Travel Destinations

Hyatt Regency - Lexington, KY (USA)

2007-11-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

We wish to stress that the hotel has location as its main asset. Upon arrival, 90 minutes after check in time, we had to wait for a clean room. Upon inspection the room was not as clean as I would have liked. I found an earring in the middle of the floor, therefore the carpet was not clean.. The remote did not work. A call was made to the front desk, but a replacement remote was never brought in. Room service would not answer twenty mintues before closing. The next morning we went to the restaurant and was seated for what seemed to be eternity. I finally helped myself to the buffet before being greated by a waitress. They were not busy and we were not the only ones waiting. I will give the hotel another chance, because of its location. I hope these comments will help you to improve the conditions of the hotel. For I am proud of Kentucky and the Hyatt sits on the home court of the Kentucky Wildcats, for all to experience.

Berlin - Ritz Carlton (Germany)

2007-11-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

My wife and I spent a week in Berlin staying at the Ritz Carlton.
Our upgraded room (courtesy of American Express Platinum) was very big, beautifully decorated, and with a large bathroom with separate shower and every amenity. Towels were changed twice a day, unless you asked not to. The included buffet breakfast had everything you could possibly want...all kinds of breads, fish, fresh fruit and juice, dry cereals, etc. In addition , they made any hot dish you wanted, eggs, pancakes, etc. to order.
The concierge (Marc and Thorsten) desk was fabulous. They made all of our restaurant reservations and the recommendations they added to our selections were excellent.
They gave us perfect directions with clarity to all of the places we wanted to see, including Potsdam (Sans Souci)...via train and connecting bus.
My wife had left a brooch in our hotel in Dresden. The concierge desk called the hotel we had stayed at; when that hotel, the Taschenbergpalais Kempinske, also excellent ,found the jewelry, they arranged to have the brooch sent overnight mail to us in Berlin without any expense to us.
Lunch in the Debrosses Cafe/Bistro was superb. Everyone on the staff was pleasant and cheerful. We have stayed in many deluxe hotels, but the Ritz Carlton Berlin was one of the finest experiences we have ever had........and they had no attitude!

Vancouver, BC - Hampton Inn and Suites (Canada)

2007-11-28T20:06:00.001-08:00

Spent a wonderful evening at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Vancouver. The location is south of the hustle and bustle, but everything that we wanted to do or see was a walkable distance. Great staff at checkin made us feel very welcome. We'd arrived by train and wanted to just leave a bag, but Staci was able to give us a terrific room on the spot. Corner room with jacuzzi, king bed, and windows all around. Very clean and very quiet! Although it was a chilly evening, we did enjoy the view from the rooftop common space. We'd go back in a heartbeat!

Marriott Copley Place - Boston, MA (USA)

2007-11-25T20:55:00.000-08:00

i stayed at the Marriott Copley place from the 22nd of october for a week.
check in was prompt, directions to the room could be better.
room was clean,beds were comfortable.decor lived up to the rating.bath had seen better days but ok.well stocked with quaity toiletries. tea/cofee making facility was a plus with request for tea bags prompt but not DILMAH tea.(my favourite unblended tea)
linen adequate amounts.
lifts busy had to add a few minutes for the journey.
Breakfast was waiting for.on sight chefs made the breakfast a real treat.
location was good for shopping,travel Duck tours(groceries next door)
The champions bar was full of Redsox fans on the days of play
ask for a room with a river view

Beijing (China)

2007-11-25T20:53:00.000-08:00

It is Beijing's fascinating past that makes it such a captivating place to visit. Explore by metro, by taxi or, in areas such as the twisting Back Lakes, on foot. Sites such as the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, nearby chunks of the Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu, and the inspiringly named Hall of Preserving Harmony or Temple of Heaven provide glimpses into this great civilization's staggering historical wealth. For more recent history, don't miss Chairman Mao Memorial Hall or Tiananmen Square.

Hilton Garden Inn - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

2007-11-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

We stayed on the 15th floor in a king room. The room was pleasant and a nice size. Amenities included an adjustable firmness bed, microwave, and bar fridge. The room was very clean and nicely furnished; the toiletries and towels were first class.

