| When
it comes to good value, we’re talking about more
than just the amount of money you spend. We’re
talking about what you get for your money, beginning
with location, style and service. Sure you can always
find a great deal on a groovy little bungalow in a place
like Costa Rica or Thailand. And the Four Seasons and
The Ritz-Carlton properties consistently deliver bang for
the buck, no matter how high the rates. But we’ve
decided to focus on some reasonably priced hotels offering
plenty of flair in high rent locales such as the Caribbean
and New York City. If you want the inside scoop on stylish
won’t-break-the-bank lodgings in Paris, Sydney,
Mexico and more, read on.
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UNITED
STATES
Los Angeles
Farmer's
Daughter
www.farmersdaughterhotel.com
This
cozy little motel is a reminder that Los Angeles is
a city beyond definition. Forget Hollywood glitz. The
Farmer's
Daughter is all about country charm … and
superb location. Family run, it has been an insider
favorite for over thirty years. It sits across the street
from the landmark Farmer’s Market and The Grove
outdoor shopping complex, making it one of the few lodgings
in town where you can grab a bite to eat, catch a movie
and even watch locals sing some karaoke, all without
getting in a car. It may not be fully loaded with five-star
amenities, but a remodel gave it a very fun, country
kitsch style; all the rooms come with high-speed Internet
access, suites have kitchenettes, there’s a small
pool in the courtyard, and the price—just like
the television show filmed at CBS a few steps away—is
right.
Miami
The Clinton
www.clintonsouthbeach.com
Miami’s
South Beach seems to be home to more hip hotels per
capita than any other enclave in America. And in most
cases, partaking of this scene comes at a premium price.
That’s why The
New Clinton Hotel & Spa is such a treasure for
those seeking maximum vibe for minimum buck. Opened
in 2004 in a historic Art Deco building, this contemporary
property has been completely redone on the inside and
features the very urban Panico Salon & Spa, Aïgo
serving French-influenced seafood dishes, and even a
requisite martini bar. Dim recessed lighting sets the
mood in the cool blue lobby, and rooms are fully loaded
with flat-screen TVs, high-speed Internet and CD libraries.
Staying here also gets you free access to select local
clubs.
New York
The Lucerne
www.newyorklucernehotel.com
When
it comes to New York neighborhoods, the Upper West Side
is prime real estate. From this landmark hotel—it
was built in 1903—it’s just two blocks to
Central Park and a quick stroll to local faves like
Zabar’s. Gazing over the Hudson River, all of
the rooms and suites of The
Lucerne are decorated in traditional American style
(no sharp, unfriendly angles here) and come with web
TV and 24-hour room service; the suites also have kitchenettes.
There’s also a concierge and rooftop fitness center
with great views. The service is outstanding, and we’re
fond of Nice
Matin, the onsite French-Mediterranean bistro. This
is a good choice for families, since the rooms are large,
and kids under 16 stay free with their folks.
Portland
Hotel Lucia
www.hotellucia.com
Okay,
we admit it, Portland isn’t the most expensive
city in America. Far from it. But it is one of the coolest,
if you happen to be in the know. When you come to town,
there’s really only one place to stay: the Hotel
Lucia. This arty property bows to the trend-setting
ways of Schrager and Balazs, but since this is the northwest,
you’re apt to find the pace a little slower and
the service a little—dare we say—warmer.
The hundred very stylish rooms come with pillow-top
mattresses, Aveda bath goodies and Torrefazione coffee—a
regional favorite. And a nice personal touch is a permanent
collection of photographs by Pulitzer Prize winner,
David Hume Kennerly. Better yet, 24-hour room service
is offered from Typhoon, the Thai restaurant (which
also serves Western fare) next door.
San
Francisco
Petit Auberge
www.jdvhospitality.com
Looking
for just the right place to leave your heart—rather
than your pocketbook—in San Francisco? Petit Auberge
is a delightfully romanticized interpretation of a French
country inn, tucked between Nob Hill and Union Square.
It’s a member of the Joie de Vivre hotel group,
which can be counted on for its fresh style, reasonable
rates and little extras such as staff-authored custom
guides to the city, complimentary gourmet breakfast
(served in the basement level breakfast room whose French
doors open onto a small garden) and afternoon wine hour;
in this case, serving good California vintages. The
26 rooms may not be large, but they’re pretty,
with earth-colored floor tiles, delicately flowered
wallpaper and painted wood wainscoting; many have fireplaces,
and the suite has its own entrance and deck.
