Like an upward whirlpool for conventioneers. Circular staircase at Doulbetree Bethesda.

The Room:  The rooms at Doubletree by Hilton in Bethesda might be seen by some as slightly above average. While it appeared to be a standard Doubletree room, it seemed to have a little more space. There had been a recent remodel of the hotel that resulted in the benefit of 2  sinks (one just inside and one outside the bathroom) which could be great when sharing a room. Beds were very comfortable; configured the pillows,  sunk right into them and was well rested for the drive home the next day. The room was equipped with a flat screen TV, single-cup coffee makers with *Wolfgang Pucks (*mentioned in video as Starbucks…oops!) coffee and a spacious area between the beds and the window to relax or work. More than adequate space and reasonably comfortable.

Service: Basic to Above Average. Love the warmed chocolate chip cookie you get at check-in, it’s a nice touch. The desk staff was quick getting me checked in with a smile, verified that my frequent guest points had been applied to my stay and directed me to the business center so that I could log-on and print out directions home (I drove from NYC). I also used room service for breakfast and the server was extremely cheery and set everything up nicely (I tipped nicely for a change).

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Location: It may not be such a stretch to use this hotel as an alternative to the pricier inner-city hotels when visiting the Wasington DC area. While it’s a suburban hotel, the Downtown Bethesda Metro stop makes it easy to put yourself right in the heart of DC and it’s surrounding attractions. Bethesda itself has decent shopping and some nightlife (although if you’re willing and able, I’d recommend DC for both). If you’re in town for a wedding (as I was) or another event that’s actually IN Bethesda, the location is okay. Situated just on the outside edge of the downtown area, it’s a short hop to anywhere you’ll need to be.

Restaurant/Bar: The have a nice looking cafe but did all of my dining away from the hotel.

Lobby: With a 70′s grandeur-style (albeit updated) circular staircase as the centerpiece, the lobby serves more as a hallway out of the hotel than a place to relax or meet friends or relatives. The cafe is a nice place to sit and chat, but it’s design makes  you feel a bit more like you’re just loitering if you’re waiting on someone. Otherwise a welcoming experience with no real complaints.

Overall: While just outside of the main downtown area of Bethesda, The Doubletree serves as a good mid-priced hotel for people attending events in the nearby area or want an alternative to the more expensive DC hotels without giving up the comfort. The feel of the hotel is more businesslike with an “express” style woven into the more traditional ballroom and buffet business model. My room was spacious, updated  and comfortable and the service was above average. For the price, the Doubletree Bethesda delivered all that I needed…and a cookie.

Rating: 3 Hops (out of 5)

Sea Bass? More like "See, mush".

The Room(s): This “Cabana Room” might have been a little larger than some of the standard rooms at this hotel but that’s really it’s only “extra”. This room also has the disadvantage of being on the first floor so that neighboring buildings can keep the sun from getting in…ever. You’ve got a sliding door that leads out onto what’s best described as the “sun-chair parking lot”, although you could arrange things a little to make your own patio. But still, You wouldn’t see much in the way of sunshine.

The room’s decor is updated and the furniture is comfortable and practical. The sweet-sleeper bed is good for a hard day of Ski-Ball at the Santa Monica pier and the desk is desk-shaped so it’s easy to work, blog, social-network or jot down notes for your next Oprah book club meeting. The washroom is clean and very basic with good counter space and a standard shower/bath combo (please don’t use the bath…eww).

Service: – Front desk staff were very friendly and helpful but I take issue with being told that I’ve been “upgraded” to a ground floor, sunless room with a fancier name. – Room service was friendly but took over an hour to bring my food and were far less than apologetic when it finally did come. - Valet is usually pretty good here but it can get hectic. There’s a complimentary self-park option but the garage is tiny, so beware of scratches and dings.

Perks: Sheraton brings no-frills without being cheap. There’s nothing special here, but its the good kind of nothing special.

