The 59-room Napa Winery Inn is located right off Route 29, the main road that runs through Napa Valley. With a friendly staff and reasonable rates, it can make a good base for exploring the larger Napa region. While rooms are unremarkable and a bit dated, and the inn itself is somewhat generic-looking, it's a comfortable spot and should suit couples and families. There's a small, well-maintained outdoor pool and hot tub that's regularly supplied with fresh towels. Unfortunately, the proximity to the highway means there's often traffic noise, especially in the pool area and in the rooms facing the road.
The 59-room Napa Winery Inn is located right off Route 29, the main road that runs through Napa Valley. With a friendly staff and reasonable rates, it can make a good base for exploring the larger Napa region. While rooms are unremarkable and a bit dated, and the inn itself is somewhat generic-looking, it's a comfortable spot and should suit couples and families. There's a small, well-maintained outdoor pool and hot tub that's regularly supplied with fresh towels. Unfortunately, the proximity to the highway means there's often traffic noise, especially in the pool area and in the rooms facing the road.
The two-pearl Comfort Inn Monterey Bay sits between the Naval Postgraduate School and the airport. It’s ideal for those with a car, as the beach, aquarium, and Cannery Row are about a 15-minute drive away. The 47 rooms are pleasant and come with mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, though the carpets could use replacing and some rooms suffer from some airport traffic noise. Amenities are few, but free, and include a buffet breakfast with waffles, parking, and Wi-Fi. Guests looking for something closer to the beach may consider Monterey Bay Lodge, which also has a pool and a hot tub.
The two-pearl Comfort Inn Monterey Bay sits between the Naval Postgraduate School and the airport. It’s ideal for those with a car, as the beach, aquarium, and Cannery Row are about a 15-minute drive away. The 47 rooms are pleasant and come with mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, though the carpets could use replacing and some rooms suffer from some airport traffic noise. Amenities are few, but free, and include a buffet breakfast with waffles, parking, and Wi-Fi. Guests looking for something closer to the beach may consider Monterey Bay Lodge, which also has a pool and a hot tub.
This Hostelling International outpost has an enviable location, just a block away from Third Street Promenade and a five-minute walk from Santa Monica's beach. Interiors are bright and modern, with attractive design elements like a stacked-stone fireplace and contemporary art on the walls. There are 43 six- or 10-person mixed or gender-separated dormitories plus a communal kitchen, library, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Private double rooms exist, but they're tough to score. With a free continental breakfast included in the rate, this hostel is by far the most economical choice in the Los Angeles area. For traditional hotel rooms with a nice dose of style, travelers can investigate the nearby budget-friendly Seaview Hotel, though rates will surely be higher.
This Hostelling International outpost has an enviable location, just a block away from Third Street Promenade and a five-minute walk from Santa Monica's beach. Interiors are bright and modern, with attractive design elements like a stacked-stone fireplace and contemporary art on the walls. There are 43 six- or 10-person mixed or gender-separated dormitories plus a communal kitchen, library, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Private double rooms exist, but they're tough to score. With a free continental breakfast included in the rate, this hostel is by far the most economical choice in the Los Angeles area. For traditional hotel rooms with a nice dose of style, travelers can investigate the nearby budget-friendly Seaview Hotel, though rates will surely be higher.
This Union Square boutique -- a member of Marriott's Autograph Collection since 2013 -- has 171 up-to-date, well-appointed rooms that deliver the right luxuries -- pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- in a stylish package. A fitness center, business center, great service, and an on-site restaurant make this hotel one of the best options in its area and price range.
This Union Square boutique -- a member of Marriott's Autograph Collection since 2013 -- has 171 up-to-date, well-appointed rooms that deliver the right luxuries -- pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- in a stylish package. A fitness center, business center, great service, and an on-site restaurant make this hotel one of the best options in its area and price range.
In the heart of historic, downtown Carmel, the three-story Carmel Bay View Inn has surprisingly more charm than most mid-range properties. The hotel, in Carmel’s picturesque artist community, is one block away from the world-famous Ocean Avenue that‘s home to many restaurants, bars, quaint shops, and art galleries. Pebble Beach, two miles away, features world-renowned golf courses and the breathtaking 17-mile Drive that hugs the Pacific Ocean. 59 updated rooms are surprisingly spacious and have a pleasant and charming design scheme. Overall, rooms have reasonably good rates and are slightly cheaper than its competitor, the Comfort Inn Carmel-By-The-Sea, despite the fact that both provide guests with the same features: comfortable rooms, free daily continental breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.
