Lodging

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Willows, California Travel Lodge

“Willows is our place to stop for donuts or we’ll have breakfast at Denny’s, “notes my teenage son. This is the place where my husband and son stay for cheap, budget, no-frills lodging on their way to a weekend of hunting. 

It’s not upscale and it’s not fancy, but at $60 for two queen beds, the Travel Lodge in Willows, California fits the bill.

If you want something a little more new and upscale, consider the Holiday Inn Express in Willows.

My husband and son got a late start on their travels and arrived at the Travel Lodge around midnight. My son remembers that check in was a slow, painful process. Perhaps it was painful because he was tired. His recollection of check in was that it took a very long time.

When I asked about the room, the quality of the beds and the cleanliness of the bathroom, he said that he was so tired, that any mattress would have felt good. He said the bathroom was clean, but dated. So there you have it. A night at the Willow’s Travel Lodge at $60 per night, plus tax.

Photo courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Travel Lodge (503) 934-4603

249 North Humboldt Ave. Willows, CA 95988

Smiley's Schooner Saloon & Hotel has an Old West appeal.

Quirky doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Bolinas is known for many things — surfers, hippies, artists,  drunks, poets, potheads, the Jefferson Airplane beach house,  Richard Brautigan’s suicide, and dogs. Lots of stray dogs.

A lush gardens path leads to the bunalows.

As a deterrent to tourists, the local residents  have a tradition  of removing the sign that indicates the turnoff to their seaside hamlet. In the 20 years I’ve been visiting, I’ve never seen a sign.

But every time I go, I make it a point to stop at Smiley’s, the saloon in the middle of town that claims to be one of the oldest in California, established in 1851, and that has served up hooch straight through Prohibition.

I like to go there for the cheeseburger — thin, flat, not too much bun, cooked in a toaster oven, and the atmosphere — scruffy, Old West, and populated with dodgy, hard-drinking characters who play pool and dice games. There is usually a mutt or two on the front porch.

I knew Smiley’s had a hotel that I figured was above the bar and would look like a set from a Deadwood episode. But when I asked the bartender, he showed me to a few cute bungalows behind the bar in a lush overgrown garden that reminded me of the Filbert steps in San Francisco. It was quiet and quite serene back there — a very different ambiance than the saloon, which hosts live music several nights a week.

The rooms are small and spartan but comfortable — no phones or television, but free WiFi. They’ll set you back a whopping $74 on weekdays/$84 on weekends.

The locals may try to keep it a secret, but Bolinas is a Northern California experience worth having. If you can find that is.

Accommodations are behind Smiley's pub.

it, that is.

Smiley’s Saloon & Hotel
Established 1851
41 Wharf Road., Bolinas, CA
(415) 868-1311

Photo credit: Lisa Dion

It's possible to visit San Francisco on a family-friendly budget.

San Francisco is a great family travel destination, but to be totally honest – it’s a pretty spendy city. Here are a few ideas to stretch your vacation budget while still getting the most out of the City by the Bay.

• Look for hotel rooms or suites with a kitchenette. This enables you to eat breakfast in the room, pack snacks for the rest of the day or have a light dinner “at home” some nights. If you can’t get a kitchenette, try for a room with a refrigerator and microwave. Call ahead, some places will furnish them even if they don’t come standard.
• Buy a MUNI passport. San Francisco is served by a network of public transportation referred to as Muni. This includes buses, underground trains, streetcars, and the legendary cable cars. Visit www.sfmuni.com for routes and schedules or check out this handy website http://transit.511.org. Mastering MUNI for your stay will save cash and show give you a glimpse of real San Francisco. And we all know littel kids love streetcars and trains…
• Don’t rent a car unless you are going out of the city. Parking is notoriously hellish in SF and can be expensive and/or inconvenient. Some meters downtown and near some of the popular toursist destinations need to be fed every twenty minutes. That’s a hassle. And if there is one branch of Frisco government that is rabidly efficient, it is the Department of Parking and Traffic. Don’t risk it. you will get a ticket.
• Golden Gate Park. Even if you don’t avail yourself of the world-class museums in GG Park (the DeYoung and the California Academy of Sciences), this vast 1,000 acre playground is great for families. The Koret Children’s Quarter is a spanking new playground with various types of equipment for multiple ages, including a concrete slide built into the hillside for sliding fast on cardboar. The vintage carousel delights little ones. The Strybing Arboretum nearby is a fascinating botanical garden. Then there is Stow Lake where you can rent a paddle boat or climb to the top of Strawberry Hill. Lots of open space provides space to throw around a baseball or kick a soccer ball. And don’t forget to visit the herd of buffalo — yep, that’s right buffalo –  that live in the northwestern corner of the park.

Burritos are filling and cheap.

Burritos. They are fresh, delicious, ubiquitous, made to order, travel well in their foil wraps, oh, so filling and cheap. San Francisco has tons of taquerias, with the biggest concentration being in the Mission district. But you can find burritos all over town these days.

