North America is home to some of the most regal, lavish and sophisticated hotels in the entire world. From Cabo to British Columbia, there are few regions on this earth, if any, with a higher density of premium lodgings to be found in one place than in North America.
American Express’ Fine Hotels & Resorts program already flaunts a strong collection of these otherworldly stays. We’re talking about the unicorns here; the bucket-list toppers and once-in-a-lifetime digs worthy of honeymoons and royal delegations alike.
But this article will take things one step further. We’ve curated a selection of the selection. The best hotels across North America where you can receive special perks – each meticulously handpicked for their particular relevance to you – according to Boss Hunting.
So, What Is American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts?
Fine Hotels & Resorts1 is a unique American Express program that offers eligible American Express Platinum Card® Members access to over 1,300 premium hotels and lodgings around the world. As part of the program, the hotels offer special perks exclusive to guests of American Express and give Card Members the ability to earn Membership Rewards points®2 when paying with their American Express Card®.
What Are Some Of The Fine Hotels & Resorts Benefits And How Can I Access Them?
Benefits vary across participating hotels, but the majority of Fine Hotels & Resorts properties offer a suite of tasty perks including a complimentary room upgrade if available, breakfast for two, early check-in when available, guaranteed late check-out at 4PM, and a unique amenity specific to the property, such as a hotel credit to spend on dining, beverages, or spa treatments.Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits are exclusively for American Express Platinum Card Members1. Let’s dive into our favourite Fine Hotels & Resorts properties in Europe bookable with the Platinum Card below.
United States
Alila, Napa Valley
- Location: Napa Valley, California
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Food and beverage credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Wine country in the U.S. doesn’t get better than the Napa Valley, and this farmhouse luxury is classic but with all the modern trimmings.
Built around a Victorian-style farmhouse dating back to 1905, Alila is the most idyllic way to throw yourself at the world renowned wineries of Napa Valley. You’ll be up at St. Helena while staying here, surrounded by some of the region’s greatest hits, including the storied Beringer Vineyards. Nearly all of the 68 rooms come with terraces, smacking you with uninterrupted agrestic views each morning. Don’t forget to book into signature restaurant Acacia House and explore its extensive wine list, before (or after) you enjoy another few glasses under the stars by the outdoor fire pits.
The New York EDITION
- Location: New York, New York
- Unique Amenity: US$ 100 Property credit to be used during stay
- BH Approved: Compared to its established counterparts, this relatively new hotel still captures some old-world charm but offers a fresh example of luxury in NYC and caters for a younger audience.
Opposite Madison Square Park in a restored 1909 clocktower that’s modelled after the Campanile in Venice, The New York EDITION is a refreshing oasis in the chaotic metropolis. The hotel blends original opulent features with modern design elements and offers unobstructed views of Midtown through each suite’s oversized windows. The can’t-miss highlight has to be the 24-karat gold leaf bar.
Dunton Hot Springs
- Location: Dolores, Colorado
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Just 12 cabins makes this mountain retreat the absolute pinnacle of quiet wilderness luxury.
Shadowed by the impressive San Juan Mountains, Dunton Hot Springs is one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain getaways on 1,500 private acres of land. The adventurous location is home to bears, cougars, bald eagles, as well as a vineyard, library and saloon. But when you aren’t soaking in the cinematic location or relaxing in those mining-era tents, the best place to end a day of hiking and horseback riding is in the modest bathhouse.
The Little Nell
- Location: Aspen, Colorado
- Unique Amenity: US$100 food and beverage credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: While not found within the walls of The Little Nell itself, Aspen’s ‘Cloud Nine’ on-mountain bar is worth the visit alone, if you like to party as much as you ski.
You’ll find The Little Nell in the heart of Aspen, surrounded by the swanky ski resort’s eclectic downtown with ski-in/ski-out access at the base of the colossal Aspen Mountain. As Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel, the 92-room property thrives on its homely common spaces like local institution Ajax Tavern and the hotel’s underground wine cellar, the Red Light Lounge. Don’t waste the opportunity to really explore Aspen via the hotel’s concierge team; if it’s summer, biking around town is the way to go, and during winter they can organise an unforgettable Snowcat tour.
Amangiri
- Location: Canyon Point, Utah
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: It’s possibly the most impressively unique hotel on this list.
Dramatic, unique and entirely dedicated to its natural setting, Amangiri might be the most stunning resort in the entire country. The reliable Aman Resorts group opened this immaculate desert property in 2019 as a complete homage to the mesa rock formations of the south-west and the earthly importance of Navajo culture. A trio of world renowned architects, Marwan Al-Sayed, Wendell Burnette, and Rick Joy, have used the mesmerising desert landscape to great effect, constructing this property on 600 acres in the Grand Circle with clean lines and concrete walls, framing 34 elegant, large suites that each come with an outdoor lounge and fireplace for show-stopping views. Hot air ballooning, horseback trails and rock climbing are just the tip of the iceberg for this symbol of uncompromising escapism and adventure.
