Tagged With "hotel breakfasts"
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: New trend: airport lounges for non-members
It is a pleasure, as well, when making early morning connections in Europe. I've had lounge access through various credit cards for the past few years and truly enjoyed breakfast in a lounge while waiting for the next flight, and even the ability to doze a little, knowing that a) the seat is comfortable, b) my bag is safe and c) the agent at the desk will remind me it's time to walk to the gate! Even at $35 a pop...likely worth it.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
I too am a fan of Colonial era hotels. The only ones I've ever stayed at were in Sri Lanka where, at the time, they weren't much more than a night at a Howard Johnson's. When you make your way to Sri Lanka, PortMoresby, check out some that island has to offer. You might be pleasantly surprised. Sri Lankan people I interacted with actually were quite grateful overall for the contributions the British made to their island -- tea plantations, roads, railroads, and government. And, of course,...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
22 April 2014. A British woman has been arrested and is facing deportation in Sri Lanka over a Buddha tattoo on her arm. Naomi Michelle Coleman, 37, was taken into custody at the airport in Colombo, after she arrived from India. Ms Coleman, who has a tattoo of a Buddha seated on a lotus flower on her right arm, was arrested for ‘hurting others' religious feelings,’ a police spokesman said. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...n.html#ixzz30hahG27Y Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter |...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
That's an interesting link, GarryRF, because Sri Lankans tend to be pretty mellow about most things. Still, being disrespectful (or perceived as disrespectful) to Buddha is frowned on and not tolerated by the Sinhalese majority. As many know, it is considered very disrespectful to show too much skin in a Buddhist temple or shrine (no bare shoulders or legs). You won't be allowed admittance to the shrine unless you cover yourself. I believe this woman offended these customs. But this POD is...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
My daughter was in Vietnam a year ago on her honeymoon DrF. She would visit the local Churches - as these were often pieces of exquisite architecture. On occasions outside Christian Churches she would recognise the tune of a Hymn - and while staying outside - she would sing along ! Yes - I know - a little crazy and religious too ! Communist countries don't outlaw religion, its just tolerated. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by my daughter) She has a list of good and...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
Thanks for that note, GarryRF. Ask your daughter to share her information with all of us! A short post about her trip on TravelGumbo would help many out!
Comment
Re: Holiday Inn Express to Offer Selfies on Pancakes
I'm not an ad executive, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express recently, so that qualifies me to tell them. This is a horrible campaign. Couldn't they of come up with a selfie free breakfast campaign instead?
Reply
Re: Beating Jet Lag
You're quite right DrF ! Usually when I return on a long flight the cabin is like a Doctors waiting room. Coughing and sneezing and spluttering. Headache. But the Dreamliner was - a dream ! So much healthier and with the windows darkened 'til just before breakfast - most people slept well - even the babies on board
Reply
Re: Unusual Hotel Rooms
I once stayed at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. It has all kinds of unusual room designs. Believe ours was jungle themed, but it was unusual and made for a fun stay. It's a nice midway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles if you're driving along the PCH. Here's the link: http://www.madonnainn.com/
Comment
Re: Marienplatz: Heart of Munich
On my only visit to Munich, a couple of hours between trains, I had Marienplatz to myself at dawn as I walked through looking for a place open for breakfast. So for those wanting to avoid the crowds you mention, that's the time.
Comment
Re: May 31, 2016. The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver
What an interesting place. All my trips to Vancouver in recent years yet I never made it to English Bay. Top spot on the itinerary next trip there. Thanks.
Comment
Re: May 31, 2016. The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver
Wow,what a great place! I hope my friends Sonny and Marine are seeing this as thy are new residents of the city!
Comment
Re: Hotel desks disappearing in mobile age
I like having a desk in my hotel room. A sofa or easy chair would work, but I dislike working in bed. I hope we're given some options.
Comment
Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
A sad story, but not unusual. People get attached to ships, maybe why they're called "she" instead of "it". My son was in the Navy, on the magnificent aircraft carrier USS Ranger, CV61, one of several of that name, the first in 1777, commanded by John Paul Jones. The end of his tour was also Ranger's last, after a voyage to the Persian Gulf for a goodbye battle. Retired just afterward (1993) and stored in Bremerton, WA, I read yesterday that as I write this, Ranger is sailing under tow...
