Real Travelers highly recommend the Hyatt Dulles. With a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 348 reviews from across the web, this hotel is “refreshing and elegant.”

The Hyatt Dulles is conveniently located just 7.5 miles from the airport, and is described as a “contemporary, modern hotel.” Housed in the “Office Park,” the hotel is surrounded by a green space, and guests can enjoy the peace and quiet–as you cannot hear planes flying over head. One guest comments, “Useful location for travelers who rent a car from Dallas International Airport.” The hotel is made of 52 “pure suites,” which have undergone deep cleaning treatments, making the rooms allergy-friendly. One guest describes their rooms, “The room was like a mini apartment, the bed was super comfortable, the bathroom was beautiful, the mini kitchen was equipped with everything.”

With transient, independent travelers, the hotel serves as home for many business travelers. Currently under renovation, the hotel’s Executive Business Center, is adding another 10,000 square feet to the center. Guests also take advantage of the complimentary shuttle, which takes them to the town center, and to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Hungry? Grab a bite at the hotel’s “Elements on Level One,” which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You may also enjoy a trip to the Reston Town Center. For great entertainment and shopping, the Reston Town Center is only 5 miles away. If you find yourself in a hurry, use PDA and Express Check-in to save yourself some time.

Described as “one stop shop–price for rooms, meals, and business needs,” the Hyatt Dulles is a great place for those in search of a hassle-free hotel stay.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Real Travelers rate the Doubletree Hotel Washington D.C. Crystal City a 4.0 out of 5 based on 451 reviews from across the web.

Rather than paying a higher rate for a Washington D.C. hotel, guests can stay at the Doubletree Crystal City, which is the closest Virginia hotel to Washington D.C. Kevin Feldman, Director of Group Sales at the Hotel, helps us to understand why this hotel has received such high ratings. With a diverse and committed staff, the hotel provides excellent service to its visitors. Most recently, during the epic snowstorm, staff at the hotel were allowed to stay over at the hotel. This ensured that staff would be on call at the hotel to assist guests, as well as prevented staff from dealing with a nearly impossible commute. By thinking ahead, the hotel was able to prepare for the storm, and meet customers’ needs.

A hotel for all types of travelers, the Doubletree Crystal City houses corporate, government, leisure, and group travelers. Guests who opt to stay in the North Tower of the hotel can enjoy its beautiful views. The South Tower consists of deluxe suites, which include outdoor balconies, as well as separate living and sleeping areas. Guests will also love the recently renovated, full fitness room, which is one of the largest in the area. On the fifteenth floor, guests can take a dip in the brand new indoor swimming pool. After you’ve dried off, head over to the revolving Skydome Lounge, and take in the breathtaking panoramic view of Washington D.C.

Within walking distance from the Pentagon and the Fashion Centre Mall at Pentagon City, visitors will have no problem taking advantage of the hotel’s prime location! Described as “the perfectly located property for government, business, leisure, and group travelers–with a staff that strives to satisfy every guest, every time” the Doubletree Hotel Washington D.C. Crystal City has something for everyone.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Real Travelers rate The Inn at the Market a 4.7 out of 5 based on 167 reviews. Located in Seattle, Washington, this hotel is the only hotel to be located in Pike Place Market—one of the reasons it received a 5 out of 5 for its location score.

Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel, Troy Thrall, explains that everyone works together, as the Inn at the Market is a smaller hotel. Whether it’s opening doors for visitors or guiding guests on a tour of the hotel, staff are always there to help out, which explains why the hotel has a 50% rate of return for its guests. Even when the hotel is completely booked, Thrall explains “it doesn’t feel like a hotel” as guests still feel as though they have the hotel all to themselves. The hotel has 70 rooms in total, some of which offer the city view, and others offer views of the water, in which guests can open their floor-to-ceiling windows and take in the fresh air. For those who do not have a water view, they can enjoy the views from the hotel’s floor deck. Dubbed as “Quintessentially Seattle” the hotel is independently, locally owned, located within three and a half blocks from Seattle’s most popular destinations, including the fishmongers as well as the first Starbucks.

For those who prefer “smaller properties, food, and are into the arts,” the Inn at the Market is made for you! Staff go out of their way to make sure everyone is treated like VIP, as Thrall puts it, “the hotel is staffed for guests, not staffed for finance.” In other words, staff at the hotel are there to provide assistance to the guests, their number one priority. In addition to excellent service, guestst will also love the “Catch & Relax Getaway Package” in which guests at the hotel can visit the Pike Place Market, pick out their own fish, and try to catch the fish when the fishmonger throws it!