Photos by Lisa Dion

During our trip out West, I had the fortune of being given the opportunity to try out a couple of the hotels in the Country Inn and Suites family. I will say, I had never stayed in one before, and wasn’t really sure what to expect. 

Our first experience with them was in the Country Inn and Suites in Billings, MT.

Billings, MT is about a 4 hour drive out of Missoula, MT where we had stayed at the night before.  We were tired and eager to get to our room when we arrived.  The hotel is located across the street from a very busy thruway and it is surrounded by eateries, such as Papa John’s and Subway, as well as some shops.

Once we entered the site it smelled like apples and was very homey, clean, and quiet.  I thought it was wonderful.  I love that feeling of complete serenity when I enter a hotel.  Most of the best hotels in NYC are full of the WOW effect in that they are grandious and extravagant, but they are also loud…at least in the lobby and public areas, and it’s hard to find that serenity until you are in your room.  So, I appreciated this right away.  My kids loved the pool and the free cookies on the reception counter.

Country Inn & Suites, Billings, MT

Our room was wonderful.  It was about as big as our NYC apartment, with a huge bathroom, and whirlpool, a dining area, living room area, work area, and separate bedroom with a king size bed.  One of the two televisions helped to get the kids acclimated, while I enjoyed resting and relaxing with my husband.

Our next experience was in Madison, WI.  As far as locations, I like the Country Inn and Suites in Middleton, WI the best. Granted, I have a special affinity for the Madison area, but also the shops and eateries were of a higher scale, and places I would enjoy going into.  Inside, I felt the same serene welcome as in Billings. I also liked the free cookies, and amazing pool area.

Country Inn & Suites, Middleton, WI

Our room was gorgeous here as well.  It was spacious and comfortable, clean and fresh, all the same amenities as the room in Billings, MT except that it didn’t have the whirlpool bathtub. 

We enjoyed our stay with the Country Inn & Suites family.  The staff is friendly and helpful, and the environment, as well as those visiting were very welcoming of our children. I would recommend this chain to traveling families, who are on a budget, but still want to have a comfortable, positive family hotel experience.

All Country Inn and Suites locations offer complimentary breakfasts and Internet service. The rooms we stayed at were the one bedroom, king size suites, and at the time of our stay, the rates for these room were between $110 and $116 a night for Billings, MT and Madison, WI respectively.

Photo credit: Carol Cain

The Hayes Valley Inn is European-style pension.

Hayes Valley has emerged over the past decade to become a real gem of a San Francisco neighborhood. And we have the last big earthquake to thank for that.

What was once a dodgy, crime-ridden area with a sooty overpass running through it, is now a sweet enclave of boutiques, restaurants, cafes, galleries, open space, and some truly awesome jewelry and shoe stores.

Part of the fallout of the 1989 earthquake was the closure and demolition of the Fell Street on-ramp that dominated this central neighborhood west of Civic Center and east of Fillmore Street.

The owners of the Hayes Valley Inn also rightfully take some of the credit. They took over a dilapidated residence hotel (read: crack house) and turned it into a cozy, charming European-style pension.

Victorian-style rooms are all unique.

The 28 rooms on three floors each have sinks and vanities, two shared baths per floor are in the hallways. There are two common areas — a kitchen where a free Continental breakfast is served daily and the Ivy room, a comfortable, Victorian parlor with a corner turret looking out over the corner of Hayes and Gough streets. When I was there a French family was making tea and toast and eating fresh fruit in the little kitchen.

Rooms are small but quaint and clean, with antique furnishings. The lobby area and hallway could stand to a fresh carpet though, the carpet looked matted and dirty downstairs and had a discernible odor, which was a turnoff for me.

Rates are exceptionally reasonable, ranging from $76 to $112 with breakfast and free wi-fi. Management is warm and accommodating making guests feel welcome.

The Hayes Valley neighborhood is a great place to shop and offers much in the way of cuisine — from the higher end like Absinthe and Bar Jules to more affordable choices like Frj tz, Stacks and Paxti’s pizzeria.

Affordable and comfortable Hayes Valley Inn.

Hayes Valley Inn

417 Gough  Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

(800) 930-7999

Photos by Lisa Dion

The Radisson Martinique on Broadway in NYC.

Location, location… and not much else.

In early June I needed to book a last-minute hotel in Manhattan, so I turned to my stand-by for such things, Travelocity. High on the list of low rates was the Radisson Martinique on 32nd St. right in the thick of things near (but not on) Times Square.

I booked a “Classic Guest Room” for under $200 and hoped for the best. The best is not what I got. While the exterior was beautiful, the lobby had a decidedly ‘80s feel, and my room itself was possibly the smallest I’ve had short of a European uber-budget hotel. In fact, there was an uber-budget Euro-vibe throughout, in terms of an indifferent staff and the lack of luxury.

My mini-bar fridge was empty with a big sign that they were in the process of eliminating that feature, leaving the impression that I was actually sold a room in the process of renovation.

