Best Hotels Visited in 2025

By Priscilla Emmerson, VP of Sales

Suitcases tell the truth.

After months on the road, you learn quickly which hotels are simply places to sleep—and which ones actually support you. The ones that help you think clearly before a big meeting, recharge after a long tradeshow day, or feel grounded in a city you barely have time to explore.

In 2025, I spent more nights in hotels than at home. I traveled to 14 cities across 8 states, attended six tradeshows, and experienced everything from unexpected snowstorms in New Orleans to warm Texas evenings spent rocking on a motel porch. Along the way, a handful of hotels stood out—not just for their design, but for how they made me feel as a traveler, a professional, and a human.

These are the five hotel stays I loved most in 2025—and why they earned a spot on my list.

5. The Frenchmen – Kasa New Orleans

This was my first stay at a Kasa property, and it immediately set a strong first impression. From the seamless, contactless check-in to its location in the heart of the historic French Quarter, The Frenchmen felt both modern and rooted in place.

I stayed in a spacious loft—something I was especially grateful for given one unexpected detail: my New Orleans trip coincided with more than 10 inches of snow.

Yes, snow. In NOLA.

Despite the city being wholly unprepared for winter weather, the team at The Frenchmen handled the situation as gracefully as possible. I felt safe, warm, and comfortable throughout my stay. The generous layout helped me avoid cabin fever, and being close to landmarks like Jackson Square and Café du Monde made it easy to experience the city between storms still.

I would absolutely stay here again—hopefully without the snow next time.

4. YOTEL – New York City

YOTEL was another first for me, and it felt like a glimpse into the future of hospitality. The brand is built around efficiency, technology, and innovative use of space—and it shows in every detail.

The room itself felt straight out of a sci-fi film: a motorized futon, an ultra-efficient bathroom, and an almost entirely white color palette. Without the color-changing LED lighting, the space might have felt stark, but the lighting added just enough personality to keep it visually engaging.

What stood out most was the intentional design logic behind it all. YOTEL understands Manhattan. From my 14th-floor window, the city felt fast, dense, and electric—so much so that I half-expected a hover car to fly past.

3. Kasa El Paseo – Miami, FL

After my positive experience with Kasa in New Orleans, booking Kasa El Paseo in Miami was an easy decision—and it didn’t disappoint.

Miami is vibrant, diverse, and full of energy, and this location put me right in the middle of it. Within a few blocks, I had access to the beach, excellent Latin American coffee, incredible Cuban food (a personal weakness), fun retail, and pedestrian-only streets where I could even ride my skateboard.

The property spans several historic buildings and overlooks Española Way, offering charming views and a strong sense of place. While the interior style didn’t fully reflect the energy of the neighborhood outside, my room was spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped for both work and rest.

2. The Ryder – Charleston, SC

I love Charleston—its architecture, its food, its pace—and The Ryder fits seamlessly into that experience.

Located in the historic district, the hotel captures the city’s spirit without feeling overly precious or predictable. The interiors are rich with relaxed Southern style, creating spaces that feel inviting rather than staged.

The Little Palm served consistently great food, and the Coffee Counter—small but mighty—quickly became part of my daily routine. I also appreciated the thoughtful extras, including bike rentals, beach gear, and wellness offerings, that made it easy to enjoy Charleston beyond my meeting schedule.

I loved The Ryder so much that I nearly planned a family vacation around staying there again.

1. Texican Court – Dallas, TX

I’ll start with an honest admission: Dallas has never been my favorite city. Compared to the history of the East Coast or the cultural vibrancy of the West Coast, it’s never quite resonated with me.

And yet, my favorite hotel stay of 2025 was in Dallas.

Texican Court is warm, expressive, and full of personality. Inspired by classic roadside motels, it features a beautiful pool, two enclosed courtyards with fire pits and lawn games, a standout restaurant, and a tequila bar that’s well worth a visit.

Each room includes rocking chairs on the porch—perfect for winding down on warm Texas evenings. Inside, the design seamlessly blends Latin influences with cowboy culture through vibrant colors, wood, leather, stucco, and terracotta tile.

Texican Court gave me a glimpse of what Dallas could be—and for that reason, it earned my top spot.

Spending so much time on the road reinforces what we believe at Decorator Industries: great environments don’t happen by accident. The hotels that stayed with me were the ones that thought through every detail—comfort, durability, aesthetics, and how people actually move through a space. That same intentionality is what we bring to our work every day. When products are designed to perform beautifully, withstand real use, and support the people experiencing them, the result is spaces that last—and relationships that do too.

If you’re designing for hospitality—or any space where performance and experience need to work together—our Resources page is a great place to start. It’s filled with tools, technical information, and inspiration to support you throughout the specification process and beyond.

✨ Explore resources designed to make your job easier: www.decoratorindustries.com

📩 Chat directly with Priscilla Emmerson, MBA, VP of Sales, for expert guidance and tailored recommendations: priscilla.emmerson@decind.com

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