Week 26: What I Need Wrote & Ate
"Where to lay your head" The Best Hotels U.S. a Running List
A weekly recap highlighting a few things from the days prior: something I “need,” something I wrote, and something I ate. A little something to ease you into the upcoming week.
Missed last week? catch up Here.
Happy 4th of July, everyone.
I’ve been on the road a lot this week—I need a nap and like many of you, ate hot dogs and hamburgers all week. With that out of the way, I figured we’d focus on wrote:
Wrote: Best Hotels U.S.
I prefer to not spend money on hotels. Given the destination some of these will set you back, but I subscribe to the notion that it’s just a place to lay your head at night.
I like a five-star hotel complete with a spa and all the fixings as much as the next guy. But that list has been made ten times over—go read Condé Nast Traveler or just book an Aman or Belmond. This list is Different
When I look for a hotel, I look for three things:
History or charm
A good lobby bar
In town or walking distance to it
It’s the B&Bs, the hard-to-finds, the tiny rooms with brass hardware. Institutions that have been around for 200 years or a boutique founded by a bakery in Santa Monica. The kind of place where they hand you a real key, not a plastic card. These are places I like to stay.
Gjelina Hotel – Venice Beach, CA
If you live in LA, you know the name from their incredible bakery. If you're in New York, you may know them for their restaurant on Bond Street. What you might not know is they have a stunning hotel concept just a block from the beach in Santa Monica. The rooms are small, but every single inch is intentional.
Woodstock Inn – Woodstock, VT
Woodstock, Vermont effectively owes its entire existence to John D. Rockefeller’s godson, Laurance. There’s a great book that tells the whole story. Pick up the book and spend a winter weekend here.
Mayflower Inn – Washington, CT
A spot I haven’t been to yet, but it gives off similar vibes to Woodstock. To be fair, it’s an Auberge Resort, so not exactly a hidden gem or bargain stay, but it embodies everything I love in a New England hotel.
The American Hotel – Sag Harbor, NY
Dating back to 1846, this hotel still feels like the Sag Harbor of old. It’s family-run the rooms are quirky, the and if the front desk has a cigar case, which are welcomed on the porch.
Pro tip: ask for the room on the top floor —it’s affordable has two stories, with views of the harbor and a massive bathtub. Not much of a bath guy, but I felt inclined to indulge after a cigar and a few Old Fashioneds—felt like Churchill.
Crow’s Nest – Montauk, NY
Most know Crow’s Nest for the scene, but few have actually stayed there. It’s self check-in. You're a stone’s throw from the restaurant. They’ve got bikes for a quick ride to the beach, a dip, then coffee and a smoothie at Ditch Witch. What more do you need?
Cuttyhunk Fishing Club – Cuttyhunk Island, MA
I’m hoping to stay here in August. There’s no website—just a Facebook page and an email. It’s more fishing club than hotel. Leave your phone at home, bring a bean bag full of books, and lose yourself for a week. That’s the plan.
Hotel Peter & Paul – New Orleans, LA
Hotelier Ari Heckman has perfected the boutique hotel in cities like Baltimore, New Orleans, and soon, Richmond. They all look great, but Peter & Paul stands out.
The Gasparilla Inn – Boca Grande, FL
I’ve written a full recap of the Gasparilla—[find it here].
Zero George – Charleston, SC
I used to live in Charleston, so I haven’t stayed in many hotels there. But this is where I’d send someone who asked. Down by the Battery. Great cocktails on the porch. Fantastic restaurant on the ground floor.
The Cottages – Nantucket, MA
Another place I’ve yet to stay —never been able to get a room. But since it’s basically on the water, it’s high on the list.
The Sagamore – Lake George, NY
The Sagamore is worth including. It’s owned by Opal, a group I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with. They tend to take really great places, pour PE money into them, and spit out a sort of whitewashed, new-old New England-feeling hotel. That said—the property is hard to pass up.
Troutbeck – Amenia, NY
I dated a girl who, after two weeks, booked a room here. It was a bit quick—even for me. She was kind, but we wanted different things and parted ways shortly after. That said, I wish I went on that trip.
What did I miss? The list is ever-growing. Circle back for updates—and keep an eye out for the European edition.
Cheers,