Get Ready to Make an Entrance at These 12 Hotels with Show-Stopping Lobbies

From earthquakes to floods, Hotel Californian has had its share of challenges since its opening in 1925. That’s why after a six-year redevelopment and grand reopening in 2017, this 121-room stunner on Santa Barbara’s waterfront is ready to make an entrance. The lobby here will leave you feeling like you’ve just stepped into a meticulously detailed building in Marrakech. Old World meets New, with black-and-white patterns inspired by Moorish design. Designer Martyn Lawrence enlarged the floor-tile design from the lobby 100 times, then had it stenciled on the ceiling. The heart of this lobby is indeed in the details—ones your Instagram followers will surely appreciate.

Grab a Stumptown coffee and your laptop, because the lobby at Ace Hotel in Portland is all about coworking—and socializing. The hotel is situated in the central part of the city bordering on the Pearl District, an arts-focused area that draws much of the Ace’s hipster and creative clientele. Large communal tables and distressed, comfy couches make it a prime location to clank away at your keyboard for hours without feeling out of place. When you’re ready to take a break, head to the refurbished photo booth and record the joy of meeting a deadline for the day.

For the quintessential Los Angeles experience, follow the red carpet leading into SLS’ stylish lobby, designed by the iconic Philippe Starck. You’ll find warm wood tones with pops of color and whimsical accents like oversized potted plants and mirrors. Cozy nooks by the fireplace are the perfect spots to zone in on some work, or browse an expansive collection of books and artwork within arm’s reach. It’s a “dual lobby,” serving as both concierge and check-in for guests as well as a multi-faceted and vibrant dining, lounge, and retail space. Enjoy an afternoon tea at Tres, or explore the Regalo for boutique finds like chic sunglasses, culinary products from José Andrés, and more. Every Friday, guests are invited to explore the hotel’s incredible cocktail program with complimentary tastings. Guests can also partake in a daily SLS Salute offering a choice of a complimentary wellness shot or shot of the day...cheers.

Wet your palate in the Kimpton Rowan’s sexy Window Bar. In this pocket-sized space, you’ll feel like you’ve just escaped to your own secret living quarters, complete with couches for lounging. Located in the hotel’s lobby, the bar’s centerpiece is a window that looks toward the San Jacinto Mountains. It’s a great view to take in while sipping a gin and tonic or pisco sour. When you’re done imbibing, head to nearby Mr. Lyons Steakhouse for a classic desert night out, with fabulous people-watching and decadent ribeye to match.

Pull up a wooden chair to a communal table or at the bar, because everyone is welcome at the South Congress Hotel. Free WiFi and handcrafted cocktails are just a few of the lobby’s charms. Visitors can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired food from Café No Sé. The hotel’s architect, Michael Hsu, included bookshelves throughout the lobby, displaying picture books that are sure to pique any visitor’s interest.

Feel like king or queen for the day at the aptly named Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco. This historic landmark first opened in 1875 and at the time was considered the largest hotel in the world. Here, the Garden Court restaurant off the glamorous lobby serves ultimate grandeur with a $7 million stained-glass ceiling bordered by a double row of massive Italian marble columns. The Palace offers daily tea service, as well as live entertainment and cocktails. It truly is an experience fit for royalty.

The Hotel Figueroa, which opened in 1926 as an exclusive women's hostel, will be operating as a polling place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. 

The Mission-style Scott Resort in Old Town Scottsdale has the type of lobby design that encourages just about everything: drinking, noshing, working, and even making a new friend. The hotel restaurant, The Canal Club, also serves up its signature Spanish Latte and Cortado from Press a Roaster coffee, perfect for a mid-day caffeine boost. Get lost inside the spacious lounge areas with comfy chairs and tables, shrouded in plants for that perfect moment of Zen. When you get hungry, The Canal Club serves up classic Caribbean fare with a 1930s Havana-inspired aesthetic.

The lobby at the legendary Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles is an endless history lesson, one that includes 1930s tea dances, political conventions, and even Hollywood films. The design is extravagant without being gaudy, and includes accents of 24-karat gold and two bronze light fixtures imported from Italy that hang from the ceiling. Italian artist Giovanni Battista Smeraldi, who was renowned for his work on the White House and the Vatican, is the man behind the incredible detail of the historical property. The original lobby, now called the Rendezvous Court, is the perfect location to have a cocktail or traditional afternoon tea. While you imbibe, you can enjoy the fact that this iconic room has appeared in TV shows like Without a Trace, Mad Men, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, and Heroes, to name a few.

Art and design lovers will be smitten by the striking grand entrance to Solaz, an architectural wonder made of marble and wood. Mexican architecture firm Sordo Madaleno wanted to emphasize something different from the traditional lobby, rather one with open space and full light so that visitors can face the impressive views of the Sea of Cortez while enjoying a cocktail or meeting before dinner. Mexican artist César López-Negrete took a year of travels around the Peninsula to get the ideas and inspiration to curate all the art in the lobby and decorate every room in the hotel.

There’s nothing pretentious about Moxy Denver’s spacious lobby, which is part of the reason you’ll find just as many local residents as hotel guests hanging out at the bar and outdoor patio, or even battling over a game of Jenga. It’s like chilling in a cool retro living room, if that living room had a self-serve retail machine selling everything from cosmetics to electronics, a grab-and-go food section, and full-service bar. Guests check into the 170-room hotel at the bar and receive a “Got Moxy” cocktail in exchange. In total, Moxy Denver has 3,000 square feet of communal space, speaking to the current trend of millennial travelers who care more about socializing than holing up in a presidential suite. Movable glass walls near the bar lead to an outdoor beer garden with three levels of firepits and seating. The lobby atmosphere is playful without being kitschy, and includes signs with neon quotes, ping pong tables, and an original ski chairlift suspended from the ceiling—all conceived by Denver-based architect Johnson Nathan Strohe. There’s plenty of space and desk areas to work at, too, complete with outlets. When you’re ready to venture outside, the surrounding neighborhood of Cherry Creek is home to some of the city’s best restaurants and shopping.

There’s nothing understated about this palatial 249-room Mediterranean estate, and that’s part of its allure. If you’re looking for a sophisticated crowd and incredible dining, head to the lobby at The Fairmont Grand Del Mar, located in a vibrant beach town in San Diego full of fantastic restaurants with local charm and stunning sunset views. Dark woods, fireplaces, and rustic wood-beamed ceilings are centerpieces of the main lobby, bordered on one side by a library with antique books to cozy up with, and, on the other, a sleek cocktail lounge where guests can sip everything from jalapeño-infused margaritas to old fashioneds. The cocktail lounge also offers live music, from blues to soulful jazz, on the weekends. After a few cocktails, save your appetite for a truly incredible dining experience at Addison, the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant in Southern California, helmed by talented Chef William Bradley. The seasonal ten-course, contemporary French tasting menu is a voyage for the palette, and includes highlights like sake-cured kampachi, a mushroom lasagna with Iberian ham, and a tender duck à l’orange worthy alone of a return visit. The impeccable service at this 84-seat, fine-dining experience will easily lead you to another communal space to enjoy right outside its doors: Le Salon. This cocktail lounge includes a gorgeous fireplace and outdoor terrace, plus more drinks and snacks in case your 12-course meal was not enough.