If you’re looking for a hotel that has stellar amenities, well-appointed rooms, quick access to local attractions and doesn’t break the bank, you may feel a bit like Goldilocks — it’s hard to find the one that’s just right. Fear not. Here we’ve gathered some of the coolest hotels, from winery-region pads to cozy mountain town lodges, where you can find nightly rates for less than $200.
Aloft Lake Nona
Lake Nona, Florida; Rates starting at $162
The closest hotel to the largest tennis sports facility in the world, Aloft Lake Nona pays homage to the great Althea Neale Gibson, the first Black tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament (and shatter many more records over the course of her career). There’s memorabilia from Gibson’s estate throughout the property, and the event center is named for her. Lake Nona is also the nearest destination to the new Brightline Orlando high-speed rail station, making it easy to go carless whether you’re visiting the 100-court U.S. Tennis Association National Campus or the nearby Walt Disney World.
The ART Hotel
Denver, Colorado; Rates start at $170
Given its name and its location in the middle of the Golden Triangle Creative District, it makes sense that The ART is, you know, filled with artwork. In the common areas, you’ll find a Leo Villareal-designed light installation, as well as pieces by renowned artists like Ed Ruscha and Kiki Smith. In the 165 guest rooms, there are oodles of prints, lithographs and fun pops of color. The onsite restaurant, Fire, serves excellent nibbles like a herb-crusted cauliflower steak and a pan seared halibut, both served with golden beet puree, as well as creative craft cocktails alongside fourth-floor views of the city. The area is home to over a dozen galleries and museums (like the Denver Art Museum, The Kirkland Museum, and the Clyfford Still Museum), the 25,000-square-foot Civic Center Park and dozens of eclectic shops, eateries and watering holes.
The Brick Hotel
Oceanside, California; Rates starting at $180
Constructed in 1888 as Oceanside’s first hardware store, The Brick Hotel has been reimagined as a 10-room boutique hotel. Sandwiched between the first-floor, New Orleans-inspired Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar and the tiki-style CocoCabana Rooftop Bar, the hotel is just a short walk to the beach and activities like whale-watching, surfing, and strolling along the pier.
Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee; Rates start at $140
Conveniently located right off Beale Street, Caption is the perfect launching pad for travelers visiting the “Home of the Blues.” Almost every room at this downtown hotel is outfitted with a colorful design, furniture made from repurposed materials and views of the Mississippi River, the downtown Memphis skyline or the South Main Arts District. Captions onsite restaurant concept, Talk Shop, is found on street level, making for excellent people watching. For something more elevated, check out Caption’s sister hotel, Beck & Call’s, rooftop bar for craft cocktails and giant framed photos of some of the city’s most acclaimed artists such as Tina Turner, Justin Timberlake and Yo Gotti. While in Memphis, you can learn more about the city’s music history at the Blue Hall of Fame, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the iconic BB King’s Blues Club.
The Chandler Hotel
Madison, Indiana; Rates start at $123
Originally operating as a livery stable, then as a bottling works and storage for the local newspaper’s newsprint, the home of The Chandler Hotel in downtown Madison, Ind., found a new life in March 2023 as a five-room boutique hotel. Each of the rooms has a different theme connected to the community (The Stableman’s Quarters, for example, has a headboard crafted from the original stable wall) and is stocked with locally crafted products, including coffee from the Red Roaster and soap from Fountain Alley BodyCare. It’s a quick jaunt from The Chandler to a slew of breweries, the Big Oaks Wildlife Refuge, the Lumber Mill Antique Mall and more.
CityFlats Hotel
Grand Rapids, Michigan; Prices start at $123
Did you know that Grand Rapids has the most LEED-certified buildings in the United States per capita? One of them is CityFlats Hotel, an eco-friendly boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. It’s designed with elements like reclaimed wood and glass, cork flooring, locally-made furniture, bamboo linens, and unique, colorful layouts in each of the 48 rooms. Given how centrally located the hotel is, you can do a brewery crawl on foot or by bike, visit the Saturday Downtown Market, or visit one of the many farm-to-table restaurants like the perennially popular Grove or Terra.
Catbird Hotel
Denver, Colorado; Rates start at $133
Art abounds at this long-stay hotel in Denver’s River North art district — though most of it depicts either a cat or a bird. Each room includes a full kitchen, coffee services, multifunctional furniture (the beds are lofted, with pull-out closets and tables hidden underneath), and a 4K Ultra HD project with a six by eight-foot drop-down projector screen for movie nights. You get access to some unique amenities too, like The Playroom, which allows you to check out Vespa Primavera scooters, skateboards, Polaroid cameras, record players, picnic kits and more, all free of charge. That amenity makes it easy (or at least more fun) to explore River North (RiNo to locals and those in the know), a neighborhood known for its wealth of craft breweries, myriad murals, art galleries, and trendy eateries and cocktail joints.
