South Congress Hotel

Austin, TX

 

The address and name nearly say it all, but lucky for us, these folks follow through on that potential. The lobby bar comes with a design and travel library, and a small family of dining outlets draw the local element with delectables for every palate. And what do you know, there’s a centralized courtyard to get the conversation going.

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21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Say what you will about Oklahoma City — sometimes you need to go there, and those are the times you’re most grateful for 21c’s artistic bent and straight-up style. The exhibition spaces are more than worth a wander, and Mary Eddy’s Kitchen x Lounge excels at the kind of refined-yet-accessible New American cuisine that the heartland so desperately needs.

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Ace Hotel New Orleans

New Orleans, LA

 

Leave it to Ace to scout out up-and-coming territory for those in the know; here they’ve planted a flag in the Warehouse District, effortlessly slotting their refined formula into the freewheeling street traffic. An in-house music venue certainly doesn’t hurt, and it’s safe to say they’ll mix you something strong in the city where cocktails were invented.

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The Dean

Providence, RI

 

Providence, the “”Beehive of Industry,”” is remaking itself as a 21st-century creative capital, and the Dean has what it takes to host these new-breed worker bees — from stylish-yet-affordable rooms and a socialble, communal vibe to third-wave coffee, craft cocktails, and the city’s one and only karaoke lounge.

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Downtown Mexico

Mexico City

 

All the Habita hallmarks are amply evidenced here — vivid color to grab the eye, 17th-century period details to keep it entranced — in this centrally located Mexico City stunner. The brand’s devotees know exactly what they’re looking for, and that trust pays off when you snag a corner on the rooftop terrace and set about brainstorming. The ideas flow fast and thick.

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Freehand Miami

Miami, FL

 

Let the rest of South Beach ensnare itself in a glam arms race; Freehand takes the wiser (and much more fun) course in these eclectic, funky, still-young spaces. The Roman & Williams design pedigree still bursts with buoyant energy, fear not, but the price point is perfect for fostering the type of curious, forward-thinking crowd Miami could use.

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Hotel Emma

San Antonio, TX

 

And sometimes Roman & Williams goes all out in a converted former brewery. Emma is more or less an institution, fascinating all comers in the company of a pair of farmer’s markets and (count ’em) 15 marquee restaurants. An adventurous cocktail program and a thrilling 19th-century sense of scale should make for many a memorable evening.

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Nomade Tulum

Tulum

 

Here’s a beach hotel for those stricken with incurable wanderlust — and who dabble more than a little in meditation workshops and cold-pressed juices. Sand, palms, parasols, and captivating woven textiles conspire to eliminate all worries, the better to share honest conversation and mouth-wateringly fresh seafood.

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Palihouse West Hollywood

West Hollywood, CA

 

The extended stay needn’t be a thing of shame or hapless necessity; Palihouse proves it can be pulled off with panache, and in this neighborhood, no less. Exquisitely well-curated design showcases just-right lighting and tilework throughout, with a splendid eye for patterns in particular. A scintillating backdrop for a series of nights with that new someone.

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Quirk Hotel

Richmond, VA,

 

Richmond’s own Quirk Gallery gave birth to this balanced, airy, invigorating boutique, a proud staging ground for local artists and artisans well worth the dedicated visit. And in case you need a benchmark, this is a rooftop bar done thoroughly right; mix and mingle there and you might just find your next collaborator.

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