Big brands offer consistency, but it can be the indie inns, the cozy B&Bs or the restyled small hotel that can offer super stays and delightful experiences.
Two of my first small stay experiences came in the 90’s. The first was in Coco Beach Florida and the second was in a 16-room boutique hotel in the 7th arrondissement in Paris called Hotel Amélie. This boutique stay exuded Parisian charm and their croissant and café au lait was a great start before walking the streets of “The City of Light”. The location was perfect just blocks to the Eiffel Tower and it was affordable. Over the years I have chosen to search for the unique and small stay.
Here are some of my favorite stays:
This retro pink mid-century modern motel is nestled in the heart of Olde Naples just three and half
blocks to the 8th Ave. Wedding Beach entrance and four blocks to the vibrant 5th Ave. famous for
its shopping, dining and people watching.
The rooms and suites offer a vintage aesthetic maintaining its old Florida style from its inception in 1958.
With mini kitchenettes, outdoor sitting areas, laundry facilities, a grill area, beach chairs and towels for use, and free parking, this is an affordable beachy fun way to enjoy what it must have been like vacationing in Naples in the 50s and 60s.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Venezia Park Historic District of Venice
Florida is this delightful B&B. Named for the nearly 100-year-old Banyan Tree that beautifully anchors the property’s tropical oasis grounds. The tree was a gift from Thomas Edison, a family friend of the home’s original owners. The current owners have preserved and enhanced this getaway place. Located just a mile to the historic downtown area of Venice and ¾ of a mile to the closest beach access, the Bayan House is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. From grab and go breakfast offerings, relaxing on the tree swing, dipping in the pool or reserving bikes and pedaling off to the beaches, this is truly a home away from home.
A rare gem located on the rugged Mendocino coast; this resort feels like a holiday stay from a different era. Sited on an unspoiled 37-acre sanctuary, the resort is a compilation of vintage designed buildings that meld modern comforts with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. The
rooms, suites and vacation houses are surrounded flower lined walking paths and their iconic white belvedere is perfect perch for hearing the thunderous waves crash on the coast below. The restaurant is a gathering spot reminiscent of lodge-styled resorts of the past serving up relaxation, farm to table dining and Mendocino wines. This resort will surprise and delight. Fun fact, Heritage House was the location of annual lovers rendezvous in the movie Same Time Next Year starring Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn.
Dating back to 1875, this grand Victorian estate of Isabelle Simi welcomes you with a large wrap
around deck that just begs you to sit down in a rocking chair and read a book. The bed and breakfast décor features historic vintage furnishings, and the grounds exude style and grace with views overlooking the Russian River. Two highlights that make staying here special are the locally sourced daily breakfast with the Chef’s daily featured pastry which is a must have and the late afternoon social hour where guests come together for tastings of local wines and chatting over the Chef’s prepared seasonal small bites, appetizers, local cheeses/crackers. Truly one of the most elegant and delightful B&B experiences in the country.
If you find yourself in south Tirol in the Dolomite Alps area where German
is spoken more frequently than Italian, even though technically you are in Italy, then you need to experience what can only be described as a quintessential “Südtiroler Gasthaus”.
Charming authentically decorated guests rooms provide a launching point to explore this scenic area. The restaurant serves mouthwatering regional cuisine enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Since 1602 this charming hotel has been providing guests with a stay that is undeniably full of hospitality and culture.
Find yourself wanting an escape to Baja Mexico but not wanting to stay in the hustle and bustle of Cabo? Then go to Todos Santos. This historic town by the Pacific Ocean is the perfect place for rest and relaxation while enjoying art, culture and cuisine. Two of my favorite places to stay are Hotel Casa Tota and the recently opened La Poza.
Hotel Casa Tota’s mantra is Proudly Modest, but staying there is anything but ordinary. They have taken out the excess and the unnecessary and blended modern lines and cool colors with functional spaces that to allow you to experience a laid-back vibe. This 15-room boutique hotel is a fusion of the past and the present. It is situated on the site that was the Salgado family compound for over 70 years. The cantina housed Dona Tota’s general store of 50 years. Many of the original building features were preserved in the thoughtful renovation.
If you don’t want to stay in the heart of the town, then the recently opened, family owned La Poza Boutique Resort & Spa might be just the welcome break you’ve been longing for. Nestled next to a lush palm grove and the natural La Poza lagoon just steps from the ocean, the resort offers seven suites with custom Mexican modern furnishings and six eco-chic dome suites which feel like sanctuaries offering you the opportunity to detach from the everyday and immerse yourself in an intimate indoor-outdoor experience. The resort is truly an oasis of barefoot bliss and healing through wellness, sounds of nature, local cuisine and warm hospitality, a stay at La Poza is like staying at a friend’s home.
If you stay in any of these getaway places, let me know what you think. If you have a favorite small stay, share the property in the comments.
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