Presented by Capital One

Hot List hotels command our attention for different reasons, and stellar culinary experiences are often a highlight. These three properties might seem dramatically different from each other—a cozy inn, a glamorous beach club, and a classic Southern belle—but they have one important thing in common: standout restaurants serving up memorable, locally inspired cuisine, and meals worth traveling for.

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Pastel tones are just one of the elements working to imbue the Dunlin with a slow, sophisticated Southern style.

The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection

Set along South Carolina’s beguiling Kiawah River, the Dunlin reimagines Lowcountry charm with 72 cottage-style rooms and suites and 19 villas set across a sprawling 2,000 acres. Architect Robert Glazier and interior design maven Amanda Lindroth worked together to channel sophisticated Southern style, from the gabled roofs and sweeping porches to pastel tones and rattan and gingham accents. It’s all about slow living here, whether you go on a dolphin safari or try sunrise yoga, visit the Dunlin’s goats or linger over a leisurely brunch at Linnette’s. With its refined takes on Lowcountry classics—skillet cornbread, shrimp and grits, brown butter crab rice, buttermilk-fried oysters—Linnette’s mint-colored dining room with checkered floors and straw details is a standout for its sophisticated Southern menu.

Is the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic still a thing? Even if it isn’t elsewhere, that’s the vibe you’ll want to channel in this timeless hideaway. Pack an assortment of linen trousers, comfortable button downs and sweaters, and breezy dresses that will be perfect for any outing at the Dunlin.

The Henson’s historic facade houses a serious dining destination in addition to a hotel.

Courtesy The Henson

The Henson — Hensonville, New York

Welcome to Hensonville, New York, population 378: the quintessential tranquil hamlet in the heart of the Catskills, now home to the platonic ideal of an inn. The Henson, a sweet 16-room hideaway, has old-world whimsy blended with sophisticated contemporary design—the façade of the 19th-century boardinghouse exudes its sense of history, as do the bronze keys hanging behind the desk and the owners’ personal art collection, while rooms are filled with an eclectic mix of furniture, including an Adrian Pearsall platform sofa and dining chairs by Frederik Sieck for Fritz Hansen. It’s a stylish place to hole up for a few days, soaking in the serenity before making your way to the main event: the Henson’s restaurant Matilda, a dining destination in its own right. Here, chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra of New York City’s Contra use the Catskills’ abundance of ingredients in compelling new ways—think dauphine potatoes with prosciutto and basil and Amish golden chicken with dandelion, negi onion, and koji. There’s also the home-style breakfast served in the cozy dining room every morning, with a luscious frittata and freshly baked bread with local preserves and butter.

You might arrive at the Henson with the best of intentions of exploring the surrounding Catskills—perhaps skiing at Hunter Mountain in the winter or hiking at Kaaterskill Falls in the summer—so you should definitely pack some activewear for outings. But chances are, when you settle in by the fireplace in the drawing room to play chess, or curl up with a book on the rooftop with sweeping views of the landscape, you’ll probably want to hunker down for a few days. So be ready with cozy, comfortable outfits perfect for relaxing—and ideally with a flexible waistband to account for the decadent meals.

Marisol, a longtime favorite at the Beach Club, is back in business on the beachfront after the renovation.

Mark Mediana/The Boca Raton

The Boca Raton has been a Florida institution for a century, with five hotels and a private members club spread across 200 waterfront acres that have for years been drawing everyone from high-profile snowbirds to well-heeled locals marking milestone celebrations. Fresh off a $130 million makeover, the Beach Club at the Boca Raton is an airy, light-filled escape, with 210 rooms with panoramic views. A highlight of the reimagined setting are the two restaurants, the brand-new Onda, which serves a coastal menu with Caribbean flair in an oceanfront dining room, and Marisol, a refreshed long-time favorite at the Beach Club, where diners feast on shellfish towers, kebabs, and other Mediterranean classics.

If you want to take advantage of the resort’s endless array of activities—pickleball, tennis, golf, croquet, paddleboarding, and more—make sure you pack your best athleisure sets accordingly. But if you’d rather while away your days by one of the eight pools or the 50,000-square-foot Alhambra-inspired Spa Palmera, you just need a few chic swimsuits, coverups, and a handful of sundresses—and plenty of SPF.

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