50 Utterly Charming Hotels Around $100

ITALY

Domus Orsoni B&B
Famous for its glass tiles, the Orsoni family has a compound in the Cannaregio district of Venice. A few years ago, patriarch Lucio Orsoni opened a five-room B&B inside. (The tile factory is downstairs, the lodging upstairs.) Mosaic classes are available, but not mandatory. But after spending time coveting the tile work throughout, you may not be able to resist them. 011-39/041-275-9538, domusorsoni.it, from $101, includes breakfast and tax.

(Rachel Olsson) [enlarge photo] We've gathered these hotels and more into an easy-to-search database • Search the database NOVEMBER 2006 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Laos: A Tour That Even Loners Can Love • Buenos Aires . . . Then What? • Road Trip: Joshua Tree • Trip Coach: Switzerland • 40 Best Vacations

LAOS

Les 3 Nagas
Many of the 15 rooms, spread over two of the hotel's three colonial-era buildings, have balconies; all of them are excellent examples of how well Southeast Asia handles minimalist design. In the morning, watch as monks in saffron robes make their way down the streets of Luang Prabang. 011-856/71-253-888, 3nagas.com, from $85, includes breakfast and tax (five percent discount for anyone booking at least three nights online).

MALAYSIA

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
An irresistible old property in Georgetown, Penang, built in the 19th century by the "Rockefeller of the East," Cheong Fatt Tze. It's also known as La Maison Bleue, because early French visitors couldn't say the real name. The palpable sense of history easily makes up for room decor that can't always hold its own against the marvelous public spaces. The staff prides itself on its good advice, sending guests to street-food stalls and old Chinese coffee shops. 011-604/262-0006, cheongfatttzemansion.com, from $68, includes breakfast.

MEXICO

Eden Beach Hacienda
Eva Robbins and Jim Garrity left the corporate world in 1996 to open an inn in Mexico. But they didn't know where to go. When they hit Troncones, north of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, they knew they'd found their spot. The original six-room hacienda is just a little scruffy, in a homey way; there are also newer rooms in adjacent buildings. The restaurant has a patio with sunset views, and a wood-burning oven where bread is baked daily. Kids 5 and under are not allowed. 011-52/755-553-2802, edenmex.com, from $85, includes breakfast and tax.

Hotel Marionetas
As its name implies, the Marionetas is a former puppet theater, renovated by Daniel and Sofi Bosco, six blocks from the main plaza in the Yucatan city of Merida. The eight rooms are spare but very comfortable. The breakfast, served outside, tends to include homemade breads and fresh fruit, such as mangoes and papayas. 011-52/999-928-3377, hotelmarionetas.com, from $70, includes breakfast and tax.

Hotel Tierra Maya
Leave the hairdryer at home: The Tierra Maya in Xcalak National Park (in Quintana Roo) is self-sustaining, meaning it gets most of its energy from the sun and uses rain as its water supply. You'll hardly suffer, though: All rooms feature balconies with views over the white-sand beach. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. For lunch, walk to the Mayan restaurants nearby. 800/216-1902, tierramaya.net, from $70, includes breakfast and use of bikes, snorkeling gear, and kayaks.

The Todos Santos Inn
The Todos Santos Inn is a 19th-century hacienda built by a sugar baron, in the old part of Todos Santos in Baja California. It's a grown-up place--no kids under 12--filled with antiques. The most affordable rooms share a terrace. A wine bar is on the premises, and if you want to learn Spanish, language lessons and programs can be arranged. 011-52/612-14-50040, todossantosinn.com, from $115, includes breakfast.

Villa Amor
What's not to love? The 35 villas at aptly named Villa Amor--24 miles north of Puerto Vallarta--have living areas open to the Pacific, and private plunge pools to boot. For even more romance, go horseback riding on the beach, or have a boat take you to a private beach for a picnic. 011-52/329-291-3010 or 619/822-2731, villaamor.com, from $75, includes use of snorkeling equipment, bodyboards, kayaks, and bicycles.