The spotlight is shifting from America’s biggest cities to its most exciting up-and-comers. As travelers prioritize authentic experiences, standout culinary scenes and long weekend escapes over crowded tourist hubs, “secondary cities” are emerging as some of the country’s most compelling destinations. Recent reporting has identified many of these markets as America’s next booming cities, driven by economic growth, cultural investment and new development.
Read on to discover eight amazing hotels and residences that showcase why these destinations deserve a spot on travelers’ radar.
Skip Charleston. Stay in Savannah.
The Ann Savannah | Savannah, GA
Recently named the No. 3 Best City in the U.S., Savannah continues to captivate travelers with its historic charm, thriving culinary scene, and growing creative community. While cities like Charleston and Nashville often dominate Southern travel conversations, Savannah offers a slower-paced alternative rich in culture and character. Located in the heart of the Historic District, The Ann Savannah is an apartment-style hotel designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the destination. Offering spacious studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom accommodations with full kitchens, separate living spaces, and residential-style amenities, the property combines the flexibility of a vacation rental with the elevated service and design of a boutique hotel, making it an ideal home base for extended stays, family getaways, and group travel.
Instead of Chicago, Cincinnati.
The Lytle Park Hotel | Cincinnati, OH
Once an under-the-radar Midwest destination, Cincinnati has quietly become a standout for its acclaimed dining scene, world-class arts institutions, major sporting events and revitalized riverfront. As the city’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel, Lytle Park Hotel blends timeless luxury with a deep sense of place inside a beautifully restored historic building overlooking its namesake park. The 106-room property features elegantly appointed guestrooms, the award-winning Subito restaurant, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of downtown and the Ohio River, and is just steps from attractions including the Taft Museum of Art, Smale Riverfront Park and The Andrew J. Brady Music Center.
Trade Nashville for Louisville.
Hotel Bourré Bonne | Louisville, KY
Louisville has evolved into far more than a bourbon destination, with a flourishing restaurant scene, vibrant arts culture, and the continued rise of the NuLu neighborhood as one of the country’s most exciting culinary and shopping districts. Recognized as the No. 3 Best Hotel in the Continental U.S., Hotel Bourré Bonne offers a refined yet approachable stay that reflects the city’s next chapter. Guests can experience the destination through the property’s acclaimed Steakhouse Bourré Bonne, the city’s only rooftop restaurant and bar with sweeping skyline views, thoughtfully designed accommodations, and convenient access to NuLu’s independent boutiques, acclaimed restaurants, galleries, and bourbon experiences, making it an ideal base for exploring one of the South’s fastest-rising urban destinations.
Choose Snowmass or Telluride Over Aspen.
Viceroy Snowmass | Snowmass, CO
While Aspen continues to draw travelers for its luxury shopping, dining and cultural scene, neighboring Snowmass offers a more laid-back mountain escape with abundant outdoor adventure, fewer crowds and a vibrant village atmosphere just minutes away. Located at the base of Snowmass Mountain, Viceroy Snowmass combines ski-in/ski-out access, elevated accommodations and year-round amenities with easy access to both destinations, making it an ideal home base for travelers looking to experience the best of the Aspen area beyond the main downtown core. Guests can enjoy spacious residences, destination dining at Toro Kitchen & Lounge, a full-service spa, heated pool and direct access to hiking, biking and mountain activities in the summer, or world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter.
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Collection | Telluride, CO
Aspen may be the name most people know, but Telluride, home to Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Collection, offers its own version of Colorado’s luxury mountain scene. The town is a preserved Victorian-era mining town, with historic buildings lining the main street, a free gondola connecting downtown to Mountain Village, and a pace that’s quieter and more low-key than other ski towns. It also offers real adventure that’s actually close by: alpine lakes, hiking trails, and fly fishing are all within about 10 minutes of town, making it a more approachable mountain destination for everyday travelers. At the base of the mountain, Madeline offers true ski-in/ski-out access, along with spacious one- to four-bedroom residences with full kitchens, making it an easy home base for families and groups. Guests can enjoy the heated Alpine Swim Club pool, spa treatments built for high-altitude recovery, and year-round activities like guided snowmobile tours in winter and horseback riding and hiking in summer.
Trade New Orleans for Memphis.
Big Cypress Lodge | Memphis, TN
While cities like New Orleans often top travelers’ lists for Southern culture and live music, Memphis is quietly carving out its own place as one of the region’s most compelling urban getaways. Home to legendary attractions like Beale Street, Graceland and Elvis Week, the city pairs rich history with an unmistakable sense of place. At the center of it all, Big Cypress Lodge transforms the iconic Bass Pro Shops Pyramid into a one-of-a-kind nature retreat, where guests can stay in treehouse-inspired accommodations overlooking an indoor cypress swamp before exploring downtown just minutes away. The unexpected blend of outdoor adventure, luxury and iconic attractions makes Memphis a destination worth planning a trip around, not just passing through.
Beyond San Francisco: Santa Cruz or Pebble Beach.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa | Santa Cruz, CA
As travelers increasingly seek out secondary cities that offer the same cultural appeal without the crowds, Santa Cruz is emerging as a compelling alternative to San Francisco. Located within the Bay Area, Santa Cruz delivers the region’s creative energy, vibrant culinary scene, and eclectic character, but with a slower pace, breathtaking coastal scenery, and an authentic surf culture. From scenic blufftop walks and locally owned boutiques to farm-to-table dining and iconic beaches, the destination offers visitors the best of Northern California while embracing a more relaxed, wellness-driven lifestyle. At the heart of it all, La Bahia Hotel & Spa provides a refined home base for experiencing this laid-back coastal community, blending elevated hospitality with the spirit and history of Santa Cruz.
Casa Palmero | Pebble Beach, California
For travelers looking to venture beyond San Francisco’s city limits, Pebble Beach offers a refreshing change of pace defined by dramatic coastal landscapes, world-class wellness, and understated luxury. Located along California’s iconic Monterey Peninsula, the destination invites visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature through scenic drives, oceanfront recreation, and renowned golf experiences. Nestled within the heart of Pebble Beach, Casa Palmero serves as an intimate retreat with just 24 guest rooms and suites, personalized service, and access to Forbes Five-Star spa experiences, making it an ideal escape for travelers seeking tranquility, privacy, and a distinctly elevated Northern California getaway.
