A roadtrip west brought us here, to Bakersfield - cold and quiet on Christmas Eve. The sky, the sidewalks, the parking lots - everything outside seemed gray, but not this hotel.

The Padre originally opened in 1928, and still retains much of its old-Cali charm. But recently renovated, it's now hip in so many unexpected ways - from the awesome wallpaper to the great reading chair in our room to the painted ceilings in the cafe downstairs. Did I mention foam-top beds? We loved this hotel - every inch of it.