Places to Stay: Best Hotels & Other Accommodations

Looking for the perfect place for lodging on your next vacation? If so, you have come to the right place. There are a number of lodging options that are available to you, including, but not limited to, hotels, resorts, vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO), bed-and-breakfast guest houses, timeshares, hostels, and glamping. We will discuss the differences and benefits of each alternative for you, along with our recommendations on when to use them. We will also discuss the different classes of accommodations within each of these options, including luxury, budget, family, business, and eco-lodges.

Places to Stay Option 1: Hotels 

Hotels are likely to be your first choice when looking for lodging. This section of the post is a brief description of various hotel options.

All of the major hotel companies have a variety of hotel brands. They provide a wide range of options that are aimed at different travel needs and budgets. In some situations, not in big cities, you can spend less than $100 a night for a hotel room. In large cities and famous resorts, hotel rooms in high-end hotels can go for over $ 1,000 a night. Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG and Wyndham are the hotel chains that we are most familiar with. We will attempt to describe each in some detail in our post, "Hotels & Resorts." 

    

Differences in Hotel Classes & Other Accommodations

There are five different classes of hotel accommodations that we need to discuss: Luxury Lodging, Budget Lodging, Family Lodging, Business Lodging and Eco-Lodges.  These differences are very prevalent within the hotel lodging category, but they  can also apply to the other lodging options as well.

Luxury Lodging

Luxury lodging refers to high‑end accommodations offering exceptional comfort, premium amenities, refined design, and personalized service.

These properties typically feature upscale dining, spa facilities, high‑quality furnishings, and prime locations. Luxury hotels emphasize exclusivity, attention to detail, and elevated guest experiences, often catering to leisure travelers seeking indulgence or business travelers expecting top-tier service.

Budget Lodging

Budget lodging provides affordable, no‑frills accommodations focused on value and essential comfort. These properties prioritize practicality over luxury, offering clean rooms, basic amenities, and straightforward service.

Budget hotels appeal to cost‑conscious travelers, families on a tight budget, road‑trippers, and guests who spend most of their time outside the hotel and simply need a reliable place to sleep.

Family Lodging

Family lodging includes accommodations designed to meet the needs of families traveling with children. These properties typically offer larger rooms or suites, kitchenettes, kid‑friendly amenities, pools, recreational spaces, and convenient access to attractions. Family lodging emphasizes comfort, safety, and convenience, often providing features like free breakfast, laundry facilities, and multi‑room layouts.

Business Lodging

Business lodging refers to hotels tailored for corporate travelers who need efficiency, convenience, and work‑friendly environments. These properties often include business centers, meeting rooms, reliable high‑speed internet, ergonomic workspaces, and proximity to airports or commercial districts. Business hotels focus on consistency, streamlined service, and amenities that support productivity and short stays.

Eco‑Lodges

Eco‑lodges are environmentally conscious accommodations designed to minimize ecological impact and immerse guests in natural surroundings. They typically use sustainable materials, renewable energy, local food sourcing, and conservation‑focused practices. Eco‑lodges emphasize nature‑based experiences, cultural authenticity, and responsible tourism, appealing to travelers who prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Here is a matrix of how the major hotel brands rank in each of these categories:

Hotel Group	Luxury	Budget	Family	Business	Eco‑Lodge
Marriott	Ritz‑Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, W, Edition, Luxury Collection	Fairfield Inn, Four Points, Moxy	Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, Marriott Vacation Club	Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, AC Hotels, Courtyard	Element (closest fit)
Hilton	Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR	Tru, Hampton	Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Hilton Grand Vacations	Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn	Canopy (closest fit)
Hyatt	Park Hyatt, Alila, Miraval, Unbound Collection	Hyatt Place, Hyatt House	Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Regency (resorts)	Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Andaz	Alila (true eco‑luxury)
IHG	InterContinental, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses	Holiday Inn Express, avid	Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites	Crowne Plaza, EVEN Hotels, Voco	Six Senses (true eco‑luxury)
Wyndham	Wyndham Grand	Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Microtel	Club Wyndham, La Quinta, Wingate	Wyndham, Ramada, Dolce Hotels & Resorts	Wyndham Grand (select resorts)

Hilton vs Marriott Brands

We stay primarily at either the Hilton or Marriott chain hotels as this is where we have the best loyalty status and have accumulated the most points. 

