Room Request: The Hotels Edition

A phenomenal hotel can shape your vacation—whether you want a quiet retreat after a jet lag-hazy day of museum hopping, or a resort where you can spend a week amid coveted views, restaurants, and experiences without ever leaving the premises.

More and more, travelers want a hotel that adds color, flavor, access, and excitement to a trip, instead of just offering a beige backdrop and a place to crash. According to Expedia’s 2025 trends report, a third of travelers are choosing hotels based on their in-house restaurants. That’s why we’ve included a piece on Waldorf Astoria Osaka, a stunning new hotel with restaurants that are already on par with the Michelin-starred fare in this culinary hub. Another story in this special edition proves museum hotels are on the rise, from the artistic Japanese stay that started it all, to the Climate Museum coming to New York City in 2029 with a 455-room hotel. Read on for more hotels that are woven into the very fabric of their destinations.