Hotel: Sleep Inn Charlottesville

City: Charlottesville, VA
Chain: Sleep Inn
Property: Sleep Inn Charlottesville
Address: 5th Avenue, Charlottesville, VA
Phone Number: (434) 244-9969

Check Out: February 2007



Discount hotel, short on ammenities, but clean. Room ("suite" style) wasn't much on furniture but it was very large.

They provide breakfast in the morning, but there's a Waffle House across the street, and a Burger King next store. Not an interesting part of Charlottesville, but close to the Interstate.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: .5 Breakfast only (didn't try it - we went across the street)
  
• Bar: 0
  
• Internet: 0 ("data jack" is a phone jack - although I found an open WiFi nearby)
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: .5
  

Total: 5

Directions:

Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Hotel: Sheraton Great Valley

City: Frazer, PA
Chain: Sheraton
Property: Sheraton Great Valley Hotel
Address: 707 East Lancaster Avenue, Route 202 and 30, Frazer, Pennsylvania, 19355
Phone Number: (610) 524-5500

Check Out: February 2007



Very nice hotel. Frequented by QVC visitors (QVC is nearby), so much higher than normal ratio of famous people to regular people as they try to sell their merchendise. Rooms were nice, staff was very nice. The air conditioner in the room was way too loud and they promptly changed us to another room.

Attached to the hotel is a nice historic inn, with a nice breakfast in the morning. Definately worth another stay.

A little difficult to get to depending on the direction you are approaching on route 30. You might need to get off at Exton and drive down old route 30.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1
  
• Bar: 1
  
• Internet: ? (unknown)
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: ?
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1 (awesome - high up and wasteful)
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 7

Directions:


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Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Restaurant: La Calle Doce

415 West 12th Street
Dallas, Texas 75208
214-941-4304

Had lunch here, and it's a great little place to eat. Unique, or probably authentic, mexican cooking. Home cooked nachos, seafood soup, and great tacos and fajitas. Nice but casual.

The flan was a real treat. Much denser than what I have had in the past. Almost like a cheesecake in consistency.

Hotel: Courtyard Dallas Market Center

City: Dallas, TX
Chain: Marriott
Property: Courtyard Dallas Market Center
Address: 2150 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75207
Phone Number: (214) 653-1166

Check Out: February 13, 2007



Your basic Courtyard experience, although the shower was much nicer than usual, and the dining room and room service seemed a bit more than usual. Also, a real bar with a real bartender who poured great drinks.

There's a Denny's next store if you need something different. There's a little pool and garden area in the middle of the building (outside). It seemed a bit more upscale than a normal Courtyard.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: 1
  
• Bar: 1
  
• Internet: 1 (free and slow, or paid and fast)
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 1
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1 (awesome - high up and wasteful)
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  
• Common Areas: 1
  

Total: 9

Directions:

Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Flight: United #5351 SAT-IAD

Departing From: San Antonio, TX (SAT)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (IAD)
ETD: 12:02PM February 14, 2007 (actual: 3:00 PM)
ETA: 3:20PM February 14, 2007 (actual: 7:00 PM)
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate: 16
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

I was supposed to be on a 1-stop through O'hare. But there was winter weather all up the northeast portion of the country which killed schedules everywhere. This was a flight that was supposed to leave before I got to the airport, but it was delayed because Dulles was closed. So, I was able to get on, which was a double bonus:

My connection through O'hare was cancelled later.
The equipment and crew were here, so I knew this flight would get there once Dulles was open.

So, ended up home a little later than original, but I did much better than I would have with the original tickets!

Airports: Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Airport Name: Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
FAA Sign: CLT
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/Home.htm

Airports: Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Airport Name: Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport
FAA Sign: DCA
Location: Washington, DC USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.metwashairports.com/national/

The smallest, and the best of the three Washington area commercial airports. The perfect size for lots of services, easy parking, and getting in and our easily. There is a Metro stop right there, and the daily parking is an easy walk across a bridge to get inside. Lots of dining and shopping, an incredible view across the Potomac river to our nation's capital.

Driving there can be difficult. During rush hour you are fighting every other driver in the DC area. One mistake by one driver on the GW parkway means you might miss your flight if your schedule is tight. However, heads and shoulders the best experience compared to IAD and BWI.

Restaurant: White Horse Tavern

707 East Lancaster Avenue, Route 202 & 30
Frazer, PA 19355
Phone: 610-524-5500

Historic tavern attached to a Sheraton hotel. The decor is "tavern" - a fireplace in each room, chair rail moulding, creaky floors, etc. We had breakfast here buffet style, and it was good and the service was good.

We liked all the horse themed pictures on the walls.