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AUSTRALIA
Sydney
Ravesi’s Hotel
www.ravesis.com.au
As
Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, Sydney is
filled with swanky lodgings that are both chic and expensive.
While Ravesi’s Hotel fits the first description,
it graciously sidesteps the second. Situated right on
Bondi Beach, this contemporary property offers sixteen
rooms, including six split-level suites with private
terraces, all overlooking sand and surf. In fact, when
you wake in the morning, you can draw the curtains to
sea views and then step outside and take a walk on the
beach. The minimalist style is sophisticated and discreet,
highlighted by such adornments as African tribal wall
hangings. With its popular bar and restaurant terrace,
this isn’t always the quietest place. But being
in the thick of it—and getting a good deal, to
boot—can be a lot of fun.
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FRANCE
Paris
Hotel Britannique
www.hotel-britannique.fr
Character
is the defining trait at this charming boutiquey Hotel
Britannique, which is located just off the historic
Place du Châtelet. The lobby is filled with fresh
flowers, and the décor leans toward a classic
but definitely lived-in home in the English countryside.
Complimentary breakfast—complete with fresh squeezed
orange juice—is served in the cozy breakfast room,
and a friendly staff adds to the warmth. As for the
bedrooms, each has its own charms, from flower box-bedecked
windows to balconies to sloped ceilings. Unlike in many
small Parisian hotels, rooms also have Wi-Fi access
and flat-screen TVs. From here it’s an easy stroll
to the Louvre, Les Halles, the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Près
and the Latin Quarter.
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JAMAICA
Negril
Rockhouse
www.rockhousehotel.com
Long
a seducer of rock stars and supermodels, the Caribbean
has naturally spawned its fair share of outrageously
exclusive properties. It has also produced oodles of
the alternative: kitschy, all-inclusive resorts. Fortunately,
bucking the genres, there is Rockhouse, a gorgeous little
property poised along a cliff on Pristine Cove just
outside Negril, Jamaica. The standard rooms are deliciously
cheerful, and the freestanding villas boast wraparound
terraces. All accommodations are built from timber,
stone and thatch as part of the resort’s environmentally
sensitive policies. From the sixty-foot horizon pool
to a yoga studio to the restaurant serving “new
Jamaican cuisine” on a balcony suspended over
the water, the cliff setting provides drama at every
turn. Ladders and stairs carved into rocks lead down
to the water, for reef snorkeling and kayaking in the
cove.
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MEXICO
Sayulita
Villa Amor
www.villaamor.com
You
can’t throw a stone in Mexico these days without
hitting a fancy new resort. The bigger and more expensive
the better, it seems. But the attraction of this country
has always been its rustic elegance, which is captured
at the Villa Amor. We’re not all that fond of
the name, but the 32 private villas are another story.
Just steps from the beach, all have beautiful open-air
designs, terraces and Pacific views; others also come
with plunge pools, and one is even built around a tree
and outdoor pool with fountains. Included in the excellent
rates is complimentary use of kayaks, snorkel and fishing
gear, boogie boards, surfboards and bicycles—to
find out what to do with all this stuff, just ask the
beachfront concierge. While there isn’t a restaurant,
an onsite chef can tend to any culinary requests.
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SOUTH
AFRICA
Cape Town
The Glencairn Hotel
www.theglenlodgeandpub.co.za
Originally
built as a private residence in 1904 by Scottish architect,
John Parker, The Glencairn Hotel positions you
perfectly for exploring the Cape — you're within
an hour of Cape Town City, the Winelands and Cape Point
Nature Reserve. The beachfront setting is also surrounded
by hiking and biking trails. The hotel has been fully restored, from its
original façade to its period features. The eight
tastefully decorated en-suite bedrooms all have wooden
floors, high ceilings and great views. Although you
won't find a business center, spa and all that,
you will get personality in the form of The Bay Café on Glen,
The Glen Pub, pétanque pistes and a fun photo
collection of South African musicians from the 1950s.
(Updated: 03/22/12 SB) |
From royal histories and unforgettable settings to sumptuous spas and exceptional restaurants, the French hotels on our list have it all.
Whether you're into beaches, museums, late-night tapas bars or afternoon siestas, there's a hotel in Spain to welcome you in style.
