Courtesy Pier Sixty-Six
Major Reno
Florida’s Mini Monaco
Fresh off a billion-dollar renovation, Pier Sixty-Six spared no expense in its efforts to modernize the 60-year-old resort and continue Fort Lauderdale’s legacy as the “Yachting Capital of the World.” Calling it the height of luxury is no exaggeration. Pier Sixty-Six is home to the city’s most expensive presidential suite, ringing up at an astounding $10,000 a night. It comes with panoramic ocean views from wraparound balconies, a private workout and massage area, and a personal media room. All guests can access the 17th-story rotating cocktail lounge, as well as the multilevel pool oasis with its “secret grotto” restaurant (one of 12 on-site dining venues). And the spa is not to be missed. It features an icy-cold snow room and the Southeast’s only Aufguss-inspired ceremonial sauna, which incorporates sound and aromatherapy and is led by a sauna master for a uniquely immersive experience.
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Now Open
Southern Belle
Centrally located in downtown Athens, Georgia, the recently opened Bell Hotel pays homage to the 1916 building’s original tenant, the Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co. Fittingly, the nine-room boutique spot’s refreshed look has all the bells and whistles, from historic elements (the restored yellow brick facade, an original grand staircase) to modern amenities (contactless check-in, smartphone room access, and state-of-the-art bathrooms). The guests-only rooftop terrace is the cherry on top.
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Courtesy Switzerland Inn
Getaway
Alpine Appeal
Transport yourself to the Swiss Alps with a visit to North Carolina’s Little Switzerland, an unincorporated community set along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Welcoming visitors March through October, the summer colony is home to a handful of quaint shops and restaurants, but one of its main draws is the Switzerland Inn, open since 1910 and offering rooms, suites, and full cottages—all with spectacular mountain views. Enjoy Swiss onion soup and steaks on the Chalet Restaurant’s patio, indulge in some post-hike recovery at the spa, or simply kick back in an Adirondack chair on your private balcony.
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History Makers
Earlier this year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation inducted 21 new properties into its Historic Hotels of America program. Here’s a selection from the Southeast.
Courtesy Keswick Hall
Keswick Hall
Keswick, Virginia
Open since 1912, this 80-room mountain resort (and former private residence) is situated on 600 lush, rolling acres. Now renowned for its contemporary elegance, it has an 18-hole championship golf course, a holistic spa, and courts for tennis and pickleball.
Mills House Hotel
Charleston, South Carolina
This pretty-in-pink property was originally built in 1853 as a stately manor and later transformed into a luxury hotel. Today, guests love the rooftop pool, elegant rooms, and unbeatable location a block from King Street.
Hotel Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Recently reopened after years of renovations, this upscale boutique hotel is nestled in the heart of downtown. Original marble columns, a grand staircase, and the lobby’s restored “ladies’ writing room” honor the 1916 property’s historic grandeur.
This article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of Southbound.
