The eight must-see themed hotels in the U.S


If you’re traveling in the United States and looking for a hotel that’s a whole new experience in itself, read on for some top-quality themed hotels that will stand out from the average hotel room.

Winvian Farms Cottages, one of the many themed hotels on offer in the U.S.
Winvian Farm Cottages in Litchfield Hills in Connecticut. Image credit: Winvian Farms.

Want to kick your hotel stay up a notch? Don’t settle for a bland, basic hotel when you could be staying at one of these imaginatively themed hotels in the U.S.

The themed hotels on this list are the ones you’ll actually want to stay at, who get creative with their themes, and don’t just throw a lightsaber on the wall and call it Star Wars. Without further ado, here are some amazing themed hotel rooms you’ll want to book for your next trip to the U.S.

Winvian Farm Cottages in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

This is the mother of all themed hotels. Winvian Farm has 18 little luxury cottages, each with their own theme. They’re the creations of 15 architects with different points of view, and they’re all gorgeous.

If you’re looking for a woodsy vibe, stay in the Log Cabin, Beaver Lodge, Camping (the cottage theme, not an actual campground), or Tree House cottages, and if you’re into a particular design aesthetic, go for one with an Industry, Maritime, or Connecticut Yankee theme. There’s even a cottage with a “secret society” theme, where the ceiling of the bedroom is a glass pyramid.

The most unique cottage of them all is by far the Helicopter cottage, where the living quarters resemble an airline hanger, and the dining and lounge area is inside an actual restored Coast Guard helicopter.

Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, New York

Picture a massive stone castle on a hill, overlooking a valley with a river running through it. You’re probably picturing the European mountainside, not a village in New York state. Turns out you don’t need to cross an ocean to feel like modern royalty at the Castle Hotel & Spa.

The castle was constructed in the early 1900s for business mogul General Howard Carroll who lived there and wasn’t turned into a luxury inn until more than 90 years later.

The architecture is Norman-inspire, a style of Roman architecture typically seen in Britain, but the interiors are modern and comfortable. The workspaces and 24-hour health and fitness center make it ideal for working remotely, while the whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool, and ten acres of woodland are perfect for those trying to get away from it all.

Beckham Creek Cave in Parthenon, Arkansas

If you’ve ever wanted to have your own secret underground sanctum, book a stay at Beckham Creek Cave. This luxurious lodge is in a cave in the Ozarks, and an exclusive one at that, as the private resort has just four bedrooms and a master suite.

The natural formations of the cave serve both a structural and aesthetic purpose, as the exposed rock is everything from the ceiling, the wall, or just an accent depending on which room you are in.
The cave is just the beginning, as the massive plot of land, which is more than 250 acres/1 square kilometer, has many more caves to go spelunking in, trails to stroll, and bluffs to do some rock climbing.

The Santa Suite at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The Santa Suite is a themed hotel focused on Christmas, all year round.
Be festive all year-round at this Tennessee themed hotel. Image credit: iStock/Vladans.

This themed hotel is in the same state, but with a very different concept. This Christmas-themed hotel is for the traveler who wishes every night was Christmas Eve. You can find the hotel at Pigeon Forge, which happens to also be the home of Dollywood, the Dolly-Parton-themed amusement park. This town certainly loves a theme.

While the Bavarian-inspired inn has Christmas decorations everywhere, The Santa Suite is the most Christmassy room of them all, with decorations adorning the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and even the bathroom

A year-round holiday season looks pretty good here. In the summer you can go swimming in the pool (outdoor or indoor), and in the winter you can join in on a sing-along with Santa or just stroll the grounds, which looks breathtaking under a layer of snow.

Pullman Train Cars at Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Are you nostalgic for the olden days of luxury train travel? The Chattanooga Choo-Choo offers you the chance to stay inside an old train car from the ‘30s, ‘40s, or ‘50s.

The rooms have period-appropriate decor, but also all the amenities you expect from a hotel. The premises has an indoor pool and offers dry cleaning and laundry services so you’ll always put your best foot forward.

It’s conveniently located right in city’s downtown core, but there are plenty of entertainment options within the complex so you don’t have to leave the property if you don’t want to. Chattanooga Choo-Choo even has a comedy club and a train-themed escape room on the premises.

The Real World Suite at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada

The Real World Suite at the Palms Casino is a themed hotel not to be missed
The Real World Suite at the Palms Casino is not to be missed. Image credit: LPETTET.

This is the suite where the cast of MTV’s “The Real World Las Vegas” lived, but you don’t have to be a superfan to enjoy staying here. The 3,000 square foot (just under 280 square meters) room is full of bright pops of color and geometric patterns.

It is an ideal place for tight-knit groups traveling together as it has five beds total that are divided amongst three rooms, a large communal bathroom, and a pool table.

An honorable mention goes to the Hardwood Suite, a basketball-themed suite also available at the Palms, but as of the posting of this article, is not yet open for reservations. The Palms is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to themed hotels in Las Vegas, and they’re making sure they stay there.

21c Museum Hotels in Louisville, Cincinnati, Bentonville, Durham, Lexington, Oklahoma City, Nashville, and Kansas City.

If you’ve ever been to a museum or gallery at closing time and wished you could stay longer, how about sleeping over? All the 21c buildings function as both contemporary art galleries and hotels.

Each hotel room is decorated with beautiful works of art, and since each location decorates their rooms differently and hosts temporary exhibitions, you could stay at every 21c Hotel in the country and see some new and exciting art every time. Two more 21c Hotels were in development at the time of this article, so Chicago and Des Moines will soon be added to the list of artsy accommodations.

Like most art galleries, every location also regularly hosts cultural events like workshops and talks by featured artists.

Disneyland’s Signature Suites at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California

You’re probably thinking that these rooms are just for kids, but Disneyland’s Signature Suites are actually much more mature than you’d expect, perfect for adults traveling with or without family. They’re upscale luxury rooms, designed to make you feel like you’re in one of Disney’s imaginative worlds.

If anyone knows how to make an immersive themed experience, it’s Disney. When it comes to themed hotels in California, no one does it better, and if you’re already going to Disneyland to have a fantastical experience, don’t let it end at the front door.

The Signature Suite themes include Pirates of the Caribbean, Fairy Tale, Adventureland, Mickey Mouse, and Big Thunder. What’s nice about these rooms is that every single element of the decor is carefully selected to suit the theme without making it look too gimmicky — with the exception of the Mickey Mouse room, but in that case the gimmicky quality is part of the draw.

Found the perfect themed hotel? Why not book a high-quality Blacklane chauffeur service to get you there in style.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marlys Klossner

Marlys, a journalism major from Canada, now calls Germany home. She spends her days writing punchy copy and lovely long-form articles, and spends her evenings watching so-bad-it's-bad reality TV. Her prized possessions? Medals from her days as a synchronized swimmer.