Well, not literally... ...but almost. I have never been in a hotel that the tub drained so poorly. It was sad. I told the desk clerk when I checked out, and she said she'd tell maintenance. I hope she does, but somehow I doubt it because I saw several reviews from years ago on TripAdvisor that referred to the same issue.
This hotel mentioned its "club floor" for Priority Members on its website. I am a Platinum Royal Ambassador who stays over 150 nights a year in hotels but even though my reservation was made several months out, they had no room for me on the club floor. I was however, given a room on the so-called quiet floor where "even the housekeeping doesn't go until after 10:00 AM." Wrong. Housekeeping was there every morning knocking on doors and vacuuming at 7:00 AM.
The room was typical of Crowne Plaza accommodations. Nothing special, but it seemed clean, had a comfortable bed and the internet access was not too slow. They also provided the typical amenities bag with earplugs.
I also wondered about the secret handshake. I was given a key to the club floor, but the club lounge was so small that I couldn't get in either night I stayed. I came to the conclusion that the club was so exclusive I just didn't have what it takes. It kind of reminded me of high school. But, unlike high school - I ended up in the bar. The bar staff were pleasant, the food and drinks were good.
This wasn’t my favorite Crowne Plaza, and I don’t know yet if I will try it again on my return to Little Rock. I’ll have to think about it.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
You want me to stay where??
This is not my first stay at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Airport in San Antonio, Texas. In fact, I've been a regular here for years. So...
Why is it that when I checked in this time you acted like I've never been here before? Oh, no. You can't fool me. I know that you have records. You know who stays here a lot.
Until this stay, I used to stay in the hotel 5 or 6 times a year and did so for 3 years. I was always pleased with the customer service, enjoyed the club lounge, felt safe, and slept well.
In fact, up until recently this hotel used to be on my “favorites list.” Then something happened. I don’t know if the property changed management or what, but the last few stays I started noticing difficulties. On several visits I had something go wrong – the room wasn’t ready, the keys didn’t work, the safety lock on the door was not working. I kept going back because of my previous positive experiences, and because every property occasionally has a bad day. When you travel a lot you accept that even the best properties occasionally have a glitch.
I am also very well aware of the fact that Platinum Priority Club members are offered upgrades on space available basis. This hotel almost always had upgrades for loyal clientele. The few times I wasn’t upgraded, I was still given a room on a high floor in the main building and given access to the club lounge.
This time though, as soon as I saw the room I was given I left the property and haven’t gone back. This last experience along with all the inconsistencies finally pushed me over the edge.
I made my reservation for this hotel over a month out, but when I arrived I was told that the hotel was full. They did not have any rooms in the main building, but the young lady at the desk said they had “upgraded” me to a room in the back section. The room turned out to be right over the parking garage - smaller than any room I’ve had at any hotel - low ceiling, dark, and stuffy. I was appalled that the desk clerk called it an “upgrade.” In my opinion, if that accommodation was an upgrade for a loyal guest, the hotel management needs to be retrained. When I went back to the desk to express my dissatisfaction, I was not even offered an apology... just a comment that I would not be charged for the room. I left.
The way I see it, if I want to be ignored I'll call Sprint customer support.
Why is it that when I checked in this time you acted like I've never been here before? Oh, no. You can't fool me. I know that you have records. You know who stays here a lot.
Until this stay, I used to stay in the hotel 5 or 6 times a year and did so for 3 years. I was always pleased with the customer service, enjoyed the club lounge, felt safe, and slept well.
In fact, up until recently this hotel used to be on my “favorites list.” Then something happened. I don’t know if the property changed management or what, but the last few stays I started noticing difficulties. On several visits I had something go wrong – the room wasn’t ready, the keys didn’t work, the safety lock on the door was not working. I kept going back because of my previous positive experiences, and because every property occasionally has a bad day. When you travel a lot you accept that even the best properties occasionally have a glitch.
I am also very well aware of the fact that Platinum Priority Club members are offered upgrades on space available basis. This hotel almost always had upgrades for loyal clientele. The few times I wasn’t upgraded, I was still given a room on a high floor in the main building and given access to the club lounge.
