Lady In Red Travels
Hotels I Love
A decent bed, a warm shower, a clean room and a safe, central spot. That's what I look for, in every price range.
As I've gotten older, comfort has become more important to me. Being centrally located is worth the extra cost, and the most expensive place is not always the best. Here are some of my favorites.
Nashville, Tennessee
The Union Station Nashville Yards
Nashville's grand old train station, built in 1900 for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and a hotel since 1986. The rooms were renovated in 2023 with a design inspired by the golden age of railway travel, and the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Good to know
- On Broadway, about a 10-minute walk to the honky-tonks, Bridgestone Arena and the Ryman Auditorium
- Live music in the lobby most nights
- Look up in the lobby for the gold-accented angel figures and the steam locomotive panel
- Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, so you can earn and use Bonvoy points
Washington, D.C.
The Willard InterContinental
A grand Beaux-Arts landmark on Pennsylvania Avenue that has been at the heart of Washington's social and political life since the 1850s. Presidents-elect have stayed here before their inaugurations, and Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his "I Have a Dream" speech in his room here in 1963.
Good to know
- A block from the White House and two blocks from Metro Center station
- Walk Peacock Alley, the grand hallway where tea is served, to the hotel's small History Gallery
- Rooms start at about 425 square feet, which is large for D.C.
- The historic Old Ebbitt Grill is about a two-minute walk away
Half Moon Bay, California
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
A clifftop resort above the Pacific, inspired by the grand seaside lodges of the 19th century. It feels remote, but it's less than an hour from San Francisco.
Good to know
- About 23 miles from San Francisco International Airport
- Right next to the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, with a full-service spa on site
- Fire pits for s'mores and watching the sunset over the ocean
- Valet parking is extra, so factor it in if you're driving
Durrës, Albania
Adriatik Hotel, BW Premier Collection
Albania's first luxury beachfront hotel, built in 1957 and reopened as a private hotel in 2003. It sits right on the long sandy beach at Durrës, in sixteen acres of gardens on the Adriatic.
Good to know
- About 40 minutes by car from Tirana, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers
- Breakfast is included
- Spa, plus indoor and outdoor pools
- The Roman amphitheatre and Venetian Tower in Durrës are about a 20-minute drive
Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis
The Hermitage
A family-owned plantation inn on the slopes of Nevis Peak, with guest rooms in little gingerbread-trimmed cottages around one of the oldest wooden houses in the Caribbean.
We only came for lunch, but I would definitely stay overnight if I ever get back to Nevis.
Visit hermitagenevis.com(opens in a new tab)Read about our lunch there
Good to know
- Up in the hills, about 20 minutes from the beach
- Lunch on the veranda is open to non-guests, and the carrot cake is famous
- Ferries from St. Kitts arrive in Charlestown; plan on a taxi up the hill
More hotels coming soon.
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I'm not affiliated with these hotels. Details like prices, parking and amenities can change, so check with the hotel before you book.