Mural by @alixandrajade, photo by @toniawitt
Elwood
Lexington, Kentucky
Named for the first female-owned Kentucky Derby–winning horse, this hotel is full of subtle nods to Lexington’s two major traditions: bluegrass and horse racing. An emphasis on open-armed Southern hospitality helps guests feel like part of the community, and the spacious restaurant, Fiddletree Kitchen & Bar, regularly hosts live local music.
Amrit Ocean Resort
Singer Island at Palm Beach, Florida
Hit the reset button with a stay at this wellness-centric beachfront property when it opens later this year. Guests can expect all the standard luxuries—like a private beach, spa, and infinity pool with ocean views— along with New Age amenities and experiences. (Why not celebrate a full moon with a professional drumming circle?)
One11 Hotel
New Orleans
Occupying an erstwhile 19th-century sugar warehouse, this is the first new hotel to open in the French Quarter in more than half a century. Guest rooms feature industrial design elements like iron beams and cypress wood pillars, and a courtyard with a lap pool and fire pit makes for an intimate retreat away from the thrum of Vieux Carre.
The Goodtime Hotel
Miami
Helmed by musician Pharrell Williams and nightlife entrepreneur David Grutman, this property holds its own in Miami’s hip hotel scene. The design marries traditional South Florida elements like pastels and tropical plants with cheeky touches like rotary phones and leopard-print bathrobes. Two side-by-side pools provide ample people watching, especially on weekends, when live concerts turn the space into a dance floor.
The Hemingway
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
This pint-sized boutique inn in downtown Ocean Springs breathes new life into a century-old building that over the years has housed a pharmacy, a photo-finishing business, an art salon, even City Hall. Each of the four rooms feels light and airy, with pale tones, warm natural materials, and surprisingly luxurious touches like marble-clad bathrooms.
Photo courtesy of Cris Molina/Sylvan Hotel
Kimpton Sylvan
Atlanta
This former luxury residential complex in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood stands out for its cool mid-century aesthetic and exceptional food and beverage options. Don’t miss the Betty, a contemporary take on a classic 1950s supper club, and Saint Julep, a ninth-floor cocktail lounge with views of the neighborhood’s ever-expanding skyline.
Photo by Cris Molina
Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
New Orleans
A playful addition to the Central Business District, this hotel marks the Kimpton brand’s return to NOLA after 16 years. Colorful art installations pop against a clean black-and-white palette, with cane beds and textured wallpaper in the guest rooms. Don’t miss an evening at the Peacock Room, a glamorous jewel box of a cocktail bar that regularly hosts live music.
Photo courtesy The Reserve at Hot Springs
The Reserve at Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Housed in what was once a Victorian-era private estate on four acres, this 12-suite boutique hotel exudes Gilded Age charm with countless chandeliers, custom millwork, four-poster beds, and ornate wallpaper. An in-house chef creates complimentary gourmet breakfasts, afternoon appetizers, and decadent desserts each day.
Photo courtesy of The Saint Hotel
The Saint
St. Petersburg Beach, Florida
This beach motel looks vintage-postcard-perfect thanks to a recent redo that pays homage to its 1950s roots. The decor is trendy and whimsical, with hot-pink pool umbrellas and Atomic Age–inspired furnishings. Throughout the property, murals painted by local artists reflect St. Petersburg’s reputation as a street-art mecca.
Click here to read about even more of the latest and greatest hotels.
This article is part of a feature package that appears in the Spring & Summer 2022 issue of Southbound.
