A curated collection of unique places we’ve stayed — and why they stayed with us.
What You’ll Find Here
We don’t write traditional hotel reviews for every place we stay. When we travel as a family, our focus is on the experience—being present, exploring, and making memories—rather than photographing every corner of a room.
This page is a curated collection of places that stood out for how they made us feel: comfortable, well-located, welcoming, or simply memorable in the context of the trip. Some are well-known stays, others are quiet surprises, but all of them are places we’d happily return to or recommend to friends.
Each recommendation includes a short note about why it worked for us, who it might be best for, and what kind of trip it suits.
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. We only ever share places we’ve personally stayed and genuinely recommend.
Recommended Stays By Destination
These stays are grouped by destination to make it easy to explore by place. Each one reflects a hotel, inn, or lodging that added something meaningful to our experience — whether through location, atmosphere, or the way it made us feel while traveling.
JUMP TO A DESTINATION:
Central America
Costa Rica
CAMINO VERDE BED & BREAKFAST | MONTEVERDE
This charming bed and breakfast made us feel immediately at home. The staff created a welcoming atmosphere that felt both personal and thoughtful. The location was ideal — within walking distance of the town center and close to many of the places we wanted to explore in the Monteverde area.
- Best for: Families, weekend getaways, nature lovers
- Why We Loved It: Walkable location, scenic views, genuinely friendly staff
- Good to Know: Arrive early in the day — afternoon cloud cover can roll in quickly and affect visibility
Visit the Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast website for more information
HOTEL BASQUE DEL MAR | PLAYA HERMOSA
This hotel felt like part luxury retreat and part wild treehouse. The rooms are tucked throughout lush greenery, offering a sense of privacy and seclusion, while a beautiful central pool and an excellent on-site restaurant bring everything together. One of our favorite parts was being able to walk straight onto the beach from the property.
- Best for: Families, beach wanderers, restful retreats
- Why We Loved It: Direct beach access, stunning natural setting, great restaurant
- Good to Know: Located away from the main tourist areas; howler monkeys can be noisy at night
Visit the Hotel Basque Del Mar website for more information
Europe
Austria
SHERATON GRAND | SALZBURG
This hotel felt both elegant and comfortable, and it offered one of the largest and best breakfasts we’ve had on our travels. The location is hard to beat, sitting right next to the Mirabell Gardens and within easy walking distance of Old Town.
- Best for: Families, romantic weekends, Sound of Music enthusiasts
- Why We Loved It: Incredible breakfast, close to Old Town, large and spacious rooms
- Good to Know: Walkable to Old Town and close to public transportation
Visit the Sheraton Grand Salzburg website for more information
Czech Republic
HOTEL ADALBERT | PRAGUE
Set in a former monastery, this lovely hotel offers a peaceful stay surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The rooms are simple and spacious, making it an easy, comfortable choice after days of exploring nearby cities.
- Best for: families, quiet weekends, history lovers
- Why We Loved It: historic setting, large rooms, scenic walking paths
- Good To Know: Located outside the main city center, but easily accessible by public transit
Visit the Hotel Adalbert website for more information.
DVUR HOFFMEISTER | VELKE CICOVICE
Created alongside a working farm, this property offers a peaceful setting with a variety of on-site activities to enjoy. The experience felt elegant yet comfortable, with a unique sense of place that made it especially memorable.
- Best For: families, horse enthusiasts, weekend getaways
- Why We Loved It: spacious room above the stables, excellent on-site restaurant, hands-on activities
- Good to Know: About 40 minutes from Prague with limited public transit access
Visit the Dvur Hoffmeister website for more information
PRAGUE MARRIOTT HOTEL | PRAGUE
The beautifully festive seasonal touches, paired with genuinely attentive staff, made this stay feel especially memorable. It struck a lovely balance between comfort and celebration, and felt like a welcoming place to return to after long days exploring the city.
- Best For: families, groups, luxury travelers, Christmas market visits
- Why We Loved It:Walkable to Old Town, fresh gingerbread and St. Nicholas surprises, exceptional customer care
- Good to Know: Pool, sauna, and steam room available on-site
Visit the Prague Marriott Hotel website for more information.
France
HOTEL AUX VIEUX MOULIN | LAPOUTROIE
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Alsace region, this charming hotel offers a stay that feels genuinely personal. The care and attention from the owners made it feel less like a hotel and more like a welcome retreat, especially during the festive season.
- Best For: families, Christmas market visits, weekend getaways
- Why We Loved It: Small and family-owned atmosphere, thoughtful personal touches, locally made breakfast
- Good To Know: About 20 minutes outside of Colmar, with a bus that runs directly into town
Visit the Hotel aux Vieux Moulin website for more information.
Germany
SICHELSCHMIEDE HOTEL | FREIBURG
Once an old boarding house, this hotel retains its historic charm with spacious rooms and a beautiful wooden staircase that winds its way upward. Located within easy walking distance of Freiburg’s lovely old town square, it made a perfect home base for exploring the city on foot.
- Best for: Families, weekend getaways, architecture lovers
- Why We Loved It: Close to the old town square, spacious room with kitchenette, cozy historic feel
- Good to Know: No elevator; stairs may be challenging for those with limited mobility
Visit the Sichelschmiede Hotel website for more information
Italy
HOTEL EMMAUS | ROME
Staying here felt like stepping into a classic film, complete with tall wooden doors, heavy keys, and a charming old lift elevator. While the building itself is full of character, it’s the location that truly sets it apart. Just up the street from St. Peter’s Square, it was an ideal starting point for exploring Rome on foot.
- Best For: Families, solo travel, city explorers
- Why We Loved It: Steps from the Vatican, friendly and helpful staff, charming old elevator
- Good to Know: The elevator is quite small and may be difficult for those with limited mobility
Visit the Hotel Emmaus website for more information
United States
Tennessee
SESSIONS HOTEL | BRISTOL
The Sessions Hotel is a vibrant tribute to the legacy of country music that began in Bristol. The hotel celebrates the early 1900s when musicians from across the country came to record their music for the first time. It’s the perfect home base for a weekend getaway in Bristol.
- Best For: families, weekend getaways, music lovers
- Why We Loved It: centrally located, music-themed rooms with thoughtful details
- Good to know:on-site restaurant and brewery
Visit the Sessions Hotel website for more information
Wyoming
TETON TEPEE LODGE | ALTA
Nestled on the quiet side of the Tetons, this is a cozy mountain retreat just across the pass from Jackson Hole. Its location makes it easy to explore the nearby national parks while still enjoying a peaceful stay away from the busier areas. With a warm lodge atmosphere and plenty of activities available year round, it’s a wonderful basecamp for outdoor adventures.
- Best For: large groups, families, outdoor lovers
- Why We Loved It: close to the national parks, lots of on-site activities, cozy lodge atmosphere
- Good to Know: game room on site and outdoor equipment rentals are available for guests
Visit the Teton Tepee Lodge website for more information
