US News says 2 Lexington hotels are among the best places to stay in Kentucky in 2025
Two hotels in Lexington have cracked one list for the 15 best in Kentucky.
21c Museum Hotel was ranked eighth and Elwood Hotel & Suites took the 10th spot in a recent U.S. World News World & Report 2025 ranking. The list was compiled by looking at guest ratings, hotel class and awards for Kentucky hotels.
The ranking was dominated by Louisville hotels, with 11 out of the 15 located there. However, a hotel in Covington took first place.
Here’s what to know about the two Lexington hotels that made it on the list.
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
21c Museum Hotel, located at 167 W. Main St. in Lexington, got eighth place in the ranking. U.S. World News & Report described the hotel as an “art-centric hotel in a historic building.”
“More than just a hotel, this property features a variety of art exhibits in its on-site museum,” the report reads. “Original artwork is also displayed alongside custom contemporary furnishings in all of the accommodations, which recent travelers said were spacious and well-appointed.”
This 4-star boutique-style hotel has 88 rooms, solo and group art exhibitions, and is home to the Lockbox Restaurant and Lounge. The building was built in 1913 as Fayette National Bank.
Rooms vary in price depending on type and date of stay, but start at around $150 and reach more than $500.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reached out to 21c Museum Hotel for comment but did not get a response.
Elwood Hotel & Suites
Elwood Hotel & Suites, located at 444 Parkway Drive, ranked 10th of 15 in the U.S. News report. The 4-star hotel includes a restaurant, fitness center, conference space, concierge services and a bar and lounge.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar, Fiddletree, won a 2021 OpenTable diner’s choice award. The menu includes brunch, sandwiches and salads, as well as starters like deviled eggs and pretzel bites. Dinner entree options include salmon, shrimp, pasta and more.
The boutique hotel opened in 2021 with more than 60 rooms. The price of stay varies depending on the room, but starts around $130 and can exceed $300 per night.
One of Elwood’s owners, David Bader, told the Lexington Herald-Leader the hotel’s location is a big selling point, as well as its design.
“It’s designed be more of a coastal or almost a European kind of a members club feel to it,” Bader said. “A lot of vibrant colors ... it’s really intended to be, you know, comfortable casual.”
Bader also mentioned the restaurant, a key feature.
“[It’s] essentially a standalone restaurant, which we specifically designed and created a menu for it to be a neighborhood restaurant, as opposed to your typical hotel restaurant,” Bader said.
These are the best hotels in Kentucky in 2025
Here’s the five best hotels in the state, according to the recent U.S. World News & Report ranking:
Hotel Covington in Covington
Hotel Distil in Louisville
Marriott in Louisville
Omni Hotel in Louisville
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