Travel 6 minutes 08 October 2025

37 New Key Hotels in the U.S. — Ecstatic Design and a Dolphin-Watching Retreat

A breakdown by style and vibe of the nearly three dozen new Key hotels just recognized by Inspectors in the United States.

On Oct. 8, 2025, Inspectors updated their annual Key hotel selections around the world. The Key celebrates the best of the best of The Guide's hotel selection — and this year, 37 new Key additions and upgrades come to the United States.

Discover the full selection of more than 300 Key hotels in the United States, here. Below, a breakdown of just the new additions: Inspectors' latest favorites across every region, style and vibe.

Browse by type:

The HIGHEST RATED

No new Three Keys join the United States selection, but three new Two-Key hotels make the list.


The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia: Set in a small Virginia town about an hour from D.C., onsite is the Three-Star restaurant of the same name, but the accommodations — by a London stage designer, spread between main building and a series of charming, history-tinged cottages — are their own transformative experience.

Warren Street Hotel, New York: Posh but playful, maximalist master Kit Kemp brought her Firmdale line to Tribeca in 2024. In 2025, Inspectors upgrade this painting come to life, distinguishing its blend of color and comfort, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing lower Manhattan and the Hudson River, to Two Keys.

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast CenterThere's a reason the Four Seasons has the reputation it does, and it's because of locations like this one. The top-level service you’d expect — from shoe shining to daily weather reports — in the heart of Philly. A location in the state’s tallest skyscraper provides panoramic city views from every room, including the window-clad infinity pool on the 57th floor. 

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville: As upscale as it is casual, the creative architecture reflects an acoustic guitar, apropos of the city's legendary music scene, with a seventh-floor outdoor terrace that doubles as sun-drenched infinity pool. The riverside setting is walking distance to Broadway, or guests can book a one-hour, in-suite performance from a local musician.


COUNTRYSIDE ESCAPES

New Key hotels for quick escapes outside the major cities.


Six Bells Countryside Inn, New York: One of three new One-Key hotels in the Hudson Valley, this newly opened, country-house fantasy is a wonderfully retro, maximalist-designed getaway and tavern a short drive from New York City.

The Francis House, California: A historic, French-style stone villa amid herb gardens and citrus trees in Napa Valley — where Baccarat chandeliers sway alongside custom blackout curtains. An eight-room boutique where breakfast is prepared by the owners themselves.

Belden House & Mews, Connecticut: Comprising a Queen Anne mansion and midcentury “Mews” building of notable modernist design, this three-acre estate is a stone’s throw from Connecticut’s largest natural lake. Victorian staircases and original fireplaces punctuate the chic, modern design, and the real gem is Belden Bathhouse with its robust wellness facilities. 

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah: A 3,500-acre private sanctuary outside Park City, where days consist of horseback rides and high-alpine hikes. Cliffside suites, creekside cabins and expansive Sky Lodge rooms are designed with natural materials around panoramic views.

The Amelia Hudson

In New York's Hudson Valley, Inness is a new One-Key hotel anchored by its 12-room farmhouse.

Inness, New York: A farmhouse-chic escape on 220 acres, complete with two saltwater pools, hiking trails and tennis court, that satisfies everyone from creatives to golfers, thoughtfully blending Scandinavian minimalism and rustic Americana across its 40 sunlit rooms.  

The Maker Hotel, New York: Eleven rooms — some featuring fireplaces, others private terraces — make up one of the country's most inspired hotel designs, mixing Art Deco and midcentury modern décor sourced from the town, Hudson, known for its great vintage and antique scene. On-site: restaurant, sultry cocktail lounge, library and, a pleasant surprise, a little outdoor swimming pool.

Pendry Natirar, New Jersey: Moroccan royalty once owned this 1912 Tudor-style mansion turned country escape about an hour outside New York City. On over 400 acres, the organic farm, sprawling spa, restaurant and cooking school make it completely unnecessary to venture off-site, though the nearby, charming towns are worth a look.


BEACH AND SEASIDE RETREATS

New Key hotels across splashy beaches and tranquil seasides.


Villa Mara Carmel, California: Just 16 rooms, a Mediterranean-inspired, adults-only haven on Carmel Point. Punctuated by lush gardens and fire pits, it's moments from the vibrant downtown and scenic beach trails, but nonetheless the place for romantic tranquility and personalized service, homemade breakfasts and cozy nights at the cocktail bar.

The Moore, Florida: The unique touch of architect Zaha Hadid is what first catches the eye at this Art Deco marvel in Miami's Design District. Artists and creatives find inspiration under the soaring atrium, in the exclusive workspace or in spacious suites — some with their own living rooms.

Palm House, Florida: A recently revitalized boutique in the heart of Palm Beach, steps from Worth Avenue’s exquisite dining and shopping scene. The coral-clad building’s interior, all mirrored wall panels and mod table lamps, complement marble bathrooms, soaking tubs and the stylish, temperature-controlled pool.

The Amelia Hudson

Regent Santa Monica Beach: a superlative luxury option on the California coast.

Regent Santa Monica Beach, California: Ultraluxury beachfront living meets exclusive experiences at this Santa Monica gem featuring the area's only Guerlain Wellness Spa, surf lessons and beach butler service. Weekly sommelier-led wine series and deep ties to California's coastal culture differentiate Regent from typical resort glitz. 

Orli La Jolla, California: A unique homestay-meets-hotel concept in a restored 1910s historic landmark that marries modernism with old-school charm. Here, independent travelers enjoy self-service, bespoke room designs and a lush courtyard. Expect access to complimentary beach cruisers just steps from the Pacific. 

