Opulist Articles
A design-forward publication highlighting the most beautiful places to eat, drink, and stay while you’re playing out in the world.
115 published pieces
Featured
Welcome to the Opulist App
Opulist's iOS app is here. A curated guide to the most beautiful places to stay, eat, drink, and see across the U.S. Save wishlists, explore collections, and choose beautifully.
By Sara Bacon
Jun 19, 2026
Get Rewarded for Choosing Beautifully
The Opulist traveler is the kind of person who plans a trip around where they're staying. Who understands that where they stay isn't just a bookend to their day, but rather the experience itself.
Jun 12, 2026
Hotel Pools We're Obsessed With This Summer
Discover the most beautiful and design-forward pools across the US this summer. From desert minimalism to rooftop views, these are the pools worth planning your trip around.
Jun 5, 2026
The Best Luxury Glamping in the U.S.
Discover the best glamping resorts and luxury camping destinations across the US, from desert domes to redwood forest retreats. Design-forward glamping accommodations that combine nature access with comfort and style.
May 29, 2026
Chic Things for Your Home to Have
Bring hotel-worthy hospitality into your home with these thoughtful design touches, from signature drinks and custom matchbooks to soft lighting and fresh flowers.
May 22, 2026
Introducing San Diego’s Newest Hotel: Baby Grand
Incredibly excited to introduce you to San Diego’s newest maximalist gem: Baby Grand.
May 15, 2026
Your Vibe Concierge Is Getting an Upgrade
Get early access to the Opulist app, the aesthetic travel and dining discovery app that helps you find the most beautiful restaurants, bars, and hotels wherever you go.
May 1, 2026
Bars in San Francisco That Are a Vibe
Discover the most beautiful and design-forward bars in San Francisco, from Art Deco rooftop lounges to hidden speakeasies in Chinatown. Atmosphere-first drinking destinations worth dressing up for.
Apr 24, 2026
48 Hours in Sioux Falls: An Aesthetic Travel Guide
A 48-hour aesthetic travel guide to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, covering the most beautiful restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and hotels. Perfect for a regional weekend getaway, girls' trip, or road trip stop in South Dakota.
Apr 23, 2026
The Best Part About Staying in a Hotel as a Kid, According to 63 People
As a kid, the world tends to hold more wonder in general. Life experiences are brand new. Imaginations are big — allowing even the most mundane items a part in an elaborate fantasy world. Everythin…
Apr 11, 2026
Where to Find the Best Patio Dining Experiences This Spring
A curated guide to the best patio dining experiences for spring, featuring 11 outdoor restaurants from Paya in Miami to Great White in West Hollywood, where design, atmosphere, and flavor meet.
Apr 11, 2026
Welcome to Opulist
The founding blog post introducing Opulist, a directory of beautiful and aesthetically appealing restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and hotels searchable by vibes and design, created by founder Sara Bacon.
Apr 11, 2026
Top 10 Beautiful Places On Our Radar For 2024
Opulist's curated list of brand-new or soon-to-open bars, restaurants, and hotels for 2024, including RH Newport Beach, The Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and Hotel Bardo in Savannah.
Apr 11, 2026
Themed Bars That Are Also a Vibe
A guide to themed bars across the U.S. that blend concept, atmosphere, and craftsmanship -- from a 70s airplane lounge in Phoenix to a speakeasy hidden behind an adult video store in Hollywood.
Apr 11, 2026
The Unexpected Aesthetic Side of Tucson, AZ
A guide to Tucson's surprisingly vibrant aesthetic scene, covering stylish stays like The Joshua Tree House and The Leo Kent, coffee shops like Exo Roast, and hip bars including SideCar, Owls Club, and barbata.
Apr 11, 2026
The Ultimate California Summer Road Trip
A curated California road trip itinerary from San Diego to Healdsburg, featuring 12 design-forward hotel stays along the coast including The Lafayette, Hotel Joaquin, The Surfrider, Alila Ventana Big Sur, and more.
Apr 11, 2026
The Siren List
Opulist's first awards category reserved for the most exceptional design-forward establishments, featuring 13 venues from INNESS in Accord, NY to Nubeluz in Chelsea, NYC that are worth planning an entire trip around.
Apr 11, 2026
The Most Romantic Date Night Restaurants in New York and LA
A Valentine's Day-inspired guide to the most romantic restaurants in New York and Los Angeles, from Ysabel's hidden courtyard in WeHo to Raf's century-old hearth-driven dining room in NYC.
Apr 11, 2026
The Most Romantic Date Night Restaurants in Napa
A guide to the most romantic and beautiful restaurants in Napa Valley for date night, featuring ten venues from RH Yountville and The French Laundry to intimate spots like Kenzo and Angele.
