Three-pearl Tradewinds Carmel is a family-run bed-and-breakfast in a quiet, residential neighborhood just outside downtown Carmel. The property has Asian-inspired decor, and features tranquil gardens and places for reflection. The motif carries over to its 28 attractive guest rooms, which boast handmade beds from Bali, and have thoughtful extras like Kimonos and chocolate. They're all well-equipped with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, wet or dry bars, and free Wi-Fi, and many have gas fireplaces and private balconies with ocean or courtyard views. Rooms don't have AC, and there's no elevator, but guests rave about the free breakfast. Travelers who want to stay downtown for less can check out Candle Light Inn.
Three-pearl Tradewinds Carmel is a family-run bed-and-breakfast in a quiet, residential neighborhood just outside downtown Carmel. The property has Asian-inspired decor, and features tranquil gardens and places for reflection. The motif carries over to its 28 attractive guest rooms, which boast handmade beds from Bali, and have thoughtful extras like Kimonos and chocolate. They're all well-equipped with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, wet or dry bars, and free Wi-Fi, and many have gas fireplaces and private balconies with ocean or courtyard views. Rooms don't have AC, and there's no elevator, but guests rave about the free breakfast. Travelers who want to stay downtown for less can check out Candle Light Inn.
The Sofia Hotel Downtown is an upper-middle-range boutique property in a historic building located just four blocks from the Gaslamp Quarter. Convenient for business travelers and tourists, this location provides easy access to downtown offices as well as attractions and the I-5. The 211 guest rooms are small and efficient, with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Wellness is a focus here, with 24-hour fitness and yoga studios, bike rentals, and a small spa. The brasserie-style restaurant and bar get high marks from guests, but breakfast isn't free and there's a daily resort fee that includes Wi-Fi. Despite that, The Sofia offers some of the best rates in the area. Guests looking for bigger rooms and additional features such as a pool might prefer the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego -- rates are typically higher, though.
The Sofia Hotel Downtown is an upper-middle-range boutique property in a historic building located just four blocks from the Gaslamp Quarter. Convenient for business travelers and tourists, this location provides easy access to downtown offices as well as attractions and the I-5. The 211 guest rooms are small and efficient, with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Wellness is a focus here, with 24-hour fitness and yoga studios, bike rentals, and a small spa. The brasserie-style restaurant and bar get high marks from guests, but breakfast isn't free and there's a daily resort fee that includes Wi-Fi. Despite that, The Sofia offers some of the best rates in the area. Guests looking for bigger rooms and additional features such as a pool might prefer the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego -- rates are typically higher, though.
This once-hip, 207-room hotel may be the forgotten child of the Standard empire -- it's run-down and partied out -- but the poolside view is still hard to beat, the design is still striking, and the prices can dip way low. A fine deal for low-budget travelers who want a stellar downtown location and don't mind some grime.
This once-hip, 207-room hotel may be the forgotten child of the Standard empire -- it's run-down and partied out -- but the poolside view is still hard to beat, the design is still striking, and the prices can dip way low. A fine deal for low-budget travelers who want a stellar downtown location and don't mind some grime.
This 104-room hotel between Union Square and Nob Hill boasts LEED certification but not much else. It's eco-friendly -- and proud of it -- but that's about as special as the hotel gets. Rooms are comfortable and clean, and amenities are nondescript. It's a fine but somewhat boring choice with affordable rates in a central location.
This 104-room hotel between Union Square and Nob Hill boasts LEED certification but not much else. It's eco-friendly -- and proud of it -- but that's about as special as the hotel gets. Rooms are comfortable and clean, and amenities are nondescript. It's a fine but somewhat boring choice with affordable rates in a central location.
The upper-middle-range Harbor Court Hotel is a charming property situated on the waterfront, just a five-minute walk from the Ferry Building Marketplace and close to lots of public transportation. A $10-million revamp in 2018 redesigned all 131 rooms and the lobby into the chic spaces they are now. Although small, rooms are stylish and packed with amenities, including large flat-screen TVs, tablets, and minibars stocked with organic treats; many have panoramic bay views. The hotel is home to a wonderful Japanese restaurant popular with locals and a 24-hour cafe, plus a handful of free perks are offered to guests, including evening wine receptions, morning coffee and tea, and access to a nearby YMCA gym. However, a daily amenity fee is added to rates. Travelers wanting an on-site spa and fitness center may prefer the W San Francisco, but it's pricier.
The upper-middle-range Harbor Court Hotel is a charming property situated on the waterfront, just a five-minute walk from the Ferry Building Marketplace and close to lots of public transportation. A $10-million revamp in 2018 redesigned all 131 rooms and the lobby into the chic spaces they are now. Although small, rooms are stylish and packed with amenities, including large flat-screen TVs, tablets, and minibars stocked with organic treats; many have panoramic bay views. The hotel is home to a wonderful Japanese restaurant popular with locals and a 24-hour cafe, plus a handful of free perks are offered to guests, including evening wine receptions, morning coffee and tea, and access to a nearby YMCA gym. However, a daily amenity fee is added to rates. Travelers wanting an on-site spa and fitness center may prefer the W San Francisco, but it's pricier.