The Edgewater
Madison, Wisconsin; Rates start at $159
On the shores of Lake Mendota (hence the name) and steps from the state Capitol building, The Edgewater is a meticulously restored hotel in a 1948 Art Moderne building. In the summers, it’s a happening place, thanks to its direct lake access and summer concerts on the plaza. In the winter, there’s also an outdoor ice skating rink. Onsite amenities include several restaurants, a ballroom and an extensive spa.
Hotel Maverick
Grand Junction, Colorado; Rates start at $179
Situated along Colorado’s Western Slope, Grand Junction is the gateway to the state’s breathtaking canyonlands and (lucky for us) a still largely unknown wine region. One of the best places to rest between hiking and sipping is the city’s first independent boutique hotel, Hotel Maverick. Built on the Colorado Mesa University campus, the hotel has 60 rooms (many of which are dog-friendly) and complimentary bicycles. A rooftop bar and restaurant called Devil’s Kitchen serves regionally-sourced dishes and has views of the Colorado National Monument.
Hotel Tupelo
Tupelo, Mississippi; Rates start at $134
Any hotel in Elvis’ town of birth will obviously pull inspiration from The King in big and small ways. At Hotel Tupelo, the lobby bathroom mirrors are etched with Elvis’ TCB tattoo, his portrait is found throughout the 79 guest-room boutique hotel and each room has sheet-music-inspired wallpaper. While you’re likely in town to visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, you should also be sure to stroll around downtown, visiting places like Blue Delta Jean (where they make custom-fitted jeans), Johnnie’s Drive-In (the oldest restaurant in town and where Elvis was known to visit), Queen’s Reward Meadery (Mississippi’s first and only meadery), and The Blue Canoe (a funky live music venue).
Sable
Chicago, Illinois; Rates start at $164
Just steps away from the Centennial Wheel, funhouse maze, carousel, scores of games and shopping corridors, Sable is the only hotel located directly on Chicago’s famous Navy Pier. Most of the rooms overlook the beautiful Lake Michigan, and those that don’t have views of the skyline. Sable also has two on-property dining options, including the Spanish-inspired Lirica and their rooftop atrium Offshore, as well as a Kisbi, a coffee shop. From the supercentenarian pier, you can jump on river cruise tours that guide you through Chicago’s famous architecture, impersonate Ferris Bueller at the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, wander around Millennium Park or catch a train to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game.
The Virginian Lodge
Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Rates start at $167
Let’s face it: Jackson Hole isn’t a budget destination — in fact, it’s famously spendy. So it may come as a delightful surprise to find that The Virginian Lodge, a retro-inspired hotel with contemporary rooms, a happening saloon, an all-season outdoor pool and hot tubs, and more is available for less than two Benjamins. Better yet, it’s dog-friendly and also has an Outbound Adventure Center, where staff can help arrange myriad activities in the area, from tubbing in the Grand Tetons to skiing, as well as gear you up for the adventure with onsite rentals.
The Wayfarer San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California; Rates starting at $149
San Luis Obispo is arguably one of the most underrated wine regions in California. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the region is famed for its zinfandels, merlots and cabernet sauvignons, as well for being far more affordable than other wine communities in the state. If you’re looking for a basecamp for a wine-filled weekend, The Wayfarer SLO, a 100-room boutique hotel, is a good bet. Just opened in 2023, the hotel has campus-inspired decor (it’s minutes from California Polytechnic State University), a year-round heated pool, an outdoor patio and fire pits for sundowners, and Schoolyard Burgers & Brew, a restaurant concept that sells pub-style classics like smash burger and boozy milkshakes.
Yours Truly
Washington, D.C.; Rates start at $157
This Bohemian-inspired hotel is conveniently located in Dupont Circle, making it an easy jumping-off point to experience the best of the nation’s capital. Here the 355 contemporary guest rooms have homey touches like vinyl record players, house plants and spa showers. Yours Truly is also home to Mercy Me, a South American-inspired restaurant that has live DJs spinning vinyl, as well as the Call Your Mother deli in the lobby, which makes fresh bagel sandwiches and homemade pastries daily. The hotel is also the site of tons of social programming, notably their quarterly Vintage Market that highlights DMV entrepreneurs and artisans.
