Hotel: Radisson Valley Forge

City: King of Prussia, PA
Chain: Radisson
Property: Radisson Valley Forge
Address: 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone Number: 610-768-3222

Check Out: December 31, 2006



Seems like I've looked at this hotel most of my life.

In high school the hotel include a two screen movie theater that was much larger and nicer than the ones in Pottstown. It was much more of an adventure going to the movies there. Over the years the complex added an office building and replaced the movie theater with a convention center of some kind. Still very recognizable to be with its distinctive cylinder shape, but quite different than 30 years ago.

The round cross section creates somewhat pie shaped rooms. So, the rooms are cramped near the door, and the bathrooms are kind of small. But the room area is nice. There is a little balcony long since sealed up, and depending on the side of the building your room is on you're either looking at a parking lot or you get a sense of the rolling hills of Valley Forge. Over the highway.

One major warning - avoid the "fantasy suites". The top floor is a series of rooms each with a "theme" of over the top decorations. This floor doesn't feel like it was meant to have rooms - you have to walk up steps after getting off at the top floor. My guess is that these used to be two floor suites or something from the floor below since it doesn't make sense that you would walk up a floor to get in the room. The themes are silly, in a Poconos way, although kids probably think its great to be in the spaceman room or something. But the rooms have no windows to the outside and the furnishings are more style than comfort.

The regular rooms are fine. The resturant was OK, and if you don't like it, King of Prussia mall is over the hill.

Rating:

• Safety: 1 - you're out away from everything.
  
• Dining: 1
  
• Bar: 1 (separate bar)
  
• Internet: 1 (pay per day)
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0 (I think)
  
• Work Space, Power: 1 (except top floor)
  
• Shower: 1
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 7

Directions:


View Hotels in a larger map

Last Visit: December 31, 2006 ($118 a night)

Restaurant: Daily News, Bethesda MD

Bethesda Metro Center,
Bethesda, MD

Nice place sitting in the middle of causal and nice. The menu is varied, and the decor is booths with dark wood. I've been here a few times for lunch, this was the first time for dinner, and the service was good. Salmon was cooked right, and the Chicken Marsala was very good, although serviced with mashed potatoes was a little different. Bar is well stocked - Hendricks martini was poured well.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Downtown Chicago

City: Chicago, IL
Chain: Hyatt
Property: Chicago
Address: Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
Phone Number:

Check Out: November 30, 2006

While this should have been a top of the line hotel stay, it was unfortunately very uncomfortable. The room, high up with a great view, had a noise in the air conditioning system which woke me up all night. Maintenance came the next day to fix it, which replaced the sharp clunk noise with a tremendous smell of WD-40. I guess you can get used to anything when you're tired, but the whole experience left me disappointed - especially at the price range of this hotel.

The main lobby is a large atrium, which houses a large bar and a large "nightclub". So, it was incredibly noisy the whole time with no break.

On the good side, the staff were very nice and friendly. But, the general layout of the hotel and my bad luck with a very bad room problem is the only lasting memory of the experience.

Internet was an extra $13 a night, which is too much at those room rates.

Restaurant: Gene & Georgetti, Chicago IL

Chicago, IL
312-527-3718
Downtown
http://www.geneandgeorgetti.com/

A small, old, corner restaurant in all the great ways a restaurant is small and old. A ton of character, great professional bartenders (that know "martini" doesn't mean "vodka"), and great professional wait staff. The speciality is Italian cooking in a chop house tradition. While we were eating the Monday Night Football game was Seattle-Chicago, away in Seattle where it was snowing like mad. Looking up at the TV made you think you were in Chicago in winter with the ball game going on at Soldier field.

Food was top notch, and having a good experienced waiter added a lot to the meal. He was able to guide us around the menu, adding suggestions where needed.

Valet parking available.

Map

Flight: United #625 DCA-ORD

Departing From: Washington, DC (DCA)
Traveling To: Chicago, IL (ORD)
ETD: 04:40PM November 26, 2006
ETA: 06:35AM December 26, 2006
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 33F
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

Most likely my last business trip for the year, and lucky me traveling Thanksgiving weekend! Full flights, cramped seats. Got to the airport 2 hours earlier because of all th warnings about long lines, and this was completely false. Everyone got there early, there weren't long lines (at Reagan, anyway), so the waiting area was way too full because of all the people waiting for flights.

