Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway

We stayed for four nights at the Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway, and it was definitely a good choice. They are located right before the bridge to Siesta Key, and are only a 5 minute drive to the main beach area. In addition, they are only 10 minutes from the downtown area of Sarasota and 15 minutes from St. Armand's Circle.

The room itself was pretty basic, but nice. The bed was very comfortable. The housekeeping staff did a good job each day of keeping our room clean. The front desk staff was friendly. Each morning, the breakfast served was plentiful and pretty good for a hotel continental breakfast. There was also free popcorn to take from the lobby throughout the day. The wifi also had great speeds that allowed for high quality streaming video.

The pool area was very nice and had its own bar, which was run by a friendly bartender. The parking lot had some strange double bumps in it, so be careful driving in it. You don't want to be holding coffee while driving over them!

The only negative we found was there was no clothesline in the bathroom for hanging wet bathing suits, towels, etc., which is unusual for a beach area hotel.

Address: 6600 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: No
Bar/Lounge: Yes
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Free Breakfast: Yes

La Belle Époque

La Belle Époque is located in a perfect spot in downtown Napa, making it easy to walk to all the restaurants and stores downtown, but tucked away in a quiet corner. The building itself is a gorgeous Victorian. The room we had (the Zinfandel) had a very comfortable bed and was pretty spacious. The shower/jacuzzi was located separately from the sink and toilet, which made it quicker for two people to get ready in the morning.

The staff was very friendly and the breakfast they made each morning was absolutely delicious. In addition, there was always fresh baked goods, coffee, chocolates, and port and sherry out for guests. You also get sparkling wine presented in ice upon your arrival.

The wi-fi was very good and there was plenty of parking on the street available for the B&B. We'd definitely recommend this location for anyone staying in Napa.

Hotel Duca D'Alba

There are a ton of hotel choices in Rome. We found Hotel Duca D'Alba to be an excellent choice for our needs. The room we received was very spacious for European standards and came with a King sized bed. It also had a nice balcony to relax with some wine. The room was very clean when we arrived and housekeeping did a good job daily of keeping it clean.

The breakfast served each morning was very good and included coffees, pastries, roasted tomatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurts and other traditional European breakfast options. The servers we interacted with were very friendly and quick to provide cappuccinos and coffees when requested. The front desk staff was also very friendly. One thing that we found a bit odd was we needed to turn in our key card to our room each time we left and pick it up upon our return. We've never had to do this anywhere else in Italy.

The wi-fi in the room was a bit slow, but it was manageable to use. There was a separate wi-fi connection for the hotel's third and fourth floors versus the ground floor and first and second floor.

The hotel's location is excellent for walking to the Colosseum and Forum Ruins, as well as most places in Rome. There is also a metro stop (Cavour) that is less than a 2 minute walk from the hotel. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in the near vicinity that were good choices for a drink or dinner.

We'd definitely choose to stay at this hotel again if staying in Rome.

Best Western Plus Atlantic City West

The Best Western Plus Atlantic City West was a convenient hotel for us to stay in as the halfway point during the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge. The hotel has plenty of parking. The wi-fi had good speeds. The breakfast was a standard continental breakfast that is served at all Best Westerns. We found the hotel to be clean and the staff to be friendly. For a one night stay, this was a very good hotel and we'd use it again as a halfway point when driving through New Jersey again.

Address: 701 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville, NJ 08232
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: No
Bar/Lounge: No
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Free Breakfast: Yes

Best Western Airport Inn - Warwick

Located under a mile away from the Providence airport, the Best Western Airport Inn in Warwick is a good hotel for stays to go to the airport the next morning or to visit the Providence area. We found the room to be clean and the staff to be friendly. Breakfast each morning is included and is the typical continental breakfast found at most Best Western properties. The wi-fi is also free and has decent speeds. There is plenty of parking for all guests.

Address: 2138 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: No
Bar/Lounge: No
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Free Breakfast: Yes

Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague Island has a decent amount of hotels to choose from, all of them being a bit laid back and small in size compared to the resort style hotels in nearby Ocean City, MD. The Best Western Plus Chincoteague Island was our choice for our short weekend getaway, and it is a solid hotel all around.

The staff we interacted with were all very friendly. The grounds are very clean as was our room. We found our room to be quite spacious and the beds were comfortable. There was a sink both inside and outside of the bathroom, which is helpful for multiple people getting ready in the morning. The only negative we had was that the Wi-Fi connection was on the slow side.

