A large part of playing professional sports is travel, especially for NBA teams. They play about half a season (41 games) on the road so that means many flights and nights in hotels.
Have you ever wondered what hotels they stay in?
The NBA makes over $10 billion dollars a year so they are picking some of the best hotels in every city to stay in. Typically these include top tier brands like Four Seasons, St Regis, and Ritz Carlton but they also book luxury boutique hotels in certain cities.
We wanted to know the hotels in each NBA city that are known or most likely to host an NBA team when visiting.
We decided to do research and gathered a full list for you below of where NBA players have been spotted and where you may expect them.
NBA Team Hotel List
NBA teams are not very transparent about where the teams stay and that’s not a surprise. Mainly for security reasons, if more people knew where they stay it could cause overcrowding at certain hotels.
We decided to do some research through media reports, fan sightings, and more to figure this out. Now don’t go and use this list to stalk NBA players. But if you’re curious like us where they stay here is a list of the most common hotels for NBA team in each city.
CREDIT: The Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton Boston
MIDTOWN
When visiting the home town Celtics many teams want to stay close to the TD Garden. The Ritz-Carlton Boston is located just off Boston Commons in a very convenient part of downtown, making it an easy choice for NBA teams during their visits to Boston. You can expect all the amenities of a 5 star hotel experience and with the added benefit of privacy.
CREDIT: St Regis
The St. Regis New York
MIDTOWN
Let’s be real – the St. Regis is basically Manhattan royalty. This is where the entire brand started, and you can totally feel that old-school luxury vibe the second you walk in. The rooms have killer city views and their famous bar is where all the power players grab cocktails after work. You’re right off Fifth Avenue, super close to Times Square, and while Midtown traffic is insane, you can get pretty much anywhere in about 20 minutes.
CREDIT: Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton New York, Nomad
NOMAD
What we like: Business Trip Romantic Getaway
This brand new Ritz in NoMad is next level. Forget stuffy traditional hotels – this place is an ultra-modern skyscraper with a lobby full of greenery and a rooftop bar with views that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous. The location is perfect too, right in the middle of everything in one of Manhattan’s coolest neighborhoods.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons New York, Downtown
DOWNTOWN
The Four Seasons downtown is another iconic New York property that multiple NBA players have been spotted at. Recently the Celtics were spotted there before they played the Brooklyn Nets, as it’s closer to the Barclays Stadium than it is to MSG.
CREDIT: 1 Hotel
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
DUMBO
The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is an stylish hotel situated in the Dumbo district of Brooklyn, just under the bridge. The hotel emphases nature-inspired luxury and wellness amenities, such as the rooftop pool and farm-to-table dining options. The rooms have a modern appeal combing wood tones with floor to ceiling windows with the best view in the city. The location of the hotel is right touristy part of Brooklyn with many of the cities famous pizzerias located close by. For NBA players and teams, the hotel is well situated just a 10 minute drive to the Barclays center and the rooms boast some of the best views of any hotel in the city.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons Philadelphia
DOWNTOWN
Talk about dramatic – this Four Seasons sits 100 floors above the city and the views are absolutely insane. The lobby and sky bar alone are worth the visit. It’s super close to all the main attractions, but the hotel is massive enough that you never feel crowded. After a long day exploring Philly, this place is the perfect luxe escape from all the city chaos.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons Houston
DOWNTOWN HOUSTON
The Four Seasons Houston embraces the Texan style and design with the same standards the luxury brand has been known to uphold. Located just a short distance from the Toyota Center, the hotel is a convenient and upscale retreat between games. Beyond the hotel, Houston’s vibrant culture and attractions are easily accessible to the hotel, so there are plenty of options for players entertainment and relaxation off the court. In essence, the Four Seasons Houston offers NBA players a luxurious haven where they can experience the best that the city has to offer while enjoying the comforts of home.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons San Francisco
SOMA
The Four Seasons San Francisco has everything you want out of a luxury hotel in a major city. Located just moments away from the Chase Center, the Four Seasons is the perfect place to stay for players that are looking for a modern hotel that still remains comfortable.The hotel features panoramic views of the city skyline and some of the best restaurant the city has to offer. Its central location also allows players to easily explore the vibrant neighborhoods and cultural attractions that San Francisco has to offer, ensuring they have plenty of opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment off the court.
CREDIT: Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles
DOWNTOWN
The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is located directly by the Staples Center making it a long time fix for teams when they play the Lakers. The modern tower stands out as a luxury centerpiece of downtown that is not usually known for its opulence. The hotel boasts several critically acclaimed restaurants and has all the accommodations you can expect out of a Ritz Carlton. With all the celebrity hot spots in LA, the Ritz Carlton is the perfect location to relax without getting caught up in the Hollywood scene.
