Travel brings me the most joy, inspiration, energy, and confidence so I decided to spend the last year making it a priority. Fifteen new-to-me cities and some lifelong loves (read: Paris) left me with a thought: chic hotels abound, but a property that evokes a sense of true well-being in guests is more elusive. It isn’t any one quality, but rather—for me, at least—a combination of scale, design, décor, ease, and a unique viewpoint that makes a hotel sing. Kind, accommodating staff and that amenity most rare in modern hotels—abundant natural light—put a great stay into best-stay territory.
Each of these smaller-scale properties evokes that coveted feeling of a luxe home away from home. Whether it’s a refreshing towel and homemade lemonade after a day of touring temples in Cambodia or a Calimero by a crackling fire after a day on the slopes in Courmayeur, these four properties prioritize absolute comfort, thoughtful design, delicious food, and an unmistakably warm character.
You won’t be searching for your key card to access elevator banks, and you can forget about navigating endless carpeted hallways. What to expect? Little moments, like the property owner sitting down to note her favorite local boutiques and restaurants.
Budget for the pesky flight change fees—you’ll want to linger at these gems long past checkout.
Kali McNutt is the publisher of Birmingham Lifestyle magazine and a lifelong seeker of experiences that inspire, whether through travel, design, or the stories that connect them.
Casa Polanco
Mexico City, Mexico
CASAPOLANCO.com | @CASA_POLANCO
Upon arrival: A hibiscus mezcalitas cocktail is a must. Stunning architecture and all the five-star perks (clothes pressed? Check. Private airport shuttle? Check. Dyson Airwrap with all the trimmings? That, too.) What can be an overwhelming megacity is made extraordinarily peaceful behind the imposing iron gates and verdant entry of Casa Polanco, a neocolonial mansion situated on Parque Lincoln in Mexico City’s upscale Polanco neighborhood. Discreet, airy and bright, Casa Polanco is an ideal long-weekend escape for friends or couples. It’s a serene and sophisticated stay within walking distance of some of the city’s best shopping (Ikal Concept Store and Lago LATAM) and an eight-minute walk from dining mecca Pujol.
Auberge de la Maison
Courmayeur, Italy
AUBERGEMAISON.IT/EN/ | @AUBERGEDELAMAISON
On the Italian side of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) lies the upscale foodie ski village of Courmayeur, and five minutes from the heart of Courmayeur rests the sleepiest of hamlets, Entrèves, where the star of the show—and perhaps all of the Aosta Valley—is the 33-room Auberge de la Maison. Layered Alpine-chic snugs create fairytale-cozy communal spaces where crackling fires glow aplenty. Excellent local wines and cheeses are a mainstay at the hotel’s renowned L’Aubergine restaurant, which serves standout fondues and polenta with a focus on local.
Hôtel L’Eldorado
Paris, France
HOTELELDORADOPARIS.COM | @HOTELELDORADO.PARIS
To my delight, I was once told by a born-and-bred Parisian that I know the city better than most locals. A badge of honor earned after a formative year spent in and around the city, exploring every off-the-tourist-path nook and cranny. One neighborhood I love is Batignolles. For me, it’s the perfect blend of convenience and authenticity. Forget influencers and bucket-list-checking first-timers; Batignolles is local. You’ll likely be the only non-native French speaker when dining in L’Eldorado’s lush (and popular) courtyard restaurant.
Spacious rooms drenched in House of Hackney floral wallpaper are maximalist perfection, enveloping and warm. Large balconies provide a private perch to enjoy morning coffee or apéro overlooking the courtyard, while soaking tubs beckon beneath windows that actually open, making this hotel a Parisian dream come true.
Maison Polanka
Siem Reap, Cambodia
MAISONPOLANKA.COM | @MAISONPOLANKA
As first-timers to Southeast Asia, my childhood friend and I weren’t sure how much time to allot to each stop as we sojourned from Vietnam through Cambodia and on to Thailand. Knowing Cambodia was a favorite of a few trusted friends, we decided to make our stop in Siem Reap one of our lengthier stays. It wasn’t nearly enough time. A family home turned boutique hotel, Maison Polanka is the definition of quiet (literal and figurative) luxury. Traditional Khmer raised houses feature carefully curated collections of art, midcentury furniture and local handicrafts, reflective of the French-Cambodian proprietors’ exquisite taste.