Tagged With "Galle Face Hotel"
Comment
Re: Shipping Container as Your Next Hotel Room or Apartment ?!
I'm a big fan of the industrial esthetic in design. I'm trying to get a handle on the "sleeping around" part, the hotel. It sounds as if, although I can't find exact wording to that effect, they move the rooms from one location to another periodically, calling it "pop-up". If that's the case, I'm not sure I see a purpose unless they can't afford to produce more and are encouraging guests to think of it as a benefit. The website also says they're taking a break so maybe that, too, is a...
Comment
Re: Shipping Container as Your Next Hotel Room or Apartment ?!
I loved the design of the South African Student Housing.It was pretty cool. I hope someone can post their own photos of them on TG. As for the hotel, I'm guessing that would go good in places were there is only a seasonal demand . I imagine local laws might get in the way. I'd try it though if the price is right
Comment
Re: 20-year anniversary for 'Stolpersteine' memorials
I found them very thoughtful and moving memorials. By placing them in the pavement, people keep polishing them with their feet. As I've said before, there's no people I know that have faced the crimes of their past generations the way today's Germans face their Nazi infamy.
Comment
Re: Aug 4. 2016: Delaware City. Delaware.
Delaware City has only one set of traffic lights - how's that for small ! I only get crab when visiting the family in the US. Not here in the UK. I've had crab from Delaware - Chesapeake - Rehoboth Beach (Hooters) down to Ocean City Maryland. All gorgeous and worth waiting for. I've learned to say "These are the best ever" because that's what the locals say. Best Pizza - Best Crab-cakes - Best Chilli Fries. When my son was working his way through University he worked the late shift in a...
Reply
Re: London: Top 10 Places to Travel in 2018
I noticed that nobody has yet responded. The question is a bit too general: are you looking for low budget options, how long are you going to stay, do you need to be right in the centre or doesn't it matter, do you want a hotel or a B&B or an apartment, etc. ? I, myself, am not an expert on London accommodation - I normally just pass through on my way elsewhere - but I'm sure there will be others who can help, once you have narrowed down the scope of the question a bit.
Comment
Re: Jama Masjid, Delhi (Where Gumbo was #256)
Delhi has a lot to offer in terms of interesting sites. HOWEVER, the air pollution is appalling, particularly in the winter. We will be in Delhi in March - when things should start to get a little better - but we have cut our stay there to a mere 24 hours. We would have liked to re-visit some places like Humayun's Tomb or the Jama Mosque, but in the end decided that we could not face the atrocious smog again. We will now leave on the earliest convenient train south.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug. 2, 2015: Uncertain times
My family and I love this section of Berlin. Great pictures. You were there on a beautiful day. And by the way, this is where Reiner (of the Finding Reiner series) drank a beer in Zum Nussbaum, the oldest bar in Berlin (or so he said), before he was doomed to face the Russian Front.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#128)
Had no idea who John Portman was and now discover that I stayed in his first atrium hotel, the Atlanta Hyatt Regency, within a year of it's opening '67 or '68. Then at the one at Chicago O'Hare, which I assume was his too, in 1971. I sat in front of a window in our room in one of the silos, which looked out over the runways, amusing myself counting the planes back to infinity as they lined up to land, while I cared for my infant son. Thanks for the memories, John.
Comment
Re: Spotted on the Road, Winnipeg, Canada
When i lived in Canmore Alberta for a year, it didn't pay to install a block heater on my car. The house we were living in had a heated garage, and The car was never going to be out in the cold for that many hours. BUT it change one aspect - making hotel reservations. Out first question throughout the winter was- "Do you have indoor parking?"