The Lodge at Sea Island
- Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: It’s essentially a little slice of Scotland on the other side of the Atlantic. Links-style courses don’t get much better than this when you’re Stateside.
With just 58 rooms, this English-style manor is planted near the ruins of an antebellum plantation, lifting its vintage appeal with finely detailed spaces and immaculate views of the distant Atlantic Ocean. The rich wood furnishings and marble bathrooms help accommodations feel super premium while the personal butler service is just icing on the cake. But the real reason The Lodge at Sea Island attracts the super wealthy each year is the location; sandwiched by the island’s championship golf courses and an 18-hole putting course. The best way to play here is to book one of seven private golf cottages with direct access to the oceanfront pool and pool house.
Austin Proper Hotel
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Austin as a vibrant, magnetic unicorn in Texas state is all the reason we need to include this hotel on our list.
With 238 residential-style rooms and suites, Austin Proper Hotel has a golden reputation as one of downtown’s most coveted hotels. You’ll find this property perfectly postured in the Second Street District, meaning you’re surrounded by some of Austin’s finest restaurants, bars and boutiques, including the picturesque and very active Lady Bird Lake. Take advantage of the proximity to Austin’s greatest hits, but you’d hardly want to step outside after spending your days at the hotel’s poolside Mexican restaurant, La Piscina.
Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea
- Location: Maui, Hawaii
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during stay
- BH Approved: You may recognise the property from the first season of HBO’s The White Lotus.
We love this resort for its expression as a quintessential Hawaiian resort, but even more so for its position on Maui’s golden crescent of Wailea Beach, far further removed from the density of the main island of Oahu. The resort offers three pools, including an adults-only pool. Amid tropical gardens and fountains, the Spa offers 13 indoor treatment rooms and three oceanfront hales.
Mexico
Rosewood San Miguel De Allende
- Location: Guanajuato, Mexico
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Spa services credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: You could mistake this romantic hacienda for a hotel in Southern Spain, and the view from the rooftop lounge is the best in town.
Deep red and yellow hues give this massive hacienda a rich glow, luring luxury travellers to the vibrant city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Fashionably modern rooms with four-poster beds, fireplaces and dramatic balconies feel like genuine escapes from the city’s kinetic lifestyle. But the best place to kill time at this extraordinary resort in the impressive central courtyard surrounded by colonial arches and caved wooden details. The Frida Kahlo-inspired La Cava restaurant is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city so take advantage of the fact that it’s only a stone’s throw from your bed.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- Location: Cabos San Lucas, Baja California Sur
- Unique Amenity: US$150 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: The hotels’ El Farallon restaurant hugs the dramatic cliffs of Cabo, with ocean spray often showering diners as they enjoy Cabo’s best ocean-to-plate menu by candlelight.
115 rooms and suites, all with private plunge pools, keep Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal from feeling too overwhelming. Despite the massive property, guests are limited and privacy is maximised, pulling in the whimsical brilliance of Baja California’s luxury scene and complementing supreme comfort with a healthy range of land and sea adventures. Mexican folk healing techniques mean the signature Waldorf Astoria Spa is a quintessential part of the experience.
Chable Yucatan
- Location: Chochola, Yucatan
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: The brutalist architecture against the lush Mayan jungle is a refreshing change from the classic hotel styles you find across Mexico.
Buried in the Mayan forest, Chable Yucatan is one of those special luxury resorts that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else in the world. Chochola’s fabled beauty informs the nature-inspired spaces across 40 stand-alone villas and a preserved 19th-century Hacienda. Wellness sits at the centre of the entire resort, drawing on ancient Shamanistic practices and Mayan rituals, while clean-eating at be found at resort’s two modern Mexican restaurants, lxi’im and Ki’ol.
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
- Location: Tulum, Quintara Roo
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: This property’s location is its biggest asset – closer to the humming nightlife of Tulum and less so the resort-style frontage of Playa Del Carmen.
While Tulum’s appeal for party-minded international travellers has been undeniable over the past few years, the ancient town is still a major drawcard for luxury travellers seeking Mexico’s most premium experiences. The Hilton-branded Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya embodies the area’s ritzy wellness scene with elemental design and a focus on serenity, sandwiched between a tropical rainforest and a private bay. If you can peel yourself away from your own spa-inspired bathroom, the resort is at its best when you’re hopping around the 11 world-class dining experiences, from handcrafted sushi at Ukai to Mediterranean dishes at Maratea.
