Lauren Harano

Explore this curated edit of the chicest, cheapest finds that will shock you with just how useful and clever they are.

Every summer, a new class of hotels arrives and reshapes the way we think about travel. This year, the lineup is strong, and our top picks span five countries, two continents, and every vibe — from a conservation-first safari camp on the banks of Kenya's Mara River to a an articist clifftop sanctuary on the wild north shore of Ibiza, a Burgundy wine house with the best beds in France, and a reimagined Scottish coaching inn with a ceiling tiled entirely in Tunnock's wrappers. What unites them isn't price point or a shared aesthetic — it's the way they’re catering to a new way of travelers. Consider this your summer wishlist, already curated.

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Old Town Alexandria was founded in 1749 as a colonial tobacco port, and not that much has changed since. The cobblestone streets are intact, the 18th-century buildings are still standing, and the farmers' market at Market Square has been running every Saturday since 1753. George Washington even used to send produce down from Mount Vernon to sell there on weekend mornings, making it one of the few places in America where history can be seen and felt on just about every block. In 2026, with the country marking its 250th anniversary, that feels more relevant than ever.

Whether you're furnishing your first place, redoing a room you're sick of, or just love a good bargain, these luxe finds are here to help.

These odd things make every day a little more joyful.

Shop the strange stuff that also solves real problems, from clever tools for deep-cleaning your home to effortless fashion fixes.

Riva Marina has been sitting on Hvar's waterfront promenade since 1914, making it one of the first hotels to ever open in town. For decades, it operated under a different name, the Riva Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel, and built a reputation as the place to be seen on the island: Orson Welles, Sean Connery, and Jeanne Moreau were regulars back in the day, and more recent visitors have included Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg. The hotel relaunched in 2022 under its current name and operator, Sunčani Hvar, with a full refurbishment and a new restaurant concept built specifically around the marina view that's always been its biggest draw.

There's a stone lion guarding the entrance to Palace Elisabeth that's older than most countries. It dates to 1462, making it the oldest preserved stone lion on the island of Hvar, and it's just one small piece of the 800-year history sitting underneath this hotel. The site started as a Duke's Palace in the 13th century, under Venetian rule, complete with four towers watching over the property. It burned down, got rebuilt, fell into disrepair, and was finally torn down in 1881, right around the time Hvar itself was becoming something of a destination.

These budget-friendly finds are absolutely worth the two minutes it takes to add them to your cart.