The Aliante Casino + Hotel is a large, relatively quiet four pearl resort in the north part of Las Vegas. Not on the strip, it draws more locals than tourists, but it has all the same features of a Vegas Strip hotel, including a large casino, several restaurants, a spa, a large pool with a bar, nightclubs, a movie theater, and a concert hall. Rooms are modern and spacious, many with views of the surrounding desert and mountains. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi and breakfast.
The Aliante Casino + Hotel is a large, relatively quiet four pearl resort in the north part of Las Vegas. Not on the strip, it draws more locals than tourists, but it has all the same features of a Vegas Strip hotel, including a large casino, several restaurants, a spa, a large pool with a bar, nightclubs, a movie theater, and a concert hall. Rooms are modern and spacious, many with views of the surrounding desert and mountains. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Located in North Vegas, about a 15-minute drive from the Strip, the 200-room Cannery Casino Hotel is well removed from the elaborate glitz. It offers its own, comparitively not-so-thrilling casino, movie theater, pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and variety of restaurants and bars, but there are better options elsewhere.
Located in North Vegas, about a 15-minute drive from the Strip, the 200-room Cannery Casino Hotel is well removed from the elaborate glitz. It offers its own, comparitively not-so-thrilling casino, movie theater, pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and variety of restaurants and bars, but there are better options elsewhere.
The 303-room Tempe Mission Palms is the only hotel in downtown Tempe, an upper-mid-range option located just blocks from Arizona State University and Sun Devil stadium. Popular with both tourists and business travelers, the Mission Palms is adjacent to the Mill Avenue entertainment district, which is packed with restaurants, shops, bars, and nightlife. The hotel’s common areas -- including a large rooftop pool, two restaurants, and a garden courtyard -- are comfortable spots to socialize or watch a game. The rooms themselves are modern and inviting, if a bit standard chain hotel fare, with bold colors and Southwest-inspired decorative touches.
The 303-room Tempe Mission Palms is the only hotel in downtown Tempe, an upper-mid-range option located just blocks from Arizona State University and Sun Devil stadium. Popular with both tourists and business travelers, the Mission Palms is adjacent to the Mill Avenue entertainment district, which is packed with restaurants, shops, bars, and nightlife. The hotel’s common areas -- including a large rooftop pool, two restaurants, and a garden courtyard -- are comfortable spots to socialize or watch a game. The rooms themselves are modern and inviting, if a bit standard chain hotel fare, with bold colors and Southwest-inspired decorative touches.
The Oak Alley Plantation is a 19th-century property with eight cottages in Vacherie, Louisiana, about a one-hour drive from New Orleans. The three-pearl property, has an cinematic atmosphere, and the exterior actually makes an appearance in the film "Interview With A Vampire." Built for a sugar baron in 1837, the Greek Revival main house and its reproduced slave quarters draws tourists for guided tours. Unfortunately, admission to the tour isn't included in room rates. The Cottages here have one or two bedrooms plus kitchenettes or full kitchens and feature traditional decor and homey, if worn, interiors. And there is a diner-style restaurant with expensive entrees where lunch and a free country breakfast is served.
The Oak Alley Plantation is a 19th-century property with eight cottages in Vacherie, Louisiana, about a one-hour drive from New Orleans. The three-pearl property, has an cinematic atmosphere, and the exterior actually makes an appearance in the film "Interview With A Vampire." Built for a sugar baron in 1837, the Greek Revival main house and its reproduced slave quarters draws tourists for guided tours. Unfortunately, admission to the tour isn't included in room rates. The Cottages here have one or two bedrooms plus kitchenettes or full kitchens and feature traditional decor and homey, if worn, interiors. And there is a diner-style restaurant with expensive entrees where lunch and a free country breakfast is served.
