The Ace Hotel group has nabbed a prime spot in Boerum Hill, a
Brooklyn neighbourhood on the cusp of explosive popularity.
Designed by Roman and Williams, the pared-back, mid-century-style
interiors champion local creatives both in decor and in Ace’s
always-stellar cultural programming. Expect plenty of raw concrete,
timber and strong geometric lines inspired by Le Corbusier’s French
holiday cabin Le Cabanon. Every space marries function with fun.
Oodles of natural light, handy desk space, the odd guitar and
turntables with a collection of records curated by Manhattan music
store Rough Trade fill the guestrooms. Is this the place to book as
a base on your first visit to NYC? No. But, for third or
fourth-timers who know the city well and love Brooklyn’s more
laid-back vibe, Ace Brooklyn delivers. Local hits include chocolate
cookies from Bien Cuit,
natural wine at Court Street bar June and whatever reads the
incredible staffers at Greenlight Bookstore
recommend. Image courtesy of Stephen Kent Johnson.

Most LA newcomers flock to oceanside Venice Beach and Santa
Monica. We, however, recommend going rogue and digging in deep to
cool, creative Eastside neighbourhoods like Silver Lake, Echo Park
and Los Feliz. Cara Hotel (“Cara” means friend in Irish, a moniker
that makes sense for this welcoming, Irish-owned property) recently
opened in the foothills of Griffith Park. Inside, it’s all airy,
creamy neutrals with a showstopping interior courtyard. Many of the
artworks, textiles and finishing touches come courtesy of local
artists, while the thoughtfully stocked minibar celebrates local
delicacies such as cold brews from nearby Koreatown’s famous Maru
Coffee. Better yet, locals love it. Night after night, the
olive-tree-and-glassy-pool-filled courtyard hums with both chatter
and the clatter of knives and forks digging into fresh California
bounty. It all feels very LA – in the best way. If you can bring
yourself to leave the cosy confines of your room, walk the Silver
Lake Reservoir trail, stop by Bar
Stella for a smoky, mezcal-based Apocalypto and don’t miss the
spicy noodles at Night + Market on
Sunset. Image courtesy of Maura Grace Photography.

The Palisociety hotel group excels at opening quirky-cool
boutique hotels in the neighbourhoods of now. Its latest addition,
Hotel Grand Stark, occupies a historic building in Portland’s
Eastside, making it the perfect launchpad from which to delve into
the city’s vibrant food scene. (On that note, the potato vareniki –
dumplings – at Russian kitchen Kachka are transcendent,
as are chef Taiki’s pork katsu sandwiches at the Tokyo Sando food truck). Staying at
the property feels like rooming inside an art gallery, with all the
comforts – cloud-like beds, great coffee – of home. Works by local
artists grace the walls, while all the furniture has a sculptural,
bohemian edge in homage to Portland’s independent spirit. In
keeping with the relaxed Pacific Northwest vibe, the hotel’s
restaurants are the opposite of fussy. The Grand Stark Deli serves
up American classics like grilled cheese sandwiches and cobb
salads. Across the hall, steak frites and mezcal cocktails at
Bar
Chamberlain lure the crowds.

Despite Austin’s well-established association with music and
tech, Hotel Magdalena takes inspiration from the city’s
little-known lake culture. Specifically, that surrounding Barton
Springs. Built from scratch in the buzzy South Congress
neighbourhood, the property’s four towers hug a tempting central
pool. But don’t assume it’s all earthy tones and glassy water,
because Magdalena has an offbeat, rock ‘n’ roll edge in line with
other Bunkhouse Group properties. And it’s constructed with
sustainability in mind. Timber everything (Hotel Magdalena is the
first mass-timber boutique hotel in North America), a
stormwater-runoff irrigation system and minimal energy consumption
are integral to the structure, massively reducing the overall
carbon footprint. In-house restaurant Summer House on Music Lane
sets the place abuzz nightly. Expect the classics you might eat
over a long weekend at a friend’s lake house – the likes of
citrussy grilled fish and ice-cold rosé. Beyond the hotel, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Franklin Barbecue and Sunroom are unmissable while in
Austin. Image courtesy of Nick Simonite.