Location:  The hotel is almost hidden along Pico Blvd in Santa Monica. If you’re not driving, there will be some walking involved in getting to Santa Monica shopping, dining and the beach.

Overall: A good choice if you want to be in or around Santa Monica. It’s a higher-end budget hotel. The room, pool area, lobby and bar were all updated and staff was (more often than not) helpful and friendly.

Rating: 3 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Used Starwood Preferred Guest points & cash option offered at Starwood’s site. This option is a great deal if it’s offered for your stay but is unlikely to be available during peak times. You can earn points by staying at Starwood Hotels or by using a their co-branded American Express Card. To book a room now visit (support modhop:)  Sheraton Delfina at Orbitz .

Bed and desk area as seen from the washroom.

The Room(s): The rooms at Yotel are more like generous walk-in closets than they are rooms. If you’re here, it’s likely that the plan is to shower and take a quick nap before your next flight out of Heathrow. The shower is decent and worked better than expected in removing the many hours of economy class embroidered into my skin. You might want to skip your Lady Gaga makeup routine-  The sink area is very cramped making it difficult to shave or do any useful “prepping”. There’s adequate room for minimal work and internet checking at the super-tiny pull out desk. Wi-fi is complimentary and works great once you get it figured out…It took me awhile. My normal OCD bed-bug check uncovered no critters but let me to a ton of wrappers and miscellaneous garbage underneath the mattress. Putting that out of my mind, I found that the mattress itself wasn’t  uncomfortable to sleep on. Everything was in the right place for pod living..Lighting, climate controls were convenient to the bed and the Television mounted opposite your head if you enjoy falling asleep to late night game shows or sitcom reruns.

Service: Quite good actually. The staff answered each time I called and was helpful in helping to figure out how to make the internet work and where the remote control was.

Perks: There’s a small 24 hour snack menu if you need a pringles fix. There’s also a full service restaurant/pub just outside the hotel open for breakfast, lunch dinner and drinks, but closes at a reasonable hour.

Location: You can beat it if you’re on a mileage run or just have a long connection. Just one flight down from check-in level, you don’t even leave the terminal.

Lobby: Yeah…There’s no lobby.

Overall: Yotel has definite seedy overtones and really don’t succeed in their lofty goal of feeling like a luxury hotel. In fairness, I’ll say that outside the mattress grossness, the room was clean and even comfortable considering it’s size. It’s an adequate short stay if you want to clean up a bit and get on another flight, but a 24 hour stay might be 20 hours too many.  Although I have little information and haven’t been there myself, it might be good to know that there’s a Hilton right across the street.

Rating: 2 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Yotel.com – Booked a 24 hour stay entroute back to the US. Prices are steady and make the most sense if you’re just there for a few hours. Yotel books in 4 hour block minimums.

"Mountain View" room at Ilikai Hotel & Suites. Honolulu.

The Room(s): It’s like visiting your cool grandparent’s Waikiki Beach winter timeshare. If that visualization doesn’t help then you might have gathered from the video that the room’s furnishings are slightly dated and the room is a bit tired. Decor aside, the space is at the very least functional. A good sized living area and full kitchen make it great for longer trips and family travel, particularly if you’re on a budget and choose to eat-in. The washroom is pretty bland but serves it’s purpose…again, underwhelming. There’s wired internet access but it ties you to the small desk area. On a leisure trip this might not be a huge disadvantage but if you’re like me, you’re always wanting to type something so this makes it difficult.

Service: Front desk staff was very friendly…at least I think they were. I had my eye on a nearby TV screen repeating the shot of Jack Lord in the opening to the original Hawaii 5-0 so they didn’t have my full attention. Door staff , Concierge and other hotel staff were perfectly courteous.

Perks: Nothing extra here except the natural benefits of being close to the beach …(Note that I didn’t say “on” the beach). The neighboring Hilton has the prime beach area that you’re more than welcome to use. There’s also a small lagoon-like thing to swim in if you’re afraid of large bodies of water…or  sharks.