This time though, as soon as I saw the room I was given I left the property and haven’t gone back. This last experience along with all the inconsistencies finally pushed me over the edge.
I made my reservation for this hotel over a month out, but when I arrived I was told that the hotel was full. They did not have any rooms in the main building, but the young lady at the desk said they had “upgraded” me to a room in the back section. The room turned out to be right over the parking garage - smaller than any room I’ve had at any hotel - low ceiling, dark, and stuffy. I was appalled that the desk clerk called it an “upgrade.” In my opinion, if that accommodation was an upgrade for a loyal guest, the hotel management needs to be retrained. When I went back to the desk to express my dissatisfaction, I was not even offered an apology... just a comment that I would not be charged for the room. I left.
The way I see it, if I want to be ignored I'll call Sprint customer support.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Bluegrass, lemongrass, and ghosts
We loved the Occidental Hotel in Buffalo Wyoming!
We decided to take a last minute mini-vacation over the Fourth of July Holiday, a driving tour that took us to five states in five days. It was a little crazy, but what a trip it was! Our adventure would start with flying into Colorado where we would rent a car and drive to Wyoming, head north to Montana, ease on over to North Dakota, turn south and visit South Dakota - then head back east so we could fly home from Denver.
When we first decided to go through Wyoming, I Googled hotels and found the Occidental Hotel. The hotel had good reviews, and really sounded like fun so I called to ask about availability. It turns out that there was a cancellation just before I called, and we were able to reserve the "General Sheridan" Suite.
When we arrived at the hotel it was like stepping into a time warp. The hotel had creaky floors, rooms that weren't exactly soundproof, and decor that made it feel like we were stepping into a museum. It was awesome. I think it was haunted, too. It just felt that way.
We stayed in the General Sheridan Room, where (we were told) the general actually stayed. It was wonderful, and had a glorious feather bed with a beautiful antique brass headboard.
After checking in, we had an amazing dinner in the hotel's restaurant, The Virginian. It was upscale dining in a private dining room. The meal was five-star quality, and was truly an event from salad to dessert.
After dinner we went to the hotel saloon for the evening's entertainment. We found out that we had won the lottery because we were in the hotel on a Thursday night. For years the locals have been getting together on Thursday night for a bluegrass jam session which was free to the public. The place was packed! Some of the performers were really really good, adult beverages were plentiful, and we had a wonderful time.
But, my forever memory of this hotel has only a little to do with the hotel. It had to do with my wonderful husband. Here's how it happened...
One of my all-time favorite romantic movie moments is at the end of the 1964 movie "Unsinkable Molly Brown." (Yes, I know that the movie doesn't follow the incredible activist Margaret Brown, but that's for another blog.) My husband has endured this movie on several occasions because he knows I love it. In my opinion, that's the basis of a good marriage. In this fictional movie, Molly Brown returns to Denver as a heroine having saved countless lives after the sinking of the Titanic. She looks for her estranged husband on her return, and the audience is led to believe he isn't there. Then, at the end of the movie, John J. Brown, who has strategically been hiding behind the door, dramatically throws his hat across the room and onto the brass four-poster bed, symbolizing his lasting love and forgiveness. It is an extremely cheesy movie moment but it makes me tear up every time I watch it. I know, I know. Just give me this one. Anyway...
After we checked into the hotel and found our room, I went to unpack. I walked put of the bathroom toward the bedroom and there was no husband in sight. Then - right on cue, a hat goes sailing across the room and lands on the center of the big brass bed.
Sigh.
It just doesn't get any better.
We decided to take a last minute mini-vacation over the Fourth of July Holiday, a driving tour that took us to five states in five days. It was a little crazy, but what a trip it was! Our adventure would start with flying into Colorado where we would rent a car and drive to Wyoming, head north to Montana, ease on over to North Dakota, turn south and visit South Dakota - then head back east so we could fly home from Denver.
