Favourite Accommodation in the USA

Discover my overall favourite accommodation in the USA. Having previously travelled across 24 states, I have certainly stayed in many different types of accommodation across the country. Some incredible, while some not so great. So, check out my ongoing list of all my favourites for your next trip to the United States.

If you are looking to travel the USA on a budget, also make sure to check out the How to Use Hostelworld blog post.

Last updated October 2024*.

Contents

Table of Contents

Favourite USA Stays

Favourite Accommodation in Arizona

Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Under Canvas Grand Canyon Lights, USA
Under Canvas Grand Canyon Tent, USA

Under Canvas is another incredible glamping site in the Southwest. I stayed at Under Canvas Grand Canyon as part of the LA to the Bay with Contiki trip that passed through Grand Canyon National Park, only a 25-minute drive away. This stay was undoubtedly one of the highlights of that trip, and also a favourite accommodation in the USA!

The tents were super spacious and cozy, with very comfortable beds and full-service bathroom facilities. However, the highlight was the onsite restaurant that served up delicious breakfast and burgers. I also loved sitting around the fire, roasting s’mores and sharing all our Grand Canyon stories from the day. The morning yoga session before our day of hiking was also a thoughtful addition!

We stayed for two nights, which was the perfect amount of time to make the most of the property. I paid USD$219* per night for a Safari Tent with 3 Twin Beds, the cost of which was divided among three people. Also note that the site only opens from April to October each year, so make sure to book in advance.

Favourite Accommodation in California

Holiday House Palm Springs

Holiday House Palm Springs Lobby, USA
Holiday House Palm Springs Robes, USA
Holiday House Palm Springs Dresser, USA
Holiday House Palm Springs Mini Bar, USA

Holiday House Palm Springs is all that you imagine a mid-century Palm Springs property to be. Nestled just one block back from the main street, this hotel was the highlight of our trip here and has since been some of my favourite accommodation in the USA. 

The rooms were curated perfectly with both a spacious kitchenette and bathroom. We also enjoyed the service here, as all the staff were very friendly and had some great recommendations for us. Despite visiting in February, the pool was heated. So, we were still able to enjoy a bit of sunshine, as well as snacking on some warm homemade cookies by the fire after dark. 

However, my favourite part about this hotel was the attention to detail with all aspects of its design. As soon as you enter the lobby, you are transported back to the height of the 50s due to its vibrancy. This theme continues throughout the property, both into the gardens and the rooms. I especially enjoyed riding the retro bikes around town to spot some more funky architecture nearby.

We stayed at Holiday House for two nights at USD$474* per night for a ‘Good’ room, and it was simply perfect. 

Using Palm Springs as a base to explore Joshua Tree National Park?

Palihotel Westwood Village

Palihotel Westwood Village, Los Angeles, USA
Palihotel Westwood Village Lobby, Los Angeles, USA

Palisociety is a boutique hotel chain in the US with locations across California and also a few other states. Following my first stay at Palihotel Westwood Village, Palisociety instantly became my favourite accommodation in the USA. 

This property is located in Westwood Village right near UCLA, so has a lot of cafes and shops nearby.  There is also an In-N-Out Burger right around the corner. It is a convenient central location to take a bus towards not only Hollywood and Downtown, but also out to Santa Monica. 

The property itself is a gorgeously designed hotel, with accents of modern Parisian luxury throughout. It was an incredibly luxurious stay, with both big fluffy robes and even Diptyque bathroom products. Our Garden King room also had a view over the courtyard which made it feel just like home. But, my favourite touch was the complementary pastries served each morning in the lobby. 

All Palihotel properties are also pet-friendly.

We booked the Garden King room for USD$312* per night, for a three night stay. I can’t wait to explore more Palisociety properties, as it is certainly my favourite accommodation in the USA.

Palihotel Hollywood

Palihotel Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
Palihotel Hollywood Decor, Los Angeles, USA

Since we loved our stay at Palihotel Westwood Village so much, we decided to try out another Palisociety property. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Palihotel Hollywood certainly lived up to our high expectations as Palisociety continues to provide my favourite accommodation in the USA. 

