The Best of the City Is in Reach at 5 Ideally Located Hotels

There’s a certain romance that comes with urban travel, and a stay in a lavish hotel in the heart of a city puts you close to the very best attractions. From exceptionally rich arts and culture scenes, historic landmarks and lively parks to one-of-a-kind shops and phenomenal restaurants, these six sumptuous properties land guests within arm’s reach of each destination’s distinctive charms.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

Dreaming of a suite with a view of the Empire State Building? The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad can easily accommodate such a request.

Opened in 2022, this 50-story, all-glass hotel stands on the corner of West 28th and Broadway, close to Tin Pan Alley, the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park. The lavish hotel is all about its neighborhood vibe, and there’s much to see within walking distance. But first … step inside.

Take in the sleek decor with a tip of the hat to the nearby NYC Flower Market. There’s even a flower cart for picking up fresh blooms for your room.

Destinations unto themselves are three venues from Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés. Zaytinya features a meze menu that transports diners to far-flung destinations such as Turkey, Greece and Lebanon.

The Bazaar by José Andrés elevates dining to not simply a meal, but a wild sensory adventure. And making the most of skyline views is the rooftop bar, Nubeluz, with crafted cocktails and Spanish-inspired bites.

Outside the hotel, New York is your oyster, and the possibilities are endless. Some quintessentially New York sights include the High Line, Madison Square Park, Hudson Yards and Little Island.

Stroll downtown from the hotel to SoHo for some divine shopping, or catch a comedy show in the East Village at the Comedy Cellar. Head uptown for a culture fix at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim or the Morgan Library & Museum.

Live performances from the Metropolitan Opera can be seen at Lincoln Center. Or catch a play or musical in the world-renowned Theater District.

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District

Sighworthy riverfront views can be found at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. Stroll along the lantern-lit, brick-lined path fronting the hotel to soak in the dreamy atmosphere.

The hotel appeals to various personalities with three unique buildings: maritime charm via the Atlantic, European elegance by way of the Three Muses, and the contemporary Power Plant.

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District has a robust restaurant and bar scene and many not-to-miss venues. Among them are the Baobab Lounge, where you can take in African artwork over some biltong (dried, cured meat) and a Tamarind Martini.

For a spot overlooking the river, make your way to the Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden to sip botanical cocktails. When it’s time for some tranquility, luxuriate in a cabana at the rooftop Compass Pool or dip into Poseidon Spa for a HydraFacial coupled with a Savannah Massage.

With accommodations in the very heart of historic Savannah, there’s much exploring to be done. Capturing maritime ambience are the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum at the William Scarbrough House and Gardens. Inside this Greek Revival mansion built in 1819, you’ll find paintings, maritime antiques and ship models from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Outside, the private gardens are designed to imbue the feeling of a 19th-century parlor garden. Check out the weather station and its instruments while there. Follow up with a visit to SCAD Museum of Art to see contemporary art from established, as well as emerging, international artists.

And as sun sets, nightlife calls with concerts from local and national headliners at District Live.

The Miami Beach EDITION

Leave it to The Miami Beach EDITION to think of pairing an ice-skating rink and a bowling alley with its glamorous oceanfront accommodations. Making the most of the hotel’s beachfront setting are two ocean-facing pools, and dazzling views of the ocean and city continue from the rooms and suites.

For the ultimate in luxury, and privacy, reserve a Premiere Bungalow Suite replete with plunge pool and sweeping ocean views. And speaking of reservations, make them at The Spa for decadent treatments: highly recommended is the two-hour EDITION House Massage.

Dining at The Miami Beach EDITION, with restaurants from Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is a gift to taste buds. Sink into the 1950s glamour of the Matador Room, with a table snack of Antonius Oscietra Caviar masa blinis with lemon creme fraiche and chives, and maybe some seared snapper with habanero lime sauce to follow for an unforgettable meal.

As The Miami Beach EDITION is located near the Design District, shopping is in order. Fans of fashion icons will want to visit Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Gucci, Dior and more. Make sure Chrome Hearts makes the list, too.

While in the Design District, museum-hop with stops at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, Opera Gallery, Swampspace, and the Haitian Heritage Museum. Even closer to the hotel is the Perez Art Museum Miami.

Conclude a perfect day with a performance at the Fillmore or the Adrienne Arsht Center and a walk along the Miami Beach Boardwalk.

JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

Set intentions for self-care, but afraid they’ll fall by the wayside during travel? The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, with its focus on wellness, is the place for you. Furthering inspiration is the sophisticated hotel’s easy proximity to the downtown district’s Tampa Riverwalk.

Guests will want to make a beeline for the sixth-floor rooftop. Here, two swimming pools with cabanas invite serene soaks and meditation time. Prep for 2.5-mile strolls along Tampa Riverwalk with Spa by JW‘s 50-minute Riverwalk Foot Ritual.

Make a mental note to book a Pilates by BodyRok session at the hotel, and consider joining the community for Sunday evening Yoga in the Park at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Kicking off the perfect evening is dinner at the sophisticated Driftlight Steakhouse, one of the hotel’s six dining venues. Try the seafood tower and Creekstone Farm tomahawk ribeye. Afterward, the night calls for experiencing downtown Tampa.

At the Straz Center, catch a performance of the Tampa Opera or a Broadway on-tour performance. If you’re in the mood for a concert, Amalie Arena’s the place to be.

Other itinerary musts near JW Marriott Tampa Water Street include perusing the shops and restaurants at Sparkman Wharf, filling a day with art by visiting Tampa Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA), or getting amped up for water time by watching Florida Aquarium’s marine life in action.

As daylight wanes, head to Armature Works and Urban Kai for a standup-paddleboarding session that will see you paddling into the sunset.

W Philadelphia

In the heart of Philadelphia‘s Center City, there’s a Secret Garden. Visit its W Philadelphia location to discover even more City of Brotherly Love gems. Vistas from the Secret Garden reveal the city below and landmarks like Philadelphia’s City Hall

Yes, there’s a lot to be explored, starting with the W Philadelphia’s WET Deck for year-round swims in the heated pool and the Away Spa to indulge in the Head-to-Toe Renewal package. Reinvigorated, it’s time to plunge into the city.

On the schedule: South Philly and a visit to the S. 9th Street Italian Market, the oldest continuing outdoor market in the U.S. The nearby BOK Building, a historic school now converted into an artists’ space, has several shops with amazing custom and handmade goods.

Back in Center City, visit the LOVE sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza, aka LOVE Park, and then dive deeper into the arts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (pick up or download the museum’s Mural Arts & PMA Collaboration Map to see the city’s impressive murals).

To dip further into the Philly’s creative vibes head to Wonderspaces, an experiential gallery which showcases immersive and interactive art shows

For a live music fix, The Fillmore Philadelphia is a must-visit. The industrial-chic space in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood hosts acts ranging from hip-hop and rock to country.

As the day started with a secret oasis, it’s only fitting to conclude with one back at the hotel with cocktails, bites and live music at the Living Room, a veritable step back in time to the 1970s, or at Stevens’ Prophecy, a hidden, salon-style space secreted behind a two-way mirror in the Living Room for some Old Hollywood glam.