I’m A Travel Writer, And These Are The 5 Best New Hotels I Stayed At In 2024

There are so many reasons I love hotels. They offer a temporary respite from the day-to-day responsibilities of my Brooklyn apartment, like cleaning and cooking. They also have a sense of safety, something that’s extremely important for a woman like myself, who frequently travels solo. Most importantly, hotels provide a home base from where I can conveniently explore and experience other parts of the world.

From a tiny five-room inn hidden way on the coasts of Wakayama, Japan, to a boutique hotel that’s helping revitalize Atlantic City, a place that’s near and dear to my heart, below are my five favorite new hotels that opened in 2024.

Four Seasons Hotel Osaka

No longer overshadowed by Tokyo and Kyoto, Osaka is finally stepping into the spotlight, thanks to Expo 2025 and the stunning Four Seasons Hotel Osaka. Combining the cozy qualities of ryokans, traditional Japanese inns, and the conveniences of a full-service hotel, this new property in the Dojima business district infuses quiet luxury at every turn and corner. Though all the accommodations are pristine and airy, spend at least one night at Gensui, an entire floor dedicated to a modern ryokan experience with Sabo, a private tea lounge, and 21 rooms and suites done up with tatami flooring and plush futon beds.

Though Osaka is famed for its culinary contributions like okonomiyaki and kitsune udon, eating and drinking well at the hotel is a breeze—and helpful before or after a long day of exploration. Jardin’s bountiful breakfast buffet is easily the city’s best—the made-from-scratch pastries are irresistible—while Jiang Nan Chun marries Cantonese specialties (fish maw soup, crabmeat-stuffed fried shells) with breathtaking city views. Adjacent to Jiang Nan Chun is Bar Bota, a posh lounge stirring and shaking up imagintive libations like the zippy Matcha & Yuzu Highball. For a wellness fix, zip up to the 36th floor, where a sparkling pool, spa with five treatment rooms, and ofuro baths await.

Longfellow Hotel

The first independent, full-service property to open in Portland, one of America’s most beloved destinations, in over 20 years, The Longfellow Hotel in the West End brings together everything the mindful, modern-day traveler is looking for under one stylish roof.

As sustainability is a key pillar for Longfellow, the 48 energy-efficient rooms and suites feature beds dressed in organic sheets, refillable glass bottles for water, and bathrooms with bamboo toilet paper. This ethos extends to the hotel’s food and beverage concepts, Five of Clubs and Twinflower Cafe, which run on electricity instead of gas. There’s even an electric BMW i7 to scoot you within a three-mile radius on the house. Though Astraea’s spa menu is short and sweet, it focuses on rebalancing the body and mind by combining techniques like breathwork, face massage, and meditation stones. And thanks to the Hilton’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World announced earlier this year, you can book a stay at Longfellow with Hilton Honors.

Tuzumi Wakayama Susami

Nestled in a tiny seaside town in Wakayama in Japan’s Kii Peninsula, Tuzumi Wakayama Susami is a five-room inn stripped down to the simplest pleasures. As the website states: it’s dedicated to “the luxury of doing nothing.” The minimalist accommodations are appointed with Kishu wood ceilings, washi paper on windows for a stained glass effect, and open-air mineral baths for stargazing soaks. Each room also has its own dining space, where meals—breakfast and dinner are included in the nightly rate—are lovingly cooked and served.

The food is homey and unfussy, and showcases the seasonal bounty of the surrounding mountains and sea (wild boar, Ogata sweetfish, spiny lobster) in bubbling hot pots and smoke-kissed dishes fresh off the grill. In line with Tuzumi’s philosophy of doing nothing, there are no modern-day amenities such as televisions and gyms. The grounds, too, are sparse, save for a firepit, a repurposed shipping container for the informal reception area, and a shiplike art installation.

Nobu Hotel Atlantic City

Part of Atlantic City’s recent revitalization can be credited to Nobu Hotel Atlantic City. Capitalizing upon the hotel-within-a-hotel concept Nobu unveiled in Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace in 2013, the 85-key property occupies the Centurion Tower’s top three floors. You’ll check in at a desk expressly for Nobu guests—where you’ll be welcomed with green tea and oshibori—before heading to your spacious accommodations accented with bold abstract art and dark woods, and with bird’s-eye views of the beaches and America’s oldest boardwalk.

If relaxation is in order, try one of Qua Baths & Spa’s Nobu-inspired treatments, such as the Japanese Silk, an 80-minute, head-to-toe session combining stimulating exfoliation and revitalizing hot stone massage. When it’s time for dinner, feast on Nobu restaurant’s signature delicacies like spicy tuna crispy rice and miso black cod. Also at Caesars Atlantic City are the Italian-American hot spot Superfrico (hello, tableside-stretched mozzarella) and The Hook, a wildly entertaining, adults-only show conjuring up AC’s golden age.

Hotel NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa

There are countless reasons why you should consider planning a vacation to Finland’s capital city of Helsinki in 2025, from the highly anticipated reopening of Finlandia Hall, to Moomins’ 80th anniversary, to the Helsinki Biennial. As for where to stay in between being out and about? Look no further than the NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa.

Situated in the heart of the city, the 224-key hotel spread across two historic structures (Hotel Seurahuone and the New Student House) offers a convenient stay within easy walking distance of some of Helsinki’s best cultural attractions and shopping. In true Finnish fashion, design is a focalpoint for the hotel. There’s an astonishing collection of Finnish art—Johannes Haapasalo’s soapstone sculptures greet you at the entrance—and unique architectural elements that have been brought back to life in smart new ways. The new Student House’s dome-shaped tower, for example, has been transformed into Kupoli, a buzzy bar with imaginative cocktails by famed mixologist Mika Koivula and panoramic views. Since wellness is integral to everyday life in Finland, the hotel is also home to USVA by Terhen, a tranquil oasis with a traditional Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, and huge fitness center.