Six of The Best; Lodgings to get excited about in 2025

Increasingly, travellers are seeking out accommodation that stands out from the more generic, cookie-cutter hotels, and this year, the destinations we work with are blessed with a wave of new accommodation openings, each with a unique identity that reflects the character of its surrounds.

Credit: ARRIVE Albuquerque

Whether it’s boutique city hotels, nature-focused retreats or heritage-inspired stays, these properties elevate the guest experience through bespoke design and one-of-a-kind experiences. From the design-forward elegance of Salt Lake City’s Asher Adams to the distinct Southwestern flair of ARRIVE Albuquerque (above), here’s a round-up of some of the most exciting new accommodation openings across the regions we represent.

Outbound Yosemite - Madera County, California

Promising campfires and creature comforts, Outbound Yosemite is an all-new nature-inspired retreat coming to Oakhurst in autumn 2025. Think charming, self-contained cabins with kitchens to whip up favourite meals, and spacious decks for soaking up the California sunshine. For those wanting to stay closer to the action, there will also be hotel rooms with casual dining and drinks options located in the main building.

Credit: Outbound Hotels

Nature is central to the experience at this sprawling 17-acre property. Outbound Yosemite is just 15 miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance, with the Sierra National Forest even closer. Guests can spend unforgettable, action-packed days hiking amongst the giant sequoias and taking in the world-famous scenery of the National Park.

After roaming Yosemite, tired muscles can be soothed in the hot tub, sauna and cold plunge, or there’s the outdoor pool and sunbeds for those slower, sun-drenched afternoons. As evening sets in, the courtyard fire pits beckon, where swapping stories and toasting s’mores is the unofficial nightly ritual.

Kimpton Pacific Grove - Monterey County, California

With sweeping views of Monterey Bay, Kimpton Pacific Grove will set the tone for a blissful coastal stay when it opens in late 2025. This boutique Spanish-style hotel will occupy a scenic spot near Lover’s Point Beach in sleepy Pacific Grove; a relaxed town on Northern California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Credit: See Monterey

This dreamy new California location from everyone’s favourite IHG brand will have 101 rooms, including six suites. The best views will be from the third and fourth floors, where guests will relish the uninterrupted, soul-soothing ocean panoramas. Yoga mats will be available in each room to make the most of those meditative moments.

A feast of another kind will await at the on-site restaurant, where fresh local produce and seafood will be the stars of the show. It's destined to become a new culinary hotspot in Monterey County. And of course, this Pacific Grove outpost will host Kimpton’s famous daily social hour with free beer and wine from 5-6 pm. Now, that’s worth raising a glass to!

HarborWalk Inn - Morro Bay, California

California coastal cool meets small-town charm at the HarborWalk Inn, which opened in February 2024 after an extensive renovation. The family-owned boutique inn occupies the second floor of the property on Morro Bay’s famed Embarcadero. It has eight suites brimming with handpicked local art and a tasteful splash of nautical-inspired personality.

Credit: Expedia Group

With names like ‘Dolphin’ and ‘Mermaid,’ each suite has its own character, but they all come with a furnished private deck and front-row seats to gaze out towards Morro Rock, which towers over the water. Guests can sit and watch the bustle of the Embarcadero and harbour by day, and light up their fire pits as the sun sets for cosy evenings under the stars by night.

Families will adore the Spindrift Suite, which sleeps up to five and overlooks the playground, meaning grown-ups can savour a quiet moment on the deck while keeping an eye on the kids playing below. The Sea Otter Suite is a bolthole for couples right on the water, where views of the bay set the scene for a romantic coastal getaway.

River Electric - Sonoma County, California

Nestled among the towering redwood groves of the Russian River Valley, River Electric is a brand new glamping resort that is set to open this summer. There’s no need to pack spare pegs and blow-up mattresses, however, as this camp will have 40 furnished glamping tents. This is an immersive outdoor escape that doesn’t skimp on home comforts.

Credit: The River Electric / Jessie Galloway Design

Luxury is all in the details, with each tent offering either a king or double bed and kitted out with furniture and cosy bedding for sweet dreams under canvas. Few tents match the comfort of a hotel room quite like River Electric. This is glamping done right. Nearby, the centrally-located bathhouse features indoor and outdoor showers, changing rooms and single-stall bathrooms.

This outdoor retreat spans 12 acres of meadows and woodlands. Guests can unwind at the two onsite swimming pools, where chaise longues and cabanas will be available to rent, enabling guests to kick back in style. Over at the lively pool bar, a continental breakfast fuels the day, followed by fresh salads and indulgent burgers all washed down with free-flowing cocktails.

Asher Adams - Salt Lake City, Utah

Its vintage vibes meets modern luxe at Asher Adams - an Autograph Collection hotel by Marriott in downtown Salt Lake City. Newly opened in the autumn of 2024, the landmark luxury hotel is a nod to the golden age of train travel, complete with a whiskey bar and a vinyl lounge to match. Guests will feel instantly at home in one of the 225 rooms, with select options featuring west-facing terraces and soaking tubs for peak relaxation.

Credit: Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune

Quite extraordinarily, this swanky hotel building had a past life as a Union Pacific Depot railway station, built at the turn of the 20th century. Its most show stopping original feature has to be the lobby bar and reception, where the high ceilings of the historic Grand Hall are trimmed with gold and adorned with eye-catching murals. We can’t think of a better place to sip on a sophisticated nightcap.

Dinner is served at the signature restaurant, Rouser, which features a three-course provincial American menu, while Counterpart offers a relaxed in-house market with coffee and fresh pastries to start the mornings on the right track. Rounding out the first-class dining scene, No. 119 is an exclusive whiskey-infused cocktail bar overlooking the Grand Hall. It’s the perfect setting for date night or a brief encounter.

ARRIVE Albuquerque - New Mexico

ARRIVE Albuquerque is a Palisociety gem that’s part cool new hangout, part hotel that just opened its doors in February 2025. Think ‘Mad Men meets the Southwest’ and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect at this exciting new addition to Albuquerque’s hotel landscape.

Credit: ARRIVE by Palisociety

Located in Downtown Albuquerque, the historic 1960s building has an earthy-toned colour palette, with desert pink furnishings and eye-catching floral upholstery greeting guests from the moment they strut through the doors.

There are 137 rooms, including two accessible rooms. Guests will be able to slip into holiday mode the moment they arrive, thanks to the sumptuous bath robes and Grown Alchemist bath amenities, whilst a Victrola Bluetooth speaker in each room allows them to play their favourite beats while pouring a tipple from the curated minibar.

Those who like to keep on top of their routine will find a guest-exclusive fitness centre equipped with Peloton bikes, while relaxation is the order of the day at the outdoor swimming pool. When it’s time for refreshments, the diner-style DWTNR Cocktail Bar & Lounge serves Americana comfort food and Pan-Asian classics.

Whether it’s nature-focused glamping, a heritage landmark or an offbeat coastal boutique, each of these stunning new properties offers more than just a place to stay; they provide a destination that’s authentic to its location.

If you're interested in adding these exciting stays to your US program or discussing any product, content, or training needs, please contact us at info@rocketlondon.co.uk.