Marriott’s SpringHill Suites properties are going through a revitalisation. The already spacious rooms are being updated with chic furnishings from West Elm and the services and extras on offer make you feel more like you’re staying at a boutique property than at a chain.

My stay at their downtown Chicago location, just a couple blocks from Millennium Mile and the river lined with stunning architecture, marked a launch event for SpringHill Suites. The brand has been funding arts programs at low-income schools in the U.S. and Canada for several years. SpringHill has just launched the Art of Local program which will bring artists and their works into hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada too.

The offerings will differ from hotel to hotel, providing a boutique and local flavour to guests. At the kickoff party, we were treated to an eclectic mix of artists. Guests at SpringHill’s NYC properties may see and hear indie pop band MisterWives, who headlined the launch event. Austin and NYC guests might see the art of Jessie Bearden who creates portraits and text art using the colour and texture of everyday foods like fruits and sugar. The Food Artists Group, in SpringHill’s Virginia hotels, also creates edible art, pictured above. Miami guests may see artisan cigar roller Fernando Morales, and guests from several cities might come across screen printers Hit + Run, who make wearable art and tote bags, for example featuring designs specific to the cities they’re in.

Rooms at SpringHill Suites are spacious and, thanks to an ingenious convertible couch from West Elm, can sleep kids (or spouses who toss and turn) very comfortably. Breakfasts, included in rates, offer something for every taste, including a make-your-own waffle bar.

In Chicago, the rooms are decorated with gorgeous photos of the city’s iconic architecture, and the view out my window was of yet another gorgeous building. On the top floor there’s an exercise room, small pool and hot tub, all with floor to ceiling views out onto the city. Suite extras include guest laundry facilities, 24-7 coffee in the lobby, Paul Mitchell amenities, and sweets like Chuppa Chupps lollipops.

 
On a music-filled summer weekend, the Renaissance Nashville is a busy place. But the valets quickly take your car off your hands and the front desk quickly checks you in. Soon you’re zooming up one of the glass elevators to your room with views all over Nashville’s bustling city centre and beyond.

At the Renaissance you’re within walking distance of lots of music and non-music activities that make Nashville so popular for romantic weekends, for groups of friends celebrating an upcoming wedding, and for anyone interested in Nashville’s vibrant arts and food scenes.

The 659 rooms and 14 suites of the Renaissance Nashville have modern elegance with bright whites and cool greys, with pops of green apple. I loved the bathroom’s musically-inspired words to remind me exactly where I was. My room, on the exclusive 25th floor, was large and I had plenty of room to spread out and organize my Nashville souvenirs before I had to pack up and go home again. Turn down service provided delicious calming and relaxing chocolates, as well as Nashville’s famous Willa’s shortbread cookies (which you know I brought home to share!).

Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a king or queen bed, a desk and easy chair, mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, a cool in-drawer safe, and lots of tech-friendly amenities. Wifi is extra unless you’re a Marriott member (free to join). Amenities are by Aveda and the room comes automatically with two plush navy robes (so nice to not have to request the second one!). Club rooms have special amenities like access to a Club lounge with continental breakfast, weekday evening socials, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

The hotel has a large indoor pool, open to an outdoor deck in good weather. But Nashville’s steamy summer heat and the hotel’s cool air conditioning mean getting a photo before your lens steams up is impossible! The fitness centre (open 24-7) overlooks the pool and has plenty of equipment. They even offer free earbuds in case you’ve forgotten yours. The tower hotel has several restaurants and lounges and a very popular Starbucks in the lobby.

 
This Nashville institution is half hotel and half spectacular indoor garden. A Marriott property, this four-star business and leisure hotel is in fact the largest non-casino hotel in the world. Despite the immense space, the service is friendly and it is difficult to get lost.

There are a whopping 2882 guest rooms, including 71 suites and five themed presidential suites. 776 of the rooms are garden atrium rooms, with a balcony overlooking the waterfall-filled gardens. My room was one of these and I loved the sound of the waterfall coming through the French doors of my balcony and the view over the greenery.

