Where the Cool Kids Stay: The Hottest Hotel in Every State

Tired of cookie-cutter hotels that scream average? Yahoo Travel went in search of the coolest, chicest hotels in the trendiest locales in each state. From city to country, we sought out hot spots featuring art, food, culture, adventure, and rejuvenation. We found hip hotels that are walking or biking distance from craft breweries, galleries, and shops. Beyond the cities, we found uncommon luxury on farms and even in the desert. Whatever your destination, these are the hippest hotels.

Alabama — The Hotel Highland

The Hotel Highland sits squarely in the center of Birmingham’s entertainment district. Located near the Amtrak station and just blocks away from true hipster territory in the Avondale neighborhood. The martini bar makes it even cooler.

Alaska — Orca Island Cabins

(Photo: Orca Island Cabins)

This place is all about hip adventure. Cabins and yurts for glamping perch above the waters of Resurrection Bay off the coast of Seward. Kayak, hike, or try the hippest water sport of all–stand-up paddle boarding. Spend an afternoon by the fireplace in the island’s own art gallery. This is undoubtedly how the cool kids do Alaska.

Arizona — The Saguaro

Bicycle through Old Town Scottsdale for arts and shopping. Dine on Mexican cuisine and relax in amid the brightly-colored spaces surrounding two pools.

Arkansas — The Burgundy Hotel

The Burgundy gets you off hotel row and off the highway, but still a short distance from the happenings of downtown North Little Rock. Uber over to the Argenta neighborhood with its alluring combination of craft coffee and craft beer.

California — Hotel Covell

After a day spent wandering through Silver Lake’s re-sale shops and art galleries and sipping craft coffee, stop by Bar Covell to wind down the evening with the rest of the cool kids.

Colorado — The Crawford

(Photo: The Crawford Hotel)

The Crawford in the Highland neighborhood of Denver is a graceful and luxurious conversion of Denver’s Union Station. Your stay here puts you in the epicenter of Denver nightlife, from entertainment to dining and pub hopping.

Connecticut — Winvian Farm

This is where city hipsters escape to. Cottages with names and matching themes like Helicopter, Maritime, Music, and Woodlands grace the Connecticut farm. Dining is farm to table organic fare, accompanied by a variety of wines from the onsite cellar.

Wilmington — Delaware Hotel Blue

There are tiny neighborhoods like Trolley Square, along the waterfront in Wilmington that are pretty cool, unfortunately a hipster hotel has not made its way into that neighborhood yet, so you’ll have to head to the beach to chill. Hotel Blue in Lewes Beach, gets you away from the crowds of Rehoboth Beach in style. There’s an Irish pub nearby and a Mexican cantina.

Florida — Motel Bianco

(Photo: Motel Bianco)

Motel Bianco is sandwiched between Little Haiti and Morningside in Miami’s newest design district. To the south lies the trendiest nightspots spots in town in Wynwood. There are very few Miami drive-up motel makeovers that work as well as this one.

Georgia — The Ellis Hotel

The Ellis Hotel on the edge of downtown Atlanta is hip luxury just a short hop on MARTA from the hippest hot spot in town– Little Five Points.

Hawaii — Paia Inn

If Maui is the coolest island in the state, then Paia Inn on the north shore, is the hippest place to stay. This is the Hawaii you dreamed about.

Idaho — Boise Guest House

Boise Guest House is without a doubt the trendiest thing in the state. Rent a bike and peddle into the North End where the really cool kids play.

Illinois — Longman & Eagle

(Photo: Longman & Eagle)

Longman & Eagle’s off-site bar features more than 300 brands of whiskey. Sample to your heart’s content then crawl upstairs to one of six eclectic rooms for rent. When you aren’t sipping whiskey or noshing on farm-to-table, nose-to-tail cuisine, explore the current Chicago hot spot– Logan Square.

Indiana — Hotel Broad Ripple

Hotel Broad Ripple proves that there is coolness even in the burbs. The Broad Ripple neighborhood is home to half a dozen craft beer pubs. But the big draw here is access to the Monon Trail — an urban rail-trial of the highest caliber. Bring your bike.