When we first decided to go through Wyoming, I Googled hotels and found the Occidental Hotel. The hotel had good reviews, and really sounded like fun so I called to ask about availability. It turns out that there was a cancellation just before I called, and we were able to reserve the "General Sheridan" Suite.
When we arrived at the hotel it was like stepping into a time warp. The hotel had creaky floors, rooms that weren't exactly soundproof, and decor that made it feel like we were stepping into a museum. It was awesome. I think it was haunted, too. It just felt that way.
We stayed in the General Sheridan Room, where (we were told) the general actually stayed. It was wonderful, and had a glorious feather bed with a beautiful antique brass headboard.
After checking in, we had an amazing dinner in the hotel's restaurant, The Virginian. It was upscale dining in a private dining room. The meal was five-star quality, and was truly an event from salad to dessert.
After dinner we went to the hotel saloon for the evening's entertainment. We found out that we had won the lottery because we were in the hotel on a Thursday night. For years the locals have been getting together on Thursday night for a bluegrass jam session which was free to the public. The place was packed! Some of the performers were really really good, adult beverages were plentiful, and we had a wonderful time.
But, my forever memory of this hotel has only a little to do with the hotel. It had to do with my wonderful husband. Here's how it happened...
One of my all-time favorite romantic movie moments is at the end of the 1964 movie "Unsinkable Molly Brown." (Yes, I know that the movie doesn't follow the incredible activist Margaret Brown, but that's for another blog.) My husband has endured this movie on several occasions because he knows I love it. In my opinion, that's the basis of a good marriage. In this fictional movie, Molly Brown returns to Denver as a heroine having saved countless lives after the sinking of the Titanic. She looks for her estranged husband on her return, and the audience is led to believe he isn't there. Then, at the end of the movie, John J. Brown, who has strategically been hiding behind the door, dramatically throws his hat across the room and onto the brass four-poster bed, symbolizing his lasting love and forgiveness. It is an extremely cheesy movie moment but it makes me tear up every time I watch it. I know, I know. Just give me this one. Anyway...
After we checked into the hotel and found our room, I went to unpack. I walked put of the bathroom toward the bedroom and there was no husband in sight. Then - right on cue, a hat goes sailing across the room and lands on the center of the big brass bed.
Sigh.
It just doesn't get any better.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Let there be light!
I really liked the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Desoto Texas. They upgraded me to a nice little suite, but the best thing about this relatively new hotel is that my room had a ceiling fan with lights! Hotel rooms are notoriously dark, so this was a wonderful and welcomed surprise.
Good job!
Good job!
An evening under the Fun
I didn't actually stay in the MCM Grande FunDome in DeSoto, Texas, but I attended an event there so it's fair game for my blog.
I was speaking at an event, so I was dressed appropriately in a black business suit. When I walked into the hotel atrium it was like walking into a sauna. It was miserable, not only for me but for all those other people that were dressed in their finery.
But even worse than that was the banquet food. It was just plain awful. Banquet food is usually pretty bad - dry chicken, rice, and something green. But this took bad banquet food to a whole new level. The dinner plate held chicken-fried steak (sprinkled with dried parsley), potatoes, and cooked carrots. The potatoes had so much garlic in them that no self-respecting vampire could remain in the room. But the real problem was that the hotel provided one gravy boat for every four people at the table. Now, if you are from anywhere in the South you know that us "Southerners" use about two normal-sized gravy boats on one steak. What were they thinking?? That was just wrong.
Anyway, in spite of the gravy, the event was pleasant and I was honored to speak to the group. Then I left.
When I went out of the banquet hall I walked into a sea of white. For a minute I thought the "white people" had followed me from the Dallas Intercontinental... White shirts, white pants, white saris, white shoes, white turbans, white scarves, white shawls.
And there I was, dressed in black. I felt a bit like the angel of death might feel walking through a crowd of people on their way to the light.
Yup. That was weird.
I was speaking at an event, so I was dressed appropriately in a black business suit. When I walked into the hotel atrium it was like walking into a sauna. It was miserable, not only for me but for all those other people that were dressed in their finery.
