I face the same dilemma and have yet to solve it. I have a bose sound dock in my living room though and use a sony for the alarm clock. I have seen these ihome ones in all of the boutique hotel which are not bad, but not quite it for my ascetic.

i like my ihome a lot. the sound is very good and i think they're pretty sleek looking. mine's white, but the black is way cooler.

I love my BioBrite alarm clock, which simulates sunrise for about half an hour before the alarm rings. It helps you wake up naturally, instead of being jolted awake by a loud noise.

http://www.biobrite.com/products.php?category=SunRise%20Clocks

Unplggd recently blogged about Vers 1.5R. I think it's hot...do you?

http://www.versaudio.com/vers15rspec.htm

cinema beat me to it, I also have been looking forever for a stylish alarm clock and was exited to find the vers audio one.

they currently also have a coupon for $50 off (WOOD) if you order it from them (plus free shipping)

Ugh, Cinema, i was totally going to suggest that same one! I love that clock.

Or... just use the alarm on your cell phone.

The BOSTON ACOUSTIC SOLO?

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Radios-C50.aspx

not everyone can use a cell phone. mine, in particular, doesnt work. i turn the sound off on it at night as well.

i got the sony dream machine so i could put a cd in and wake up to whatever i want. my dream alarm clock would take a cd so i could put nature sounds on, and it would have the lamp thing so it could slowly brighten....and not be hideous. i looked awhile ago and it seemed like most alarm clocks that had the lamp built in were astoundingly ugly.

If i had $300 laying around id jump on this:

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=145&cat=262&page=1

I have a dark wood one by Crosby... it's got a retro vibe and great sound/clock face

make that Crosley!

http://www.thisnext.com/item/8DF4E3EA/13AD92FB/Crosley-iPod-Dock-Clock-Target

I second the Tivoli. My wife and I have this http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=245&cat=267&page=1
They are not cheap but the have incredible sound for a small package. We place a premium on sound quality as we both love music. Our main stereo is Rotel and Band W.

I third the Tivoli - I own one of the non-alarm clock models (Model One) and am seriously considering the alarm-bearing Model Three. Considering how good these things sound, I would almost, almost look forward to waking up!

If I had the $300 I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Or at $400, a slightly prettier version: http://www.tivoliaudio.com/product.php?productid=255&cat=262&page=1

I still think there's really only one practical, affordable choice out there:

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=landing_radio_i765

It's not pretty, but it sounds better than most of the units listed here, costs less (in some cases hundreds less), plays most anything (including DVDs - you could hook it up to an LCD TV and watch movies in bed), and you can even dock your iPod in it.

I've had my Vers 1.5 for a week now, it rocks - I mean really rocks, alot from a small package.

I looked at the Tivoli (tired) and the iHome (a toy) - the Vers was the winner... less plastic and more energy efficient and pretty, too!