7 Must-Visit Boutique Hotels in the US
If you find yourself getting bored with staying at monotonous hotels while you travel, then boutique lodging is where it’s at!
I’m a huge fan of boutique hotels and unique architecture, and I just so happen to be lucky enough to work with boutiques in my professional life.
If you haven't already guessed, my day job turns that minor yet never ending travel itch that I have, into a full on burning travel NEED. And unlike most burning sensations (which you should really go get checked out immediately) I’m more than fine with letting the wanderlust crawl through my skin and make me stir crazy. Because why the hell not, right?
For the last few months I’ve been working on a project that requires me to research some of the top hotels in the US, and some of the properties that I’ve come across are architecturally awe inspiring, and frankly just cool as hell!
For those of you who aren't familiar with this style, boutique hotels are typically smaller properties but can consist of anywhere between 10 - 200 rooms, have unique styles and designs, normally float between 3-5 star ratings, and are rarely ever two of a kind. Uniqueness is key in the boutique world, which is what makes this style of hotels so sought after for travelers!
Here’s a list of my personal favorite boutiques that I’d love to visit in the future.
Washington, D.C.
The Riggs
The Riggs Hotel was originally constructed in 1891 as Riggs National Bank, and was known as the Bank of Presidents due to twenty-three presidents having held accounts at the property!
Today the iconic stone-pillared building houses 181 guest rooms and has reimagined the original architecture of its vaults, teller stations, safety deposit boxes, and elevators to create a luxurious guest experience.
Personally, (despite its incredible history) my favorite thing about The Riggs is that the redesign of the building's front lobby reminds me of a whimsical version of Gringotts Bank from Harry Potter, and I love every bit of it! Extra points to the designer for making my imagination run wild.
Boston, Massachusetts
The Liberty
You’ll quickly notice a pattern of historic restoration projects being a favorite of mine, and The Liberty in Boston is at the top of the list!
Like The Riggs, The Liberty is well over a hundred years old and boasts its own historic legacy throughout the surrounding community.
The Liberty was originally the infamous Charles Street Jail, famed for its 120 years of housing some of Boston’s most notorious criminals. In the early 2000s the building underwent an extensive transformation with the intention of preserving its deeply ingrained history and one-of-a-kind architecture, while creating an immersive atmosphere that guests would flock to.
Normally a jail cell is the last place that you ever want to find yourself spending the night, but this particular jailhouse now entices its visitors with top-shelf beverages and classic New England dining.
Ironically, even the jail’s original drunk tank has been recreated into one of the hotel’s many cocktail hotspots. Yes, you read that right - a drunk tank that serves you booze!
Bring on the handcuffs, I’m turning myself in ASAP.
The Kendall
This tiny firehouse hotel in Kendall Square has completely stolen my heart with its cozy atmosphere and New England charm.
Before it was The Kendall Hotel, 350 Main Street in Cambridge was home to the Engine 7 Firehouse which operated for nearly a century before powering down and closing its doors in 1993.
Since then, Engine 7 has been converted into a one-of-a-kind boutique with the goal of commemorating the building's long-standing legacy in the community.
Today, The Kendall hotel boasts seventy-four uniquely designed rooms, along with the property’s bar and restaurant Black Sheep, named in honor of Cambridge’s “black sheep” fire station that it calls home.
Austin, Texas
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Named after the patron saint of music and poetry (which immediately piqued my interest), Hotel Saint Cecilia hosts an intimate South Austin escape that pays tribute to the rock and roll and beatnik scenes of the 1960s and 70s.
With only fourteen guest rooms (each inspired by musicians and literary muses), along with twenty-four hour heated pool access, an exclusive lounge experience, borrowable vintage vinyl records for each room, and property grounds that are solely utilized by hotel guests;
The Saint Cecilia invites guests to step through their doors and experience a unique and private getaway with a nod to history’s rock and roll revolution.
Photography by Nick Simonite.
Providence, Rhode Island
The Dean
Housed in what was once a popular Rhode Island brothel, The Dean Hotel showcases its vibrant yet seductive atmosphere and fresh designs, while giving a few subtle decor hints towards the building's saucy reputation.
On top of the property’s inviting design and sultry past, its restaurants strive to take your taste buds on a journey of their own.
From Fraust; a German-style beer hall, The Boombox; a Koreatown-inspired karaoke bar, and The Dean Bar which is designed to resemble the mysterious vibes of many popular European lounges, The Dean’s food and beverage scene sets out to give you the dining experience of a globetrotter within the comforts of Providence’s intimate downtown.
Alongside all of the other enticing factors that draw to the hotel, my number one favorite thing about The Dean is that it’s so freaking affordable! Especially when traveling, stretching your dollar is key, and I’ll take every single deal that I can find!
The overall mission of the hotel’s owner was to create an incredible experience that would be obtainable to all travelers, even on a tight budget.
With rates starting at $99 per night, owner Ari Heckman hopes to create a launchpad for tourists that are interested in exploring his hometown city of Providence. And with affordable rates combined with the multiple levels of experiences that The Dean has to offer, I’m personally adding Providence to my list of upcoming places to visit!
Way to go Ari, you’ve suckered this tourist into visiting Rhode Island. (I’m a hard sell for travel plans, obviously.)
Nashville, Tennessee
21c Museum Hotel
When I visited Nashville back in 2017 I decided that exploring 21c was going to be a non-negotiable pit stop while I was in the Music City, and I’m thrilled that I did! As a result, I’m now a huge fan of not only the Nashville location but the 21c brand concept as a whole!
The idea behind 21c’s museum hotels merges both the individualism of boutique lodgings with the expression of contemporary artists, all under one roof.
Each property showcases rotating multi-venue exhibitions of breathtaking art installations that are specific to its individual site. I can speak from experience in saying that the creations are well worth the time to wander through and absorb.
When I visited 21c Nashville, the property’s restaurant Gray & Dudley was housing an installation called “Menagerie” which I’m sure will stay burned into my mind for the foreseeable future.
Menagerie was both horrific and thought provoking in the absolute best skin-crawling way. With sculptures of vibrant colored human-like animals bound in pressuring positions, the artist brought to mind the impacts of human aggression on our planet and the often overlooked likenesses between humans and animals.
Menagerie was a great example of the powerful and thought-provoking artists that 21c prides themselves on showcasing.
I’m beyond ready to check out more of the brand’s locations in the future!
Charleston, South Carolina
Planters Inn
I have yet to check out the Charleston area, but while recently researching the city I immediately added it to the top of my growing list of places that I’m dying to experience.
Charleston seems to be flooded with cozy boutiques and southern charm, and choosing a favorite property in the area was a challenge - They’re all so precious!
With that being said, Planters Inn did manage to fight its way through the crowd and stand out among the rest.
Centrally located in the heart of downtown Charleston, The Planters Inn offers an artfully preserved piece of southern history complete with colonial inspired furnishings, a romantic courtyard setting, a champagne bar, and one of Charleston’s top restaurants - The Peninsula Grill.
It was also voted as one of Charleston’s most romantic hotels to visit!
Somehow everything about this Inn makes me want to sit in their courtyard while sipping something bubbly, let my skin soak up South Carolina’s famous coastal humidity, and channel my inner southern belle (I’m sure it’s buried deep in there somewhere).