Comment
Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
I read some years ago of extensive ship-breaking on the Bangladesh coast, where labor is cheap and regulations scanty...an immense amount of dangerous work, but because the labor is cheap, the scrap profits are high, or higher than they would be if the cost of recovery were high. Which leads me to wonder: what would be the economic value of that long tow to Brownsville as opposed to scrapping the ship on the West Coast? Ideas, anyone?
Comment
Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
There must certainly be profit to the company, International Shipbreaking, that was paid 1 penny US by the Navy to tow Ranger to Texas where they do the work and, presumably, don't do in WA. I toured Ranger but, even so, it's hard to comprehend the size of a ship where 6,000 men (and a few women) work and live, plus 2 decks for airplanes. Lots of steel there, lots of razor blades. I saw an amazing piece, probably on 60 Minutes, about the place in Bangladesh where the work you mention is done...
Comment
Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
I know it sounds like sour grapes, but anyway: after experiencing big-hotel check-in at Las Vegas, I don't want to go to this one anyway.
Comment
Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
Last night I had what seemed like a very long dream, hanging out with Joan Rivers. Not that it wasn't fun, but I'm as likely to think about staying in a hotel of this size anywhere as it is likely for that dream to come true.
Comment
Re: Islamic State opens 5-star hotel...do you have reservations about that?
Thanks, but I'll pass on staying at this one. So should anyone who is Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, gay, female, or the "wrong" type of Muslim.
Comment
Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal
Every walk is different, of course, so planning, for someone like me who isn't a distance walker, is essential. I can walk comfortably up to about 10 miles with my little pack, more if I must but try to avoid it, so there's no rush in the morning to be out early. I enjoy a leisurely breakfast and head out mid-morning. I'm never in the position of looking for a place to overnight because I've reserved in advance, either well in advance or at least a day or 2, knowing where I'll be. In France...
Comment
Re: France, Britain at swords points over croissants
I think they need an impartial judge, like me, to go test out both shapes of the croissant. I might need to stop in Italy for the cappuccino. And since I like yogurt for breakfast too, I might have to go to Greece and Bulgaria to settle which ones better.
Comment
Re: France, Britain at swords points over croissants
These matters are too weighty to be settled by a single judge—a panel of judges is needed. My bag is always packed... Rob...are we flying Norwegian? perhaps we can check their breakfast on the way...
Reply
Re: A kind word for Booking.com
That's good to know. Many companies don't understand how important good customer service is. Booking.com is my preferred hotel booking site when I travel abroad because they do such a good job describing the accommodations. You'll pretty much know exactly what kind of room to expect. Also, if you are a frequent user you qualify for your their "genius" discounts from select hotels -- an extra 10% off. Nice! For example, when we visited Palermo, we stayed at a top quality hotel with excellent...
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Hi Doc Over the years it seems I've joined so many of these programs, but I really don't travel enough on business and I tend to use airline reward credit cards...I guess I have gotten free nights before with Hilton and Starwood.
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
The main usefulness that I have found for these loyalty programs is not the tangible rewards. The staff just seems to be more attentive and accommodating when they see that I am a regular with their company. There have been times when the extra attention has made a big difference in an otherwise harried trip.
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I'm a Holiday Inn Express or La Quinta member. On my most recent road trip, I did get upgraded at the HIE for being a member. The free nights are always great too and that's the main goal. I've used many La Quinta free nights when I do workshops out of town. With HIE, I usually use the points for a discounted rate in expensive areas, like Sonoma or Paso Robles - wherever a vineyard may be!
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
That's what I do, too, SayMoi. I think it's a good plan. Use my rewards for expensive cities. Pay in lower priced cities and built up more points there. It is nice to get little upgrades and free nights for being a member of a program. Plus I like having a place of consistent quality I can count on. I like knowing what kind of room I'm going to get.
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Using the points for the expensive properties works well. We have stayed at the Marriott very close to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It was a treat just to see the Leidesplein and Vondlepark from our room . We have used points to stay at the Hotel George V in Paris, just around the corner from Champs-Élysées . Why stay extra nights in Des Moines when you can be in Paris ? Not knocking Des Moines - but, hey, Des Moinesians would go to Paris, too.
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I've heard that in the US, the favorite destinations for people to use their rewards for free rooms are (drumroll.......)...............1) New York City..........2) Maui. No big surprises there.