We stayed only one night and did not use the pool or restaurant so we can't comment.

Nearby are several restaurants, a cinema, and a large shopping mall.

The only negative we encountered was an air conditioner that worked very efficiently, but grew much noisier as the night wore on. Parking is an extra $8.00/night.

Saskatoon is a neat little city.

Hotel Le Germain - Toronto, ON (Canada)

2007-11-25T11:23:00.001-08:00

Very rarely do you pay top dollar and then realise you have fantastic value for money-this was one occasion.
From the moment the doorman welcomed us with a hand shake till the minute we left, nothing was too much for the wonderful and knowledgable staff.
The highlight was the room , including bathroom. We like modern and this was up there with the best in Barcelona,,which I think has the chicest hotels. Bed,lights, decor, Bose sound deck, TV, shower and thoughtful facilities designed by a woman for women, particulalrly in the bathroom- all so very tasteful.
Breakfast just perfect, library and huge log fire in a modern style so relaxing!
Look no further, if its chic, friendly, clean and modern that you like, book now!

Grand Summit Resort - Mount Snow, Vermont

2007-11-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

The stay was great. The service was awsome and everything was great even the pool, spa, and the hot tube. There are nice mountain biking trails, hiking trail and ski lift rides. There is bell hop service and valet parking. This is the idle trip to come and releax. If this is what you like to do this is the trip for you.

The Mariner Resort - Ogunquit, Maine (USA)

2007-11-25T11:13:00.001-08:00

We have just returned from staying at our favorite place in Ogunquit -- The Mariner Resort. My family and I have been staying at The Mariner Resort at different times of the year for the last three years, and we still enjoy coming back. The rooms are spacious and immaculate and accommodate our needs thoroughly. Although The Mariner is not located in the center of town, i.e., Perkins Cove, it's not that far removed. It remains very convenient to many points of interest as well as being a welcomed retreat from the many crowds that congregate each time we visit. The Mariner is the "best kept secret." The grounds are beautifully landscaped, and the pool areas are great. The staff are genuine, friendly and accommodating and go out of their way to make your stay an enjoyable experience.

Alaskan Suites - Homer, Alaska (USA)

2007-11-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

The cabin was fantastic. I was a little worried because most of the reviews sounded like the owners might have written them, but everything anyone said was true. My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and this was our favorite place we've ever stayed. Plasma TV with surround sound was awesome. Wireless internet was also
available. It was a little expensive for 2 people, but it was worth it - there are definately other options in Homer that are the same price and wouldn't be anywhere close to as nice. Only about 5 minutes
from town. Went kayaking with True North, and had a great trip. Don't
miss Sourdough Express for breakfast.

Homewood Suites - Universal - Orlando, FLorida (USA)

2007-11-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

Stayed here early Nov and have no serious complaints. Great rooms, helpful staff, good breakfast included.
Only negative issues were some staining on the room furniture and the lack of a bar though you can use the tiki bar outside the hotel opposite (if weather allows). Pool is quite small but quiet whilst we were there so no problem.
Hilton are currently expanding this hotel so expect building work for some time.
Overall a good experience. Fairly close to all major attractions and parks. Good family hotel.

Anastasis - Imerovigli (Greece)

2007-11-25T11:02:00.000-08:00

The Anastatis is located a little bit east of Thira, but by far is in a great location. We like this place, because it was easy to get to, convenient parking, and it was away from the tourists and souvinier shops. From this location you can drive anywhere on the island and still enjoy a great view.

We stayed in the White Room for our honeymoon and Despina and the staff especially Victor, couldn't have done more for us! The room was amazing! Everything was white and clean, and there were many personal touches like wine, fruit, flowers, candles, Greek music, etc. The view from the lanai was even more amazing. A few nights we hung out on the lanai watching the sunset and felt at peace. The property is really quiet, and the landscaping is simple and beautiful. All the hotel guests really keep to themselves so it is nice to feel that you are away from it all.
Breakfast was our favorite part of our trip. They have two kinds of breakfasts but both are great! Fresh squeezed OJ, omlets, eggs, paninis, fruit, cakes, crossiants, yogurt, jams,coffee/tea. WOW!!!!! This is the part that we really miss!

