Hotel Impala

We don't have anything personal against the Miami Airport Hampton Inn and Suites, but we were a bit skeptical about it being the #1 hotel in town according to Trip Advisor. So we're glad we've finally found TA's slightly hidden list of best Miami hotels where it turns out that Angler's Boutique Resort comes in at number one, just edging out the Hotel Impala in the South Beach Art Deco area.

We've mentioned Angler's before, but want to tell you more about the Impala. It's just a small place, with 17 rooms, but a special atmosphere. The Impala is furnished in a no-expense-spared style and everybody compliments the friendliness of the staff.

And then comes the Impala's restaurant, an Italian masterpiece called "Spiga". It's not only the winner of several awards, but apparently celebs including Julia Roberts, Mick Jagger and Puff Daddy have eaten here, which gives it a bit of cred (or an expensive menu?). The surprising thing is that room rates are very reasonable; in summer a basic deluxe room starts at $145 a night, rising to $215 in winter, plus taxes.

Avalon Hotel

The Avalon Hotel is South Beach Miami's most accommodating luxury beachfront South Beach hotel on Ocean Drive offering world class Miami Beach hotel amenities. If you want to stay right in the heart of South Beach Miami's vibrant waterfront, than there is no place better to stay than Ocean Drive's Avalon South Beach Hotel. Whether it is Ocean Drive's colorful outdoor cafes, restaurants and hot nightclubs, or the sparkling white sands of South Beach Miami that draws you, this tropical South Beach hotel is right in the middle of it all!

This South Beach hotel is considered to be among the best boutique Miami Beach hotels. Being one of the premier beachfront South Beach hotels, you can indulge in our sensuous Miami Beach hotel amenities including San Francisco Pure Essential Oils, Waffle Robes and Egyptian cotton terry, 240 thread count duvet covers, as well as enjoy our tropical orchids and contemporary luxury fabrics.

When staying at the Avalon Hotel you never have to travel far for the best local events that South Beach Miami has to offer. The Art-Deco tower of this newly restored boutique Miami Beach hotel stands out as a reminder of Miami Beach's artistic past and South Beach hotels Art Deco style. Included within The Avalon Hotel, is one of South Miami Beach's top rated seafood restaurants with the AAA Four Diamond rating. A Fish Called Avalon offers both indoor and outdoor seating which is available for dining and cocktails, making our South Beach hotel your perfect Miami Beach destination.

Here at the Avalon Hotel Miami Beach, we strive to provide the best travel experience possible for our Miami Beach hotel guests. Rated one of the best South Beach hotels, we look forward to making your next trip to South Beach, Miami a great one.

Hotel Miami

The InterContinental Miami is an ideally located Downtown Miami luxury hotel, rising 34 stories above shimmering Biscayne Bay, just minutes from South Beach, the Port of Miami, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, as well as pulsing nightlife, brilliant white-sand beaches, and sizzling culture.

The property not only offers premier access to one of the world's most glamorous cities, but also is a stylish and comfortable destination itself. Whatever your needs, this deluxe Miami hotel will meet them in grand style.

From sleek restaurants and lounges, to 24-hour business center, outdoor heated pool, fitness room, and spacious, fully wired meeting rooms, the property boasts a full complement of upsale features for business and leisure travelers alike.

Hotel Los Angles

As you read this, I'm in sunny Los Angeles, the playground of many Celebrity Travel Intelligence subjects. Had I planned ahead and followed Wendy's advice on how to beat Priceline at its own game, I'd be sitting pretty in four-star digs at half the price. Unfortunately, I didn't get my act together in time, and after frantic last-minute Expedia searching, I find myself at the ultra-glamorous, star-studded...Santa Monica Travelodge. It's all champagne wishes and caviar dreams here!

Luckily, you don't have to slum it the next time you're in L.A. Turns out, this expensive city does have some great, affordable hotels without the word "lodge" in the title. Back in January, Katoakita, an L.A. local, suggested the mid-century Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. And with good reason. With the 21-Day Advance Purchase special, one of its stylish doubles will run you $219/night. Though you won't encounter Avalon fans Lucille Ball or Mae West in the lobby, you'll definitely feel like a star lounging by the amoeba-shaped pool (don't forget your big hat and wide-rim sunglasses).

The new Chamberlain in West Hollywood is Avalon's sister property and has a similarly cool vibe -- along with the same reasonable price tag. The cabanas by the pool hark back to the era of Golden Hollywood when Bogart was king and bathing suits left something to the imagination. It's no surprise, therefore, that the Chamberlain was selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of only three 2006 Hot List hotels in Los Angeles.

We've saved the best for last. Check out why the Figueroa Hotel rocks our world, after the jump.

Hotel Bermuda

Tired of cookie-cutter resorts in the Caribbean? Try 9 Beaches in Bermuda,
where the over-the-water cabanas might have you dreaming that you're in
the South Pacific.

"I am reading your great article about villas in the June issue of Conde Nast Traveler and I can't understand why Bermuda is never listed in any of these types of articles. It appears that Bermuda is never "on sale" and that it is very hard to find accommodations other than mainstream hotels. I have been to the island many times and know it well. But I would like to stay somewhere different than a box hotel this time. We are a family of five. Any suggestions?"

I've never been to Bermuda myself, but I know how hard it is to find a cozy hotel with a lot of character anywhere in the Caribbean. So I asked Vicky McGlynn, an agent with Travelong of Summit, New Jersey. Wendy and I recommend her for trips to Bermuda on our annual list of the World's Top Travel Specialists. Here's what Vicky told me:

"You're right, many visitors to Bermuda stay in the large Fairmont Southampton or Mandarin Oriental hotels. However, there are many other possibilities for a family of five. There are housekeeping cottages, like Surf Side, or smaller, more budget accommodations like Aunt Nea's Inn at Hillcrest. For an out-of-the-ordinary, ultra-casual vacation there is 9 Beaches, where guests stay in cabanas at the water's edge. And there are also many house rentals available.

Welcome to the Garden Court Hotel

The Only Luxury Hotel and Event Venue
in Downtown Palo Alto.

Garden Court Hotel offers elegant luxury lodging and accommodations in the heart of downtown Palo Alto, California, situated in the ideal location and environment for destination travelers to Silicon Valley, Stanford University, the Bay Area Peninsula, San Francisco and San Jose.

Anabella Hotel

The Anabella Hotel is a first class property located 20 minutes from the Orange County-John Wayne Airport and only 1 minute by car from the world famous Disneyland Theme Park. This beautiful, Spanish mission style property is situated on 7 glorious acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and offers guests a tranquil retreat from the cares of everyday life in a charming oasis of palm trees and bright blossoms. At the Anabella Hotel, customer satisfaction is always a top priority; and, all guests enjoy the personal service with a smile that distinguishes the best hotels. The Anabella Hotel succeeds at making even the most discriminating travelers feel at ease and complete.

Each spacious, comfortable guest room at the Anabella Hotel is furnished in soft pastels and neutral earth tones with pretty, antique style furniture and attractive prints on the walls; and, all guest rooms are fully equipped to meet the needs of today's travelers. The hotel's staff is efficient and professional and always ready to meet the needs of today's traveler; and, this property is just minutes to fine dining, shopping and entertainment.