The Artisan Hotel in Memphis is, according to Orbitz.com, an "upscale boutique" that is "newly renovated, featuring tasteful art" and "an extraordinary pool area." Based on this description, it might sound like a fusion of Louisville's 21C "museum hotel" (where I happen to be staying next week) and the Delano in South Beach. Also according to Orbitz, the rooms here start at $49 and up. I knew they were low, but not that low. I booked the room through the site's new "Roadwarrior" mini-site featuring package deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Since I'm paying for my expeditions out of my own pocket, more or less, I'm happy to go the no frills route where appropriate. So it's not as if I was rushing to embrace the serendipitous discovery of Memphis' first (and as far as I know, only) boutique hotel. (Hell, the last time I was here, Orbitz recommended me to a Clarion Hotel near the airport, on Brooks Road. Just down the street is a gentlemen's club named "Babes: The name says it all.")

Trip Advisor has nothing nice to say about this place, and I've found very little to cheer for myself, except a lobby that has reproductions of famous paintings mounted on the walls and ceilings, accompanied by a smooth soundtrack that's reminiscent of an 18th generation knockoff of the Hotel Costes series. (Oh, and the WiFi signal is strong and free, which is all I really care about. And they let me check in at 9:45 AM.)

One of the reviewers on Trip Advisor mentions that they callled the hotel and asked for what level of service they should realistically expect. "I was told that they are the equivalent to a Hampton Inn." Close, but not quite. While parking my rental car in the underground garage this morning, I discovered the Artisan's true DNA: "Ramada parking this way," the signs said. Okay, so this is the swankest Ramada I've ever stayed at. I'll take it.

Read more of Greg Lindsay's travel blog, IN TRANSIT.