The Hilton and Marriott Business Brand hotels are considered premium but are more economical than the luxury brands. Hilton also includes Doubletree in that category and Marriott includes Sheraton. IHG will place Crowne Plaza and Indigo in that same category. The chains are all now offering boutique hotels as well to try to attract a different, perhaps younger clientele which we will cover the differences 

Each of the chains also has suites brands. For Hilton they have Embassy Suites, Homewood and Home2, Marriott has TownePlace, Residence Inn, Springhill and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy. IHG has Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites. At the budget level Hilton has Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn. Marriott has Courtyard, Fairfield, and Four Points by Sheraton. 

To learn more about Hilton vs Marriott by checking out our post: Hilton vs Marriott Points: Whose Rewards are Better?

Setting Criteria for Selecting Hotels

When staying in a city, particularly a big one, it is important to consider the following factors when choosing your hotel.  Here are the factors that we consider:

• A Good Location with easy access to a Metro Station. This is the first factor I consider, as I don't normally rent a car when staying in major cities, since parking can be expensive and driving can be nerve-racking. While free private parking might be a nice benefit, don't expect it in most cities. When it comes to location, aside from the easy access to public transportation, I also prefer to be in the heart of the city. For example, in New York City, I prefer to stay near Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and Rockefeller Center. For me, this is a good location as it is easy access to museums, restaurants, a place to exercise (Central Park) and for Robin, shopping.

• High Quality, Clean Guest Rooms. I try not to spend much time in hotel rooms, but if I am working, I like a room with a desk and, of course, free Wi-Fi. A one-bedroom guest room is much better than a studio room if there are two people and one gets up while the other wants to sleep. While a 3-star hotel room might be adequate, normally I am looking for a 4-star or better-rated hotel.

When staying in a suburban location outside of a main city, or a resort style hotel, normally I would like to see free private parking, and also a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.  Again, free wifi is critical. Not all hotels, particularly those outside of most cities, will have a restaurant connected to the hotel. This is particularly true with hotels that may also serve as timeshares.  In those cases, a location close to good quality restaurants, not fast-food, is important.

Hotel Reservations

You can learn more at their websites and book your stays there thru Hotels.com.

If you rather would like to book directly on the hotel's website, here is a link to Hilton.

Places to Stay Option 2: Resorts

Resort lodging is built around the idea of a destination within a destination. Guests come not only for a room but for a full experience — pools, (indoor pool or outdoor pool), beaches, spas, restaurants, recreation, entertainment, and often all‑inclusive packages. Resorts are designed to keep travelers on‑site, offering everything from guided activities to kids’ clubs to curated dining. The emphasis is on leisure, relaxation, and immersion, whether that’s a beachfront escape, a mountain retreat, or a sprawling family complex with endless amenities.

Regular hotel lodging, by contrast, is built around convenience, efficiency, and location. Hotels typically serve travelers who plan to spend most of their time exploring the surrounding area — business districts, city attractions, restaurants, or event venues. Amenities are streamlined: comfortable rooms, reliable service, fitness centers, and sometimes a restaurant or bar. Instead of being the centerpiece of the trip, a regular hotel acts as a comfortable home base. Where resorts aim to be the vacation, hotels aim to support the vacation (or business trip) with practicality and consistency.