Rooms are equipped with an extremely comfortable bed, desk area, easy chair, mini-fridge, coffee maker and flat screen TV. Showers have a curved curtain bar, ensuring you have lots of elbow room and no risk of a clammy curtain touching you. The rooms have two sinks, the second one in a well-lit area near the closet, so there’s no need for jostling. Turndown service includes some delicious milk chocolates.

The gardens are where the Gaylord Opryland really stands out. The garden area is nine acres and has dancing fountains, roaring waterfalls, meandering streams, koi ponds and 50,000 tropical plants. You can walk along paths at two levels, as well as dine and drink in several garden restaurants.

There’s a huge spa (the largest in Tennessee), big outdoor and indoor pools with hot tubs, a fitness centre, shopping, activities for kids, and 15 cafes, lounges and restaurants. You can even take a Delta riverboat cruise in the Delta Atrium. Should you want to explore further, the hotel has a free shuttle to the Grand Ole Opry House and its highly entertaining shows (regardless of whether you’re a big country music fan), to the Gaylord Springs Golf Links, and to the nearby shopping centre.

Christmas is a special time at the Opryland Gaylord as the hotel and gardens are lit up with 2.3 million holiday lights, 15 000 poinsettias, a 48-foot-tall Christmas tree, and even 1.5 million pounds of real snow on a specially-built tubing hill. Christmas 2016 will also feature a How The Grinch Stole Christmas musical show and will welcome 40 master artisans from Harbin, China who will carve ice sculptures with a Rudolph theme.

See www.VisitMusicCity.com for tons of info on what see and do in Nashville.

 
At the end of several long, winding, country roads in the Ozarks you’ll find Stonewater Cove Resort and Spa. It’s hidden away in 500 acres surrounded by very few houses, Table Rock Lake and the Mark Twain National Forest making it a very secluded and intimate escape.

From the moment you arrive at the resort you are treated with extreme kindness. Check-in takes place at a small handmade wooden pedestal in the great lodge. While admiring the rustic, elegant entry and dining room, you get information about your stay. They hand you the keys to the room while they valet the car and take your bags to the room. All that’s left for you is to enjoy the sounds of nature, winding paths and magnificence bestowed upon you.

The rooms are decorated in rustic decor with all the luxury you’ll find in a large city hotel. There’s a coffered ceiling, large wooden framed beds, a cedar lined bathroom ceiling, jetted bath tub, three head shower, fridge, desk and leather couch, and all the amenities you need. There’s even small touches like handmade ceramic coffee mugs and fresh cookies on arrival.

Hopefully the cookies didn’t fill you up because the evening reception has appetizers and signature cocktails. You’ll be able to enjoy the lounge by the fire or stare longingly out the window at the lake. Before too long it’s dinner time and you’ll be in for a real treat. The menu will surprise you with its eclectic options made from scratch everyday. You’ll get to enjoy three to seven courses while being pampered by the staff and enjoying the sunset views over the lake.

They wrap up the night by building a fire and providing s’mores. If you’re lucky the sky will be clear and the Milky Way and all the stars will be visible. If it’s not clear you’ll still enjoy the crackling fire and water falling behind you. Everywhere on the resort you’ll find tranquil sounds.

After sleeping on the soft sheets and comfortable bed you’ll be treated to a wonderful made to order breakfast, such as a pea and mint omelet or freshly made baguette French toast with berry compote. With healthy fuel in the perfect proportions you’ll be able to enjoy the many miles of hiking trails, swimming coves, ATV rides, kayaking, zip lines and the pool. There’s also private spa rooms. You can be as active or as relaxed as you want to be. The staff will be there every step of the way to make sure you enjoy your stay.

At the end of my time there, I found it hard to leave. I felt I was part of the family, yet pampered by the best five star luxury resort. If you think Missouri isn’t luxurious you’ve been staying at the wrong spots. Stonewater Cove is the place to stay for a corporate retreat, romantic couples getaway or family adventure vacation. Rain showers or sunshine, I left refreshed and rejuvenated.