7 Chic Boutique Hotels You’ll Never Want to Leave
Stephanie Granada
Stephanie Granada
Stephanie Granada is a freelance writer and editor, who splits her time between Colorado, Miami, and NYC. When she's not locked down in research-mode, reporting a travel story on the road, or identifying areas to bolster the Hispanic community, you'll find her playing outside, working out, or hiding out with a book. Happiness to her is hiking up a mountain, swimming in a beach of her native Colombia, powering through a hellish boxing class, or getting lost in a story with a glass of something delicious — preferably whiskey — in-hand.
Back in the day, you may have thought your hotel was just a place to drop your bags, shower, and steal a couple hours of sleep after a day of sightseeing. But with the uptick of super-stylish pads with personalized amenities and travel-like-a-local programming, jetsetters are more inclined than ever to choose their next destination based on the accommodations. It makes a ton of sense, since a hotel could make or break your trip. These seven new boutique hotels all share impressive design, cool locations, and amazing perks that’ll turn your hotel stay into a memorable experience — whether you choose to leave the property or not. Go ahead and put in for your vacation days RN and start booking.
The Dwell Hotel
In the last few years, Chattanooga’s become a trendy base camp for adventure travelers looking to get their thrills with a side of Southern charm. The Dwell Hotel takes the scene to a chic new level, drawing a fresh set of design-minded visitors with its 16 bright, retro-inspired rooms that couldn’t be more perfectly suited for your Insta feed.Ojai Rancho Inn
The couple behind the Shelter Social Club rejuvenated a 1950s roadside motel, modernizing the decor but keeping that vintage feel. It’s now a dreamy desert escape with an impeccably decorated, rustic campus punctuated by locally made wares and plenty of succulents. LA’s jet-setting crowd loves the inn, but the couple is doing their part to preserve the town’s history and low-key vibe.The Asbury
Between The Jersey Shore and Hurricane Sandy, the town of Asbury took a hard hit in recent years. But thanks to a bevy of new restaurants, shops, parks, and chic hotels like The Asbury, the beachside enclave is undergoing a renaissance. The inn, made up of 110 colorful rooms housed in an old Salvation Army building, is packed with amenities (outdoor movies, DJ sets at night, rooftop food truck, art shows), but the owners’ aim is to get people to fall in love with the city. They opted against a full-service restaurant to encourage folks to go out on the town, and personalized maps in each room point visitors toward the types of things they’d want to see.The Williamsburg Hotel
Long gone are the days when people would come to New York just to visit Manhattan. Brooklyn now holds its own as a coveted destination. Williamsburg Hotel opened earlier this year with 150 rooms adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows, industrial fixtures, and some of the comfiest beds we’ve come across in a long time. The property is close to popular shopping and eating areas, while also being removed enough from the bustle that you can actually enjoy some peace and quiet.The Dewberry
Charleston is quite possibly one of the loveliest and most charming cities in the US, so it’s no wonder that its new destination hotel would be quite the looker. The hotel blends Southern elegance with mid-century nods that make for a space that’s seriously cool and fresh.Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club
Surfjack reclaims the rich art and hang-10 surf culture of 1960s Waikiki. It’s located about a mile from the beach, so you’re more likely to be sharing space with peeps who are more into what’s local and less into all-inclusive fabricated resorts. Elements of the real Hawaii pop up everywhere — from the headboards made by beach brand Tori Richards to the handmade wallpaper and reed ceilings.21C Museum Hotel Oklahoma City
When a 21C moves into town, you know there’s some cool ish going on in that destination. First it was Louisville, KY, then Bentonville, AR, among others. Now in OKC, the art-centric hotel brand moves into a former Model-T Ford plant, complete with 14,000 square feet of gallery space.Stephanie Granada
Stephanie Granada is a freelance writer and editor, who splits her time between Colorado, Miami, and NYC. When she's not locked down in research-mode, reporting a travel story on the road, or identifying areas to bolster the Hispanic community, you'll find her playing outside, working out, or hiding out with a book. Happiness to her is hiking up a mountain, swimming in a beach of her native Colombia, powering through a hellish boxing class, or getting lost in a story with a glass of something delicious — preferably whiskey — in-hand.