Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images

Best Boutique Hotel Brand 2026

By Readers' Choice On 9/9/26 at 12:00 PM EDT

For girls' trips centered on relaxation, connection and memorable experiences, the right boutique hotel brand can make all the difference. Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout boutique hotel brands—selected by our editors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Boutique Hotel Brands of 2026.

Winners of the 2026 Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards for Best Boutique Hotel Brand were announced on October 21, 2026.

1. Virgin Hotels

Virgin Hotels

Photo courtesy of Virgin Hotels Photo courtesy of Virgin Hotels

Virgin Hotels combines boutique-style accommodations with lifestyle-oriented restaurants, bars and social spaces in urban and resort markets. Properties include locations in New York, Dallas, Nashville and Edinburgh. Its hotels use contemporary design and local influences, while communal spaces and entertainment programming create a more social experience than a traditional hotel stay.

2. Arlo Hotels

Arlo Hotels

Photo courtesy of Arlo Hotels Photo courtesy of Arlo Hotels

Arlo Hotels operates primarily in urban destinations, including New York, Miami and Washington, D.C., with additional properties in other major markets. Its hotels combine compact rooms with active social spaces, restaurants, bars and cultural programming. Local artwork, design elements and neighborhood connections give individual properties a distinct identity.

3. Bunkhouse Hotels

Bunkhouse Hotels

Photo courtesy of Bunkhouse Hotels Photo courtesy of Bunkhouse Hotels

Bunkhouse Hotels operates independently minded properties throughout Texas and Mexico. Its hotels are designed individually and incorporate local architecture, art, food and culture. Properties range from renovated historic buildings to modern hotels, giving each location its own identity and connecting guests with its surrounding community.

4. Proper Hotels

Proper Hotels

Photo courtesy of Proper Hotels Photo courtesy of Proper Hotels

Proper Hotels operates luxury boutique properties in destinations including Santa Monica, Austin, San Francisco and Downtown LA. Its hotels are housed in distinctive buildings and emphasize individually designed interiors, local art and neighborhood connections. Restaurants, bars and wellness facilities are integrated into many properties, creating stays with a strong sense of place.

5. Aiden

Aiden Hotels

Photo courtesy of Aiden Photo courtesy of Aiden

Aiden, part of BWH Hotels, is a trendy new collection of modern, boutique hotels with a cool, laid-back personality. No two hotels are alike. Down-to-earth with a quick wit and ready smile, Aiden embodies the eclectic spirit of the neighborhood – a welcoming host of local flair and new adventures.

6. AutoCamp

AutoCamp

Photo courtesy of Matt Kisiday Photo courtesy of Matt Kisiday

AutoCamp takes a different approach to boutique hospitality by combining traditional hotel amenities with accommodations such as Airstream trailers, cabins and tents. Properties are located near outdoor destinations including Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Zion and the Catskills. Shared gathering spaces, fire pits and outdoor programming create stays centered on nature and recreation.

7. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants operates boutique-oriented properties in cities and resort destinations throughout the United States and internationally. Individual hotels typically occupy distinctive buildings and use locally influenced design, artwork and programming. Restaurants and bars are integrated into many properties, while amenities such as evening social hours and pet-friendly policies support a residential atmosphere.

8. 1 Hotels

1 Hotel

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel

1 Hotels centers its properties in urban and resort destinations, including New York, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco and Hanalei Bay. The brand incorporates natural materials, plants and sustainability-focused design into its hotels. Its properties combine residential-style spaces with local programming, creating stays that emphasize wellness, nature and the character of their surroundings.

9. Moxy Hotels

Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images

Moxy Hotels targets social travelers in urban, airport and leisure markets worldwide. Properties typically feature compact guest rooms and larger communal areas centered around bars, lounges, games and other social activities. Each hotel incorporates local design references and programming, giving the brand a boutique-inspired approach while maintaining its connection to Marriott.