Iowa — The Modern

The Modern has its own trendy bar and restaurant, but save enough time to check out the dozen or so choices of taprooms and ale houses in downtown Boise.

Kansas — Hotel at Old Town

Who would have thought Wichita was hip? Hotel at Old Town is walking distance to craft breweries, martini bars, and a handful of interesting eateries. That’s hip enough for us.

Kentucky — 21c Museum Hotel

(Photo: 21c Museum Hotel)

21c Museum Hotel is the place to stay for easy visits to the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Mark Payton Glass Center, and Evan Williams Bourbon Center.

Louisiana — The Hotel Modern

The Hotel Modern in the heart of the New Orleans Art District, is a stroll away from the St. Charles streetcar line and walking distance from a handful of eclectic eateries and entertainment hot spots.

Maine — The Press Hotel

If you are traveling to Portland, you are pretty hip to begin with, top that with a stay at The Press Hotel and you have rocked it by sleeping in what was the home of the Portland Press Herald until 2010. If the walls could talk.

Related: Have L.A.’s Edgy New Hotels Gone Too Far?

Maryland — The Inn at 2920

The Inn at 2920 is a contemporary urban B&B just blocks from the Canton Waterfront Park with connecting water taxis to take you throughout the harbor. The neighborhood has its share of pubs and bistros to make wandering the streets a fun pastime.

Massachusetts — The Liberty

(Photo: Liberty Hotel)

Spend the night in the “big house” at The Liberty. The building was once the Charles Street Jail and now features six food and beverage venues and 298 luxurious rooms.

Michigan — Trumbull & Porter

Beginning in February, the Corktown Hotel becomes Trumbull & Porter featuring the edginess of Detroit’s hip Corktown neighborhood. The renovation includes dining and drinking venues and a complete makeover of the former hotel.

Minnesota — Le Meridien Chambers

Le Meridien Chambers is all about contemporary art and eats. Snob it up in downtown, then head across the river to the Northeast neighborhood for some of the best craft breweries in the country.

Mississippi — Old Capitol Inn

Old Capitol Inn in Jackson is near the Fondren arts district, and walking distance from the Capitol. The rooftop garden is the perfect spot to sip a beverage while enjoying the view of downtown.

Missouri — 816 Hotel

(Photo: 816 Hotel)

816 Hotel showcases Kansas City in floor-to-ceiling murals and themed rooms so cool you may never want to leave, but venture out into the trendy Old Westport neighborhood for craft beer, BBQ, and live entertainment.

Montana — The Wilma

The Wilma is not actually a hotel, it’s an historic theater building with upstairs apartments, a handful of which are vacation rentals managed on a central website. Staying at the Wilma puts you right in the official “Heart of Missoula.” And obviously right above the art house theater venue. Now that’s cool.

Nebraska — Lincoln Downtown Haymarket Hyatt Place

There are times when choosing a chain is the coolest option available. Such is the case with the Lincoln Downtown Haymarket Hyatt Place . Never fear, Hyatt Place is a combination of urban condominiums and hotel suites, allowing you to stay like a local right in the midst of the uber trendy Haymarket district.

Nevada — Whitney Peak Hotel

If you need only one reason to choose the Whitney Peak Hotel in Reno, make it the massive climbing walls. If you want another, make it shopping for vintage clothes and vinyl on South Virginia Street.

New Hampshire — Ale House Inn

(Photo: Ale House Inn)

Ale House Inn is a crazy chic spot to stay while enjoying Portsmouth. The building was once a storage warehouse for Portsmouth Brewing Company. Each room comes with use of a cruiser bicycle and a welcome beer from Smuttynose Brewery.

New Jersey — Bungalow Hotel

Okay, so the Jersey Shore isn’t on everybody’s bucket list, but if you are headed that way and want to be part of the chill set, stay at Bungalow Hotel. Nearby nightlife, art, and of course the beach make this a fun break from the city.

New Mexico — Hotel Andaluz

Downtown Albuquerque is the hottest hot spot in the state. From bike sharing to craft beer and live entertainment, it’s the place to be and the somewhat quirky Hotel Andaluz is the place to stay Downtown.

