The upscale 213-room Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa is located on the north end of Fort Meyers, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Matanzas Harbor. This self-contained, condo-style resort has several pools, including a kids' pool, and bright rooms all have full kitchens. Bowditch Point Park nature preserve is just next door, and the city's own bustling Times Square is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Breakfast is free, and the beach restaurant and bar are major highlights as well. The Pointe Estero Beach Resort has similar features and will be cheaper, but the Pink Shell's on-site activities make it a popular choice for families.
The upscale 213-room Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa is located on the north end of Fort Meyers, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Matanzas Harbor. This self-contained, condo-style resort has several pools, including a kids' pool, and bright rooms all have full kitchens. Bowditch Point Park nature preserve is just next door, and the city's own bustling Times Square is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Breakfast is free, and the beach restaurant and bar are major highlights as well. The Pointe Estero Beach Resort has similar features and will be cheaper, but the Pink Shell's on-site activities make it a popular choice for families.
The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
After a top-to-bottom $100 million renovation in 2016, the four-pearl Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui feels like a new property. The hotel’s 547 guest rooms are housed in low-rise buildings spread across the well manicured property. They’re decorated with sleek furnishings and are stocked with nice amenities like Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Four pools and a water park cater to all kinds of travelers, and varied dining options keep the food scene interesting. Additional amenities include a spa, fitness center, family game room, and a small movie theater, but the biggest disappointment is the resort’s indirect access to Wailea Beach. Though it’s an oceanfront property, there is, ironically, no beach in front of the Wailea Beach Resort. Guests must walk to the nearby Grand Wailea in order to access the sand. Travelers looking for a truly beachfront property may prefer Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, though it isn’t as upscale.
After a top-to-bottom $100 million renovation in 2016, the four-pearl Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui feels like a new property. The hotel’s 547 guest rooms are housed in low-rise buildings spread across the well manicured property. They’re decorated with sleek furnishings and are stocked with nice amenities like Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Four pools and a water park cater to all kinds of travelers, and varied dining options keep the food scene interesting. Additional amenities include a spa, fitness center, family game room, and a small movie theater, but the biggest disappointment is the resort’s indirect access to Wailea Beach. Though it’s an oceanfront property, there is, ironically, no beach in front of the Wailea Beach Resort. Guests must walk to the nearby Grand Wailea in order to access the sand. Travelers looking for a truly beachfront property may prefer Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, though it isn’t as upscale.
One of the only hotel-style properties in Kihei, the three-pearl Maui Coast Hotel offers some of the best amenities in the area. The 265-room hotel has a beautiful pool, an on-site restaurant and pool bar, a modern fitness center, and a nicely maintained tennis court. Plus, it offers freebies like parking, Wi-Fi, and borrowable beach bikes. Rooms are traditional hotel-style spaces (not condo units) with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and outdoor spaces, but decor is generic. Maui Coast is a three-minute walk from Kamaole Beach Park I, and within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. The nearby Aston at the Maui Banyan might appeal to travelers looking for condominium-style units, but the property lacks Maui Coast’s on-site amenities.
One of the only hotel-style properties in Kihei, the three-pearl Maui Coast Hotel offers some of the best amenities in the area. The 265-room hotel has a beautiful pool, an on-site restaurant and pool bar, a modern fitness center, and a nicely maintained tennis court. Plus, it offers freebies like parking, Wi-Fi, and borrowable beach bikes. Rooms are traditional hotel-style spaces (not condo units) with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and outdoor spaces, but decor is generic. Maui Coast is a three-minute walk from Kamaole Beach Park I, and within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. The nearby Aston at the Maui Banyan might appeal to travelers looking for condominium-style units, but the property lacks Maui Coast’s on-site amenities.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
European chain YOTEL is known for its hip atmosphere and affordable rates. This Midtown West outpost is certainly hip, featuring an enormous rooftop terrace, a sleek restaurant and bar, and funky, outer space design. And it's usually affordable, at least for the area. Rooms are tiny, and the location on quiet 10th avenue is a bit out of the way, but the cool factor will make this a worthwhile option for a young, well-heeled hipster set. Dream and Hudson Hotel are similar in price, room size (small), and trendiness, so it's worth weighing your options.
European chain YOTEL is known for its hip atmosphere and affordable rates. This Midtown West outpost is certainly hip, featuring an enormous rooftop terrace, a sleek restaurant and bar, and funky, outer space design. And it's usually affordable, at least for the area. Rooms are tiny, and the location on quiet 10th avenue is a bit out of the way, but the cool factor will make this a worthwhile option for a young, well-heeled hipster set. Dream and Hudson Hotel are similar in price, room size (small), and trendiness, so it's worth weighing your options.