In the heart of historic, downtown Carmel, the three-story Carmel Bay View Inn has surprisingly more charm than most mid-range properties. The hotel, in Carmel’s picturesque artist community, is one block away from the world-famous Ocean Avenue that‘s home to many restaurants, bars, quaint shops, and art galleries. Pebble Beach, two miles away, features world-renowned golf courses and the breathtaking 17-mile Drive that hugs the Pacific Ocean. 59 updated rooms are surprisingly spacious and have a pleasant and charming design scheme. Overall, rooms have reasonably good rates and are slightly cheaper than its competitor, the Comfort Inn Carmel-By-The-Sea, despite the fact that both provide guests with the same features: comfortable rooms, free daily continental breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.
The Comfort Inn & Suites Sacramento University Area is a value hotel that's only a six-minute drive from Sacramento State, allowing families of the students to stay close by the university. The location is not within walking distance to many restaurants or shops, but it's only a five-minute drive to Fair Oaks Boulevard, a street lined with four different shopping centers. The hotel was renovated in 2016 and has tasteful, modern interiors. Rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges, and large suites have separate living rooms with sofa beds. Features include an indoor pool, a gym, a free hot breakfast every morning, and free Wi-Fi. Note that the hotel will put a hefty incidental authorization deposit on credit cards, but it will be taken off as long as guests adhere to the no-smoking policy. Though the hotel is next to the freeway and some rooms can be noisy from road traffic, it is a much better choice than the cheaper, bare-bones Good Nite Inn next door.
The Comfort Inn & Suites Sacramento University Area is a value hotel that's only a six-minute drive from Sacramento State, allowing families of the students to stay close by the university. The location is not within walking distance to many restaurants or shops, but it's only a five-minute drive to Fair Oaks Boulevard, a street lined with four different shopping centers. The hotel was renovated in 2016 and has tasteful, modern interiors. Rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges, and large suites have separate living rooms with sofa beds. Features include an indoor pool, a gym, a free hot breakfast every morning, and free Wi-Fi. Note that the hotel will put a hefty incidental authorization deposit on credit cards, but it will be taken off as long as guests adhere to the no-smoking policy. Though the hotel is next to the freeway and some rooms can be noisy from road traffic, it is a much better choice than the cheaper, bare-bones Good Nite Inn next door.
This 159-room boutique is one of the sleekest hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter, with a popular rooftop lounge and a sexy wine bar. Rooms are minimally decorated but attractive, with slate-tiled bathrooms and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and large flat-screen TVs. Some minibar items are also available for no additional fee, and the rooftop area, with a pool, fire pit, and loungers, is a nice place to hang out.
This 159-room boutique is one of the sleekest hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter, with a popular rooftop lounge and a sexy wine bar. Rooms are minimally decorated but attractive, with slate-tiled bathrooms and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and large flat-screen TVs. Some minibar items are also available for no additional fee, and the rooftop area, with a pool, fire pit, and loungers, is a nice place to hang out.
This 317-room hotel in Mission Valley is a pretty typical chain, with all the San Diego mid-range basics (24-hour fitness center, outdoor pool). Comfortable (if not particularly stylish) rooms have iPod docks and flat-screens, but some face a wall. It's near the University of San Diego, but far from downtown -- you'll have to drive to see any tourist sites.
This 317-room hotel in Mission Valley is a pretty typical chain, with all the San Diego mid-range basics (24-hour fitness center, outdoor pool). Comfortable (if not particularly stylish) rooms have iPod docks and flat-screens, but some face a wall. It's near the University of San Diego, but far from downtown -- you'll have to drive to see any tourist sites.
This 249-room Spanish-Colonial-style resort in the rolling hills near Del Mar is stunning, from the old-world decor to the enormous rooms to the luxurious spa. It features four pools, excellent restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, an Equestrian Center, and free car service in a Mercedes or Cadillac Escalade. But since it's inland, there are no ocean views; consider L'Auberge del Mar for closer proximity to the sand.
This 249-room Spanish-Colonial-style resort in the rolling hills near Del Mar is stunning, from the old-world decor to the enormous rooms to the luxurious spa. It features four pools, excellent restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, an Equestrian Center, and free car service in a Mercedes or Cadillac Escalade. But since it's inland, there are no ocean views; consider L'Auberge del Mar for closer proximity to the sand.
The 420-room Hard Rock, located in the hip Gaslamp Quarter, hosts wild parties on weekends at its popular rooftop pool and bar. It's a haven for twenty- and thirty-somethings (including celebrities), and trendy rooms have big flat-screen TVs and high-thread-count sheets. But it's not particularly kid-friendly (420 rooms and a restaurant called Maryjane's where happy hour starts at 4:20…you get the idea), so families should consider the nearby Hotel Solamar.
The 420-room Hard Rock, located in the hip Gaslamp Quarter, hosts wild parties on weekends at its popular rooftop pool and bar. It's a haven for twenty- and thirty-somethings (including celebrities), and trendy rooms have big flat-screen TVs and high-thread-count sheets. But it's not particularly kid-friendly (420 rooms and a restaurant called Maryjane's where happy hour starts at 4:20…you get the idea), so families should consider the nearby Hotel Solamar.