The Case for Hotel Hopping: How Splitting Your Stay Can Make a Trip Better

Scottsdale, Arizona: Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows Resort

Scottsdale offers more range than it often gets credit for, and checking into two hotels is one of the easiest ways to experience it. Hotel Valley Ho puts you in the center of Old Town, just steps from the city's best restaurants, bars, galleries, and nightlife. That buzz carries through the hotel itself: colorful midcentury-modern interiors set the tone, and the pools act as natural gathering points between outings around town.

About 15 minutes away in Paradise Valley, Mountain Shadows Resort feels removed from all of that. The property sits at the base of Camelback Mountain, surrounded by desert views and manicured grounds that look plucked from a postcard. Mornings are spent on the short course, while afternoons drift between the pools and the bar and restaurant. Once you check in, most days don't require much movement beyond the hotel itself—and that's precisely the point.

Portland, Oregon: Hotel Lucia and Sentinel

In Portland, you don't need to travel far to experience a different side of the city. Hotel Lucia is well-suited to days when you're mostly out the door. Its downtown location puts you within easy walking distance of the city's top restaurants, cafés, shops, galleries, and the Willamette River. Inside, the hotel's personality comes through in its black-and-white photography—David Hume Kennerly's work lines the halls—but the overall rhythm leans outward. Coffee in the morning, a bike borrowed for a few hours, a quick beer in the evening, then back out again.

A few blocks away, Sentinel is better suited to staying in once the day winds down. Spread across two early-20th-century buildings, the hotel feels more enclosed, with larger interior spaces that naturally draw guests back after dinner. Much of that pull comes from the on-site bars and restaurants. Jake's Grill serves steak and seafood, while the Domaine Serene Wine Lounge encourages lingering over light bites and wine flights. Even Fortune—with its entirely vegan menu, bar program, and live DJ entertainment—feels designed for settling in rather than passing through, keeping most of the evening's activity on property.

Florida's Atlantic Coast: Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa and The Shores Resort & Spa

Florida's Atlantic Coast—especially the stretch between Palm Coast and Daytona Beach Shores—often gets grouped as a single destination, but it doesn't really feel that way once you're there. Expansive resorts give way to quieter beach towns, and large, amenity-packed properties sit just a short drive from simpler places right on the sand. That contrast is what makes splitting a stay along this part of the coast feel natural.

In Palm Coast, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa leans into scale and structure, starting with the variety of ways you can stay on the property. Accommodations are spread across the Ocean Towers, the Main Tower, The Lodge, and standalone villas. With so much on the property, most days end up spent there, moving between the beach, the pools, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, the spa, and the resort's 10 bars and restaurants. Once you check in, there's little reason to go elsewhere.

About an hour south in Daytona Beach Shores, The Shores Resort & Spa offers a different rhythm—less programmed, but no less complete. Set directly on the sand, the pace feels looser, with time stretching between the beach and the pool. A tranquil spa, beachfront fire pits, and four drinking and dining options round out the stay, offering enough variety without the scale or scheduling of the larger resorts farther north.

Seattle Metro Area: Hotel Max and Willows Lodge

Between its walkable neighborhoods and constant rotation of live music and museums, it's hard to be bored in Seattle. Hotel Max reflects that energy, not just in its downtown location but in its point of view. Art is treated as part of the experience rather than decoration, from the lobby's mix of iconic and contemporary works to gallery-like hallways dedicated to Seattle photographers, including a floor devoted to grunge-era images. Even the rooms play along (pun intended), outfitted with record players and curated vinyl, while a daily craft beer hour draws guests into the lobby before heading back out for the night.

About 30 minutes northeast in Woodinville wine country, Willows Lodge offers a welcome change of pace that feels far removed from the city's bustle. Rooms are designed for lingering, with soaking tubs, en-suite fireplaces, and private balconies that make staying in feel like a choice rather than a default. Between wine tastings at nearby DeLille Cellars and Chateau Ste. Michelle, and walks or bike rides along local trails, time often drifts back to the property—toward the spa, a relaxed drink at the cozy Fireside Lounge, or a long meal at the on-site bistro, The Barking Frog, known for its seasonally driven menus. For nights that call for something more immersive, The Herbfarm, just a short walk across the property, offers an elaborate nine-course dining experience.

Explore more destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.