7 Seriously Stellar Hotels in Small Towns

When it comes to travel, it’s easy to overlook small towns and domestic jaunts in lieu of international bucket list-worthy spots. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was only interested in flying to far corners of the world and doing things like motorbiking through the Philippines or going on African safari.

It wasn’t until I road tripped with my dog in 2021 that I finally started exploring the USA. Since then, I have made it a priority to visit at least one new state each year, and I often skip the big cities for small towns to get to that real Americana charm. Aside from having more of a local feel, there are many wonderful hotels in small towns that are worth traveling for, whether for their remoteness, their luxurious amenities, or simply their hospitable staff. If you’re looking to mix up your travel routine, check out one of these seven seriously stellar hotels in small-town USA.

Some friends of mine were going on a ski trip in Idaho, and they asked if I wanted to join at the last minute. I am not a skier by any means, but I am a “why not” type of gal, so, with only a week’s notice, I booked a flight to Sun Valley. While you won’t see me on the Olympic slopes anytime soon, you do have a chance at seeing me at Limelight Ketchum again.

The spacious rooms, the convenient and central location, and the pizza that I think about daily from their onsite restaurant, The Lounge, are some of the many reasons Limelight Ketchum lives in my head rent-free. In the winter, they helped me arrange all of my skiing needs, from gear to transportation to hitting the slopes on Dollar Mountain (home to the world’s very first chairlift). In the spring and summer, the hotel is just as helpful in assisting guests with their outdoor needs. They offer dark-sky reserve stargazing, which can be done right on their Limelight patio, free bike rentals you can use to visit to Sawtooth Botanical Gardens, and guided wildflower hikes. End the day with a soak in their outdoor hot tub and by reserving complimentary use of Therabody products.

As an adventure junkie who is getting older, I’ve realized the only way I can keep up my chaotic lifestyle is if I begin to incorporate wellness. But wellness doesn’t have to mean green juice-only diets and 6am sunrise yoga. At Mirbeau Inn & Spa Skaneateles, it means sipping a glass of Prosecco, eating a charcuterie board by an outdoor hot tub (or in one), and reading a good book in their relaxation room.

The spa is definitely the main draw at Mirbeau Inn & Spa Skaneateles, but the rooms are not to be overlooked. Request one on the first floor to have access to their outdoor patio that sits next to a small pond, where you’ll see plenty of koi fish and lily pads. The onsite restaurant, The Bistro & Wine Bar, makes a great harissa tofu with panisse. If you simply want to pop by for a quick bite while enjoying their spa, you can, and should, dine in your robe.

Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, Jenner is a town with less than 200 people that gives the phrase “small town” a whole new meaning. Though small in size, Jenner is home to Timber Cove Resort, a rustic property with a sharp Frank Lloyd Wright inspired A-Frame design. Perched on a cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Timber Cove Resort is home to 46 rooms with ocean and forest views, private balconies, and in-room record players.

Head outside to their “living room” with a firepit, and take advantage of their telescopes for ample stargazing opportunities. Timber Cove Resort’s location is just as prime as the resort itself. Located less than two hours driving from San Francisco, and about 60 miles from Napa, here, you can get a taste of wine country without the crowds. Plus, with Jenner being on the coast, you can have the best of both worlds with pristine beaches right in town, and Stillwater Cove Regional Park, which has trails through redwoods, only a 30-minute drive away.

New Orleans is undoubtedly one of the coolest cities in the US, but if you want something a little quieter, head just across Lake Pontchartrain and stay at The Southern Hotel. This upscale boutique hotel, which opened in 1907, hits all of the marks. It’s historic and luxurious sans pretension, and marries contemporary design with an old-timey feel. The Southern Hotel is ideal for families and couples; their spacious suites are large enough for families to enjoy together without feeling cramped. It doesn’t hurt that some of their rooms are equipped with features like a garden tub and record players.

For a room with a theme, head to The Garden House and book the Postmaster Suite, set in a room that actually was once an old Postmaster’s office. The suite is decorated with custom water lily wallpaper, and has amenities like a Keurig, a TV, and a walk-in shower. New Orleans is known for its stellar food scene, but you can get that sweet, southern cooking right on property at The Gloriette. For a local bite, go for the Louisiana crawfish cavatelli, the poached Gulf shrimp, the pan-seared local fish, or cornmeal fried oyster mushrooms.

Rated one of the top resorts in New England by the Michelin Guide, Canyon Ranch Lenox proves that small towns can compete with the best of them when it comes to luxurious getaways. Having earned two Michelin Keys, Canyon Ranch Lenox is for those who like luxe accommodation and have a refined palate. The resort just unveiled High Lawn, a partnership with the James Beard Foundation to host celebrated chefs for intimate moonlit dinners while overlooking the Berkshires. Some of the chefs featured will be Chef Sean Brock from Nashville and Chef Charlie Mitchell of two Michelin-star Saga in New York.

To balance it out, take advantage of Canyon Ranch Lenox’s extensive wellness experiences. Cleanse your mind and soul with labyrinth glow, yoga and fire rituals, summer sound healing experiences, aerial yoga in the forest, luxury tents for private tea and tarot readings, and private rain barrel showers in the forest.

In September 2022, The Lincoln Hotel opened its doors in Biddeford, Maine. This boutique hotel has 33 rooms, featuring fireplaces, exposed bricks, and high ceilings. An echo of Maine’s once-booming textile industry, the hotel is located in a reimagined mill building.

History and charming rooms aside, you’ll want to make a visit to The Lobby Bar, where you can sip craft cocktails in an atmosphere that exemplifies the nightclubs of the 1940s and ‘50s. Sweat it all out with classes at their state-of-the-art fitness center and spin studio, or more ideally, at the only rooftop pool in Southern Maine with 360-degree views of Biddeford. In 2022, Food & Wine singled out Biddeford as an up-and-coming foodie destination, and the proof is in the pudding at spots like Catface Cafe, Palace Diner, Fish & Whistle, and Magnus on Water.

If you’re looking for the ultimate thrill destination in the US, head to Arkansas and book a stay at Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown. This trendy hotel is the ultimate launchpad for exploring this seriously underrated foodie haunt and adrenaline-seekers paradise. Dubbed the mountain biking capital of the world, there are nearly 70 miles of trails in town, and along the way, you’ll see plenty of public art. In honor of the city’s vibrant art scene, the Motto also has a curated collection throughout.

The hotel is home to two restaurants from the Indigo Road Hospitality Group: Junto Sushi and Bar Kapu. And while sushi might seem like an unexpected choice, Junto Sushi is quickly climbing in the ranks as one of the best places to grab sushi in the state from locals and critics alike. To understand why, snag a spot via OpenTable—and don’t skip the toro caviar service and A5 Wagyu Sando.