This main reason to stay at La Jolla Cove Suites is for the location, right across the street from the beach. The motel-style property offers suites featuring kitchens with mini-fridges, stovetops, wet bars, and ovens; most units have ocean-view balconies. Rooms were renovated with tropical beach chic decor, and the pool area is open year-round and features several barbecue grills. There's no fitness center, but guests get free access to the well-equipped La Jolla Sports Club. Other freebies include a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi access. This might be an acceptable budget option in posh La Jolla, but it's worth checking rates are other nearby stays.
This main reason to stay at La Jolla Cove Suites is for the location, right across the street from the beach. The motel-style property offers suites featuring kitchens with mini-fridges, stovetops, wet bars, and ovens; most units have ocean-view balconies. Rooms were renovated with tropical beach chic decor, and the pool area is open year-round and features several barbecue grills. There's no fitness center, but guests get free access to the well-equipped La Jolla Sports Club. Other freebies include a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi access. This might be an acceptable budget option in posh La Jolla, but it's worth checking rates are other nearby stays.
This 26-room, two-story inn has the charm of a Spanish hacienda, with stucco walls and pretty hand-painted details. It's an all-suite property, and the suites are spacious and rustic, with dark wood-beamed ceilings and carved wooden furniture. The suites are also bi-level, with the living area on the lower level, and bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs and a DVD player. Outside, a lovely courtyard features beautiful overgrown trees and shrubs, and stone and wrought-iron details are pretty. But the property lacks a fitness center.
This 26-room, two-story inn has the charm of a Spanish hacienda, with stucco walls and pretty hand-painted details. It's an all-suite property, and the suites are spacious and rustic, with dark wood-beamed ceilings and carved wooden furniture. The suites are also bi-level, with the living area on the lower level, and bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs and a DVD player. Outside, a lovely courtyard features beautiful overgrown trees and shrubs, and stone and wrought-iron details are pretty. But the property lacks a fitness center.
Hotel Grano de Oro is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located outside San Jose’s city center. Its 35 rooms are understatedly stylish, with many offering pretty gardens or patios. The fantastic on-site restaurant, which serves French-Mediterranean and tropical-influenced cuisine, uses sustainable, fresh Costa Rican ingredients, and is as popular with locals as it is with guests. The attractive rooftop terrace has two hot tubs. The main downside is location -- there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance, but most of the city’s main attractions are a bit of a trek on foot and require a car. The hotel also lacks the range of amenities offered by larger properties -- there's no pool or fitness center, and rates are pricey. For travelers seeking a hotel closer to the city center, Balmoral Hotel, while not as glamorous, is an excellent alternative.
Hotel Grano de Oro is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located outside San Jose’s city center. Its 35 rooms are understatedly stylish, with many offering pretty gardens or patios. The fantastic on-site restaurant, which serves French-Mediterranean and tropical-influenced cuisine, uses sustainable, fresh Costa Rican ingredients, and is as popular with locals as it is with guests. The attractive rooftop terrace has two hot tubs. The main downside is location -- there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance, but most of the city’s main attractions are a bit of a trek on foot and require a car. The hotel also lacks the range of amenities offered by larger properties -- there's no pool or fitness center, and rates are pricey. For travelers seeking a hotel closer to the city center, Balmoral Hotel, while not as glamorous, is an excellent alternative.
The Embassy Suites in Napa does not look like your typical chain hotel upon arrival. It strives to emulate the Napa Valley vibe with manicured, sprawling grounds, a palm tree-lined, villa-like facade, and warm decor in the 2012-renovated suites. The juxtaposition of patterned rugs and patterned walls in these suites may have missed the mark (they feel a bit busy to some), but the decor is fresh and all suites feature separate living rooms, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Families will enjoy the two nice pools -- the indoor pool is large and the outdoor pool is in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by the hotel (similar chain hotels often feature roadside pools), but the fitness center is a drive away.
The Embassy Suites in Napa does not look like your typical chain hotel upon arrival. It strives to emulate the Napa Valley vibe with manicured, sprawling grounds, a palm tree-lined, villa-like facade, and warm decor in the 2012-renovated suites. The juxtaposition of patterned rugs and patterned walls in these suites may have missed the mark (they feel a bit busy to some), but the decor is fresh and all suites feature separate living rooms, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Families will enjoy the two nice pools -- the indoor pool is large and the outdoor pool is in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by the hotel (similar chain hotels often feature roadside pools), but the fitness center is a drive away.
