5218 Best Hotels in USA

Welcoming staff greet visitors arriving at this revamped motel with clean-lined and modern rooms and suites in the center of town. Units near the road get some traffic noise, but you'll also hear the clip-clop of passing Amish buggies. Although there's no on-site dining, the Carriage House provides breakfast vouchers for Speckled Hen, the wonderful café across the road.

This tidy no-frills motel, accredited as an SSL (Superior Small Lodging), is less than a block from the ocean and comprises a two-story, colonial-style building with a second-story sundeck. Steady improvements have been made to the quiet facility, and kitchenettes are equipped with quality utensils. Rooms are cheerful and color-splashed.

When it comes to location, this Victorian-era property is ideal—far enough from the Historic District to avoid noise, but close enough to have easy access to excellent restaurants (try the nearby Floridian) and shops. Even the waterfront is just four blocks away. The house, restored in 1984, is not as formal as some B&Bs. With verandas, porch swings, and quilts on every bed, it's cozy and quaint rather than elegant. It also has an outstanding breakfast menu; afternoon coffee and fresh-baked cookies; and an easily accessible fridge with free soft drinks, beer, and wine. The innkeepers provide reliable recommendations for local restaurants. A cottage up the block is perfect for families.

Not only do you spend a night in a mansion (Italian villa–style, circa 1882), but the price also buys breakfast downstairs at the Mad Batter, Cape May's wildly popular breakfast spot. Floral prints hang on the walls of the functionally compact guest rooms; headboards are made of carved wood. The family-owned hotel is a half block from the ocean, beach, and promenade.

For a romantic, cushy getaway in the piney woods near Gifford Pinchot National Forest, book one of these luxurious rustic-chic cabins outfitted with hot tubs and separate walk-in showers, DVD players, fireplaces, sitting areas, and private porches. Set amid lush gardens and fire pits, this idyllic little retreat is handy to some of the best hiking in the Gorge, but plenty of couples simply cozy up in their cabins and breathe in the tranquil woodland air. In-cabin spa services can be arranged, and rates include full breakfast and in-cabin snack baskets.

Enter by way of a long driveway lined with olive trees, past the automatic gates, and suddenly you’re in a Mediterranean-inspired neighborhood of freestanding bungalows that overlook the vineyards and mountains. Exquisitely designed in hues of white, cream, and royal blue, each bungalow has a lounge area, fireplace, and enormous marble bathroom. The pool, room service, and tasting room (tastings from $25) give little need to leave this pleasant property, but, if you want to explore South Coast Winery Resort, the neighboring sister property, a complimentary shuttle transports guests to their spa, gym, and restaurant; charges can be signed back to your room at Carter Estate.

A relatively inexpensive option (look for online specials), this 1913 Edwardian is part of the Best Western chain's Premier Collection, and it retains a period feel, especially in the tile-floor lobby with a fireplace and adjoining wood-paneled bar. The rooms are San Francisco small and lack for style, but they're comfortable and have desks, flat-screen TVs, and spacious closets. A computer and printer are available in the business center, and Wi-Fi is free.

Luxury without pretense is the trademark at this mission-style inn, which stands atop a bluff overlooking Farmington. You can relax in the Southwestern-style den or near the patio's fountain, or watch city lights twinkle from the solarium. One room has a two-person hot tub, another has a fireplace, most have porches that face the lovely gardens, some face the bluffs, and all are beautifully appointed. Breakfast—included—is a gourmet affair, and fresh-baked goodies are served in the afternoon. Business travelers seeking a homey atmosphere make it a point to stay in this little oasis.

There's a reason you feel like you're stepping back in time when you enter this 1820s-era inn made of coquina and handmade bricks—it's on the oldest street in the oldest European-settled city in the country. Innkeepers Jeffrey Sonia and Luis Castro's warm hospitality and attention to detail hearken back to days of yore. In addition to a hearty breakfast, you can enjoy a social hour featuring wine and appetizers. Most rooms have a whirlpool tub, fireplace, and balcony and some have private entrances and their own ghost (the inn's been featured on several ghost-hunting TV shows). Add-on services like breakfast delivered to your door, picnic baskets, and floral arrangements make the inn especially popular with those en el amor.

Intimate and peaceful, this classic adobe inn offers sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo range and contains nine charming rooms decorated with antiques and Native American and other regional arts and crafts. The Luminaria Room, in the main house, has a private patio, viga ceilings, and a brick floor. The separate one-bedroom Casita Suite has a kiva-style fireplace, tile floors, kitchenette, and a sitting area. There are several covered porches, and a massive bird-feeding station draws dozens and dozens of birds. 