The Fairmont combines the history, cachet, and decor of a turn-of-the-20th-century grand old dame with the amenities, technology, and corporate-dominated clientele of a large chain property. What separates it from its luxury competitors are its beautiful, well-appointed rooms, many with stunning views, and its location atop Nob Hill.
The Fairmont combines the history, cachet, and decor of a turn-of-the-20th-century grand old dame with the amenities, technology, and corporate-dominated clientele of a large chain property. What separates it from its luxury competitors are its beautiful, well-appointed rooms, many with stunning views, and its location atop Nob Hill.
The 180-room Westin Verasa looks more like an upscale boutique hotel than major chain. From the comfy beds to the sleek furniture and artwork, to the unique bocce ball court outside, everything feels modern and trendy. Right in the heart of downtown Napa, the hotel's rooms offer impressive views of the Napa River and city -- and a spacious outdoor patio and pool with private cabanas make it a nice place to kick back. Guests checking in with kids might want to request a larger Deluxe room or Suite for even more space.
The 180-room Westin Verasa looks more like an upscale boutique hotel than major chain. From the comfy beds to the sleek furniture and artwork, to the unique bocce ball court outside, everything feels modern and trendy. Right in the heart of downtown Napa, the hotel's rooms offer impressive views of the Napa River and city -- and a spacious outdoor patio and pool with private cabanas make it a nice place to kick back. Guests checking in with kids might want to request a larger Deluxe room or Suite for even more space.
Located right on the banks of the Napa River, the Milliken Creek Inn is one of the swankier hotel options in Napa. The luxury inn does have limited amenities (no restaurant, for example), but all 12 rooms are supreme, from the four-poster canopy beds, to the working fireplaces, to the 42-inch plasma TVs, to the stunning views. This is a great pick for a couple looking for romance -- you'll return to your room in the evening to lit tea candles and soft music, and you can opt to have free breakfast served every morning in bed, on your patio, or anywhere on the grounds. There is no fitness center, but guests receive free passes to a high-end wellness center two miles down the road. There is an amazing full-service spa on-site that makes this tranquil, secluded retreat even more relaxing.
Located right on the banks of the Napa River, the Milliken Creek Inn is one of the swankier hotel options in Napa. The luxury inn does have limited amenities (no restaurant, for example), but all 12 rooms are supreme, from the four-poster canopy beds, to the working fireplaces, to the 42-inch plasma TVs, to the stunning views. This is a great pick for a couple looking for romance -- you'll return to your room in the evening to lit tea candles and soft music, and you can opt to have free breakfast served every morning in bed, on your patio, or anywhere on the grounds. There is no fitness center, but guests receive free passes to a high-end wellness center two miles down the road. There is an amazing full-service spa on-site that makes this tranquil, secluded retreat even more relaxing.
The Allegria Hotel is a chic 143-room boutique delivering a dose of Miami style right on the Long Beach boardwalk. It draws both trendy Manhattanites looking for a convenient beach getaway and business travelers attending corporate events on-site. Big rooms have light, airy decor, plush beds, and sleek limestone bathrooms; some have beach and ocean views. The restaurants serve gourmet organic cuisine and tasty cocktails, and in nice weather Atlantica restaurant opens its windows right up to the boardwalk. Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach hard, decimating the boardwalk and flooding the hotel lobby. The hotel fully rebuilt, but some guests complain that rooms fall short of luxury expectations.
The Allegria Hotel is a chic 143-room boutique delivering a dose of Miami style right on the Long Beach boardwalk. It draws both trendy Manhattanites looking for a convenient beach getaway and business travelers attending corporate events on-site. Big rooms have light, airy decor, plush beds, and sleek limestone bathrooms; some have beach and ocean views. The restaurants serve gourmet organic cuisine and tasty cocktails, and in nice weather Atlantica restaurant opens its windows right up to the boardwalk. Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach hard, decimating the boardwalk and flooding the hotel lobby. The hotel fully rebuilt, but some guests complain that rooms fall short of luxury expectations.
The Hotel Maya, a sprawling, 11-acre DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel resort, is a three-and-a-half pearl property with 199 rooms on the Long Beach Harbor, within a 10-minute walk to the dock for the Queen Mary. The hotel, which underwent a renovation in 2009, has a man-made beach with cabanas and fire pits, a pool, hot tub, and a Mexican/Latin-themed restaurant. It hosts as many as 200 weddings a year, numerous business events, and such daily activities as cocktail-making contests and children's cooking classes. Travelers might also want to consider The Waterfront Beach Hotel, another bustling Hilton property about 30 minutes away in Huntington Beach.
The Hotel Maya, a sprawling, 11-acre DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel resort, is a three-and-a-half pearl property with 199 rooms on the Long Beach Harbor, within a 10-minute walk to the dock for the Queen Mary. The hotel, which underwent a renovation in 2009, has a man-made beach with cabanas and fire pits, a pool, hot tub, and a Mexican/Latin-themed restaurant. It hosts as many as 200 weddings a year, numerous business events, and such daily activities as cocktail-making contests and children's cooking classes. Travelers might also want to consider The Waterfront Beach Hotel, another bustling Hilton property about 30 minutes away in Huntington Beach.