I don’t consider myself a lodging snob when I travel. Although I opt for style, I don’t require luxury. I’ll search for an atypical option rather than settle for a familiar name. I appreciate individuality over chain “sameness.”

A chain hotel offers few surprises. That is not a negative. A recognizable name testifies that travelers should expect a specific known quality. Those who prefer predictability will, without a doubt, book stays at the chains that tick off the greatest number of personal boxes for location, service, quality, and comfort. I empathize with that mindset. I understand those people. On occasion, I am one of those travelers.

But not always. Typically, I am more enterprising. I appreciate comfort, charm, history, character, and a certain quirky ambience. I gravitate toward the unusual.

I would rather have a private balcony than a beautiful lobby. A private bath is important, but classic charm will trump sleek modernity any day. Included breakfast is not necessarily vital, but a complimentary chocolate on my pillow will win me over. A friendly wine bar or a well-stocked library are bonuses, and I appreciate them more than an onsite restaurant.

I readily admit that I search for bargains, and I consider it a personal victory when I find a hotel that offers a low price and at the same time scores high across the board on my personal rating system. I read guest ratings, and high marks for cleanliness are vital. For a single night, I will sometimes take a chance on an “iffy” booking. I like small rather than supersized facilities. And I scoff at urban hotels that try to be all things to all guests.

I admit that over the years I have made some unfortunate choices, but I have learned from them. I will happily select a location far removed from shopping, and I tend to prioritize walkable neighborhoods or views over hotels that advertise proximity to shopping and business centers.

Now that I’ve explained my criteria and you have an idea about what tickles my fancy, these are the hotels I loved in 2022 and 2023. Some may surprise you.

The White Star Tavern, Southampton, England

This traditional British inn on one of the most “lively” streets in the city is a real find. Only a short cab ride from the cruise ship pier, it is also not far from Sea City Museum which tells a captivating story of the Titanic. Be sure to make time to visit. There’s a casino just at the end of the street if that appeals to you.

Guests are made to feel like family friends here, the English breakfasts are wonderful, and the pub fare is excellent for both small plates or complete dinners. The outdoor patio at The White Star is a perfect place to watch a passing parade of people. Oxford Street becomes a pedestrian-only avenue each afternoon, attracting throngs to its many pubs and nightspots.  

The one drawback – rooms are upstairs and there is no elevator, but attentive staff willingly tote bags up and down. True to its nautical theme, “cabins” are elegantly furnished and decorated, stocked with all necessary amenities and a choice of coffees and teas, along with a sampling of treats. Think biscuits and chocolates. Each floor also features a sitting room, replete with Titanic and seafaring memorabilia.

Hotel Ismael, Santiago, Chile

Located in the Lasterria neighborhood, this small contemporary hotel is across the street from Forest Park and near the National Museum of Fine Art, the Contemporary Art Museum, Plaza de Armas, Hidalgo Castle, and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center. We even walked to the funicular at Cerro San Cristobal for a ride up the mountain to a scenic overlook and Santiago’s famed mountaintop statue of the Virgin Mary.

I booked our stay via an online site, based only on photos and comments. And I couldn’t have been happier! I loved this hotel from the moment I first walked through the front door.

Hotel staff will recommend nearby eateries – and we especially enjoyed finding a local street bazaar where we could meet vendors and shop for bargains! The neighborhood is safe and charming, and we enjoyed two excellent dinners featuring Chilean specialties during a two-day stay before our scheduled Antarctica cruise.

Guests have access to a top-floor pool, and each room has a small balcony. A superb complimentary breakfast is offered each morning and staff will prepare a “to-go” breakfast for guests with early tours or scheduled transportation to the cruise port or airport. Just make your request the day before.

The lower-level breakfast space doubles as a cocktail lounge each afternoon. Simple canapes, served on request, accompany the wines and cocktails prepared by a congenial server. We took advantage of the opportunity to unwind after a busy day in the city, exchange sightseeing tips, or make dinner plans. The main lobby also features comfortable seating, interesting art and books, and is a friendly gathering place during the day.