Comment
Re: Banksy Opens up a Bemusement Park in England
"Disney has refused to comment on notorious street artist Banksy's latest work of art - a seaside theme park called 'Dismaland' that skewers the Happiest Place on Earth...The silence from Disney is strange, considering the company's history of fiercely defending it's copyright of Mickey's image. In 2012, the company filed a complaint against the EDM artist Deadmau5, who performs wearing a Mickey-esque face mask." More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...Mouse-like-ears.html
Comment
Re: Wolves or Cheese: France must decide
I love wolves. They are beautiful, but they are also smart and efficient predators. An easy food source like sheep is something they'll go back to again and again once tried, especially if they develop a taste for mutton. Much easier than bringing down a deer, for example, or chasing rabbits. Cattle ranchers in the north central US plains and Canada face a similar problem, where wolves can develop a taste for calves. And that is much more costly to ranchers than the loss of a sheep.
Comment
Re: Airline fees hit new $7 billion record
I can get 2 weeks in an all inclusive Hotel in the Caribbean including flights for less than my Trans Atlantic flight UK - NY. Of course the US Traveler is getting ripped-off. The rest of the world is enjoying the benefits of cheap-fuel flights. The sooner Ryanair make inroads into the US the better. Maybe Mr O'Leary is guilty of copying the ideas mentioned above for adding on fees !
Comment
Re: Leadville, Colorado. One of many attractive older buildings in town
The Delaware Hotel! We stayed there overnight in 2007, and carelessly ignored the sign in our room warning us that the effects of alcohol could be magnified at high altitude. Half of my cocktail at dinner was enough to make me tipsy!
Comment
Re: Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, France
Another walk down memory lane. I visited Fontevraud after a long walk from chateau to chateau that ended in Chinon and stayed in the recently opened hotel within the abbey. I knew about it from a personal association but don't believe it's generally well-known and maybe, in part, what makes it as lovely a place to spend some time as it is. Thanks, DrF.
Comment
Re: Is it time to regulate airplane seats? Chris Elliott thinks so!
This debate seems to accept that the profit margins of Trans-Atlantic Flights are squeezed by costs outside the carriers control. The only solution they have is squeeze more seats in to control income. Last month I paid £759 ($1245) for 1 seat UK to Philadelphia - Return - with an American Airline. 7 hours in the sky. Each way. My £759 will also get me a flight to the Caribbean from the UK. 10 hours in the sky. 14 nights in a hotel. Food and drink included. And flight back. The Caribbean...
Comment
Re: Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia
The outside of the hotel is remarkable! Did you happen to get any photos of the lobby. ?
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#67)
I think Dr. Fumblefinger is on to something, as the tree in the foreground is a copper beech. We need a geologist to help us with the appearance of the rock face, but it does remind me on Mainland Greece. I am looking forward to another clue or perhaps someone else solving this.
Comment
Re: Notre Dame: Everlasting, yet Ever-Changing
Thank you for such a wonderful piece on Notre Dame. It is spectacular and I learned a lot! A few years ago I stayed at Hotel Hospitel Dieu across from Notre Dame. Notre Dame is so peaceful in the early morning before the crowds have assembled and hearing the church bells ring.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #86
Here's a longer excerpt: "They perform a function, taking rainwater and snow melt and spouting it away so it doesn’t run down the face of a building, eroding walls and foundations. If it doesn’t spout water, it isn’t a gargoyle, it’s a grotesque." http://www.where-we-live.org/2...s-vs-grotesques.html
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo, #60
Aha! This one had me because it looked so familiar, but I couldn't place. Yosemite, Sequoia, King National Parks? The fountain must have been turned off the day I was there 3 years ago, because I didn't notice it. Busy sipping tea in the lobby and on the verandah, watching children Easter egg hunt? And yes there is a tennis court on the property along with a swimming pool. It's in the circle in front of the Wawona Hotel south of Yosemite. After a stop there, I had a nice walk in the meadow...
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo, #60
After a busy day at the Vail Jazz Festival yesterday, I was surprised this morning to log on and see that this puzzle is already solved. Lynn Millar, you are correct, this is the fountain in front of the Wawona Hotel in Yosemite National Park. I'll have a discussion of the Wawona tomorrow. PHeymont will have a new puzzle for you tomorrow as well!
