The Lowdown: Where Chicago’s new coolest neighborhood, Andersonville, meets Lincoln Square, Uptown and Ravenswood lies the unassumingly titled Guesthouse Hotel. The place itself is also charmingly unassuming but has some of the best accommodations in the area. The Guesthouse is an aparthotel with guests staying in one, two and three-bedroom apartments with full kitchen facilities. Rooms: There are twenty-five apartments at the Guesthouse with the choice mainly just depending on the number of guests. The one-bedroom units can sleep up to four, the 1001 sq. ft. two bedrooms up to five, and the three-bedroom units up to seven with the help of a sofa bed. They are all broadly similar too – they mainly just differ in size – ranging from 601 sq. ft. to 1800 sq ft. The building used to be a luxury condo before its reincarnation as a boutique apart hotel and internally that’s pretty much what they are – luxury condos. Their design and decoration aren’t too dynamic, though they certainly have a touch of class and they are enormously comfortable, clean and bright. All come with a balcony and modern apartment facilities such as cable tv, Nest thermostat, dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers. Prices & Availability: Enter your dates and check prices at Booking.com here. Food & Facilities: There’s no restaurant or bar at The Guesthouse but they have an agreement with two excellent local restaurants to supply catered meals on order. Southport Grocery delivers breakfast which includes delicious pancakes and French toast, and lunch with a range of gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups. In the evening then Calo, a local Italian restaurant can deliver a whole host of classic Italian dishes including some really great thin-crust pizza. It being a hotel and not just an apartment block there are some cool social spaces. The roof terrace is a cool place to hang out, weather permitting, and it has lounge chairs and a barbecue. So too are the small, cozy Club Room and Library adjacent to the entrance lobby. There are two small boutique, informal stores by the lobby too, one selling locally made arts n crafts, jewelry, teeshirts, and more, the other selling delectable READ MORE

The Lowdown: The Wilder is a cozy boutique hotel in a classic Georgian-era redbrick that has elegance and charm. It is also on a beautifully peaceful, tree-lined street that feels almost suburban but is yet just a short walk from Dublin city center. Rooms: There are just 42 rooms and suites in total, all of which are comfortable and stylish, though their entry-level rooms are not spacious by any means. They all are though beautifully presented, and display plenty of historic character. Period fixtures abound, including some lovely old fireplaces, alongside more contemporary art pieces and luxury hotel mod-cons. Check out all your room options, and check prices here at Booking.com. Food, Drink & Facilities: Their fine breakfasts are served in the Garden Room, which also if the weather allows, has outdoor seating in the garden. A la carte options include the full Irish, buttermilk pancakes, and a range of egg dishes, alongside a buffet of fresh homemade breads, muffins, granola, juices, yogurts, and fresh fruits. They also serve small dishes throughout the day (until 10pm) at The Wilder – sandwiches, soups and charcuterie plates, plus a range of drinks in the Gin & Tea Rooms. Only guests have access to these spaces so the atmosphere is generally familiar and warm. Not surprisingly due to its size, the hotel doesn’t have much in the way of facilities – no gym or spa for example, though they do have on-site parking. Reception is open 24 hours and the staff are helpful and friendly. Location: The Wilder is on Adelaide Road, near the Grand Canal and about a ten-minute, pleasant, walk to Grafton Street, or a couple of minutes on the LUAS tram system which has a stop nearby. Two of Dublin’s nicest parks, Iveagh Gardens and St Stephen’s Green, are also nearby, as are the many lively bars of Camden Street and Harcourt Street. Some Guest Reviews: “Liked · Absolutely fantastic staff at the place from the folks working the front desk to the bar. Cian, Rocio, Becca and co, we had a great and fun time. Amenities provided were on point, rooms were clean and divine. There was wifi everywhere READ MORE

The Lowdown: The Heywood is a small, stylish, boutique hotel hidden away in the hip Eastside of Austin. The house, an original Craftsman bungalow, dates back to 1925 and has been thoughtfully restored and modernized. With just seven rooms it is cozy and personable, and the staff helpful and friendly. With it being so small, there is a cozy, friendly vibe. Though, for the same reason, there is no breakfast or, beyond snacks, any other meals provided. Rooms: The seven bespoke rooms are comfortable and stylish. They differ in some features – some have bathtubs, some have outside space – balcony or patio for example but everything is quality here, across the board, from the original longleaf pinewood floors to handmade beds and Stearns & Foster luxury mattresses. Mod-cons include a minifridge and minibar, smart, cable TV, white noise machines, Squeezebox Internet jukeboxes with free streaming, iPod/iPhone docks, and ‘digital concierge’ tablets to help guide guests around the local area. Check out your room choices by following the prices & availability link below. Prices & Availability: Enter your dates and check prices at Expedia.com here. Food and Facilities: There is no restaurant onsite and breakfast is not provided, though you have some snacks in your minibar, and there’s a coffee and tea station in the common area. Upon check-in, guests are offered a box of locally hand-crafted chocolates and complimentary beers from a local craft brewer. The Heywood offers free bicycles and it can organize various tour packages such as bicycle brewery tours, sunset lake paddles, food experiences, and arts & crafts making excursions. In-room massage and salon services are also available. Location: The Heywood is in East Cesar Chavez, East Austin, a newly trendy neighborhood with a hip, independent vibe. You’ll find many food outlets, cafes, bars, and interesting shops within walking distance of the hotel. Downtown Austin is about a mile away. Some Guest Reviews: “The room was clean and well furnished. The staff were all extremely friendly and the entire stay was perfect. I would absolutely book the Heywood again…..” “Loved the complete setup of the hotel. I especially enjoyed the outside patio area. Additionally, the extra READ MORE

