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The thing about city life is that you're always in the center of it all. The bad thing is that you're always in the center of it all. Where can a girl stay to get well rested and keep busy? In Vancouver, the choice is easy - a stay at the Westin Grand Vancouver Hotel.

Any room in this all-suite hotel will make you feel like you're a hip local living with the best location but if you choose one of their GrandView Suites (located on the top two floors) you'll also feel like the poshest local. That might be reason enough to spend a little on upgrading but the extra's included with higher living should be tempt even the most upgrade-resistant person. With complimentary wireless (excellent for a girl who needs to surf the best places to go during her complimentary breakfast), free local calls, the best city and mountain views, spacious living areas (with sofa-bed for extra gal pals to crash on), and private access floors (perfect for a girl who's concerned about safety), these suites feel like Park Avenue flats but with the warmth of Vancouver Hospitality.

Staying on the top floor (31st) will leave you feeling like you're on top of the world and the elegant, cosy rooms will make you want to stay there. With their warm, yellow gold curtains that cover the floor to ceiling windows, mustard coloured walls, soft wood furnishings, the rooms make you want to do more then visit Vancouver - they make you want to live here. Let's not forget to mention the great stereo system that will have you shakin' your thing as you get ready to hit that club two blocks away or, if playing some classical, will help you unwind as you make tea in the mini-kitchen and feel oh so divine.

The layout is simply perfect with well-appointed furniture that doesn't overcrowd. From a great little entrance way to the fully stocked mini-kitchen, living room perfect for entertaining or catching up on some TV, work area with a view of the city, balcony over looking the mountains, huge granite soaker bathtub with separate shower (and marble tops) too, and, oh yes, the famous Westin Heavenly Bed. And trust us girls, it is heaven. Whether you need to lounge away the day in your robe or you need to crash after hitting the scene, you'll never want to leave the layers of fluff.

And if you think summer is the only good time to visit Vancouver, you might want to rethink that with this hotel. I stayed in February during a particularly rainy, windy time and loved it. Why? With the rain hitting the windows all day long there was nothing left for me to do but sip coffee and eat cake whilst relaxing on the sofa, watching the latest movies after having the biggest bubble bath ever. Talk about relaxation! How many city trips can you say that about? Exactly, which is why I ended up extending my trip by two days - just so I could stay here, feel at home and rest. Which is why I plan to return to Vancouver and the Westin Grand often.

TIP: This hotel more than any other really gives you the sense of what it would be like to live in Vancouver. If you have a long stay, crave space or are travelling with a family, this hotel is a great choice and an upgrade to the Grandview Suite is really worth it.

Deciding to escape the drab Seattle winter with a quick trip to San Francisco was easy. Finding a hotel proved a little more difficult.

Our criteria for the hotel were specific - low cost, great location, comfortable yet stylish with a cosy lounge area for meeting friends. And did I mention cost? With hotels averaging $250 a night, I wasn't sure I'd be able to get everything I wanted for an affordable price.

Then I found Hotel Triton.

Their colourful, yet easy to navigate website caught my attention as did their sass, which let me know this wouldn't be the usual stuffy business hotel but instead a unique experience.

With a couple of clicks, I reserved a room from the hotel's online 'Specials and Packages' page for $115 U.S. per night. Within seconds, I received a confirmation email with all the reservation details, and three weeks later, we were checking in.

LA is a city known for style, color and quirkiness so why would someone visit and stay at a dull old Best Western with 30 year old bed covers? Especially when staying in style was never so affordable - or so good.

The Farmers Daughter Hotel has been in the center of Los Angeles for over 30 years - with neighbours such as The Grove, CBS, farmers market, Melrose Ave, Beverly Hills and Hollywood). With LA's traffic, being near everything is good but usually pricey - especially when you start talking duvets, Internet, mini-refrigerators, custom mattresses and beautiful though eclectic decor. But this family-run hotel keeps prices more than reasonable (starting at just $129), so you can afford to spend money in the city (which you will, trust us).

Though country charm can be a scary phrase, The Farmers Daughter combines this with hip decor that makes it modern in that cool retro way, helping you to feel more LA than Kansas.

Large rooms will keep you happy but if you need more space the beautiful outdoor patio is the place to sip cocktails or even take a dip in the pool. After walking around their busy neighbourhood in the heat, you'll be glad for that and their air conditioning.