956 Best Hotels in USA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For a more authentic desert experience, head to this intriguing complex of lodgings, a café, a trading post, and an observatory, set on over 5 acres just off the main road to the Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park. Some rooms have mountain views and a wraparound porch, while others share a flower-filled courtyard; all are colorfully decorated with indigenous art and include a voucher for each guest for breakfast at the adjacent Coyote Pause Café. Say hi to Juanita, the resident desert tortoise, as you meander through the desert gardens and labyrinth. Stargazing with an astronomer through a 14-inch Celestron telescope (for an extra fee) is a rewarding on-site activity in this dark sky zone.

The Catalina is a fun, budget party spot in the heart of South Beach, attracting plenty of early twentysomethings who value freebies like a nightly drink hour, airport shuttles, fitness classes, two fun pools, and beach chairs over posh digs. It's across the street from the beach, but nobody seems to mind the short walk. Each of the Catalina's three buildings has a distinct feel: the original Catalina (with the smallest, most inexpensive rooms) is an exercise in camp, with red-shag carpets, two-story glass windows, and monumental sheer drapes. The midrange rooms are in the old Maxine Hotel, decorated in rock baroque and featuring a karaoke machine in the lobby. Room 400 here is one of the beach's best values, with a private sundeck overlooking the strip. The most luxurious part of the Catalina is the Dorset Hotel, which now houses the hotel's biggest rooms. Its outdoor restaurant, Maxine's Bistro, overlooks the passersby on this very sexy strip of Collins Avenue, making the Catalina an entertainment complex in its own right.

Reasonable rates for the area, an oceanfront location, evening bonfires, and well-equipped rooms—some with wood-burning fireplaces and private patios—make this motel a great choice.

Backpackers like to stay here on the eve of long treks into the High Sierra wilderness, so bedtimes tend to be early. The quiet lodge is not attractive (aside from the natural beauty that surrounds it), but it is the only indoor accommodation in this part of Kings Canyon National Park. Each room has two queen-size beds, and three have kitchenettes and patios.

Quirky yet upscale, this accommodation features four artistically distinctive rooms that unveil beautiful views of the rain forest from a great location five minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The hotel offers imported linens, custom-made wooden bed frames, a garden gazebo, a koi pond, and a six-person hot tub. It's one of several properties under the umbrella of Kilauea Hospitality Group; another is Lokahi Lodge, which has cozy rooms with comfy beds and plenty of exposed beams and wood. The group's most reasonably priced lodge is the Volcano Hale, which dates to 1912 and has a communal kitchen and fireplace.

This is the real thing, a Victorian summer hotel (1876) on the boardwalk with striped green awnings and crisp white paint. The Chalfonte keeps it simple and friendly. Room are pleasantly spartan with wood floors and white curtains and bedspreads; some share bathrooms. Children are more than welcome—a supervised kid's dining room has its own menu. Parents dine in the Magnolia Room or on the boardwalk-long veranda. Southern-style fried chicken, smothered pork chops, corn pudding, and flaky biscuits are made by sisters Lucille and Dot, as their mother, Chalfonte's former beloved cook, taught them. A renovation in 2010 added air-conditioning, heat, and private baths to many of the rooms.

Built to accommodate visitors to the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, this favorite of budget travelers has cable car views from its modest lobby. High ceilings lend Edwardian grandeur to the moderate-size guest rooms; check out the pillow menu with a dozen choices. The small, clean bathrooms have extra-deep tubs, branded rubber ducky included. Complimentary coffee, tea, apples, and cookies are available around the clock in the lobby.

The inexpensive rooms at the Charles are a favorite among artists and healers who espouse all sorts of interesting and unorthodox approaches to health. Various alternative therapies are practiced. Costs depend on the treatment and its length, but $5 will buy you an hour-long soak in one of the nine indoor soaking tubs fed from natural hot springs ($4 for a half hour). For $8 (and a reservation) you can soak in one of two outdoor Jacuzzis up on the roof. The huge (400-square-foot) guest rooms, many of which have kitchenettes, have so much extra space you can easily imagine settling in for months rather than days; in fact, excellent weekly rates are offered. There is a nice gift shop on the premises with locally made pottery and other goods.

Creative funk meets island culture at Onancock's boutique hotel, four blocks from the harbor on Onancock Creek. Rooms and public space are delightfully, imaginatively appointed. (Many of the floors were hand-painted by a co-owner.) Two guest rooms are located in a B&B-style house a short walk from the main hotel. In addition to the adjacent Next Door Art Gallery, there is a full-service bar and an intimate dining room. The restaurant's menu features local and regional produce and seafood.

Old-world French design, contemporary style, and luxe creature comforts make this lakeside inn a good choice for those who want intimate, upscale lodgings near La Quinta's main attractions. Rooms range from deluxe to bungalows, and all have a private or semi-private balcony or patio. Some have fireplaces. Order a cocktail from the bar, nab a seat by a firepit, and watch the swans and turtles swim in the lake before a fine-dining feast at the on-site restaurant, Mélange.

Just up the street from the Chautauqua Institute, this reasonably priced hotel opened in 2007 and still looks new. Though it has a chain-hotel feel (albeit an upscale one) and is not as quaint as other choices nearby, it offers consistently clean and updated rooms, a full slate of hotel amenities, and a bit more anonymity than at the inns and B&Bs. All rooms have two bathrooms (one full, one half). Rates include shuttles to the Chautauqua Institution and the Chautauqua Golf Club.

