When it comes to hotels, we love a sleek rooftop bar, a provocative pool scene, plush linens and a stellar chef-run restaurant. The lobby, however, is where first impressions form. Check out 15 faves in the U.S. of A.

Hudson Hotel, New York City

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While the 2006 Julian Schnabel refurb of the Gramercy Park Hotel lobby is visceral and impressive, it scares us a little. Of all the Ian Schrager hotels in New York City, we come back to the Hudson, over and over. Philippe Starck’s radical flip-flop of the former American Women’s Association clubhouse and residence is persistently stylish.

Palace Hotel, San Francisco

The Palace Hotel’s $150 million makeover from 1989 to 1991 has not lost lustre. In the grand Garden Court, the venerable landmark is home to one of the most extraordinary public rooms in the world.

The Fairmont Olympic, Seattle

On the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, The Fairmont Olympic contains high, arched Palladian windows and a chic oyster bar in Shuckers.

Waldorf Astoria, Orlando

Orlando’s penchant for cheese, most notably in the theme park resort department, is thankfully in the throes of a sea change. This, in no small part to the ultra-luxe Waldorf Astoria in Bonnet Creek.

The Blackstone, Chicago

Dinner at Blackbird and drinks at The Blackstone Renaissance? Sweet Chicago music to our ears. Few big city hotels have the chops to compete with this grande dame.

The Nines, Portland

A swish Starwood property with a lofty, hangar-like atrium. Pacific Northwest panache.

Mondrian, Miami

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South Beach hotels rise and perish by the cool quotient of their pool and lobby scenes. The Setai, Shore Club, Delano and Sagamore all score highly in this regard but for our coinage, the Marcel Wanders Mondrian lobby is king.

Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

Trendy Buckhead hosts the rakish Ritz, where the impeccable Lobby Lounge serves a mean cordial.

The Standard, Downtown Los Angeles

DTLA’s resurgence is a cinch to understand when you prowl the lobby of the über-chic Standard. Word of advice: visit the rooftop bar.

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles

The starry lobby of this L.A. landmark is iconic. Recently, add-ons like chic bungalows and plunge pools have kept The Beverly Hills Hotel on top of the five-star game.

XV Beacon, Boston

The Fifteen Beacon is a smart piece of the new downtown Boston puzzle. A warm lobby features a fireplace and art lounge.

Wynn, Las Vegas

Wynn wins every time in Vegas. The Sin City developer took a page out of rival Donald Trump’s playbook to re-make himself as a brand with his eponymous mega-resort. Colossal ego-trips aside, if you love excessive opulence, the Wynn lobby is extra. Ditto for twin resort Encore.

Charleston Place, Charleston

The Old South is pervasive in Charleston, South Carolina, where the lobby of the Charleston Place Hotel serves as a genteel pulse point.

The Roosevelt, New Orleans

Now a Waldorf Astoria hotel, The Roosevelt New Orleans still defines distingué luxury in the new Big Easy.

The Waldorf=Astoria, New York City

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The one must for hotel lobby mavens the world over, The Waldorf=Astoria is Park Avenue, Midtown Manhattan and the Big Apple, all at once. A non-faddish, timeless classic.

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