M_kingdom2: Barcelona (Hotel Arts); Bilbao (Sheraton Hotel)
Jul 27th, 2004, 02:48 PM
#61
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I enjoy deluxe properties as they provide superb service and comfort (usually) that allow one to unwind after a day exploring the city, so that one is refreshed for the evening ahead. Everyone enjoys different things, that is part of the charm of life, if everyone wanted the same that would be very dull indeed.
Jul 27th, 2004, 03:00 PM
#62
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Where people stay is usually wallet driven.We stay in 5 star properties because we can afford to.If I had less money we would stay in less expensive properties.Most people who deride people who pay up for these properties would love to stay there and would if they could afford too.
Jul 27th, 2004, 03:06 PM
#63
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I was staying at the Westin Grand hotel last week in Berlin (which I got through Priceline for a cheap rate). I loved watching the Starwood TV channel and seeing all the deluxe properties they were advertising in Spain, Egypt, Greece, Venice, etc. I have no problem saying that I'd love to stay in any of those places they were advertising, even though I go for much more reasonable prices myself. One was the Grande Bretagne in Athens which mk2 has mentioned above and I agree it looked wonderful.
Jul 27th, 2004, 03:12 PM
#64
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Hotel Grande Bretagne was a unique property - I have stayed in many deluxe properties, and this one has stood out for its exceptional service and style - something I haven't experienced in a long time (except at my local, Claridge's - but then I never stay there).
Jul 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM
#65
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I have never needed to unwind- as I mentioned I am always on the go during my holidays. In over 30 years of travel I have never had jet lag. As soon as I arrive at a place I am off exploring. I agree - life would be very dull if we were all the same. Whatever makes you happy.
Choosing a place is wallet driven. I can stay in 5* hotels if I want to, but I don't travel to stay in hotel rooms. I would rather spend the money on more trips. In today's paper, they had an obit on one of our former travel editors. It said "When she hit 100 countries she stopped counting and kept traveling". Travel is a driving passion in my life.
Choosing a place is wallet driven. I can stay in 5* hotels if I want to, but I don't travel to stay in hotel rooms. I would rather spend the money on more trips. In today's paper, they had an obit on one of our former travel editors. It said "When she hit 100 countries she stopped counting and kept traveling". Travel is a driving passion in my life.
Jul 27th, 2004, 03:41 PM
#66
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Speaking only for myself,I don't have to stay in lesser properties so as to afford more vacations.We travel the world to explore and we take our 8&10 year olds.We also enjoy staying in the premier properties that our destination has to offer.
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:00 PM
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rjoo7: In April 2002 we took them to Egypt then 4 night Nile cruise,then to Petra in Jordan with a side trip to Wadi Rum to the ruins of Lawerence of Arabia's house.April 2004 we went to Dubai(Wild Wadi Water Park) and they had a blast.
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:07 PM
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To clarify the Egypt trip the first3or 4 nights were in Cairo.We were one of the 300 people a day allowed inside the great pyramid.The climb is tricky but the payoff is winding up in the burial chamber of the king.
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:12 PM
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Our kids have used ther travel experiences to approx 20 countries for school presentations etc. and are the hit of the shows. We are very lucky to have 2 honor students with Terra Nova scores of 99.
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:12 PM
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Atl. City: (and by the way, how is that near the oceanfront home of yours, huh-yes, WE know!(smile)
I well remember my own climb inside the Great Pyramid -that could truly be described as awesome!
I well remember my own climb inside the Great Pyramid -that could truly be described as awesome!
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:22 PM
#76
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Hello Spygirl:I think you know my home is not oceanfront.My wallet isn't that fat.If we lived in Atl.City,Ventnor,or Brigantine O.Front wouldn't be a problem but where you know I live it's a bit rich.We have college,Grad school etc. along with years of travel to budget for.I'll have to settle for 5500sq. feet w/pool a tad off the beach for now.Luckily the house is new and I know the builder(me).
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:31 PM
#78
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When in London we have stayed in Mafair at the Dorchester,our next trip we may take MK2's advice and try Claridges.I had thought of trying the Lanesborough but quite frankly the building is UGLY and I can't imagine it isn't noisy in that location.I've also heard good things about Blakes.What do you think MK?
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:43 PM
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I recommend The Athenaeum on Piccadilly. It is not a stuffy business hotel like Claridges. I think it would be fair to say though that the restaurants at Claridges are top class. I commend a comparison of the web sites of both hotels. I was told by a poster in this Place that he or she thought that the Athenaeum was a business hotel. Nothing could be further from the truth and it is so close for visits to one's monarchs of course.
Jul 27th, 2004, 04:44 PM
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atlcity
I think you will appreciate this story. I have a friend who is a local university professor. She spends one quarter teaching and the rest of the year she is in Africa doing field work.
Several years ago, her young daughter was on a field trip to the Zoo and they were in front of the lion exhibit. She told her teacher that 9 months out of the year she had lions living near her house. The teacher didn't believe her and her mother had to explain to the teacher that yes, 9 months out of the year they did have lions living near their home!
Your Middle East adventures were great. The Pyramids have been on my list. I have no doubt your kids were the hit of the show. That's awesome! A book that I like to recommend if you don't have it is Patricia Schulz's 1,000 Places to see before you die. It's a great book to browse through and she gives a lot of good info - including the best time of the year to visit.
I think you will appreciate this story. I have a friend who is a local university professor. She spends one quarter teaching and the rest of the year she is in Africa doing field work.
Several years ago, her young daughter was on a field trip to the Zoo and they were in front of the lion exhibit. She told her teacher that 9 months out of the year she had lions living near her house. The teacher didn't believe her and her mother had to explain to the teacher that yes, 9 months out of the year they did have lions living near their home!
Your Middle East adventures were great. The Pyramids have been on my list. I have no doubt your kids were the hit of the show. That's awesome! A book that I like to recommend if you don't have it is Patricia Schulz's 1,000 Places to see before you die. It's a great book to browse through and she gives a lot of good info - including the best time of the year to visit.