There was a good amount of parking for guests and the pool area was nice. There are also tables outside where you can enjoy the breakfast or food you bring into the hotel. The location is perfect as it is right outside the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and it is the closest hotel to the beach. In addition, it's a short drive to any part of the island for shopping and dining.

Address: 7105 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: No
Bar/Lounge: No
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Free Breakfast: Yes

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca

We only spent one night at the Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca, but it was a comfortable stay.  The front desk staff was very friendly, and helpful in giving us some information about Ithaca.  For parking, you need to park across the street in a garage and get your ticket validated by the front desk, but it is free for guests.  The wi-fi speeds are adequate and the room was very clean upon arrival.  You'll also get 2 free bottles of water at their pantry and use of a Keurig coffee machine in your room.  There is also coffee and tea available in the lobby 24/7.  The hotel is also just a 1 minute walk from the Ithaca Commons area, although we found this pedestrian area disappointing as many shops were out of business when we visited.  When staying in Ithaca, we'd recommend this hotel.

Sunrise Landing Bed & Breakfast

Located on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, the Sunrise Landing Bed & Breakfast is an ideal location for couples looking to get away for a few days.  The B&B is located off of the main road that runs parallel to the west side of the lake, Route 14, down a dirt road to get you right onto the lake.  There is a sense of serenity and peace at the property.  The owners are delightful, friendly and look to accommodate all of their guests.

We were able to easily book an all day privately chauffeured wine tour through them and they were able to set up all the logistics for us, including providing free tastings at many of the wineries in the area.

Each morning, a delicious breakfast was freshly prepared for us, and the owners were more than willing to adjust the menu for anyone's special dietary needs.  Not enough can be said about the amazing peach stuffed french toast that was made our second morning, or the orange cranberry scones, and the chocolate chip muffins, and roasted potatoes (really, everything served for breakfast was delicious!).  You just need to taste it to understand.

We chose the Rose Suite for our stay, which is the smallest of the rooms (and thus the cheapest) and it worked perfectly for our needs.  It's a very comfortable bedroom that allows for views of various birds in the morning at the bird feeders.  In addition, you get a private sitting room with a television and a refrigerator stocked with drinks and snacks.

The Sunrise Landing B&B also provides an amazing view of Seneca Lake, and direct access to the lake. We would highly recommend this B&B to anyone looking to visit the Finger Lakes!

Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
The Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor is located about 5 minutes by foot from the Inner Harbor of Baltimore.  It's also about a 10 minute walk to Camden Yards.  This makes it an ideal location for leaving your car at the hotel and exploring a good amount of what Baltimore has to offer.

The rates offered by the hotel are typically reasonable, but definitely be aware of the $32/night charge for valet parking.  The valet service was excellent as all staff members we interacted with were very friendly and my car was always ready for me within the time promised (typically 10 minutes).

The rooms in the hotel were your standard Hampton Inn rooms, which were very clean with comfortable beds.  The bathroom was also larger than a standard hotel room.  Each morning, a complimentary breakfast was provided, which included eggs, sausage, french toast sticks, make-your-own waffles, cereal, muffins, bagels, etc.  The wi-fi that is included free of charge has good speeds and never caused us any issues.

This was definitely a hotel we'd recommend to anyone looking to explore this section of Baltimore.

Address: 131 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202

Wifi: Free

Parking: $32/night - Valet Only

Restaurant: No

Bar/Lounge: No

Smoking: Non-smoking

Hidden Fees: None

Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is located right in the middle of the world famous Las Vegas Strip, which is perfect for anyone who isn't planning on leaving the Strip during their stay.  We stayed in a "FAB Deluxe" room, that had 2 queen beds (which are on the firm side), in the Habitat Tower.  The room was very clean and had multiple outlets available for re-charging our electronics.

When checking in, we were told we only had an "OK" view, but we definitely got much more than that, as shown in the photo above.  Also, there is the new High Roller Ferris Wheel that is being built behind the hotel, which should be opening soon.

One of the main attractions of the hotel is that it has an actual Flamingo habitat, which is located right by the elevators to the rooms in the Habitat Tower.  There are multiple feedings throughout the day and there is a "keeper" there that gives talks.

Some things to keep in mind when staying here.  There is a $16/night resort fee that is mandatory and the hotel will not negotiate on it, even if you don't use the amenities it is for (swimming pool, wi-fi, fitness center). There is also a $10/person per day charge to use the saunas or hot tubs at the hotel.  Also, the hotel does not provide any toiletries gratis, as most hotels do.  The only exception to this is the shampoo, lotion and hand soap that is provided nightly.