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel
- Location: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Casa de Sierra Nevada is the only offering from Belmond on this list, but it could be one of their best.
Inspired by the artistic identity of San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this immense expression of the luxurious Belmond brand is easily one of Mexico’s most stunning estates. Casa de Sierra Nevada is a series of 17th and 18th century mansions with various courtyards, terraces and gardens snaking around the impressive buildings. Quarry-stone fireplaces and local antiques help individualise the property’s 67 rooms, while you have access to several dining experiences including Restaurante Del Parque where the flavours of Puebla and Oaxaca shine.
Canada
Auberge Saint-Antoine
- Location: Quebec City, Quebec
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Food and beverage credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Chez Muffy, the hotel’s standout restaurant, is set within a historic maritime warehouse dating back to 1822.
The captivating city of Quebec hosts some of Canada’s most storied hotels, like this three-building masterpiece known as Auberge Saint-Antoine. You’ll find this is the historic Old Port district, keeping it intimate with just 95 richly-detailed rooms and suites, complemented by common rooms that are given much character with precious artefacts found during an archaeological dig of the site. Design is tasteful in each of the guest rooms, favouring tranquillity over boldness, and the approach works well if you want somewhere homely after exploring Canada’s most historic city.
Four Seasons Resort Whistler
- Location: Whistler, British Columbia
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Spa services credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: We know you’re going to Whistler anyway, so you may as well stay at the best hotel in town.
Year-round alpine activities and a supersized ski lodge design. Four Seasons Resort Whistler is one of British Columbia’s grandest hotels with cosy Mountain-chic residences that really emphasis those dramatic mountain views of Whistler and Blackcomb. Ask the concierge team to organise a life-changing helicopter ride so you can explore Canada’s largest ice cap, and either end the day strolling Whistler’s quaint village or stay in for a dinner at the acclaimed Sidecut Modern Steak & Bar.
Muir, Autograph Collection
- Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Property credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: Ultra-modern harbourfront luxury with a private yacht to tour the coastline, exclusively for guests.
Located in downtown Halifax, in the heart of the exciting Queen’s Marque district, Muir, Autograph Collection is another luxury all-rounder for Marriott International. Design is informed by the pristine natural beauty of Nova Scotia, best illustrated by the 109 rooms and suites that are all well-sized with wrap-around cove lighting, wood panelling, and bespoke furnishings. An elevated dining scene is why this hotel has so many regulars year-round, so make sure you start the day at Cafe Lunette before ending it at Drift and capping things off with a nightcap at the Argentinian-inspired Bar Sofia.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
- Location: Jasper, Alberta
- Unique Amenity: US$100 Food and beverage credit to be used during your stay
- BH Approved: The classically Canadian cedar cabins are a bucket-list stay in both summer or winter.
Wrapping around the wondrous Lac Beauvert, a glacier-fed lake in the heart of Jasper National Park, this 700-acre property is one of the only ways to really experience the alpine town’s unparalleled sense of adventure and wide-open spaces without compromising on luxury. A trattoria, sushi counter and gastropub make up the diverse dining scene while the hotel’s 442 rooms are split between modern suites and authentic log cabins. In summer, prepare to spend most of the day at the resort’s challenging golf course, but if it’s cold outside grab some ice skates and head out on the frozen lake before ending the day in search of the Northern Lights.
What Is The Hotel Collection?
The Hotel Collection3 is a premium selection of some of the world’s finest hotels. While you’ve seen our selection from Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts collection above, you should also be paying attention to this additional series which typically features hotels that are still premium yet more accessible and generally boutique in scale.Â
Perks available at participating properties in The Hotel Collection vary, but similar game-changing perks such as ‘experience credits’ as well as room upgrades (for a minimum consecutive two-night stay) are possible if strategically found and booked by the savvy American Express Card Member3.
What Can You Book On Amex Travel?
Just because a property isn’t listed as part of the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, doesn’t mean you can’t book it on Amex Travel. American Express’ booking platform is wide-reaching and well-curated when it comes to thousands and thousands of the world’s hotels and experiences. It’s wise to keep your trip planning in the same ecosystem by using Amex Travel to build your next adventure, giving you access to benefits that you wouldn’t otherwise have if you booked elsewhere.
Unlock all the perks and benefits of the American Express Platinum Card below.
Fast Facts – The American Express Platinum Card
- Card type: Charge Card
- Annual Fee: $1,450 p.a.
- Cash Flow Period: Up to 44 cash flow days4 and no pre-set spending limit5
Now, read how the perks of the American Express Platinum Card can level up your experience once you’re on the ground. With the Card in tow, Jack and John went head to head for a luxurious trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to show you the power of the American Express Platinum Card.
For the full breakdown of the Terms & Conditions, click here.
