Hotels Above Par, an “expert-curated guide to the world’s coolest boutique hotels and travel experiences," has evolved into something ambitious. It now includes a glossy annual print magazine, a robust editorial platform and a hotel database that’s become something of a gold standard — if a property’s listed there, it’s been vetted by a journalist, not just a social media algorithm. The brand has tripled its profits, built a loyal audience of more than 400,000 across its newsletter, website and Instagram, and established itself as a definitive voice in the travel space. It’s a remarkable ascent, especially for something that began as a side project in lockdown.
That said, there’s no one better to turn to when planning a summer getaway. Founder and editor-in-chief Brandon Berkson shares a few of his favorite boutique hotels for the season ahead, each one cool, curated and decidedly above par.
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