"The Lancaster Arts Hotel, housed in a former Lancaster tobacco warehouse, embodies the steady revitalization of this Amish country city. Behind its plain brick exterior, the look is impressively glossy—think coffee shop meets art gallery—with cool furnishings, quirky artwork, and sculptures that hint at the building’s history. (Picture armchairs covered in tobacco-leaf fabric and a handcrafted Victorian-era Dentzel carousel animal.) The creative flair you see in the lobby extends to the guest rooms, where refurbished wood floors, exposed brick, and high ceilings lend the industrial feel of an artist’s studio; gallery-style lighting and original artwork heighten the impression. Take one of the hotel's bicycles into town—it's a good way to explore the area, without all the hassle of parking." - Nancy DePalma