Best Luxury Hotels in USA

If you’d like to stay as close to Disney as possible – but not in one of their themed hotels – this is the place to book. Part of the Bonnet Creek complex, it’s a short drive from the theme parks, yet a beautifully calm oasis to escape the tourist bustle. Featuring local artwork, a Rees Jones-designed golf course, fancy boutiques and a glamorous cocktail bar, it’s deeply refined. However, kids are warmly welcomed too, kept occupied with their own programme of activities and dedicated pool – allowing the adults to enjoy some freshly baked croissants, in-room Nespresso coffee, beauty treatments or even a poolside Prosecco Popsicle.

For a full-on beach (or boating) holiday, choose this 439 room resort on the Coronado Peninsula. It has its very own full-service 80-slip marina offering gondola rides, surf lessons and sunset cruises. And there’s a beach shuttle – although it is just a five-minute walk along a private path from the resort to the sandy shores. This location does mean it’s a little further out from San Diego, but still within a 20-minute taxi ride. Pet and family-friendly, the hotel has a programme of events for kids, a teen lounge, three pools and a global fusion restaurant to keep all palates happy.

This Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond luxury resort has an enviable coastal location in a quiet neighbourhood, along with excellent amenities. There’s an 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course, first-rate tennis courts, a spa with 20 treatment rooms, an adult-only pool and cabanas, waterslides for the kids, and a sociable programme of varied activities ideal for those travelling solo. The Park Hyatt Aviara is sizable – it has 327 spacious rooms and lots going on throughout the day and night. This makes it perfect for families – or single travellers – wanting plenty to do, both in and around the hotel’s perimeter.

In possession of a salubrious address, this hotel is found right across the road from Rodeo Drive. At the centre of the property, is the hotel’s Mediterranean-styled heated pool and dining terrace, providing an opportunity to quaff cocktails and soak up some rays from your own comfy cabana. Michelin-starred cuisine is on-site, in the form of CUT, a seafood and steakhouse restaurant (also by acclaimed restauranteur Wolfgang Puck). Or watch the world go by from the front of the building, with a chic and healthy lunch at THE Blvd. Pets are made very welcome if you want to bring them along, with bowls and baskets provided.

Found in the hipster district of Williamsburg, this hotel has the largest pool of any in New York. 208 rooms have been designed by Studio Munge in a futuristic style with geometrics, soft greys, light woods, picture windows, huge balconies and glowing space-aged lighting. After dark, take a seat on one of the city’s hottest rooftop bars – Westlight – with its gorgeous panoramic views, great cocktails and delicious small plates. Or feast on Michelin starred cuisine from Andrew Carmellini in the main dining room. And when you crave a decadent sweet treat, Wylie Susfresene’s Hi Du’s Donut creations are lip-smackingly good. There’s a cutting edge gym overlooking the pool area, a shopping concourse just beneath the hotel and a delightful green area just in front of the entrance too.

Facing the East River and downtown Manhattan, this spacious hotel commands some iconic views. Another ex-factory, the eight-story building dates back to 1901, with warehouse-style exposed brick, cast-iron columns and wooden beams. Bedrooms and public spaces serve as galleries for the exciting work of New York artists, with an in-house curator personally selecting all the pieces. The 70 rooms have high ceilings, oversized windows and there are four loft suites. You’ll find local artisan products in the bathroom and minibar – and check the top of your wardrobe for a bespoke denim robe. Dine at Reynard and you’ll find this theme is continued, with menus containing ethically sourced local ingredients and meat from the on-site butchery. Then make your way to the sixth floor for drinks overlooking the bright lights of the Big Apple.

From Uptown, to Downtown and The Four Seasons, which first opened its doors in the same year as the St Regis. Here you’ll find the acclaimed Toro Toro restaurant, the Pan-Latin steakhouse by Richard Sandoval, and Bandista, the intimate speakeasy serving up inventive cocktails and rate spirits. Its spa provides treatments such as facials, body scrubs, and cupping therapy, as well as a nail salon, a relaxation lounge, a steam room and a sauna. A pool area with sofas, palm trees and family amenities can be enjoyed on the terrace and on the first floor, are the unique Topgolf Swing Suites, for a round of indoor simulated golf with food by Bayou & Bottle. Choose a room on a higher floor (of the 404 including 63 suites available) for stunning views of the city skyline.

Opened in March 2018, this uptown property is owned by the Texan billionaire Tilman Fertitta and is part of the Landry’s Inc. portfolio. It offers 250 guest rooms, including 22 luxury suites ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet and with panoramic views of the city. Dining options include Mastro’s Steakhouse, Willie G’s Seafood and Bloom & Bee, a modern American bistro. The hotel also features a full-service spa, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool and 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom and multiple smaller venues.

Found in the exclusive River Oaks neighbourhood, The St. Regis Houston has been in business for a little over four decades. 232 guest rooms exude classic elegance, with fine linens and marble bathrooms. Suites provide separate living areas and bedrooms, some with the famed St Regis butler service included. Guests can tuck into modern American food crafted using locally sourced ingredients, at the award-winning Remington Restaurant. And for a nightcap, there’s The Remington Bar, renowned for its extensive selection of rare and vintage spirits. The sophisticated retreat includes a heated outdoor pool and a holistic spa.

Offering a contemporary take on the classic yacht club lifestyle, this oceanfront property by Four Seasons opened its doors in 2022. The 22-storey building on Fort Lauderdale beach is the work of Miami-based architect Kobi Karp, with interior touches by the London-based Tara Bernerd and Partners and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. It features 189 guest rooms and suites, a spa, multiple pool terrace, The Honey Fitz cafe and lounge (named after John F. Kennedy’s presidential yacht) and Evelyn’s restaurant (in homage to local luminary Evelyn Fortune Lilly Bartlett), serving eastern Mediterranean discovery menus and Levant-inspired cocktails.

The oceanfront location of this Ritz-Carlton property sets the tone for a more relaxed vibe than is found in some of the brand’s more formal city-centre hotels. Twelve storeys in height with a curved shape and furnished balconies attached to every bedroom, it looks and feels much like a cruise liner. This theme continues inside, with a ship-like lobby offering boutique shops, a pool table, a spa and a salon The sunbathing/ pool area overlooks the sea, while on the seventh floor, there’s a stunning infinity pool Guests staying here have access to the Grande Oaks Golf Course and can eat in the Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits or the poolside cafe.

Stay right beside the beach, at the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. This was originally the Escape Hotel, opened in 1949, the first in the area to both have a swimming pool and stay open year-round. The interior design is coastal, modern and airy, with nods to its mid-century heritage and colour cues from the local ocean landscape. 96 bedrooms have Bluetooth speakers, yoga mats and pet-friendly amenities. Plus there’s a 24-hour gym, an outdoor pool, loaner bikes (to feel the Floridian wind in your hair) and La Fuga restaurant/bar with a terrace.