(FORTUNE Small Business) – Places to Stay

Our favorite hotels are a bit more expensive than you might want on a cheap business trip, but we think their character is worth it.

Finest feathered friends: In Orlando and Memphis, the Peabody hotels feature ducks who march daily to the fountain for a swim. (rooms from $180 in Memphis, $330 in Orlando; business rates are available; 800-732-2639)

Hippest star quotient: Lounge by the rock-grotto-and-freshwater pool with cascading waterfalls at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Towers in Miami Beach. Rates start at $159. (800-548-8886)

Healthiest hostel: The Nob Hill Lambourne, in San Francisco, isn't cheap, with rates that start at $210 a night. But we love the vitamins, not chocolates, atop your down comforter. (800-274-8466)

Optimum scandal hunting: Where else? Washington, D.C. If you can splurge ($275 to $450), try a posh spot near the White House--the Jefferson Hotel, where Clinton adviser Dick Morris was photographed with a prostitute. (800-368-5966)

Fishy retreat: The Pacific Northwest and the Mediterranean meet at the Hotel Monaco in Seattle. This stylish city retreat offers high-tech goodies and this nice touch: Guests can adopt a pet goldfish. With seasonal specials, rates drop to about $150 a night. (800-945-2240)

Places to Eat

Why spend your business trip in one chain restaurant after another? There's so much delicious local fare in every city--and we think it's often found at places with the best deals.

Best Belgian delectables: Waiters at Belgo Centraal, in Covent Garden, London, dress like monks. From 5 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., select the "beat the clock" special, and your price is the time you order (44-171-831-2233). Try Belgo's new outpost in New York City too. (212-253-2828)

Easiest European dinner without crossing the pond: Eat at L'Express, a trendy bistro where Pierre Trudeau makes appearances, in the French section of Montreal. Order roast lamb marinated in red wine (with drinks) for under $30. Cheap, eh? (514-845-5333)

Greatest way to start the day: Big Nell's Pit Stop, in Ocean Isle, N.C., is a Nascar-themed diner. Two eggs with ham ("city ham, north side of hog; country ham, south side of hog," says the menu) cost $3.95. (near Myrtle Beach, S.C.; 910-579-6461)

Most legendary seafood: Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, located at the southernmost point of Miami Beach, still doesn't take reservations, but the cold seafood platter for $19.95 is worth the wait. (305-673-0365)

Cream of the creole: There are as many great restaurants in New Orleans as ingredients in jambalaya. Bon Ton Cafe serves crayfish etouffe and other hits for $15 at lunch. (504-524-3386)

Top California eatin': In San Francisco, Sushi Groove's milk-white, raw saki--served in a martini glass--is as special as the fresh fish. Sashimi plates are just $10.25. (415-440-1905)

Premium power dinner: The elite may arrive later at 21 Club in New York City, but from 5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., the $33 prix fixe dinner includes three upscale courses, such as roasted onion risotto. They will gladly loan gents patrician threads--free of charge. (212-582-7200)

Yummiest Tex-Mmmmex: The original Ninfa's in Houston is a legend, having served Prince Charles and ex-presidents. We loved the mixta Rio Grande parrilladas, a platter of charbroiled shrimp with fajitas. If you split the big portions, you can get out for under $12. (713-228-1175)

Things to Do

Are you having fun yet? Don't forget to plan a little R&R into your trip, whether educational, recreational, or just libational.

Greatest links: A round at the Dubsdread course at the Cog Hill Golf Club, outside of Chicago, goes for $110 (other courses there are as little as $45 plus cart). For a PGA Tour spot ranked among the top 100 courses by Golf Digest, that's not bad (Lemont, Ill.; 630-257-5872). Or try the home of the Phoenix Open, the Tournament Players Course of Scottsdale, Ariz. The low, $46 nonresident rate is compliments of the city of Scottsdale, which owns the land. (480-585-3939)

Ride of your life: Drive or be driven around Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte (N.C.) with the Richard Petty Driving Experience: $90 for three laps to $2,400 for 80 laps. The phone number? What else for a man whose name is synonymous with Winston Cup racing? 800-BE-PETTY

Unsurpassed luxury: For elegant cocktails in the land of Charles Keating-sized grandiosity, don't miss T. Cook's in Phoenix. The lounge in the Royal Palms Resort serves $5.75 martinis. Listening to the music at the baby grand, you'll think you've landed in a Ralph Lauren ad. (602-808-0766)

Best cure for the blues: Head to Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, owned by the guitarist. Cover charge is rarely over $10 (312-427-0333). In Memphis, pay $3 to $5 at the Blues City Cafe, where the bands--and kitchen--play until dawn. (901-526-3637)

Most tequila in Texas: Everybody knows if you're the biggest of anything in Texas, that's a feat. Tequila Mockingbird, a club on San Antonio's River Walk, boasts 127 kinds of the worm-infused liquor (the most in the state, and third most in the country). Get a shot of Patron Silver for $5. Need we say that partiers whoop it up here until the wee hours? (210-226-2933)

Cheapest happy hour known to man: If you can handle mixing with a nonbusiness crowd, then try Dallas' Winedale Tavern. On Tuesdays from 9 P.M. to 11 P.M. your beer price is determined by spinning the wheel of fortune: top price 85 cents, bottom price nada. (214-823-5018)

Premium brews: Denver is one place where beer is taken seriously. For a stylish setting, try the art deco Cruise Room bar at the Oxford Hotel. Regulars love Fat Tire ale (303-825-1107). Another standout is the Wynkoop Brewing Company, where half of the ten taps change with the season. This winter, order a Western Slope Cider or an Artillery Ale. Pints are $3.50; $2 at happy hour (303-297-2700). For the record, one Zagat's contributor complained that the place is "too full of drunken, loud yuppies." Hey, wait--that's us!

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