I realize these are the type of slim-pickings that get released to the discount websites. If I had booked weeks in advance and was still given this kind of leftover, I’d be upset. There was a queen sized bed, but if I had a companion with me, there would have scarcely been room enough for two people’s luggage.

The dated lobby of the Radisson Martinique on Broadway.

My biggest gripe though, which was a major inconvenience, was that my magnetic key card failed not once, not twice, but three times! Each time I was forced to return to the desk (once with all of my luggage), and wait in line for a replacement. When I asked why it kept happening, I was told, “anything can cause it- coins, keys, a wallet…” and given an unhelpful shrug. (Later I would read endless horror stories about the front desk and check-in staff, making my experience seem minor in comparison.)

One thing it does have going for it is the location. There’s a subway station half a block away, taxis were plentiful, and you are less than two blocks from both the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden/ Penn Station. If literally all you are looking for is a bed near the heart of the theater district, you might be fine with it.

Radisson Martinique on Broadway
49 West 32nd Street, NY, NY 10001
800-395-7046

Photos courtesy of Radisson Hotels.

The Marina Motel is a garden oasis, tucked away off Lombard Street in the Maina district.

A motel is usually just that — a motel. A low-budget place to park your car and put your head down for the night. There is no shortage of them along the noisy, traffic-choked span of San Francisco’s Lombard Street from Van Ness to Richardson Avenues.

I’ve written about a couple of Lombard Street lodgings, and while the Hotel del Sol is a colorful option (with a pool) and the Edward II is a charming work-in-progress, the Marina Motel is a true standout.

The charming Marina Motel.

The trompe l’oeil murals on the outside drew me into this charming courtyard oasis. Lombard Street is busy and loud, but within protected walls of this family-owned “motor hotel,” is a peaceful place overflowing with flowers — bouganvellia, fuschia, geraniums, poppies, lillies, succulents, and jasmine in terracotta pots, on wrought iron balconies and climbing on vines. In the places that aren’t busting with blooms, delicate murals like the ones outside, depict them. The Marina Motel was built in 1930 by the current owners, grandfather to coincide with the building of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Forty immaculate rooms range in price from $95 to $299, depending on size and season. Nearly half have good-sized, homey kitchenettes. All have private garages. Family rooms sleep up to five, and dogs are welcome in many of the rooms for an additional $10.

With the garages below, kitchens in most rooms, and little conversation areas, the airy, sun-filled suites and rooms at this Mediterranean bungalow-style motel feel more like little pied-a-terre city apartments then a motor lodge.

Amenities include a coupon for breakfast at Judy’s Cafe, a legendary San Francisco breakfast joint that serves delicious “cowboy-sized” meals.

The Marina location is convenient to the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy field, the Presidio and great shopping and dining on Chestnut and Union Streets.

On my way out of the office, I noticed a message to staff in all caps on the office white board that said “No Dead Heads.” So, if that’s the way you roll, you might want to leave your musical predilection out of the conversation when reserving your room, but consider yourself warned. And no all-night jams, please.

Photos by Dan Dion

With Mardi Gras just around the corner, it’s time for indulging and celebrating, but that doesn’t mean that you have to do it Bourbon Street style. A visit to New Orleans and the House on Bayou Road, a charming bed and breakfast, means eating well Nawlins style: Cajun meets Creole meets French. But you’ll leave with more than just a full belly. The House to Bayou Road is also a cooking school: Sip Champagne while learning how to cook New Orleans cuisine from Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s Restaurant, Boo Macomber and others. Weekly half-day lunch or dinner classes available, starting at $150.

The House on Bayou Road

Many of the rooms offer Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces and other homey touches. All are intimately romantic. With its library and four poster bed, the Bayou St. John room is my favorite. Room rates start at $135.

The Bayou St. John room

Call 504-945-9104 for more information.

Photos courtesy of House on Bayou Road.

At Tybee Island Bed and Breakfast Inn, just a 20 minute drive from Savannah, you’ll find a romantic escape that’s also affordable. Spanish moss and porches dappled in sunlight set the mood here. Gardens surround the property, adding the charm that we expect when visiting the South. The best part? Rooms start at just $119.

The inn offers a variety of accommodations, with names like the Mermaid Room and the Captain’s Suite. If you’re feeling lucky, opt for the inkeeper’s choice. For just $10 more than their most affordably priced room, you can (and likely will) get an upgrade to one of the more luxurious suites. The odds are in your favor.

And just how will you entertain yourself on Tybee Island? You can try kiteboarding; this is one of the country’s best beaches for learning and mastering the sport. It’s a 5 minute walk from Tybee Island Bed and Breakfast Inn to the beach, where you can partake in all the usual activities: sandcastle building, strolling the shoreline and lazing the day away under the sun. Or mix it up: Try kayaking or paddleboarding with North Island Surf & Kayak, or parasailing with Zodiac Adventure Tours.

For more details about Tybee Island Bed and Breakfast Inn, call 866-892-4667.

Photos courtesy of Tybee Island Inn and North Island Surf & Kayak Company.