Hotel Carlton050

There's definitely no mistaking that Hotel Carlton is a Joie de Vivre hotel - with an emphasis on the "joy." The upbeat energy and warm spirit of the place are absolutely infectious from the moment one enters the lobby and is greeted brightly by the desk staff.

Be warned, if you're looking for a typical hotel stay with the requisite swimming pool, fitness center, and large, sterile rooms, this is not for you. However, if your family might appreciate a boutique hotel with European-feeling charm mixed in with some South Asian color, then read on.

My clan loved how eclectic and how sweetly simple the hotel is. We loved the friendly conversation when we checked in. We loved the old-fashioned elevators. We loved the cozy room we stayed in.

The living space/bedroom was warm, uncluttered, and slightly whimsical - decorated in hues of red, black, green, and beige, which gave it a Tibetan feel. Colorful photographs adorned the walls and a beautiful-yet-comfy reading chair added flair. A wooden bureau and wooden blinds reinforced the European feel. A desk and chair faced the window, which surprisingly opened. When is the last time you stayed in a hotel in which you could actually open the window? Ahhhh! (Just be careful if you have curious little ones!)

If you're worried that the kids might be bored with all that charm, don't worry: all the rooms have large, flat screen televisions with pay-per-view movies, HBO, and some cable channels.

The bathroom was small, but also sweet, with a pedestal sink, bath/shower combo, tasteful ceramic tile, eco-friendly toiletries, two cotton robes, and lovely afternoon light.

Amenities include a coffee pot, an ironing board and iron, hair dryer, filtered drinking water, and an in-room safe. Cribs, playpens, and roll-away beds are available on request. Additional heaters are also available by request. (Ours was delivered immediately after we called!)

Another favorite perk is that animals are not only allowed in the hotel, they are welcomed. Dog beds, bowls, and food mats are provided.

Our favorite amenity was the evening wine reception, complete with live music and a fire in the fireplace. People seemed to love the invitation to connect with one another and plenty of jokes and laughter were shared amongst new friends. We marveled at how the staff's positive energy really did seem to be contagious.

The hotel's location, near Polk Street, offers plenty of dining opportunities of all kinds; simply check in with the front desk and they can direct you to almost any kind of food you desire.

As well, the hotels lobby-level restaurant, Saha, serves Arabic-fusion cuisine - a blend of traditional Middle Eastern dishes and contemporary food with Arabic twists.

Hotel Carlton is within walking distance to shops, cafes, movie theaters, and clubs. Its central location also makes it easy to drive or take public transportation to many area attractions. Note: there is no parking available at the hotel; expect to pay to lodge your rental car in a public parking garage.