Location: This is why you stay here. For the money the location is just about right. A short walk out the back of the hotel and you’re on the beach and not far from the little touristy village attached to the neighboring Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Lobby: The lobby is large, open but  just as dated as the rooms. Not in a cool Hawaiian retro-style, but more of a “we remodeled in the mid-90s” thing.

Overall: This is a hotel that should embrace it’s long past but sticks to it’s more recent past. If they put me in charge (which they shouldn’t), I’d throw some retro furniture in the rooms and lobby and litter the place with cardboard cutouts of hula dancers everywhere (or real ones). It seems that management doesn’t share my passion for kitsch so it retains it’s moderately priced family hotel chic that shares it’s hallways with smelly condo owners. The rooms are certainly habitable though, unless you’re sickened by Bush Administration (the first one) era decor.

Rating: 2.5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: This was part of a package from Delta Vacations and still seems like our preferred location as other choices seem to be a little further off the beach. However, there are other hotels in this class (3 star) to choose from that might provide a better balance of style and location. This was paired up with a Delta flight aboard an Airbus 330, although it appears the airline has switched up the type of aircraft it uses to Hawaii since my visit.

Entrance to the beautiful Alila Villas Soori.

The Room(s): The Ocean Pool Villa  was by far the best choice for us, a couple looking for something far off the beaten path surrounded by the luxuries that elude our day to day lives. This isn’t particularly difficult for grizzled New Yorkers like my wife and I, but this was far above and beyond our expectations. Our favorite wasn’t as much the room as the outdoor pavilion where we ate meals, relaxed and did just about nothing. The infinity plunge pool lies just next to the pavilion for a quick dip and is easily accessible directly from the room or outside. Inside, you’ll find well balanced spaces with inspiring views and luxurious amenities. Your bed faces the ocean, making it a perfect spot for breakfast (or just staring) and features quality linens and a comfortable sleeping surface. Your living/work area is spacious with equal attention given to relaxation and work space. The large, flat panel TV is attached to an Apple TV unit and has a good number of movies and music selections to choose from, but no satellite TV or broadcast channels that we could find. There is also a second television in the bedroom area (not shown in video). The washroom is truly deluxe with a large, deep bath featuring a window that looks into an alcove of the plunge pool and onto the ocean without sacrificing much in the way of  privacy. Fully separated by the shower/toilet area are vanity areas each supplied with amenities specific to “him” and “her” (I”m a fan of the men’s “volcanic” soap).  A large walk-in shower lies right behind the vanity area and an exit to the outdoor waterfall-style shower is just beyond. There is also a large closet and bin area opposite the bath with plenty of storage for clothing and luggage and your in-villa safe.

Service: Unbelievable. We may have had to wait more than 3 minutes for a bucket of ice at one point, but we would really have to stretch to find any fault with our in-room service. With 24 hour attendant service You’ll find it easy to get just about anything you need at any time of day or night. Our repeated requests for ice and tonic water were met with a smile each time…and believe me, the requests were frequent. We took a special liking to Dana (Dah-nah) who was very gracious and professional during our stay. The only service-related issue was at the very beginning of our stay at one of the restaurants. There was a storm rolling in so it was recommended that we eat indoors where we found ourselves eating our meal with a steady stream of mosquitoes. Here, the staff was slow to offer a solution so we found our best option was to eat fast and retire to our villa. A brief annoyance, nothing more. We had excellent service during our entire stay, but it was after we left when the staff really shined. I had foolishly forgotten our passports in the villa’s safe (a big mistake when you don’t realize it until arriving at Bali’s airport almost 2 hours away). Luckily for us, the resort keeps an attendant at Bali Denpesar (airport) who helped us with alternate flight plans so that we could make our connecting flight in Singapore later that night. The mistake cost us, but I’m confident that he saved us hundreds of dollars. The passports were driven to us separately thanks to other departing guests who happened to be leaving shortly after I realized my mistake. A little luck and a LOT of help from our driver and the resorts staff truly saved us from a ton of agony that would have left an indelible stain on an otherwise amazing visit to Bali. Instead, we have a slightly humorous story and great memories.

Perks: Almost too numerous to mention. 24 hour on-call service with a smile, luxurious surroundings, stunning views…a seemingly endless list. One nice touch was a parting gift from the resort. On our final night we were given a small box containing a Balinese crafted sandalwood fan and a pair of attractive leather tags for our luggage.

Location: This is the resorts biggest fault and it’s most alluring feature. Well separated from anything resembling western nightlife or shopping, it’s not ideal for mega thrill-seekers or shopaholics. However, it’s location blends nicely into surrounding Balinese villages giving it a unique opportunity to offer packages that incorporate local culture. From foodie adventures and cooking classes (featuring trips to local markets) to horseback riding provided by local stables and tours of local rice fields. The resort is also located near Tanah Lot Temple, one of Bali’s most sacred.

Lobby: An open air lobby is where you’ll be met by the resort staff upon your arrival. Hot towels and drinks are provided and your baggage is magically whisked away by hotel staff and brought to your villa. A calm, shaded area with stunning views of the resort and ocean with plenty of seating perfect for meeting up with other guests.

Overall: The Alila Villas Soori’s seclusion from busy tourist areas and it’s impeccable service makes up for any convenience lost. For this reason, I’m happy to give it our highest rating.

Rating: 5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Jetsetter offered off-peak specials of roughly $390 to $410 per night. It’s important to point out that this is a true luxury getaway, so prices reflect that even with sale prices. In simpler terms, this isn’t a Sandals (No disrespect, Sandals).  This would be an ideal stop on a greater honeymoon itinerary or maybe a luxurious way to clear your head for a week…or more.

The Room: I’m one who can appreciate a bright, clean room design. So, right off the bat I was a fan of my “Captivating King” room at B Ocean Ft Lauderdale. Here’s what I found inside… For cleaning up: A very typical sized washroom adds little extra value to your stay,but the modern vanity, Aveda brand amenities and rainfall shower head provide a little bit of luxury to your daily grooming. For sleeping: Wow. I”m not sure if it’s because the mattress was brand new or if the hotel had a contract with the sleep fairy, but I slept VERY well. Referred to as their “Blissful” bed, I can’t think of a better description. For work: There’s not much room to spread out on such a small desk so it’s not particularly suited for business travelers. (See video review for a brief look at the junior suite which has an expanded living & work area. ). Wi-fi works well in the room and in each place I tested throughout the hotel. – -My overall impression of the room was pretty solid.  Mixing typical space with fresh, upgraded design B Ocean’s rooms feel welcoming and are quite comfortable.

Service: At the time I stayed at B Ocean, the hotel had only been open for 10 days so there were a few very minor trips. First, some confusion regarding what comes with breakfast (the menu in the room was different than what was posted in the kitchen) and a little more confusion when I tried to check out one of the hotel’s iPads for use in the lobby/restaurant area. Everything else was handled with a smile and everyone from the valet to housekeeping was very helpful.

Perks: Did I mention the Aveda amenities? It’s one of the things I like about Kimpton hotels, and I appreciated it just as much here. The large touch screen concierge is a perk if you’re not used to it’s human counterpart. You can book a table at Joes, but no computer can sneak you a tee-time at an exclusive golf club…at least not yet. As mentioned, iPads are available for use (free) within the lobby area. It’s a nice touch, but they were all checked out each of the times I asked. Hopefully they’ll add more.

