When it comes to accommodations, travelers today are looking to get the biggest bang for their buck. They want more space—a lot more space. They crave “authentic” experiences over cookie-cutter chain hotels, and they’re booking longer stays in places where they can cook, work with fast WiFi, enjoy privacy, and avoid high hotel rates.
Independent accommodations are not only more affordable and spacious than traditional large-chain hotels, but in recent years private stays are in demand like never before. According to Expedia’s recent Travelers Insights report, year over year demand for “unique and differentiated” vacation rentals, such as cabins, chalets, farm- houses, house boats, country houses and lodges, was up triple digits, and up by more than 50% compared to Q3 2019 (just before the pandemic). On its website, Airbnb announced guests had stayed in over 72,000 cities and towns this past summer, showing tremendous growth in the market.
Here are four very different independent properties, from vacation rentals to boutique hotels, we recently checked into and would return to again and again.
WYLDER HOTEL – WINDHAM, NEW YORK
Once the Wylder Hotel (19 NY-296. Tel. 518-734-4510. wylderhotels.com/windham) in The Catskills announced its grand opening in September 2022, I had it on my radar. After all, The Catskills, a two-hours drive from Manhattan, is an all-time favorite destination for me and other New Yorkers who seek a serene, countryside haven teeming with beautiful mountains, over 300 hiking trails, gushing waterfalls, farm-to-table dining and abundant wildlife. What I love most about the Catskills is the number of charming boutique hotels and vacation rentals that perfectly integrate with the “small town” feel that keeps the Catskills low key and intimate. New properties like Wylder offer a level of luxury and touch of rustic modern charm (without compromising comfort) that you’re hard pressed to find in these neck of the woods.
There are 110 room, all equipped with balconies or patios, spread throughout the property (two are multiple-room stand-alone rentals, perfect for wedding parties or guy getaways). I booked The Big Suite, a ground-floor room with bright colored furniture and plenty of windows for sunlight, as well as a double-sized patio offering unobstructed, nature-loaded views of the surrounding foliage and Wyndham Mountain (and an awe-inspiring full moon the nights I stayed).
AKA RITTENHOUSE SQUARE – PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANNIA
There are 15AKAs internationally in top locations, including AKA Rittenhouse Square (135 South 18th Street, Tel. 215-825-7000. stayaka.com), a corner of Philadelphia easily one of the most recognized, right across from the famed park and steps from the gayborhood. The 78-room property doesn’t feel like a hotel. Once you enter the lobby, it has more of a private residence vibe (the brand’s specialty), preferred by VIPs and celebrities. Accommodations span studios to two-bedroom suites, and unlike the days of yore, guests can check in for as little as one night (affordably, averaging $230/night for a studio). AKA Rittenhouse Square also has a wonderful restaurant (with outdoor patio) helmed by James Beard winner Ellen Yin, as well as a library, private cinema, and a comfortable fitness center.
I loved our 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom suite. Beds were comfy with Sferra bedding, and the residence was smart enough to have plenty of USB charging points for travelers who shack up for weeks. The sunset over the park was divine, and only one story up, we had a birds-eye view of the busy shopping street below (the likes of J Crew, Lululemon, Vince, TUMI, Madewell are on the street). Each bedroom was equipped with its own marble bathroom, and the full kitchen with quartz countertops and banquette seating (with a separate dining table) with full-size windows in the sun-drenched living area made the stay feel like “home.”
THOMPSON WASHINGTON D.C.
If you’re someone who craves the feel of a boutique hotel but wants the comforts of a short term rental, I suggest Thompson Washington D.C. (221 Tingey Street. Tel. 202-916-5200. thompsonhotels.com). The Thompson is part of a boutique hotel chain (acquired by Hyatt), but it continues to embrace the spirit of independent properties. The hotel offers 225 rooms, but it never felt that way, even at 80 percent occupancy. Thompson Washington DC is posh, modern and sleek, and it’s a stomping ground for local young politicians (I recognized several in the lobby from news programs).
Surveyor, the ground-floor restaurant, has high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, perfect for people watching. It was interesting that the menu skewed more “Southern” for breakfast (fried chicken and waffles and greens, egg and ham), while the dinner menu was more New England (crab dip, pan seared salmon). I loved every bite. The dining experience was among the best I’ve had in D.C. (the double cut pork chop with dirty rice and peach and pepper glaze is highly recommended).
MARRIOTT HOMES & VILLAS VACATION RENTAL – FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
It’s rare that I credit a property solely for an unforgettable travel experience, but my first family vacation in more than a decade was special due to the place we stayed. It was the first time I had booked through Marriott Homes & Villas (homes-and-villas.marriott.com), and it was perhaps the only time I spent hours on a travel site marveling at spectacular (and in most cases, million dollar) villa options. Once I decided on a property I knew my family would love, the process was similar to any vacation rental platform (with pre-arrival email including door code access and other details). It was a seamless booking experience.
The $10 million villa, which opened last year, is essentially a private mansion. The property has six bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, sprawled over three floors (and yes, there’s an elevator inside). The house is equipped with a game room, an open gourmet kitchen with high-end, high-tech appliances, wet bar, living room with whopping 85-inch smart TV (integrated with all streaming networks like Hulu and Netflix), a laundry room, a separate dog wash, extra-fast WIFI, 4 bicycles, beach gear (chairs, cooler and cart) and carefully curated “tropical” artwork. Every bedroom was equipped with at least a 60” Smart TV.
Read the full article on PassportMagazine.com.