New York — Boro Hotel

Queens is the new Brooklyn and Boro Hotel, with its rooftop bar and simple décor is the new standard for hip hotels in Queens.

North Carolina — The Windsor

(Photo: The Windsor)

Art, passes to the YMCA, rooms with exposed red brick walls, and gloriously usable kitchens make The Windsor in Asheville chic. Add in the amazing array of eateries nearby, and you’ve got all the coolness you need.

North Dakota — Hotel Donaldson

Let’s be real, when most people talk about cool in this state they are referring to the weather. But never doubt that Downtown Fargo is hip. Hotel Donaldson has rooms that feel like art galleries because they are. End each day with a view of the city from the rooftop hot tub.

Ohio — Metropolitan at the 9

Metropolitan at the 9 is a combination condominium residence and hotel complete with indoor dog park, dining, shopping, and a live performance theater.

Oklahoma — Myriad Botanical Garden

Downtown Oklahoma City is Western chic with a mixture of art, eateries, and the fabulous Myriad Botanical Garden. The Colcord puts you in the center of things, right across the street from the gardens.

Oregon — Jupiter Hotel

(Photo: The Jupiter Hotel)

Portland is the place you go for a course in Hipster 101. Jupiter Hotel is your dorm. Chalk art is your first lesson. The doors of each room are chalkboards so that you can leave your artistic coolness behind.

Pennsylvania — Ace Hotels

Ace Hotels has a new addition to the string of hip hotels that feel part hostel and part artist colony. The Pittsburgh version calls a century-old YMCA building in East Liberty home.

Related: These Are the Hottest New Hotels You’ll Want to Book in New York

Rhode Island — The Dean

The Dean is where you get hipster schooling on the East Coast. If the hotel isn’t cool enough on its own, Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel — pop, rock, and blues concert venue is right around the corner.

South Carolina — The Vendue

Art. Old warehouse buildings. Pearlz Oyster Bar around the corner. The Vendue. Need we say more?

South Dakota — Hotel Alex Johnson

(Photo: Hotel Alex Johnson)

In a state that seems to exude anti-hipness, Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City has a cool history tied to the railroad, Mt. Rushmore, and the Lakota Sioux. OH, and it’s haunted.

Tennessee — 404 Hotel

404 Hotel is the place to stay in the center of Nashville food and beer heaven in East Nashville. There’s 404 Kitchen onsite, plus Biscuit Love, Hops and Crafts, and The Turnip Truck nearby. Show up hungry.

Texas — Lone Star Court

Austin is undoubtedly the hippest city in the state, with techy suburb Round Rock running a close second. Lone Star Court captures the essence of both with funky retro highway motor court style. Add the onsite food truck court and you have the essence of cool.

Utah — Amangiri

Desert hipness begins with the luxury of Amangiri. Because sometimes you need a break from the city.

Vermont — Hotel Vermont

(Photo: Hotel Vermont)

Hotel Vermont has a beer concierge. Oh, you want more? Free use of bicycles puts it over the top cool.

Virginia — Quirk Hotel

Quirk Hotel has cocktails, coffee, art, and an artisanal dining venue. And a fun name to boot.

Washington — Ace Hotel

Ace Hotel started with this Seattle location in what was once a dock workers’ hotel. There’s hip, and then there is the Ace — it’s a whole other level of cool.

West Virginia — The Chestnut

The Chestnut is a short walk from the Caperton rail-trail, so bring your bike. After your ride, whet you whistle at Morgantown Brewing.

Wisconsin — The Iron Horse Hotel

(Photo: The Iron Horse Hotel)

The Iron Horse Hotel, housed in a 100-year old warehouse, oozes hip in urban loft-style suites. Nearby hip hangs include the Harley Davidson Museum, Great Lakes Distillery, and Milwaukee Brewing Co.

Wyoming — Hotel Terra

Take a break from the city scene with a visit to the Tetons. Ski. Hike. Bike. Eat. Drink. Hotel Terra is the coolest of the cool in Jackson Hole.

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