And, it was difficult to see the Redskins game on the one TV in the airport wanting area showing the game. There were a dozen TVs there, but only one on the Redskins, the others on some AFC game as if Washington was a city with an AFC team and our game wasn't on now.

Flight was completely uninteresting, except that once again it was impossible to open a laptop because of how far back United seats lean back. So I was stuck staring at the bald spot of the passenger in front of me the whole time.

Restaurant: Crabby Bill's Seafood

7700 Courtney Cambell Causeway, Tampa, Florida 33607
813-281-0566

Stopped for lunch with a colleague October 2006 for lunch after business. Grilled grouper sandwich. A little salty, but perfectly cooked. Cup of chicken & saugage gumbo - perfect.

Moderately priced, sitting next to the water attached to a hotel. Sat inside, a little stuffy in the mid day sun. But what do I know - I'm from Maryland.

Airport: Tampa, Florida (TPA)

Airport Name: Tampa International Airport
FAA Sign: TPA
Location: Tampa, Florida USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.tampaairport.com/

Well located, with easy highway access to Clearwater, St. Pete, and down the gulf coast toward Naples.

A "hub and spoke" design, with a central check in building attached to a hotel, and electric tram cars out to 6 terminal islands, not too different than Orlando. Shopping and dining in the central area, limited dining in the terminals and a news stand.

Super Bonus! Free WiFi in the airport, no charge, a little sluggish but beats paid service in many other airports.

Flight: United #1134 DEN-IAD

Departing From: Denver, CO (DEN)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (IAD)
ETD: 07:35PM October 9, 2006
ETA: 012:45AM (Next Day) October 10, 2006
Est. Duration: 3 hr, 15 min
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

It's hard to resist the urge to rant about flights some times. This is one of those times.

Against my better judgement I "upgraded" to an economy plus seat, thinking at least I could spend a few hours typing on the laptop. United has a problem in that they allow their seats to recline much too sharply. Even after spending extra money (well, only $30), the person in front of me put their seat back preventing any use of a laptop. Almost crushed the screen also - I don't know why people have no manners to ask before leaning their seat back into your space. You have no recourse, outside of sneezing frequently.

So, the back up plan was to catch up on reading. No luck there. The overhead light didn't work for that seat, and the person next to me was sleeping and not turning their's on.

So I sat in the dark for 3 hours back to DC.

One funny note, in the middle of this the attendant asked if I would like to fill out a survey on how much I enjoyed my flight. They're lucky the light bulb wasn't working.

Complaining about flights is such a cliche that I don't have the energy to think up something new. I used to be a United Premier Executive member in their travel program. I think all the loyalty to try and retain this has finally been squeezed out of me.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Denver - Convention Center

City: Denver, CO
Chain: Hyatt
Property: Denver - Convention Center
Address: 650 15th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone Number: 303-436-1234

Check Out: October 9, 2006



Very nice hotel in a great location downtown. This is my first visit to Denver (although I've been to the airport plenty of times, but the airport is no where near the city). There is an outdoor "shopping mall" area near the airport that seems to be a center for dining and shopping, although it seems devoid of any character that would identify it as Denver. No cowboy hats, no Rocky Mountain High (you could walk a few blocks and see them), same generic American mall experience. A little disappointing, but maybe you need to get out of the city to see "Colorado" in any substantial way. Colorado Springs and Pueblo had more western character than the downtown area, but that's probably not a surprise. The hotel is across the street from the convention center.

Hyatt's are very nice to stay in - almost a Ritz Carlton experience with the staff being exceptionally well trained and attentive to customer needs. Nice bar area in the lobby, and a sit down dining area as well. The room I had was very nice, large TV (although picture wasn't very good). Excellent room service.


Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1
  
• Bar: 1
  
• Internet: 1
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
  
• Work Space, Power: 2
  
• Shower: 1
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 10

Directions:

Last Visit: October 8, 2006 ($200-ish a night)

Flight: Frontier 721 DCA-DEN

Departing From: Washington, DC (DCA)
Traveling To: Denver, CO (DEN)
ETD: 09:00AM October 7, 2006
ETA: 010:50AM October 7, 2006
Est. Duration: 3 hr, 15 min
Departure Gate: 26
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 10F (Exit Row)
Equipment: Airbus 319
Miles:
Other:

Frontier - first time. Airbus 319. Built 2002. Exit row, window seat. OK shoulder room, good leg room.

TVs in each chair, but you have to pay $5 to watch it. The GPS display is free, which is my favorite channel, anyway! JetBlue is a better deal with free TV service.

A little bumpy out to Denver. Nice blue sky. It’s a full flight, like all of them out this weekend. Everything was full or almost full when trying to make the arrangements after United cancelled by IAD flight on the 777. United has disappointed frequently this year.

Hotel: Best Western Quiet Suites Mequon

City: Mequon, WI
Chain: Best Western
Property: Best Western Quiet House & Suites
Address: 10330North Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI 53092
Phone Number: 262-241-3677

Check Out: September 14, 2006

A "suite style for business travelers" kind of place. Kind of like Courtyard, with larger rooms and desks, a common area for hanging out after work but not a pick-up joint. I had a "theme" room of some kind - oriental, I think but didn't leave much of an impression on me. However, the staff was extremely nice, as you would expect in this part of the country.

Not much food - breakfast and a little nook to buy snacks. There was a place next door, but closed very early so not much going on over there.

Restaurant: Outback Steakhouse, Aspen Hill, MD

(301) 933-4385
13703 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20906

Might have been here before - not sure. Not a great location, but there aren't many nice resturants in this part of Montgomery County. Service was pretty good because of a good waiter, although a little slow at times maybe because of short help. What you would expect from Outback - consistant, heavy on the fried food and the choice is mostly steak or something with alfredo sauce.

Flight: United #7822 IND-IAD

Departing From: Indianapolis, IN (IND)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (IAD)
ETD: 07:10PM July 24, 2006
ETA:
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 15A
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe, Tyson's Corner

Go here frequently. It's casual, usually crowded but not too long for a table, and the menu is creative but not too long. Love the Ahi Tuna, and the little pizzas they make are great.

Only downside is the noise level in the place is off the hook. Even when not full the crowd noise is so loud its difficult to have conversation sometimes. Something bad about the acoustics in there, or they have a lot of unusually loud talkers who frequent the place.

Visited again, August 6, 2006

Restaurant: Panera, Aspen Hill MD

13521 Connecticut Ave
Wheaton, MD 20906
301-598-7190

Kind of a deli, kind of a copy of Cosi or Einstein Bros., but more about the bread.

Restaurant: Chipotle, Bethesda

7600 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-907-9077

They're all the same. Big burritos, not expensive. The only down side - always crowded.

Restaurant: Legal Seafood, Washington DC (MCI Arena)

701 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-347-0007

Across the street from the arena, so very convenient when attending an event. Not very large, however, and fills up fast. You need to get there early - 2 hours before event time should do it.

Like other Legal Seafood locations - generally very good although the service at this one can be spotty due to the rush an event represents to them.

Metro: Chinatown/Arena station - go out the arena exit, up 7th street a block on the other side.

Last visit: October 10, 2006

Restaurant: Claim Jumper (Lake Forest Area)

http://www.claimjumper.com/hypertext/locations_ca.htm

Portions too big. Kind of a "gold rush" theme to the place (obviously), but not a very strong theme. Outside the wait staff wearing sheriff badges, the theme is decor only.

Very good quality food, but all in the "american" category. The chocolate cake is humorously too large - one slice is dessert for 4 or more. Moderately priced.

Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Foothill Ranch

City: Lake Forest, CA
Chain: Marriott
Property: Foothill Ranch SNAFR
Address: 27492 Portola Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92610
Phone Number: 949-951-5700

Check Out: May 5, 2006



Out in the middle of nowhere, California's Orange County. Not too far from Anaheim, but not really part of that scene. It seems to be a part of the state that LA is just speading out into with mostly new development and highways. Didn't realize there were places not yet part of LA, frankly.