Location: At first look, You’d think the location would be a disadvantage when compared to the Westins, W’s and Marriotts down the road. But there’s just as much (if not more) shopping, just as many (if not more) quality restaurants and a far less crowded beach in the area around Sunrise Blvd. Plus you’re surrounded by the beautiful greenery of Bonnet House to the South and Hugh Taylor Park to the North. If you’re in town for a cruise, Port Everglades is a little further than from other hotels in the area, but not by much.

Lobby: Walking in you get a sense of class and comfort. A clean design adds to the refreshing feel of being in a vacation setting. One caveat is the mood lighting, which is a nice touch but is very strong and can be a bit jarring if you’re checking in at night. It made me dizzy.

Overall: On our scales this is a clear 4 star hotel on par with the quality of a Westin. Rooms are comfortable and modern with excellent views of beautiful neighboring parks and (of course) the ocean. A smallish pool area could be a drawback during peak times, but again…the ocean is across the street. I very much liked it here and hope the service levels continue and any early-run snafus are worked out soon.

Rating: 4 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Travelzoo does it again. Introductory rates were offered at TZ’s website (not their weekly top 20 list). We recommend monitoring this and similar sites like Jetsetter and SniqueAway for sales that may not be listed in their e-mail newsletters & offers.

Book it:

The Room: The room size is comparable to that of a typical discount hotel in New York City (think Holiday Inn Express). The layout is a cramped version of typical with the bathroom just as you enter with a small desk-slash-snack and minibar just across from it. The mini-bar was mini-stocked on this visit, but that appears to be the norm here (Better to stop at the grocery store and pick up your own snacks and beer anyway). The bed is what we’ll call “extra firm”. Not quite as hard as I’ve experienced in many hotels in Asia, but pretty tough nonetheless. The view is unspectacular but not offensive. Just a typical Barcelona Street. There’s a web-based radio built into the wall just above the desk area that has access to an intimidatingly large selection of audio. Orlando International Airport Control Tower anyone?<br><br>

Service: The staff smiled day and night. This may have been because the hotel was so new, but we appreciated the kindness no matter the reason. The first impression helped…While we weren’t able to check-in upon our early arrival at 9am, they worked hard to get us into the first available room. We were in our room to sleep off the jet lag by 11am…Good enough.

Perks: The breakfast buffet. We ate here every morning. Great meats, cheeses, pastries. It’s not for the waffle & eggs crowd but we certainly enjoyed it. Extras are few at this hotel. The best perk is it’s that it’s very near Barcelona’s Metro giving you easy access to the city.

Location: It’s just a little north and west of Plaza de Catalunya (about 2 short metro stops). Tucked away from the noisier streets but close to some great neighborhood shops and restaurants, You’ll never be far from something to fill your time.

Lobby: Funky and hip with purples, whites and blues everywhere. Screams young traveler the moment you walk in. (Not literally).

Overall: It could be mistaken for one of those new mod hostels I’ve heard so much about, but the price tag and better rooms would indicate it’s more for the hipster traveling salesman or perhaps a group touring every IKEA in Western Europe. It’s a good hotel for those traveling on a budget. You’ll sacrifice luxury for kitsch and a tough bed, but after a good day in Barcelona you’ll probably sleep on anything.

Rating: 3 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: While relying on TripAdvisor less and less these days, I noticed this hotel getting good user reviews and found introductory rates at the hotel’s own website. On recent searches we found equally good deals at Orbitz here: Roommate Emma

Location: West Hollywood, CA

Book it!

The Room: Very simple considering the hotel location and remarkably different from the vibe you get from walking through the lobby. With an all-orange bathroom and blue/white everywhere else, the decidedly retro color scheme gives rooms this room the only charm it needs to keep from being just “standard”. Rooms are clean enough, but with Hollywood being Hollywood You might be forced to wonder what happened in your room last night. In most rooms you’ll have either a patio or a small balcony, a nice way to enjoy the excitement by the pool (on the first floor) or a view of the neighborhood. (1st floor rooms with patios are subject to some noise, but seem to quiet down after 11pm).