New Orleans has that can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-it magic. The
Southern city is a precarious one – regularly smashed with as much
rain as it is revelry. But the people who live here are resilient
and undeniably upbeat, despite the city’s struggles. Hotel Saint
Vincent bottles some of that New Orleans exuberance into one
exquisitely decorated, quirky and very cool 75-room address.
Located far from the Bourbon Street fray in the quieter Lower
Garden District, the character-packed property is romantic on the
outside and sexy on the inside. Riotous custom wallpaper,
sculptural furniture, antiques aplenty and luxe DS & Durga
amenities you’ll want to take home characterise guestrooms. The
minibar does not disappoint, either, with its contents including
LoveSeen faux lashes, Wonder Valley body oil, Sour Patch gummies
and some excellent pinot noir from the folks at Scribe Winery. San
Lorenzo, the in-hotel restaurant, dishes up Italian Riviera fare,
though our favourite spot is undoubtedly a cosy nook in the Chapel
Club bar. This moody space is one to curl up in with a cocktail
while getting to know the other guests. Further afield, shop for
jewellery at Crowe, sample
oyster po’ boys at Domilise‘s and caffeinate at
French Truck. Image
courtesy of Matt Harrington.

The Goodtime – a collaboration between entrepreneur David
Grutman and music maker Pharrell Williams – is aptly named. But,
then again, this is Miami; a city that marries culture and clubbing
unlike any other. Designed by Ken Fulk, the exuberant art deco
lobby is a taster of what’s to come. A greenhouse-themed mural sets
the jungle tone, with floral motifs and clashing prints offset by
wicker furniture and woven rugs in a natural palette. The Library –
a flamingo-pink cloud of a room – is our easy favourite for
late-night lounging. Strawberry Moon, the on-site restaurant, is
where the bubble-gum dreamscape decor finds its flow. And,
actually, we love it. Guestrooms are on the small side, but they’re
hyper-functional, beautifully outfitted and exceptionally
well-priced for a South Beach location, minutes from the sea.
Insider must-visits when in town include quirky Italian restaurant
Boia De and
omakase joint Hiden – if you
can snag a seat, that is. Image courtesy of Alice Gao.

Its name suggests “craft”, and this new 11-room jewel in Hudson,
owned by the founders of cult cosmetics company Fresh, has that in
spades. Constructed from three architecturally rich, interlinked
buildings – a Georgian mansion, a Greek revival-style property and
an old carriage house dating back to the early 1800s – The Maker
pays homage to the belle époque, mid-century and art deco design
periods. Upcycled sustainable furniture (aka serious antiques), art
from the founders’ collection, ornate original fireplaces and
stained glass galore anchor the series of themed guestrooms and
communal spaces. We fell hard for the “Writer” guestroom – a moody
warren of heaving bookshelves, dreamy writing desk, curious
ornaments and literary-inspired artworks. The sultry lounge, with
its leather walls, fringed lanterns and shiny grand piano, is the
ideal spot for a cocktail among fellow guests. If a little local
exploration beckons, make a beeline for Kitty’s Market to feast on egg,
cheese and bacon sandwiches. Heaven.

There’s camping, and then there’s glamping. Under Canvas specialises in the latter. The outdoor experience company excels in pitching tricked-out tents in America’s most scenic spots (Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, to name a few). But its latest camp, in Utah’s Bryce Canyon, showcases the best of the American Southwest: think jaw-dropping desert landscapes, rock formations that wouldn’t look amiss on Mars and dense juniper forest. Tents come decked out with West Elm furniture, en suite bathrooms (hello, piping-hot showers) and toasty pot-bellied stoves. Some even have private patios. A typical day might involve a long hike, horse riding, storytelling around the campfire, live music, and stargazing, after which a deep, restful night’s sleep is pretty much guaranteed. Skilled adventure specialists are on hand to help you navigate surrounding sights such as Lake Powell and Red Canyon, plus book your activities. Sustainability-wise, Under Canvas’s leave-no-trace initiatives include solar power, low-flow toilets and a complete absence of single-use plastic. We recommend trading a hotel stay for a more outdoorsy experience like the kind offered here to properly immerse in rural America’s wild beauty and inherent wonder, far from the madding crowds.

Cambria is about to take off in a big way, so best get there
before it does. Right now, it’s still a little-known town
buttressed between Santa Barbara and Big Sur, but White Water
lodge, on the ethereally named Moonstone Beach, has been steadily
drawing in surfers, city escapees and everyone in-between since its
2020 opening. The property – abundant with the earthy cool we
associate with life on the central coast – is a surf-inspired
hideaway of California dreams. From the Scandi-inspired lobby to
the guestrooms, each space brings the outside in with wall-to-wall
glass windows, natural materials, neutral hues and tactile
textiles. And then come the enticing little details like stacks of
old Nat Geo editions to thumb through, Aesop bath products,
brilliantly curated minibars, vintage fabrics and art by local
artists. Days are best spent on the lobby sofas, curled up with a
book and a glass of Paso Robles rosé, pedalling the complimentary
Linus bikes along the bluffs, and ordering up a picnic basket to
linger over on the beach. For a lazy brunch, head out for the blue
corn waffles at Hidden Kitchen, in
nearby Cayucos, which are famed – justifiably – locally. Image
courtesy of Jonny Valiant.