Traveling can be an amazing experience of culture, food, and sightseeing but it can be quickly spoiled by horrible airline travel or crappy hotels. Nothing is worse than walking into your hotel room to discover it wasn’t you expected (or worth what you are paying). In an effort to make your next weekend (or weeklong) getaway a little better, we’ve tested, asked and researched to find you the top hidden gems around the world- hotels that you are happy to come back to at the end of the day, no matter how gorgeous your destination. In no particular order:
Boston - Hotel Marlowe
Located in Cambridge the Hotel Marlowe isn’t the most centrally located place to sleep, but what it lacks in hustle and bustle it makes up for with a view of the Charles River and the Longfellow Bridge. According to Jonna, a Boston resident who directs all of her out town friends to the Marlowe, the hotel “Is a quick hop on Memorial Drive by cab, T or foot will have you in Harvard Square lickety split. In summer, you can watch the sailboats along the river, and if you plan far enough in advance, you can have plum access to the Head of the Charles Regatta in October.”
Rome, Italy- The Beehive
Run by an American couple, The Beehive is a great place to stay for the European traveler on a budget, or for anyone looking for quiet, lovely accommodations. To save money you can select a room that shares a hall bathroom (common in Europe) or you can upgrade for your own private bath. You can even stay in a room with a kitchen if you are there to try your hand at cooking local cuisine. According to CGG reader Megan, “The hotel is run by a couple from California, and they are just so nice. They will help you book appointments, tours, whatever you need. They even helped us book an Audience With the Pope when I was there the first time! They have a great little courtyard out front that is a nice place to sit and have a glass of wine and you aren’t sitting right on the busy street. The hotel is a couple of blocks away from Termini, the main train station/central subway hub, so it is in a convenient location from which to launch all of your sightseeing day trips.”
Morro Bay, California – Sundown Inn
According to SueBob the Sundown Inn is the place to stay in Morro Bay. Walking distance to the waterfront, inexpensive with a kind owner and clean rooms, the Sundown Inn puts you in a prime location to go sailing, take in the marine life, visit the nearby museums and aquarium, enjoy the funky downtown area, or take a day trip to Hearst Castle. Sounds relaxing!
New Orleans - Iberville Suites Hotel
Staying in the French Quarter is both a blessing a curse – you are so close to amazing food, culture and museums but sometimes the Quarter can get just a little, how do we say, loud. Lucky for you the Iberville Suites have soundproof guest suites and they share a building with the Ritz-Carlton so you have access to the fanciest spa and work out facility in the city. You can even bring Fido to stay with you (with a pet deposit) and the suite set up allows you to share a room with a few of your friends. This is the place to stay whether you are in town for business…or something a little more fun.
Chicago- DoubleTree Hotel, Magnificent Mile
Tucked between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan, the DoubleTree is perfectly situated for all of your Chicago touristing without putting you in the middle of the loudest traffic. Set between residential buildings in the trendy Streeterville area the DoubleTree looks unassuming until you walk in. Kind staff, clean rooms, a great hotel bar and in close proximity to kid friendly breakfast and lunch joints as well as Navy Pier make it the perfect place to stay for the weekend.
Paris, France - Hotel De L’Esperance
Paris can be a pricey, pricey town to stay in and you often have to give up central air conditioning or private bath to afford your lodging. Never fear, Hotel De L’Esperance has air conditioning, ice machines, private baths and typically runs at less than 100 Euros a night. CGG reader Domestic Deity tells us it was the perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing and enjoying the food, even in the sticky summer months.
Tampa Bay – The Floridan Palace Hotel
Image courtesy of Tampa Bay Online
Maybe you are visiting Tampa for a long weekend or you are just there for an evening on your way to take a cruise, but no matter your reason, Tampa natives tell us this is the place to stay. Recently renovated into its former glory, the Floridan Palace boasts its famous Crystal Ballroom and a ledger of hotel guests including Elvis Presley and Gary Cooper. With original details from 1927 preserved, such as the front desk and the bar’s cedar ceiling, the Floridan is sure to impress even the pickest of guests while you explore historic Ybor City, the local museums or Hyde Park Village.
Napa Valley – Napa Valley Marriott & Spa
You might wonder what a chain hotel is doing on the list, but this hotel is so loved by the Curvy Girl Guide one of our writers had her wedding here and I spent my honeymoon here. Perfectly located on Highway 29, with well appointed rooms and the best concierge floor ever (totally worth the upgrade for the breakfast spread, bottled water to go and concierge who can finagle you a table anywhere), this hotel is willing to do just about anything to keep you as a satisfied guest. Be sure to save some time to enjoy their happy hour on the gorgeous grounds. A quick drive to the nearby vineyards and downtown Yountville and prices that leave you with plenty in your budget for wine, the Napa Valley Marriot & Spa is where to stay.