But even worse than that was the banquet food. It was just plain awful. Banquet food is usually pretty bad - dry chicken, rice, and something green. But this took bad banquet food to a whole new level. The dinner plate held chicken-fried steak (sprinkled with dried parsley), potatoes, and cooked carrots. The potatoes had so much garlic in them that no self-respecting vampire could remain in the room. But the real problem was that the hotel provided one gravy boat for every four people at the table. Now, if you are from anywhere in the South you know that us "Southerners" use about two normal-sized gravy boats on one steak. What were they thinking?? That was just wrong.
Anyway, in spite of the gravy, the event was pleasant and I was honored to speak to the group. Then I left.
When I went out of the banquet hall I walked into a sea of white. For a minute I thought the "white people" had followed me from the Dallas Intercontinental... White shirts, white pants, white saris, white shoes, white turbans, white scarves, white shawls.
And there I was, dressed in black. I felt a bit like the angel of death might feel walking through a crowd of people on their way to the light.
Yup. That was weird.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
White is right?
I stay often at the Intercontinental Dallas, in Dallas Texas. I like the hotel for the most part, but it has issues. My biggest complaint is the lack of wireless internet in the guest rooms. For almost four years now the front desk clerks have told me that "they are working on it." Yeah right.
I get free mini bar access at this property because I am a frequent, elite level guest (to be exact, I am a Royal Ambassador) so I guess I can overlook the whole wireless thing.
I've stayed at this particular hotel more times than I can count, and have a pretty good feel for the hotel and the types of clientele the hotel serves. Most of the time the people I encounter are business travelers, or people in town for conventions. This hotel does have it's share of interesting things going on, though. I mentioned in a previous entry the crazy guy at the bar. He was a regular for a while, but eventually they asked him not to come back. They said he got to be a little too much trouble, but I kind of liked the guy. And, I remained loyal to the hotel and stayed multiple times when the entire hotel was under renovation and wrapped in saran wrap. It was a real mess when it was under construction, but I stayed true. (Hey, a free mini-bar is great incentive.)
This particular stay was the first of four nights in different hotels on a long business trip. I should have known it was going to be an interesting couple of days when I walked out of my room at the Intercontinental the next morning. I wondered if I had stepped into a weird time warp or something. First, when I went for breakfast the concierge lounge on the executive floor was packed with people. And kids. Lots of kids. It reminded me of a Holiday Inn Express. This is not the norm for this property. I couldn't even sit at a table, so I took my Raisin Bran back to the room. That was a first for me.
But this time I was starting to think I had stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone.
When I went to check out the next morning I noticed that the entire lobby was filled with people in very interesting white attire. Skirts, saris, turbans, shawls, slacks - all white. I'm not sure what was going on or who they were.
After I checked out and went to my car I found a flyer on my windshield advertising Swami Somebodyorother speaking the next day at a neighboring city. Maybe that was the draw for the hotel.
Then again, maybe I just missed the memo on the dress d'jour.
I get free mini bar access at this property because I am a frequent, elite level guest (to be exact, I am a Royal Ambassador) so I guess I can overlook the whole wireless thing.
I've stayed at this particular hotel more times than I can count, and have a pretty good feel for the hotel and the types of clientele the hotel serves. Most of the time the people I encounter are business travelers, or people in town for conventions. This hotel does have it's share of interesting things going on, though. I mentioned in a previous entry the crazy guy at the bar. He was a regular for a while, but eventually they asked him not to come back. They said he got to be a little too much trouble, but I kind of liked the guy. And, I remained loyal to the hotel and stayed multiple times when the entire hotel was under renovation and wrapped in saran wrap. It was a real mess when it was under construction, but I stayed true. (Hey, a free mini-bar is great incentive.)
This particular stay was the first of four nights in different hotels on a long business trip. I should have known it was going to be an interesting couple of days when I walked out of my room at the Intercontinental the next morning. I wondered if I had stepped into a weird time warp or something. First, when I went for breakfast the concierge lounge on the executive floor was packed with people. And kids. Lots of kids. It reminded me of a Holiday Inn Express. This is not the norm for this property. I couldn't even sit at a table, so I took my Raisin Bran back to the room. That was a first for me.
