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Tampa Spot Among Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels

Author Kayla Morgan

New hotels are the perfect way to switch up your usual travel plans. Several new hotels have opened nationwide, including the best new affordable luxury hotels. Travel + Leisure magazine recently released their 100 best new hotels of the year list. Its editors and contributors all visited and reviewed the hotels.

“Our annual guide to the most game-changing hotel openings (and reopenings) has taken Travel + Leisure editors and contributors to 39 countries on six continents,” they said. They started with a list of more than 200 soon-to-open hotels, and T+L editors and reporters visited nearly 130 of them over the last 12 months.

They divided their picks into six categories, including U.S. resorts, affordable luxury, on the water, “splurge” worthy stays, and others. Additionally, they noted, at the end of each entry, properties that have accessible rooms and common spaces that meet or exceed ADA or similar country-specific rules.

The Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels

Among places in Sumba, Indonesia, and Singapore, a Tampa hotel snagged a spot on the best new affordable luxury hotels list. Palihouse Hyde Park Village is in spot number 8. “Accessed from a street-level scene of upscale boutiques and restaurants in one of Tampa’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods, Palihouse Hyde Park Village made me feel like I was arriving at a friend’s house,” said one of their editors.

The travel magazine highlighted the look of Palihouse Hyde Park Village. They have a two-story lobby with checkerboard terrazzo floors and a coffered white oak paneling. Other unique features highlighted are their three-tier, hand-blown glass chandelier, a framed collection of vintage Hermès scarves, and handmade Mexican ceramic tiles. Also pointed out is the hotel’s “living-room” style lounge and Lobby Bar that serves breakfast and has an all-day bar menu that features classic burgers, lobster tacos, and tuna tartare.

Number one on their list is the 21c Museum Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. It opened in August 2023 and is located in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. “Before the renovated, 10-story neo-Renaissance building found a second life as a hotel, it housed the downtown St. Louis chapter of the YMCA for nearly a century,” said the outlet.

According to the travel magazine, the hotel only showcases art from the 21st century, each piece hanging from an unexpected place, like on the walls lining the YMCA’’s former basketball court, gloss floors, suspended running track, and all. Even the hotel rooms act as mini-galleries, featuring unconventional layouts and exclusive artwork from artists with strong ties to Missouri.

Check out the full list of the best new affordable luxury hotels here.

5 Passport-Free Getaways Where Travelers Can Explore

Most of the time, if you’re traveling outside of the U.S., you need a current passport to do it. But there are some places outside of the country where you can visit without a passport.  And that’s good news for many Americans. A significant portion of Americans, roughly 55 percent, do not possess one.

Last year, the State Department reported that out of the 333,287,557 individuals residing in the United States, an estimated 55 percent, or a substantial portion, did not possess a passport. This figure, based on the total number of 151,814,305 valid U.S. passports in circulation, highlights the fact that a significant majority of Americans have yet to get one.

You don’t always need a passport to visit some awesome places. There are U.S. islands and territories, like the breathtaking U.S. Virgin Islands, where you can hop on a plane and explore without a passport. However, it’s important to note that the travel landscape can sometimes be confusing, as there are other U.S. territories, like Guam, where a passport is necessary for entry.

Do I need a passport for cruises?

When it comes to closed-loop cruises, which are voyages departing from the U.S. and returning to the same port, travelers have a bit of leeway when it comes to passport requirements. According to Ilisa Oman, a travel agent at One World Family Travel, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) allows passengers on these cruises to travel without providing proof of a passport. Instead, a state-issued driver’s license or identification card usually suffices.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule. It’s always best to check in with your cruise line for more information about your travels.

To make your trip planning a breeze, we’ve got your back with a list of cool destinations where you, as a U.S. citizen, can travel passport-free. Whether you don’t have one or simply prefer to explore without the hassle of carrying one, we’ve got you covered.

  • Puerto Rico

    This Caribbean island is part of the U.S. Puerto Rico has sandy beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and even a tropical rainforest. If you’re a U.S. citizen traveling from anywhere within the U.S., you don’t need to hassle with a passport to visit this paradise. It’s worth mentioning that starting from May 2025, there’s this thing called the Real ID Act that kicks in. If your state isn’t compliant with this Act, you’ll need to bring your trusty passport to explore the wonders of Puerto Rico. So, make sure to check if your state is all set with the Real ID Act before planning your trip.

    San Juan, Puerto Rico resort skyline on Condado Beach on dusk.

    Sean Pavone/ Getty Images

     

  • St. Croix

    If you’re craving island vibes, you might want to check out St. Croix. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you won’t need to worry about bringing your passport when traveling to and from this island.

    Beautiful scenery with harbor of St Croix, green mountain, water and town along the coastline.

    NAPA74/ Getty Images

  • Northern Mariana Islands

    The Northern Mariana Islands, a collection of 14 tropical wonders has sandy shores, azure waters, and an array of thrilling activities like windsurfing, cavern dives, and jungle treks. And yes, U.S. citizens can venture to these remote islands without the need for a passport. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to carry a government-issued proof of identification along with you during your visit.

    Taga Beach is an idyllic little cove below the cliff lines and is one of the top attractions in Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands.

    raksybH/ Getty Images

  • St. Thomas

    St. Thomas, a Caribbean island known for its white sand beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and Danish colonial architecture. As a U.S. citizen, you won’t need a passport to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes St. Thomas. However, it’s important to note that if you plan to explore the neighboring British Virgin Islands, a valid passport will be required. For your adventures on St. Thomas, it only requires a government-issued ID with your photo.

    Trunk Bay, St John, United States Virgin Islands.

    SeanPavonePhoto/ Getty Images

  • St. John

    St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This island is home to the  Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, where you can embark on thrilling adventures like scuba diving, hiking, and even discover prehistoric archaeological sites. Since St. John is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can leave your passport at home when traveling there.

    Cruz Bay, St John, United States Virgin Islands.

    SeanPavonePhoto/ Getty Images

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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