Places to Stay: All-Inclusive Resorts

All‑inclusive resorts take the resort concept a step further by bundling nearly every part of the vacation into a single, predictable price. Instead of paying separately for meals, drinks, activities, entertainment, and amenities, guests enjoy a seamless experience where everything is included upfront. This model is designed to remove decision fatigue and eliminate surprise costs, making it especially appealing for families, couples, and travelers who want a stress‑free escape. All‑inclusive properties often feature multiple restaurants, bars, pools, beaches, and curated activities ranging from water sports to cultural experiences — all accessible without additional charges.

What sets all‑inclusive resorts apart is the rhythm of the stay: guests settle in, relax, and enjoy the property without constantly reaching for their wallet or planning the next move. The focus is on convenience, abundance, and ease. Whether it’s unlimited dining, daily entertainment, or kids’ clubs and excursions, the all‑inclusive format creates a self‑contained vacation bubble where everything is taken care of. This makes them fundamentally different from both regular hotels and traditional resorts, offering a curated, worry‑free environment where the value comes from both the amenities and the simplicity of the experience.

Places to Stay Option 3: Vacation Rentals

Vacation Rentals (Airbnbs and VBROs) have surged in popularity because they offer something traditional lodging options rarely match: a blend of personality, flexibility, and real‑world practicality. Travelers increasingly want spaces that feel lived‑in rather than standardized, and short‑term rentals deliver that sense of authenticity. Instead of a typical hotel room, guests can choose from thousands of unique homes, condos, cabins, and apartments that fit different travel styles, budgets, and group sizes.

We have booked on VRBO, but not Airbnb. We had a good experience with VRBO, but we prefer hotel or timeshares because of the better services that are available.

These options are generally less costly than a hotel, however services will not be the same and it is also possible that privacy may become an issue. This is particularly a concern with Airbnb as the owner may be present in the rental. Nevertheless, for long term stays, rentals should certainly be a cost saver. To learn more about Vacation Rental Options and in particular vacation rental concerns, please see our post: "Should You Book a VRBO or Airbnb with No Reviews?"

Places to Stay Option 4: Timeshares

Our favorite lodging option are timeshares. The three hotel companies previously mentioned, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all offer timeshare options. Of the three Hilton's is the largest, as they acquired Diamond Resorts in 2021. Personally, Robin and I will go with a timeshare whenever we have the option. For more information about timeshares please see our post: Best Timeshares for Families.

Collectively, we own a number of timeshare units primarily with Hilton Grand Vacations. All of which use points and allow us to book a reservation at thousands of timeshare locations around the world. We find timeshares to be a good alternative between hotels and rentals. Timeshares are much like hotels, with a few differences. They normally are a little larger and provide either a full or partial kitchen. However, most likely with a timeshare, you will not get the daily room service that you would traditionally get in a hotel. You will get more service than in a rental. Depending on the point value used, you will probably pay a little more for a timeshare than a long or short-term rental. Please see our Vacation Budget Travel Strategies post for more information about the cost differences.

Places to Stay Option 5: Guesthouses: Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfast lodging can also be an option. Bed and Breakfast (B&B) lodgings are normally smaller family-run operations and are not associated with a large hotel chain. B&Bs are often good choices in smaller cities and as an alternative to large resorts.

We have booked B&Bs with Booking.com.

Places to Stay Option 6: Hostels or Camping

Robin and Cos have little experience with these alternatives. Although, for budget travelers these may be good alternatives. We have met two digital nomads who have published the following book about this type of romantic lodging alternatives, and we highly recommend their book:

Conclusion

As you can see, you have many options for lodging. Costs for lodging will vary greatly depending on the type of lodging and the location. Even within the hotel category, nightly charges can vary from under $100 to over $1000 depending on the location and the class of the hotel.  We like to stay in the nicer 4- and 5-star hotels, but we manage to do it by using loyalty reward points and save our dollars for nice dinners and other travel expenses. In any case, book your travel in advance, as most lodging alternatives fill up way in advance of when you wish to travel. For more information about making travel reservations, please see our travel reservations post.