The Best U.S. Hotel Openings of 2023

21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, Missouri

Upon entering the latest outpost from the 21c brand, guests are met with O by artist Serkan Özkaya—a spherical orb measuring eight feet in diameter and filled with 1,883 gallons of distilled water, which magnifies and diffracts the reflections of the reception area. Meanwhile, as a nod to the building’s former life as a YMCA, the 173 guestrooms, including 19 suites, were designed with nostalgic nods including bold varsity sports colors and leather referencing gloves, footballs, and basketballs.

Architecture Firm: Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel, Pittsburgh | Design Firms: Hufft (public spaces), Kansas City, Missouri; and Bill Rooney Studio (guestrooms), New York | Owner: NuovoRE | Operator: 21c Museum Hotels

Photo courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels