New Travel Paradigm

[farmerEd]

So, what does one get in a five-star hotel?

I was in Portland in February, stayed at at $69/night Ramada, and slept like a baby, and there was coffee and food (free) available downstairs 24 hours a day. (which was good because with the time difference I was waking up every day at 2AM instead of 5AM).

Two weeks ago I was in Boston, and stayed at a $400/night hotel in Cambridge, and left and went home early because I found it so uncomfortable, plus when I got up at 5AM, I had to walk a mile to find a cup of coffee...

 

[omni550]

T-Al,

Back when I was w*rking, I spent a few nights in some top-notch hotels (Enchantment Spa in Sedona, AZ and Spa Julianna in Interlaken, Switzerland for example). Both of these hotels belonged to the Leading Hotels in the World....meaning they were featured in a glossy magazine with other similar luxury hotels. At the time (12 years ago), I spent $350/night for my room.

For the record, most of my many business travel stays were at more modest places (Holiday Inns, Marriot Hotels, etc.).

At the luxury hotels, the rooms were larger (in some cases, complete suites), better furnished and decorated. They had plush bath robes, large & plush towels, makeup mirrors, and umbrellas in the room. The toiletries provided were first class -- with unique 'boutique' soaps, etc. One room had a tiny flat screen TV in the bathroom, a Bose Wave radio, and Aeron chair. One room even had a potted orchid on the desk.

Their staffs were more service-oriented. But I really didn't care for their digging around in my suitcase, looking for my sleepwear to place on the bed as part of the turn-down service (along with a mint on the pillow).

The food was first class. The bar service was very attentive and we got some very nice snacks to go along with our expensive drinks

I never had time to use the spa facilities, but a quick walk-through yielded the impression of a very fancy spa (and prices to match).

The clientele appeared to be classy --- quiet and well-dressed.

The buildings, walkways and grounds were impeccably maintained.

etc. etc.

omni

 

[grasshopper]

Al, I think you need to switch to Bed and Breakfast stays. I have stayed in 50 B&B's from Marin to Mendocino mostly in the wine country. The folks that use B&B's are like us, interesting pleasant travelers who share experiences, best places to eat, and go to bed quietly at an early hour, and all their children are above average. Wait that's Lake Wobegon.

 

[TromboneAl]

Thanks, you guys have saved me money on the five-star hotel idea -- more to spend on dinners and other stuff.

Al, I think you need to switch to Bed and Breakfast stays.

That's a good idea, but there are two problems for me.

First, I don't necessarily want to socialize with the B&B owners and other guests. It's fine, but not my thing.

Second, the breakfast part is going to be mostly pancakes, waffles, muffins, nonfat milk, fruit, and freshly squeezed OJ. These are things that we don't eat.

Here's Lena in 2008 in a B&B on the San Juan islands back when we ate those things:

(Blog from our trip there).

That B&B was very nice, but almost too nice. Everything felt so perfect, that I was afraid to make something dirty. From the blog:

A quick drive from the ferry terminal, and we check into the Edenwild bed and breakfast. "Edenwild" is Old English for "Martha Stuart on Steroids." Everything is so immaculate that they had to wrap me in a garbage bag before I could come in. ​

​

 

[Moemg]

Al, I think the answer is boutique hotels . They are small hotels jazzed up . The kimpton group has a bunch of them . Very nice rooms usually in urban locations , great service with free wine . We have been to several of them and they have become our favorite hotels .

 

[Lsbcal]

Thanks, you guys have saved me money on the five-star hotel idea -- more to spend on dinners and other stuff.

That's a good idea, but there are two problems for me.

First, I don't necessarily want to socialize with the B&B owners and other guests. It's fine, but not my thing.

DW thinks this way too. Hence we only stay at an occasional B&B.

Second, the breakfast part is going to be mostly pancakes, waffles, muffins, nonfat milk, fruit, and freshly squeezed OJ. These are things that we don't eat.

I'm curious, what's your preferred breakfast? Let me guess, Bacon + bacon?

Actually some B&B's we've stayed at seemed to feature very rich tasting breakfasts (some with sauces) that were a bit too much for me.

 

[Brat]

I'm guessing it will be cheaper unless we really go upscale.

Lena's on board, but had a funny quote: "my friends are going to Tahiti and Italy, and we're going for a weekend in Portland.

Well, if it is any month but June give me a PM and lets get together!

 

[Moemg]

I'm guessing it will be cheaper unless we really go upscale.