This property is located on W Sunset Blvd, just one block away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  But the best part… the hotel is just one door away from In-N-Out. Being such a central location, this property would be an amazing choice for first time visitors to Los Angeles, as it is within walking distance of many main attractions. And if you have been to LA, you know that it is certainly not a city known for its walkability, so this is a rare find. Yet another convenience was also the onsite valet parking which took away any stress of finding parking in one of Los Angeles’ busiest neighbourhoods, as well as the possibility of property theft had we parked on the street.

The property itself adopts a funky boutique design, with a central pool area that connects that makes it feel like a downtown oasis. It was an incredibly luxurious stay, with both big fluffy robes and Palisociety’s signature Diptyque bathroom products. This property also had a cozy bar area perfect for happy hour drinks or a sweet nightcap. 

All Palihotel properties are also pet-friendly.

We booked the King Pool View room for USD$339*, for just one night. Next time, we will certainly be staying longer to make the most of the pool and the amazing location.

Palihotel San Francisco

Yet another quaint Palisociety property tucked away from the chaos of San Francisco’s Union Square. As with each stay, we were once again welcomed with friendly service and the cozy feeling of a home-away-from-home. Despite being one of the larger properties, Palihotel San Francisco still manages a quiet and peaceful environment.

In my opinion, there are two main areas to stay in San Francisco: Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf. This property is located at Union Square, an unbeatable location with plenty of high-end shops, restaurants and entertainment. While San Francisco is generally quite walkable, the location of this property also made Nob Hill, Chinatown and the  Embarcadero easily accessible. Not to mention all the streetcars along Market Street that can take you out to the Mission District or Fisherman’s Wharf. 

While the design of this property includes some modern details, I especially love that Avi Brosh focused on restoration rather than renovation here. It truly feels like a classic San Francisco building straight from the Gold Rush era.

I stayed in a Queen room for $USD167* per night. Compared to Southern California, this is definitely one of Palisociety’s more affordable stays.

Thinking of visiting San Francisco?

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

If you would prefer to stay in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco, then Hotel Zephyr San Francisco is a great option. Given I stayed here during my LA to the Bay with Contiki trip, I was pleasantly surprised at the hotel’s standards. 

I absolutely loved having the large outdoor space as a respite from the city’s craziness, as well as all the games available in the lobby. We certainly made the most of a few table tennis tournaments and had a few giggles over our Jenga failures. There was even a photo booth to make some last-minute memories with the group before saying our final goodbyes. 

While the hotel itself provided a very modern and comfortable stay, its location is the true highlight. Located just one block away from Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf, the hotel was the best location to explore the sights of San Francisco for the first time. We were easily able to walk to the sea lions, the Alcatraz Ferry, Lombard Street and even Chinatown. Staying in this area also meant lots of casual dining options and bike rental shops. 

I stayed at Hotel Zephyr San Francisco for two nights at USD$192* per night. The cost for the Zephyr Double room was divided between two people.

Wondering how to spend your time in San Francisco?

The Pines Resort

Bella at the Pines Resort, USA
The Pines Resort, USA
The Pines Resort Pool, USA
Hoping to visit Yosemite National Park on a group tour?

The Pines Resort is a beautiful lake-front property located on the shores of Bass Lake. I stayed here during my LA to the Bay with Contiki trip, as the resort is only a 30-minute drive from the spectacular Yosemite National Park. 

The cabins were incredibly cozy, with more than enough space to fit at least four people. Following a long day of hiking, we were able to enjoy home-cooked meals on the balcony as we watched the sunset over the lake. Although it was too dark to swim, the property also allowed us to enjoy the poolside bar and its other facilities. I would have loved to stay an extra few days to enjoy the pool and the lake activities available.

Despite its remote location, the resort really had everything we could have needed. In fact, there was even a convenience store onsite where we could stock up on groceries and hiking snacks. There was also a coin-operated laundry facility available for use so that we didn’t have to stash stinky hiking clothes into our luggage.

