The South has some dreamy new accommodations waiting to welcome you inside. From urban eclectic to coastal chic to mountain rustic, here are nine new boutique hotels where you should book a room or a table during your next adventure — plus seven more coming soon!
Southall Farm & Inn | Franklin, TN
Southall is officially open, and its sprawling landscape offers a full roster of bookable adventures. Stay in the 62-room inn or one of the detached hillside cabins. Enjoy the spa, mineral pool, and wellness classes, or take a kayak or canoe for a spin around the lake.
There are hiking trails, foraging trips, beekeeping classes, culinary events, an adult ropes course, and many other on-property activities. Dine at Sojourner (with or without a room key), and stay tuned for the opening of the signature restaurant, January.
Book a room at Southall and explore their event calendar here. Image: Southall Farm & Inn
Waymore’s Guest House & Casual Club | Nashville, TN
East Nashville has a lively new cultural hub with 93 guest rooms, suites, and bunk rooms. The spacious, pet-friendly rooms have sustainable bath amenities, locally-sourced art, curated mini-bars, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Overnight sojourners or passers-by can enjoy the all-day cafe, Lobby Bar & Lounge, rooftop bar (coming this summer), and a 4,000-square-foot music club with open-to-the-public events.
The Waymore’s Guest House and Casual Club has quickly become a new adult playground in East Nashville. Image: Quinn Ballard
Outland Chalet & Suites | Jackson County, NC
Outland is a 22-acre private retreat nestled along a high mountain ridge just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Revel in the direct views of Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the park, hike one of seven trails on the property, relax in the cozy fireplace lounge, or soak in a luxurious freestanding tub in one of their fireplace spa suites.
Outland is the epitome of mountain rustic-chic. Image: Outland Chalet & Suites
Hotel Forty Five | Macon, GA
This new 94-room boutique hotel in downtown Macon is the first in Macon’s Historic Central Business District. They have three on-site dining outlets: Loom, the signature Southern restaurant; Hightales Rooftop Bar atop the sixth floor with a stunning city view; and Reckon Coffee & Wine Bar with grab-n-go bites and beverages.
The Festival Capital of Georgia, you can celebrate Macon’s Southern charm, cherry blossoms, nature trails, and live music with a stay at this new hotel. Image: Hotel Forty Five
the Darwin | Atlanta, GA
Film, music, and book lovers will rejoice at Old Fourth Ward Atlanta’s funky new hotel on the Beltline. It’s got a surround-sound movie room for guests, an enclosed cocktail courtyard, a small-batch coffee bar, and 111 rooms of all different shapes and sizes. We love their tagline, “In Atlanta, a city full of type-A corporate hotels, we’re the odd duck dressed a little too loudly for the occasion.”
The 430-square-foot “Generous” room can be configured as two queens or one king and has ample space to listen to records or make cocktails. Image: the Darwin
Bellwether House | Savannah, GA
This adults-only boutique inn has 15 luxurious rooms within a 160-year-old mansion! If you even want to leave your room, a guests-only, chef-driven restaurant serves all meals and afternoon tea service. You can also indulge in in-room spa and wellness treatments from local pros. Each room and communal nook keeps the home’s original character, including the various layouts of each room. Some rooms have workspaces or bathtubs, while others have lounging areas or double showers.
Soaked in Southern charm, the Bellwether House is a dreamy Savannah getaway. Image: Bellwether House
Lily Hall | Pensacola, FL
A stunning new 15-room boutique lodging house boasts “delightfully peculiar rooms, craft cocktails, and hearth-cooked dishes tucked into Pensacola’s historic Old East Hill.” The design team gave new life to over 100 used books from local bookshops like Open Books.
Guests can cozy up with a book and a cocktail in Lily’s Parlor or write their stories on one of the property’s many typewriters. (The stories will eventually be combined to create a guest coffee table book!) There are also 18 letters throughout the property written by novelist Adam Hill. The letters share apocryphal tales of famous literary and historical figures interacting at Lily Hall.
Housed in a building that used to be a church and an underground punk venue, the bright lawn is the perfect place to commune and play. Image: Lily Hall
The Palmetto Hotel | Charleston, SC
Situated in the heart of the Holy City’s beloved French Quarter historic district, this new hotel has a dreamy lobby bar, plush rooms, and the perfect downtown address. Guests are a stone’s throw away from live music and next door to coveted Lowcountry fare at High Cotton and Slightly North of Broad (SNOB).
Your next Charleston getaway deserves a stop at The Palmetto. If not for a room, for a drink! Image: The Palmetto Hotel
The Loren at Lady Bird Lake | Austin, TX
This elegant hotel is inspired by art, music, and wellness. With a full calendar of guest programming, you can hit the state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studios, spin studio, and luxury spa. Dine at Nido, the modern American all-day restaurant, or order at the rooftop pool. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available on Lady Bird Lake.
The elegant rooftop pool at The Loren is one of many swimming options the lakeside property offers. Image: The Loren at Lady Bird Lake
UPCOMING HOTEL OPENINGS
Hotel Genevieve | Louisville, KY
Opens May 2023
Opening just in time for the Kentucky Derby, the retro hotelier gurus at Bunkhouse Group are moving into the Bluegrass State. The all-day cafe, Rosettes, is inspired by al fresco Parisian cafés.
Manchester Hotel | Lexington, KY
Open May 2023
Located in the heart of Lexington’s historic Distillery District, The Manchester is the first high-end hotel in the horse and bourbon capital of the world. There are 125 guest rooms, a bespoke bottle shop, and a lively lobby bar and lounge alongside two unique dining and drinking spaces: Granddam, the globally inspired feature restaurant; and Lost Palm, an Art Deco rooftop bar and lounge.
The Ozarker Lodge | Branson, MO
Opens summer 2023
This beautifully rustic and Wes Andersonesque lodge will be the perfect Ozark Mountain jumping-off point. It brings back the nostalgia of family road trips, the excitement of summer camp, and the simple charm of an evening by the creek. There will be dining options, soaking tubs, a pool, a creekside hangout, and a natural playground.
HeartSong Lodge & Resort | Pigeon Forge, TN
Opening fall 2023
Once this exciting Dollywood addition opens, it will add 302 spacious rooms and suites — many with balconies — to the Smoky Mountain destination. A stunning four-story atrium lobby will welcome guests with a giant stone fireplace and sweeping windows. Check out new delicious dining options, a new market and grab-n-go eatery, and a mercantile for shopping.
Bowie House | Fort Worth, TX
Opens late 2023
A highly anticipated opening, Bowie House will sit amongst Fort Worth Cultural District’s old oak trees in a park-like setting near internationally-renowned and architecturally-acclaimed museums and entertainment jewels. Its 88 rooms and 18 suites — including a 2,250 square foot signature suite — will encourage local Texans and discerning travelers to explore this exciting urban destination of music, food, livestock shows, and shopping.
Graduate | Auburn, AL + Austin, TX
Open dates TBA
Brand new Graduates are officially in the works for Austin, TX, and Auburn, AL. More to come for the Longhorn lovers and “War Eagle” criers.
Enjoy these exciting new Southern accommodations!
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Ready to hit the road and explore the South? Check out our travel archives to start planning your next Southern escape!
