These City Hotels Are the Epitome of Cool

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West, and this year we had another record-breaking number of entrants of the highest level across all categories. These urban hotels are the 2024 winners of the Where to Stay: City Stays category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Austin Proper Hotel

Courtesy of Austin Proper Hotel

Austin Proper Hotel and Residences in downtown Austin’s Second Street District is the most stylish addition to the city’s lodging offerings. With maximalist luxe interiors by Kelly Wearstler, restaurants serving Turkish cuisine, a poolside Mexican seafood spot, vinyl bar, and a sunken cocktail lounge exclusive to guests, this is an immersive experiential retreat as much as it is a hotel.

Drift Palm Springs

Erin Feinblatt

Drift Palm Springs brings a taste of Baja to the Southern California desert. Located steps away from downtown Palm Springs shops and dining, it offers spacious suites with full kitchens and mountain views. Relax by the pool or dine at Maleza, an upscale Baja-inspired restaurant known for its unique mezcal tastings and smart takes on modern Mexican food. Grab one of the complimentary bikes or yoga mats to get some movement in, or kick back for the regular live music sessions, which locals love to drop in on too. A welcome addition to Palm Springs.

Thompson Denver

Courtesy of Thompson Denver

Thompson Denver in the LoDo neighborhood is a buzzy home base for exploring the city. Home to Chez Maggy by Chef Ludo Lefebvre, and Reynard Social, a rooftop bar with seasonal cocktails, the hotel also provides curated wellness programs, while the adventure concierge tailors custom itineraries, making it a premier choice for a stylish and immersive stay.

The Global Ambassador

Courtesy of The Global Ambassador Hotel

At the nexus of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley, you’ll find the first hotel project from renowned restaurateur Sam Fox. This meticulously curated 141-room hotel seamlessly fuses international influences and local charm. It’s a veritable feast for the senses with five unique dining venues, each of which showcases flavors from around the world. Here, architectural elegance harmonizes with Arizona’s breathtaking landscapes, and it’s hard to go wrong no matter which venue you choose, but you don’t want to miss sunset on the stunning rooftop bar with panoramic views of Camelback Mountain.

Downtown L.A. Proper

Courtesy of The Ingalls

Envisioned by design maven Kelly Wearstler, this historic Broadway Corridor hotel was once a social club and YWCA. Now, it boasts unique offerings like the Pool Suite, with a 35-foot indoor pool, and the Basketball Court Suite with an indoor court that nods to the building’s sporting past. To fuel up after some fun, tuck into dishes from chef Suzanne Goin at Caldo Verde and rooftop oasis Cara Cara, or indulge in botanical-inspired cocktails at intimate lounge Dahlia.

Caesars Palace

Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Palace remains the iconic Las Vegas Strip resort, layering OG Vegas vibes with modern luxury, including the world’s first Nobu Hotel. Highlights include diverse dining options, Qua Baths & Spa, Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, and extensive entertainment at The Colosseum. Opened in 1966, Caesars Palace continues to set the standard with celebrity chefs, premier shopping, and top-notch gaming and nightlife. Where else can you see Adele or Garth Brooks, eat the best sushi in the desert, and have a world-class Singapore Sling in the Lobby Bar?

The Aster

Thomas J. Story

The Aster in Hollywood’s Vinyl District combines a chic workspace, boutique hotel, and social hideaway. The 35-room adults-only hotel is an urban utopia. The rooms are some of the biggest bang for buck in Hollywood, with private balconies and spacious sitting areas. Guests have access to amenities like a restaurant, lounge, pool, and fitness center, and can partake in The Aster’s social club. With a rooftop restaurant and lounge with sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills, it’s the ideal retreat for industry creatives.

Lafayette Hotel & Club

Matt Kisiday

CH Projects—known for its popular San Diego restaurants including Polite Provisions, Ironside Fish & Oyster, and Raised by Wolves—purchased the former Lafayette Hotel & Swim Club and gave it a not-so-accidentally-Wes-Anderson overhaul, complete with grand art deco adornments that nod to its bones, which date back to 1946. True to CHP form, food and drink are at the forefront, with multiple era-themed concepts, including a vintage bowling alley and a banger of a 50s diner. (You need to order the banana bread pudding French toast.) One could truly make a weekend of simply staying on property.