NH Buenos Aires Tango

Book a street-facing room at this sleek city center hotel and you’ll be rewarded with a “knock-your-socks-off” view of the towering obelisk at Plaza Republica just steps away in the heart of the city.

In addition, the location is next door to a lively Tango theater, just a block from the legendary Colon Opera House, and within walking distance of a park, fine shops, and local restaurants. City buses and tour buses, with convenient nearby stops, run regularly, and cabs are readily available.

Street-level glass doors open to modern escalators that whisk visitors to the second-floor registration desk. From there, guest rooms are a short elevator ride away. The contemporary art-filled lobby space is a combination sitting room, cocktail lounge, and reading room where guests may order snacks, wine, and bar drinks throughout the day. Business travelers will appreciate available work spaces, meeting rooms, and access to audio-visual aids. The hotel also has a fitness center with multiple machines, and guests have access to a sauna and massage services.

Bountiful breakfast buffets in the full-service dining room include hot and cold options, fresh fruit and juices, breads, baked goods and a variety of yogurts and cheeses, with cooked-to-order omelets also available. In the evening, the room becomes the dinner venue, with choices ranging from pizza and burgers to steaks, seafood and international favorites.

Hotel staff couldn’t be more attentive and will help with directions, call cabs, recommend tours, or book restaurant and show reservations. Just ask.

And that view? Well, it’s mesmerizing day and night. And so is the traffic just below on Ave. 9 de Julio!

Barclay Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia

This little gem has a striking canopy at the front door, and an elegant set of marble stairs leading to the lobby and reception desk. A retro gem of a building with an address that’s convenient to Stanley Park and Pacific Centre Mall, there is nothing particularly notable about the Barclay aside from its pricing in a city known for high hotel prices.

There are no coffee machines in the guest rooms and little seating in the lobby, but the location is superb. It’s a no-frills place, but it’s spotlessly clean, comfortable, and friendly.

Be forewarned, you must navigate the stairs to upper-floor rooms. But book a first-floor accommodation and you’re all set. My stay was for a single night before a cruise, and I enjoyed it immensely. The Uber fare to Vancouver’s Canada Place, the city’s immense and busy convention center and cruise port, was just over $10 including gratuity.

 An informal neighborhood bar and eatery, The Jervis Joint, is just steps away. There I ordered small bites and enjoyed a generous glass of wine while I watched the comings and goings of neighborhood residents. And this is a neighborhood – young professionals stopping in for an after-work drink with friends, couples out for an early date night, young families pushing strollers or walking with toddlers, and others stopping to chat with shopkeepers.

There are also some pricey restaurants nearby, fresh flower stalls across the street, and an Asian grocery that sorely tempted me. The next morning, I enjoyed the best breakfast I have had in years, starting with a fresh fruit smoothie, at Cora on Robson Street, next door to the Barclay. Everyone I asked recommended it, and I heartily endorse it. When I returned to Vancouver several months later, I tried to book a second stay at the Barclay. Alas, there were no vacancies for my required dates. So, my recommendation is to book early.

The Met Hotel, New Westminster, British Columbia

Did you know that New Westminster was once the capital of British Columbia? If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to explore this riverfront village with a history that dates to 1858, when it was the outfitting point for prospectors arriving to the Fraser Gold Rush. They set out from there to seek their fortunes upriver.

New Westminster was designed to be “a second England on the shores of the Pacific.” Richard Clement Moody attempted to build “a city of beauty in the wilderness” and New Westminster was styled to reflect British domination. Now part of greater Vancouver, it was once known as “The Royal City.”

