New Hotels Around the South

Tuck in at one of these stand-out updated and new hotels and inns across the South

Looking for a winter getaway? These new hotels and recently updated ones welcome visitors with plush rooms, inspired designs, and, of course, food and drink that are worth the visit. From bed-and-breakfast spots that exude European elegance to rustic retreats in Texas and historic buildings restored to push the limits of design without sacrificing comfort, we recommend packing a bag (ASAP) and heading off to these Southern destinations.

10 New Hotels for Your Next Getaway

Post House Inn | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

This smartly designed, seven-room inn with an effortlessly cool yet homey dining room and bar is tucked into the heart of Mount Pleasant’s Old Village. Each room has its own character, with ample sunlight flooding wide-planked wooden floors, and all are outfitted with American-made mattresses, a collection of classic furnishings, and a mix of thoughtfully framed modern and antique artwork. Perks like an in-room breakfast option (think: a tray delivered with warm, super-buttery croissants, a coddled egg, slivers of prosciutto, taleggio, and fresh fruit) and pink bicycles to borrow make it feel like you’ve landed in a quainter, simpler era—or somewhere on the other side of the pond.

Don’t miss: The curated in-room minibar has you covered with everything from benne seed crackers to an “emergency” bow-tie for purchase.

W Nashville | Nashville

No visit to Music City would be worth it without live music at every turn and the W Nashville delivers in the form of live acts that take the stage inside the lobby’s Living Room, all down to the guitar-string and speaker motif found throughout the property. Out of more than 340 rooms, 60 are suites, which boast extra living space, divider walls, and often corner windows, offering 180-degree views of downtown. Three restaurants anchor the space, including chef Andrew Carmellini’s the Dutch serving elevated American fare like caviar-topped cheese sticks, the a la carte steakhouse Carne Mare, and Proof, a breezy rooftop bar.

Don’t miss: There’s a quiet little garden hidden just off the lobby, steps from the Barista Parlor counter—shrouded in greenery yet still warmed by the sun, it’s one of the city’s best-kept secrets—but the Spanish steps leading up to the wet deck will be your go-to perch for sunning with a cocktail.

Kimpton Sylvan Hotel | Atlanta

Set inside a 1950s-era adaptive reuse, this new hotel opened in Buckhead in 2021, showing off a mod, mid-century aesthetic inspired by the building’s historical past. A glamorous lobby opens to a seating area punctuated by a marble-and-tiled fireplace, and a palette of stained glass reveals the tucked-away Willow Bar surrounded by greenery. Downstairs, the Betty has become a neighborhood go-to for its throwback, supper club vibe. Go for the duck rillette, stay for the over-the-top lobster and shellfish roast. A rooftop bar, St. Julep, is the spot for panoramic skyline views, aperitifs, and bar snacks.

Don’t miss: The pool and surrounding patio is tucked into a private garden oasis, making it a solid, partially shaded afternoon hang.

Virgin Hotels | New Orleans

Modern maximalism and artful luxury make for a comfortable stay in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. After checking in, a drink at the top floor cocktail lounge Dreamboat is the best way to get a birds-eye view of the neighborhood and plot your explorations. Follow it with a reservation at Commons Club where the cuisine stretches far beyond classic New Orleans fare. Riffs on staples like cornbread, hoppin’ john, and delectables from the sea are met with an equally inventive cocktail menu. Stumble back to brunch for boudin and breakfast sandwiches or head to the ground floor coffee shop, Funny Library, for a selection of caffeine and confections.

Don’t miss: Commons Club promises a membership experience without dues and their honey lavender spritz (Boodles strawberry rhubarb gin, grapefruit honey lavender syrup, and sparkling brut) tops the VIP experience.

Hotel Forty Five | Macon, Georgia

Hotel Forty Five has taken up residence inside the circa-1920s building that once housed a major bank, bringing a bit of glamour from that era back to the heart of town. Though renovated, the first three floors still hold their historic charm. But with what the hotel calls “a bit of wit, a dash of class, and a pop of color,” the design elements bring you to the modern age. Go to Reckon for frittatas and espresso in the morning, then head to Loom for dinner where a fried green tomato napoleon and pork belly carbonara await. On the rooftop, Hightales serves up on-theme cocktails, like the Ramblin’ Man made with Patron Añejo, bitters, and a hint of maple.

