In hospitality, timing is everything. There has been an undeniable hotel boom over the last two years, mostly of pandemic-delayed projects that finally came to fruition. This fall, however, it feels like things are slowing down—in a good way. The openings that we’re most excited about these days feel less like catch up and more like highly specific, precious moments: the Pacific Northwest’s first Ritz-Carlton, an Old Hollywood icon reborn, and a monumental New York City opening. Each feels special in its own way, and exactly like the kind of place we want to lay our heads this season. Here, the most exciting fall hotel openings of 2023.
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The Fifth Avenue Hotel—New York City
Where it’s located: The Fifth Avenue Hotel, as its name promises, lives on a prime block of Fifth Avenue central to everything Manhattan has to offer—in a historic McKim, Mead & White building.
Why we’re excited: “Bohemian romanticism, the glamour of the gilded age, and contemporary intrigue,” is how the acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio describes its work at this new property; and the finished product does not disappoint. It’s colorful, nostalgic while feeling fresh, and cool without trying too hard. A select number of rooms even have terraces. And don’t sleep on the suites here—the penthouse Baudelaire Suite faces the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park, and the Flâneur Suite has a wraparound terrace complete with soaking tub. Catch all of the city’s coolest kids at the in-house signature restaurant Café Carmellini this fall, pouting over a dirty martini and red snapper carpaccio. So, midtown finally has the gorgeous, whimsical, independently-owned hotel this city deserves. From $895 per night.
Hemlock Neversink—Catskills, New York
Where it’s located: Sleepy Neversink sits in a quiet corner of Sullivan County, tucked away from the busier, flashier parts of upstate.
Why we’re excited: The Catskills and Hudson Valley hotel boom of the last ten years has yielded a lot of new properties, some of which feel like extensions of New York City’s hectic energy, and others which feel like true retreats. This Catskills hideaway falls firmly into the latter category. The rooms’ earth tones and Quaker-inflected design allow the property’s gorgeous surrounds to take center stage, with plenty of luxe touches to make your stay comfortable, like Bellino Fine Linens, Matouk bathrobes, and all-natural Oneka bath amenities. The hotel sits on a 230-acre campus criss-crossed with streams and hiking trails, and is even designed with “dark sky approved lighting” so as not to interrupt your stargazing. There’s a spa, as well as restaurant Bittersweet offering locally sourced, vegetable-forward dishes. Once you step foot on the property, you’ll have no reason to leave. From $399 per night.
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe—California
Where it’s located: Rolling hills, citrus groves, horse farms; this is San Diego’s “North County” area at its best, with both beach and desert nearby.
Why we’re excited: It’s cliché to say something is “Old Hollywood reborn”—but this one really is. This property has over a century of history (think Bing Crosby, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin), and this fall debuts a gut renovation at the hands of Steve Hermann, a well-known architect of homes in Los Angeles and luxe hotels in Palm Springs. Each of the cottages and bungalows are uniquely designed, with gorgeous touches like marble bathroom sinks, historic aged-oak chevron flooring, Le Labo bath amenities, and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces from around the world. It’s an Old Hollywood hangout that we could totally imagine New Hollywood enjoying, too. From $785 per night.
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The Jay San Francisco, Autograph Collection—California
Where it’s located: On the corner of Battery and Clay Streets; centrally located in Jackson Square, walking distance to Chinatown, the Ferry Building, and the Embarcadero Center (via a pedestrian bridge).
Why we’re excited: It might be San Francisco’s only major hotel opening of 2023, but it’s a good one. The interiors, envisioned by design firm AvroKO, are a just-right expression of California cool: a sexy, sophisticated atmosphere that seamlessly integrates both natural and modern touches. The hotel’s main restaurant, The Third Floor, comes courtesy of Omakase Restaurant Group—the team behind Omakase, Okane, and Niku Steakhouse. And upstairs in the guest rooms, light-hued woods and neutral color palettes offer room to breathe that feels a world away from the busy streets just outside your door. From $429 per night.
Colima 71—Mexico City
Where it’s located: This newcomer in Colonia Roma is a perennially cool arts and culinary hub on Colima Street, walking distance to all the neighborhood’s best spots.
Why we’re excited: If you’re looking for a design-forward boutique hotel in a happening part of CDMX, look no further. Colima 71 is the brainchild of acclaimed Mexican architect Alberto Kalach, and each of the sixteen “studios” here feel intimate and exclusive. This is an especially good hotel for people looking to explore Mexico City through food and beverage. Breakfast comes delivered straight to your door, with coffee from the hotel’s in-house baristas and fresh pastries from the famous Panadería Rosetta. At night, there’s an option for a turndown service complete with house cocktail or a small mezcal flight. The minibar comes stocked with local kombucha and chocolates, and there’s even a Street Food Concierge to help you unlock the best eats that Colonia Roma has to offer. From $400 per night.
The Ritz-Carlton, Portland—Oregon
Where it’s located: Location, location, location. Ritz-Carlton’s Pacific Northwest debut stands in the heart of downtown Portland, rising 35-stories over the skyline to offer spectacular views of the Cascade Mountain Range and the Willamette River.
Why we’re excited: It’s an interesting time to be in downtown Portland, which is certainly not immune from many of the issues currently prevalent throughout the urban West Coast. But some would say this particular downtown is undergoing a sort of renaissance; the nearby Pearl District has a slew of new restaurants, bars, and shops on the horizon, and just beside the hotel a new park called Darcelle XV Plaza—in remembrance of Darcelle XV, an iconic drag performer who was a major presence in the city’s LGBTQ+ community—will open in 2024.
Portland has long had a robust boutique and mid-market hotel offering, so the debut of a true luxury brand feels like something to celebrate. Food and beverage is a highlight here, with a new lobby bar called Meadowrue bringing a “flora-forward space” inspired by ancient forests and lush landscapes outside the concrete expanse of Portland’s downtown, as well as a new signature fine dining restaurant Bellpine on the 20th floor. Yes, it’s a Ritz-Carlton, but there are tons of local touches to give this new build a sense of place. For instance, the hotel partnered with Pacific Northwest fragrance brand Antica Farmacista on a signature scent which permeates the premises: inspired by crisp alpine forests and the softness of roses, it's aptly named “Rose City.” From $575 per night.