Comment
Re: A Visit to Saudi Arabia: Part II
Excellent post, Lester, thanks! Two questions: 1) Is that black form in the photos your lovely wife? If so, I have to let the audience know this form of dress should be banned or, minimally, optional. 2) How many hotel staff did it take to drag you from that Presidential suite?
Comment
Re: Above and Below at the beach
It’s actually a fairly long-standing program now…started in 2002, with just the one on Rive Droite, just below the Hotel de Ville. We first noticed it in 2005. By 2006, they had added one on the Rive Gauche, and in 2007 on the Bassin de la Villette. I don’t know how long they’ve been doing the on in front of the city hall, but when we saw it last week it was set up for beach volleyball!
Comment
Re: Seat Wars break out in the air...
The Daily Telegraph conducted a poll after the first 2 incidents on "Should Reclining Seats be Banned" and 70% of the respondents said yes. The lack of leg space is a big issue and I hope airlines enact more reasonable legroom space for coach. If the reported stories are true though, some passengers weren't acting mature or reasonable at all and really should face stiff penalties for their actions http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tra...seats-be-banned.html
Comment
Re: Heads Up for Travelers: Iceland's Volcanoes May Disrupt Travel Again
I happened to travel to Europe in 2010 fairly soon after air traffic was started back up and there were a lot of hotel bargains to be had whole summer as many people canceled in advance. Then I traveled again in May of 2011 and another volcano disrupted some traffic for a few days and similar bargains were out there.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #55
I have to study the photo for exact location but India? Agra had alot but the most aggressive monkeys I came across was in Vrindavan, little shits even try to steal your glasses off your face and run away with it!
Comment
Re: Watch Those Fees at Hotels!
Seems like both the airline and hotel industry keep learning from each other on introducing new fees. I remember how outraged people were about the fees on RyanAir. Now those fees seem mild in compared to other companies .
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#50)
The Christmas tree threw me for a public building in the US. I was thinking a hotel. Alas, that's not it. Ha! I think I found the documentary via the magic of my trivia machine (computer+Internet), but can't find an image. Will I have to watch the whole movie?
Comment
Re: Iquitos Jungle Tour
I was going to ask about the different face paints.What were the differences between single ,married and looking, or could you tell?
Comment
Re: Iquitos Jungle Tour
Originally Posted by Travel Rob: I was going to ask about the different face paints.What were the differences between single ,married and looking, or could you tell? The one I have in the photo is married (this was to avoid confusion, I was there with my boyfriend but we're not really married). The one for single was a lot simpler, just a streak on each cheek as I remember it, but I didn't get to see the one for 'looking' as no one in our group was!!
Comment
Re: Marriott buys Canada's Delta hotel chain
Hotel deals seem to be a trend...only a few days ago, Intercontinental picked up the Kimpton chain of quirky boutique hotels...
Comment
Re: El Rancho Hotel - Gallup NM
What a cool and uniquely American place! If the bed was comfortable, you've just given me the name of my next hotel when in New Mexico.
Comment
Re: Gallery: City of Balconies
Great set of pictures, PM. The balconies are fascinating to look at and I certainly never tire of them. As you mentioned, the old and new buildings are similar in appearance and structure which is what makes Malta unique. I see you also stayed at the Castille Hotel, excellent choice!
Comment
Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
In my experience, loyalty is built with perks the customer doesn't have to think about or read the rules to decipher. I always stayed at the same hotel in Tucson prior to flying out because they were happy to let me leave my car indefinitely. I didn't have to figure it out. The wifi issue is the same, just give it to everyone. Nickel & diming leisure travelers will, I suspect, often lead them to look at other options every time they book a hotel.
Comment
Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
And let us not forget the dreaded "resort fees". Defined as meaning anything the hotel wants it to mean. And charged whether we use the facilities it's said to cover, or not. Look in the dictionary for the definition of "chicken shit" and you'll find "resort fees". If everyone must pay it, it should rightly be included in the room rate. Even my favorite, AirBnB, makes options available for hosts - cleaning fee, security deposit, a charge for more than 1 person and even possibilities for...
