Ann Douglas Lott

Fall is inarguably the best time to travel. In most places, the weather is crisp, there aren't many crowds, and, most importantly, the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and amber. It makes me want to find a cozy spot to do nothing but sit back and watch it all play out before me – like a “fly and flop” vacation, but instead of a tropical resort, it’s a moody, historic hotel with a sprawling lawn and a cozy bar.

I'm a digital editor at Lonely Planet (coolest job EVER). My travel loves are trying new foods, vintage souvenirs, long walks with no particular destination and snapping photos; my travel pet peeves are hugging the luggage carousel and when hotels push two single beds together. Favorite travel hack: I always carry what I call my Little Bag of Things™: sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, anything goes!

You’ll find some of the world’s most impressive hotels in New York City, both historic luxury properties and trendy, design-forward spaces that are the stuff of big-city dreams. But for most of us, the idea of living out our Eloise at the Plaza fantasies is steeper than the Empire State Building. In a place as expensive as New York City, you probably need to adjust your idea of budget travel – finding a room for under $300 a night constitutes a bargain here.