At the heart of this issue is our love of hotels. There are 110,000 of them in America (see more fun stats on page 6) and this celebration of hotels is 132 pages of the newest and most exceptional places that we recommend. On page 60, you'll find our first-ever Greatest Hotels Ever awards. The selections that made the inaugural list were culled from reader nominations, and they represent a very specific kind of awesomeness: They are notable, yet affordable (average night stay is under $350, usually way under). They also embrace the things we love — music, food, art, design and exploration. There's also a whole lot more. Don't book another hotel before flipping through this issue.
CONCIERGE
(INFO AND TIPS TO GUIDE YOUR TRAVEL PLANNING)
BT THE NUMBERS
Totally geeky hotel stats that will blow your mind.
by Fifty Grande editors
A REALLY BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN HOTELS
Electricity! Air conditioning! Apps! From the first hotel in 1794 straight through to 2024, it’s been a wild ride.
by Emily Frantz
CHECK IN
The coolest hotels coming this year.
by Matt Meltzer
THE EVOLUTION OF THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL
When everything’s “boutique,” what does that even mean anymore?
by Stacey Lastoe
STUFF WE LOVE
Let some of the best shows of the past 12 months serve as inspiration for your next trip.
by Wes Orshoski
CRASH COURSE
Q&A with the author of “Hotel, An American History,” the defining account of the hotel’s evolution in the U.S.
by Chris M. Walsh