An “urban oasis of scerene hospitality,” the Inn at the Market is sure to excite every type of traveler!

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Real Travelers rate the Inn at False Creek a 3.5 out of 5 based on 51 reviews from across the web. Located in Vancouver, just one block from Granville Street’s restauants and bars, guests can take advantage of its location and amenities!

Jamie Dumont, Sales Coordinator for the Inn at False Creek, describes the hotel as “welcoming, comfortable, and moderately priced.” With a newly renovated lobby, redecorated rooms, and two new elevators, the hotel takes pride in its consistent upgrades, as it strives to keep the hotel up-to-date for its customers. This 30 year old hotel boasts of a low staff turnover rate, in fact, those who work at the hotel have been there anywhere from 5 to 20 years. Therefore, this staff is of great help to visitors, as they know Vancouver very well and can help guests plan their travel routes, and discover all that Vancouver has to offer. Especially now–with the Olympics taking place, the staff is extra busy working with guests and helping them to navigate the city’s bus routes.

While staying at the hotel, guests like to take advantage of the on-site restaurant, The Creekside Lounge. In addition, the hotel has 24 hour check-in, which means someone is always there to provide assistance. In additions, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, which is a rareity in Vancouver. Traveling for business? The hotel has meeting rooms, as well as a board room.

A “welcoming and comfortable place, that people have come for years and years,” the Inn at False Creek provides guests with a quiet and quality stay.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Real Travelers love the Embassy Suites Valencia! With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 37 reviews from across the web, this hotel knows how to keep visitors coming back!

Described as a “Beverly Hills boutique hotel,” the Embassy Suites Valencia is not your typical Embassy Suites. Laurel Ingle, Sales and Catering Manager at the hotel, explains this hotel is “colorful and tranquil, with a personal feel.” Great for business and family travel, the hotel rooms are actually two-roomed suites, with separate living and sleeping areas. One satisfied visitor comments, “Decor, cleanliness, had bedroom and living room plus room in bath for makeup case. The room felt like you were in your own professionally decorated flat.” Guests will also enjoy a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in the morning, as well as a Manager’s Reception every evening, complete with cocktails and light appetizers. In addition, visitors like to dine at the hotel’s The Grove restaurant and the “Proudly Brewed” Starbucks cafe.

Always with a “Yes!” attitude, the family of staff at the hotel are willing to “bend over backwards to make guests comfortable,” and work toward developing lasting relationships with customers. In one instance, a guest was staying at the hotel for two months while she underwent chemo therapy. Recognizing that this was a difficult time for the guest, staff arranged a shuttle to and from the hospital, as well as brought the guest her favorite types of food and beverages. On her last day of treatment, staff presented the guest with a platter and a congratulations card, as this guest had truly become part of the Embassy Suites family during her stay. On another occasion, during an all day power outage, staff at the hotel went out, purchased board games, and organized a family day in which kids and parents could play games in the lobby by lantern light! Such instances demonstrate what Ingle describes as “thinking outside of the box” in order to ensure that guests enjoy their stay, no matter what the circumstances.

For those in search of balance between a “home away from home, and the excitement of being away from home,” the Embassy Suites Valencia is the place for you!

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Looking for a fun experience that’s not going to “break the bank?” Stay at the Best Western Plaza by the Green, located in Kent, Washington. With a Real Traveler rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on 83 reviews from across the web, this hotel is Highly Recommended!

The only hotel to be located on a golf course in King County, the Best Western Plaza by the Green is sure to delight both corporate and leisure travelers. Recently renovated and designed by an international design team, the hotel has an updated feel. Every room at the hotel is equipped with a refrigerator, MP3 player capabilities, a coffee maker, and wireless internet connection. You will also really enjoy their continental breakfast, which is described as being “more hearty than most standard continental breakfasts.” Whether eating eggs or snacking on some fruit, the continental breakfast gives guest more options. Within five minutes walking distance, guests can also find three restaurants, one of which is conveniently open 24 hours.

Most recently, during their quality assurance inspection, Best Western Plaza by the Green, received a perfect score in housekeeping. Mark Horace, Marketing and Sales Manager at the Hotel, explains that staff members take pride in their work. One satisfied guest comments, “The hotel is clean and well maintained, tastefully decorated, spacious rooms with a good bed and work area; free WiFi; elegant bathroom with nice soaps, thick towels, and an excellent shower head.”

