The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Been To (Yet)
And where to go to get the best night's sleep
The new year won’t officially start for me until spring when butterflies decide it’s warm enough to emerge. I’m not one for frantically diving into a new year and I think Dry January marketing is about as cringe as Valentine’s Day. Drink or don’t drink in January; buy red roses marked up times four for Valentine’s Day…or don’t. You do you, no matter what.
While I don’t fall victim to the pressure to wind up the ticking clock on January 1, I do feel a slight intensity of thinking about traveling for the remainder of the year. There are 358 days remaining and if you’re a lingerer like me, it matters. I’m currently in Rome spending time with my American-Italian family and eating lots of pasta and gelato. Later in the month, I head to Hawaii and then on to Thailand where I’ll spend the remainder of quarter one on Koh Samui. The winter blues hit hard this season and I need some space (a word I’ll elaborate on later) in a far, far away land that’s near the sea.
For those of you contemplating where to go in 2024, in addition to this most recent piece, along with some of my favorite creatives with newsletters, we’re back this week to discuss a few under-the-radar hotels we’ve discovered along the way — and hotels where the beds are calling your name. Good night’s sleep anyone?
THE COOLEST HOTELS YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO (YET)
FLORENCE: Ad Astra
Just across the River Arno is Oltrarno, a less-crowded area of Florence and where one of my favorite hotels in the world exists: Ad Astra. I stumbled upon this hotel in 2017 while wandering through Florence and randomly connected with Betty Soldi, and her partner, Matteo Perduca, who run this hotel (and two others, including SoprArno Suites and Oltrarno Splendid, which are also incredible). The hotel is housed in a nineteenth-century building and sits on the stunning sixteenth-century Giardino Torrigiani, Europe’s largest private garden within city limits — and is still owned by the Torrigiani family, who still live on the ground floor. As for the interior design, the entire hotel is decked out with trinkets and antiques and all the right touches, including claw tubs exposed in the roomy suites. I wrote about the hotel for Vogue in 2018 and still send this link to friends looking for bespoke hotels in Florence.
~Jenn Rice
TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE: Villa Ardore
I just wrote a story on a Tuscan villa housed in a former 16th-century farmhouse that a delightful couple from Los Angeles renovated — during the pandemic, no less — and first opened to guests this summer. It’s an absolute stunner, with views of rolling hills and distant castles, eight beautifully appointed guest rooms and common spaces, an infinity pool, and a Turkish-style spa, plus high-end extras like a private chef and customized tours. Not surprisingly, it’s pricey, but if you’ve got the funds (or maybe a rich friend who can foot the bill), I can’t think of a better place to soak up La Dolce Vita.
~Blane Bachelor, journalist with a travel-focused newsletter, The Bachelor (Note) Pad
NORMANDY: La Maison Plûme
I love Maison Plume in Normandy, a small former boarding house on the banks of the River Seine, a few steps away from Victor Hugo’s summer house, also where his daughter is said to have tragically drowned. Anyway, a lovely couple moved here from Paris and gave this little house a restful refresh with palettes of deep river blues and dusky pinks, that again, work wonders to resetting.
~Rooksana Hossenally, journalist and founder of What’s Up, Paris?
SALENTO, ITALY: Hotel Piccolo Mondo
'Piccolo Mondo' means "little world" in Italian, and this slice of heaven perched on a rocky cliff truly felt like one. They had everything you could want on-site: multiple restaurants where they served the freshest, simplest food, a pool, tennis court, and even a chapel for small weddings that seemed straight out of a Mamma Mia fantasy.
~Carly Shea, editorial assistant and social media manager at Yolo Journal (newsletter here; Carly’s adventuring can be found at @_carlyshea_)
PIEMONTE, ITALY: Villa in Monforte D’Alba
When I found Villa in Monforte D’Alba online, I thought I'd struck gold and couldn't wait to show my family the place I'd booked for our Piedmont adventure. However, upon arrival, the photos didn't even do the space justice. Three stories, surrounded by Nebbiolo vines and family farmers, perfect sunrise and sunset vistas, walkable to the main hamlet, this spot was one I considered rearranging our travel plans just so we could stay longer to enjoy it.
