With more than 132,000 hotels in the country, it takes something special to be branded one of the most unique luxury hotels in the USA.
Yet we have selected 13 of our favourite boutique luxury hotels in America, including a mix of grand city resorts, cosy rural retreats, and even a deluxe motel.
Here are our favourites from New York, California, Florida and more, in no particular order.
Exceptional boutique luxury hotels in LA & California
The West Coast is famed for its sun, sand and stress-free lifestyle, all with a touch of pizazz. Los Angeles is the embodiment of this relaxed Californian mindset.
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Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara
We begin by heading to the Belmond El Encanto, an exclusive property nestled high in the Santa Barbara hills. There are many reasons to visit – including the farm-to-table dining and zero-edge pool overlooking the ocean – but we love El Encanto for its air of seclusion. With relaxed country club vibes, seven acres of manicured gardens, and secluded individual bungalows, this is a luxury retreat that takes you away from it all. In fact, many Hollywood A-listers have used El Encanto over the years for exactly that reason. Guests on our exotic car tour of California get to enjoy two nights at this delightful resort.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel, LA
Set inside a historic late 1920s building, the Proper is a must-visit when staying in California’s upmarket city of Santa Monica. Bask in contemporary but comfortable décor, a pristine rooftop pool, and one of the city’s most in-demand restaurants, Calabra Rooftop – the perfect place for hand-crafted cocktails with a view. It’s arguably the coolest hotel in Santa Monica, which attracts locals as much as it does out-of-towners.
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Montage Healdsburg, Sonoma
This scenic luxury retreat is set among 258 acres of vine-covered hillsides in the heart of Sonoma Valley, making it the ideal location from which to explore the hundreds of winemakers in this world-famous region. Yet with an 11,500-square-foot spa, infinity pool, and three gastronomic dining options, you may not want to leave the hotel. These amenities and more are just some of the reasons we include the Montage Healdsburg in our aforementioned luxury tour of California.
Stunning boutique luxury hotels in New York & Upstate NY
New York is a state of many faces, home to both the city that never sleeps and a refined upstate region that is dying to be explored.
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The Mark, New York City
If you want to rub shoulders with the celebrities in New York City, choose The Mark. Set in one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods and within shouting distance of Central Park, this five-star hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in the USA. It’s lavish but not stuffy, with communal areas that marry old world and modern glamour, and features a remarkable market-to-table restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten. If you really fancy splurging, The Mark offers one of the most expensive hotel suites in the entire country at a cool $75,000 a night.
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Glenmere Mansion, Chester
There are some gorgeous areas of tranquillity in Upstate New York – a huge contrast to the hustle and bustle of NYC. One of these is undoubtedly Glenmere Mansion in the lower-Hudson Valley. This luxury spa hotel was once a private country home that hosted royalty and aristocracy. Overlooking 150 acres of lush farmland, this Italianate mansion – its design influenced by the incredible luxury hotels in Tuscany – offers an opulent spa and multiple sumptuous dining options, all in the grandest of settings. It’s the perfect place in which to unwind after a wonderful day of driving – which is why we include it as one of the stays in our Luxury Self-Drive Tour of Upstate NY.
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The Roxbury, Catskills
This is our wildcard for the list and certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, yet The Roxbury is an experience like no other. It can be described as an upscale motel meets comic book meets fairy tale… and much more. The Roxbury offers bespoke whimsically themed rooms, all with a lot of love, attention and the all-important wow-factor. There’s no on-site dining option, although there’s a complimentary breakfast and a mini spa to add to the appeal of this peculiar but popular accommodation.
Our favourite boutique luxury hotels in Miami & Florida
With warm weather, beautiful beaches and exciting attractions, Florida is one of the USA’s favourite vacation spots, with the glitzy city of Miami one of the most exhilarating in the country.
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The Edition, Miami Beach
In the trendy and rapidly growing mid-beach area of Miami Beach, The Edition is a unique hotel where modern five-star luxury meets grand 1950s allure, all a stone’s throw from the sand. The Edition is another hotel on this list with an exceptional restaurant from Jean-Georges Vongerichten for when you want some ritzy relaxation, while the hotel also boasts a bowling alley, nightclub and ice-skating rink for when you want to let your hair down. Fancy staying here? It’s one of our choices on our F1 Miami Grand Prix hospitality weekend.