Don’t miss: Each room comes equipped with a mini Smeg fridge that’s loaded with minibar staples like white wine, sparkling wine, and local craft beers.

Heights House | Raleigh, North Carolina

Just a few-block walk from the heart of downtown Raleigh, the Italianate-style mansion known as the Heights House Hotel sits nestled on the edge of a quiet residential district, Boylan Heights. The 10,000-square-foot hotel—an amalgamation of the original historic property and seamlessly blended modern additions—houses nine luxurious guest rooms and several lounge spaces. A European-inspired breakfast buffet is served daily in the dining room, which also boasts a mini-fridge of sparkling waters and a wall-mounted custom espresso machine inspired by the owners’ visit to the boutique hotel Zero George in Charleston.

Don’t miss: The daily happy hour for guests—a glass of wine (no small pours here) and hearty cheese and charcuterie board—is a great way to prime yourself for the decadent dinners ahead in downtown Raleigh.

JW Marriott Plant Riverside | Savannah, Georgia

The buildings once known as Savannah’s riverside power plant today house shops, dining, and a posh hotel. Marked by two glossy, twin smokestacks, the JW Marriott Plant Riverside serves as the anchor for all the buzz along the water. A step into the lobby transports you from the cobblestone streets and into new Savannah. A suspended, chrome-dipped dinosaur is the first introduction to the space’s Mesozoic theme and the aged brick, now backlit in bright purple, gives the illusion you’ve stepped into a geode. The accommodations, however, turn the clock forward with vibrant crushed velvet throughout, and marble and crystal juxtaposing the exposed brick at every turn. 

Don’t miss: The hotel’s Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + the Moon Deck’s open-air, grown-up playground is outfitted with a slide and lawn games, all to be enjoyed with a craft cocktail in hand.

Shady Villa | Salado, Texas

Hidden between Waco and Austin, the former Stagecoach Inn entered its next chapter by returning to its original name. Along with the rewind came upgrades to the rooms and common spaces throughout the hotel, polishing the pre-existing bright, retro road-trip vibes. The 7-acre stretch is also home to the all-day, full-service Stagecoach Restaurant, which hones produce and meat from local farms in dishes like benedicts, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and a meaty dinner menu. For the day, hop over to nearby towns like Temple and College Station to explore, or lounge by the heated pool on site. 

Don’t miss: Stagecoach Restaurant’s pork sandwich (Texas chili-rubbed pork, cheddar cheese, cabbage slaw, pickles, and mustard on sourdough) on the lunch menu will hold you over until dinner.

Thompson and tommie Austin | Austin

Two different hotel experiences reside under the same roof with the distinct differences between Thompson and tommie. Guests step into a full Texas-inspired experience the moment they enter Thompson, from the raw wood, cactus, and a modernist feel to the rooms. Tommie, meanwhile, allows for a contact-less check in offers guests bright, airy, efficient rooms. All guests get to enjoy the amenities, though, like the rooftop pool and neighboring bar Wax Myrtle’s, complete with comfy loungers, cabanas, and snacks like catfish tacos al pastor. Downstairs, chef Mashama Bailey and partner Johno Morisano of the Grey in Savannah have opened Diner Bar and the Grey Market, melding Port City cuisine with local-to-Austin ingredients.

Don’t miss: Local boot retailer Tecovas is a hotel partner, so you can book a stay that includes a custom pair, or just enjoy the boot jacks in every room.

Four Seasons | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The latest addition to the Four Seasons portfolio stands at 22 stories on a prime beachfront address with uninterrupted ocean views from the furnished balconies in each guest room and suite. After check-in, the Four Seasons concierge does all the work, so you can grab a beach picnic basket packed by the lobby’s Honey Fitz Cafe, explore the city’s 300 miles of intracoastal waterways on a complimentary bicycle, and unwind with a signature ebb and flow massage at the spa. On the Ocean Sun Deck, guests enjoy poolside service while dipping their toes into two horizon-edge pools (one serene, one playful). As the sun sets, head to Evelyn’s for a Southern-influenced Mediterranean menu curated by chef Brandon Salomon.

Don’t miss: The shellfish tower, which features stone crab—a Floridian specialty—and the cardamom donuts with rose syrup for dessert.

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