In order to help make your next vacation a reality, the Napa Valley Marriott and Spa is giving one (1) lucky reader a one night stay between now and December 31, 2013. Just leave a comment between now and 11:00 pm EST, on Sunday, September 30th telling us about your favorite hotel or vacation destination. You may manually enter as many times as you wish. The winner will be selected at random at 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, September 30th. Prize delivered upon email confirmation.
All opinions and reviews of hotels are uncompensated and honest opinions of CGG writers and readers. The Napa Valley Marriott and Spa did not provide compensation for its review, or any perks for CGG writers.
Congratulations to comment #4, Domestic Deity, for winning the one night stay at the Napa Valley Marriott.
Daisy is a lawyer married to a lawyer (insert lawyer jokes here) living in a small condo in a big city with a new baby and beagle. She breaks up the legal-speak by blogging about life in Chicago, which is filled with escapades of urban living. In the summer she enjoys patio dining and in the winter wonders what she was thinking when she moved here. You can read more from Daisy on her blog, Just Daisy.
I love Charleston, SC! Great food, southern hospitality, and charm!
The Gansevoort in Turks and Caicos was one of my favorite places to stay! Beautiful accommodations, breathtaking beach views and delicious food!
My husband and I got married at a resort on Lake Las Vegas and it has now become our favorite place to vacation. Just 20 minutes from the strip, it has amazing views of the lake, mountains and palm trees. A hidden oasis for sure!
I’m clearly partial to the Hotel De L’Esperance as my husband and I stayed there last summer. It was our first real vacation together and his first trip to Europe. Not too far from the subway, close to delicious fondue, AND air conditioning? Sign me up…again.
Turks & Caicos
We loved Hotel Beausite in Interlaken, Switzerland! It was so lovely!
It’s a toughie but I’d have to say the Hyatt in Aruba for our honeymoon. It was so fancy, I felt like a queen!
My husband and I never had a honeymoon, and most of the traveling I’ve done has been work related, so I can’t say I’ve stayed anywhere seriously beautiful, but NYC is definitely one of my favorite destinations.
My family vacations in Cape Breton, NS in Canada generally. The people are wonderful ~ friendly and charming, full of stories and color just like the land and water that surrounds them! There are beautiful beaches and lakes and rivers for swimming, plenty of quaint shops to find the perfect thing for everyone and the food is amazing. There is no end to what you can do or see…choose to camp or stay in high end hotels, play golf or hike out to the most northern tip of the island and see the Northern Lights perhaps some night. A breathtaking destination!
My favorite place is the Cayman Islands – my best friend lives there, so it’s great to be able to spend the time with her and relax.
The Grand Hotel in Point Clear is a great southern get-a-way with old world style and service.
I really like Napa and Sonoma. Last year for my birthday, my fiance took me there for a surprise weekend of wine tasting, b-day dinner at The Girl and the Fig restaurant in Sonoma (I highly recommend it) and an awesome Italian cooking class.
My favorite hotel has been Majestic Barriere, on La Croisette, Cannes, France.
my favorite get away (about an hour from home) is the beach house in half moon bay, ca. it’s lovely there! the staff, the rooms, everything is just great! and the beach is right there..can’t beat that.
The Seelbach in Louisville, KY for our annivesary. It was beautiful and so accommodating. The Oak Room restaurant put rose petals on the table and printed menus with our names on them. The service was perfect. We also snagged the concierge level because there was a problem with our reservation. Gotta love those upgrades!
Cape Town, South Africa was beautiful… Went on a business trip, but would love to take my hunny there!!
I need a DC hotel for Thanksgiving week- any suggestions?
What area of DC Amesle?
Las Ventanas in Cabo- positively sinful!
anywhere at any ocean, but the Outrigger Reef on the beach at Waikiki is amazing!
I second the Iberville. It was so reasonably priced, and the rooms and amenities were amazing. Just a short walk to the craziness of Bourbon Street, yet once you get back to the hotel, you’re in a serene bubble. The entire staff was polite and friendly. Even when my friend threw up right in front of the entrance. In her defense, someone drugged her drink.
I live in Oregon and I love staying at McMenamin’s hotels. They are quirky and fun, no tv’s in the room (which I love) so you can focus on having fun and getting away…and they have amazing decor! I pretty much just love supporting whatever is the local guy!
I like to go to downtown Indianapolis, oddly enough! I also love Cincinnati.
I got the chance to stay at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, CA last year and it was SO fantastic. Pet friendly property (which I think is very cool even though I don’t have pets), AMAZING buffet breakfast, bike rentals to take to the trails, quieter location away from Cannery Row. A real treat, I loved it there.
Key West. So, so beautiful. We stayed at a Best Western of all places, and it was great.
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