%)
I despise boring, beige hotels with Ikea artwork and floral quilts that don’t smell like anything close to flowers. My opinion is that a hotel should be an exciting part of your travel experience, not just a place to crash.
This is a list of sleeping establishments that have impressed me. Some are five star boutique hotels, others are cheap mom n’ pop guesthouses. All are memorable and soulful. Sweet dreams!
Canada
Free Spirit Spheres (Qualicum Beach, B.C.) - knock-your-socks off cool spherical treehouses.
St. Andrews Lodge (Qualicum Beach, B.C.) - cheap seaside cottages run by a cute old lady since 1938.
The Drake Hotel (Toronto, ON) - slick, creative and super hip Queen Street West digs.
La Sucrerie de la Montagne (Rigaud, QC) - the sweetest maple syrup in a pioneer village with rustic cabins.
The Gladstone (Toronto, ON) - artist designed rooms with names like “Teen Queen” and “Parlour of Twilight.”
The Hazelton (Toronto, ON) - Brangelina worthy. Unbelievably expensive.
Auberge Saint Antoine (Quebec City, QC) - Half boutique hotel, half museum.
Villa Marco Polo (Victoria, B.C.) - exotic twist on the traditional B&B. Free tea.
Sooke Harbour House (Sooke, B.C.) - Westcoast art overload by the sea. Extensive edible kitchen garden.
The Aerie (Malahat, B.C.) - romantic, plus the view from the gym almost makes the treadmill feel elegant. Almost.
Opus (Vancouver, B.C.) - chic enough for the Hollywood set. Oxygen canisters in the mini bar to help treat crippling hangover.
United States
Hard Rock Hotel (San Diego, CA) - you know the name, but don’t expect a guitar autographed by Santana in your room: hotel is far classier than the tacky, memorabilia-laden restaurant.
The Farmers Daughter (Los Angeles, CA) - a former dive motel made over into a sophisticated Hollywood it-hotel.
The Canary (Santa Barbara, CA) - soft, feminine and peaceful; yoga mats and videos in the rooms.
The Viceroy (Santa Monica, CA) - posh, pricey and possible Paris (Hilton) sightings.
Berry Manor Inn (Rockland, ME) - East Coast hospitality means a 24-hour guest pantry where you can help yourself to homemade pie.
The Pomegranate Inn (Portland, ME) - decor that’s just as juicy and refreshing as its namesake.
Wigwam Motel (Holbrook, AZ) - politically incorrect highway lodging at its best!
The Shady Dell (Bisbee, AZ) - vintage trailers from between 1949 and 1959 kitted out with working phonographs and old tvs.
Noftsger Hill B&B (Globe, AZ) - sleep in an old classroom, complete with chalkboard! Bring your own paddle if you’re into punishment.
Cobb Mansion B&B (Virginia City, NV) - free guacamole demonstration for guests from the avocado-obsessed hosts.
The Jane (New York, NY) - reasonable rates in the heart of Manhattan, plus you get to feel like you’re sleeping on The Titanic.
The Library Hotel (New York, NY) - rooms inspired by the Dewey Decimal System.
The Moore (Seattle, WA) - affordable and frill-free hotel in a historic building.
The Stanley (Estes Park, CO) - lets just say "Redrum."
The Armstrong (Fort Collins, CO) - pretty boutique hotel right downtown.
Hotel Monaco (Denver, CO)- if you're lonely, they'll lend you a goldfish.
England
The Mermaid Inn (Rye) - creaky Tudor perfection. One of my all time favourites.
The White Hart (Lewes) - a cheaper and dirtier version of Tudor perfection with a carvery.
Great John Street Hotel (Manchester) - views of the Coronation Street set.
Swinton Park (Yorkshire) - stately home with in-house cookery school.
A Hard Days Night Hotel (Liverpool) - Beatles-themed, but not drowning in Yellow Submarine kitsch.
Scotland
Hotel Missoni (Edinburgh) - colourful fashion hotel right off the Royal Mile.
Saint Judes (Glasgow) - rock n’ roll boutique feel with super friendly service.
Monachyle Mhor (Loch Lomond) - pretty country house with all kinds of skill-building courses (butchery, even).
Borthwick Castle (North Middleton) - lots of freaky death stories in a medieval castle.
Ireland
The Merchant (Belfast) - most expensive cocktail in the world.
Bushmills Inn (Bushmills) - warning: cosiness overload.
Germany
Propeller Island (Berlin) - seriously eccentric and by that I mean a room with coffins, an upside-down room and one plastered in mirrors.
Hotel Hauser (Munich) - unpretentious, cosy and welcoming little place in downtown Munich.
Macedonia
St. Joakim Osogovski Monastery (Kriva Palanka) - beautiful monastery set in nature, and it doesn’t get cheaper.
Romania
Vila Gabriela (Bucharest) - hostel with private rooms. The attempt to incorporate some elements of traditional decor is appreciated.
Puerto Rico
The Gallery Inn (San Juan) - decorated from head-to-toe with eccentric art. In-house parrots with their own business cards.
St. Lucia
Hummingbird Beach Resort (Soufriere) - reasonable prices for a beachfront resort with view of the Pitons.
Jade Mountain (Soufriere) - one of the world’s most exclusive and romantic hotels. No fourth wall in rooms. See that picture of a bed with mountains in the distance? Yeah, that’s it. And no, it’s not photoshopped. Siiiiiiiggggghhhhhh.
