If you’re stateside and wondering where to head for Spring vacation (or keen to get ahead of the crowd for stays later this year), our roundup of the best hotels to book now is sure to inspire.
1. Hotel Joaquin, Laguna Beach, California
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This oceanside bungalow, just an hour outside Los Angeles, is filled to the rafters with flea-market finds. Nestled above Shaw’s Cove, the rustic retreat harbours “the pioneering soul of California’s first Spanish settlers”. At Hotel Joaquin, the vibe is understated cool. Take the individually designed rooms as an indicator of the vibe – composed of reclaimed terracotta, natural oak finishings, and artisanal objet, it’s a mellow mood all round. The food is another draw, with the hotels Mediterranean restaurant serving health foods from local farms – breakfast options include ‘rawnola’ with almond milk, egg-white frittatas, and freshly churned smoothies. Soak up the atmosphere poolside or be lured across the street to the beach…
2. Hotel Kinsley, Upstate New York, New York
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Sandwiched between the Catskills and the Hudson River, Kingston is the ideal weekend escape for New Yorkers seeking out a new scene. With a bit of a Brooklyn vibe, Kingston’s off-beat energy makes it the perfect retreat for design-loving travellers. Such travellers should check in to Hotel Kinsley, located in historic uptown Kingston. A collection of four historic buildings, the first of which – Wall Street – opened last year, housed in a former federal bank and the second – Pearl Street – has launched as of February 2021. The two final buildings in the collection are due to open later this now. For now, The Restaurant Kinsley, remains the groups social hub. The Wall Street hotel’s wood-panelled bar should be your first port of call – our order: a Long Days Journey (apt for the avid travellers that we are).
3. Dunton Hot Springs, Dunton, Colorado
This exclusive, cabin-strong resort is nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies, but the unique retreat offers more than your average trip to the mountains. Go horseback riding through the mountains or set off on a strenuous hiking trail of an afternoon and reconnect with nature. Back at base, indulge in pampering massages at the on-site spa and avail in the indoor and outdoor natural hot springs. Don’t forget to make a pitstop at The Saloon – the resident bar comes complete with carvings from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Not sure what to order at the bar? Sample the offerings from the hotel’s very own vineyard in the McElmo Valley.
4. Maison de la Luz, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Formerly a City Hall annex, Maison de la Luz is an A-list addition to downtown New Orleans – truly, there’s nothing like it in the city. Looming large by Lafayette Square in the central Warehouse District, Maison de la Luz is a place of composure away from the city’s jazz-fuelled French Quarter (but close enough to still feel part of the action). Check in is a memorable affair – the desk is framed by tasselled keys, while the chequered lounge, filled with colourful cushions and soft furnishing, provides new arrivals a soft (and stylish) place to land. Retreat to your room to enjoy spacious, stylish surrounds, complete with local artwork and bespoke bathtubs. After a little R&R, the hotel’s guests-only speakeasy, Bar Marilou, is as good a spot as an to christen your arrival to town.
5. Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah
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A chic hideaway carved into the Utah landscape – it could only be Amangiri. Comprised of 34 minimalist suites and 10 tented pavilions, this is the ultimate in luxury escapes. Understated but ultra-luxe, over the course of your stay make best use of the magnificent Navajo-influenced spa (complete with watsu pool, plunge pool, and sauna rooms), excellent restaurant, and jaw-dropping surrounds. Days are best spent exploring the shores of Lake Powell, clambering up dramatic rock formations in the Grand Canyon National Park or wandering along the banks of the Colorado River before retiring to your suite, complete with outdoor lounge and fireplace – not forgetting those expansive desert views, and potentially even a private pool.
6. The Mayflower Inn and Spa, Connecticut, Washington
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The Mayflower Inn and Spa is a go-to modern countryside retreat for worn-out New Yorkers. Oozing with New England elegance, a stay at The Mayflower is akin to two weeks of ZZZs (or at least it feels like it). Nestled in 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland, bedrooms are the sort you’re never quite ready to leave, complete with feather-topped beds and sinkable chairs, perfect for curling up with a good book. The extensive spa and pool is another draw – their mind-body treatments come highly recommended. To round things off, there’s also a tap room for casual dining, as well as a more formal restaurant, The Mayflower Dining Room, which focuses on seasonal fare. A weekend spent here is good for the soul.
7. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
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This three-hundred-acre Vermont property makes for a great romantic getaway. The adults-only Twin Farms offers an idyllic countryside stay, complete with fine dining, spa services, and luxury lodgings. At the all-inclusive luxury hotel, guests are housed in individually themed cottages (there are 10 in all) – spanning fisherman’s lodge to Morroccan sanctuary – dotted throughout the Vermont forest. Meals and wine pairings are part of the all-inclusive package, with set menus prepared daily – you’ll be consulted by the chef ahead of your stay. In between moreish mealtimes (which can be enjoyed in-cabin or in the Main House), avail of the estate’s outdoor activities – think cycling, canoeing, or a hike in the woods. Maximise your down time ogling over Twin Farms’ art collection, which includes works by David Hockney and Jasper Johns among other notables.
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