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Little Palm Island, Florida Keys
The impeccable Little Palm Island resort sits on an exclusive private island just off the famous Florida Keys coastline and proudly boasts no phones, no television and no distractions (although they do have Wi-Fi… just in case). Unlike the others on this list, it’s certainly not accessible by supercar – but you can arrive in style by seaplane or private boat. When on the island, you can indulge in both an indoor and outdoor spa, gourmet dining, or kayaking in the crystal blue waters. Undoubtedly one of the most exclusive East Coast boutique hotels you will find.
Unique boutique luxury hotels in Austin & Texas
We love Texas – the Lone Star State is home to some of the biggest and best of America, epitomised by the welcoming and vibrant capital city of Austin.
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Commodore Perry Estate, Austin
Whether you are enjoying a concert or are in town for the US Grand Prix, enhance your Austin experience with a night at the Commodore Perry Estate. This restored 1920s Italianate mansion is a slice of calm in the big city, although you are only ever 10 minutes from the bustle. From the elegance of the individually designed rooms, imported Italian marble floors and flawless English gardens, to the sumptuous Texas heritage dining, Commodore Perry Estate combines effortless European luxury with typical southern hospitality.
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Hotel Emma, San Antonio
Overlooking the river in San Antonio’s historic Pearl District, the Hotel Emma oozes heritage and luxury in equal measure – no wonder it’s regularly named one of the best boutique hotels in the USA. Hotel Emma was once a 19th century brewhouse and the décor is clearly influenced by its industrial past with an abundance of brick, steel and aged machinery alongside some modern comforts. Enjoy a craft beer in the hotel’s Sternewirth Tavern, then venture out into the nearby bustling retail and culinary district.
Our picks for Las Vegas’s greatest luxury hotels
Glitz, glamour, gaming and luxury hotels are in abundance in Las Vegas – the entertainment capital of the world. In 2023, the city will be home to the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, which is set to be one of the most exciting races on the F1 calendar.
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The Bellagio
There are few more distinguished hotels in Las Vegas than the Bellagio. It may be famous for its iconic and jaw-dropping fountain show, yet this lavish hotel is more than just a pretty face (even if it is very pretty indeed!). In the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio boasts five-star amenities, top-notch entertainment, and more fine-dining restaurants than you can try in one visit – including the refined Picasso, where you can dine among the artist’s original work.
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Caesars Palace
Truth be told, we could have picked any of the Strip’s legendary five-star resorts – from The Venetian to The Wynn – yet for its status as a world-famous icon, Caesars Palace makes this list. There’s nothing subtle about this hotel and casino, which celebrates opulence in the rooms, hallways and communal areas, with Greco-Roman statues and exquisite mosaics everywhere you turn. With The Garden of the Gods pool complex, the on-site theatre, and an abundance of dining options, there’s no shortage of indulgences to keep you busy.
Image: nomadlasvegas.mgmresorts.com
NoMad Las Vegas
Set within the Park MGM complex, this hotel within a hotel is a more seductive, tranquil and exclusive experience than many in Vegas. The rooms are European inspired with oak hardwood floors, marble bathrooms and standalone bathtubs, while the pool area takes influence from the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. NoMad Las Vegas also features a grand Library style restaurant and high-stakes casino, while the endless temptations of the Strip are just a short walk away.
Explore a selection of America’s best boutique luxury hotels with Ultimate Driving Tours
Whatever your taste, it’s clear that the United States has a unique and luxurious hotel for you. But there’s no need to stick to just one – join us on a bucket-list supercar driving tour and enjoy sampling a range of boutique hotels, many of which are featured on the list above.
Whether it’s a self-drive tour of California or any one of our US Grand Prix packages, you can guarantee you will be spending the night among luxurious surroundings, enjoying the finest dining, and arriving in style in some of the world’s best exotic cars. Our friendly team is on hand to help find the perfect tour for you.
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