The ceiling fell in before I got there. Really.

The roof fell in the day before I checked in to the Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park in Birmingham Alabama. At least that's what the bartender said while I was having dinner. She said that the pipes broke in the ceiling, and the ceiling tiles came down. It flooded the lobby and the ground floor of the hotel.

It was nice that they cleaned most of it up before I got there.

I wondered if the broken pipes were somehow the reason for the less than stellar appetizers in the Club Lounge. If it was, I might forgive them. (Before I proceed I must offer a disclaimer here. The two nights before this stay I was in one of my all-time favorite hotels - the Hotel InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta. Maybe I was a little prejudiced? Maybe not.)

The Hilton spread featured packaged tortilla chips with bottled Picante Sauce, BBQ chicken wings, several blocks of cheese, Ritz crackers, and a variety of pre-cut and packaged vegetables. It kind of reminded me of the things you put out for the last minute Super Bowl Party you didn't know your husband was having at your house.

There was a weird metallic smell in my room, and I guessed that it was because of the work on the lower level pipes. But, just to be on the safe side I went down the hall to see where the fire escape stairs were on my floor. The way I saw it - it would be best to know such things... just in case.

I'm having to think really hard about switching hotel chains. I really like the Hilton's "double dipping" policy that allows me to get both miles and points for hotel stays, but I have yet to feel like the chain is worth my loyalty. I've been in several properties that were just average, and several that were not even qualified as average. However, in all fairness some of the IHG properties were a little sad too, so I'm going to give the Hiltons a fair shake. I want to see how they treat loyal travelers. It won't take long to earn top level status (Diamond, I believe) so I'll be able to really compare the Hilton to the IHG chain. This is actually fun. Maybe I should do this with all the chains? Next I can conquer Marriott. Then Hyatt.

Now there's an addition to my "bucket list."

Highlighting a great stay

Saturday when I went to get my hair done I told the stylist that I was ready for something a little different. She had a bad back and was taking muscle relaxers. This was probably not a good blend for a new hairstyle. The result was a color combination that wasn't awful, but was definitely not quite as subtle as usual.

After I checked into the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta Georgia, the Bell Captain complimented me on my "highlights." I thought that was interesting. Maybe they are trained to be that observant. Or maybe he was related to my stylist and she called him to tell him that I was a little freaked out about the new hair color...maybe the bell captain..... uh, maybe I should just move along with my blog.

The InterContinental should be used as the standard for hotels. It is consistently wonderful.

And the Bell Captains know just what to say.

How dry I am.

I would have never stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Pearl Mississippi had I known it was in a dry county. I didn't even know those still existed!

But, I found out they do exist when I went to eat dinner at the restaurant next door to the hotel. I chose this hotel because it showed up on the hotel list as an "airport" hotel. I often stay at airport hotels because they are - well, close to the airport.

I also often enjoy an adult beverage at the end of a long day. But the fine folks of Rankin County said too bad. They do not serve alcohol in their little county - even to weary business travelers.

So, while the hotel was relatively new and quite pleasant, next time I'll choose to stay one county over. I prefer to stay somewhere where they recognize me as an adult.

Only one thing I can wine about

The Hampton Inn Jackson-North in Jackson, Mississippi was very nice as far as hotels go. The desk clerk was very pleasant, the room was comfortable, and I had a wonderful view overlooking the Chili's Restaurant.

The hotel even had a manager's reception featuring Crawfish Etouffee and several types of beer. I don't drink beer.

I know I'm not the only non-beer drinker to stay in the hotel. I think they should have offered other options, too. At the very least, they could have served wine. It doesn't cost that much, and it would've made me happy.

It was nice to have the reception though. I always like hotels that go that extra mile to make customers feel important. But - I never saw the manager during the manager's reception, and there were only two other people at the reception besides me. Maybe the rest of the hotel guests went next door to Chili's for a glass of wine.

A shocking experience.

The Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport in New Orleans Louisiana recently remodeled the hotel.

How can a hotel not have any counters in the bathroom? Really. NO counter space.

What were they thinking? In order to set down the hairdryer I had to put it in the sink. What's wrong with that picture??

Maybe they weren't looking for repeat guests.

No touchdown here!

To be perfectly honest, I never even thought of checking the football schedule before I planned my last trip to New Orleans. Did you know that everything shuts down in New Orleans when the Saints open their season? I didn't. I figured it out when I checked into the lovely Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

When I went to my room there was a piece of paper next to my welcome letter that said I wouldn't be able to get in or out of the hotel the next day because of the game. Geez. "You can check out but you can never leave..." I remember that song.

I decided that I didn't want to get stuck there so I checked out early and went to a hotel nearer the airport.

Lesson learned.