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
Interesting to see this many people actually using hotel rewards programs for...hotels! I always looked for ones whose points could be traded for airline miles...not as easy as it used to be!
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
We have used the points for hotels from time to time. We did not really want to use them for hotels, but it seemed complicated to do anything "out of the system".
Comment
Re: Hotel-Malls; Shop 'til You Drop
It's hard for me to imagine liking shopping that much. To the point I can't leave the mall and have dinner and a night's sleep somewhere else. But to each his own. It must meet a consumer demand in that market, so more power to them!
Reply
Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I like the Holiday Inn Express hotels. And I'll go out of my way to stay there when I can.
Comment
Re: Luxembourg Pastry shop, Old City
We really enjoyed Paul's as well. Everything was always perfectly fresh and perfect! An excellent budget travel tip for those looking for an inexpensive breakfast or lunch while in Europe. And everything in their counter does reach out to your psyche with an "Eat me" message!
Reply
Re: Experience with hotel bidding sites?
Hotwire.com has a generic "star rating" hotel, unknown to you as to which brand and exact location, at discounted prices. I've use them a few times and been satisfied with the results. For example, I got 4 star rooms in downtown Montreal for less than eighty dollars a night, probably a quarter or less of their rack rate. Generally I do like to know where I'm staying, but good luck. Let us know how this works out for you.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 11, 2014: Hotel Tadoussac, Quebec
What a charming and colourful Hotel DrF ! Reminds me - again - of some of the vast distances you travel in Canada. My Canadian cousin drives 200 miles for a night at the Theatre ! And 200 back ! Did you venture into the hotel for a few photos ? And definitely worth a few snaps in the snow. 200 miles in most directions and I'd be swimming around the UK.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 11, 2014: Hotel Tadoussac, Quebec
It is a great place, Garry, and no, I didn't get inside (was traveling with my then younger children who weren't interested in going in, much to my regret). But I expect the lobby will be every bit as appealing as the exterior. And I'm not sure looking at those white walls in the snow wouldn't blind you.....
Comment
Re: Granville Island Market, Vancouver. 1) The Produce
Completely agree, Garry! Can't beat the quality of food from a Farmer's Market. Besides all the lovely produce, there are dozens of food vendors will to cook you breakfast, lunch or dinner, or make that cup of latte or glass of lemonade. Great place to spend a morning!
Comment
Re: Coastal California: Pigeon Point Lighthouse
We must have passed Pigeon Point on our way to see the seals on a February visit to SF about 10 years ago...I wish I had known! Besides the seals, the highlight of that trip was breakfast in a roadside diner surrounded by avocado farms...a product reflected in practically every breakfast on the menu!
Comment
Re: Tuktoyaktuk: A village on the Arctic Coast of Canada
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: Thanks for this post, Tom, and I also appreciate your involvement with TravelGumbo. A few questions. The town seems too small for even basic tourist services. Did you just camp, or was there someplace you could stay? Also, a question about waste water. With permafrost, how is this drained from the homes so that it doesn't freeze in the pipes? The town has a few places for accommodations including bed & breakfast places and two grocery stores but...
Comment
Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Great pics. We were there this past August and were very impressed with the Eiffel Tower. It was truly fantastic accomplishment and the views are spectacular. The day we were there we had pre-purchased our tickets online, but did not use them. The morning of our scheduled day it was pouring down rain and we were tired, so we stayed in bed. Later in the morning the skies cleared and we went over to the tower. Since we missed our time we had to purchase another two tickets. it was still worth...
Comment
Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Thanks, Pheymont. Even we who imagine we know the city have gotten a whole new perspective. Point of view is everything! And, having been up the tower once long ago, I'm again struck by how much higher it seems looking down than it appears from the below or from a distance.
Comment
Re: Paris Looking Down: A View from the Eiffel
Thanks! Certainly true also about how different it can appear at different angles from below, as in Dr. Fumblefinger's blog here the other day!
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 12, 2014: Mokelumne Hill, California
I find stories of Gold Rushes to be absolutely fascinating! One that always gripped me was the Klondike Goldrush in the late 1800s. This was the last major one because after this telegraph and eventually phone lines change the world by providing more accurate information in a timely way, but in the late 1800s, everything was still word of mouth. It was at a time when stories of gold made 100s of thousands of people give up their lives, sell everything they owned, and head out to get their...