NORTHEAST
A landmark in the nation’s capital since it was built in the 1920s, the Jefferson, Washington, DC, is in the trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood, steps from many of D.C.’s top sites. Features include 99 well-appointed rooms, all with 75-inch TVs with Apple
mirroring capabilities, all-day dining under an ornate skylight at the Greenhouse and a 24-hour gym.
With 2,000 square feet of total meeting space, the Jefferson can utilize a number of on-site spaces for gatherings, including the Back Room, modeled after Thomas Jefferson’s library in Monticello and perfect for cocktail receptions and intimate dinners.
The Parlor Boardroom sits 28 participants in comfort around a grand wood polished table crowned by tall, taper-like chandeliers; the table can be removed for receptions for up to 60 people. Attendee appetites are catered to with customized menus overseen
by notable executive chef Fabio Salvatore.
New Hope, Pa., has seen a lot of history over the years, and the same can be said for the River House at Odette’s, which has roots here dating to the 1790s and today happily bears the legacy of one-time owner Odette Myrtil Logan, a stage and screen star
who knew how to throw a party. Today, this charming 38-room boutique property knows how to facilitate a meeting in spaces such as the on-site Union Mills building, a former paper mill still sporting its original brick fireplace and able to host up
to 59 guests.
In the village of Aurora on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Northern New York State, the total 54-room Inns of Aurora is a collection of five historic properties flush with charm, farm-to-table dining options and lake recreation, not to mention a
new 15,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa. Most meetings needs are handled by the on-site Taylor House Conference Center. While the house dates from 1838, the 2,000 square feet of event space on the first floor is strictly state-of-the-art.
SOUTHEAST
Fans of Planet Earth will appreciate the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel’s commitment to maintaining an eco-friendly environment, from its 5,000 square feet of on-site oxygen-cleansing gardens to the use of resource-efficient bulbs, faucets and shower heads in the
217 guest rooms. This Atlanta oasis also has an old-school supper club serving modern takes on continental American classics, cozy bars both in a garden and up on the roof, an outdoor pool and deck, a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes and
treadmills, and a hosted evening social hour to keep things well lubricated.
Over 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space includes an elegant 1,900-square-foot ballroom, perfect for hosting large groups for receptions, holiday parties and corporate retreats. Two smaller meeting rooms — the first with a capacity of 14 people,
and a second that can hold 25 to 75 — are ideal for board meetings and small group off-sites.
Set among the cobblestone streets and brightly colored row houses of historic Charleston, S.C., the 212-room Emeline pays props to its home town with a décor brimming with the work of native artists and an in-house archives devoted to local lore. All
guest rooms have embroidered linens from Matouk, premium amenities from Red Flower and custom vinyl on Crosley turntables. Indoor eating takes place at wood-fired Frannie & the Fox, while 13,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor event space utilizes
a courtyard and greenhouse for open-air dining.
On Key West’s only private natural sand beach, the 150-room Reach Key West caters to small groups and retreats in a bright and open setting geared to inspire creativity. The ocean serves as the backdrop to over 4,000 square feet of indoor event space,
from the secluded gazebo that can be converted into an intimate boardroom to the Palms Lawn and ballroom terrace. Experiences for groups include sand sculpting, coral reef exploration and oceanfront dining.
The Mediterranean meets casual Florida elegance at the 189-room LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. Guest rooms and suites have wrought-iron furnishings, luxurious fabrics and unique works of art, along with eye-opening water views. Along with
a private golf course, more than 8,000 square feet of indoor meeting space includes the posh Vanderbilt Ballroom, which can seat up to 300 people for a dinner, and there are seven additional outdoor event venues.
MIDWEST
In downtown Cincinnati’s historic Lytle Park district, the luxury-class Lytle Park Hotel comprises two landmark buildings and features 106 oversize guest rooms, including 18 suites. On-site amenities include a central wine and cocktail bar, Subito; a
fine-dining Italian restaurant and lounge that opens to the outdoors; and Vista at Lytle Park, a four-season rooftop bar and event space with views of the park, downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River.
For meetings, eight distinctive and flexible rooms include the 2,315-square-foot Magnolia Room above the lobby, with park views, natural light and a 1,165-square-foot adjoining terrace, ideal for meetings or special events. For larger gatherings, Vista
at Lytle Park offers over 5,177 square feet of indoor-outdoor space to host up to 100 guests, with a fully retractable glass cover for all weather conditions.
Named for Saint Catherine, the patron saint of artists, the 219-room Saint Kate in Milwaukee celebrates music, painting and sculpture in its design and décor. Here planners’ creativity is challenged by multiple gallery and exhibition spaces spanning 11,000
square feet, ideal for conferences, business meetings, training sessions and networking events. The hotel also has five restaurants and is within walking distance of Milwaukee’s entertainment district.
SOUTHWEST
.jpg?tr=w-920%2Cfo-auto "Stella Awards Best Boutique 4")
The rich history and lore of Texas is celebrated at the 200-room Hotel Drover, nestled alongside Marine Creek in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Guests enjoy Texas-inspired cuisine in a variety of venues and twice-daily cattle drives
on Exchange Avenue, while nearby are the new John Wayne Museum and Cowtown Coliseum Championship Rodeos.
