The South’s Best Hotels and Inns

Located near Fairhope on Mobile Bay, this 550-acre resort is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and just a short drive to the white sand Alabama beaches. The original pre-Civil War hotel had only two floors and 40 guestrooms, so its footprint—and level of luxury—has grown over the past 165-plus years. One Grand Blvd.; marriottgrand.com

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Local lore says early ads for this 1901 establishment told patrons “each of our luxurious rooms has its own steam heat and a new electric light bulb.” The Palace was a leader in its day, even pioneering neon signage west of the Mississippi. Today, after extensive renovations, it embodies a luxurious feel while also offering a glimpse into the spirit of the early 1900s. 135 Spring Street; palacehotelbathhouse.com

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This is the kind of place that most of us only dream about. Set in the amazing Florida Keys, it offers luxury and style in a must-see-to-believe environment. Thatched-roof suites nestled among palm trees with the waves lapping a few feet away? Yes, please. 28500 Overseas Highway; 305/872-2524; littlepalmisland.com

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Built in—you guessed it—1842, this splendid inn that offers a wonderful look at Greek Revival architecture was a private residence until 1900. Now it offers 19 guest rooms plus parlors, a library, and meeting space. 353 College Street; 1842inn.com

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Set in the North Georgia mountains, the Dillard House provides guests with a comfortable way to connect with nature. Besides the inn, there’s an array of cottages, cabins, and chalets. And with horse stables, a petting zoo, trout ponds, and more, the property offers plenty to do. 768 Franklin Street, Dillard; dillardhouse.com

In the early 1900s, Nellie Frost, wife of Berea College president William G. Frost, thought the area needed a great hotel to welcome visitors. In 1909, Boone Tavern was built, and it has since hosted guests including Henry Ford, Calvin Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Dalai Lama. A recent $11 million renovation made it the first LEED Gold-certified hotel in Kentucky. 100 Main Street; boonetavernhotel.com

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Since 1886, five generations of Monteleones have made this one of the French Quarter’s premier accommodations. In fact, this is one of the last great family-owned hotels in the South. It is also a literary landmark given the large number of famous authors, including Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and Anne Rice, who have stayed within its walls. 214 Royal Street, New Orleans; hotelmonteleone.com

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Just a short walk from the French Quarter you’ll find the Jazz Quarters, a group of historic Creole cottages surrounded by gardens and fountains. From Mayfield to Marsalis, each suite or cottage is named after a jazz great, and you’ll be situated in the center of it all. 1129 St. Philip Street; jazzquarters.com

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Some hotels simply have presence. With its majestic turrets and Queen Anne style, this seven-story boutique accommodation is definitely one of them. Hotel Brexton first opened in 1881 as a residential hotel and, for a while in the early 1900s, was the home of Wallis Simpson, the American-born future Duchess of Windsor. 868 Park Avenue; hotelbrexton.com

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Dating back to 1903, the hotel was Branson’s first. Offering a variety of nine rooms, the Branson also has a side patio with an outdoor fireplace, and a bandstand for live music performances. 214 West Main Street; thebransonhotel.com

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Initially the Glennon Hotel, this 20-story building was the tallest in Kansas City when it was built in 1931. Much of the Art Deco detailing remains, despite numerous renovations and updates over the years. Just blocks from the convention center, Hotel Phillips offers 217 guest rooms in the heart of the city, including an ‘Artist in Residence’ room designed by Madeline Gallucci, the hotel’s 2014-2015 artist in residence. Proceeds from booking this room benefit the local ‘Hello Art!’ organization. 106 West 12th Street, hotelphillips.com

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“Best” is a subjective word. In this case, we’re talking about a very unusual experience. Just a few miles from the crossroads—the crossroads—where Highways 49 and 61 intersect near Clarksdale, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Delta, which is the heart of the blues. If you want a real experience, the Shack Up Inn on the Hopson Plantation provides some living history. You can stay in a sharecropper shack and soak up some ambience like no other. 1 Commissary Circle; shackupinn.com 

