No sniffles here

I don't have a lot to report about the Hampton Inn in San Angelo, Texas. It was pretty average as Hamptons go. The room did seem small by hotel standards, but I think it was just my perception. I'm a little spoiled by the upgrades I get with Holiday Inns.

When the facial tissues ran out though, it occurred to me that I have a perfect record. I don't think I've ever stayed in a hotel that the facial tissues in the bathroom didn't run out. No, really. You know how the hotel tissues are designed so that when you get to a certain amount from the bottom the tissues are beige instead of white? Well every single time I am in a hotel the obligatory beige one pops up. Once you see that one, it's over. You better not get a cold.

I'm still trying to get used to the Hilton chain. It's not their fault that I have the magic tissue gene. But Hamptons have those do-it-yourself waffles makers in their breakfast area. That makes it all okay.

Doin' it right

I was very impressed with the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon, Virginia. After my last trip to Virginia I was a little concerned because my hotel at that time was, well - it was simply awful.

I think I have finally found my home-away-from-home when I travel to this area. (I guess that opening my mind to an alternate hotel chain was a smart thing to do after all!)

Anyway, this hotel had everything I look for in a hotel - well, except maybe a complimentary mini-bar. But, hey - you can't always get what you want.

My room was spacious and very nice. But, before you arrive you should know something.

The rooms are about six and a half miles from the lobby.

It's true - the hotel is a really big circle. My room was on the far side of the circle, which meant there was nothing quick about getting to my room from the elevator. The good thing about it though is that you can't get lost. So, if you drink too much you'll just keep going around in circles until you finally find your room. Convenient.

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.

Some like it hot

I recently switched hotel chains so I could take advantage of the Hilton's "double-dipping" policy. The good part of this is that I get hotel points and miles. The bad part of this is that I am basically starting over in a hotel recognition program. I guess I should say I am spoiled. I am used to being treated "special" when I check in and during my stay.

When I checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Airport hotel in Nashville, Tennessee I was assigned a room that overlooked the trash bins.

Not exactly the treatment I am used to, but I knew that when I switched loyalties. Plus, at the rate I travel it's only a matter of time before my status with Hilton is such that I'll receive the same kind of perks. I can wait.

I did enjoy my dinner though. And there was a cute young thing singing her little country-soul out to all three of us in the restaurant. Bless her heart. She was pretty good, too.

I went back to my room. The bathroom door wouldn't stay open, and I had to use the ironing board to keep it open. Then imagine my excitement when at 5:00 AM I was awakened by the trash truck outside. OK. So I wasn't given a room on the top floor. I could probably accept these things - until I woke up to take a shower the next morning and there was no hot water. NO hot water! This was not a welcome discovery.

When I went to check out before catching my plane the desk clerk asked how I enjoyed my stay. I said the hotel itself was fine, but I was not at all happy about the cold shower. She said the system had gone out for the entire hotel but as compensation she would remove my previous night's dinner charge from the bill.

Since dinner was the best part I think they should have charged me for the dinner and removed the rest of the stay. I stay in a lot of hotels, and all I want to accomplish when visiting their property overnight is two things. While I'm there I want to get a good night's sleep, and I want a nice hot shower. This hotel fell short on both of those counts.

I probably won't be back to this hotel. But, I like the fact that they allowed the young country singer a venue. We all want to reach for the stars and accomplish our dreams. As for my dream? I want to sleep past 5: 00 AM and start the day off with a hot shower.

May we both succeed.

Dust in the Wind

I have a love-hate relationship with the Intercontinental Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Well, maybe hate is a little strong. I have a love-dislike a little relationship. Yes, that phrase represents it well I think. Most of my stays have been absolutely wonderful. But the hotel has no wireless, and that alone impacts my feelings of love. It's just one of those things I have learned to put up with. I guess I view my relationships with my favorite hotels a lot like marriage. If it is worth the commitment, you just have to learn to live with strange little habits.

Anyway, since my last visit to the property several months ago they have gutted the lobby and started extensive renovations. One of the managers met me when I arrived, showed me the blueprints and fabric swatches, and assured me that the hotel was going to be quite the showplace when everything is finished.

Staying in the hotel during renovations was interesting to say the least. There was no check-in desk, no restaurant, no lobby bar, and no concierge lounge. I usually take advantage of evening appetizers and continental breakfast in the lounge, so I had to figure out where to have dinner. There was a makeshift restaurant in the lobby, but I really wasn't interested.

It would have been nice to know all this before I checked in. If I had known about this in advance, I could have stopped after my meeting for take out. The first night I ended up changing clothes and going to Jack in the Box for fine dining. The second night I splurged with Taco Bell. Ah, the joys of life on the road.

I spent two nights at the hotel on this trip. As usual, my room was very nice, but it was hot. Nothing cooled it down. Maybe during the remodel the process was to re-route all the cool air from the guest rooms to cool down the construction workers in the lobby.

When I checked out I asked if part of the renovation plan was to install wireless internet in the guest rooms. No one could give me the answer to my question. I would like to think they read my 482 comments to that effect. Time will tell.

I have another trip to the DFW planned in a month or two. I'm anxious to see if the renovations will be finished. Maybe I should call first. It would be nice to know in advance if I need to take a fan - and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.