The staff was especially helpful is informing us of all the places to eat and things to do. They gave us great restaurant recommendations and even helped us out with deals on rental cars, etc. The oweners are particularly humble and full of information. Despina will tell you the history and the culture of the island, and her husband will bring you homemade wine. Can't go wrong.

If we ever go back to Santorini, we will stay here again. We loved everything about it and are so thankful for the staff for making it fabulous.

Raffaello Hotel - Rome (Italy)

2007-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

What a pleasant surprise! We booked this hotel based on the positive reviews. First of all this hotel is very well kept and the rooms smell fresh and are very very clean. We booked a double room on the internet for 125.00 cdn a night. My wife and myself were travelling with our 6 year old son and thought that he would be able to sleep with us in a King size bed(most double beds in Europe are actually King size beds). Upon arrival we found out that it was a Queen size bed in the room, so we asked for a cot for our son, but the front desk guy said that he would change our room to a larger triple room at no extra charge. WOW!! this kind of thing from our experience doesn't happen there is always an extra charge. The room was very large!! Breakfast was included as well and had the usual fare scrambled eggs pastry etc. but no toast ! Not a big deal. Everything was very fresh. We rented a car in Venice and needed to drop it off in Rome driving in Rome in nerve racking and not recommended. We asked the Bell guy where the rental car location was and he offered to go with us and take us there so we took him up on his offer we thought that he really went out of his way and was well worth the 10 euro tip we gave him. Close to all major attractions but St. Peters basilica is a bit of a walk. We would recommend this hotel to anyone that is looking for good clean comfortable hotel.

Posada de Rosas - Mendoza (Argentina)

2007-11-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

I was delighted to find its staff knowledgeable and affable. The hotel's deceptively unremarkable exterior hides a jewel inside -- comfortable, clean attractive rooms, lovely patio and courtyard with pool, sparkling sun/breakfast room and a relaxing atmosphere. English is spoken by all staff, and the owners make the Posada your home in Mendoza, helping you with arrangements for sightseeing, directions, shopping, restaurants, exercise -- everything.

I highly recommend this charming boutique hotel.

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2007-11-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

Despite its European connections, Buenos Aires has a flavor all its own. Street performers doing the tango are as much a part of the landscape as famous buildings like the opulent, French-designed Teatro Colon. Local culture is celebrated in the weekly Mataderos Fair, featuring regional food, crafts and horse races. The city's dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own personality, offer museums, restaurants, shopping, history, dancing and outdoor activities to suit any taste or budget.

I suggest this destination for any couple that loves to explore and enjoys new cultures.

Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

2007-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

Puerto Vallarta, on the Mexican Riviera, isn't a one-caballo town. True, gold-sand beaches and indigo waters invite carefree bay-side relaxation. But the lush Sierra Madres beckon you on horse, mountain bike or foot and you can stroll the malecón (esplanade) with locals. Ecotourism flourishes, so visit with the dolphins, humpback whales and manta ray. The town's history is visible in the whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, graceful cathedral and the occasional mule trotting downtown.

All in all, a very relaxing vacation with a great tropical atmosphere.

Sovietsky Hotel - Moscow (Russia)

2007-11-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

This hotel was absolutely gorgeous. We upgraded to a deluxe room as it wasn't much more expensive, and we were very happy. The rooms were very nice, well decorated, if a little old in style. Moscow is notoriously expensive for hotels, so we expected very little for the money we paid, and actually found this hotel to be quite good value. The hotel itself is incredibly beautiful. Location wise, it is three metro stops from the centre of Moscow (Red Square, Kremlin etc). It is even walking distance from the centre of Moscow for those who are keen walkers at perhaps 30 to 45 minutes. Dinamo is the closest tube, Beloruska is not too far either, but Dimano is the closest. To get there from the Domodedovo airport, take the express train (not a very fast express train as it takes one hour, but still!) only has one stop terminating on the green metro line. Then take the metro on the green line to Dinamo. All in all, approx 1.5 hours. Watch out, the metro stations are in Cyrillic!!! And it must be said, the restaurant ‘’Yar’’ attached to the hotel, while it is as expensive some of the London elite establishments, it is well worth the expense with some of the most exquisite food, ambience and decor I have ever experienced. You could easily be in the 18th century with the piano, painfully attentive staff, and French style gourmet food. At approximately £20 per meal, it's not cheap, however.

