Located steps from Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is a quirky, unpretentious 40-room hotel with simple, spacious rooms, an exhaustive list of free perks (Wi-Fi, breakfast, minibar treats), access to the exclusive Magic Castle club next door, and exceptional service. Overall, it's a terrific value and one of L.A.'s hidden gems.

The large Lowes Miami Beach Hotel is a luxury oceanfront resort in South Beach with 790 contemporary rooms, local artisan eateries, and family-friendly features. Contemporary rooms have elegant furnishings in soft hues, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and Keurig machines, while some upgrades add balconies, VIP check-in, and separate living spaces. Guests here can use the lounger-lined beach, 24-hour room service, and big pool with a hot tub and ample loungers, as well as a swish spa and top-notch kids' club. A moderate resort fee covers non-motorized water sports, beach photoshoots, property-wide Wi-Fi, and up to two beach loungers per room. Unfortunately, umbrellas cost extra, the adults-only SOAK area requires a high fee, and some past guests have complained of noise issues. For a family-friendly hotel with more of a wild side, consider the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which sports a popular nightclub.

The Salish Lodge & Spa features 84 rooms in a gorgeous setting overlooking the falls in Snoqualmie, about a 40-minute drive from Seattle. The historic property, which originally opened with only eight rooms back in 1916, is a popular romantic getaway and wedding destination. The restaurants feature beautiful views, and the elegant spa has numerous signature treatments (including one with homemade honey!). Sexy rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and peek-a-boo bathrooms with two-person tubs. Families may consider staying elsewhere, as there is no pool and no amenities geared towards kids. The entire property has a soothing, rustic-luxe style; features such as stone fireplaces, stacked firewood, cashmere throws, bookcases, and warm, earth tones complement the outdoor scenery. And guests can indulge in the lodge's famous four-course breakfast before heading out to the many nearby outdoor activities. All of this comes at a price, and a daily resort fee on top seems excessive -- but then, this lodge is one of the most romantic destinations in the Pacific Northwest.

Situated in an early 20th-century Federal Reserve Bank building, the Langham Hotel Boston is among the city’s most beautiful luxury options. The exterior is an exercise classic Renaissance Revivalism, while interiors include 18th-century English decor and furnishings. The 318 rooms are elegant and have an antique look that won't please everyone, and all include modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks or Bose sound systems. Noteworthy features include an indoor heated pool -- a rarity in downtown Boston -- plus swanky Bond restaurant and a modern, Chinese-inspired spa. The free local cab service is a unique service. Back Bay’s Lenox Hotel offers a similarly priced and appointed alternative that's within walking distance of amazing shopping, but it lacks a pool.

Hotel Renew is a three-pearl hotel that's a half-block from Waikiki’s golden beach. Its 72 air-conditioned rooms have contemporary, gray-toned interiors plus features like flat-screen TVs, Sony Playstation 3s, and Keurig coffeemakers. They’re a sophisticated, sleek option in a city of tropical style. Unfortunately, a mandatory amenity fee is still charged, despite limited amenities. There’s no pool or restaurant, but the beach is a minute away and restaurants are just as close. There is a bar, though. Hotel freebies include a surprisingly satisfying continental breakfast, DVD and video game library, and beach gear. Wi-Fi is also included in the amenity fee, though parking costs extra. For a beachier stay with bright, modern rooms, a decent-sized pool, and an on-site surf shop, it’s worth checking out Park Shore Waikiki instead. 

This 178-room waterfront hotel in Old Town Key West is a real resort, with dozens of features, including boat rentals, shops, a fitness center, and a marina. However, it’s not quite up to the standards of other luxury properties, with somewhat bare contemporary rooms, cramped bathrooms, a pool that's a bit small for the size of the hotel, and a location right by a busy and noisy cruise ship dock. There’s nothing really bad about the resort, but there’s nothing outstanding either -- it’s just slightly better than adequate. Also, some of the amenities, like the spa, are at the sister property on Sunset Key, a 7-minute boat ride from the hotel.

A hotel built for business travelers, the four-pearl JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC is a tempered upscale property with easy access to the city's power hubs and top tourist attractions. In fact, the hotel's location just three blocks from the White House and the city's major museums is a huge selling point. Its 777 rooms were fully renovated in 2015 and have modern furniture and modern business amenities, though Wi-Fi is only free for Marriott Rewards members. Dining options feature a full-service restaurant, evening cocktail lounge, and 24-hour room service, though there's no on-site fine dining. Other highlights include a fitness center, indoor pool, business center, and extensive meeting spaces. Travelers seeking a more stately hotel should consider The Willard Intercontinental instead, though trend-seekers might opt for the slightly cheaper W Washington DC.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest and most family-friendly resort in the Kailua-Kona area, and is often referred to as the “Disneyland“ of the Big Island. With 1,200 rooms, three large pool areas, extensive outdoor grounds and a variety of on-site dining options, the Hilton Waikoloa is indeed a small village in and of itself, and a tram and canal boats help guests travel across the sprawling property. Each of the three towers on the property has a different style of room decor, but the overall feel the same: clean and generic. The biggest downsides? The property is showing its age, the restaurants are pricey (and mostly mediocre), and there's no beach on the actual ocean -- just a thin strip of sand on the man-made lagoon. Luckily Lagoon Tower rooms were renovated in 2012.

Orlando World Center Marriott is an enormous four-pearl convention hotel located in southern Orlando, a 10-minute drive to Disney World. There's a total of 2009 rooms and suites, all with furnished balconies and many with pull-out sofa beds -- though decor is bland. Facilities include 74 meeting and event spaces (including the largest pillar-less ballroom in the country) along with multiple swimming pools, two waterslides, a well-equipped fitness center, and a good selection of activities and amenities for children. There's also an 18-hole golf course with its own steakhouse, plus a number of other restaurants serving American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. While it's hard to beat this hotel in terms of conference facilities, business travelers may want to also consider the Hilton Orlando, which has direct skybridge access to the Orange County Convention Center. 

Nestled on 160 acres of thick redwood forests abutting the ocean, the adults-only Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort looks like a rustic cabin -- yet it features luxurious, streamlined rooms and impressive facilities. Chic rooms have wood and leather accents, upscale bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, and high-end amenities. All units feature spacious balconies or patios with views, and many have fireplaces, creating a cozy retreat vibe to fit with its surroundings. Glamping facilities are also available here, complete with high-end canvas tents, luxe shared showers with heated floors, and fire pits. The overall goal of the hotel is to create a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two heated outdoor pools (one of which offers ocean views). The restaurant offers local cuisine with a view, but some guests have complained that portions are small and overpriced. Overall, this is one of the area’s most impressive properties, with only the Post Ranch Inn surpassing it in terms of luxury.