It's all about expectations. If I'm paying for an upscale hotel then I expect an on-time wake up call, quality fitness center, and free toothpaste from the front desk. I wouldn't expect the same things at a country travelodge. Don't get me wrong, I love the dingy motel experience but I'd like to expect it.
My favorite hotels:
Best hotel lobby-The Fairmont San Francisco, CA - Think Great Gatsby. The lobby is all marble and filled with palm trees. Grab a bamboo chair at the lounge and order their famous mint julep.
Best view - The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, CA - The Top of the Mark restaurant offers a 360 degree view of San Francisco. Take a map, pick a window and see the sights from the 19th floor. The brunch is outstanding. Also, they have a live band and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. This is not the place to talk because the music is obnoxiously loud.
Best hotel for a quiet relaxing getaway - The Biltmore Phoenix, AZ - Designed by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright, this hotel features extensive perfectly landscaped grounds dotted by various small pools and outside bars. I'm always impressed by this peaceful resort and by the Biltmore staff. They'll take your order and serve you at the lounge chair of your choice.
Best hotel Concierge and staff- The Adolphus Dallas, TX (picture, the tapestries are on loan from the Met) - Even the bell boys are outstanding. They noticed I went out for coffee every morning and offered to make the run for me and deliver it to my room at my designated time. I preferred to go out for coffee, but the offer was impressive. This hotel is one of my all-time favorite's. It's a great blend of Texan culture and European charm with lot's of dark wood, chandelier's and mirror's. It's only a few blocks from the flagship Nieman Marcus, in case you feel like looking at things you can't afford.
Best location for designer shopping- The Drake Chicago, IL - It sits at the start of Michigan Avenue, need I say more?
Best location for boutique shopping - The Riverside Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Walk out the front door and you're right in the middle of Las Olas Boulevard with a range of dining and boutique's galore.
Best hotel to spot a politician - The Mayflower Washington, DC - Politicians from the left and right frequent this hotel and often put visiting family members up here. Hang out at the hotel cafe and bar for best odds.
Best hotel for entertainment- Bellagio Las Vegas, NV - A stay at the Bellagio puts you at a prime spot on the strip with access to all Vegas has to offer including shows, a top-shelf dance club, and the iconic Bellagio fountains.
Best hotel for the wild west expereience- El Tovar Grand Canyon, AZ - My first thought was, "I left the animal skins draped over the pack horse". It's very old west but you're right on the Canyon and it's certainly historic.
Best hotel restaurant- Four Seasons Boston, MA - It's considered one of the best restaurants in Boston which is pretty impressive for a hotel. Order some seafood.
Best gardens- Marriott Plaza San Antonio, TX - There are multiple courtyards in this hotel and one large courtyard where you'll find the pool, fitness house and several flowering walkways. It's close to the San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo. One of my favorite things about this hotel is that you'll run into beautiful free roaming pheasants and peacocks in the lobby, gardens, and courtyards. Maybe it's my six-year-old attention span but I thought this was fantastic!
Best haunt- The Boulderado Boulder, CO - This victorian style hotel (seriously, lot's of floral) is famous for several different haunting stories. The most widely circulated is of a woman dressed in white who reportedly appears around the top floors of the hotel, often near the elevator where she plunged to her death. Rooms 302 and 304 are supposedly haunted by a couple who committed suicide together. I didn't notice anything, but it felt kinda creepy.
I'd like to stay at Trump Tower in Chicago and the Plaza in NYC. Most unlikely.
My favorite hotels:
Best hotel lobby-The Fairmont San Francisco, CA - Think Great Gatsby. The lobby is all marble and filled with palm trees. Grab a bamboo chair at the lounge and order their famous mint julep.
Best view - The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, CA - The Top of the Mark restaurant offers a 360 degree view of San Francisco. Take a map, pick a window and see the sights from the 19th floor. The brunch is outstanding. Also, they have a live band and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. This is not the place to talk because the music is obnoxiously loud.
Best hotel for a quiet relaxing getaway - The Biltmore Phoenix, AZ - Designed by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright, this hotel features extensive perfectly landscaped grounds dotted by various small pools and outside bars. I'm always impressed by this peaceful resort and by the Biltmore staff. They'll take your order and serve you at the lounge chair of your choice.
Best hotel Concierge and staff- The Adolphus Dallas, TX (picture, the tapestries are on loan from the Met) - Even the bell boys are outstanding. They noticed I went out for coffee every morning and offered to make the run for me and deliver it to my room at my designated time. I preferred to go out for coffee, but the offer was impressive. This hotel is one of my all-time favorite's. It's a great blend of Texan culture and European charm with lot's of dark wood, chandelier's and mirror's. It's only a few blocks from the flagship Nieman Marcus, in case you feel like looking at things you can't afford.
Best location for designer shopping- The Drake Chicago, IL - It sits at the start of Michigan Avenue, need I say more?
Best location for boutique shopping - The Riverside Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Walk out the front door and you're right in the middle of Las Olas Boulevard with a range of dining and boutique's galore.
Best hotel to spot a politician - The Mayflower Washington, DC - Politicians from the left and right frequent this hotel and often put visiting family members up here. Hang out at the hotel cafe and bar for best odds.
Best hotel for entertainment- Bellagio Las Vegas, NV - A stay at the Bellagio puts you at a prime spot on the strip with access to all Vegas has to offer including shows, a top-shelf dance club, and the iconic Bellagio fountains.
Best hotel for the wild west expereience- El Tovar Grand Canyon, AZ - My first thought was, "I left the animal skins draped over the pack horse". It's very old west but you're right on the Canyon and it's certainly historic.
Best hotel restaurant- Four Seasons Boston, MA - It's considered one of the best restaurants in Boston which is pretty impressive for a hotel. Order some seafood.
Best gardens- Marriott Plaza San Antonio, TX - There are multiple courtyards in this hotel and one large courtyard where you'll find the pool, fitness house and several flowering walkways. It's close to the San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo. One of my favorite things about this hotel is that you'll run into beautiful free roaming pheasants and peacocks in the lobby, gardens, and courtyards. Maybe it's my six-year-old attention span but I thought this was fantastic!
Best haunt- The Boulderado Boulder, CO - This victorian style hotel (seriously, lot's of floral) is famous for several different haunting stories. The most widely circulated is of a woman dressed in white who reportedly appears around the top floors of the hotel, often near the elevator where she plunged to her death. Rooms 302 and 304 are supposedly haunted by a couple who committed suicide together. I didn't notice anything, but it felt kinda creepy.
I'd like to stay at Trump Tower in Chicago and the Plaza in NYC. Most unlikely.
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