The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
This historic bed and breakfast features just four cozy rooms, outfitted with features such as walls full of books, fireplaces, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. But some guests complain of worn linens and lack of modern amenities. There is free Wi-Fi in the inn -- and wood-paneled rooms and a small library evoke the pleasures of times past -- but some quirks exist here, such as a room with a detached bathroom, and limited breakfast selections.
This historic bed and breakfast features just four cozy rooms, outfitted with features such as walls full of books, fireplaces, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. But some guests complain of worn linens and lack of modern amenities. There is free Wi-Fi in the inn -- and wood-paneled rooms and a small library evoke the pleasures of times past -- but some quirks exist here, such as a room with a detached bathroom, and limited breakfast selections.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
An upper-middle-range boutique property, the Benbow Historic Inn is a charming pick (and one of the only ones) for those visiting Humboldt County to take in the region's impressive redwoods. Opened in 1926, it has welcomed everyone from the Prince of Jordan to Cher, but nowadays it largely attracts older couples seeking peace and quiet. On the downside, there are no gym or spa, some rooms lack TVs and mini-fridges, and decor can feel a bit stuffy to some. However, antique furnishings, fireplaces in some rooms, and pretty views are lovely, as are free in-room sherry decanters and daily tea alongside scones. The on-site restaurant serves tasty fare all day, but breakfast isn't included. A small outdoor pool, nine-hole golf course, and free-to-borrow bikes add value. Travelers wanting an upscale oceanfront setting should consider The Inn at Newport Ranch.
An upper-middle-range boutique property, the Benbow Historic Inn is a charming pick (and one of the only ones) for those visiting Humboldt County to take in the region's impressive redwoods. Opened in 1926, it has welcomed everyone from the Prince of Jordan to Cher, but nowadays it largely attracts older couples seeking peace and quiet. On the downside, there are no gym or spa, some rooms lack TVs and mini-fridges, and decor can feel a bit stuffy to some. However, antique furnishings, fireplaces in some rooms, and pretty views are lovely, as are free in-room sherry decanters and daily tea alongside scones. The on-site restaurant serves tasty fare all day, but breakfast isn't included. A small outdoor pool, nine-hole golf course, and free-to-borrow bikes add value. Travelers wanting an upscale oceanfront setting should consider The Inn at Newport Ranch.
The 342-room Club Quarters can be a fine alternative to other, more costly business hotels in the quiet, skyscraper-lined streets of the Financial District. But with the drop in price come smaller standard rooms, cheaper bedding, scarce service (no doorman or concierge), an older fitness center, and a less-than-exciting restaurant.
The 342-room Club Quarters can be a fine alternative to other, more costly business hotels in the quiet, skyscraper-lined streets of the Financial District. But with the drop in price come smaller standard rooms, cheaper bedding, scarce service (no doorman or concierge), an older fitness center, and a less-than-exciting restaurant.
Four-pearl Hotel Zeppelin stands out from the chain masses with funky yet carefully curated '60s-themed decor and a boutique vibe. An upscale, casual-cool atmosphere is on display everywhere, from the cozy lobby bar with exposed-brick accents to the popular restaurant Rambles to the downstairs game room and lounge. There’s also a small gym, free bike rentals, and room service. The 196 rooms and suites are chic, though they run small, with funky bathrooms wallpapered in psychedelic lettering plus amenities like Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. The location is ideal, near Union Square’s high-end shops and public transit. The area is pricey, though, and Hotel Zeppelin is no exception, charging a nightly resort fee, plus extra for breakfast and parking. For a more classic upscale vibe, consider Sir Francis Drake.
Four-pearl Hotel Zeppelin stands out from the chain masses with funky yet carefully curated '60s-themed decor and a boutique vibe. An upscale, casual-cool atmosphere is on display everywhere, from the cozy lobby bar with exposed-brick accents to the popular restaurant Rambles to the downstairs game room and lounge. There’s also a small gym, free bike rentals, and room service. The 196 rooms and suites are chic, though they run small, with funky bathrooms wallpapered in psychedelic lettering plus amenities like Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. The location is ideal, near Union Square’s high-end shops and public transit. The area is pricey, though, and Hotel Zeppelin is no exception, charging a nightly resort fee, plus extra for breakfast and parking. For a more classic upscale vibe, consider Sir Francis Drake.