Best US Luxury Value?

Ok, mrs767er, if you don't respond I'm personally going to track you down and find you to get an answer :-P

So, I'm thinking that I'd like to look for a place to go with the wife. Not so much to see a city (a few things to do would be nice, don't get me wrong, but that's not the main goal) but mostly to just relax at a really nice hotel somewhere. Some place with a nice pool, sauna would be great, decent bar onsite or nearby, stuff like that. And of course, a good atmosphere. I had a conference for work recently at the Wyndham Mining Exchange in COS (The Mining Exchange a Wyndham Grand Hotel | Colorado Springs, CO *80903 Hotel), and that kind of thing would be fantastic, but since half the reason I'm in the industry is for cheap travel, I thought I'd see what others may be able to recommend that's at a similar level, maybe even a little cheaper. Of course, I have a UA badge, and a hotel shuttle would be a huge help.

Oh, and to make another of my own contribution, I kind of enjoyed the Ramada in Hollywood, FL (between MIA and FLL). Ok, the hotel itself was just so-so. Far from luxurious even, to be honest. But it was reasonably clean, and the area it's in is really neat. Lots of shops and restaurants, and very close to the beach. They try to give off the impression of being a high-end resort, but at the same time you can tell that they cheaped out a little bit and fell a little short.

Oh, and I almost forgot, the Doubletree in the Stapleton area of DEN is pretty decent. Not much nearby (other than pretty much every fast-food kind of place you can ask for) but the pool/hot tub/sauna is great, the bar give $3.50 (maybe it was $3?) pints with any airline badge, the rooms are really nice, and I want to say they were about $50/night with my SkyWest discount. UA uses them a LOT for crew in for training, as does SkyWest (both training centers are across the street in one direction or another).

Also, the Golden Nugget downtown LAS is also pretty good. Probably the only hotel in downtown LAS worth staying at, but if your timing is right the costs are pretty good, and the entertainment of the area is great. Otherwise, there are lots of good places on the strip. Just don't expect to walk around too much at some of those places, you'll have to spend 20 minutes just to go one block over.

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Originally Posted by spongebue

Ok, mrs767er, if you don't respond I'm personally going to track you down and find you to get an answer :-P

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Now this could get intersting.:o

Brian, could you narrow things down a bit. Do you want to stay in the U.S, or is the world your oyster? How many days? Beach all day, clubbing at night or outdoor adventure.
Give us a hint

If you think you'll track me down soon, be prepared to fly to Beijing. Happy to assist.
I do need a bit more, as Mig queried. Time frame would be good, too. Budget? Low, medium? How many days?

2 Luxury value hotels that come to mind are the Crowne Plaza Airport in MIA at $75 Emp rate(Poolside Cabanas, comp breakfast for 2) and the Bristol Hotel SAN(free happy hour manager reception) at $100.

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Originally Posted by spongebue

Oh, and I almost forgot, the Doubletree in the Stapleton area of DEN is pretty decent. Not much nearby (other than pretty much every fast-food kind of place you can ask for) but the pool/hot tub/sauna is great, the bar give $3.50 (maybe it was $3?) pints with any airline badge, the rooms are really nice, and I want to say they were about $50/night with my SkyWest discount. UA uses them a LOT for crew in for training, as does SkyWest (both training centers are across the street in one direction or another).

Also, the Golden Nugget downtown LAS is also pretty good. Probably the only hotel in downtown LAS worth staying at, but if your timing is right the costs are pretty good, and the entertainment of the area is great. Otherwise, there are lots of good places on the strip. Just don't expect to walk around too much at some of those places, you'll have to spend 20 minutes just to go one block over.

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Dont forget about the El Cortez suites and remodeled Plaza are also great..

Sorry, I was actually being somewhat intentional with my vagueness. I'm not looking at anything too specific (well, maybe I could have mentioned North America) but the kind of hotel that makes you surprised at its price given the quality. Whether it's because you have a crew discount, the hotel is subsidized by a casino, or you're in the middle of Kansas and the low building cost/demand make give you a much better room for your money than, say, the middle of New York. I also wanted to keep things open to keep good ideas from being blocked, either from me or others.

Beyond that, just about anything goes. Kind of the opposite of a normal trip most people would think to take, where the city is the destination and the hotel is a place to sleep. In this case you travel for a hotel getaway, and maybe spend an hour or two in the city. Something with a nice pool/spa, casino, or something else worth mentioning onsite.

Edit: And budget? Let's say ~$100 or less per night

What about Niagra Falls? You'd need a car, but I bet you could get a cheap one. There have to be some great hotels and rates can't be that high right now. Other thoughts are Napa or Arizona. Look at any specials for Sofitel--MIA is gorjus hotel and I agree about Crowne Plaza MIA, too. SEA/casino destiantions using light rail from Seatac--$5.50 RT to DT.

Love those ideas! Especially since the wife and I really want to go to Canada soon (she just got her passport with her married name in it a few months ago) so Niagara would be good. I've been there before, but I'd be happy to go back again, and I don't think she's been there yet.

Niagara Falls - Embassy Suites -Fallsview. There’s a pool, a casino down the street, it’s in Canada and it offers some great views of the water (demand a room with the view *wink*)
Unfortunately no room at the inn when we visited, so end up at the Howard Johnson’s on the American side, but we did see the Fallsview and promised ourselves - next time we'd have flexible dates.
Maid of the Mist - required

Yup, check Accor rates, we have a discount with them. They own Sofitel. I wound up at the Sofitel Roma last spring for around 189 a night. the going rate was over 300$$.

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Prancing Horse Retreat in Vancouver, British Columbia - Travel Inn Deals | Luxury Link

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