Best Value Hotels in Charlotte

The Hilton Charlotte Center City may be one of Charlotte's most upscale hotels (though the bar in Charlotte is not exceptionally high), but it's also one of its best deals. Its excellent location in Uptown Charlotte is within walking distance of tons of sights and museums. The 400 rooms are stylish, with pops of color and attractive artwork on the walls (not your typical hotel prints). The bathrooms are also stylish, but small, with spacious walk-in showers.

This 434-room Marriott is a notch above your typical chain hotel -- the spacious rooms may have somewhat chain-like decor (lots of golds and dark wood), but they come complete with high-tech amenities (such as iHome docks and flat-screen TVs). There's also a large heated pool and whirlpool, a fitness center packed with modern machines, and a renowned restaurant on-site. Its location in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, close to major tourist attractions, restaurants and bars, is a huge plus.

The 136-room Aloft Ballantyne has an ultra-contemporary, minimalist feel. The rooms lack a lot of color (dark, sleek, and sexy is the name of the game here) and are relatively small, but feature large flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The lobby, though, packs in a lot of color with funky furniture, and has a pool table, a 24-hour mini-mart, and a bar. Catering to business travelers, the hotel, which overlooks a golf course on one side and a corporate park on the other, has a small 24-hour fitness center and a small indoor pool that families may also enjoy.

The Embassy Suites in Charlotte is a large hotel less than five minutes from the airport. The decor is contemporary, if chain-like, and the 274 suites, all of which have separate living areas, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves, are centered around a kitschy atrium. Families may enjoy the indoor pool, the free breakfast, and the laundry facilities. It's not in the heart of the action, but those who don't mind driving to attractions, may find the amenities right for the price.