CREDIT: The Nines Hotel
The Nines Hotel
DOWNTOWN PORTLAND
The Nines Hotel in Portland is a boutique urban retreat located in the heart of downtown, making it an enticing option for NBA players during their visits to the city. Situated a short distance from the Moda Center, the hotel offers players a convenient and upscale sanctuary between games. While not the most modern compared to big brands, The Nines still provides luxury accommodations, top-notch amenities, and attentive service.
CREDIT: The Skirvin
The Skirvin
DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY
The Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, known as the a “haunted hotel” is a staple for NBA teams visiting the city. Many teams have stories about the hotel, with the most notable in 2010, when the New York Knicks famously blamed their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the haunting. It also occurred when the Chicago Bulls reported doors slamming shut on their own and strange sounds outside their rooms. This hotel is the staple for NBA teams when visiting the city, haunting or not.
CREDIT: The Sawyer
The Sawyer
DOWNTOWN COMMONS
Another boutique hotel on the list with The Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento. The property is a a chic and stylish retreat located in the heart of Downtown Commons, making it a prime choice for NBA players during their visits to the city. Situated just steps away from the Golden 1 Center, the hotel offers contemporary design, upscale amenities, and personalized service.
CREDIT: Pfister Hotel
Pfister Hotel
DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is a historic gem located in the heart of downtown. Many NBA teams have been spotted in this hotel when visiting the city and it makes sense given its short distance to the Fiserv Forum.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons Washington DC
GEORGETOWN
The Four Seasons Washington DC is a staple luxury hotel in the city and not only attracts NBA players but world leaders. The property is a luxurious and sophisticated retreat in the heart of the nation’s capital, making it a premier choice during their visits to the city. The location is a bit from Capital One Arena but teams tend to favor the Four Seasons brand whenever it is has a property in their desired city.
CREDIT: Marriott
Ritz Carlton Tower City
TOWER CITY CENTER
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, is nestled within Tower City Center, and is one of the few luxury hotels in the city. Located not far from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the hotel has been known for many sightings of players when visiting the Cavaliers. The Ritz Carlton is a quiet hotel that is perfect for a team that is looking for some private but comfortable accomodations.
CREDIT: Grand Bohemian
Grand Bohemian
DOWNTOWN ORLANDO
The Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando is an artistic retreat in the heart of the city and has been a staple for NBA teams for years. The location is just moments away from the Amway Center, the hotel has some of the most stylish interiors as well as a well designed bar and restaurants.
CREDIT: Shinola Hotel
Shinola Hotel
DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Owned by the iconic Shinola brand from Detroit, The Shinola Hotel is a unique and stylish retreat right in the heart of the city. The city combines the brands design aesethic and appeals to those looking for modern luxury. The hotel style is unmatched in Detroit and there its easy to see why NBA teams would choose this as their home base when playing the Pistons.
CREDIT: Marriott
Ritz Carlton New Orleans
FRENCH QUARTER
Located right in the iconic French Quarter of the city, The Ritz-Carlton is one of the best hotels in New Orleans. The hotel design perfectly captures the essence of the city while blending with the luxury brand of the Ritz. There have been a few sightings of NBA teams at this property and given the cities offered we think there is no other hotel that compares.
CREDIT: Marriott
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
If there were ever a hotel perfect for NBA players than it would be the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Located directly in downtown Miami, the hotel is a sports dream with a full basketball court, bowling alley, tennis court, outdoor pool and so much more. Located very close to the arena, this property is the perfect level of luxury but also escape from the distractions of Miami nightlife. Given the modern accommodations and the sports facilities, there really is no better hotel in Miami for NBA teams.
CREDIT: Kimpton Phoenix
Kimpton Phoenix
DOWNTOWN PHOENIX
The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix is a chic and stylish retreat in the heart of downtown Phoenix. NBA teams have been known to make this their home when visiting due to its close distance to the Footprint Arena. The hotel is not the most luxurious NBA teams stay in but still provides a comfortable escape when playing the Suns.
CREDIT: Four Seasons
Four Seasons Denver
DOWNTOWN DENVER
The Four Seasons Hotel Denver is a stylish and sophisticated property located in the heart of the city. NBA players have been known to frequent this hotel and use it as their escape when playing the Nuggets. One of the many Four Seasons hotels on our list, the Denver location aligns its style with the surrounding city and is a great place to relax in style.
Summary & Takeaways
If you take a look at the list we were able to gather, there are some common themes. NBA teams tend to favor the top tier luxury brands like the Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, making it almost a certain they will stay in those properties if available.
Now we posted this list because its interesting to see where some of the wealthiest sports teams decide to stay when visiting a city. We don’t recommend you staking out any of these places just to get a glimpse as you may leave disappointed.
Know of any new hotels NBA players decide to stay in? Let us know and we will update and add to our list.
