Forget the usual travel suspects. Across the country, small towns are quietly emerging as design destinations in their own right. From a riverside camp retreat tucked among redwoods to a Vermont hideaway crafted by hospitality royalty, these chic stays prove that style and soul thrive well beyond the spotlight. Read on to discover the small-town hotels redefining what it means to go off the beaten path.
Hotel Willa (Taos, New Mexico)
Long beloved for its adobe architecture, artistic legacy, and unmistakable Southwestern spirit, Taos has always drawn creatives. Hotel Willa—a 50-key boutique newcomer—channels that heritage with a palette of terracotta, camel, and peachy corals layered through vintage décor and retro-inspired motifs. The result is a stylish desert pad made for slowing down, connecting more deeply with culture, and experiencing the kind of small-town magic you simply can’t replicate in a big city.
Location: Taos, New Mexico // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $225 // Room Count: 50 // Website
San Luis Creek Lodge (San Luis Obispo, California)
Quaint and effortlessly Central California, San Luis Obispo has a laidback charm that’s hard to beat. In the heart of downtown, San Luis Creek Lodge blends farmhouse warmth with elevated touches—think California-inspired interiors, plush Italian linens, and luxurious Aesop amenities. Guests can spend their days wandering art-filled streets and indie boutiques, then venture out to nearby Pismo Beach, coastal trails, or the emerging wine scene in Paso Robles.
Location: San Luis Obispo, California // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $280 // Room Count: 25 // Website
Inn at Warner Hall (Gloucester, Virginia)
Built in 1642 by President George Washington’s great-great-grandfather, The Inn at Warner Hall is a living piece of American history nestled within Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Guests can wander among 38 acres of waterfront land, enjoy afternoon tea in the sunlit parlor, or kayak the river where Revolutionary battles once unfolded. Equal parts stately and serene, this storied estate pairs Southern hospitality with old-world grandeur—reminding travelers that sometimes, the past makes the most memorable stay.
Location: Gloucester, Virginia // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $265 // Room Count: 11 // Website
The River Electric (Guerneville, California)
Set on 12 redwood-shaded acres in Sonoma County, The River Electric reinvents camping with style. The new glamping resort and swim club from Shelter Co. pairs 40 furnished tents with eco-conscious design, a European-inspired pool club, and locally crafted wines by Ruth Lewandowski. By day, guests lounge poolside under the pines; by night, they gather for pop-up dinners or s’mores by the firepit. It’s California cool with a nostalgic twist—where summer camp meets Riviera chic.
Location: Guerneville, California // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $275 // Room Count: 40 // Website
Stockton Inn (Stockton, New Jersey)
Dating to 1710 and once a haunt for F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jackie Kennedy, the Stockton Inn blends centuries-old character with quiet luxury. Nine rooms mix stone walls, antique woodwork, and fine art, while dining at Finch and Dog & Deer Tavern celebrates Italian comfort and East Coast indulgence. Between waterfall gardens and fireside lounges, this is a storybook stay where history lingers in every corner—and the martinis are very much of the moment.
Location: Stockton, New Jersey // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $466 // Room Count: 9 // Website
The Weston (Weston, Vermont)
Hidden in Vermont’s Green Mountains, The Weston feels like stepping into a pastoral dream. From the Sharp family (of Carlyle and Gramercy Park fame), this countryside escape exudes English-manor elegance—think William Morris wallpaper, fireplaces in every suite, and hand-carved four-poster beds. Its regenerative farm supplies The Left Bank, a French bistro where dinner pairs with rare wines and soft candlelight. Bucolic, beautiful, and blissfully removed from it all.
Location: Weston, Vermont // 4 Stars // Starting Nightly Rate: $450 // Room Count: 9 // Website
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