The Lowdown: Only open since 2018 the Angad is a bright and bold new addition to the hotel scene in St. Louis, Missouri. It has, as the name suggests, a strong emphasis on art and is a veritable showcase for local talent. Throughout the building, you can admire curated sculpture pieces, paintings, video art, and photographs from local artists, the majority of which are also available to buy. Color is also a strong theme at Angad with most of its 146 rooms having an exact equivalent in a different color. On the understanding that color affects mood, you can choose between green for rejuvenation, yellow for curiosity, red for empowerment, and blue for freedom. Its location right in the heart of St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District is fitting and here you are within walking distance of some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, and galleries. Rooms: All 146 rooms have a different single color scheme – red, blue, green, and yellow. You don’t get to choose your room before booking, but only after contacting the hotel once you get the confirmation e-mail or at your check-in. The rooms range from entry-level singles to 410 square feet rooms with two queen size beds to sleep four, 505 square feet suites which have a double bedroom, a separate lounge area, and a kitchenette, and then their top-of-the-range, 1,400 square feet, Double King Suites which have two double bedrooms with king size beds, and a lounge area. Check out all the details at Booking.com here. Be prepared for some low-level shock on getting acquainted with your room for the first time: except for the floors they are almost entirely monochrome. The idea is that such an immersion in a specific color can encourage certain moods. In this case that is either red for empowerment, blue for freedom, yellow for curiosity, or green for rejuvenation. Prices & Availability: Enter your dates and check prices at Booking.com here. Food & Facilities: There are two food venues onsite the most prominent being the Commonwealth Restaurant which does a fresh take on modern European cuisine with a seasonal menu and locally sourced ingredients. It READ MORE

The Lowdown: Hotel Clermont, in the heart of Atlanta’s trendy Poncey-Highland neighborhood, is a celebration the city’s eclectic history. The hotel has a storied past, having once been a somewhat disreputable 1920s-era hot spot before it fell into disrepair. In recent years, it has been lovingly restored to its former glory, with both vintage-inspired decor and amenities that are thoroughly modern. Playful design details abound – like the goldfish bowl in the lobby and the neon pink sign on the rooftop bar that reads, “We are not a hotel, we are a refuge.” Rooms: Hotel Clermont’s 94 rooms are divided into several categories. Double rooms are cozy, yet stylishly appointed with a queen bed and whimsical touches like retro rotary phones. The Deluxe Double rooms are outfitted with two queen beds. Their King rooms then are a step ahead in size and with king beds instead of queen. Their top-of-the-range is the Clermont Suite, the hotel’s largest accommodation, with separate living and sleeping areas, a king bed, and a large balcony with sweeping views of Atlanta. Most economical, if you’re with a group are the bunk rooms which can sleep up to four on bunk beds. Check out all your room options here at Expedia.com Food, Drink & Facilities: Hotel Clermont has several dining and drinking options on-site. Tiny Lou’s is a chic French-American brasserie that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dishes like lobster eggs Benedict, steak frites, and a rotating selection of house-made charcuterie. The restaurant’s intimate bar is a great spot for a pre-dinner cocktail or nightcap. For a more casual vibe, head to the Lobby Bar, which serves up creative cocktails and light bites. And, of course, there’s the rooftop bar, which is a destination in and of itself. It boasts stunning views of the Atlanta skyline, a pool, and an outdoor fireplace. Hotel Clermont also has a fitness center and a bike rental program. Location: Located on Ponce de Leon Avenue, one of Atlanta’s main thoroughfares, Hotel Clermont is surrounded by some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Poncey-Highland is known for its indie shops, restaurants and galleries, and it’s just a few blocks from READ MORE

The Lowdown: The South Congress Hotel is a chic boutique hotel located in the heart of Austin’s buzzing South Congress neighborhood. It has a sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic. The accommodation overall is top-notch, the food & drink equally so, and the atmosphere is generally lively and happening. Rooms: The South Congress Hotel has a total of 71 rooms and suites, all of which display oodles of modern and minimalist design features that embody the hotel’s overall aesthetic. Each room is equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the city, plush bedding, and sleek bathrooms. They are also equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including Bluetooth speaker systems and Smart TVs. The spacious suites are the pick of the bunch at The South Congress and offer additional features such as a separate living area, a bar, and a private balcony. Prices & Availability: Enter your dates and check prices at Booking.com here. Food and Facilities: The South Congress Hotel is home to a notable Austin dining destination in its own right – Café No Sé, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves up a very highly rated all-day menu of classic American fare with a Texan twist. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Central Standard, is a prime spot for cocktails and has stunning views of the city. It has a diverse selection of handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a curated beer selection. The hotel has an outdoor pool which also has some nice views of the city and there is a well-equipped fitness center too. The South Congress offers a range of wellness services too, including in-room spa treatments and yoga classes, and they have an on-site boutique with a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, and home goods. Location: The South Congress Hotel is situated in the heart of Austin’s buzzy South Congress neighborhood, a hub for music, culture, and shopping. It is just steps away from some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including the South Congress Avenue shopping district, the Continental Club, and the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail. You can also explore the city’s vibrant food scene, with numerous restaurants and food trucks within walking distance of the hotel. READ MORE