10. Graduate by Hilton

Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of iStock by Getty Images

Graduate by Hilton focuses on college towns across the United States and select international markets, including Oxford, Ann Arbor, Nashville and Cambridge. Each hotel draws heavily from its university setting, incorporating school history, local references and collegiate-inspired design. The result is a lodging experience tied closely to the identity of each destination.

FINALISTS Canopy by Hilton EDITION Hotels Pendry Hotels & Resorts Thompson Hotels W Hotels

About Newsweek Readers' ChoiceTM Awards

Nominees for Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. Final nominees are selected through an editorial review process conducted by Newsweek editors. Winners are determined through a public voting process hosted on Newsweek.com, where readers may vote once per category per day during the contest period.

Read the contest voting rules here. For further information, see our FAQs or email readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Linnea Bailey

Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.

Pamela and Gary Baker

Pam & Gary Baker

Pam and Gary Baker are freelance food, wine, and travel writers living in Northern California. They have written for local, national, and international publications including WineTraveler, BBC Travel, LuxeBeat, Best Wineries, Wander with Wonder, and more. Pam is also the former editor of Sacramento Lifestyle Magazine. They love train travel, small ship sailing, and exploring wine regions throughout the world. Follow their adventures at pamandgarybaker.com.

Teresa Bergen

Teresa Bergen is a Portland, Oregon-based travel writer who specializes in the outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. She's the author of Easy Portland Outdoors and the Sober Travel Handbook. Learn more about her at teresabergen.com.

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

Nancy Brown

Nancy D. Brown is a travel writer and content creator based in Eugene, Oregon. Writing about soft adventure and equestrian travel for over 14 years, her articles have appeared in Shape magazine, Alaska Airlines, Diablo, 7x7 magazine, Chicago Tribune, East Bay Times, San Jose Mercury News, Stroll North Gilham, Stroll Southwest Hills and Hotel-Scoop.com. As an active adventure baby boomer with two hip replacements, she enjoys horseback riding around the world. One of her latest adventures took her to California's Elkhorn Slough where she paddled a foldable kayak near sea otters. Follow her at nancydbrown.com, on Instagram @Nancydbrown or on YouTube.

Marla Cimini

Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.

Cynthia Drake

Cynthia J. Drake is an Austin-based travel writer for Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Texas Monthly, and others. See her adventures at http://cynthiadrake.com.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr headshot

Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

Cherith Fluker headshot

Cherith Fluker

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based freelance writer specializing in travel, self-care, and lifestyle content. With a blend of experience, creativity and Southern warmth, Cherith's writing resonates with readers seeking inspiration and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, SheBuysTravel, LakeLife 24/7, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Motherly and more. She also shares her voice on her blog, WhatCherithinks. Cherith is the author of the book Secret Birmingham, set to be published in fall 2025. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the National Federation of Press Women.

Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia, known as the ConsumerQueen, is a full-time content creator with over 20 years of experience helping people save money and make savvy decisions. Her mission is to teach others to save where they can so they can spend on what they love. Melissa shares the best products to make life easier and also owns RoamingMyPlanet and The Oklahoma Homesteader, where she continues to inspire and educate her audience.

Amy Piper

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering the hotel, cruise and airline industry from every corner of the globe. His work has appeared in numerous consumer and industry publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, CNBC, NerdWallet.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, Frommers, Fodors, Business Traveler, Airways and AAA magazines. Ramsey regularly flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to all 7 continents, 50 U.S. states and 174 United Nations countries. Learn more at ramseyq.com.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

Mike Shubic headshot

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions...the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure. Learn more at MikesRoadTrip.com.

Jamie Davis Smith - headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

Robin Smith headshot

Robin Smith

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board. Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Nancy Zaffaro headshot

Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro is a writer, editor and photographer. She covers arts, culture, travel and the outdoors and also writes fiction. She is the Editor of ConfettiTravelCafe.com, and her work has appeared in print and online for numerous publications and media outlets. She travels locally throughout the Pacific Northwest, nationally and to far-flung international locales. When not traveling, she's active in her community and enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga and spending time with friends and family. Originally from Chicago, she's also lived in Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington. She's currently based in Portland, Oregon.