10 Best City Hotels Close to The Action

You don’t have to try hard to find action in Las Vegas, but to immerse yourself in the high-kicking glitz and glamour of Sin City, look for a hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard – also known as The Strip. Our luxury resort of choice is The Venetian. This hotel emulates the charm of Venice, complete with canals, gondolas, and a replica of St. Mark's Square. It features elegant Italian-inspired suites with separate living areas and private balconies.

Once you tear yourself away from the facilities in the hotel, you’ll find the best of Las Vegas on your doorstep. The Venetian is just one of several awe-inspiring casino resorts along The Strip, each of which is packed with unique attractions, from live music and theatre to rollercoasters, rooftop bars, and world-class shopping. The T-Mobile Arena and Thomas & Mack Centre are both close by, too.

Orlando has an unrivalled collection of theme parks and family attractions, and many people have an action-packed holiday without ever going near the City centre area. A host of fantastic hotels can be found skirting both Disney and Universal, but what sets Margaritaville Resort Orlando apart is its own on-site water park and Sunset Walk entertainment complex next door. It’s like having a theme park in your backyard.

The expansive resort sits south of City centre Orlando, close to Lake Buena Vista and on the doorstep of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios amusement parks. A free shuttle runs throughout the day, linking the hotel to all Disney venues. If you feel the need to break from the whimsical pageantry of Disney, you can relax at Fins Up Beach Club, join a morning yoga session, or book a deep-tissue massage at the acclaimed St. Somewhere Spa.

It’s hard to find a more central, always-on location than New York’s Times Square, and the EDITION hotel is just minutes from this neon-drenched Manhattan hot spot. With 3 restaurants, 4 bar/lounges, a terrace, and a garden, this lavishly appointed design hotel is right on Broadway, close to Fifth Avenue. It’s also less than 15 minutes’ walk from Central Park and the Empire State Building.

A walk around the area will take you from one world-famous landmark to the next – talk about exhilarating! Aim for one of the rooms on the higher floors to really take in the views and fully appreciate how central you are to the NYC action. Other facilities at The Times Square EDITION include a 24-hour fitness centre and rooftop terrace.

Los Angeles is best thought of as a series of interconnecting towns with their own character. And if you want an easy way to explore your chosen district, staying at the Intercontinental is ideal. It’s located on the edge of City centre, as the name suggests, putting it just a few streets away from live shows and sports at the Crypto.com Arena and LA Live. The Walt Disney Concert Hall (home to the LA Philharmonic) and contemporary art haven The Broad are also close by.

Fun fact: the Intercontinental Los Angeles City centre occupies the tallest building in LA – so start your morning with a swim on the rooftop pool and enjoy the panoramic views while plotting your itinerary for the day ahead.

Spring is the perfect time to explore Chicago, as the cold winter lifts and the city comes back to life. The Royal Sonesta’s location in City centre, overlooking the Chicago River, makes for an ideal base close to the action.

Situated in the heart of the entertainment district, there’s also shopping close by at Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, while the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park put open spaces and natural beauty on your doorstep. There are 4 subway stations within a 5-minute walk, with fellow travellers frequently calling out the walkable location as one of their favourite features of this hotel.

Nashville has always had a deserved reputation as a music city, but there’s far more to it than that. And if you want to explore its City centre district, Dream Nashville is the perfect hotel. Located in the heart of the historic Printer’s Alley, there’s also the shopping and food developments at Fifth+Broadway, the Tennessee State Museum, and Schermerhorn Symphony Centre each less than a 5-minute walk away, hosting everything from ice hockey and live opera to monster trucks and rock legends.

The hotel has an urbane, romantic appeal for visiting couples, with a selection of cocktail bars and lounges. But if you’re feeling more adventurous and want to explore the area, Nashville’s famous honky-tonk bars are walking distance away on Broadway.

Midtown Atlanta is the epicentre of arts and culture in this shiny, skyscraping city. You’ll find good old Southern charm mixed with a modern cosmopolitan style, and The Starling puts you in the heart of the action. You’ll be on the doorstep of a diverse range of art venues, including Fox Theatre, Museum of Design Atlanta, Woodruff Arts Centre, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Early mornings can be spent enjoying the green expanse of Atlanta Botanical Gardens and sampling the fantastic coffee shops in the area.

In keeping with the area, The Starling Atlanta Midtown is an urban art hotel full of floral prints in the lobby, modernist furnishings in guest rooms, and bold colours throughout. Rooms are bright with excellent views of Atlanta, and dinner at Lantana comes highly recommended.

The scenic San Antonio Riverwalk is an equally hip and historical part of the city. Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk overlooks the Riverwalk and puts you within walking distance of city highlights including the Tower of The Americas, Legoland Discovery Centre, and The Alamo.

The Texan climate is at its finest in spring, and you can take advantage of the balmy weather in the hotel's rooftop pool and hot tub. The views of the Riverwalk and the city skyline make it a great place to relax. Other facilities include a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant.

City centre Seattle is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s most Instagram-worthy landmarks. Places like Pike Place Market, Lumen Field, and The Seattle Great Wheel are all well worth a visit. They’re also all walking distance from Palihotel Seattle. Other highlights, including Olympic Sculpture Park and the Space Needle, are a short cab ride away.

This boutique property has 96 guest rooms and suites, and uses mismatched furniture, vintage items, and bare brick walls to create a bohemian style. While lacking a pool or gym, Palihotel Seattle does have a cool rooftop lounge, The Nest, offering stunning views of the city skyline and the waterfront. And, come mealtimes, their celebrated restaurant The Hart and The Hunter, serves Southern-inspired cuisine and cocktails.

The Gaslamp Quarter in city centre San Diego is the city’s cultural epicentre and an excellent base for your visit. The Westgate Hotel is within walking distance of many of the city's top attractions, including the Balboa Theatre and the USS Midway Museum. If you like to use public transport, this is a great choice because Civic Centre Station is in front of the hotel with direct links to the La Jolla coastline further north.

This 4-star hotel features Renaissance-inspired architecture, including crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and hand-painted murals. Mealtimes are a real treat at The Westgate, with several restaurants to choose from, including fine dining at The Westgate Room, casual bites at Plaza Bar, and Le Fontainebleau Room for afternoon tea.