Ultimately, my favourite part of this property was its location hidden away in the Californian woods. This meant an abundance of wildlife, especially black bears. Despite living in Canada for two years, my stay at The Pines Resort was actually the first time I got to see my favourite animal, although thankfully from a safe distance. 

Since the cabins are so large, they are easily shared between family and friends. As a result, we stayed in a 2-Bed Queen Chalet for two nights at USD$193* per night and divided the cost between three people. 

Favourite Accommodation in Hawai'i

The Laylow Waikiki

The Laylow is an incredible boutique hotel hidden only one block back from Waikiki Beach, and is also a recent addition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection. I found it to be a much quieter and more intimate experience than some of the bigger hotels along the waterfront. In fact, it actually took less time to walk to nearby restaurants and shops without having to navigate the maze of resorts on the waterfront.

The rooms had the biggest king beds I have ever seen, with beautifully modern island-style decor. We actually ended up buying a few soap dishes and souvenirs from their store because we loved the decor so much! My favourite part was the poolside breakfast and the submerged lounges in the pool. It was the perfect place to kick back and relax after a day of hiking Diamond Head.

This is also pet-friendly property.

We stayed here for five nights at USD$273* per night. The Balcony Room with two king beds was plenty of space for three people.

The Royal Hawaiian Resort

If Barbie came to Hawai’i, this is where she would stay. 

The Royal Hawaiian Resort is perhaps the most iconic hotel on Waikiki Beach. In fact, the Pink Palace is one of the oldest hotels in the area, so you can take part in a history tour of the property during your stay. It is certainly a luxury hotel, and the resort is a destination in itself. 

We stayed in the Historic Wing, and the rooms were lavishly decorated in a French island-style. We lounged around in our robes for the morning before heading to the Malulani Pool. My favourite area of the hotel is the Helumoa Garden, a hidden paradise hidden in the heart of the property. If you are lucky, you will be able to witness a wedding here as it is perhaps the most romantic destination on the island.

Due to the price tag, we only stayed for one night at USD$592*. However, this is the best luxury hotel in Waikiki so I recommend staying a few nights to get the full experience if your budget allows. It would be hard for this to escape anyone’s list of favourite accommodation in the USA.

The Royal Hawaiian Resort, Hawai'i, USA

Favourite Accommodation in Nevada

Bellagio Las Vegas

Las Vegas Strip, USA
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Las Vegas, USA
Wondering how to spend your time in Las Vegas?

Bellagio Las Vegas is perhaps the most famous hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Fortunately, I had the chance to stay here on my most recent trip to Las Vegas, so I can confirm that it was worth the hype. 

The large room felt incredibly luxurious, and the pillows were the most comfortable I have ever experienced. Our room had a panoramic view over the Las Vegas Strip, so we enjoyed watching the Bellagio Fountains every half hour from the window. Above all else, staying here even just for one night is worth it for the views alone. There was also parking onsite which is convenient if you are starting a Southwest road trip from Las Vegas like we were. 

Bellagio is a destination in itself, and you could spend a whole day exploring the hotel. However, my highlights are the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the Bellagio Buffet, and of course the pool. 

We stayed in a Strip View Spa Two Queen room for two nights at USD$235* per night. Given the hotel’s 5-star reputation, I was impressed with how affordable our stay was in February. As a result, I highly recommend visiting at this time of year to get the best price.

Favourite Accommodation in New York

CitizenM New York Bowery Hotel

CitizenM is one of my favourite hotel chains around the world, however CitizenM New York Bowery Hotel was the first I ever stayed at. Not only were we consistently greeted by the friendliest staff, but the hotel also boasts the most comfortable square beds. We had an amazing view over the Lower East Side, so I secretly loved people watching just like a scene from Rear Window. Not to mention the mood lighting in the shower, which was such a novelty!