Embassy Suites Charlotte - Concord Golf Resort & Spa is well-suited to business travelers and a convenient place to hold a convention. The upper-middle-range hotel has loads of event space, a restaurant and bar, and a cafe. Guests won’t have to go far for activity or entertainment, with a golf course, spa, fitness center, and indoor pool on-site, and close proximity to the motor speedway and Concord Mills Mall. There's free breakfast with cooked-to-order items, but it can get busy. The 308 rooms are spacious, with living rooms and two flat-screen TVs. However, for such a business-oriented hotel, the Wi-Fi fee is a nuisance.
Embassy Suites Charlotte - Concord Golf Resort & Spa is well-suited to business travelers and a convenient place to hold a convention. The upper-middle-range hotel has loads of event space, a restaurant and bar, and a cafe. Guests won’t have to go far for activity or entertainment, with a golf course, spa, fitness center, and indoor pool on-site, and close proximity to the motor speedway and Concord Mills Mall. There's free breakfast with cooked-to-order items, but it can get busy. The 308 rooms are spacious, with living rooms and two flat-screen TVs. However, for such a business-oriented hotel, the Wi-Fi fee is a nuisance.
Spacious one- and two-bedroom condos, two swimming pools, a kids' club, and theater with free daily movies help make this Wyndham Vacation Resort a great value for families. Located 10 miles south of D.C. in National Harbor -- a waterfront community that's undergone significant development since 2008 -- the property is a short walk from shops, restaurants, and a waterfront park with a Ferris wheel. For something more convenient to Washington attractions, families should consider Georgetown Suites, which has fewer amenities and lower rates.
Spacious one- and two-bedroom condos, two swimming pools, a kids' club, and theater with free daily movies help make this Wyndham Vacation Resort a great value for families. Located 10 miles south of D.C. in National Harbor -- a waterfront community that's undergone significant development since 2008 -- the property is a short walk from shops, restaurants, and a waterfront park with a Ferris wheel. For something more convenient to Washington attractions, families should consider Georgetown Suites, which has fewer amenities and lower rates.
The Bahama Bay Resort Orlando is an upper-middle-range hotel with 498 condo units, each with its own interior design, although most have been upgraded and have full kitchens. All units have balconies and generous living areas. The resort is in a residential area, about a 10-minute drive to Walt Disney World. Restaurants and grocery stores are within a five-minute drive. The resort includes four heated pools plus a children's wading pool, hot tubs, sports courts, and a playground, all surrounded by colorful plants and shrubs. There's also a small fishing dock on Lake Davenport. Two on-site restaurants have full bars -- but big price tags. Housekeeping comes with an extra charge, as does the shuttle that transports guests to theme parks and the airport.
The Bahama Bay Resort Orlando is an upper-middle-range hotel with 498 condo units, each with its own interior design, although most have been upgraded and have full kitchens. All units have balconies and generous living areas. The resort is in a residential area, about a 10-minute drive to Walt Disney World. Restaurants and grocery stores are within a five-minute drive. The resort includes four heated pools plus a children's wading pool, hot tubs, sports courts, and a playground, all surrounded by colorful plants and shrubs. There's also a small fishing dock on Lake Davenport. Two on-site restaurants have full bars -- but big price tags. Housekeeping comes with an extra charge, as does the shuttle that transports guests to theme parks and the airport.
The Hotel Indigo Boston - Newton Riverside is a contemporary property that pays attention to style and finish. In addition to the list of expected amenities in a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel, the Indigo has a solid steak house restaurant and spacious outdoor pool that’s surprisingly resort-like. All of the 191 rooms are clean, bright, and modern with a more polished look and feel than many comparable hotels. The surrounding suburban area won't win any awards for charm, but its convenient proximity to nearby restaurants, the I-90 freeway, and a Green Line T stop make it an ideal choice for travelers looking to be at arm’s length from downtown Boston. The Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton Hotel is a competitively priced option nearby with an indoor pool.
