Amazing Affordable Hotels For the Whole Family

Photo source: CraddockTerry Hotel

Have you ever scanned the website of an amazing hotel, just to learn later that the getaway you’d already mentally planned was unaffordable? We’ve all been there. Luckily, there are a number of sumptuous and experiential hotels costing $150 or less per night around the USA. With the following properties, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort when on a budget. 

Whitney Peak Hotel (Reno, Nevada)

If you thought Reno only offered casino hotels, the Whitney Peak Hotel is here to change your mindset. The property is geared towards adventure travelers, even featuring a gym with a unique 164’ climbing wall, named the “World’s Tallest Climbing Wall” by the Guinness Book of World Records. Additionally, the hotel’s nature-filled location amidst the gorgeous Sierra Mountains only 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe is sure to get you active outdoors through hiking, cycling, fishing and more. Onsite, enjoy 360-degree mountain views, a concert venue hosting live acts, farm-to-fork dining at their Roundabout Grill (don’t miss the spaghetti squash topped with 4-hour marinara!), and complimentary steam room and sauna. 

Starting Rate: $120 per night. 

CraddockTerry Hotel (Lynchburg, Virginia)

Lynchburg is a great destination for families, history buffs and budget travelers, especially for those staying at the CraddockTerry Hotel. Located within the old CraddockTerry Shoe Company Factory, the 44-room boutique accommodation features spacious rooms, a riverfront location, and adorable amenities like breakfast served in an old wooden shoeshine box, free overnight shoe shines and the chance to play with the lobby dog, BusterBrown. Don’t miss a meal in their Shoemakers restaurant, serving delicious dishes like buffalo shrimp in gorgonzola dressing, Kona coffee-rubbed filet mignon and a roasted crab-stuffed trout. The central location of the hotel is also a draw, walkable to local antique shops and restaurants and accessible to the trail-filled Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Starting Rate: $144 per night. 

Elk Cove Inn & Spa (Elk, California) 

Imagine: a secluded coastal location, falling asleep to the lapping of waves, greeting each day with a full Champagne breakfast before hiking to the beach, and enjoying 5-star service -- all for less than $150 per night? The Mendocino Coast’s Elk Cove Inn & Spa offers two garden view rooms within an 1883 mansion for a lower starting price. The first is Molly’s Garden Room, outfitted with a queen bed and showcasing calming periwinkle blue and ivory hues, a gas fireplace and vintage touches. The other is the bright and breezy Swallows Nest room, featuring a gorgeous tile shower painted by hand. Both offer the perfect ambiance for cracking open the bottle of wine, homemade cookies and other snacks from your welcome basket. You also won’t want to leave without enjoying the complimentary cocktail hour and having a treatment in their European spa. Tip: The Healing Hot Stone Therapy will make you feel like a new person. 

Starting Rates: $145 and $125 per night, respectively. 

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort (Lake Placid, New York)

This amenity-filled mountain retreat has the perfect location in scenic Lake Placid, within the center of the Adirondack High Peaks Region. In fact, you only need to walk 10 minutes before you find hiking trails leading to New York’s tallest mountaintops. As the name states, the property is also on the water, meaning you can lounge on a sandy beach, take out free kayaks and paddleboards, or take a sunset gondola ride on Mirror Lake. Onsite, enjoy the complimentary pool, sauna, steam room, library, fitness center, game room and more. Make sure to have a meal in their green-focused kitchen, sourcing mainly local organic ingredients and using recycled materials in much of the design. 

Starting Rate: $129 per night. They also run monthly promotions, so check their website for those. 

NYAH (Key West, Florida) 

This budget-friendly property lives up to its name -- which stands for “Not Your Average Hotel” -- by offering a Build You Own Room (BYOR) concept. Whether you need a certain number of beds, to add additional people (you can have up to six without added fees), or want a couch inside your home-away-from-home that room can be configured to fit your needs. When exploring NYAH, don’t miss the two Jacuzzis, three pools and numerous wrap-around rooftop terraces providing aerial views of Key West. Additionally, budget travelers will be happy to know NYAH offers complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, as well as a daily happy hour from 4:20 to 5:20pm with free cheese and crackers!

Starting Rate: $150 per night for 1-4 beds. 

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.