It goes without saying: Our senses tend to check in before we do. There’s scent — a bespoke candle perhaps, or a one-of-a-kind diffuser made exclusively for the property. There’s sound — a city alive in motion outside, or the pin-drop calm of a well-orchestrated staff inside. And then there’s the most exquisite sense of all — sight.
First impressions are what hotels are built around, from the color scheme to the botanical theme and while some choose to go bold or go home, and others build their brand around subdued neutrals, the ones that channel bohemian, romantic, brooding mood boards, in the form of jewel tones, have a special place in our heart.
Ahead, get to know seven boutique hotels that set the above-par standard for the jewel-toned aesthetic, whether it’s in their communal spaces, intimate ones, or a secret nook somewhere in between.
The Maker Hotel (Hudson, New York)
5 Stars | Website | Bradley International Airport
11 | Free WiFi; Fitness center; Bar | 1
Olana State Historic Site; Thomas Cole National Historic Site; Hudson Athens Lighthouse
Hudson Valley’s most stunning boutique hotel, The Maker, is the definition of jewel tones. Each of their four meticulously designed studios is inspired by a creative (think: writer, artist, gardener, architect) and awash in deep blues, reds, greens, and yellows, in addition to other gilded touches that warm each space. The Lounge follows suit, tucked away in a 19-century Carriage House, with fringe lamps, sumptuous velvet settees, plus a hand-carved fireplace, and there’s an adjacent all-day café that serves as the social hub for “upstate’s downtown.” Designed by the co-founders of botanical beauty brand, Fresh, this dreamy sanctuary is ideal for romantic getaways and solo sojourns — where the only item worth checking off, is finishing a book by the fire under a rich teal throw.
Graduate Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee)
4 Stars | Website | Nashville International Airport
205 | Free WiFi; Fitness center; Bar | 3
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Johnny Cash Museum; Lane Motor Museum
The Graduate Hotels are known for their eclectic digs — rooted in arts and academia — in some of the most historic college towns in the country, but Nashville takes top honors for the jewel-toned darling of the bunch. Its 50 shades of rose (think: ruby, rosaline, fuschia, and beyond) keep this Midtown property at the top of the buzzed-about hotel list in Music City, but there’s one reason that has everyone coming back for more and that’s their homage to Dolly Parton, in rooftop grandeur. White Limozeen sits atop Graduate Nashville in all its big, pink, Dollywood-inspired glory and we’re here to report: It’s reason alone to visit. A magenta-hued ‘Queen of the Rodeo’ drink is par for the course upon arrival.
La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa (Paris, France)
5 Stars | Website | Paris – Le Bourget Airport
40 | 1 swimming pool; Spa; Bar | 2
Musée de l’Orangerie; Tuileries Garden; Orsay Museum
We could spend an entire lifetime in La Réserve Paris’ Duc de Morny Library that’s soaked in mesmerizing emerald hues and soft light, but upstairs the bedrooms are just as lovely and inviting — many with terraces and Eiffel Tower views. Comfy club chairs are clad in plum, the walls are covered in jewel-toned damascene brocade hangings, and the excessively posh Imperial Suite is bedecked in enchanting garnets and ruby reds. A state-of-the-art, Swiss anti-aging spa and hammam complete the list of wanderlust-worthy reasons to check-in.
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The Ramble Hotel (Denver, Colorado)
4 Stars | Website | Denver International Airport
50 | Free WiFi; Fitness center; Bar | 3
United States Mint at Denver; Denver Art Museum; Molly Brown House
When in Denver, aesthetes will prefer a stay at The Ramble, RiNo’s Art District gem in all senses of the word. Upon entering, you’re greeted by the hotel’s grand lobby and bar, which is run by legendary NYC cocktail haunt, Death & Co. Various shades of jewel-toned blue evoke a melancholy aura, but the chandeliers dripping in crystals remind you this is a place devoted to convivial behavior — and good times. A similar color palette winds its way through The Ramble’s 50 rooms and suites, but the one detail we wholeheartedly appreciate is their commitment to soundproofing. Double-wide walls and high-performance windows ensure a peaceful night’s slumber, as do those pillow-top mattresses you sink into.
J.K. Place Roma (Rome, Italy)
5 Stars | Website | Rome Ciampino Airport
27 | Free WiFi; Room service; Bar | 1
Piazza Navona; Castel Sant’Angelo; Largo di Torre Argentina
Considering J.K. Place Roma was a former architecture school, it suffices to say: Big style expectations are going into the Borghese neighborhood hotel — and they excel on every level. Between the guest rooms saturated in inky emerald walls and JKCafe Bar dripping in laps and malachite, there’s a playful, vintage-meets-modern appeal to one of Roma’s chicest dwellings, which makes it a desirable destination for locals and out-of-towners alike. Just a seven-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and a hop, skip and jump from the Via Condotti shops, this is prime real estate for those seeking well-designed comfort and proximity in one. There’s also a roster of J.K. Exclusive Experiences to partake in, like Eternal City tours via e-Bikes and chef-curated picnics in the nearby gardens.
Faena Miami Beach (Miami, Florida)
4 Stars | Website | Miami International Airport
40 | Free WiFi; Beachfront; Pet friendly | 2
Miami Beach Boardwalk; Art Deco Historic District; Ocean Drive
Designed by visionary Alan Faena and director Baz Luhrmann, Faena redefines Miami’s excellence when it comes to swanky hotels — brimming with jewel tones. In addition to their opulent suites outfitted in swatches of blue topaz, red quartz, and leopard, there’s a Damien Hirst gold woolly mammoth sculpture begging for a selfie by the pool, perfectly charred empanadas at Argentine Chef Francis Mallman’s Los Fuegos (his only Asado experience in the states), a holistic healing house, cabaret-inspired theater, and multiple art forums. And it’s only a matter of time before you catch a glimpse of Beyonce and Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, or other famous faces wandering the grounds at this A-list hot spot when at Faena.
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The Chloe (New Orleans, Louisiana)
4 Stars | Website | Louis Armstrong New Orleans Intl. Airport
14 | 1 swimming pool; Free WiFi; Bar | 1
Magazine Street; Elms Mansion; Tipitina’s
For the traveler who desires a quieter hotel in NOLA — as opposed to the bustling downtown mainstays in the French Quarter — there’s The Chloe, a 14-room hotel, restaurant, and bar housed in a 19th-century Victorian mansion in Uptown. While there are plenty of neighborhood jewels that feel like home on iconic St. Charles Avenue, there’s something about this quirky-charming abode that oozes Southern hospitality, old-world glamour, and Laissez les bons temps rouler-vibes. The rooms have citrine yellow sofas, jade green headboards, and silky tapestry pillows, plus it’s worth pointing out that they boast one of the most popular hotel pools in these parts — with an unparalleled poolside happy hour. Chef Todd Pulsenelli’s restaurant is a bonus in terms of authentic Creole cuisine on site.
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