Groovy New Hotels Trump the Ritz

When you think of luxury hotel chains, the names Ritz Carlton and Intercontinental may be the first things that pop into your mind.

Most likely you envision cookie-cutter luxury with desk-in-front-of-bed layout and beige marble bathroom duplicated from Honolulu to Houston. To change your mind, we've come up with a handful of up-and-coming hotel chains debuting new properties across the U.S. in time for winter. Even if you've never heard of them before, these hotel chains are making a mark with all-new concepts, levels of luxury and locations that have their competition shaking and giving travelers a reason to venture out in the midst of a global recession for a weekend getaway or weeklong vacation.

Epic Hotel, Miami ...