Any time a guest needs something at the front desk, Mr. Horace as well as the General Manager are happy to stop what they are doing to provide any extra assistance. Horace elaborates, “It’s not one department’s job, but everyone’s job” to help guests at the hotel. In order to learn more about their guests, the hotel sponsors a Manager’s Reception every Tuesday night, in which the General Manager and other staff members from the hotel pour beer and wine for guests. This allows for staff to mingle with guests and find out what visitors like or dislike about their stay. By making such efforts to interact with guests, the Best Western Plaza by the Green demonstrates its commitment to customer satisfaction.

If you’re looking for a “superior lodging expereince through cleanliness, location, and exceptional service,” the Best Western Plaza by the Green is the place for you.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Looking for a new and exciting place to stay? Check out the Delta King Hotel in Sacramento, California. With a Real Traveler rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on 86 reviews from across the web, the Delta King Hotel is highly recommended!

Director of Sales and Catering for the hotel, Marie Cicogni interacts with customers on a daily basis and works to build relationships with them. Cicogni explains that the hotel is actually a 1929 paddle boat that sunk in the San Francisco Bay, and was resurrected in 1985. Now moored in Old Sacrament, on the Sacramento River, guests will love staying at this unique hotel. The hotel is family owned and such an enivornment allows guests to feel as though they are apart of the hotel family. Described as having the “flavor of being on a riverboat,” the Delta King Hotel attracts leisure as well as government and corporate travelers. With 44 rooms, 11,000 square feet of meeting space with 9 meeting rooms, and a large outdoor deck for social gatherings, this hotel is not your typical “box hotel,” and is “slightly larger than your typical bed and breakfast.” One guest comments, “We loved staying on the Delta King boat, and would definately recommend it to friends.”

Located two blocks from a major shopping center, museums, dinning, and the downtown Sacramento nightlife, guests don’t have to worry about driving; simply dock your belongings at the hotel! In addition, you will love attending the Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. This interactive show is sure to delight! If you are traveling with a large group, the Theatre can be closed and your group can enjoy a custom tailored murder mystery! If this isn’t your cup of tea, try the Delta King Wine School, or grab a bite to eat at the Delta Bar & Grill. One guest describes their stay, “Scheduled here by a Client, The Delta King is a Unique Hotel in an Interesting Location.”

For those looking for a “home away from home” the Delta King Hotel is the perfect place to stay. Cicogni ellaborates, “We are really the most unique, fun, and memorable experience in the whole region!” Check out the hotel for yourself and see what fun adventures await you on the Sacramento River!

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

This blog is based on an interview with Dina Nishioka, of Hotel Lucia, located in Portland, Oregon.

Real Travelers have rated Hotel Lucia a 4.1 out of 5, from 129 reviews across the web. So what makes Hotel Lucia one of Portland’s top hotels? Hotel Lucia strives to stay one step ahead of its guests’ needs. With a mantra of “Delivering Calm,” staff members at the Hotel are given the ability to make high-level decisions in order to keep guests satisfied. By empowering the staff to do whatever is necessary, guests enjoy a hassle-free environment, which is only appropriate when away on business travel or on vacation! This policy is exemplified all throughout the hotel. One frequent guest at the hotel is known to travel all over the world. Staff at the hotel know he has a sweet spot for Milky Way candy bars, and deliver a Milky Way to the guest’s room every time he visits. This kind gesture lets the guest know that, not only is he welcomed at the hotel, but he is remembered by hotel staff. One guest describes staff at the Hotel Lucia as, “Very helpful and friendly staff, quick to respond to requests. A sophisticated, small hotel that offers personable service and excellent location as its hallmark.”

Visitors to Hotel Lucia also delight in the hotel’s art collection. With such a relaxing auora, Hotel Lucia allows guests to unwind, re-energize, and rejuvenate. Dina Niskioka, Public Relations and Branding Director at the hotel explains that larger hotels include art as part of the background. However, at Hotel Lucia, “art is integrated into the guest experience,” as guests can enjoy original pieces of art and admire the photography of Pulitzer-Prize winning David Hume Kennerly.

Do you struggle to get comfortable when sleeping away from home? Are you tired of traveling with your pillow? Hotel Lucia offers the creative “Pillow Menu” in which guests can choose from seven different types of pillows. Whether in need of a body pillow, reading pillow, or looking to rest your head on a soft, medium, or firm pillow–the hotel offers a plethora of pillows for you to chose from. Traveling in a hurry and forget to pack your ipod? No need to worry, you can borrow an ipod from the hotel. Each ipod has been pre-programed by genre of music so you’ll surely find something you like. Finally, guests can also choose from the “Spiritual Menu.” Rather than providing hotel rooms with only a Bible, guests can choose various books of faith, including the Torah and the Koran to name a few. Understanding that all guests have different needs, the Hotel Lucia goes above and beyond to make sure that you’ll enjoy every aspect of your stay.

