where to stay:
Livingston, MT
This charming boutique hotel is situated in the middle of downtown Livingston and houses a great restaurant, the Second Street Bistro. The rooms are clean, well-stocked, and quaint, and the staff is nothing if not friendly and helpful.
Seattle, WA
This studio, which is only available to women and can only accommodate a maximum of two, is the absolute most perfect place if you just want to get away. Located in Burien, about 20 minutes from downtown Seattle, you can easily see the city and relax as needed with gorgeous views of the flower-filled garden right outside. Alice and Jane, the owners and managers of the studio, keep travel brochures and other information in the studio for whatever you might want to do while in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland, OR
Portlandians might scoff at the ever-present McMenamin’s franchise, which includes hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants, but to a simple Angelino, the concept seems pretty cool. This company takes historic buildings and restores them to create some extremely cool venues. The Kennedy School is located not far from the downtown area of Portland, but in our estimation, you don’t even need to leave school grounds to have a great time. Housing restaurants, bars, a wine bar and a brew pub, a swimming pool, movie theatre and a soaking pool (which is open to the public but for two hours of the day when it is exclusively open to hotel guests), this is the hotel that other hotels wish they could be. Highly recommended.
Grant’s Pass, OR
If one must stay in Grant’s Pass, this is certainly one of your better options for an overnight visit. The rooms are roomy, clean and well-stocked, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The scenery is also beautiful, as the hotel is located on the banks of a river, and depending on the time of year you might find yourself there, Grant’s Pass has some pretty cool things to offer.
San Francisco, CA
You might have noticed our frequenting many a Holiday Inn on the trip. It is a chain we both find reliable, and if you’re lucky enough to have the option of a Holiday Inn Express, things are even better. We really had few to no problems with other Holiday Inns that housed us, but we felt that the HIE in Pacifica deserved a shout-out. The staff was just so great. There was also laundry on-site which was awesome, and the fact that is lies directly on the beach is a big plus. It is only about 20 minutes from downtown San Francisco, so if you want to save a little then this hotel should be at the top of your list.
Kanab, UT
This retro-style motel might look like any other from the outside, but it is anything but ordinary. One of the main reasons we recommend certain hotels is because of the helpful, accommodating and friendly staff, and Quail Park definitely fits that bill. Aside from that, however, the rooms are clean and cozy (and pretty spacious) and the location can’t be beat…if you are visiting Kanab…
Santa Fe, NM
Just blocks from downtown Santa Fe and an easy walk to nearly anything you could want to see in this charming city, the Old Santa Fe Inn is a beautiful little hotel with old school charm and comforting touches that will make you excited to go back to your hotel room at night.
New Orleans, LA
Although it can be a little pricey for long stays, visits during tourist season or deluxe room visits, we really enjoyed Hotel Monteleone. Endlessly classy and actually very affordable through a travel website (I can’t recall which, but I’m imagining the pricing is pretty much the same no matter who you book through), it is in a great location and will make you feel like a star without spending like one. Just beware the fee for the hotel’s parking garage–it’s reason to consider other lodging if you’re looking for a very frugal experience.
Birmingham, AL
Yet another HIE that makes the list, and for the same reason as before: the staff. Tiffany at the front desk was extremely friendly and helpful and made our stay that much more enjoyable.
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