The Dunlin, South Carolina: On South Carolina's Johns Island, a One-Key retreat for dolphin sightings and slow hikes through the Lowcountry terrain.

The Norumbega Inn, Maine: Maine's coastal mountains converge with the sea behind this striking stone "castle" featuring 19th-century architecture, intricate woodwork, and 11 luxurious rooms with spectacular ocean views and fireplaces.  


BIG CITY STAYS ON THE COASTS

Glamorous staycations and characterful boutiques.


The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, New York: A discreet Upper East Side sanctuary featuring four signature suites with crown moldings and bespoke details inspired by Central Park's bridges, plus priority access to hard-to-get restaurant reservations. 

The Twenty Two New York, New York: There’s nothing more New York than staying in a swanky Union Square brownstone — especially one formerly owned by a Vanderbilt. This boutique hotel and exclusive members club is chic as they come, with 78 plush rooms and suites, a stylish Levantine restaurant and an address that provides direct access to everything.

Anna and Bel, Pennsylvania: A 50-room boutique remade from a former asylum is as charismatic as its Fishtown address, encompassing an 18th-century redbrick mansion with minimalist interiors and Mediterranean flair. An urban oasis with heated courtyard pool and infrared sauna to go with access to Philly’s hippest food and art scenes.

The Amelia Hudson

The Twenty Two New York, a recently opened members' club and boutique hotel in the center of Manhattan.

Populus Seattle, Washington: Part a brand that boldly strives for a carbon-positive mission of sustainability — this eco-conscious hotel plants a tree for every overnight stay — the Seattle outpost of Populus pops for bold, Northwest-style interiors, its popular restaurant, and the chic rooftop bar. Find it in a 1907 warehouse in Pioneer Square.

1 Hotel Seattle, Washington: As expected from the 1 Hotel brand, the eco-focused luxury hotel is adorned with live plants and green amenities: filtered water taps, fresh produce at the lobby farmstand, and a state-of-the-art gym, with trainers. Rooms are equal parts cozy and contemporary, with a restaurant featuring dishes both creative and organic.

The LaFayette Hotel and Club, California: An iconic San Diego institution decked in retro glamour — think boudoir-inspired rooms with velvet, tassels and curated cocktail kits. Plus, a dazzling history with Golden Age Hollywood legends. Expect an Olympic-sized pool, bowling alley and eight bars and restaurants.

Le Petit Pali Brentwood, California: A stylishly redesigned historic motor lodge that provides the rare chance to live like you belong in residential Los Angeles, typically off-limits to hotels. Four bungalow-style buildings feature lush patios with fountains, cheerful retro-chic décor and complimentary breakfast baskets for a true SoCal feeling.


DESIGN GEMS IN THE SOUTH AND MIDWEST

Standout hotels in big and small cities in corner of the country.


Hotel Henrietta, Louisiana: A stay in New Orleans’ Garden District should feel historic and elegant, and this Belle Époque–Art Deco masterpiece pulls it off. Details include a marble reception, inverted parquet ceilings and a café that transitions to a cocktail lounge. 

The Manchester Hotel, Kentucky: In Lexington's historic Distillery District, a bold homage to Kentucky's bourbon and equestrian legacy. The 125-room hotel showcases arched brick interiors, stained wood and leather accents, a lively restaurant and rooftop tiki bar, all within a ten-minute walk of the city’s famed sites.

Populus, Colorado: The goal is to "bring nature back," and the means are a striking facade of undulating windows and biophilic interiors covered in live plants and recycled materials. Expect luminous guest rooms, hammock-style window alcoves and panoramic rooftop dining with live-fire cooking.

The Amelia Hudson

86 Cannon Charleston, a 10-room boutique transformed from a historic 19th-century mansion.

86 Cannon Charleston, South Carolina: A tasteful, perfectly executed transformation of a renovated 1860s mansion into a luxury boutique. This 10-room boutique in Charleston features original heart pine floors, curated local art and lavish marble bathrooms. Garden courtyards, a saltwater pool and thoughtful touches like complimentary wine and cheese afternoons reflect its Southern charm.

Forth Hotel Atlanta, Georgia: An eclectic boutique that marries romance with opulence: park views from many rooms, and bold patterns that clash exquisitely with minimalist design. Dining venues include a rooftop lounge and modern Italian steakhouse, plus a private members' club that makes it all feel like a hip social hub.

Hotel Saint Augustine, Texas: In Houston’s Montrose district, a design-forward boutique property spread across five lushly landscaped, residential-style buildings. Walnut and bold red accents sweep 71 rooms and suites — some with private porches — just steps from the Menil Collection and Museum District.

The Hotel Chalet, Tennessee: Chattanooga's historic Terminal Station is now one of the most unique boutiques in the country. Pullman carriages have been renovated into guest rooms, while cocktails are served from a refurbished caboose window. Outside, a romantic courtyard and pool await, and nearby are all the options of the Station Street entertainment district.

Fidelity Hotel Cleveland, Ohio: American nostalgia and tactile design define this downtown hot spot, where sculptural lighting, deep hues and Bellino linens invite guests to linger and socialize. It's the details — like pour-over coffee, clawfoot tubs and the classy restaurant and lounge — that give it the feel of an exclusive urban retreat.


Hero Image:  Countryside maximalism at the new One-Key hotel, Six Bells Countryside Inn in Rosendale, New York.

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