Hotels, Reimagined

What do a general store, disco ball factory, and all-girls Catholic school have in common? They are just a few of the repurposed spaces that now feature the South’s newest hotels.

The Flat Iron Hotel

Ashville, North Carolina

The Flat Iron Hotel from Indigo Road Hospitality sits at the heart of downtown Asheville, with a number of bucket-list destinations within walking distance. However, with exceptional Italian-Appalachian restaurant Luminosa on-site, plus a rooftop bar with an unparalleled view of the city and an under-ground speakeasy, it may be difficult to leave the property. The original building, completed in 1926, was one of Asheville’s first skyscrapers, and the renovation pre served original Beaux Arts and Art Deco details including transom windows and classic prewar bathrooms, along with the Flat Iron Folks historical preservation exhibit throughout the property. Each of the 71 rooms and suites, including bunk options, offers an in-room steamer, organic bath products, and Bellino robes and slippers. ashevilleflatiron.com

Don’t miss: The hotel has been working on renovations on the building’s original elevators, adding a historical element of
whimsy to your stay.

Moxy Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina

Directly across from the South Carolina State Capitol, the Moxy opened at the end of 2024 after an extensive renovation that combined two historic buildings originally built in 1907 and the 11-story, 128-room hotel has created its own vibe, however, with industrial chic design and a quirky lobby with a full bar that starts the morning with espresso drinks and ends the day with cocktails. On-site Loco Taco serves Mexican food out of a turquoise VW bus. Guests and locals have access to common areas with games such as shuffleboard, foosball, and Skee-Ball. Rooms are cozy, with wall pegs that act as closets. And subway-tiled bathrooms, accent brick walls, and edgy art give a modern-retro feel— and you should definitely book a room with a city view. marriot.com

Don’t miss: The One Moxy Rooftop Bar offers sophisticated cocktails along with a stunning view of the State Capitol grounds and the city beyond.

Myriad Hotel

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville was the nation’s hub for disco ball manufacturing back in the ’70s, and this 65-room boutique hotel is housed in a former disco ball factory and telephone company. Part of the Common Bond Hotel Collection, Myriad offers single, double, and king rooms with accessibility options as well as six- and 10-person bunk suites. Guests can enjoy pops of blue and orange in their cozy and eclectic rooms, then go for a swim and swing by the Pool Bar for craft cocktails. Dining options include Paseo, the hotel’s Mediterranean-style restaurant featuring dishes like octopus with Spanish chorizo, and Switchboard, the in-house café offering coffee and pastries by day, cocktails and snacks by night. myriadhotel.com

Don’t miss: Myriad Swim Club includes a saltwater pool, lounge chairs, and poolside bar.

Visitation Hotel

Frederick, Maryland

This 65-room hotel prides itself on its welcoming spirit, encouraging guests to immerse themselves in history and culture. (Read more on page 101.) The location was previously a monastery established in 1824 and an all-girls Catholic School, Visitation Academy of Frederick, that opened in 1846. The academy closed in 2016, and the spot was transformed into a boutique hotel in 2024, with many visible details remaining of its former establishment, like the stained-glass windows and woodwork. The hotel offers traditional and deluxe rooms and suites, designed with luxury and comfort in mind. On-site dining options include the Wye Oak Tavern serving seafood, pasta, and steak, and Acorn Provisions, serving breakfast and sandwiches all day. visitationhotel.com

Don’t miss: Pet-friendly accommodations are available for guests traveling with their furry friends.

Hotel Klaus

Washington, Louisiana

In Washington, you can book a stay in the newly restored Hotel Klaus, nestled in the heart of the town’s national historic district. The history of this establishment spans approximately 150 years, originally built by Prussian Jewish immigrant Edward Plonsky in 1870. His nephew later took ownership and lived on the second floor, while the first floor acted as their business, The Klaus Store. The establishment underwent many transformations in its time, until it was thoroughly renovated into the hotel it is today. There are poolside and balcony suites, with rooms featuring luxurious drapery, nature art, and bold pink, gold, and green hues. The hotel is walking distance to cafés, restaurants, and shopping. hotelklaus.com

Don’t miss: Book the Violet Room for its clawfoot tub and a balcony overlooking the courtyard.

The Hotel At The Moore

Miami

This intimate retreat located in the heart of the Miami Design District has 15 unique Art Deco units. Each suite is personalized and luxurious, reflecting modern South American style. Guests can make a reservation at Elastika, the artsy, contemporary Mediterranean restaurant on the first floor of The Moore building. Art is central to the hotel, with The Moore One Hundred celebrating a century of the property’s past with an art exhibit. The location was originally a furniture showroom and warehouse for Moore and Sons, built in the 1920s on a former pineapple plantation owned by Theodore Vivian Moore, known as South Florida’s “Pineapple King.” mooremiami.com

Don’t miss: The Rabbit Hole is the hotel’s tiny, late-night speakeasy that hosts musical guests.

Arlo

Washington, DC

The Arlo is housed in the former 1888 Harrison apartments, DC’s oldest surviving apartment building, along with a 12-story addition. With 445 guest rooms and suites, the hotel has a stylish, streamlined design. Arrels, the hotel’s Spanish restaurant, is led by chef Pepe Moncayo of Michelin-starred DC restaurant Cranes, with classic tapas like croquettes and patatas bravas and dishes like paella on the menu. Bodega by Arrels is a breakfast and lunch café serving sandwiches, coffee, and more. The year-round rooftop restaurant, ART DC, offers Japanese and Pan-Asian cuisine and cocktails. The Arlo is less than a 15-minute walk from the National Mall and close to several metro stations for exploring DC. arlohotels.com

Don’t miss: Take a dip in the rooftop pool during the warmer months and enjoy the view.

Kimpton Santo

San Antonio, Texas

Part adaptive reuse, part new design, San Antonio’s Kimpton Santo (opened in 2024), is a study in contrasts. The repurposing of a 19th-century German schoolhouse and courtyard roots half of the property in traditional architecture (Dean’s Steak & Seafood, the on-site restaurant, has one foot in the old and one in the new) while the new build stands on its own design merits. The interior moves guests seamlessly between antique and modern, with Southwestern colors, textures, and materials merging for a unique look and feel. santohotelsanantonio.com

Don’t miss: Grab a seat under the century-old live oak in the courtyard, or take in the views and a cocktail at the open-air rooftop bar.

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