On rare occasions, a natural disaster or other unfortunate event severely damages a recommended hotel. Over the years, properties that we’ve loved have been lost to hurricanes and fires (like two of those below), as well as mudslides, tsunamis and even a volcanic eruption. Less dramatically but more commonly, a lack of investment causes a significant decline, making a restoration as expensive as rebuilding from scratch. The hotels on this list have all come back from the dead in one way or another, and in their new incarnations, they’ve surpassed themselves.

Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa
Jackson, Wyoming

We’d long recommended this lodge, which opened in 1990 in the town of Jackson, but it burned to the ground in 2019. The owners, the Harrison family, might have just called it quits, but they rebuilt. The Rusty Parrot has reopened, and it’s better than ever, expanded from 32 to 40 rooms. Guests’ cars are now parked under the hotel, allowing space for a flower-lined patio with outdoor dining tables, a hot tub and a spa terrace. Our room had a cozy fireplace and a scenic balcony, plus attractive contemporary Western art. We indulged in creative drinks and a delectable dinner at Wild Sage restaurant, and I enjoyed a relaxing yet invigorating Energy Force treatment in the spa. Within walking distance of Jackson Town Square, the Rusty Parrot once again rules the roost.

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Rosewood Little Dix Bay
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Set along a hillside of emerald rainforest that curls around a pristine white-sand crescent on Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay was created in the 1960s by Laurance Rockefeller. The resort closed in 2016 for renovations, only to remain shuttered after suffering catastrophic damage from Hurricane Irma the following year. Reopened in 2020 following a multimillion-dollar restoration, the 81-room property preserves Rockefeller’s original vision, including the layout and the Pavilion’s conical roofs, while adding improvements like hurricane-proof windows. Little Dix has also introduced new sustainable practices, including the elimination of single-use plastics and supplying fresh ingredients to the hotel’s many kitchens from an organic farm. This fabulous resort, featuring an upscale beach-house vibe, exceptional restaurants and a sophisticated spa offering breathtaking sea views, is the new crown jewel of the British Virgin Islands.

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Waldorf Astoria New York
New York City, New York

After an eight-year, $2 billion renovation, New York’s grande dame is back and more glamorous than ever. The 1930s-era hotel’s monumental makeover slashed the 1,413 guest rooms to a more intimate 375 — among the city’s most spacious — while restoring the original art deco grandeur (the building also now contains 372 condominiums). Peacock Alley serves as the heart of the property, a vibrant all-day lounge rich with historic details, from the ornate clock commissioned by Queen Victoria for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair to Cole Porter’s grand piano, which is once again played every evening. At check-in, thanks to our Harper member benefits, we were upgraded to a Lexington Avenue One-Bedroom Suite, where sumptuous residential touches made it feel like our own pied-à-terre. Service was personal and polished, and we relished the experience of staying in such a storied landmark.

Read our full review of Waldorf Astoria New York »