Though I usually stay at one of the chain hotels, I recently found myself at the US Grant hotel. I was pleasantly surprised to find a national historic landmark full of charm and friendly staff. This hotel is downright huge. The lobby looks like something out of Gone with the Wind and just he hallways are wide enough to take your Volkswagon right up to your room. Everything is wonderfully appointed with early American charm. The recently redone interior is full of beautiful antiques and carpets.

In your room you're likely to find a mixture of old and new. The room is larger than one would expect and has enough closet space to last for weeks. Yet, the entertainment center is up to date with the usual cable programming and first-run movies for those times when you just want to crash in the room.

If you can resist the comfortable room, then you can just step accross the street to enter the Gas Lamp Quarter with its hopping clubs and eateries. There's plenty to do around the hotel at night time so there's no need to rent a car unless you have plans to go to the beach or to Seaworld.

The room rates are surprisingly reasonable for the quality of the facility and the first rate service, including nightly shoeshine.



Recommended: Yes