But this time I was starting to think I had stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone.
When I went to check out the next morning I noticed that the entire lobby was filled with people in very interesting white attire. Skirts, saris, turbans, shawls, slacks - all white. I'm not sure what was going on or who they were.
After I checked out and went to my car I found a flyer on my windshield advertising Swami Somebodyorother speaking the next day at a neighboring city. Maybe that was the draw for the hotel.
Then again, maybe I just missed the memo on the dress d'jour.
Oh what a night.
I've stayed before in the Holiday Inn Airport South in Ft. Worth Texas. It is a very nice property, beautifully decorated (different than most Holiday Inns) and is an exceptionally clean hotel. The desk clerks are pleasant, and recognize their loyal guests. I like that.
The bar in the hotel on this Thursday night had a real party going on. Seriously loud music, boisterous guests, and from the looks of it, some serious bar tabs. I asked the bartender if it was a special event and was told there was no special event going on... just fun. I kinda wish I could have stayed for the fun, but alas... I had to get to bed so I could make the next morning's meeting. Oh, well - maybe next time!
The bar in the hotel on this Thursday night had a real party going on. Seriously loud music, boisterous guests, and from the looks of it, some serious bar tabs. I asked the bartender if it was a special event and was told there was no special event going on... just fun. I kinda wish I could have stayed for the fun, but alas... I had to get to bed so I could make the next morning's meeting. Oh, well - maybe next time!
Monday, May 30, 2011
but he didn't dry his hair...
We had a great stay at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Historic District in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I'm basing "great" on quality of sleep and location for this stay, because the hotel itself was adequate, but nothing special. It provided a home base for our touring and we were quite comfortable. What was lacking in room amenities was more than made up for with the perfect location of the hotel in the historical district. We were within walking distance of everything "cool" in Philadelphia. What a great home-base for our weekend!
The desk clerks and hotel personnel gave us wonderful information and helpful hints. They should be commended for the knowledge of their city and the "hints" they offered. In fact, because of their information we were able to leisurely visit Constitution Hall on one of the busiest days of the year by signing up early for the first tour of the day. We wouldn't have known that otherwise.
As for the hotel, I'm pretty sure that like everywhere else in Pennsylvania - Washington must've slept here. But, I'm also pretty sure that he didn't dry his hair. He couldn't have because the square hairdryer produced little air, and was just plain awful. Second thought... maybe he did. Maybe it was just missing its historical marker!
I'm basing "great" on quality of sleep and location for this stay, because the hotel itself was adequate, but nothing special. It provided a home base for our touring and we were quite comfortable. What was lacking in room amenities was more than made up for with the perfect location of the hotel in the historical district. We were within walking distance of everything "cool" in Philadelphia. What a great home-base for our weekend!
The desk clerks and hotel personnel gave us wonderful information and helpful hints. They should be commended for the knowledge of their city and the "hints" they offered. In fact, because of their information we were able to leisurely visit Constitution Hall on one of the busiest days of the year by signing up early for the first tour of the day. We wouldn't have known that otherwise.
As for the hotel, I'm pretty sure that like everywhere else in Pennsylvania - Washington must've slept here. But, I'm also pretty sure that he didn't dry his hair. He couldn't have because the square hairdryer produced little air, and was just plain awful. Second thought... maybe he did. Maybe it was just missing its historical marker!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Another use for Cheez-Its
I was upgraded to a lovely suite at the Intercontinental Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This hotel doesn't have a club floor, but gave me a couple of coupons for a free breakfast as well as a couple of free drinks at the bar. The waitress at the bar was just as cute as could be and told us she thought the appetizers during happy hour were really "great - and very upscale" and she was correct. The appetizers were wonderful - and unique to hotels. (That means they had something besides buffalo chicken wings and nachos.)
The hotel is very nice, but the parking garage was like driving through a maze. No problem, I left a trail of Cheez-Its so I could find my way back.
