Who’s Your Daddy?

Cape Town is a wonderful city filled with beautiful scenery, amazing sites, and luxurious hotel accomodations. As in any metropolitan city, the accomodations selection is diverse wth everything from low end hostels to five star hotels. I am a fan of finding unique, but still comfortable, places to stay that provide a different experience than I would get at home. Well the Grand Daddy Hotel has set the bar on “unique experience”.

Picture if you will several airstream silver trailers, each uniquely designed by a South African designer to reflect a different theme, placed together to create a cute little trailer community or neighborhood. Now place them on the roof of a boutique hotel and you have just created the trailer park at the Grand Daddy Hotel. It is a one of a kind experience that visitors to Cape Town should try for atleast one night, just like I did.

The trailer park has its own bar and you feel like you are in your own little world perched above Long Street. You can see the buildings around you and hear the traffic below as you sip on cocktails as the sun sets.

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In Dallas “W” stands for Wonderful

If you are a fan of the W hotel chains then head to the Lone Star state for a night or two in one of their newest additions. W- Dallas Victory brings urban boutique style to downtown Dallas and is the newest hot spot to stay and play. With Ghostbar as the hotel bar you are sure to find great drinks and fun as a welcome addition to the Dallas nightlife scene.

One thing I will give the hotel is amazing marks on customer service. From the moment you drive up to the hotel you are treated well. From bellman to front desk staff, I received warm smiles and continual offers of assistance. When asking for a restaurant suggestion the concierge was knowledgeable friendly and right on point. His suggestion of Medina not only had excellent food but was a perfect fit for our group. The only snag in what would have been a perfect stay was waking up to no water pressure, which meant the shower wouldn’t work! After calling the front desk, they immediately indicated that someone was working on it and had the situation handled as soon as possible. It meant I had less time to enjoy the rainfall shower but did not sour my W experience. It is a perfect choice for those who want the best service and some of the best food and fun in the city. Read more

The District’s Red Paradise

“Couples Escape or Solo Hideaway”

Looking for a quiet evening or weekend escape, at a chic boutique hotel, in one of the busiest Metro cities in the US?  Well I found the perfect spot for you in Washington, DC.  It’s called Hotel Rouge, which is a part of the Kimpton Hotel Family.

Yes Rouge (Red) is its theme and the 1960’s meet the millennium serves as its motif.  From the moment you enter, you’ll quickly escape the busy city life and be lured into this tantalizing and mesmerizing Red tranquil paradise.

After settling in my hotel, I was amazed at how much space and amenities I got for my buck.  I simply loved everything.  It felt as if this room was hand picked for me.  Each room is designed and decorated with a modernized 60’s pop culture theme.  Within the room you’ll notice framed pictures of Cadillac cars and piano bars drizzled in red, extending light fixtures and lamps accented in red, plush ottomans and armchairs accented in red, followed by a King sized bed with a floor to ceiling soft red leather headboard.

Sounds like a lot of red, however, it isn’t over done or overwhelming.  The rooms are strategically designed and well thought out, and the lingering soothing, sultry, and classy feel puts you at ease.  “Peace Man”.

The decor makes you feel like a million bucks.   And you can’t beat the nightly rate!  In December for roughly $110 per night I got amazing amenities, top-notch customer service, stylish rooms, and a hosted evening complimentary wine reception, and MORE…. Read more

A grown up Palms

I was definitely biased. Television had poisoned me to believe that this hotel would have nothing but college boys on Spring Break and celebrities acting crazy. But I wanted something different this trip to Vegas and off the strip. I figured I would spend my days at the spa and hide out in my room if needed. But luckily my worries were unnecessary. The Palms Resorts have a new property, Palms Place, which not only leaves all the images of the original two Palms properties behind but it is the perfect example of a boutique hotel.
If you arrive in the main Palms lobby as we did you have to cross the casino and take the skybridge over to Palms Place. These few minutes not only transplant you to your hotel but to another world entirely of muted colors, no noise from casino gamblers, chic restaurants and a quiet ambience. I think I am going to like it here.

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Indianapolis during the NFL Football Kick-off

I am what some might call the anti-football fan. I don’t like to watch it on TV and will go to the live game, not to watch the game, but to cheer along with friends.  So what a surprise when I arrived in Indianapolis in what was the second biggest celebration for this town’s football fans. The NFL Kick-off! After winning the Superbowl last year, Indianapolis Colts fans were excited to cheer their team into another season. They were playing the New Orleans Saints days after the second anniversary of Katrina. Saints fans were in town not only representing their team but all that is New Orleans. Don’t I know how to pick em…

I should have known something was going on when this normally affordable hotel city had sky high hotels rates. One of my favorite places to stay is the Embassy Suites Downtown on Washington Street. This large high rise hotel is connected to a shopping mall and surrounded by places to eat.

 

It is centrally located downtown and offers easy access to the highway. With its cooked to order breakfast and nightly manager’s reception of cocktails and snacks, it is perfect for people looking for an affordable place to stay with some of the comforts of home included in the price. The extra large rooms have a separate sitting and sleeping area with a small table and pull-out couch.

 

This makes it a perfect for groups of travelers and families. For business travelers the table area allow you to separate your work and rest areas. Each room also has a small fridge, microwave, two televisions, three mirrors and two vanity areas. The vanity in the sleeping area has a full mirror and sink which allows someone else to do their hair or make-up while someone else is in the bathrooms. Perfect for groups of women traveling together and trying to get ready all at once.

 

I have always received amazing service at the hotel and it is usually a first pick when staying in Indianapolis. The front desk staff are knowledgeable about the area and very friendly. Even though I arrived close to Midnight after tons of travel drama, I was greeted with warm smiles and quick service.

The one downfall for this property is the parking garage and entrance. With its sharp corners and distance from the actual hotel, parking  is a less than pleasant experience. The garage is connected to the building where the hotel is located but has a separate entrance and elevator. When bringing your luggage you have to cross the driveway area and then enter the hotel. From there you take an escalator to the check-in area. Unfortunately though there are ramps and other measures to make it accessible it is not the best set up for people with wheelchairs or even large luggage. The escalator is also very narrow. If you can get past this part the other amenities and space in the rooms make it a great place to stay in Indy.

By the way, the Colts won the game though I spent my time in the mall!

Embassy Suites Indianapolis - Downtown
110 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-236-1800