Articles Mentioning Budget

Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks

The Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks has everything that makes the chain a popular choice for budget travelers, plus the added value of free shuttles 24/7 to the airport and train depot. While not in downtown Fairbanks, this lower-middle-range hotel is only six minutes away by car. A large shopping plaza with restaurants and a Walmart are a short drive away as well, although there’s little in walking distance. Highlights include a free hot breakfast, nice fitness center and indoor pool/whirlpool, guest laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Its 101 rooms are clean, quiet, and spacious, but a bit drab and tired. Still, they’re outfitted with helpful extras like coffeemakers, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Competitive rates make this property a solid option, but the nearby Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fairbanks has similar amenities and slightly lower rates on average.

Hotel St. Helena

The two-pearl Hotel St. Helena’s best attribute is a prime location on Main Street in the heart of lovely St. Helena. It’s surrounded by restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and boutiques, and it’s even within walking distance of some notable vineyards. It’s also housed in a beautiful historic building, but its dark decor and lack of amenities dampen its appeal. The 18 guest rooms are individually decorated with period antiques, but they’re small, tired, and the subject of numerous housekeeping and maintenance complaints. Some rooms must share bathrooms, and there’s no elevator service to second-floor rooms. Rates are competitive but can spike quite high on weekends. With a better breakfast and free wine receptions, the nearby Inn St. Helena might be worth its typically higher rates.