In West Palm's charming Grandview Heights historic district—and just minutes away from both downtown and the beach—this warm and personalized B&B offers a wonderful respite from South Florida's big-hotel norm. With 17 eclectic units spread over a city block, Casa Grandview's principal "inn," cottages, and suites exemplify Florida architecture through the decades circa 1919–49 but come equipped with plenty of modern-day amenities, too. Each unit or room has its own name, personality, furnishings, and history. Grantham's Library Suite, for example, is in the former kitchen of the 1925 Spanish Mediterranean home and adjacent to the extensive house library. With the likes of Florida Craftsman cottages, 1948 art deco cabana-bungalows, and the principal inn—a conjoined 1919 Spanish-mission home and 1925 Mediterranean-revival home refitted with modern amenities—Casa Grandview keeps Florida's fledgling history in style.

Compared with nearby oceanfront hotels, it's small, but Casa Marina's rich history—it opened in 1925 and hosted Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Al Capone in its early days—make it a hit with those looking for a characterful retreat. Rooms are spacious, and most have some view of the ocean. Unwind in the large courtyard behind the hotel with a drink from the bar, or take a stroll on the beach. The romance of the location and the building attracts weddings and events galore, so evenings can get noisy, particularly when the Penthouse Lounge is busy. An acclaimed Sunday brunch brings flocks of locals to the restaurant.

This luxurious property is on the largest private beach in Key West, and it has the same richly appointed lobby with beamed ceilings, polished pine floor, and original art as it did when it opened in 1920 on New Year's Eve. Guest rooms are stylishly decorated in neutral colors that evoke a certain comfortable crispness. Fluffy bathrobes, Nespresso machines, and luxurious designer toiletries make it feel like a boutique hotel. Two-bedroom loft suites with balconies face the ocean. Many of the main building's rooms open onto large outdoor living rooms, and the two pools (one adult, one family) have a view of the Atlantic. For the utmost in pampering, pay a visit to Spa al Mare. You can even enjoy a treatment right on the resort's beach (the only resort in Key West to offer this indulgence). Guests also have privileges at its nearby sister property, The Reach.

This relic from the 1950s has been restyled into a suave, design-forward, all-suites property with outdoor showers and whirlpool tubs in some of the suites. Each unit claims its own design personality, with custom furnishings. Lush landscaping, a pool surrounded by a sandy area on its own island accessible by a bridge, and lounge chairs at the water's edge lend a spa-like vibe; complimentary adult yoga classes, a Zen garden, and gardens designed by Raymond Jungles complete the scene. Cool tile-and-terrazzo floors invite you to kick off your shoes and step out onto your private patio overlooking the gardens and the bay. Breakfast is served on the waterside terrace.

A cluster of Spanish-theme buildings in the heart of downtown, Casa Munras pays homage to Monterey's roots and the legacy of Spanish diplomat Don Estéban Munras, who built a residence on the site in 1824. All rooms have hardwood floors, custom-designed headboards, and granite bathrooms with oversize vanities; many have fireplaces.

A favorite for its comfortable rooms and great location, the Casablanca evokes the sultry Mediterranean with its colors and decor, including a lobby outfitted with mirrors and mosaics, wooden blinds, and bistro tables—it's all rather theatrical, but then again, so is the neighborhood. Huge tiled bathrooms, all with windows, include bathrobes and slippers, and the rooms (there are also six slightly larger minisuites) have soundproofed windows to limit noise from Times Square. On the second floor, music plays while guests linger in the spacious Rick's Café for the complimentary continental breakfast buffet and wine-and-cheese evenings.

This historic compound (it's a National Register property) of 1930s- and '40s-era adobe casitas is perfect if you're seeking seclusion and quiet, yet desire proximity to museums, restaurants, and shops. Casas de Sueños (sueños means dreams in Spanish) is but a few blocks south of Old Town's plaza, on a peaceful side street. Each uniquely decorated unit opens onto a warren of courtyards and gardens that are spotted with sculptures and tile work echoing the inn's past as artist housing. Saltillo-tile floors, kiva-style fireplaces, skylights, and Southwestern furnishings are typical. Most rooms have flat-screen TVs and some sleep as many as four adults. The full breakfast is served in the former studio of Taos painter J. R. Willis; don't forget to pause for a peek at the main building's entry topper—it's local architect Bart Prince's "Nautilus."

An appealing lodging option if you favor tranquil, rugged settings surrounded by the lush valleys and sweeping hills east of the Cascades, this angular, contemporary B&B is just outside the quirky little town of Cashmere, about midway between Leavenworth and Wenatchee. The three suites—each named for a local pear variety—are graciously appointed with gas fireplaces, smart TVs, snug robes, and private decks or balconies with magnificent views of the countryside.