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Long before the “Omni” name became associated with the place, the Grove Park Inn was wowing visitors. In fact “Grove Park,” as locals refer to it, has been around for more than 100 years. Golf? Tennis? A spa day? Even if you’ll just be sitting next to one of the giant fireplaces in the lobby enjoying the live music, Grove Park should be on everyone’s bucket list. 290 Macon Avenue; omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park

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Recognized as the “greenest hotel” in America, the Proximity and its adjoining restaurant, the Print Works Bistro, are both LEED Platinum-certified. That said, the owner ensures that “none of [its] sustainable practices caused one iota of sacrifice in comfort for [its] guests.” 704 Green Valley Road; proximityhotel.com

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Looking for a sense of the past? Built in 1837, the Historic Brookstown Inn was originally a cotton mill. Located near Old Salem, the inn maintains its Old World architecture and treats guests to nightly wine and cheese—as well as milk and cookies before bed. 200 Brookstown Avenue; brookstowninn.com

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The 19-story Art Deco Mayo was the tallest building in Oklahoma when it was built in 1925. But it eventually fell into disrepair and closed in 1981. In what has been one of the more remarkable transformations of a historic Southern gem, a $42 million renovation returned the old hotel to her former glory—and then some. 115 West 5th Street; themayohotel.com

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A collection of cottages and village homes in the Lowcountry where 21 plantations once stood, Montage Palmetto Bluff is a Montage Resort on May River. It includes a nature preserve, walking trails, a marina, and four restaurants. A new main inn, with an additional spa, a restaurant and lounge, and a spa pool, will open in late 2016. 1 Village Park Square, Bluffton; montagehotels.com

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The Inn that opened in 1987 on this historic property touts itself as Charleston’s most extraordinary accommodations—and it would be hard to argue. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the Ashley River. Plus guests get complimentary access to other Middleton Place attractions: the spectacular Gardens, House Museum, Plantation Stableyards, and more. 4290 Ashley River Road; theinnatmiddletonplace.com

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At the renovated Terminal Station, guests can stay in newly refurbished buildings or in Pullman train car rooms with deluxe amenities. The complex also has a wide array of on-site dining, including a brand-new oyster bar, and entertainment spaces to catch live performances. 1400 Market Street; choochoo.com

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Yes, it’s almost cliché to have The Peabody on such a list, but those dang ducks draw us in every time. This historic hotel opened just four years after the Civil War. The first ducks marched through the lobby in 1933, and the feathered fowl have been doing so ever since. It’s just north of Beale Street and just east of the Mississippi River—and it’s quite opulent. 149 Union Avenue; peabodymemphis.com

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Built in 1886, this historic hotel offers 189 luxurious guest rooms and suites. About halfway between the Capitol and the Colorado River, it is within walking distance to many downtown sites. The majestic lobby alone—with marbled floors and a stained-glass dome—is worth a visit. 604 Brazos Street; driskillhotel.com

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This minimalist hotel, originally built as a 1930s motor court, now brings a sense of simplicity and calm to its guests. The Hotel San José has a private garden courtyard with a lounge and pool. Yes, you can find your way to the Hotel San José—it’s in the popular South Congress district. 1316 South Congress Avenue; sanjosehotel.com

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Initially built in 1832 as a private residence, this historic inn became known as “The Martha” in 1858 when it became a girls’ school. It first opened as a hotel in 1935. This gem is conveniently located near Virginia’s state theater, The Barter, and the small town of Abingdon offers plenty of charm. 150 West Main Street; themartha.com

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The Beaux Arts-style Jefferson Apartment was built in 1923. In 1955 it was converted to a hotel. An extensive renovation in 2009 cemented its reputation as one of the South’s great small hotels. Plus, it’s in a fantastic location between The White House and Dupont Circle. 1200 16th Street NW.; jeffersondc.com

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In terms of accommodations, The Greenbrier offers plenty of choices: guest rooms, legacy cottages, estate homes, and suites in the Windsor Club. Yes, some of those options can seem quite exclusive. But once you arrive on this 10,000-acre luxury resort, you may find so much to do that you won’t want to leave the property during your stay—and you won’t have to. 300 West Main Street; greenbrier.com

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