~Jillian Dara, journalist with a travel-focused newsletter, Jilux
MERIDA, MEXICO: a tiny but cool Airbnb for around $60 a night
Dan and I usually stick to Airbnbs when we travel together, both because they tend to be more affordable and give you a local vibe. On one of our first big trips together, we stayed in a very cool, very tiny Airbnb in Merida, Mexico for about $60 a night that I found browsing the site. It was close to a popular walking street and had a little plunge pool with a hammock strung across for easy lounging and dipping and starfruit trees were shading the backyard. We'd go explore the city, eat ice cream, come back to our magenta nest, drink beers, and eat salty snacks. Perfect.
~Natalie Compton, a reporter at The Washington Post with a personal travel newsletter showcasing BTS of her job and more
THE BAHAMAS: Shorebreak cottages
I selfishly don’t want to share this one because I don’t want it to get fully booked but Mark is the best host and I know he has some last-minute availability over Christmas/New Year’s. Shorebreak was constructed in a traditional Bahamian style, drawing inspiration from the wooden cottages on Harbour Island, and operates off the grid, utilizing solar power and a rainwater cistern. However, you wouldn’t necessarily know that, as it has creature comforts like AC in the bedrooms, Wi-Fi, and modern appliances. Eleuthera may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're seeking castaway vibes, this place is unquestionably worth the journey.
~Carly Shea
BOLINAS, CALIFORNIA: an Airbnb cliffside with ocean views
When I go to California these days, I want the big open skies and towering trees we don’t get in quite the same flavor in France. My friends and I rented a spectacular Airbnb in reclusive Bolinas to cook, hang out, hike, and spend time together for the weekend. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the bay, it’s just you, colorful flowers, and towering, fragrant eucalyptus trees that smell like a spa after the rain. A perfect hideaway with a hot tub just big enough for four.
~Elyssa Goldberg, founder of Drift Magazine and Ambrosia, plus Bokeh, a newletter focused on travel, life, reflections, and food
WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: The Swag
Last year I got to stay at The Swag, a magical property in Waynesville, North Carolina, and it was one of the first times I’ve gotten to linger in bed while on a work trip! Of course, the amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains and fabulous meals meant that I readily got out of bed for breakfast, but it was such a luxury to slip back into bed, prop up all the pillows, and sink into the plush comforter to read and do a crossword before my spa appointment.
~Layla Khoury-Hanold, journalist with a newsletter featuring life lessons and a play on words called Words with Layla
MALLORCA, SPAIN: a dreamy Airbnb
I stayed at an Airbnb on the island of Mallorca that makes my whole body relax just by thinking about it. All the floors were tiled with smooth stones, and everywhere you walked felt like a shiatsu massage. It was the dreamiest, calmest house I've ever been to — a village townhouse that had been redone by a lovely German woman named Nina, who dropped by with a jar of boozy figs one afternoon! Also, there were bicycles, and we spent every day biking through sheep fields in the off-season. What sweet bliss that was.
Tenaya Darlington, journalist and cheese educator with the cheese-filled newsletter Madame Fromage
AVIGNON, FRANCE: L'Hotel de L'Horloge
Super cute and affordable — and the staff was so kind and fabulous!
~Franca and Steve Gilbert run Sicily Connect in Sicily, and co-write a newsletter called The Revelate: Longing Purpose and Place
AND WHERE WE GO FOR THE BEST NIGHT’S SLEEP
TWO BEDS WORTH TRAVELING OVERSEAS FOR
There are two beds I will never forget. The first is a luscious number at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin. It had 500-thread count Egyptian cotton linens, heavenly bedding, a pillowy delight all around. It was so good, that I wrote a story about it years after I slept in it. The second was a low-to-the-ground, sexy, soft, giant bed at the HOSHINOYA Tokyo hotel. Unfortunately, both hotels are phenomenally expensive and I can't afford to stay there again anytime soon.
~Natalie Compton
THE DAGNY in Boston
I have to thank my king-sized bed at The Dagny, a fab new hotel in Boston’s Financial District, for some of the best sleep I’ve had in a while. It was Goldilocks perfect: not too hard, not too soft, just right, and I felt so restored every single day when I woke up, which is a rarity for me whether I’m traveling or at home.
~Blane Bachelor
KILLIEHUNTLY in Scotland
The most challenging decision I had to make at Killiehuntly—a refreshingly tartan-free property in Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorms National Park—was whether I wanted to set an alarm and wake up for an invigorating day of hiking Munros, exploring castles, and touring distilleries, or if I would be content to just melt into the dreamy, crisp Lithuanian linens on my bed for an extra few hours. I chose to sleep in. And I bought the sheets.
