A Dozen Hip Hotels Fit for a Seasonal Getaway

By The Inside Source
December 3, 2009

This time of year is the loveliest in many cities around the country. Twinkly lights fill the trees, the air is ripe with cheer, and there are loads of special events to keep your itinerary full. Whether you're making a pre-holiday getaway, spending Christmas away, doing it up with an out-of-town New Years extravaganza, the time is always right to check in to a hotel for a weekend, explore a new city, and maybe even reward yourself with a spa treatment or room service.

To help with your planning, we've identified a dozen hip hotels in some of our favorite cities around the country. Once you've made a reservation, click here to read our accompanying articles on street style and things to do during the holiday season in many of these cities—with more to come over the next few weeks. After all, you may not be a local, but it never hurts to look and act like one.

Chicago, The James: It’s a supremely stylish and environmentally responsible property. It's also well priced, with a destination bar (J Bar) and a David Burke steakhouse. (55 East Ontario, 312-337-1000 www.jameshotels.com)

Philadelphia, The Four Seasons: Centrally located on Logan Square, it’s a lovely property, with what locals say is the best spa in the city. (One Logan Square, 215-963-1500 www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia)

Atlanta, The Ellis Hotel: Atlanta’s newest boutique property features Terrace on Peachtree, a restaurant that celebrates American heirloom recipes using organic and local producers. The hotel is also within walking distance to shopping, the Coca Cola Museum, and CNN. (176 Peachtree Street, NW, 404-523-5155 www.ellishotel.com)

Washington DC, Park Hyatt: Sexy rooms plus foodie favorite the Blue Duck Tavern (try the hanger steak) make this the place to stay at when you’re in the capital. (24 & M Streets, 202-789-1234 www.parkwashington.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels)

Miami, The Standard Hotel Miami: The only problem with this minimal and chic hotel is that its pool and spa are so alluring, it is challenge to actually leave the premises. (40 Island Avenue, 305-673-1717 www.standardhotels.com/miami)

Dallas: The Stoneleigh: This classic luxury landmark has just received a $36 million renovation. It’s also in the middle of everything you’d want to do in the city, from the museums to the shops and restaurants. (2927 Maple Avenue, 214-871-7111 www.stoneleighhotel.com)

Houston, Hotel Granduca: Situated in the Uptown/Galleria area (the town's shopping headquarters), this boutique property, its beautiful outdoor pool and old-world Italian touches, is completely transporting. (1080 Uptown Park Boulevard, 713-418-1000 www.granducahouston.com)

Phoenix, The Clarendon Hotel: The desert in December sounds pretty great, and so do the rooftop bar and oasis pool at this boutique property. (401 West Clarendon Avenue, 602-252-7363, www.theclarendon.net)

San Francisco, Hotel Vitale: Across the street from the San Francisco Ferry Building (possibly the best indoor food market and perfect for picking up treats for the foodies in your life), this light-filled eco-hotel is super cool, from its bar scene to its elevators, which feature artist Andy Goldsworthy on the monitors. (8 Mission Street, 415-278-4700 www.hotelvitale.com)

San Jose, Hotel Montgomery: Constructed in 1911, and rebirthed in 2004, this historical gem (in eBay's hometown!) has had just the right amount of modern infused into it. (211 South First Street, 408-282-8800 www.hotelmontgomerysj.com)

Orange County, The Shorebreak Hotel: Located in Huntington Beach, the original Surf City USA, the modern boutique property has breathtaking views of the Pacific, and it’s right in the middle of great shopping and restaurants. (500 Pacific Coast Highway, 714-861-4470 www.shorebreakhotel.com)

Los Angeles, Sunset Tower: It might not be in the middle of a shopping district, but it is in the middle of all of the action. With a bar scene and restaurant that everyone else is driving to get to, you’ll just have to ride the elevator downstairs. (8258 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, 323-654-7100)

New York City, Crosby Street Hotel: This hot-spot just opened this October, and already, it’s the place that everyone is talking about. It’s also right smack in the middle of SoHo, which helps if you want to drop off your bags in between shopping jaunts. (79 Crosby Street, 212-226-6400, www.firmdale.com)

**All photos provided by featured hotels.**

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