The Hotel Indigo Boston - Newton Riverside is a contemporary property that pays attention to style and finish. In addition to the list of expected amenities in a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel, the Indigo has a solid steak house restaurant and spacious outdoor pool that’s surprisingly resort-like. All of the 191 rooms are clean, bright, and modern with a more polished look and feel than many comparable hotels. The surrounding suburban area won't win any awards for charm, but its convenient proximity to nearby restaurants, the I-90 freeway, and a Green Line T stop make it an ideal choice for travelers looking to be at arm’s length from downtown Boston. The Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton Hotel is a competitively priced option nearby with an indoor pool.
The four-room Big Island Bed and Breakfast is a peaceful property on the Island of Hawaii's less-developed southern coast, close to its famous green-sand beach. There's not a ton on-site or in the immediate vicinity, so travelers should be prepared to drive. Low-frills rooms are spacious and have flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with toiletries, and fans, plus some add fridges and outdoor spaces. The 8,000-acre grounds contain a macadamia nut farm, and numerous fruit trees that guests can enjoy. A saltwater pool, ping-pong table, fully equipped kitchen, a few exercise machines, and free Wi-Fi are provided. Free continental breakfasts consist of yogurt, pastries, granola, and coffee. Unique additions include a friendly St. Bernard named Annabelle, parrots, and daily "Lava Shows" which are home video footage of the island's 2018 volcano eruption. This is a good pick for adventurous travelers looking to take advantage of all the nearby outdoor activities, while travelers wanting more of a resort should head north to the 452-room Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, which has a central beachfront location in Kona.
The four-room Big Island Bed and Breakfast is a peaceful property on the Island of Hawaii's less-developed southern coast, close to its famous green-sand beach. There's not a ton on-site or in the immediate vicinity, so travelers should be prepared to drive. Low-frills rooms are spacious and have flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with toiletries, and fans, plus some add fridges and outdoor spaces. The 8,000-acre grounds contain a macadamia nut farm, and numerous fruit trees that guests can enjoy. A saltwater pool, ping-pong table, fully equipped kitchen, a few exercise machines, and free Wi-Fi are provided. Free continental breakfasts consist of yogurt, pastries, granola, and coffee. Unique additions include a friendly St. Bernard named Annabelle, parrots, and daily "Lava Shows" which are home video footage of the island's 2018 volcano eruption. This is a good pick for adventurous travelers looking to take advantage of all the nearby outdoor activities, while travelers wanting more of a resort should head north to the 452-room Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, which has a central beachfront location in Kona.
The 388-room Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton is a modern mid-range property with a pretty oceanfront location a six-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. Although there’s no real beach here, there are an outdoor pool with loungers, water-sports center with snorkeling gear and kayaks, and a decently equipped fitness center. An on-site locally sourced restaurant and bar is popular with both locals and guests, plus there are a lobby bar and shave ice spot. Rooms and suites are contemporary and attractive, if a bit uninspired, featuring neutral decor, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and microwaves, plus many have furnished lanais – some with gorgeous ocean vistas. A daily resort fee (common for Hawaii) covers Wi-Fi, a round of golf at the adjacent nine-hole course, and parking. This is a good option for those wanting to be near the airport, but travelers wanting a true beachfront resort should head west to the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
The 388-room Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton is a modern mid-range property with a pretty oceanfront location a six-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. Although there’s no real beach here, there are an outdoor pool with loungers, water-sports center with snorkeling gear and kayaks, and a decently equipped fitness center. An on-site locally sourced restaurant and bar is popular with both locals and guests, plus there are a lobby bar and shave ice spot. Rooms and suites are contemporary and attractive, if a bit uninspired, featuring neutral decor, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and microwaves, plus many have furnished lanais – some with gorgeous ocean vistas. A daily resort fee (common for Hawaii) covers Wi-Fi, a round of golf at the adjacent nine-hole course, and parking. This is a good option for those wanting to be near the airport, but travelers wanting a true beachfront resort should head west to the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.