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.
- Atrium at Sedona Rouge
- Image from Sedona Rouge Resort
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
- Our unit at Kahana Village
- The beautiful view from our balcony
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
- The main building of the resort, featuring the lobby and dining
- Image from Heritage House Resort
- The view from our room
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
- Entrance to Tivoli Lodge
- Photo from Tivoli Lodge
- Photo from Tivoli Lodge
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
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