Although this was my second choice for a second overnight stay in Vancouver, there is nothing “second-rate” about The Met! The hotel is charming and comfortable, particularly pleasant for a single traveler. Because there is no main-floor lobby, The Met boasts sitting areas with comfortable seating to serve the handful of guest rooms on each floor. As comfortable as the guest rooms are, it’s nice to have that extra space to meet and talk with other guests. Besides all that, the price is right. Adjacent to the hotel on street level are a pub/restaurant and a liquor store. How convenient is that?

The terrible fire of 1898 destroyed the downtown area, and the city had a hard time recovering from the devastation. The Met Hotel is one of the few downtown buildings to survive the fire.

New Westminster Today

Columbia Street was the former “golden mile” of the city, and the Met Hotel is at its heart.  On a walk about the area, I was enchanted by the juxtaposition of old and new, weathered brick buildings standing proud alongside steel and glass skyscrapers. I spent some time at Westminster Pier Park and was struck by the poignancy of the sculpture that depicts servicemen off to War. “Don’t go, Daddy” is the title of the piece.

A second major fire raged through Columbia Street in 2013, displacing 30 businesses and further damaging the street’s historic character. However, new construction, including the $25 million Westminster Pier Park, a new civic center and an office tower named The Anvil Centre have breathed new life into the area.

New Westminster lies 15 miles south of Vancouver, adjacent to Burnaby and Coquitlam, on the north bank of the Fraser River. It was the largest city in Mainland British Columbia until Vancouver’s population grew during the first decade of the 20^th Century. Surrey is on the other side of the river. The city has changed greatly over time, but I found the new New Westminster to be a decidedly great place to spend an overnight.

The Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

This is a traditional hotel that is quite out of character for me. It was selected by American Cruise Voyages as the location for complimentary pre-cruise stays included with passage on a riverboat itinerary from Louisville to St. Louis. My one-night stay at The Brown was an exceptional experience, from the service to the breakfast to the bar drinks, including seamless check-in and speedy checkout.

I now understand how The Brown Hotel has maintained its popularity for the century it has been in operation. It’s on par with other top names in the hospitality world: The Peabody in Memphis, the Biltmore in Coral Gables, Adolphus and Melrose Hotels in Dallas, and Hotel Galvez, now the Grand Galvez, in Galveston. These grand hotels, and others of this caliber worldwide, are worth a visit, if only to enjoy a drink at the bar!

Yes, The Brown is that good. It’s grand, to be sure, but it’s also comfortable and inviting, a calm place for a restful night’s sleep, with inviting spaces to enjoy a cocktail or a meal. There is plenty of comfortable seating for conversation or quiet time with a book, and its location is superb for exploring the city.

This is what a classic hotel should be. The Brown is nothing if not classic, and I hope it lives on for another 100 years, doing exactly what it does best: pleasing its guests.

IBIS Hotels

The final entry on my current roster of hotels to love breaks many of my own rules. Owned and managed by the French hospitality chain Accor, the Ibis brand is found across the globe.

Conveniently located, sustainable, and eco-friendly, with bright contemporary spaces and edgy, modern décor, the simple red and white sign is easy to spot. Ibis Hotels are consistent in terms of accommodations, service, and amenities.

Efficient Wi-Fi and 24-hour front desk staffing are bonuses that I appreciate, along with extended breakfast hours. In most locations, cocktails and snacks are available throughout the day. Other perks: Expedited check-in/check-out and the ability to securely store luggage, if necessary, before check-in and after check-out — a boon to the business traveler.

Rooms are small and spare, modern, uncluttered, clean, and comfortable. Service, whether at London’s busy Heathrow Airport or when arriving late at night in Setubal, Portugal, is always cordial and efficient. Breakfast buffets are bountiful, to say the least, with American favorites and local options, and unlimited coffee.

If travel is on your horizon, do some initial homework to find a hotel that will surprise and delight you. In an unfamiliar city, a wonderful hotel becomes your retreat, even if your stay is only for a single night. Just know that the time and effort spent to find a hotel that you will not only love but one that beckons you to return is always worthwhile.