Comment
Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
I will say one thing for Airbnb, as compared to hotel resort fees: With Airbnb, before you click, you see the total of what's included, and what goes to whom. The resort fee and some of the others are often a surprise on arrival...
Comment
Re: Hotel rooms for Millennials
I have seen the future. And the future has hotel rooms that are 90% bed (by surface area), 9% flat screen tv, 1% room for walking. No room for anything else. Except for the TV part, it could have ben Caligula's design.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Thanks for sharing this. It's wonderful people like Mr Kuttan that make travel so special.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
I've just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, 'The Uncommon Reader', about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan's serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he'd written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn't it be interesting?
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
There are a few people you meet who have natural "Charisma" They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world. You were lucky to have met this man.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: I've just finished a short book by Alan Bennett, 'The Uncommon Reader', about another notable personage whose job it is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in their presence. Seeing Mr. Kuttan's serene face, it makes me wonder what his private thoughts might have been all those years. And if he'd written them down and had them tucked away somewhere, to be revealed at a later date. I suspect not, under the circumstances, but wouldn't it be...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 22, 2014: Mr. Kuttan
Originally Posted by GarryRF: There are a few people you meet who have natural "Charisma" They stay in your mind and have a effect on you and the way you see the world. You were lucky to have met this man. Agree completely, Garry.
Comment
Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
Bloomberg is a big business type publication so I believe they would tend to favor the big corporate guys. And the unions they employee. And the government officials these big corporations tend to grease. I personally believe in free choice. Let people decide where they want to stay. New York City, being one of the most expensive for hotel rooms in the world, needs more consumer choices in my opinion. AirBnB is one of the most innovative products to hit the travel market in a long time.
Comment
Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
As a frequent Airbnb renter (about 16 times) I obviously think it's a valuable thing and want it to succeed. I also think that there's room for reasonable regulation that's sensitive to local needs, and that a reasonable compromise can be found. Let's take the case of New York City...there is a real shortage of affordable housing. While it's not caused by Airbnb, but rather by a series of market issues that I won't rehearse here, it's reasonable for the city/state to ban short-term rentals...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
DrY is vacationing this week in Cuba, GarryRF, which we know to be one of your favorite hangouts. He'll get to you when he has reliable internet connections. I posted some photos of the great Prince of Wales hotel on my blog last summer which addresses some of your questions. Here's that link if you're interested
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#43)
I see luggage, I see what looks like a big trash can, center through the trees. First thought is it's an airport atrium. Maybe a hotel but it seems to me a passage on the way out as the left end appears to be open. And if it is open that would imply an airport in a warm place. There's also an interesting buff colored wall with moorish-looking details on the very far side. Hmm. Andalucia? All shots in the dark, I really have no idea.
Reply
Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
Originally Posted by PHeymont You just have to conclude that all this planning is done by people who have chauffeurs or helicopters to get them to the plane on time... Or progress is blocked by some politician or lobbyist... ;-) I did just get a chance to read the blog you linked. While I agree that public transportation is much more available in Europe, and perhaps Asia, however with the few examples he sites, there really are few cities that have that 15-20 minute from "airport to...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 25, 2015. St. Augustine, Florida
The dining hall at Flagler College(in your last photo) is really something to see. The Tiffany Windows are incredible.I also love the concrete used to build Flagler college , former Hotel Ponce de Leon , made from the local coquina stone.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 19, 2015: Tango Goemba Monastery, Bhutan
I was surprised to find the teachings of Buddha in my hotel bedroom bedside draw.. During a tropical rainstorm I was stuck in my room for a few hours. What a fascinating read it was ! Never had time to finish it. Had to buy a copy when I got home. My favourite quote was: "Man who commits adultery likes licking jam off a sharp knife"