My Favorite Hotels from the Past Five Years

Prior to having this blog, I reviewed most places we visited on TripAdvisor.com, starting in 2009. TripAdvisor gave me a forum to have my voice be heard, helping others with hotel service, quality, and price. After all, if you spend months or years saving for a vacation, you want to make sure you spend your hard-earned money wisely. No one wants a bad vacation experience.

My username on TripAdvisor is Sexie-Veggie, and with the link provided, you can see all of my past reviews.

Here are a few hotels that I just wanted to mention because they were five of my favorite hotels from the past five years that I haven’t already reviewed here on this blog. I would consider myself a middle-of-the-road gal when it comes to selecting a hotel. I don’t like spending a ton of money, but I will spend money on things that count – like a hotel’s location.  Some of these nicer hotels like Tivoli Lodge and Heritage House Resort we were able to afford because we traveled during the off-season. Either way, all of these hotels listed were memorable because of their service, staff, and comfortable accommodations. Click on the hotel name for links to their websites.

Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa 

– Sedona, Arizona (date of stay – March 2015)

• Older hotel remade into a chic, modern hotel with flair
• Awesome two-headed shower in a huge bathroom in our 3rd floor room
• Great staff and service
• Colorful room with splashes of red and Mediterranean accents
• Nice Red’s Restaurant on site
• Rooftop terrace for viewing stars
• Heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi
• Small fitness room and full spa
• Turn down service with chocolates

Kahana Village

– Lahaina, Maui (date of stay – November 2014)

• Condo buildings are right on the beach
• Just north of Kaanapali, so close to shopping and dining, but resort is quiet
• Units are individually owned with 2 or 3 bedroom units
• Well stocked rental units, including beach chairs, boogie boards, and cooler
• Beautiful, quiet beach and heated pool and jacuzzi
• Great staff and service
• Lots of windows for cross breezes and views of the ocean
• Spacious lanai with table and chairs
• Free Mai Tai parties on Wednesdays

Heritage House Resort & Spa

 – Little River, California (date of stay – February 2014)

• Located right on the Pacific Ocean
• Great staff and service
• Modern, newly renovated rooms
• Farm to table dining on site
• Fireplaces, patios, heated bathroom floors, and rainfall showers in select rooms
• Beach access (however it requires many steps and some careful footing to get there)
• Quiet and peaceful grounds, with beautiful views of the ocean
• Interesting fact – the movie Same Time, Next Year (1978) was filmed here
• Small refrigerator and microwaves in the room

Tivoli Lodge 

– Vail, Colorado (date of stay – August 2012)

• Luxurious mountain hotel in a gorgeous setting
• Within walking distance to Vail shopping and dining
• Great staff and service
• Beautiful architecture and design, with attention to detail
• Large, beautiful bathroom with separate tub and shower
• Spacious room with microwave, mini fridge, and comfortable beds
• 2 outdoor mountain view hot tubs
• Steps away from the ski slopes

Best Western Elm House Inn

– Napa, California  (date of stay – February 2014)

• Great staff and service
• Bed and breakfast feel with full service hotel amenities
• Wonderful fresh breakfast
• Spacious rooms
• Hot tub in their outdoor garden
• Afternoon tea and coffee service with homemade cookies
• Comfortable and cozy lobby with marble fireplace, creating a home-like feel

I hope this information can help you in any upcoming journeys you take.

Happy Travels!

Julie