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.