Opened in 2004, this luxury hotel and spa is a key part of the revitalization of the town's tourism business. The public spaces pay homage to the beachfront community's history. A mural in the lobby depicts the old roller coaster that once thrilled vacationers, and framed photographs line the corridors, tracing the town's changes from its Victorian heyday to the present. The whitewashed oak furniture and sand-color walls give the rooms an elegant yet beachy style. The resort was built right on the water's edge, and its suites and deluxe rooms have balconies that seem to hang over the Bay. There are also three dining options, a boardwalk, and a fishing charter company at the hotel's full-service marina.

Set amid the rolling hills about 8 miles outside of downtown Galena, Chestnut Mountain makes a top choice for families with its year-round recreational activities and indoor pool. While your east- and west-coast friends may ridicule Midwest skiing, you can thumb your noses as you woosh down the resort's 19 downhill and snowboarding runs. During summer months, guests take advantage of cruises along the adjacent Mississippi River—be sure to request a room with a river view—along with the property's own mini golf and disc golf courses, and 5 miles of trails for hiking and biking. No need to bring your own two-wheeler, just rent one for the day from the hotel.

At this inn on 5 acres just south of Winthrop and a short walk to town, lodgings have modern amenities, luxurious touches, and themes reflecting the rustic environment, illustrated in room names like Eagle's Nest, the Corral, Trout Hollow, and Dancing Bears. Some have fireplaces and murals by local artists. Plush Craftsman-style cabins have sleeper sofas, kitchens or kitchenettes, propane barbecues, and covered decks; some also have fireplaces. Comfortable beds have 500-thread-count linens and down bedding. All rates include the inn's hearty breakfast buffet, and there are free cookies in the afternoon, too.

One mile from Callaway Gardens and near downtown Pine Mountain, this lavish inn occupies a high-style Queen Anne Victorian dating to 1895. A favorite perch in this period-decorated house is the wraparound porch, decked out with rockers, swings, and wicker chairs. Hardwood floors, 12-foot ceilings, and decorative molding are among the beautifully preserved original details. In addition to the three guest rooms there are two family-friendly cottages.

This single-story 1930s-era motel in Panguitch's cute historic district doesn't look like much from the outside, but the rooms are clean, have refrigerators and microwaves, and are among the most affordable within striking distance of Bryce, Zion, and Cedar Breaks. There's a grill and picnic table for guests to use.

One of the Historic Hotels of America, this Beaux Arts landmark built in 1906 has spacious guest rooms that are comfortable, elegant, and include small work and sitting areas; many also have excellent views.

Registered as a national and state historic site, this 1905 Flemish-style inn, 15 miles southeast of Pullman in Uniontown, was once a parish house for the adjacent church; some of the homey, traditionally furnished rooms have views of the countryside, and one suite has its own kitchen. Book well in advance during WSU games and events.

Although there's nothing fancy about this low-slung adobe motel on the edge of downtown Escalante, the simple rooms have all the basics you need for a comfortable night or two—microwaves, fridges, coffeemakers, HDTVs, climate control—and one larger suite with a kitchenette sleeps six. In the evenings, guest gather around the shared firepit.

The rooms at the hotel at the \"Big Top\" are periodically renovated, giving some much-needed TLC to some of the oldest ones on the Strip (the resort opened in 1968). Other accommodations on the property range from luxury (in the Skyrise Tower, which includes its own casino) to campsites; the RV Park at Circus Circus, which has a children's play area, pet run, and seasonal pool and hot tub, is the only one on the Strip. In the casino, gaming is nothing if not affordable; in addition to rock-bottom table limits and 1-cent to 25-dollar slot machines, dealers offer complimentary lessons in blackjack, roulette, and craps. There are even more machines, and an adults-only arcade, in the adjacent Slots-a-Fun. Still, the biggest draw at this hulking resort is the Adventuredome Theme Park, Nevada's largest, featuring more than 25 rides and attractions. The Midway at Circus Circus holds a world record as the world's largest permanent circus.

It looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but this hostel is a clean, comfortable oasis—in the heart of the bustling H Street Corridor and near public transit—that's perfect for backpackers and other cost-conscious travelers. It has several private rooms and a host of mixed-dorm bunking options with from 4 to 12 beds. Bathrooms, in all cases, are shared. The amenities are generous, including free linens and towels, free Wi-Fi, and a game room and movie library. 

The brick four-story chain hotel overlooks Lake Erie's Chadwick Bay. Rooms are standard, with contemporary furniture; some have in-room whirlpool tubs. In the Windjammer's restaurant, a boat wheel, a fish tank, and huge windows overlooking the marina create a nautical theme. Menu options include Delmonico steak, salmon, and chicken Alfredo.

A classic antebellum-style hotel in the heart of town, the Clewiston Inn was built in 1938 to impress visiting businessmen and dignitaries; the cypress-paneled lobby, wood-burning fireplace, Colonial Dining Room, and Everglades Lounge with a wraparound Everglades mural are standouts. The 40 standard rooms, four suites, and eight efficiency apartments are furnished with pieces representative of the 1930s and 1940s with some more modern accents thrown in. Rates include a continental breakfast. There's a public pool across the street.