Address: 3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Wifi: Resort Fee

Parking: Free

Restaurant: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Smoking: Non-smoking & Smoking Rooms

Hidden Fees: $16/night resort fee

Breakfast: No

In-room safe: Yes

SpringHill Suites BWI Airport by Marriott

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
The SpringHill Suites BWI Airport by Marriott is a pretty decent hotel for a weekend trip to Baltimore.  The pricing is significantly less than the Downtown/Inner Harbor hotels, especially when you consider the free parking at this hotel. (However, we found it wasn't difficult to find parking downtown in Baltimore within a block or two or our destination, the biggest obstacle was the 1 or 2 hour parking limits on some blocks, especially near the Inner Harbor area.)  It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to drive into the center of Baltimore City or the Inner Harbor area, so this is a prime location for a cheaper hotel for most visitors to this city.

The hotel itself has a friendly staff for those we encountered.  The breakfast is also plentiful (and free).  It contains the usual continental items, plus a waffle maker, cold cuts, sausage or bacon, etc.  The pool area is nice and is overseen by a lifeguard.  We made use of the hot tub and it was quiet and peaceful there.

A complaint we had is when we first checked in, the first room we were given had a musty smell and the couch had a large stain on it, however, our room was changed a without problem.  However, the housekeeping during our stay proved a little lacking.  I definitely noticed stains on the shower curtain in the new room and markings on the walls and mirror.  While not a big deal, it does show that the housekeeping staff should be re-trained to identify these issues and fix them immediately instead of letting guests notice them.

Address: 899 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

Wifi: Free

Parking: Free

Restaurant: No

Bar/Lounge: No

Smoking: Non-smoking

Hidden Fees: None

Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No

Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
Lillehammer is a quaint community with a few hotel options for visitors.  The Storgata is the main drag in town, and the Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer is located directly on it, only 2 blocks from the pedestrian-only area, which makes it a perfect location.


The hotel has its own parking garage for 60 NOK/night, or there is plenty of on-street parking, but that requires you to fill the meter during the day.

The staff was very welcoming as soon as we walked in the door.  The hotel provided a good free breakfast AND a quality free dinner.  In addition, there is ready-made coffee/tea available 24/7 for guests.

The room itself was very comfortable.  The 2 single beds provided are separated by a table, so a guest would need to move the table to push the beds together, but that isn't a big deal.  The beds were comfortable and the room was very clean.  In addition, the hotel had an excellent wi-fi signal.

Address: Storgata 108B, Lillehammer, Norway

Wifi: Free

Parking: 60 NOK/night

Restaurant: Yes

Bar/Lounge: Yes

Smoking: Non-smoking

Hidden Fees: None

Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No

Flåmsbrygga

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
In Flåm, there aren't many hotel options, and they are all pretty expensive.  However, the Flåmsbrygga is a gorgeous hotel that is worth every penny.  The hotel has plenty of free parking for guests visiting by car, and is also only a few steps away from the Flåm railway station and docks.  The building itself is in a vintage-style log-cabin.

The room was quite spacious, along with a large balcony with a beautiful view of the Fjord that all visitors come for.  The staff was friendly in our small interactions with them and the free breakfast (located in the restaurant next door) was pretty good.  In addition, an excellent wi-fi connection is provided for free. One thing to note, though, if staying here, is when you leave your room, you MUST manually lock your door with your keycard.

Address: PB44, 5742 Flåm, Norway
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: Yes
Bar/Lounge: Yes
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No

Tyssedal Hotel

Written by Matt Rosenfeld
The Tyssedal Hotel was just a 1 night stop for us on the way to Bergen from Flåm.  Being at around the halfway point between the two, it allowed us to make the trip more slowly and see more on the way.  The hotel hallways can use some sprucing up as they have a "college dorm" type of feel.  There is also no elevator, but the hotel staff was more than willing to help carry our luggage up the stairs.

The room was very large, with a new view of the fjord.  The bathroom was the largest we saw in Norway, but be aware there is limited sink/shelf space for putting your toiletries.  The breakfast served was pretty average, but the dinner (an additional cost) was one of the best we had in Norway.  There is also a wi-fi connection provided for free, but the speed was a bit lacking.

Address: Gamle Oddaveg 3, Tyssedal 5770, Norway
Wifi: Free
Parking: Free
Restaurant: Yes
Bar/Lounge: No
Smoking: Non-smoking
Hidden Fees: None
Breakfast: Free

In-room safe: No