~Carly Shea
THE MAKER in Hudson, New York
The intimate 11-room property is housed in three historical buildings on Warren Street: an 1800s Carriage House, a Georgian mansion, and a Greek Revival Building. The rooms are all uniquely designed with vintage decor and custom furniture. Not only is their bed custom-designed by their co-founder, but they also have the softest sheets. Funny enough, they have an iPad next to each bed where you can take a peek at the history of the room, information on the bedding, and anything else you have questions about. The bedding is made by DownTown Company with the highest quality cotton and flax materials in Portugal in family-owned mills that are hundreds of years old.
~Arianna Sartzetakis, founder of Uncover More Uncover More, with an epic newsletter curating the best of what to eat, see, do, where to shop, and where to stay in New York.
THE PERFECT DUVETS AND PILLOWS
Park Hyatt Tokyo; St. Regis Mumbai; and Las Ventanas, Los Cabos. No fancy pillow concierge. Just weighted, cloud-soft duvets and pillows with the right supportiveness-to-head-imprint ratio. These are the beds I remember getting into and not wanting to get out of. I’m sure the extreme jet lag and deep body fatigue also helped.
~Elyssa Goldberg
ANY AND EVERY FOUR SEASONS
Any and every Four Seasons (Lisbon, Nevis, Hong Kong, etc.). Their beds are just the right balance of firm and marshmallow-y. You sink in and don’t ever want to get out. I’ve heard the workers at Four Seasons properties personally test out the beds, tubs, sofas, etc. to make sure they’re up to par. The price of staying at a Four Seasons is high, but in my opinion, always worth it for the ergonomics alone.
~Allison Ramirez, journalist with the travel-centric newsletter Eat Drink Sleep Repeat
HOTEL JUNE in West LA
This hotel is super convenient when you land late at night and just want to teleport to your bed. It’s close to the airport. The first time I stayed here I slept so well that I googled their pillows and ordered them for my bed at home. Of course, I have been back multiple times since and have treated it as a sort of staycation — sleeping in late, catching up on my favorite shows and extending check-out as long as possible until moving on to a friend’s house or the next hotel. Hotel June is cozy, comfy, clean, has inviting beds, and is perfect for catching up on sleep — and you won’t break the bank booking a room here.
~Allison Ramirez
AMSTERDAM: Eden Hotel
Eden Hotel in Amsterdam was comfortable. I mean, I slept there for a week in May and again for 3 nights in November. The pillows were perfect and the sheets/comforter was super comfortable in spring and winter!
~Stacey Sprenz, photographer and storyteller with a monthly newsletter
ZURICH: The Dolder Grand
Choosing the best hotel bed is tricky. I would say the one at The Dolder Grand in Zurich. It was huge, comfortable, and with a view of the snowy mountains, a sliver of ice-blue river crossing the town, with a crisp blue sky stretched out above.
~Rooksana Hossenally
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: The Pinch
This one is easy. The Pinch in Charleston had an incredibly firm yet cozy bed, with perfectly crisp white linens and a duvet. It was the kind of bed you want to enjoy all day but know you have to get out of since you only have a couple of days in Charleston. But the whole apartment-like room we had was a beautiful expression of artistic minimalism with the most wonderful touches.
~Ari Bendersky, journalist with a travel and wine-focused newsletter, Something Glorious with Ari Bendersky
NAPA: Stanly Ranch
There have been many worth noting, but this year, the one that stands out is the fluffy king bed at Stanly Ranch in Napa. When I travel from east to west, I'm usually jumping out of bed around 6 am. This bed, however, made it impossible. I was in full starfish mode until 8:45 am when I eventually had to unravel myself from the duvet and peel myself out of the fort of pillows I'd made to get ready for my day.
~Jillian Dara
MARRIOTT BEDS
My chef (also my cousin) and I road-tripped to a buffalo farm in Northern Italy two years ago, and on the way we randomly spent the night in a French hotel where the beds were incredible. My sleep experience was like floating in the center of a cumulus cloud — there was a pillowy comfort layer below and above. It was so fluff-positive. These beds were so comfortable we couldn't stop talking about them at breakfast, so my cousin asked the concierge where to buy one. Turns out, they were Marriott beds! My cousin bought one recently for his new condo, along with the Marriott bedding! And he still raves about it. I'm dying to house-sit for him so I can sleep on that bed once more.
~Tenaya Darlington
More BITCHEN soon….
xxJenn
I would like to stay in all of them 🥹