It’s been a tough and uncertain year, to say the least. That was especially true for travel, with international trips having to be postponed or canceled, many hotels closing their doors, and airlines furloughing staff. But now, on the precipice of a new year, with two promising vaccines and the prospect of traveling finally on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking big and dreaming even bigger about the future.
Hopefully, that future will soon involve staying in beautiful hotels of the extraordinary and awe-inspiring variety. While the hotel industry took a massive hit this year due to COVID-19, that isn’t stopping big chains or boutiques from planning new openings for 2021.
The Aman New York will be opening its Gilded Age doors in New York City’s illustrious Crown Building this spring, complete with a garden terrace overlooking Central Park. Meanwhile, more intrepid travelers can soon spend a week at Canyon Madness Ranch, an all-inclusive adventure lodge that sits on a cliff overlooking 14,000 acres of canyons in the middle of Northeast, New Mexico. For some bonafide laid back luxury, consider sipping on handcrafted cocktails in a secluded Mediterranean style garden like the one at Palihouse Santa Barbara starting in April. Of course, lounging in a cozy robe after an arduous day of wine tasting and vineyard yoga in Sonoma’s newly opened Montage Healdsburg is another worthy option.
With so many amenities available to travelers at each of these hotels, it’s entirely possible to suggest that hotels will now serve as a destination in their own right next year. We certainly wouldn’t blame you for never wanting to step foot off these stunning properties. And it’s wise to start planning early. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is still no guarantee of safety when it comes to travel currently. Until the vaccine has been widely rolled out and we have more information on how that’s affecting the spread of COVID-19, it’s vital to continue to follow CDC guidelines, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently, and wear masks in public areas.
With that said, we can also begin to look forward to a hopeful return to normalcy in the near future. From a beach resort in Encinitas, California to a resplendent lakeside inn in North Carolina, these bucket list-worthy hotels at a range of price points have just opened their doors in the last few weeks, or will soon be welcoming guests in the new year.
Here are 18 of the best new US hotels to book for 2021, sorted by price from low to high.
Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences – Singer Island, Florida
Book Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences starting at $525 per night
Spanning seven beachfront acres along Palm Beach’s Singer Island, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences is already one of the most talked about wellness resorts to open in the new year. Spread across the property’s two towers – aptly named Peace and Happiness – the hotel will offer 155 rooms and residences in all.
The concept here fuses eastern wellbeing philosophies with western technology and every guest will be invited to work with a personal wellness coach. With more than 100,000 square feet of wellness amenities on offer, it’s myriad options include a Hydrothermal water therapy circuit, a plant-centric restaurant, float tanks, sound and light therapies, acupuncture, an array of fitness classes, and yoga programs.
In addition to the wellness offerings, a nightly Satsang gathering that allows residents and guests to form a community and discuss their daily (and long term) wellness journeys is another uniquely Amrit experience.
Opening Date: The hotel is now accepting reservations for stays starting April 1, 2021.
COVID-19 protocols: Protocols will be established closer to opening depending on state and local guidelines and with optimum health and safety of guests and employees in mind.