Apr 11, 2026
The Most Glamorous Restaurants in Palm Springs
A guide to nine glamorous restaurants in Palm Springs and the surrounding desert, from the historic Mr. Lyons to The Pink Cabana, showcasing mid-century modern architecture and contemporary dining.
Apr 11, 2026
The Best Rooftop Views in LA
A guide to the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Los Angeles, from Perch's Parisian-inspired elegance to Bar Bohemien's eclectic charm, featuring panoramic city views and exceptional cocktails.
Apr 11, 2026
The Art of the Aperitivo
An exploration of Italy's early evening ritual of pre-dinner drinks and light bites, with practical tips for bringing aperitivo culture into your daily life, plus featured venues in Austin and California.
Apr 11, 2026
Take a Tour of the Most Beautiful Bar Interiors in Palm Springs
A guide to the most gorgeous and distinct bar interiors in Palm Springs, featuring venues like The Pink Cabana, Bar Cecil, The Colony Club, Mini Bar at The Parker, and more.
Apr 11, 2026
Stunning European Restaurants & Bars on our Opulist Radar
A curated collection of ten exceptional European dining establishments that exemplify design-forward hospitality, from Jacuzzi in London to Alchemist in Copenhagen.
Apr 11, 2026
Staycation in your City: Silver Lake Edition
A full-day staycation itinerary through Silver Lake, Los Angeles, featuring morning coffee at Dayglow, poolside lunch at Marco Polo, midday margaritas at De Buena Planta, wine at Lolo, and dinner at Bacari.
Apr 11, 2026
Spend 48 Aesthetically Appealing Hours in San Francisco
A design-focused 48-hour guide to San Francisco's most visually appealing hotels, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, from the San Francisco Proper Hotel to The Palm Court at RH San Francisco.
Apr 11, 2026
Spend 48 Aesthetically Appealing Hours in Newport Beach
A curated 48-hour travel guide to Newport Beach covering the most aesthetically appealing hotels, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, from Pelican Hill and Pendry to Nobu and Palmilla.
Apr 11, 2026
Spend 48 Aesthetically Appealing Hours in Healdsburg, CA
A design-forward 48-hour guide to Healdsburg in Sonoma County wine country, covering luxury hotels, charming coffee spots, inventive restaurants, and stunning wineries where architecture and aesthetics elevate the tasting experience.
Apr 11, 2026
Spend 48 Aesthetically Appealing Hours in Detroit
A design-lover's 48-hour guide to Detroit covering the most aesthetically appealing hotels, coffee shops, cocktail bars, restaurants, and fitness studios in a city where history meets innovation and creativity is woven into every space.
Apr 11, 2026
So Cal Restaurants With the Most Stunning Ocean Views
A tour of Southern California's most remarkable ocean-view restaurants, from Oceanside's Rooftop Bar to La Jolla's Marine Room, where culinary artistry meets breathtaking Pacific coastline panoramas.
Apr 11, 2026
Restaurants With The Most All-Out Holiday Decorations You Can't Miss
A curated list of restaurants, bars, and hotels in New York and California that transform into breathtaking holiday wonderlands, from Rolf's iconic ornament-covered ceilings to Swiss Chalet pop-ups and Miracle Christmas bar experiences.
Apr 11, 2026
Restaurants That Feel Like Christmas
A roundup of ten restaurants across the US that naturally embody the Christmas spirit through their design, from overtly festive Rolf's in NYC to subtly winter-coded spots like Canlis in Seattle and The Grill at Amangani in Jackson Hole.
Apr 11, 2026
ResortCore Gift Guide
A holiday gift guide featuring resort-coded merchandise from luxury hotels and travel brands, including robes from The Plaza, pajamas from Four Seasons, candles from Aman, and accessories from The Beverly Hills Hotel, celebrating the ResortCore trend of bringing hotel life home.
Apr 11, 2026
From the Camera Roll: Pretty Places We Loved in NYC
A personal photo diary of design-forward bars, restaurants, and hotels discovered in New York City, from the soaring atrium of The Beekman to the jewel-toned speakeasy Pearl Box and the luxurious subterranean Champagne and Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse.
Apr 11, 2026
Location Spotlight: The Siren Hotel in Detroit, MI
A spotlight on The Siren Hotel in Detroit's historic Wurlitzer Building, featuring art deco design, vintage charm, and standout venues Ash-Bar and Candy Bar that make it an essential destination for design lovers visiting Detroit.
Apr 11, 2026
Location Spotlight: The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA
A deep dive into the history, architecture, dining, and seasonal magic of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, California -- a sprawling Spanish Mission-style landmark dating back to 1876 with over 200 guestrooms and the annual Festival of Lights.