Meriton World Tower - Sydney (Australia)

2007-11-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Staying in one of the 3 bed apartments on one of the higher floors was worth it just for the views.

Sydney is a vibrant city and this was a great (and affordable) place for a family to stay; a short walk from Darling Harbour, Central Station, Pitt and George Streets. It’s an easy walk to the Rocks/Opera House.

The rooms were large, clean and well equipped. We found the service from reception to be friendly and attentive.

Like all major cities it pays to explore using one of a variety of transport passes that can be purchased. We found the Sydney Explore Bus was a great way to great a feel for the cities attractions and decide which to visit. It was also good to get out of the city to the nearby beaches.

Would we stay again?........yes, perhaps on a floor even higher up.

Best things to do in the city?.......Take a tour of the Opera House, go on a harbour cruise, explore the Rocks on a Walking Tour and if you get the chance take in a game of Auzzie rules football.

Omni Hotel - Montreal, QC (Canada)

2007-11-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

Our stay at the Omni in Montreal was excellent - but it came at a price. First, the MiniBar can become a hidden fee on your credit card unless you make sure to check all bills and get a copy of the checkout charges. We got billed for the MiniBar from the prior patron at the room. We were never told of the charges at time of checkout. And, not until we returned home, many many miles away, and checked our credit card - that a charge for $120 was added. If we slipped on checking the credit card bill - we would have been at a loss. The Omni did not correct the bill immediately - because it was unable to verify the MiniBar charges were NOT ours. And, because we did not have a paper copy at checkout, we had less credibility. So, forget the nice smiling faces and the joyous grandure front desk -- make sure you get a checkout receipt of all your charges. Or else you may
get charged AFTER you get back home. Don't forget -- they have your credit card on file -- and can charge you.

Chasing this error back -- to being a MiniiBar Attendand error cost us (the customer) two long distance phone calls, conversations with family members -- to make sure we did not make a mistake, calls to the credit card company, and emails to omni hotel. Anytime you stay at a foreign country -- make sure you get all necessary documents -- do not rely on nice hospitality . Everybody makes a mistake.

Careful if you are traveling with Kids. They will eat the candy and not say what happened. So, Omni makes sure the candy is just about the level kids can reach -- and no LOCK. Both are recepit for disaster. And the patron will pay --- for this trick. We were lucky not to have kids with us, at this stay. But if you have kids, get all the Mini-Bar stuff out of the room. This is how they make extra money from people who just look at the smiles.

Cerulean Tower - Tokyo (Japan)

2007-11-25T09:27:00.001-08:00

My wife and I stayed at the Cerulean for 5 nights in July. It was our first time in Tokyo and we chose this hotel based on the reviews here at TA. We really enjoyed the comfortable room, great bathroom with japanese style shower/bath enclosure. The room itself was spacious and well appointed, no discrepancy between what has been reported by other travellers.
We did not experience any of the inconveniences of other reviewers : ie we asked housekeeping for our pillows to be changed to hypo-allergenic and it was done within 15 minutes. The room was immaculate, and daily housekeeping very good. The staff was most helpful, especially the concierge desk helping out with dinner reservations (in places a tourist wanderoing the streets would NEVER find!) and with train reservations (the young lady at the concierge desk made sure we booked the proper seats on the Shinkansen to Kyoto because we had luggage... she suggested we request seats at the back of the train car where there is room behind the seats for large suitcase. She then wrote all this in japanese to make it easy for us at the ticket purchase office... small details but very helpful). Not all staff speak fluent English, as acurately reported by others, but hey, if you want everyone to speak English... don't go to Japan. That is the joys of travel. We found the overall level of the staff very high.

The Shibuya location is fabulous. A short 3 minute walk from the station makes JR train and subway access to all of Tokyo a breeze. Plus, compared to other hotels (we stayed at the Park Hotel at the tail end of our holiday) the Shibuya location is great, it is actually a NEIGHBORHOOD, and not just an office complex with only overhead walkways. You actually find LIFE right outside the hotel doors.

