Best Urban Hotels in USA

Rising 60 storeys and 1121-feet into the Philadelphia skyline, is the Comcast Center. The Four Seasons occupies the building from the 48th floor, ensuring guests have incredible views (this is the highest altitude you’ll reach in a North American hotel). 180 rooms and 39 suites have floor to ceiling windows, app-based tech, smart controls and Guerlain toiletries. The crystal-encrusted health and wellness centre resides on the 57th floor, complete with Peloton bikes and a dreamy pool. It also houses a top-floor restaurant and bar with a towering glass atrium, a further seafood eatery and there’s a house car at guests’ disposal.

Set in one of Philly’s aforementioned historic buildings, The Ritz was once the Girard Trust Bank. As such, the public rooms are grand and imperious, with 301 bedrooms taking on a softer, more contemporary feel. The Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon is very well respected in beauty circles and there’s a Latin-American restaurant in the lobby, to treat your tastebuds. As there’s only one restaurant, if you want access to a further lounge (with complimentary food), you’ll need to book a club suite. While the hotel may look formal, it offers a relaxed approach for families, with an Ocean Futures kids club offering environmentally-themed activities.

Another hotel taking its name from an adjacent square (itself named after statesman James Logan), this hotel is found Downtown. Art is important here, with carefully curated works hung throughout the building. 391 rooms – with a minimum of 400 square feet of space each – are decorated in dark greys and whites, with a pop of colour coming through soft yellow logo detailing. Larger suites include luxuries like private balconies, large dining areas, pool tables, grand pianos and sweeping city views. Four eating and drinking establishments are offered, with small plates served at the ninth-floor rooftop bar and restaurant and there’s an underground spa.

Set in a 34-storey tower (the former International Trade Mart building), the Four Seasons has 341 guest rooms, including 81 suites. There are three restaurants and two bars onsite; including the contemporary Southern cuisine at Miss River to classic cocktails and light bites at the Bayou Bar and the romantic Moonlight Lounge on the rooftop, perfect for starry nights. There’s also an observation deck, a 75-foot infinity pool and a large spa with eight treatment rooms. You’ll find the property beside the Mississippi River, between the French Quarter and the Warehouse District.

Stay at the Ritz-Carlton where in-house live jazz comes as standard. This used to be an upmarket department store until the grand Beaux-Arts building was transformed into an elegant hotel. It’s on the fringes of the French Quarter, offering easy access to all areas of the city. Guests can dine in the M Bistro and wine in the Davenport Lounge, while those residing in higher grade rooms also have access to a Club Level lounge. The spa encompasses the ground floor of the hotel and includes a swimming pool.

A Grande Dame from another big name hotelier, The Roosevelt has an old school, glamorous feel. Walnut panelling, dark wood furnishings, leather armchairs, chandeliers, gilt columns and low-level lighting create a Presidential atmosphere befitting its title. Rooms come with Waldorf Serenity beds, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Ferragamo toiletries and minibars. The Roosevelt was built in 1893, but underwent major reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, reopening in 2009. The Mississippi River is within strolling distance and its feature restaurant, Sazerac, is a destination dining venue. There’s also an Italian eatery, a rooftop poolside bar and Teddy’s cafe for coffee and fresh pastries.

Housed in a skyscraper (the hotel begins on the 11th floor), this is the place for views. At Loews, you can work out while looking at the Mississippi. The hotel also boasts a superb spa with an indoor saltwater pool. Its interior design moves between arty/funky and traditional elegance, while its food offering comes from the esteemed Brennan family restauranteurs, at Cafe Adelaide, serving New Orlean classic dishes. And if you fancy experiencing private dining, book a place at the Chef’s Table with wine pairings. Weekends bring live jazz in the bar, or guests fancying a flutter can pop across the road to Harrah’s Casino.

Hotel de la Poste – French Quarter, A Renaissance Hotel is a beautiftul modern hotel that is hiiden away in French Quarter, a lesser-known and enigmatic side of the city. Each of the HOW MANY ROOMS blend jewel-toned bayou inspirations and the Quarter’s own musical culture to create a cosy nook away from the hustle and bustle. Guests can dine at 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar near Bourbon Street and serves delicious Southern cuisine, strong cocktails and an internationally famous weekend brunch. Onsite leisure facilities include an outdoor pool and fitness centre whilst there is a great variety of local experiences which can be enjoyed within easy access of the hotel.

While NOPSI is found smack bang in the centre of the Business District, it’s as popular with leisure travellers as those visiting for work. The art deco era building was originally intended as a public services office, and while there are nods to this heritage among the hotel’s artefacts, these days it’s an undeniably glamorous spot. From a minimal modern rooftop pool terrace to an opulent vaulted lobby, NOPSI provides lashings of luxe. The hotel’s dining room, Public Service, pays homage to the property’s former life, while its casual eatery, Above the Grid, is beside the small pool. And there’s a super gin bar, Undercurrent.

Go downtown to what was once a W property. Le Meridien now caters for a more mature market, with rooms modelled on mid-century Parisian style. Indeed this ‘grown-up’ arty feel extends throughout the building, with rooms dressed in calming, moody tones, accompanied by hints of retro design. Grab a book and order a whisky as you recline in the sophisticated lounge, or swim a few laps in the chic rooftop pool. Breakfast is served in Marche, with coffee brewed in Longitude 90. There are no options on-site for dinner, but with a plethora of restaurants close by, you needn’t stray far to find some excellent local food.

Previously known as The Carlton Hotel, this prestigious residence in the heart of the Downtown was opened by President Coolidge in 1926 and has been welcoming heads of state ever since. It’s just a few blocks from the White House, with an exterior reflecting the Gilded Age glamour, with Palladian windows and a grand entrance. Inside, guests are surrounded by lush fabrics, chandeliers, fires and classic old world DC furnishings. The hotel has its very own cocktail, the Capitol Mary and champagne is opened nightly by the head sommelier by sword, during the sabering ceremony and toast. It also has a lavishly presented restaurant, a house car and is pet-friendly.

Found in the Foggy Bottom district, Washington’s Ritz-Carlton combines modern furnishings with period features. It has DC’s largest ballroom and an unusual cocktail and food pairing menu, available in the Quadrant Bar & Lounge. Those seeking a fuller meal can dine in the Westend Bistro, where breakfast is also served. Those travelling with children will appreciate the Ritz Kids Program, designed to make your little ones feel extra special (interconnecting rooms are also available). Upgrade to a Club Level suite for extra space, a work/dining space, free access to the Equinox Gym and entry to a Club Lounge.