Even with today’s uncertain environment, hotel lobbies are often the first impression for arriving guests. Whether it’s modern sophistication or Old World charm, the design of a lobby is often intended to set the tone of an entire stay. While some of these grand hotels are not yet open for summer, one can still appreciate how important that first impression is. Take a look at just 10 of America’s most beautiful hotel lobbies.

Caesars Palace
3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(866) 227-5938
www.caesars.com/caesars-palace

Elegant for some, pretentious for many others, the lobby of Caesars Palace is still one to behold. Situated at the main entrance of one of the world’s largest hotels, visitors are greeted by a statue of Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire’s first emperor. The enormous reception area also features a marble floor, dazzling light fixtures and Roman/Renaissance-themed artwork. Clearly one of the country’s most beautiful hotel lobbies, it’s been the setting for several movies like The Hangover. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Forum Shops and restaurants like Restaurant Guy Savoy.

Faena Miami
3201 Collins Ave.
Miami, FL 33140
(305) 534-8800
www.faena.com/miami-beach

In a city filled with luxurious hotel lobbies, does Faena really outdo them all? The answer may lie upon the beholder, while standing between gilded columns and floor-to-ceiling murals. Opened in 2015 by Argentine developer Alan Faena, Faena Hotel presents multiple architectural features, particularly the lobby designed by director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin and murals designed by Juan Gatti. Not to be overlooked is the Instagrammable mammoth sculpture designed by Damien Hirst.

Hyatt Regency Cleveland
420 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 575-1234
www.hyatt.com/hyattregencycleveland

Housed within a historic arcade once known as Crystal Palace, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland lobby is like no other. Completed in 1890, the Arcade is a five-story shopping area that’s described as America’s first indoor shopping center, inspired by Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. Occupying the upper levels is Hyatt Regency Cleveland, with 293 guestrooms including five suites and 30 suites. Easily one of the city’s finest examples of architecture, the Arcade was Cleveland’s first building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Related: Hotels Reopening: How Things Will Be Different This Summer

Mandarin Oriental New York
80 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10023
(212) 805-8800
www.mandarinoriental.com/new-york

Mandarin Oriental New York is described as representing a dignified and calm presence, which dazzles with simplicity. Occupying the upper levels of Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle, the five-star hotel commands sweeping views of Central Park and the Hudson River. The centerpieces of the 35th floor lobby are two Waterford Crystal glass pieces by sculptor Dale Chihuly. Additionally, the lobby features an illuminated ceiling structure, Italian marble and granite flooring and a signature MO fan designed by Vivienne Tam. Also on the 35th floor is the acclaimed Restaurant Asiate, led by Executive Chef Cyril Renaud.

Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
506 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1011
www.millenniumhotels.com/biltmorelosangeles 

Located in downtown Los Angeles, the Millennium Biltmore is one of the city’s most storied hotels. Completed in 1923 as Hollywood entered its Golden Age, the legendary hotel is a showcase of that era. The opulent lobby is the epitome of old Hollywood glamour, with hand painted Italian frescoes and murals. Additionally, the ground level is adorned with Austrian crystal chandeliers and a Moorish Revival ceiling with 24-carat gold accents.

Palace Hotel San Francisco
2 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 512-1111
www.marriott.com/palacehotelsanfrancisco

With one of country’s most beautiful hotel lobbies, Palace Hotel is a true San Francisco landmark. Adjacent to the reception area is the Garden Court, with its breathtaking glass atrium, crystal chandeliers and Italian marble columns. Formerly a space to shelter horse carriages, Garden Court is now popular for serving one of the city’s finest brunches. Once the world’s largest hotel when completed in 1909, the Palace is managed by Marriott International.

Related: California’s Best Luxury Resorts

Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia
10 Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(213) 5223-8000
www.ritzcarlton.com/philadelphia

Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia is an elite choice for both the leisure or discerning business traveler. Located across from City Hall, the domed hotel’s design was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The lobby’s Georgia marble columns are presented in a neoclassical style yet with a stylishly modern flair for accompanying artwork and decor. Also in the lobby is the acclaimed Aqimero restaurant. At the time the building was completed in 1908 as a trust company, it had the largest dome in the Western Hemisphere.

The Jefferson Hotel
101 W. Franklin St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(888) 918-1895
www.jeffersonhotel.com

With possibly the most beautiful lobby space in America, The Jefferson Hotel is unquestionably the grandest hotel in Virginia’s capital city. Opened in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel features a upper lobby filled with stained glass Tiffany windows, glass dome and marble statue of Thomas Jefferson. The adjoining lower lobby is like no other, with stunning marble columns and stained glass that harken back to the antebellum era. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, The Jefferson Hotel is one just 46 American hotels to hold a Forbes Five Star and AAA Diamond Award simultaneously.

The Langham Chicago
330 N. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 923-9988
www.langhamhotels.com/chicago

This year’s Best Hotel in Chicago, The Langham Chicago offers sweeping views of the city skyline and the Chicago River. Opened in 2013, The Langham Chicago occupies multiple levels in the last building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Also named No. 2 Best Hotel in America for 2020, The Langham Chicago features a cutting edge lobby, with 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and hand-blown glass pebbles hanging overhead. Also on the lobby level is the hotel’s signature restaurant, Travelle.

The Willard InterContinental
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 628-9100
www.ihg.com/intercontinental/washington

Among the world’s finest InterContinental Hotels, The Willard has had a storied history. In fact, the hotel’s lobby has held so many important meetings, the term “lobbyist” was popularized there. The current Beaux Arts structure opened in 1901 and still showcases its enormous marble columns and brass and bronze chandeliers. Acquired by InterContinental Hotels in 1986, The Willard remains one of the most historic and most sought after hotels in Washington D.C.

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About The Author:

Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS Local websites, including CBS New York, CBS Los Angeles, CBS Chicago, and CBS San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, he reportedly had a digital audience reach of 489 million and more than 5.5 million unique monthly visitors. His other stories have also appeared in the Daily Meal, Examiner.com, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com, among others. He is a Media Fellow of Stanford University, U.S. Army veteran and lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County, California.