Our 33rd floor room afforded great views to Roppongi and the Tokyo Tower.

All in all, the Cerulean was a perfect choice, and a great home base to explore all of Tokyo.

Hotel Elysees Regencia - Paris (France)

2007-11-25T09:24:00.001-08:00

My wife and I wanted a small hotel located centrally in Paris for sightseeing and were delighted with this charming hotel. As said in other reviews, the staff spoke excellent English, were always polite and friendly and gave good advice on things to see and places to eat. The room was smallish but very well laid out and immaculately clean and the bed was really comfortable. I assume the hotel was refurbished not long ago. It is a few minutes walk from both the Seine, Metro stations and the Arc de Triomph, where we happened to see President Sarkozy on Remembrance Sunday. The satellite TV had some UK channels. Our room looked out onto a quiet street and the only noise came from church bells. We would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone planning to eat out a lot as we did - the only meals available are breakfast.

Sheraton - Cable Beach (Bahamas)

2007-11-25T09:21:00.000-08:00

I spent my Thanksgiving week-end at Sheraton and enjoyed my stay. The amenities and the rooms are renovated, the furniture is new (incl. a big plazma tv) and I could see the ocean from my "resort view" room. The beach is well kept and the pools are beautifully designed. And Nassau is a charming town, with great weather and nice people.

W Seattle - Seattle, WA (USA) Hotel

2007-11-25T09:18:00.000-08:00

I surprised my girlfriend with a night at the W to celebrate our anniversary. Although we booked a simple room and obviously weren’t high-rollers we were still treated as royalty. The valets were great, the staff was friendly and helpful, and when they found out that it was our anniversary they sent up an amazing bottle of champagne. We never had to open a door for ourselves or bother hailing our own cab. This place is well worth the money. The room was nice and the bed was amazing. Thank you Adam S ! He was our “W insider” and offered us excellent service and plenty of charm. If you are in Seattle for a night, or just want to treat yourself … this is the place to go.

Lincoln, NH to North Conway, NH - Kancamangus Highway (USA)

2007-11-25T09:15:00.001-08:00

This is a breathtaking stretch of highway. Driving straight through would only take about 40 minutes, but there are plenty of places to pull over and take photos, including a covered bridge. If you are in the area, you owe it to yourself to drive this scenic highway.

Doubletree Hotel - Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA)

2007-11-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

I booked this on priceline and paid around $90 with tax. Parking was around $11 after tax. It was well worth it and I would've paid more if I had to!

The lobby was nice, the room was amazing! Full kitchen (tho small), plasma tv, living area and very very comfy bed! Had a big balcony and it was nice! There was nothing bad about this place.

Checkout was 12pm which was perfect as my flight left at 3pm the next day and I regret checking in at 8pm and leaving at 11am the next day. I felt at home at this hotel.

The pool area was nice too, lots of chairs outside and good mood setting place to make you feel warm and at home.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone I know! Hotel staff was really nice too!

Fort Myers, Florida (USA)

2007-11-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

I have been to Fort Myers, FL a few times now and my most recent visit was the best. I had been down there in the off season and it seemed a bit boring. However this past visit was to check out MLB spring training. Fort Myers is the home of the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox Spring Training Facilities.

I stayed at the Light House Inn and that was a pretty nice set up. Fairly close to the ocean and in the middle of the action. There is a tiki-bar there that was quite fun.

There are lots of shops along the beach and the water isn't as blue as I would have thought but that is due to the river that runs into the ocean.

The deep sea fishing was ok at best. The boats have to go out at least 2 hours just to get to the fishing grounds.

There is some great food around. I don't really reccomend anything particular mainly because it was all good. Whatever your flavor is, there is something close by.

Very reasonable gift shops and very friendly people.

You might want to check out this great Florida vacation!

Introduction

2007-11-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Being a bit of a traveler, I figured I would share my reviews for your destination for your next vacation. I have been all across the country and all over the world as well. I am familiar with price, fun and relaxation. After all, thats what vacation is all about. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think of certain destinations you have been to.