Can anyone tell me seriously that hotels are better in European cities than America?
Jan 23rd, 2005, 10:20 PM
#61
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Good grief! 3 star hotels are the best and skip the U.S. chains. Don't go to Europe to watch T.V. You can do that at home. Order a bed for two people even if married (push them together). The shower heads are not silly...they conserve water and in some cases deliver hot water on demand. I have NEVER not been given soap in a European hotel and find the desk staff MUCH friendlier than in the U.S. (and literate too).
Jan 23rd, 2005, 10:50 PM
#62
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Hotel standards are obviously different in America than Europe. If you prefer the standards in the US then travel in the US is indicated. If you prefer European standards, travel there is indicated. If anyone travels to the US expecting fabulously historical buildings they will be sorely disappointed. They may however get used to king sized beds, especially if married!
Jan 23rd, 2005, 11:44 PM
#63
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As a long-time expatriate and sometimes traveler who has stayed in just about every type and level of lodging in Europe -- and rarely, when I manage wrestle off frugality, American hotels like the Mayflower and the Waldorf, I think the difference reflects a broader one: The United States is much more comfortable than Europe, and Europe is (to me, at least) much more charming and interesting. We are rarely disappointed with European hotels -- perhaps because our expectations are lower than Lester's, and perhaps also because we do research before we go. For example, last autumn, we stayed at the Hotel de Carantec, on the Bay of Morlaix in Brittany. The room was very pleasant, the decor modern, the queen bed very comfortable, the view from the semiprivate terrace overlooking the bay spectacular! The price, including dinners in the hotel's wonderful seafood restaurant overlooking the bay, was 350 euros per day. The desk services were minimal. (We really didn't need them). For the price, we had an experience that I believe would be hard to find in America. There are many such hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts in Europe. You just need to look, and not expect that a high price necessarily brings the best.
Jan 24th, 2005, 08:13 AM
#66
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I think Andre was right & hotels in big cities can be poor value in both the US & Europe. Our only experience of hotels in the US is from two trips to Manhattan and both times the hotels were disappointing. The first one had a very grand-looking entrance lobby but the room was like something in a hostel - big (with a kitchenette) but very shabby & bare. The second time we stayed at the Algonquin but the room was really small and dark, the service was poor and we couldn't get anything to eat in the bar after 11pm (which they interpreted as 10.40). I don't recall seeing any ice machines or vending machines but then we wouldn't have been looking for them, and I don't even remember if there were TVs.
Jan 24th, 2005, 08:26 AM
#67
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Caroline:
At least when you were at the Algonquin, the help served you. Last time I stayed (c 15 years ago), I was pursued round the hotel by an elderly gent who claimed to own the place, haranguing me about the filthy condition I'd let the hotel deteriorate into and threatening to fire me.
Even John Cleese never quite managed that.
Ever since, I've always been highly sceptical about all this nonsense Americans churn out about their wonderful service.
At least when you were at the Algonquin, the help served you. Last time I stayed (c 15 years ago), I was pursued round the hotel by an elderly gent who claimed to own the place, haranguing me about the filthy condition I'd let the hotel deteriorate into and threatening to fire me.
Even John Cleese never quite managed that.
Ever since, I've always been highly sceptical about all this nonsense Americans churn out about their wonderful service.
Jan 25th, 2005, 02:41 AM
#69
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Lester my wee hearts bleedin' for ye. LOL
Tell you what, next time you decide to go to Europe, why not check on FODORs for opinions on places to stay? It would have been so easy....40 out of 50. CRAP outta luck.
Tell you what, next time you decide to go to Europe, why not check on FODORs for opinions on places to stay? It would have been so easy....40 out of 50. CRAP outta luck.
Jan 25th, 2005, 06:47 AM
#71
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As the saying goes: "When in Rome, do as the Romans".....meaning adapt, adapt, adapt.
We don't cross the ocean to find things like America....we are guests in another country. The difference in accommodations is part of the fun experience and adventure!
Lesters comments are sincere, I'm sure, but it seems he also wants to "stir things up" with Fodorites!
>)
We don't cross the ocean to find things like America....we are guests in another country. The difference in accommodations is part of the fun experience and adventure!
Lesters comments are sincere, I'm sure, but it seems he also wants to "stir things up" with Fodorites!
>)
