There’s an incredible waterpark just outside San Antonio, Texas. It’s called Schlitterbahn Waterpark and it’s been voted the world’s best waterpark 19 years in a row. Staying at one of the hotels associated with the waterpark means you’re close to the action and get extra benefits, including early access to the very popular park.

There’s a variety of accommodation options at Schlitterbahn. For example, large groups will like the Treehaus Luxury Suites, and those who like their luxury a touch rustic will enjoy the wooden Riverbend cabins, both in the Blastenhoff section of the park. There are condos near the Surfenburg section and the Resort at the Bahn is the highlight of the original section. I stayed in the SchlitterStein Lofts, across the green Comal River from the noise and action of the resort. Ideal if I’d wanted a day to sleep in … but the waterpark was too much fun to keep away from.

The SchlitterStein Lofts sleep four to six people in a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-balcony apartment. Each bedroom has a queen bed and the living room couch folds out into two twin beds. The master bedroom has a massive jetted bathtub too.

Bausch kitchen appliances mean you can make your own meals using ingredients from the nearby farmers’ market or grocery store and dine at the table for six. A washer and dryer, also by Bausch, mean laundry is easy.

While the lofts are a lovely place for relaxing, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible at the waterpark. The park features uphill water coasters (roller coasters you ride on a two-person tube propelled uphill by powerful jets of water), more traditional water slides, several varieties of lazy rivers to float along (some with adrenaline-bursting rapids, turns and falls), wave pools, playgrounds, a bungee freefall Skycoaster, and a special pool with a constant wave which is ideal for boogie boarding and bodysurfing.

Luxury extras worth the price: A cabana rental will ensure that you and your family have a shaded place just for you, complete with couches, a mini-fridge, and table service. A Blast Pass will allow you to reserve a time to ride the best attractions while skipping the long lines.

There are three other Schlitterbahn parks in Texas and one in Kansas City, Kansas. They’re all family-owned and, especially at the original New Braunfels location, you’ll feel a sense of nostalgia for the way family holidays used to be. No matter which location you choose, you’ll be impressed with the welcoming friendly attitude of the staff.

The Georges is known as one of the top hotels in Lexington and the Shenandoah Valley. The boutique hotel’s 18 rooms are in two buildings across Main Street from each other in two of the oldest buildings in Lexington, dating to 1789 and 1809. “Walls-out” historic restorations were completed by the current owners in 2014 to restore them to their former glory and beyond. The early-1800s’ character remains, but all the modern conveniences have been added.

Each of the 18 suites is unique, with custom furnishings and artwork. The bathrooms have the most modern touch — the heated marble floors and towel warmers coax you out of the walk-in shower, and you’ll have a luxe sleep between your Frette sheets. Some rooms have clawfoot tubs and fireplaces too.

Michelin-starred chef Matthew Bousquet heads The Georges’ culinary program. I had a wonderful dinner at Haywood’s, a casually-elegant restaurant and piano bar in the Washington Building. I sampled Brussels sprouts kissed with local honey; a mac & cheese made with white cheddar, burrata and braised short rib; lamb chops; and a blueberry crumble so good I wanted to lick the dish. Across the street in the Marshall Building is TAPS, a more casual cocktail bar and restaurant serving upscale pub fare, as well as a hidden patio for guests.

The hotel is so pretty that the Jodie Foster / James Earl Jones film “Sommersby” was filmed in The Georges’ Washington Building.

This boutique hotel is on Main Street in Lexington, a charming college town with fascinating history, lots to see and do, and with great places to eat. The hotel is named for the general that commanded the Confederate army in the American Civil War and who spent his last years in Lexington as the president of what is now called Washington and Lee University (his house, with the doors to his horse Traveller’s barn remaining open, is a short walk away).

There are 39 guestrooms at the Robert E. Lee. Each has dark wood furniture and high ceilings and there are lovely views of the historic town and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains out every window. The top floor provides the most luxe rooms — the spacious penthouses. Staff provide southern hospitality and go out of their way to ensure you have a good stay.

Be sure to spend time in the Rocca Bar Ristorante. Bartenders know their way with classic and inventive cocktails (try the Icebox Lemon Pie or the refreshing Adeline’s Pastime) and you can sit in the lovely bar or on their sunny patio overlooking the quaint town. I enjoyed a five-course dinner in the beautiful dining room featuring locally-sourced ingredients and fresh Italian dishes created by Rocca’s new chef, who trained in Parma, Italy.

Cedarbrook Lodge is just a five-minute drive from SeaTac airport but you’ll feel like you’re in the wilderness. The hotel is set on 11 acres of greenspace surrounded by an additional seven acres of wetlands. Its 167 guest rooms are spread over three low-rise buildings looking out over vast lawns, flowering trees, gardens, and the treed wetland separating the hotel from SeaTac. There are several walking paths plus places to lounge outside surrounding fireplaces.

Our room had a balcony just above the chef’s gardens. The desk area was big enough for one of us to work with space to spare for a delicious room-service delivery of cheeses and charcuterie. I relaxed in the easy chair with my ipad, admiring the original artwork and trying hard not to turn on the 42” HDTV. After a full-day of activities in the marvelous Seattle Southside neighbourhood, I was happy to climb into the comfortable king-size bed with a buckwheat pillow chosen from the pillow menu. My sleep was fantastic.

Unlike at many hotels, there was plenty of room for two in the bathroom. I loved the travel-inspired Natüra amenities marked Roam, the big bathroom counter, well-lit mirror, and the glass-walled walk-in shower. The tiny light on the shaver outlet was a nice nightlight for a late-night bathroom visit without being blinded by the overhead lights.

Though an extensive room service menu is available, don’t miss dinner at the Copperleaf. Be sure, though, to save room for an ice cream snack later from the Living Room. Each of Cedarbrook’s three residential buildings has a fireplaced Living Room, filled with couches, easy chairs, books, a TV, a fridge to store your perishables, and lots of complimentary snacks.

Also included in room rates is a large breakfast buffet featuring several local products including charcuterie from Armandino Batali’s Salumi (yes, his son is chef Mario Batali), eggs from Mad Hatcher, milk from Springbrook Farms, and the hotel’s own honey.

Onsite at Cedarbrook Lodge are a large light-filled gym, equipment for lawn games, and an outdoor hot tub. The large spa has a full range of services plus a relaxation room with fireplace, a patio area, and a sophisticated room for pedicures that might even convince the men to indulge.

Cedarbrook is the ideal place to hold meetings and retreats for eight to 300 guests. They have 23,000 square feet of conference space. Most of their 13 private meeting rooms have huge windows and look out onto the tree-filled grounds. The auditorium has all the desired tech including individual laptop ports and Dolby-Digital Surround EX sound. The business centre is open 24/7 and has the capacity to not only print documents but to shred them too.

Pets are welcome in some rooms for a $50 surcharge, and there’s even a room service menu for dogs featuring meatloaf, baked salmon, lamb, and chicken.