Lena's on board, but had a funny quote: "my friends are going to Tahiti and Italy, and we're going for a weekend in Portland.

That may be women's code for this is not what I think a vacation should be .

 

[TromboneAl]

I'm curious, what's your preferred breakfast? Let me guess, Bacon + bacon?

Yup. Usually bacon and eggs. Or an omelette.

 

[ERD50]

First, I don't necessarily want to socialize with the B&B owners and other guests. It's fine, but not my thing....

That B&B was very nice, but almost too nice. Everything felt so perfect, that I was afraid to make something dirty.

OK, I an see the not feeling like having to do 'forced socializing' when on vacation. Now, I consider myself a pretty tough guy to please, but complaining because the room is too clean? I really cannot relate.

-ERD50

 

[unclemick]

Full tank of gas, a stiff belt of 6 hour energy and the satellite radio on 50's & 60's rock and roll alternated with Willie Nelsons channel. Roll 10 -15 hours - one pee per gas tank, maybe a Kashi or other energy bar for some calories. Sleepy? - rest stop and sleep in the back seat for an hour's cat nap and roll on. Overnight in Motel 6 or 8 or similar econo.

I grew up in the cars are beautiful, Drive in cruising, See The USA in Your Chevrolet age.



heh heh heh - destination is usually friends or relatives - New Orleans, San Diego, Port Angeles, Maine, etc. This year Bandon Oregon. One of these days I'm gonna get old.

 

[Nords]

A few years ago we went to a cozy lodge to relax and read our books. However, the lights in the room were 40 watts, so not bright enough to read by, the phone at the nearby desk was ringing all the time, and the cozy fireplace in the lobby had a widescreen TV with 24 hour news going. So, on that trip, we thought "We could be doing this better at home."

Several years ago we stayed at Bangkok's Dusit Thani, where we had a suite with a luxurious livingroom. Back then we were paying about $50/night. The master bathroom tub was nearly big enough to swim in. The room service was actually on our floor at our beck & call... we'd come back from an afternoon shopping trip to find that the room had been picked up (for the second or third time that day) and the fruit bowl had been refilled. Free buffet breakfast every morning, including an omelette bar. All the other hotel amenities-- pool, gym, bars, restaurants, meeting facilities.

We decided that a suite works out way better for us because I can get up several hours earlier than everyone else and have a place in the living room (rather than the lobby) to sit with a cup of coffee and a laptop. If one of us wants an afternoon nap then everyone else can still watch TV or hang out without disturbing the sleeper.

So when my cousin had his wedding at Austin's downtown Omni Hotel, with special package pricing for the guests, I reserved a suite for me & spouse with a spare bedroom for our daughter. Through one comedy of errors after another (Seinfeld: "But I had a reservation!") we ended up being upgraded to the presidential suite: a 2BR/3BA 1400 sq ft apartment. Contents included three LCD TVs, a wet bar, armoires, bathrobes, king-size beds with two ZIP codes, artwork... almost embarrassingly over the top. It actually had a study between the livingroom and the bedroom, filled with built-in bookshelves and books. (Remember Reader's Digest "condensed books"?) Everything was ceramic tile, granite, dark wood, and leather. The entry "door" was a double-width door leading to an entryway leading to the livingroom. We had my cousin's entire clan hanging out in the livingroom with seating for 12. You had to use your room key in the elevator to get it to stop on your floor. The floor had its own central dining area with free breakfast and free happy-hour pupus.

The bad news was that we were one floor below the renovations which caused the reservation snafu. Lots of tile-jackhammer noise during the three days were were there.

As we're tried to rent suites (studio or 2BR) for family vacations over the years, we've noticed that many corporate apartments are competitively priced in cities-- even cheaper-- for a one-week stay. It can be hard to find the company but many VRBO listings are put up by these companies, or the apartment property manager has their contact info. Sometimes it's two entrepreneurs with cell phones, other times it's a company with a hundred apartment subleases scattered across a dozen complexes. The advantage is that you get a real apartment, fully furnished and with a functioning kitchen. You can get your own groceries when you arrive or (for an additional fee) ask the property mgt to stock the fridge. It's just a short-term apartment lease with all the comforts of home.

We're going to do something similar for all the relatives when our daughter graduates from college-- a place just a couple miles from campus, easy access to local restaurants, and a nice walking neighborhood.

 

[obgyn65]

I am pleased it works for you. For some reason I always feel "guilty" when I eat at expensive restaurants... not sure why.