Relatively new, clean Courtyard experience. A real bar, which I didn't know Marriott's were doing in these. Not a great place for a family stay - mostly business guys blowing off steam with beer at the end of the day. Rooms were very well furnished, everything was good. What you would expect.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 0 (breakfast only). Starbucks across the parking lot, though.
  
• Bar: 1
  
• Internet: 1, included!
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 8

Directions:

Last Visit: May 5, 2006 (169 plus tax)

Hotel: Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles

City: Los Angeles
Chain: Millennium
Property: Millennium Biltmore Hotel
Address: 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90071
Phone Number: 213-624-1011

Check Out: May 4, 2006



In downtown LA. A grand old hotel with service in the old style. Meaning that the random problems are "character" and not something to be addressed. Bathroom door didn't close, shower curtain didn't prevent too much water from getting out, elevator was old and slow, noise in room from traffic outside and punks was disruptive. Internet required getting a cable.

But, the hotel was pretty, the service staff top notch, resturant was good. The shower, while at sholder height, was a wonderfully wastefull waterfall.


Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1
  
• Bar: 1
  
• Internet: 1, but very overpriced at $13 a night.
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0
  
• Work Space, Power: .5
  
• Shower: .5
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 7

Directions:

Last Visit: May 4, 2006 (189 plus tax)

Hotel: Austin Hilton

Moved to Hotel: Austin Hilton

City: Austin, TX
Chain: Hilton
Property: Hilton Convention Center
Address:
Phone Number:

Check Out: April 21, 2006



Attached to the convention center in Houston, near the 7th street section of dining and entertainment.

Finn & Porter dining is very nice, emphasis on sushi & steak.

Rooms very nice (in a business way), quiet, comfortable. Lobby is large and not really inviting - dark lighting, tends to be somewhat chaotic with crowds. Starbucks in the lobby.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
• Dining: 1, both room service & dining good.
• Bar: 1
• Internet: 1, $12 daily - over priced. Wired or wireless.
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
• Work Space, Power: 1
• Shower: 1
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
• Common Areas: 1

Total: 9

Directions:


View Hotels in a larger map


Last Visit: April 21, 2006 ($$$)

Flight: United #382 ORD-IAD

Departing From: Chicago Ohare (ORD)
Traveling To: Washington Dulles (IAD)
ETD: 09:15pM April 21, 2006
ETA: 11:54PM April 21, 2006
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 757-200
Miles:
Other:

The last Ohare-Dulles United flight on Fridays, always crowded, always full of tired business travelers. Departure was delayed 45 minutes due to late connecting flights coming in. Even though you're tired and want to get home, you know how you'd feel if United didn't hold this flight for you so its OK. They want to get home too, and no more flights out of Ohare usually means an overpriced hotel without your luggage for 5 hours sleep before they place you on the 6:30 out the next morning. Unless you're not carrying anything of value - then you can sleep on the floor with everyone else.

Huge luggage delay once back. My bag had come on an earlier flight (one I tried to get on, but was full), but of course I didn't know this until waiting for all the bags to come out from this flight and then waiting in line at the United luggage counter. Hey United - how about using the flight status paging messages to let passengers know where their bags are?

Flight: United #6870 AUS-ORD

Departing From: Austin, TX (AUS)
Traveling To: Chicago Ohare (ORD)
ETD: 04:58AM April 21, 2006
ETA: 07:35PM April 21, 2006
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Canadaire Regional Jet
Miles:
Other:

Restaurant: Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

Article moved to Restaurant: Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill)

City: Austin, Texas
Location: 303 Red River
Phone: 512.236.9599
Website: www.moonshinegrill.com

August 10, 2004

Another business dinner with a group that was attending a convention.

This may be one of the most deceptive restaurants I have ever been in. From the outside, it is a small group of buildings that seems like a house and some sheds. As you get closer, you see that some people are sitting outside. Then, when you see the valet out front you realize its something more than a drinking place.

Moonshine is located very close (kind of across the street, but in the back) to the convention center in Austin. It is not too expensive, with a varied menu, and you have your choice of sitting inside or outside. The atmosphere is casual, the clients are a mix of business people and locals. The wait staff are pretty casual, but boy are they knowledgeable!

