By Charu Suri for Architectural Digest
Some of this summer’s most exciting new hotel openings are alike in that they inspire visitors and foster a true sense of place, yet provide that joy of serendipitous discovery. With polished amenities and fine-dining options, these hotels are truly destinations in and of themselves, each paying inspired tribute to the historic neighborhood they’re in.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, which opened on June 1, promises and delivers sweeping views of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards and beyond in each of its 170 rooms, which have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, who also did interiors for the Waldorf Astoria New York as well as the Four Seasons George V in Paris, the hotel is clad in cream and celadon tones that offset the artwork guests will discover throughout its 12 stories. From $600/night; waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
The Palace Hotel, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
The Palace Hotel, a 1904 Belle Époque building on Lake Lucerne that is part of the148-acre Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort, reopens its doors in June following an eight-year restoration. The hotel’s curator, Joe Miller, catalogued 200 paintings and placed artifacts and moldings and pillars in temperature-controlled storage during the renovation. The Ritzcoffier restaurant offers classic French as well as regional Alpine cuisines and has the charming vibe of a 19th-century kitchen, complete with a set of antique wooden doors and blue-and-white tiles. From $400/night; buergenstock.ch/en
Le Méridien Visconti Rome
Following a $20 million renovation, Le Méridien Visconti Rome is poised to receive visitors for the summer. Interiors are marble-clad and done by Harry Gregory of the London-based firm ara Design. The 240-room property has several references to the city’s architectural treasures including the Pantheon, and also pays homage to the work of Italian architect Gio Ponti (take a seat in one of his classic design–inspired armchairs, sip a cappuccino at the Longitude 12 Bar, and plan your day ahead). From $220/night; lemeridien.com
Hôtel de Crillon a Rosewood Hotel, Paris, France
Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, will reopen its doors on July 5 following a top-to-toe, four-year transformation under the guidance of architect Richard Martinet, artistic director Aline d’Amman, and three Paris-based decorators. It retains its 18th century–style grandeur, and the location of the 124-room property right near the Champs-Elysées and Jardin des Tuileries will put you in a City of Lights blissful daze. New features include a wine cellar and cigar lounge. From $1,300/night; rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon
Celino, South Beach, Miami, Florida
One of the largest developments on Ocean Drive is the Celino, a $40 million project fusing three historic Art Deco buildings and one new build opening in the fall (part of this constellation is the 80-year-old Park Central Hotel). With 132 rooms, 12 balcony suites, and 14 one-bedroom suites, the property pays homage to the glitzy vibe of Ocean Drive in the 1940s. From $350/night; thecelinohotel.com
Perry Hotel, Stock Island, Florida Keys
The languorous island above Key West just got a nautical-inspired property, the Perry Hotel, in May. The 100-room hotel with lovely balconies on a three-year-old private, 220-slip marina in the Stock Island Marina Village has suddenly become the hugest magnet to attract visitors to the area, turning the island into a destination almost overnight. Luxurious touches include an on-site distillery as well as an artists’ studio. From $179/night; perrykeywest.com
Hotel Versey, Chicago, Illinois
At the intersection of Lakeview and Lincoln Park in a 1920s building originally known as the Diversey Arms, the refurbished Hotel Versey has a bit of rock-and-roll history. Its 137 rooms and lobby feature quirky art such as a bike sculpture and an exterior mannequin that resembles a cool riff off Rodin’s The Thinker. You’ll feel the star power vibe, since music acts such as Nirvana and Radiohead have stayed here. From $100/night; hotelversey.com
Hotel EMC2, Chicago, Illinois
A 195-room hotel that celebrates the intersection of art and science, Hotel EMC2 opened in late May in the Streeterville neighborhood (north of the Chicago River), known for its elegant condos and top dining venues. Designed by the Rockwell Group, each room has rose gold fixtures and playful gramophones. From $159/night; hotelemc2.com
The Scott Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona
Right in the heart of Old Town, the Scott was acquired from Kimpton last year by Phoenix-based Classic Hotels & Resorts, which is investing $15 million over the next two years to reinvent it (the first phase debuts in September). The property's 204 rooms and lobby will be decked in a Sonoran-style breeziness and Bauhaus-inspired chandeliers. From $129/night; thescottresort.com
Under Canvas, Zion National Park, Utah
Fit for stargazers and poets, this pop-up glamping village of luxury tents is open from August 17 through November 13. The 196-acre safari-inspired resort’s 48 tents are right near the rust-red rocks, and each can accommodate up to four people; farm-to-table fare is prepared in the open air. From $189/night; undercanvas.com/camps/zion
Hotel Theodore, Seattle, Washington
The 151-room Hotel Theodore, designed by Susan Marinello, opens in the fall, featuring photography and patent drawings from Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry archives. The Seattle-based brand Freeman has also stocked the hotel’s 14 suites with his-and-hers rain jackets in deference to the city’s often-moody weather. Craft beer and refined sleep amenities by Latherapothecary will remind you that you are in a truly special place. From $235/night; hoteltheodore.com
The Line Hotel, Washington, D.C.
The District gets a flurry of new hotels including the Pod, a 245-room micro-property in Chinatown, as well the Line Hotel in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, which is known for its music scene and globe-spanning cuisine. Set in a 110-year-old historic church with brass detailing and copper entry doors, the Line is an art-filled journey with a dedicated radio station and a 1,600-square-foot fitness center spearheaded by Graham King. From $268/night; thelinehotel.com