The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2021 Part 1

2021-06-28

U.S. News ranked 4,616 top properties for 2021. Check out the 50 best.

From seaside resorts to glamorous urban hotels, these unique properties are the best in the country.

With such a wide array of luxurious urban hotels, boutique lodges and beachfront resorts to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to travel. That’s why U.S. News did the work for you. Using a comprehensive methodology that factors in each hotel’s star rating, industry accolades and guest sentiment, our editors determined which of the country’s highly regarded properties stand out from the rest. Out of the 4,616 hotels considered for the 2021 Best Hotels in the USA rankings, these are the top 50. (Note: Some of the following properties are currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak but are expected to reopen soon. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions and temporary closures of some hotel facilities. Check with the official hotel website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

50. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Whether you’re seeking a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, The Kahala Hotel & Resort can provide. Guests can lounge in complimentary chairs on the hotel’s secluded beach or sip beverages by the temperature-controlled pool. For further relaxation, the on-site Kahala Spa boasts nine treatment rooms and offers traditional Hawaiian therapies with a bit of European and Asian influence. More active travelers will revel in the chance to snorkel at the beach, ride complimentary bikes and even interact with dolphins at the on-site lagoon. Plus, this resort is situated just outside Honolulu’s bustling Waikiki neighborhood, meaning there are plenty of nearby restaurants, shops, museums and art galleries to explore.

49. Halekulani

Situated on Waikiki Beach, many consider Halekulani to be a quintessential slice of Hawaiian paradise. Each of the hotel’s 453 guest rooms and suites comes with a balcony, a soaking tub and a flat-screen TV, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi access. With a lavish spa and a AAA Five Diamond restaurant on-site, you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the property. However, you shouldn’t miss the chance to participate in the hotel’s outdoor activities, whether you opt for a daily surf lesson or a spearfishing excursion. Many guests also enjoy exploring nearby Honolulu attractions, such as Diamond Head State Monument and Ala Moana Center.

48. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami

Although this Ritz-Carlton outpost sits merely 8 miles southeast of bustling downtown Miami, guests will feel as if they’ve traveled to another world completely. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami is the epitome of serenity. Visitors can admire the turquoise water from a private cabana on the beach or take a dip in one of two pools. Previous guests rave about the 21-room spa, which offers unique treatments like algae wraps and sugar cane coconut scrubs. When evening comes around, clink glasses at the oceanfront Cantina Beach restaurant or choose from 80-plus types of rum at the Havana-inspired lounge. Then, retreat to your guest room or suite, which comes equipped with chic island decor, plush bedding and a balcony.

47. The Miami Beach EDITION

Just steps from the crystal-clear waters of South Florida, The Miami Beach EDITION puts visitors in the perfect location for a relaxing beach day and an exciting night on the town. Loungers, towel service and umbrellas ensure guests can soak up some sun comfortably, whether on the shore or at the hotel’s two pools. Plus, the nearby shops and art galleries in Miami Beach, Florida, provide additional daytime activity options. No matter how they spend their days, visitors can return to the hotel to dine alfresco at Tropicale or sip cocktails at the 1940s-esque Matador Bar. Later, they can retire to the spacious guest rooms, suites or beachside bungalows, which sport sand-colored furniture, marble bathrooms and stocked minibars.

46. The Hay-Adams

With panoramic views of the monuments and a city center location to boot, The Hay-Adams has become a Washington, D.C. institution. The hotel offers guests easy access to the city’s best sites from its position beside the White House. Visitors can explore the nearby bars and restaurants or dine at The Lafayette, the on-site eatery serving modern American fare. While it’s steeped in American history, The Hay-Adams also boasts many modern in-room amenities, including plush beds with custom Italian linens, Bluetooth speakers, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Not to mention, the hotel’s meeting and event venues make doing business a breeze.

45. The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Resort, New York City

Whether you want to spend your time in New York City at a Broadway show, at a famed restaurant or shopping in Times Square, The Chatwal is the perfect place to hang your hat. Located on 44th Street amid midtown Manhattan’s action, this hotel entices visitors with butler service, spacious accommodations and highly coveted amenities, such as a full-service spa and a saltwater lap pool. While restaurants surround the hotel, you would be remiss to skip out on the contemporary American cuisine served at the on-site Lambs Club, which also offers special pre- and post-theater dinner menus. And when you want to explore the city’s other neighborhoods, you can opt for a complimentary chauffeured ride in the Mercedes-Benz house car.

44. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Since its opening in 1930, presidents, royals and tourists alike have walked through the doors of The Carlyle seeking a luxurious stay and a fine meal. This Upper East Side Rosewood hotel has long been a traveler favorite. It offers a range of accommodation styles and stands just a short walk from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other New York City sights. Many say you can’t miss a trip to the property’s Café Carlyle, a moody cabaret bar that has hosted its fair share of singers and celebrities over the years. Or, for a more traditional dining experience, guests can opt for modern American cuisine at The Carlyle Restaurant.

43. The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Guests at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue can expect sleek surroundings and the utmost comfort. Whether you’re indulging in Mediterranean cuisine at Michelin-starred Ai Fiori or attending a cocktail party in one of the event spaces, you’re sure to enjoy the hotel’s elegant atmosphere. The floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral decor, Italian wood accents and marble bathrooms found in the accommodations ensure guests feel as relaxed as possible. The hotel even offers larger suites for extended trips. Best of all, a stay at this property means you’re situated on New York City’s most famous shopping street, and you’re only steps away from top attractions like Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.

42. Baccarat Hotel New York

Decorated in whites, silvers and pops of crimson, the Baccarat Hotel New York is straight out of a magazine. A meal at the Grand Salon (the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant) will delight foodies, and a drink at The Bar, with its black-and-white checkered floors and extravagant chandeliers, will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The No. 3 Best Hotel in New York City also boasts pristine interiors (think: marble bathrooms and crystal accents) in its guest rooms and suites. No visit would be complete without checking out the on-site Spa de la Mer, which offers traveler-approved body treatments, massages and facials in a chic environment.

41. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

The massive Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is hard to miss. The Chicago hotel towers 92 stories above Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, which makes for unbeatable views from the guest rooms. In addition to floor-to-ceiling windows, accommodations come equipped with rainfall showers, cozy armchairs and advanced television systems. The hotel’s 16th floor is home to Terrace 16, an upscale American eatery that offers alfresco dining high above the city. When it comes to wellness, guests will find more than enough to keep them healthy and relaxed: A spa, an indoor pool, a state-of-the-art gym and more than 40 instructor-led fitness classes are available on-site.

Courtesy of USNews