Favorite Hotels and Other Places to Stay
Here are some of our favorite hotels and places that we have discovered throughout our travels in the USA as a family of five, empty-nesters, and on girls’ getaways! Updated in 2026, I have also kept a few oldies on this list. Based on the latest reviews, they are still highly rated. It’s always recommended to read the latest reviews and understand cancellation policies before you book.
(Updated May, 2026)
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Table of Contents
California
The Green Room Hotel, Oceanside. Boutique meets the beach at this fun hotel oasis in South Oceanside. Modern, comfortable rooms include a patio space, and mini fridge. Borrow a surfboard or beach cruiser if you want! Picnic tables in a common space along with the hot tub round out the space. Parking is free, and some restaurants are in walking distance.
Head to the Temecula Valley for a Southern California wine getaway at the Ponte Vineyard Inn. Relax at this boutique hotel, where guests can meander over to the winery for an afternoon of wine tasting. The area is also known for hot-air ballooning.
The Magic Castle Hotel, Hollywood. If you are going to spend a day or two in Hollywood, this is the place to stay. The suites are huge, the location is so convenient to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the staff is the nicest you will find at any hotel.
They are so knowledgeable and will tell you about all the local events (for us it was a movie premier at the Dolby Theater). Breakfast is included and kids will love the pool and the menu of snacks and drinks that are always available! This was a fun way to kick off our California road trip.
Columbus Motor Inn, San Francisco. If you are looking for a hotel for larger families in a convenient location, this is the place. The Inn is close to the cable car line, and a short walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. They offer two room suites as well as complimentary parking (although the garage is quite small). There are plenty of restaurants and even a small Trader Joe’s nearby. A great base for our 3 days in the San Francisco area during a California road trip.
Colorado
The Queen Anne Urban Bed and Breakfast, Denver. Enjoy an adult getaway (or with kids 12+) at the eco-friendly Queen Anne Urban Bed and Breakfast in Denver! We loved our stay in this historic neighborhood. Choose one of the suites designed by local artists, with extra space to spread out. Plus, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast at the large dining table, with a chance to get to know other guests.
For a small-town Colorado adventure, check into the Manhattan Hotel in scenic Salida. We stayed here as part of our Albuquerque to Denver Road Trip and loved being right on the Arkansas River. The town is great for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and even surfing at the Whitewater Park on the river! Or browse the quaint shops and enjoy the local restaurants and a beer at Tres Litros Beer Company. Don’t expect a front desk for the handful of rooms—check-in is automated, but we had no issues getting to our room.
Delaware
Lazy L at Willow Creek, Lewes Delaware (dog friendly!) If you and your dog are looking for a relaxing getaway near the wonderful Delaware beaches, here’s why you should plan a getaway to the relaxing Lazy L at Willow Creek. The house is situated on 7 acres next to a marsh, with 5 bedrooms, a private cottage and plenty of outdoor space for relaxing.
There is a pool and fireplace, along with a fenced in dog run. This place is truly dog friendly; the owners go out of their way to make both you are your dog feel comfortable and at home. We even brought our dog with us to the wonderful complimentary breakfast. The nearby town of Lewes is also dog-friendly, and the owners have all the information about where to go.
Hawaii
Kihei Sands Condominiums, Maui, Hawaii Family-friendly condos directly on Sugar Beach, it’s the perfect laid-back spot for a Maui vacation. Centrally located in Kihei, with easy access to the rest of Maui. Read more about why we loved staying at Kihei Sands.
Florida
The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens in St. Augustine is perfect for an empty nest or girls’ getaway! Rooms are spread out in 9 historic houses with a peaceful garden in the middle. Start your day with breakfast in the garden, then head out to explore St. Augustine. Round out your day with time relaxing by the pool or grab a drink at the bar on premises.
Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, Florida This family-friendly resort offers multiple pools, a saltwater lagoon, rooms and villas for any size family, and those famous Florida Keys sunsets! We loved our 3-bedroom villa, and the location on Duck Key was perfect for a day trip to the Turtle Hospital in nearby Marathon. The hotel has recently been undergoing additional renovations, so catch up on the latest reviews before you book.