Service: Front desk service has always been great. It may be that I’m staring at the human aquarium behind the front desk or distracted by the seemingly endless party by the pool, but I always seem to be greeted with a smile and friendly attitude.  Room service is slightly pricey but always quick and tasty. Over a few visits I’ve had  standard breakfast and coffee service, both were acceptable to good. The valet was particularly helpful and speedy…Good with directions and treated my rental Kia like it was something much nicer.

Perks: No real extras unless you want to pay for the aromatherapy candle or mix CD you can buy from your rooms mini-bar/snack/goodies supply. Very simple setup.

Location: Above Average. The Standard is a reasonable distance from tourist attractions. You can get to them easily by car or taxi, but not a simple walk. Personally, I prefer having a car when in LA.

Lobby: The lobby is pure LA trendy. From the aforementioned human aquarium to the lively bar/pool area… you’re certainly not in Kansas anymore.

Parking:  Average. $29 a night for Valet. Expensive, but good service for the price in my experience.

Overall: Average. The Standard’s website claims that they are “anything but”, which I can agree with…except when it comes to the guest rooms. The lobby/bar/restaurant are fun and flashy, but the rooms are quite standard aside from the retro curtains, orange bathroom and ikea furniture. One extra note: I’ve recently read guest reviews that mention the “creepy” hallways. They ARE dark and a little drab…That said,  I rarely find myself spending much time in the hallways of hotels.

The Deal-How I got it: Booking with the hotel directly seems to get you an upper level room away from the noisy pool area. Booked once on Orbitz and got a first floor room with a patio separated from the pool area with a tall fence with a thick mesh fabric so outsiders can’t see in. Paid roughly $120 for the first level special on Orbitz and have paid up to $175 for higher level and sometimes slightly larger rooms.

Rating: 2 Hops (out of 5)

Location: Centrally located in Downtown Minneapolis, The Westin is steps away from shopping, major sporting events, nightlife and entertainment. Thanks to the city’s downtown skyway system, you don’t even have to step outside to get to most of it!

Service: Basic to Above Average. Minimal exposure to front desk staff but they were friendly and helpful when requesting amenities (forgot a toothbrush). Upon arrival we were greeted professionally, but with a somewhat cold approach. Nothing VIP-like about it. Housekeeping staff was warm and friendly by contrast (we tipped them well).

The Room: Somehow I thought, considering it’s historic setting, the rooms would have something unique. Perhaps something that projected the history of the building, the city or anything local. What we found was a room that could be best described as “mildly elegant” or “a comfortable bunker”. Most everything was hovering just above acceptable; Good sized flat-panel TV, Spacious bathroom (but with surprisingly small shower), comfortable beds and work area, well stocked mini-bar and amenities. What surprised us was the odd, square window that faced the reflective glass of the building just across the back alley of the hotel. What’s odd about the view is that it’s not half-bad as it reflects a pretty nice panorama off of the aforementioned reflective glass (see the picture below). That said, we didn’t get much light in the room, making it a little bunker-like. The beds were of Westin’s standard “Heavenly” variety. I slept well…especially with such little light getting in the room.

Restaurant/Bar: Only had 1 drink at the bar during my stay and didn’t have time to sample the lobby restaurant although it looked elegant and reasonably comfortable. No sign of a rate-inclusive breakfast (continental or otherwise).

Lobby: Interesting layout. Guests must navigate around the lobby bar/restaurant to get to 2 small kiosks that serve as the front desk. Not sure if it’s permanent or if there are future plans for something more elaborate. Business center and relaxation area exists as you further navigate your way toward the elevators near the very back of the main floor.

Overall: A great choice if convenience matters. With so many new options in Downtown Minneapolis, however, I might be tempted to try something els next time. Rooms are comfortable, clean and offer up mini-bar snacks and “heavenly” beds, but if you’re after a view (and sunlight), ask for a room in the front of the hotel.

Rating: 4 Hops (out of 5)