Where, “Art is the experience with personalized customer service making every guest feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for”–the Hotel Lucia is the perfect place to rest up in Portland.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

The Hotel Napoleon received a Real Traveler rating of 4.0 out of 5 based on 44 hotel reviews. Roberto Cioce, General Manager of the hotel helps us to understand what makes the Hotel Napoleon a highly recommended hotel on Real Travel.

Since 1962, the Hotel Napoleon has been a family operated hotel. Cioce explains that since the hotel is entering its 4th generation of family members, guests “can find all the ‘traditional’ services of a true 4 star hotel.” With expert staff members, guests are sure to receive all the assistance they need to make their stay a pleasant one. Upon entering the hotel, guests can appreciate the large lounges and authentic artwork. In addition, hotel rooms face internal courtyards, which makes for a quiet stay in the bustling city of Rome. Cioce describes, “the furnishing of the rooms is antique style, upholstery and tapestry, made with elegant fabrics with soft colors, giving the rooms the warm welcoming of the ‘old fashioned’ feeling.”

Another added bonus: the hotel is just ten meters from the metro station. Taking you to the Vatican Museum, San Pietro, the Sistine Chapel, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Barberini –there is a plethora of places to visit right off the metro. One guest comments, “Located literally right next to the Metro station it is very conveniently located for quick access to the whole city.” Also, guests might enjoy the ever popular Rione Monti with plenty of the “trendiest” bars and pubs.

To Roberto Cioce, providing excellent customer service at the hotel is a common and “usual” occurrence. In one instance the porter, Mr. Guglielmo Stirati, was in the process of cleaning a hotel room when he noticed a diamond stone that must have fallen out of the guest’s ring. Informing the Concierge, the hotel attempted to contact the couple however they were already on their flight back to the United States. Thanks to the thoughtful efforts of Mr. Stirati, the hotel received a letter from the Italian Tourist Office of New York recognizing them for their excellent service.

Described as a hotel that “is suitable for all those people who travel looking for a real experience of the country and the people they are visiting,” the Hotel Napoleon is the perfect place for couples and families with children.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen

Family owned and operated for four generations, the Hotel Monteleone has received a Real Traveler rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 792 reviews from across the web.

Guests staying at this hotel enjoy its boutique atmosphere. After completing a 70 million dollar remodel in 2004 the hotel now has beautiful raised ceilings, upscale amenities, granite and marble bathrooms, and a roof-top swimming pool. Many also like to visit the luxurious Aria Spa. A rather unique aspect–the hotel is both a literary and historical landmark. With only three literary landmarks in all of the United States, this hotel has housed authors such as Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Anne Rice and Richard Ford–many of these authors have actually included the hotel in their works. Guest also enjoy visiting the “Carosoul Bar” made famous by Ernest Hemmingway’s writings.

Family owned and operated, the hotel is proud to say that many of its staff members have worked there for 25 years, some have even provided as many as 40 to 50 years of service. In particularly special cases, staff members have known guests since they were children visiting the hotel with their parents. With years of experience, staff at the hotel are known for their excellent hospitality services. Whether it is helping a guest who has misplaced their wallet, fixing a flat tire, or taking a guest’s dog for a walk, the staff is always happy to lend a helping hand. One happy traveler comments, “The attention to detail, the professionalism of the staff, and the overall feel of the hotel itself couldn’t be better.”

Overlooking the Mississippi River and the French Quarter, the hotel receives a 5 out of 5 stars for its prime location. One guest comments, “This hotel is the best—it is located a block from the French Quarters.” Close enough to the fun of New Orleans, but far enough from the noise, guests love all the action in the surrounding neighborhood. Described as a place for leisure travelers, Hotel Monteleone is also a great place for business travelers. With 24,000 square feet of meeting space and 25 meeting rooms, many business travelers bring their spouse along for an extended leisurely stay at the hotel. The hotel also offers a “Girlfriend’s Getaway” which includes the Tale of Cocktails tour around famous New Orleans bars and the “Romantic Interlude” package complete with champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a three-course dinner at The Hunt Room Grill and breakfast at Brennan’s.

For those looking for a piece a literary history, combined with the luxurious amenities in the the heart of New Orleans, the Hotel Monteleone is the place to be.

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Source: Teresa Nielsen