This boutique hotel, owned by the Monteleone, injects a touch of class here and there: in the hand-painted murals on the small, classically elegant lobby walls, and in the intimacy of the pool area (you’d never know you’re right off a major street, and not in a European mansion). Rooms are showing their age, but have high ceilings and French reproduction furnishings (nothing particularly pizzazz-y). Size and brightness vary—a lot—the lowest-priced ones are windowless. Swing one with a balcony if you can—what a difference! The staff here is truly welcoming, even to pets. Take your continental breakfast around the pool rather than in the blah breakfast room. We’re crazed with anticipation over the autumn 2014 opening of Latitude 29 bar and restaurant, with its pedigreed team and monster promise.