aloft Charlotte Uptown $$

210 E. Trade St., Charlotte
704/333-1999
www.aloftcharlotteuptown.com [1]

COST: $150–250 per night

You won’t find standard beige rooms with floral artwork at aloft. The entire 175-room hotel ($179–259 d) has a too-cool-for-school vibe with its bright colors, armless furniture, cork finishes, stainless-steel accents, and psychedelic lights.

There’s a 24-hour gym, indoor pool, and tons of games in the re:mix lounge, but with the hustle and bustle of the EpiCentre [2] just outside the front door there isn’t much of a reason to hang out in the hotel.