While not located close to the main tourist attractions, we were glad to have the opportunity to explore new neighbourhoods on our third visit to the Big Apple. I especially loved exploring all the local cafés and restaurants hidden in SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. It felt like a much more authentic experience of New York City than we would have had staying closer to Times Square. Nonetheless, we were still able to enjoy the convenience of the subway to take us uptown as the nearest station was actually located on the same corner. 

CitizenM has an additional property in Times Square, which you may find more convenient if it is your first visit to New York City. 

We really enjoyed this funky property, and paid USD$370* per night. However, all CitizenM locations continue to be some of my favourite accommodation in the USA and across the world.

Wondering how to spend your time in New York City?

Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel

Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel offers a luxurious 4-star experience in the heart of charming Chelsea. As a member of the Marriott group, I was once again blown away by their friendly service and high-end amenities. Our room felt like a quiet oasis nestled in the heart of New York City’s chaos. 

Being so centrally located made it easy to walk to many nearby neighbourhoods. We were able to both cycle around Central Park as well as walk down to SoHo all in one day. I also especially loved the five-minute walk to the nearest Eataly opposite Madison Square Park. 

For those also interested in exploring more of the tri-state area beyond New York City, the hotel is only a ten-minute walk from Penn Station. For sports lovers, this means only ten minutes from Madison Square Garden!

We paid USD$395* per night for a King room, although I found price to vary a lot day-to-day. As a result, I recommend being flexible with dates and booking ahead of time to get the best rates.

Pod Times Square

Unfortunately New York is not generally the most affordable city, with the cost of accommodation being no exception. While there are some hostels in New York City, they are not centrally located and so the time and cost of transport certainly adds up. Luckily, I found Pod Times Square to provide the perfect solution. 

Times Square is noisy and crowded. As a result, Pod Times Square’s location just 700m away was much quieter yet still convenient central location. Not only was it within walking distance of major tourist attractions, but also across from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. 

Port Authority Bus Terminal is actually the meeting location of many tour companies if you have booked to visit Boston, D.C. or any other day tour. Due to the early departure time for my Boston day tour, this meant maximising my sleep in and minimising time alone in the dark. 

I paid just USD$204* per night for a Queen Pod. With such a great price tag, you cannot beat this central location and high standard of service. 

Favourite Accommodation in Utah

Zion Glamping Adventures

Zion Glamping Adventures is an incredible site camouflaged in the red rocks of Southern Utah. Located just outside the small town of Hildale, the accommodation is only a 45-minute drive south of Zion National Park and provides a more scenic option than staying in nearby Saint George. This was definitely some of my most memorable and favourite accommodation in the USA.

You can bundle up by the fire and gaze up at the whole Milky Way late into the night, waking up to freshly pancakes prepared by the friendly property owner. The absolutely freezing temperatures in February certainly made the hot showers and in-tent heater all the more cozy. We also found other travellers here to be super friendly, and were able to get some great tips for the area. 

We only stayed here one night, paying USD$275* for a Deluxe Single Queen tent. However, I wish we had stayed for two nights to experience more of the property’s activities and to explore more of the area during the daylight!

visiting Zion National Park for the first time?
Zion Glamping Adventures Stargazing, USA

Gravity Haus Moab

Gravity Haus Moab was a surprisingly comfortable boutique hotel located in the heart of Moab, Utah. Its pet friendliness was the first thing we noticed as we met our first fluffy friends in the parking lot!

I was impressed with how quiet and luxurious the hotel felt, despite being in such an adrenaline-inducing town. My favourite part was the Koala beds, which were certainly a treat after two weeks of hiking. I also loved all the artwork in the room, and even inquired at the front desk about where I could buy some myself. While it was too cold to swim in February, the pool would be an amazing respite from the dry desert heat of the summer months. 

Ultimately, this hotel was the perfect base for exploring all that Moab has to offer. We stayed in a Rambler room for two nights at just USD$93* per night and had an amazing time. I actually feel like we definitely should have paid more given the quality of our stay at what became some of my favourite accommodation in the USA!

*Please note that all prices are current as of the publication date of this post.

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