Hotels know how to create a mood. Step into a hotel lobby and you can feel a sense of place through the décor, lighting, scent and, of course, music. And when it comes to the latter, we don’t mean monotonous Muzak. Instead, you’ll hear relaxing island melodies in Maui and rousing Italian classics in Lake Como.
To help you conjure some destination inspiration at home — and liven up your on-repeat tracks — try these specially curated hotel playlists:
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
Turn on the stirring Stay at the Grand and envision attending aperitivo (the Italian pre-dinner ritual of cocktails and appetizers) on the grand dame hotel’s terrace overlooking dreamy Lake Como, even if you are at home wearing pajamas.
For something more traditional, opt for La Dolce Vita in Tremezzo. The hotel staff members contributed their favorite tracks to this assortment of Italian classics.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos
As is fitting of a Five-Star hotel, Las Ventanas anticipates your every aural need. It offers easy tunes to help you wake up, beach songs, jazz and blues for its speakeasy piano bar, traditional Mexican music for the ceviche bar, chill tracks for drinks at upscale Arbol, ditties for dancing under the stars, classical for the Ty Warner Mansion (the most luxurious accommodation at the Los Cabos hotel) and, to cap it off, lapping waves and other calming lullabies.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
The five properties that make up Four Seasons Resorts Hawaii joined together to release a Spotify channel, but each hotel made its own playlist to illustrate the islands’ diversity. Since Oahu is Hawaii’s music capital, Four Seasons Ko Olina’s compilation spotlights the state’s most beloved songs (like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Over the Rainbow” and Don Ho’s “The Hukilau Song”) and artists (like Bruno Mars and Makaha Sons).
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Maui list highlights artists who hail from Hawaii’s second-largest island, including Grammy-nominated Amy Hanaiali’i and iconic singer-guitarist Willie K (dubbed the “Hawaiian Jimi Hendrix,” he boasts fans like Barack Obama).
Other featured musicians have ties to the Five-Star hotel: Makana is from Oahu, but his songs serve as the property’s hold music, and Oahu-raised Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes” is a nod to the most popular breakfast dish at DUO Steak and Seafood.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island
The Big Island’s landscape includes everything from barren volcanic rock to lush rainforests to sandy beaches, and Hualalai’s playlist is similarly diverse. Among the homegrown talent, Kimié Miner radiates an R&B/pop vibe and singer-trumpeter Ann Hoku Lyn veers toward jazz — both are Grammy nominees. Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, reggae-rock band Pepper makes songs that recall beach days and dreams of youthful adventure.
Traditional Hawaiian singer Keali’i Reichel comes from Maui, but he made the cut for his “’Akaka Falls,” named after one of the Big Island’s most famous destinations.
Lanai may be Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island, but a number of musicians have passed through to perform at the hotel’s Sunset Sessions and Live from Lanai events. The Four Seasons’ playlist showcases those visiting artists.
The Vegas nightlife hub tapped DJ/music curator Jared Dietch to craft Spotify playlists inspired by its Cocktail Collective, a trio of venues. The Dorsey Cocktail Bar’s Afternoon Mood Boosters will shake you from the work-from-home slump with some R&B and soul from Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige. Nod your head to Rosina Cocktail Lounge’s upbeat Life’s Better with Champagne with GoldLink and Lucky Daye. Then break out your best “Toosie Slide” for Electra Cocktail Club’s Dance Like No One’s Watching, which also contains bangers from Chance the Rapper, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.
While this stylish Cancun hotel feels modern and fresh, its NIZUC – Mexico Vibes playlist hews more traditional with Mexican superstars like Luis Miguel figuring prominently. Get ready to mambo when Pérez Prado comes on.
For a more low-key vibe, try the sumptuous Four-Star spa’s own list. Just as if you were face-down on the massage table, NIZUC Spa by ESPA – Inspo’s soothing ambient soundtrack will lull you to sleep.
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
This adventure-filled glamping getaway created Floating the Blackfoot; A Paws Up Playlist with selections from musicians who have stayed at the Southwestern Montana hotel, favorite artists and more. The mix of country (Jessi Alexander), folk (Robbie Fulks), blues (Mudslide Charley) and alt-country (Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller) will transport you along the Blackfoot River that snakes through Paws Up’s 37,000 scenic acres.
Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, Napa
You may not be able to meander through Napa’s rural Calistoga, but the sunny, uplifting songs on this playlist are the audible equivalent. Staff at the popular Five-Star hotel handpicked the set, which includes Amber Mark’s soulful pop, Chet Faker’s bluesy spin on “No Diggity” and Frank Ocean’s silky-smooth “Sweet Life.”
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Even if you can’t stay in one of the French Polynesian hotel’s new overwater bungalow suites with infinity-edge plunge pools, try to imagine it while listening to Bora Bora Dreamin’. Curated with DJ/music styling company Bellosound, the songs play at some of the Four Seasons’ restaurants and bars and are as light and frothy as the hotel’s tropical Puura Nui cocktail.
