swims, plus there’s a fitness centre, ample meeting facilities for business travellers and a rooftop lounge, Devereaux. A seasonally changing menu from chef Lee Wolen can be found at the in-house restaurant Somerset, with the option of sharing family meals, as well as fine cuisine.

Found in the happening Gold Coast district, Thompson has a cutting edge, effortless style. The design is industrial chic and retro, with homely couches, armchairs and shelves of books. Feature pieces like filament lighting, copper chandeliers, an iron stairwell and quirky artwork ensure it’s interestingly off-piste in comparison to some of the more traditional luxe hotel brands in the city. Velvets, geometrics and urban prints are found in the airy, comfy rooms. Nico Osteria under the direction of award-winning chef Paul Kahan is a destination restaurant. And guests can enjoy a drink under the impressive glass atrium at Salone Nico, with its gold underlit bar and warehouse-style brick walls.

Named after Chicago’s own Gwen Lux, a pioneering female sculptor of the 20th century, this Mariott property is found in the McGraw-Hill building. Glamorous art deco interiors reflect the building’s origins with 311 rooms in taupe and gold palettes. Upstairs at the Gwen is the hotel’s vibrant rooftop bar, but the alfresco facilities aren’t limited to libation. In summer, guests can experience unique urban glamping on the hotel’s 16th-floor terrace. Sleep in a queen-sized Black Pearl bed in a lavishly furnished huge bohemian Lotus Belle tent. Meanwhile back indoors, the hotel’s restaurant, Kostali, serves delicious North African/European cuisine.

The recently rebranded Ritz Carlton Atlanta celebrates Southern culture in its food, decor and events. Take part in a bourbon tasting, peruse the range of vintage photography adorning the walls, listen to live music at the Lumen Bar and tuck into some fine, aged steak at AG. You can also grab breakfast and a micro-roasted coffee at Jittery Joe’s and upgrade to Club Level for superior lounge access. The venue has 444 rooms, all of which have been newly renovated to include feather beds with Italian Frette® linens, terry or lightweight robes, technology butler services, an honour minibar and a 55-inch flat-panel HDTV.

If you’re looking for the trendiest, most remarkable spot in town, check into the W. Highlights here include an urban-style spa located on the 16th floor, the signature restaurant Local Motives, an underlit 22-ft  rooftop pool with a bar and views of the cityscape (dreamy for swimming by day and magical for partying by night), as well as dramatic art installations throughout the property. Atlanta itself has been the inspiration for the bedroom interiors, incorporating Makassar wood, glossy acrylics and hues of mulberry, indigo and teal. The WOW suites offer an extra level of sass, but all rooms come with the brand’s own W Beds, plush pillows and ultra-luxe duvets.

Occupying a prime position just moments from Seawall Boulevard and the Gulf of Mexico, Hotel Lucine transforms a classic 1960s roadside motel into a fresh and stylish coastal retreat. The design preserves the property’s original character while infusing it with mid-century details, locally sourced art and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of the hotel lies a sociable U-shaped courtyard with a heated outdoor pool, surrounded by a spacious sundeck dotted with loungers and shaded seating.

The 61 guest rooms are bright and thoughtfully designed, featuring soft pastel palettes, minimalist furniture and clever use of space. Each room includes plush bedding, air-conditioning, curated minibars, work areas, and either a private balcony or direct access to the pool courtyard. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers, premium toiletries and terrazzo finishes.

Set downtown in the lively Gaslamp Quarter, this smart 12-storey hotel opened in 2017. Geared toward a young and trendy crowd, it has a stylish rooftop pool house (the place to party on summer nights), a chic cocktail bar, a nightclub, multiple restaurants, a beer hall, coffee bar, Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine and a bijou boutique. Urban rooms have ocean-inspired artwork, vintage writing desks, 50” TVs and French macarons popped on the pillow during the nightly turndown service. On higher levels, guests can enjoy views across the city and toward the bay.

A brand that needs no introduction, The 123 bedroomed Ritz-Carlton offers a British touch. This family-friendly property stands on the edge of the city’s downtown district. An in-house WP24 Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck serves fancy Chinese cuisine – and is one of the places to be seen in the local area. Or dine in one of its alternative cafes, eateries and bars. Take a dip in The Ritz-Carlton’s rooftop cabana-lined pool, or the outdoor hot tub, while soaking in the panoramic views of LA’s skyline. The spa is one of the largest in town and it has a state of the art fitness centre.

Located on Sunset Boulevard (a setting used by Billy Wilder for his 1950 movie by the same name), this glass-fronted hotel has a tiered, eco-friendly greenery-clad exterior. This was Edition’s first property on the West Coast, having opened in 2019 in collaboration with the Marriott group. It has 190 loft-like rooms with floor to ceiling windows, a basement, club, spa, two restaurants, a moodily lit rooftop pool, a screening room and oodles of artworks. 20 penthouse residences have been included in the build, for those who want to linger longer. There’s a focus on sustainability here, in a hotel that attracts cool, creative types.

Towering above the neighbouring properties with its 12 floors, the Waldorf Astoria cuts a striking presence on Beverly Hill’s Wilshire Boulevard. As you may expect, this means it has the most breathtaking views around. Seek out its rooftop deck offering 360 degrees vistas – it has a hot tub, bar, a saltwater pool and a restaurant. Each of the 170 rooms has a private terrace and smart technology providing an extra wow factor. The hotel was designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon featuring an epic three-story lobby. Guests are treated to the hotel’s Rolls Royce chauffeur service within the local area and can book divine treatments at in-house La Prairie Spa.