Readers recommend

Mexico: Turtle Beach

Playa las Tortugas, Las Palmeras No. 13, Colonia las Fuentes, Otates, Nayarit C.P. 63710; (800) 320-7769 or 011-52-322-294-1677, www.playalastortugas.com. “Miles of sand and tropical gardens surround this eco-friendly community of vacation rentals and homes for sale 80 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. There is a turtle preserve adjacent to it, bordering an estuary that makes for great surfing. The home we stayed in was a stone’s throw from the pool and beach and had a private lanai. We paddled a canoe across the estuary at sunset to eat at nearby restaurants.” Rent for a two-bedroom house starts at $175 a night.

Marianne and Joseph Ryan

Truckee, Calif.

Virginia: Unusual inn

Hampton Inn Col Alto, 401 E. Nelson St., Lexington 24450; (540) 463-2223, fax (540) 463-9707, www.hamptoninn.com. “Wonderful rooms are available in a historic house that’s within walking distance of good restaurants and shops. It sits up on a hill and is part B&B; and part regular motel; you choose whether to stay in the renovated 1827 mansion or in the motel section.” Doubles in the mansion start at $180, in the motel at $90.

Nadine Roth

Pasadena

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