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Emperor1956 -> RE: what is your favorit hotel chain (3/17/2007 10:47:53 PM)
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I'm with Benji on the independents, although you have to define what we are talking about. Sometimes a good clean chain hotel is JUST fine. For basic, pull off the highway and relax, I like the Country Inn & Suites chain. Clean, and they usually have one room with a jaccuzi and a king bed.
For business travel, I go with Mariott over Hyatt or Westin. They generally have better service.
But that's boring. Lets talk real hotels. Never leave the bed because its sooo damn comfy hotels. Never leave the shower because its the best you've ever been in hotels. Never leave the room because the room service is so good hotels. Never leave the property because they have EVERYTHING hotels. Luxury. Class. Romance. That's what makes a real hotel.
So:
The Kimpton chain is classy, hip and not badly priced for an upscale urban hotel. They are all over. If you like modern urban hotels, check for one. The Monaco and Allegro in Chicago, The Monaco in San Fran, The Muse in NYC are all excellent.
Best chain hotel I've ever stayed at: The Four Seasons in Austin, TX. Bar none, the finest staff, nicest accomodations of a chain. The rest of the Four Seasons I've stayed at (about 20 worldwide) are nice, but not up to this standard.
Best Hotels in NYC: In the Theater District: For big, clean, classy and not too badly priced (for a luxury hotel) The Millenium Broadway.
Quiet, tucked away, classy (for that NYC affair): The Gramercy Park Hotel. I first stayed here 25 years ago, it was quaint, classy and quiet. NOW its been taken over by Ian Schrager, fully renovated, made ultra chic and beautiful, and it is one of the most opulent, sensual and ridiculously expensive hotels in the world. Located in the Village, great location, but I fear ruined by the beautiful people. So why list it as a favorite? Because guests still have access to one of the great hidden spaces in NYC - Gramercy Park, a completely undeveloped little square of land, pretty much untouched (but beautifully maintained) since it was laid out in 1831, and the only private park in Manhattan. If you can't get the key to the park, don't stay. But if you can, do something very very few people can do: Picnic in Gramercy.
Best deal for a major chain in NYC? The West Side Marriott, a newly developed property, is clean, nicely but not lavishly renovated, and for NYC damn cheap. 2 blocks north of Grand Central Station, a perfect base for a week in NYC that if you get the right rooms at the right rate, won't run you over $1500. That's less than one night for a suite at the Gramercy.
Best Grand Hotels I've stayed at: A toss up. The Fairmont in SF, the Pfister in Milwaukee (sentimental fave -- honeymoon night), the Pierre in NYC of course. The Brown in Denver. The Drake in Chicago (another sentimental fave) The Copley Plaza in Boston. I love old, grand hotels. Even when the sink makes noise and the rooms are small.
Best Hotel I've yet to stay at: The coolest new hotel I've seen is the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville. If you have ANY reason to go to Louisville, stay here. A world class resturant, and the hotel is inside a museum of contemporary art. I mean INSIDE. To check in, you have to go thru the galleries! Built with Brown-Forman (distillery) money, and a gem of a place. VERY hip. Very continental. Who knew?
Best resorts: For classic country club style, the American Club, Kohler, WI. They tell me that if you golf, you just went to heaven. And the bathrooms are incredible (KOHLER, get it?) Splurge for the room with the microclimate environment that simulates a jungle rain, a desert wind, and about 20 other weather conditions. You won't leave the room. I hate golf, but I love this place. Don't go alone *GRIN*.
Resort Runner up: Kiowah Island, S.C. and the Del Coronado in Coronado (San Diego) CA. Everyone should stay at the Del once, preferably with a blonde that looks like their most famous guest, Marilyn Monroe.
There are small bed and breakfast/private hotels in Montreal, Que., Three Rivers, Mi., Scottsdale, AZ. and Aberdeen, Scot. that get a "Best ever" vote...but I won't tell you about them because then they'll get too popular. Well maybe, if you ask real nice.
E.
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