Travel not so far and stay at a fancy hotel and eat at expensive restaurants.
We did this recently, and it worked out well.

 

[Lsbcal]

I am pleased it works for you. For some reason I always feel "guilty" when I eat at expensive restaurants... not sure why.

What spending level does the guilt start at?

Expensive for us might be in the $75 including tip for two range. Generally the bill at a nice out of town restaurant might run around $50 - $60 for us. I rarely drink wine at restaurants because generally I'm the designated driver. We are generally too full after the meal to eat desert. Plus I'm a fairly light eater and not a big person. So there are 3 simple variables that I can think of -- drinks, desert, big/small eaters.

 

[haha]

So there are 3 simple variables that I can think of -- drinks, desert, big/small eaters.

One that totally dominates those that you name is region. Those prices would be hard (or impossible) to find where I am, except in a student type ethnic place.

 

[Lsbcal]

One that totally dominates those that you name is region. Those prices would be hard (or impossible) to find where I am, except in a student type ethnic place.

We can eat at some place like the Fishmarket restaurant in San Diego (on water front) for maybe $25/person. Places in our mid-size California town are maybe $20/person with tip but mostly we go to informal restaurants and often ethnic. A chain like Chevy's (Mexican, not fine dining but tasty) could be maybe $30 for two. Again, without those extras mentioned above.

What are others paying? Am I way off base here?

 

[W2R]

What spending level does the guilt start at?

Expensive for us might be in the $75 including tip for two range. Generally the bill at a nice out of town restaurant might run around $50 - $60 for us. I rarely drink wine at restaurants because generally I'm the designated driver. We are generally too full after the meal to eat desert. Plus I'm a fairly light eater and not a big person. So there are 3 simple variables that I can think of -- drinks, desert, big/small eaters.

Expensive for us would be over $30 including tip and for two. We eat outrageously well for this sum, though, and our average is less than $10. We never eat dessert or drink alcoholic beverages, and often we split a meal because portion sizes are too big for us. Lately I have been drinking just water because caffeine bothers me.

 

[Alan]

Al,

We are traveling at present (driving) and just finished a week long stay in a small, cozy cabin not far from Portland, in Rhododendron. You can rent it by the day, or for $450/week which is what we did. It is very secluded, a short walk from cafes, or you can do your own thing for eating. There are many well marked trails in the area, details of which you can get from the Ranger Station at Zigzag, just down the road.

Not far for you to drive to either, and there are many such places. We had a great week in a small cabin in Duck Creek Village, Utah before moving on up to Oregon, then onto Washington.

I've stayed in many fancy hotels on business, but am quite happy with hotels like Holiday Inn Express or Best Western. BW prices have been ~$99/night on average this trip, but always ask for AAA discount and get 10% off. These are "walk-in" prices and they NEVER ask to actually see a AAA membership card.

PS

Here is the vrbo cabin listing.
http://www.vrbo.com/310632

 

[audreyh1]

In the past our travel paradigms have either been.

1. Get on a plane and fly someplace warm (e.g. Hawaii)
2. Travel a long distance, camping along the way (e.g. California to Missouri)

However, the problem with (1) is that I find flying to be too much of a hassle, and I don't like sitting in a crowded plane for many hours at a time.

We've also given up on (2) (reason).

So, a new paradigm that we are going to try is this:

Travel not so far and stay at a fancy hotel and eat at expensive restaurants.​

we are going in the opposite direction. We're trying to get "used" to flying again as we wish to travel much farther afield.

We have an advantage in that since we fly out of a very small airport, checking in process is easy - no lines, the security checks are never rushed, short taxis from the gate, and only one plane on the leaving arriving at any 30 min period so no waiting on the tarmac. Yesterday, the TSA folks were extraordinarily polite and helpful. I hope I didn't just jinx this!!! US border patrol does the ID check before TSA inspection part of security - I suspect this is because of being a border city.

The biggest adjustment I'm having to make after doing so much RV travel, is not being able to travel with all my "stuff". This was a great benefit of RVing. But I know that as I can get used to traveling light, it'll be easier. Our world-traveling neighbors have it down such that they go on exotic (international) location walking adventures or whatever, yet each gets by with just a carry-on. Amazing! Something to aspire to, as I bet it really cuts down on the hassle factor of traveling overseas.