More than 10,000 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space includes the rustic-luxe 4,500-square-foot Barn with 150-year-old reclaimed
beams, reclaimed barn wood floors and three custom Italian crystal chandeliers. In addition, the hotel has over 10,000 square feet of outdoor space including the South Courtyard, Veranda and the Backyard, adjacent to which is the outdoor Chef's Table
with seating for up to 12 guests. Groups can choose from five other unique venues including The Barn, Legacy Hall, The Drover Boardroom, Vaquero Room and Ranchero Room.
A stay at the Art Hotel Denver is like living in a museum, thanks to 165 colorfully art-drenched guest rooms and a collection of more than 50 pieces of cutting-edge art throughout the property, plus new displays and ad-hoc salons featuring local artists
on an ongoing basis. Artful cuisine includes the newly revamped Fire Restaurant from executive chef Jon Keeley, while 7,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space includes the 3,145-square-foot divisible Broadway Ballroom, which can host
a total of up to 357 guests.
One of Denver’s chicest neighborhoods is the home of the 154-room Halcyon, which aims to create the inviting aura of staying a ta friend’s home. Indeed, upon entering the lobby, guests are invited t mingle as they grab complimentary local beers, coffee,
wine and cheese. Other amenities include day passes to the Denver Botanic Gardens, a sunken amphitheater for summer concerts and access to the Gear Garage, with scooters, snow sleds, cruiser bikes and more available for check-out. The property also
has more than 6,500 square feet of dedicated meeting & event space.
FAR WEST
One of the world’s top wellness retreats, the Ranch Malibu in Southern California has been a leader in the growing trend of corporate wellness programming since its founding in 2010. With weeklong, customizable programs, groups are able to support their
health while learning sustainable practices and building a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Set amid 200 sprawling acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Ranch offers an intimate experience (accommodations comprise just 21 private cottages) in
a rustic yet refined atmosphere.
Programs are designed to recalibrate the mind and body through an intense fitness and wellness regimen paired with an artfully prepared plant-based diet. Breakout sessions for business, cooking classes, afternoon
fitness programs, hikes and other activities can be shaped to fit the needs of guests, all under the expert guidance of a team devoted to healthy and sustainable living.
In the heart of Yountville in California’s storied Napa Valley, the Bardessono Hotel & Spa offers a mindful approach to living the good life. The property sits amid its own vineyard, and each of the 62 guest accommodations has an in-room personal luxury
spa, with massage tables, steam showers, soaking tubs and premium organic bath amenities. The on-site Lucy Restaurant & Bar is known for its certified organic garden, while a heated rooftop pool can be enjoyed year-round. Meeting and event space totals
1,665 square feet indoors and more than 4,000 square feet outdoors, including outdoor terraces and a poolside patio.
Southern California’s Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano emulates Old Spain with adobe and Spanish Revival architectural touches, 175 hacienda-inspired guest rooms and an on-property olive grove with twinkling lanterns and fire pits. The inn also
has a spa, a resort-style pool and easy access to the art galleries, boutiques and restaurants of its picturesque namesake town. On the meetings front, 36,632 square feet of space spans 17 event rooms, the largest of which holds up to 350 people,
and 7 breakout rooms.
At the crossroads of Silicon Valley and Stanford University in Menlo Park, Calf., the 162-room Stanford Park Hotel and its grounds have an estate-like ambiance. Within walking distance of the world’s top tech headquarters, the hotel is a laidback respite
with a heated pool and whirlpool spa, outdoor fire pits, fresh-baked cookies served nightly and the Menlo Tavern, an American restaurant and bar serving “elevated tavern fare.” Meetings and events are hosted in 5,000 square feet of flexible space
able to host up to 100 people indoors and 90 in an outdoor courtyard.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
.jpg?tr=w-920%2Cfo-auto "Stella Awards Best Boutique 5")
The allure of the Caribbean Sea is ever-present at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. Most of the hotel’s 264 guest rooms and suites offer water views through floor-to-ceiling windows and from private balconies, along
with tropical colors, triple-sheeted Frette linens and sumptuous baths. Outside, winding gardens lead to secret sanctuaries, pristine pools and, of course, the sea itself. Three on-site restaurants, a spa and an inviting beach deck add to the sense
of relaxed elegance.
The resort has a full 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space across 16 meeting rooms, including the 7,076-square-foot Aurea Ballroom for banquets of up to 450 and receptions for 650; a palatial lawn,
a beach deck and the beach itself create other unique opportunities for creative gatherings. An in-house team of event specialists can offer myriad ways for groups to enjoy the grounds.
On the Playa la Ropa in the resort area of Ixtapa in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, the 56-room Thompson Zihuatanejo is a luxurious beachfront resort whose guests enjoy parasailing, jet-skiing, tequila tastings, visiting the nearby La Chole Archeological Site,
alfresco spa treatments and the catch of the day served poolside. Among the meeting possibilities here, up to 300 attendees can gather on a private area of Ceniza Beach and then retreat to a luxury suite with a private plunge pool.
Just 15 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in the Condado district of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the chic 96-room Condado Ocean Club is an all-adult, ocean-inspired boutique property ideal for group getaways. Features include an infinity
pool, a semi-private beach, a fitness center, and myriad cozy places to sip on something sweet. Some 6,400 square feet of indoor/outdoor function space includes a sleekly modern boardroom for 10 people and the Oceano Ballroom, which can host up to
100 for a reception.