The 224-room Marriott Stanton South Beach is an upscale beachfront hotel at the quiet southern end of South Beach's lively Ocean Drive. Fresh rooms have tasteful beachy decor plus coffeemakers and mini-fridges; furnished balconies are a nice touch and some have ocean views. Two outdoor pools and a hot tub overlook the Atlantic, and a small spa offers a sauna and modern gym. On-site dining options include a Mexican eatery and a great beachfront seafood restaurant and bar, plus several shops including a gelateria that's a perfect treat in tropical Miami. Renovations are ongoing until 2018, so guests may want to compare prices at The Savoy Hotel, though rooms aren't as nice.
The 224-room Marriott Stanton South Beach is an upscale beachfront hotel at the quiet southern end of South Beach's lively Ocean Drive. Fresh rooms have tasteful beachy decor plus coffeemakers and mini-fridges; furnished balconies are a nice touch and some have ocean views. Two outdoor pools and a hot tub overlook the Atlantic, and a small spa offers a sauna and modern gym. On-site dining options include a Mexican eatery and a great beachfront seafood restaurant and bar, plus several shops including a gelateria that's a perfect treat in tropical Miami. Renovations are ongoing until 2018, so guests may want to compare prices at The Savoy Hotel, though rooms aren't as nice.
Marriott Resort Waikiki beach is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 1,310-room resort located across the street from the beach, along the southeast edge of Waikiki’s strip. It's also just a block away from the Waikiki Aquarium and Zoo, making it a great spot to experience Waikiki but not be in the center of it. The rooms are a bit dated, but include necessities like Netflix-loaded flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. There's a nice gym and Aveda spa, plus a range of dining options from seafood to Italian. Excellent Diamond Head sunsets are on offer from the ocean-view restaurant and bar. For travelers seeking a straightforward family-friendly resort near the beach, this hotel is a decent value, especially when compared to other area options like Princess Kaiulani.
Marriott Resort Waikiki beach is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 1,310-room resort located across the street from the beach, along the southeast edge of Waikiki’s strip. It's also just a block away from the Waikiki Aquarium and Zoo, making it a great spot to experience Waikiki but not be in the center of it. The rooms are a bit dated, but include necessities like Netflix-loaded flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. There's a nice gym and Aveda spa, plus a range of dining options from seafood to Italian. Excellent Diamond Head sunsets are on offer from the ocean-view restaurant and bar. For travelers seeking a straightforward family-friendly resort near the beach, this hotel is a decent value, especially when compared to other area options like Princess Kaiulani.
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl oceanfront resort that sits along a quieter stretch of Waikiki's beach. It’s 635 spacious, air-conditioned rooms have old-school tropical interiors plus flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Sadly, balconies aren't standard, but ocean views can be stellar. Upgraded rooms include private lounge access with free breakfasts, snacks, and drinks. Two restaurants, a modern 24-hour gym, a well-liked spa, and entertainment round out the amenities. Freebies range from vow-renewal ceremonies to cultural activities like ukulele and hula lessons. While the pool lacks sea views, the live music in the evenings is a nice bonus. So is the lack of resort fees. Sister property Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is also worth a look, as it's often a touch cheaper (though the beach there is busier).
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl oceanfront resort that sits along a quieter stretch of Waikiki's beach. It’s 635 spacious, air-conditioned rooms have old-school tropical interiors plus flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Sadly, balconies aren't standard, but ocean views can be stellar. Upgraded rooms include private lounge access with free breakfasts, snacks, and drinks. Two restaurants, a modern 24-hour gym, a well-liked spa, and entertainment round out the amenities. Freebies range from vow-renewal ceremonies to cultural activities like ukulele and hula lessons. While the pool lacks sea views, the live music in the evenings is a nice bonus. So is the lack of resort fees. Sister property Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is also worth a look, as it's often a touch cheaper (though the beach there is busier).
This low-key, low-rise condo hotel in serene Napili Bay has an authentic Hawaiian vibe that you won't find at Maui's mega-resorts. The pools are small, the gym is small and dank, and some rooms could use renovation, but it's still a gem for travelers intent on quiet, beachside relaxation and an ocean view from every room.
This low-key, low-rise condo hotel in serene Napili Bay has an authentic Hawaiian vibe that you won't find at Maui's mega-resorts. The pools are small, the gym is small and dank, and some rooms could use renovation, but it's still a gem for travelers intent on quiet, beachside relaxation and an ocean view from every room.