Audrey​

 

[Brat]

Al,

We are traveling at present (driving) and just finished a week long stay in a small, cozy cabin not far from Portland, in Rhododendron. You can rent it by the day, or for $450/week which is what we did. It is very secluded, a short walk from cafes, or you can do your own thing for eating. There are many well marked trails in the area, details of which you can get from the Ranger Station at Zigzag, just down the road.

Not far for you to drive to either, and there are many such places. We had a great week in a small cabin in Duck Creek Village, Utah before moving on up to Oregon, then onto Washington.

I've stayed in many fancy hotels on business, but am quite happy with hotels like Holiday Inn Express or Best Western. BW prices have been ~$99/night on average this trip, but always ask for AAA discount and get 10% off. These are "walk-in" prices and they NEVER ask to actually see a AAA membership card.

PS

Here is the vrbo cabin listing.
]Rhododendron Vacation Rental - VRBO 310632 - 1 BR Mt. Hood, The Gorge Cabin in OR, Cedarbrook Cabin- Restored 1925 Cabin on Henry Creek!

Surely your rental contract required you to swear that it rained daily and you didn't see the sun at all.

 

[harley]

Well, as it happens I'm heading out next Thursday for a 4 day camping trip. We've been doing this trip for over 25 years. We (2 -7 guys, depending on who shows) camp in a National Forest, but it is car camping. We have big tents, a tarp to eat under in the rain, a big campfire, lots of beer, and a little music. We always play Dark Side of the Moon at 11 on Friday night, traditional mellow out time. Sometimes some college kids come out and party on the top of the mountain (100 yds away), but they usually head out by midight. Sometimes we go hang out with them. I love camping.

Then, the following week is one of the music festivals like Sarah was talking about. Delfest in Cumberland MD. I do stay in a hotel for these things, but we keep them low cost. It's just a place to sleep after 12-15 hours listening to music and hanging out with hippies.

I don't fly unless I absolutely have to. F the TSA.

I would like to do a nice hotel on a short trip like Al is talking about. It might help make up for the 2 long weekends away from home and DW. I'll need the brownie points.

 

[Alan]

Surely your rental contract required you to swear that it rained daily and you didn't see the sun at all.

That is exactly what we expected and we brought all our wet walking gear, but it was glorious weather all week. Cool overnight (30's) but the cabin was cozy and warm. Even when we went up above the snow line it was nice enough for t-shirts.

 

[packrat44]

Full tank of gas, a stiff belt of 6 hour energy and the satellite radio on 50's & 60's rock and roll alternated with Willie Nelsons channel. Roll 10 -15 hours - one pee per gas tank, maybe a Kashi or other energy bar for some calories. Sleepy? - rest stop and sleep in the back seat for an hour's cat nap and roll on. Overnight in Motel 6 or 8 or similar econo.

I grew up in the cars are beautiful, Drive in cruising, See The USA in Your Chevrolet age.



heh heh heh - destination is usually friends or relatives - New Orleans, San Diego, Port Angeles, Maine, etc. This year Bandon Oregon. One of these days I'm gonna get old.

That is close to the way I like to travel. However, DW insists I stop more frequently than 1 pee stop per tank.

Next year about mid May we are going to load our 40 year old camper ($500 special) on the truck and drive the ALCAN for 4/5 weeks. I do not expect to be bothered by to many "California style" campers during this trip.

 

[Sarah in SC]

Harley, I'll be camping with the hippies this weekend for 4 days, for Hoop Convergence. Love getting to spend downtime with folks who live in the moment.

Although there will likely be thumping electronica playing into the night, it will be accompanied by lots of LED hoops and wands and fire-hooping. It's just outside Carrboro NC.

We do expect it to be noisy when we camp for music festivals, but I hate the dang generators, too. Getting more common all the time.
And hey, there's still time to get a ticket for Floydfest you know- Jackson Browne AND Bruce Hornsby!

 

[brewer12345]

This thread is a great illustration of the path by which older folks end up confined to their front porches.

Expensive hotels get you a nicer room, usually a nicer location, and lots of intrusive and obsequious service. They are a dramatically worse deal than mid level hotels because they nickel and dime you on lots of things that are free at the mid level hotels (wireless internet, coffee, breakfast, newspaper, etc.).

When I travel for business I have a strong preference for Marriott Residence Inns. These are typically set up as an entire studio apartment for each room, so I get a full kitchen. I get really sick of restaurant food on the road so I am a lot happier to be able to make whatever I feel like. When I travel for personal amusement, we mostly lug the travel trailer. We don't own a generator and we go to lengths to avoid the weekend party type places.