Our waiter that night (Steve) was one of those that memorizes the orders instead of writing them down. But he had the whole menu down, and made great recommendations to everyone about what to order (I had a fish special from the gulf -- a "drumhead" fish I believe) and made a tremendous wine recommendation. The dishes were a little creative but very good, the wine went well, and the service was top notch.

A great dining experience!



Visited again April 20, 2006. Meat loaf made with ground buffalo. Very good!

Flight: United #7273 IAD-AUS

Departing From: Washington, DC (IAD)
Traveling To: Austin, TX (AUS)
ETD: 08:35AM April 20, 2006
ETA: 11:10AM April 20, 2006
Est. Duration: 3 hr 20 min
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Canadaire Regional Jet
Miles:
Other:

Hotel: Marriott Austin at the Capitol

City: Austin, TX
Chain: Marriott
Property: Marriott Austin at the Capitol
Address: 701 East 11th Street, Austin TX 78701
Phone Number: 512-478-1111

Check Out: March 29, 2006



Marriott business hotel meeting the expectations you would have for a Marriott business hotel. Clean, pleasant.

In room dining was good, and surprisingly not the pocket emptying experience room service has become. A few blocks from the convention center, not too far from one of the dining and entertainment areas of downtown.

Shower was perfect for those 5 foot in hight or less.


Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1, room service only.
  
• Bar: 1, untested
  
• Internet: 1, although $10 a night at these rates seems over the top.
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0 (not really any common areas)
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 0 (perfect for people 5 ft tall)
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 7

Directions:

Last Visit: March 29, 2006 ($$$)

Flight: JetBlue #309 IAD-SAN

Departing From: Washington, DC (IAD
Traveling To: San Diego, CA (SAN)
ETD: 06:30PM February 12, 2005 PDT
ETA: 09:10PM February 12, 2005 EDT
Est. Duration: 4 hr 55 min
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Airbus 319
Miles:
Other:

Flight: Southwest #1721 PVD-BWI

Departing From: Providence, RI (PVD)
Traveling To: Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
ETD: 4:30 PM February 23, 2006
ETA: 5:45 PM February 23, 2006
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 737
Miles:
Other:

Flight: Southwest #400 BWI-PVD

Departing From: Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
Traveling To: Providence, RI (PVD)
ETD: 7:55 AM February 23, 2006
ETA: 9:00 AM February 23, 2006
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 737
Miles:
Other:

Hotel: Paradise Point Resort & Spa

City: San Diego, CA
Chain: No detectable chain involved.
Property: Paradise Point Hotel & Spa
Address: 1404 West Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone Number: 858-274-4630

Check Out: February 17, 2006



Resort property out a bit from San Diego proper. Near the Sea World area.

A resort - not a hotel - not convenient to the convention center and other downtown things. The property is not a high rise, but a collection of small bungalows that hold two or so units in each. Very spread out, the staff usually drove you around in golf carts.

Very pretty to walk around. All palm trees and tropical gardens. The rooms were very nice. Although looking at the brochure I obviously had a less desirable room, as I didn't have a view of anything except the back of another bungalow. But, the grounds were exceptionally lush for walking around and the weather was great while I was there in that "the weather is always great in San Diego" kind of way.

The grounds were crawling with wildlife at night munching on room service trays left out of the buildings (all the building open directly to the outside). Cats mostly, but a skunk at night left quite an impression (and fortunately nothing else).

Overall impression was that it was great to look at, but not as special as the room rate would have indicated.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1, only tested the bar/casual dining (great), main dining was highly recommended but untested.
  
• Bar: 1, very good
  
• Internet: 1, although $10 a night at these rates seems over the top.
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0 (not really any common areas)
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1 (very decadent)
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 8

Directions:

Last Visit: February 17, 2006 ($$$)

Flight: JetBlue #314 SAN-IAD

Departing From: San Diego, CA (SAN)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (IAD)
ETD: 06:00AM February 15, 2005 PDT
ETA: 02:35PM February 15, 2005 EDT (Actual 2:10 AM)
Est. Duration: 4 hr 55 min
Departure Gate: 37
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 23D
Equipment: Airbus 319
Miles:
Other: