Lovely Hotels

The trick to designing a truly special vacation is to find a lovely hotel that’s also a bargain where you can relax enough to linger over enchanting moments and splurge on local delicacies.  Below I have identified some nice accommodations that are surprisingly affordable!

Hotel Régence, Paris
Experience Parisian charm at this welcoming hotel conveniently located between Montmartre and the Champs-Elysées near the Place de Clichy Metro Station. Classy rooms have ornate touches with mini-bars, room safes and private baths.  After your complimentary breakfast, take a bike tour or a quick train ride to Moulin Rouge or the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. You can Book the Hotel Régence on HostelBookers.com for your memorable trip to Paris.

Confortel Auditori, Barcelona
Experience the resort lifestyle in metropolitan Barcelona at this fitness-oriented hotel offering a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, gym and solarium.  The friendly staff also provides banquets, business services, touring information, laundry and dry cleaning.  A few blocks away, the Arc de Triomf has a train station and is the gateway to the Parc de la Ciutadella and the Barcelona Zoo.

Marrakech Hotel NYC
Experience a taste of Morocco in Manhattan’s Upper West Side at this colorful boutique hotel.  Crisp, air conditioned rooms have unique personalities with beds outfitted in European linens and private baths stocked with Ecco Natural Bath Essentials.  Situated right on Broadway, the No 1 subway station is nearby and a few blocks one direction is Riverside Park and the other direction is Central Park.

Holiday Center Lato Azzurro, Venice
Guests at this plantation-style hotel on San Erasmo Island find they appreciate Venice vacations more from this peaceful refuge just 30 minutes away by water-taxi.  Colorful rooms open onto breezy verandas with beach views.  The on-site restaurant provides Mediterranean dishes and regional wines.  Internet and bicycles are free, but since there are no televisions, group recreational activities are encouraged.

Portobello House Hotel, London
This quasi-luxury hotel is near the Kensington Memorial Park and its awesome water spouts.  Enjoy complimentary breakfast in the gourmet bistro or outdoor seating area, access free Internet in the “Felliniesque” cocktail bar and watch big-screen television in the lounge.  Stroll through the nearby Carmelite Monastery’s garden, explore the Portobello Road Market or catch a show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Phangan Beach Resort, Koh Pha Ngan
Go native in this beachside resort with private bungalows sporting mosquito-net draped beds and luxurious personal amenities.  Enjoy free Internet at the restaurant offering both Thai and western cuisine or socialize in the game room, lounge area or swimming pool.  The friendly staff arranges for fishing trips, water sports and beach activities and has motorbikes and jeeps for self-guided explorations.

Hotel de Ela, Berlin
Although only steps away from KaDeWe, Europe’s largest department store, this cozy hotel is surprisingly quiet.  The crisp rooms with snow-white bedding and ensuite bathrooms are kept tidy by daily maid service.  The Tube/U-Bahn station is nearby, providing quick access to Berlin attractions like the Zoological Gardens and Brandenburg Gate.

AWA Chicago City Center Hotel
Ditch your car at the free parking facility and explore downtown Chicago on foot from this elegant landmark hotel with fully-appointed rooms.  Explore the amusements along the Navy Pier, attend sporting events at Wrigley Field and shop till you drop on the Magnificent Mile.  Right next door is a charming retro diner serving breakfast and lunch.

Bicycle Hotel, Amsterdam
Meet visitors from all over the world at this surprisingly affordable, eco-friendly hotel that uses solar panels and encourages tourism by bicycle.  Enjoy your free, healthy breakfast before setting off to explore the Van Gogh Museum or bicycling to the Albert Cuyp Street Market known for its laid back atmosphere.

Beijing Templeside Deluxe Hutong House, Beijing
This family-friendly hotel is designed around a traditional open-air courtyard.  Relax in air-conditioned quarters, use the self-catering kitchen, play in the game room and catch up on laundry.  All meals and drinks are included in the room price and the helpful staff will gladly arrange tours of nearby sites like the Forbidden City.