

Clare V. is synonymous with a certain set of chic, bicoastal, jet-setting professional women, so when we heard that Clare Vivier herself was heading out on a whirlwind work trip from LA to San Francisco to Boston and back in just four days, we had to know what she packed.

Hotel prices keep climbing, and the Costa Meno—our shorthand for charming, atmospheric stays that are also affordable—has never felt more relevant. So we’ve distilled our roundups of hotels from around the world into one tightly edited list of the best thoughtfully priced hotels to plan a trip around.

A 16-story, five-star hotel on the Upper East Side that feels surprisingly intimate, with décor that evokes a storybook version of old New York.

Erina Pindar has been on her fair share of bucket list-worthy trips… this year. She shares the hotel brands she always checks into, her favorite lounges and loyalty programs, how she manages traveling to four continents in six weeks, and why she only books odd-numbered seats on United.

A pantry staple vinaigrette recipe that Hudson Ranch’s Christina Hudson learned in the kitchen at Chez Panisse.

Philly has long punched above its weight with its deep bench of museums and galleries and fiercely local food. New Yorker Kira von Eichel made the two-hour trip for a culture-packed two days.

This summer, writer and globetrotter Natasha Nyanin packed for an 8-week trip with nearly a dozen stops. Her approach is equally whimsical and practical (albeit maximalist), and she has us seriously considering traveling with stationery and a wax seal.

A classic NYC hotel right on Central Park South with old bones and modern comforts, perfect for a first-time visit to The Big Apple.