When we travel, we want it all: the chic hotel, the fabulous meals, and the new wardrobe to match. But let’s face it, every vacation can’t be extravagant so that’s why we’re always in search of unique affordable hotels.
We searched for the very best affordable accommodations in the US of A. We’re talking rooms that cost less than a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame (about $150).
Eight Affordable Hotels Worth A Visit
So, save your hard-earned dough for the food and leave the “where to stay” to us.
Ace Hotel — New York
It helps that there’s a Stumptown Coffee that you’ll find percolating in the mornings. It has everything you’d expect from New York City, including the small if stylish accommodations. It might be a bunk bed or a mini-suite, but it’s New York! With endless dining options, you’ll hardly spend any time in the room anyway.
Ace Hotel, 20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages — Newport, California
Set along a scenic 3.5 miles of golden California coastline, these cheery cottages offer dorm or private cottage-style rentals. Bring your surfboard, and prepare to fall back into a vintage place and time. There is plenty of great food nearby, including SoCal’s “Little Saigon” and the LA Times’ #2 Restaurant of 2016: Taco Maria.
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages, 35 Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, CA 92657
El Capitan Canyon — Santa Barbara, California
Glamping is easily our favorite trend in travel, which is why we’re obsessed with the pristine safari tents and log cabins in Santa Barbara coast’s El Capitan Canyon. Wake up to the sea breeze and spend your evenings roasting marshmallows on the private patio with a wood fire.
You’ll be situated between the rolling hills of Santa Ynez and the seafood-loving town of Santa Barbara, so great food and wine aren’t even a question.
El Capitan Canyon, 11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Hotel Congress– Tucson, Arizona
This border town has some of the best TexMex (er, ArizonaMex?) outside of Texas that we’ve ever tasted. Hotel Congress is a hip little spot downtown with vintage features and a bar that thumps live music.
Housed inside an old bank that famously provided ransom to robbers in the early 1900s, you can stay up late and wake up to their in-house Bloody Mary Bar. If you’re like us, you’ll want to start the day with their huevos rancheros and a strong black coffee.
Hotel Congress, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Hotel Le Marais — New Orleans, Louisiana
Situated within the French Quarter is this luxurious, “gem” of a hotel. Relax indoors against the plush décor, or outdoors under the shade trees of a private garden alongside a freshwater pool.
Of course, there is no shortage of unique and delicious eats in NOLA, and we don’t mind telling you that there happens to be a Café du Monde within walking distance of this particular hotel. Powdery, pillow beignets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, please.
Hotel Le Marais, 717 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Jupiter Hotel — Portland
Mid-century modern accents lend a chic and relaxed vibe to this revamped motor inn. Portland keeps it weird with fabulous food and coffee, and Jupiter is centrally located to all of the above. There’s live music most nights, it’s pet-friendly, AND they have a fabulous $99 After Midnight promotion. So, if you need a place to crash in a pinch, you can clearly snag a very cost-efficient room.
Jupiter Hotel, 800 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
The Graham & Co — Catskills, New York
Just over 2 hours from New York City lies this 20-room boutique hotel. The Catskills and Hudson River Valley are known for their scenic nature: hikes, skiing, farms, and food. The hotel itself has fairly self-contained with an on-site pool, bicycles for the taking, and kitchenettes in some of the rooms.
If it were us, we might spend the weekend relaxing and finish off with a meal at Blue Hill Stone Barns before heading back into the city.
The Graham & Co, 80 NY-214, Phoenicia, NY 12464
21c Museum Hotel – Chicago, Illinois
Between debate-worthy deep-dish pizza and art-worthy edibles at Alinea, we just adore Chicago. Even winter has its charm, and it’s one of the best times to find a deal when it comes to hotels. Regardless of the season, The 21c Museum Hotel is outfitted with some of the finest details we’ve seen at a price that leaves more for the extravagant dinners we just can’t skip. Did we mention that David Burke’s Primehouse is on room service? 75-day bone-in ribeye, please!
21c Museum Hotel, 55 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611
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Opening photo by Kirstin McKee