This Hilton property overlooking the seasonal Carlsbad’s Flower Fields is within walking distance of LEGOLAND and is a sure win for parents wanting to check all the right boxes. Rooms cater to travelers seeking creature comforts of a luxury hotel, as well as those mixing business and leisure. Family Suites accommodate small groups, with a separate room with two twin beds. Minutes away are the Carlsbad Premium Outlets for shopping and the beach for surfing and sunning. An Olympic-sized pool centers the property, where the hotel’s casual restaurant, Cassara Kitchen & Bar, acts as the cornerstone of the grand lobby. A packed activities calendar features seven daily events for all ages, ranging from art classes and movie night to live music and lawn games. A pedestrian path leads directly to LEGOLAND, yet there’s plenty to entertain on-site including an arcade, playground, basketball court, and even a family pool with a splash pad. Just next door is Karl Strauss Brew Co. Attached to the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort (time-share condos), The Cassara is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, meaning the hotel offers brand comfort and reliability. 

This old-school motel with a friendly staff offers fantastic views from nearly every room, most of which have enclosed sun porches—the simplest and least expensive accommodations open to an enclosed breezeway that takes in these same vistas. Rooms are homey and colorful, hung with local art and decorated with a mishmash of comfy and functional pieces. The split-level suites are great for families or groups, as they have a full bedroom as well as an upstairs loft with a queen bed and two twins.

Built in the late 1950s, these six old-school (but Wi-Fi-equipped), two-bedroom log cottages offer an amazing view of both Blue Hill and the Bagaduce River, water access from a private dock, screened porches, and plenty of room to run around outdoors. Although the property is open year-round (with wood-stove heat in winter), the cottages are mainly rented out weekly, with nightly stays offered only when availability allows.

Built in 1898, this elegant inn just a block from the harbor has a wraparound porch, an inviting sitting room, and a cozy pub where guests can enjoy a full bar. The guest rooms have tasteful wallpaper, European linens, and private baths. Five of the rooms have air-conditioning.

This landmark hotel has large bayfront rooms offering spectacular views of Maunakea and Coconut Island on Hilo Bay; street-side rooms overlook the golf course, and the hotel is within walking distance of Liliuokalani Gardens. Most accommodations have private lanai; kitchenettes are available in the Banyan and Ocean suites, and the custom-made furniture in every room evokes a feeling of Hawaiiana. More bay views are on tap from first-class WSW The Steakhouse, billed as Hilo's only authentic steak house. At the hotel's bar and lounge, you can get a grab-and-go lunch or enjoy cocktails and appetizers. Nearby parks, shops, and restaurants are easy walks.

With two impressive towers and a stone exterior, this magnificent mansion, completed in 1910, sits amid 11 hilltop acres overlooking the Hudson River and was modeled after Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The main tower is the highest point in Westchester County. Rooms occupy the original house and a stucco wing, where you'll also find the THANN Sanctuary Spa that offers holistic spa treatments. Rooms are elegant, decorated with antiques, silk curtains, and four-poster beds. The food at the Equus restaurant is as refined as the surroundings.

You can almost reach out and touch The Wheel at ICON Park from this hotel, which offers a slightly kitschy sophistication, combining Alpine castle with Mardi Gras glitz.

This compound of castles is a popular family destination for its sheer amount of kid-friendly amenities. "Castle Kid" activities include tales of pirates and ghosts of Assateague Island told by Captain J. one night a week in summer, and Lady Sunshine is on hand to pamper young princesses. All rooms are basic, with pastel walls and random, motel-esque furniture. But all are oceanfront, looking onto a wide swath of beach, with some overlooking the largest pool in Ocean City. Two off-site cottages a block away provide a cozy home-away-from-home atmosphere.

This family-built and -owned hotel is steps from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, and offers four different room categories (with some spacious enough to accommodate six guests). Some rooms have two queen beds, while others have a king bed and two queen beds. Rooms have two sinks conveniently in different areas for quicker mornings out the door to explore the parks. There is a castle theme pool area with a small kids pool, whirlpool, and swimming pool, plus tower lounge areas. There is no on-site restaurant, but there are a variety of dining venues next door and nearby. Guest parking is free.

These slightly older condominium units, spread out among three low-rises on the ocean side of Alii Drive, are situated at Kona's most popular surfing spot, Banyans, and also just a couple of minutes' drive from Kailua Village and within walking distance of popular Laaloa (Magic Sands) Beach Park. Kitchens are fully equipped. Choose between the lower-priced mountain view, midrange partial ocean view, and more expensive oceanfront rooms; the rates are surprisingly decent. There's a great Hawaiian poke café (Da Poke Shack) nearby, plus a cash-only sundry shop across the street.

Perched on a rocky point above the pounding surf—perfect for whale- or turtle-watching—these three low-rise buildings have individually owned condos with full kitchens and washer-dryers. All condos have large windows, and many have bedrooms on the ocean side; each unit either shares a sundeck or has its own lanai. There's an oceanside pool, and weddings are sometimes staged on a little lawn beside the sea. A sandy swimming beach is a 10-minute walk away.