Louisiana
French Market Inn, New Orleans, Louisiana You can’t beat the location of the French Market Inn, on Decatur Street. It’s an easy walk to everything the French Quarter has to offer. Home to a charming courtyard perfect for relaxing, and just around the corner from the New Orleans School of Cooking, a place you’ll want to check out!
New York
Hyatt Place, Niagara Falls, New York If you are looking for a prime hotel location on the US side of Niagara Falls, consider the Hyatt Place. We stayed two nights and loved the free breakfast, the rooftop lounge for nighttime fireworks viewing, the convenient access to the pedestrian bridge to Canada and to all the activities on the US side of the falls. Find tips for a first visit to Niagara Falls.
Oregon
Motel Del Rogue, Grants Pass, Oregon If you are planning to visit Crater Lake National Park (which should be on every family travel bucket list), Grants Pass is a great town to spend the night. This unique, older motel is right on the banks of the Rogue River and offers some larger rooms for families. You can picnic on your porch or hang out by the river. It’s truly an old-fashioned, relaxing experience, and even though it has been while since we visited, it still seems to be charming its guests based on the latest reviews.
Inn at Northrup Station, Portland, Oregon: This colorful boutique hotel fits right in with the vibrant area of Northwest Portland. Rooms are all suites, filled with bright colors and funky decor. We visited in the summer and enjoyed taking the free breakfast up to the rooftop deck. Overnight guests also get complimentary tickets for the Portland Streetcar, which conveniently runs to downtown Portland.
South Carolina
The Loutrel, Charleston, South Carolina Splurge for a girls’ weekend or romantic trip at this wonderful boutique hotel. Centrally located in downtown Charleston, we loved the hot breakfast, free snacks and drinks, bikes and helmets to borrow, and the spacious rooftop area for lounging.
Hotel Indigo, Charleston, South Carolina Downtown Charleston has no shortage of beautiful places to stay, but just across the river you’ll find the Hotel Indigo in Mount Pleasant. The beautiful pool alone was enough for me, and the location makes for easy access to historic Charleston or nearby restaurants on Shem Creek. We also loved our stay at the Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District.
Utah
Parry Lodge, Kanab, Utah If there are old western fans in your family, this is the place to stay in the southwest. It is within a 2-hour drive to the spectacular Bryce and Zion National Parks, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, as well as the Lake Powell recreation area.
Over the years, many famous movie stars stayed at the Lodge while filming in the surrounding area, including Hollywood favorites Clint Eastwood and Gregory Peck, and when we visited several of the rooms had nameplates to show who stayed there. The local Kanab area was used in over 100 movies and many television shows over the years. While it’s not a modern hotel, the history and magic make it worth the stay.
Driftwood Lodge, Springdale, Utah: My kids will always remember this as the hotel with horses in our back yard! Located just 2 miles from the entrance to Zion National Park, this hotel is also perfect for larger families. There is a big grassy area for kids to run around, a large pool and beautiful views from your patio or balcony.
Virginia
Refuge Inn, Chincoteague, Virginia During a spring visit to Chincoteague, we stayed at the Refuge Inn on the beautiful eastern shore of Virginia. Chincoteague is an easy-going back beach town, adjacent to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the famous Chincoteague Wild Ponies. The Refuge Inn is located within biking distance to the Wildlife Refuge, with the bike rental shop adjacent to the Inn. For kids, you can’t beat having their own ponies to visit right on the adjacent property, as well as the large indoor/outdoor pool and free breakfast.
Washington
Pacific Inn Motel, Forks, Washington If you have any fans of the Twilight movie series in your family, the Pacific Inn Motel is the place to stay. The “Twilight themed room” is a must for any fan of the movie series. The proximity to the Olympic National Park is a major draw, and kids can visit the tide pools on the nearby beaches to look for sea life and especially starfish. It was part of our 19-day road trip in the Pacific Northwest.
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