This hotel doesn't have a club floor, but gave me a couple of coupons for a free breakfast as well as a couple of free drinks at the bar. The waitress at the bar was just as cute as could be and told us she thought the appetizers during happy hour were really "great - and very upscale" and she was correct. The appetizers were wonderful - and unique to hotels. (That means they had something besides buffalo chicken wings and nachos.)
The hotel is very nice, but the parking garage was like driving through a maze. No problem, I left a trail of Cheez-Its so I could find my way back.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sweet Home Alabama
My stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Daphne, Alabama was as close to perfect as you can get when staying in a hotel. In fact, I would recommend to anyone in the hotel business to use this hotel as an example.
My retired husband tagged along on this trip, so I needed to find a place to "stash" him while I was working. We've done this before, and he has vast experience in staying out of the way. So far, he has napped in the car, been dropped off at McDonald's, gotten overly caffeinated at Starbucks, and once even schlepped his way through Walmart. Hey, it works.
Anyway, this time I went into the lovely Homewood Suites and explained that we weren't due to check in until later that same day. I asked if I could park my husband there while I went to work. The very nice young lady at the front desk not only pointed us to the breakfast area but also explained about the TV, mentioned the fresh pot of coffee, and showed him to the sofa so he could be comfortable. She said she would let him know when the room was ready and give him the key.
Wow. That is customer service. I immediately wished we could just move in for a while.
I finished work for the day, went back to the hotel and found my husband comfortably ensconced in the room. It was a spacious studio suite - tastefully decorated and nicely lit. He informed me that there was the (expected) breakfast buffet the next morning - and - there was complimentary dinner reception as well. Then he said the dinner reception had complimentary beer and wine, too!
I don't think a hotel can get any better than this.
My retired husband tagged along on this trip, so I needed to find a place to "stash" him while I was working. We've done this before, and he has vast experience in staying out of the way. So far, he has napped in the car, been dropped off at McDonald's, gotten overly caffeinated at Starbucks, and once even schlepped his way through Walmart. Hey, it works.
Anyway, this time I went into the lovely Homewood Suites and explained that we weren't due to check in until later that same day. I asked if I could park my husband there while I went to work. The very nice young lady at the front desk not only pointed us to the breakfast area but also explained about the TV, mentioned the fresh pot of coffee, and showed him to the sofa so he could be comfortable. She said she would let him know when the room was ready and give him the key.
Wow. That is customer service. I immediately wished we could just move in for a while.
I finished work for the day, went back to the hotel and found my husband comfortably ensconced in the room. It was a spacious studio suite - tastefully decorated and nicely lit. He informed me that there was the (expected) breakfast buffet the next morning - and - there was complimentary dinner reception as well. Then he said the dinner reception had complimentary beer and wine, too!
I don't think a hotel can get any better than this.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wilson never had it so good.
The Holiday Inn Express Pascagoula-Moss Point in Moss Point, Mississippi was ready and waiting for our arrival, and upgraded us to the "Wilson Suite."
When I saw the name on the suite door, for some reason I found myself thinking of Tom Hanks screaming WilsonNNNNN as his soccer ball floated off to sea. Did you know that one of the three volleyballs used in the film Cast Away was sold in an auction for $18,400? That's a bunch of money. There's a lot of interesting trivia associated with that movie. Sometime you ought to look it up on IMDB.
But this hotel stay was not to to be a castaway. In fact, the suite turned out to be very nice. It was a generous sized suite with a cute little corner wet-bar - with a tissue holder on the front side right in the middle. I thought the tissue holder in the bar was rather clever. After all, how many times do you find yourself standing at the microwave or refrigerator saying to yourself "Gee. I sure wish I had a tissue while I am popping my popcorn." Well, they solved that problem.
The hotel was also right across the street from a very nice little Mexican Restaurant called Hacienda San Miguel. Viewing the restaurant from the hotel it appears that the restaurant is located at a truck stop. I asked at the front desk and was told that the trucks just park next to the restaurant, and that the restaurant was actually very good. We decided to try it, and were pleased that just like we were told, it was actually very good and reasonably priced. We had a pitcher of margaritas, then walked back across the street and re-joined Wilson.
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