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We generally stay at 4+ star places, if staying in a hotel. Though we prefer boutique/design hotels, location matters more. We’ve done some Airbnb stays, as well, but only when traveling with friends.
As for cost, we accumulate tons of hotel points via our credit cards - one with Marriott (formerly Starwood) and one with Hyatt - so we use those to defray costs at more pricey locales. Our last trip to Japan, for example, we stayed at the Andaz in Tokyo and the Ritz in Kyoto using points. We even paid for my FIL and had him buy us some dinners as “payment”. In general, we find hotel points more valuable than airline miles. We tend to pay cash below $200/night or so. We’ve used Priceline in the past, but have found the crazy deals have kind of dried up in many places. |
Originally Posted by gruezi
(Post 16980846)
The Western Europeans have a certain pride in having no AC and thinking they don’t need it. That probably used to be true. I worked in an office with no AC and afternoon sun and then rode a hot train home from work. I don’t like freezing places but heat just knocks me out. (Jubi - much as I love where you moved, I could never take the heat there year round... I know it’s “dry heat” which I prefer to humidity but heat just makes me lazy. ) I refuse to stay in a city hotel without AC in the summer and, frankly, appeals to “you don’t need it” are usually just cover for the owner being too cheap to retrofit an older property. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that retrofitting is expensive and they are usually making the right financial choice, but just be honest about it. |
TG, we use AC there, if it’s over 96 or so. otherwise, without the humidity fans work well. |
Originally Posted by jubilada
(Post 16980855)
Yet another reason to avoid hotels. |
Originally Posted by jubilada
(Post 16981005)
TG, we use AC there, if it’s over 96 or so. otherwise, without the humidity fans work well. |
Originally Posted by travelgourmet
(Post 16981027)
Since when does Europe not have humidity? For example, Paris in summer is more humid than Boston (on average). I wouldn’t recommend relying on a fan in a Boston hotel in July either. Its true that I haven’t been toEurope in the summer in a long time, and I think everywhere is warmer than it used to be. Unlike you, if there’s a ceiling fan, I’m generally happier not using AC. |
Originally Posted by jubilada
(Post 16981032)
I was talking about lack of humidity in Tucson. |
Originally Posted by jubilada
(Post 16980866)
no true. No overstays, schedule changes? No. i suppose if the roof leaks or something but rentals are not overbooked. On air B and B you’re not even shown options that are booked. Weather issues don’t affect bookings unless it’s a hurricane. It’s an entirely different thing. Many hosts use multiple websites. All it takes is somebody who can't keep track of things. |
I've been "walked" twice, both times in Paris.
The first, at the Hotel Lenox (if I remember correctly) I arrived at 11:00 PM, on a reservation held by a credit card, and after warning them I'd be late. They gave my room away and sent me -- I think to an old heap around the corner. There some kind soul stole a £100 travelers check. Second time was when I was traveling on government business. Can't remember the hotel. When they said no room was available, despite my reservation, I asked them for a phone and the number of the US Embassy. You should have seen them smirk. I spoke to a friend at the embassy who asked me to wait a few minutes. You should have seen the look on those azzholes' faces when the embassy called me back with reservations at another hotel. Subsequent trips to Paris have worked out. FD |
So far, I've only ever met one out of six AirBnB hosts. And that one was working (the apartment was over his shop) but very nice. Most hosts have just texted instructions with the current location for code for a lock box (like realtors use), with the door key inside. Inside the apartments is usually a sheet with details for using the tv, where the trash goes, wi-fi password. When I leave, I lock up, put the key back and text that I'm out.
Staying in old fashioned B&Bs have been a mixed bag but sometimes have been really nice, other times it's felt a little bit like we're there to keep the hosts company. Only one, in central Ireland, was run by someone who was a bit of a nightmare. (if I could find a ciip of the "You are NOT B&B people!" scene in Flirting with Disaster with Ben Stiller, I'd post it to illustrate) I find I prefer the sort of place that still has character and breakfast and is being run by the owners... but maybe has more rooms and a proper dining area rather than their personal space. Those places, whether in Chiang Mai or Connemara, have usually turned out to strike a nice balance between character, friendliness and professionalism. |
Originally Posted by Cowboy1968
(Post 16980877)
Nevertheless, this brings me to something I notice when I‘m in the States: Outside temp 80 or 90+ degrees, inside temp in the restaurant (okay, going bit off topic here) feels like 65 max. Still, most guests seem to enjoy their dinner in just shorts and t-shirt while I feel inclined to ask for a blanket. Don‘t get me wrong: sleeping in a hotel room with no A/C when it‘s 90 degrees inside is also not my idea of a pleasant night. But can it be that many/most (?) Americans consider 65-70F already comfortably warm enough? Hmmm.... you know, I don't think I'd ever crank my A/C to get it that cold inside. But in Melbourne right now it is exactly 65F (and sunny) and to be honest, I could totally vote to keep it this way all year long. It's kind of glorious. So, I guess that means I find 65f pretty comfortable (at least after a long, wet, grey winter). |
"Those places, whether in Chiang Mai or Connemara, have usually turned out to strike a nice balance between character, friendliness and professionalism."
Connemara! We rented a lovely little house for a couple of weeks in Connemara a few years ago, between Ballyconnelly and Roundstone. I never met the owners but they were colleagues of my SO so it was a more personal relationship. It was wonderful there! |
To have a bit of privacy and come and go as you please as a local in Connemara would be pretty wonderful, gtg!
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OP...depends if lotto coops. No lotto, then someplace to sleep where they wont kill me.
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Originally Posted by travelgourmet
(Post 16981033)
Okay. I just didn’t say anything about Tucson (where I suspect every hotel has AC), so assumed you were responding to my comments about Europe. It was your quote from gruezi to which jubilada was responding. |
For longer stays I like apartments/private residences. For shorter stays especially when I don’t speak the language I want a hotel. I prefer a balcony or terrace in either case but it’s not a deal breaker in a hotel (it is a deal breaker in a private stay). I also like in room coffee and good lighting. If it’s going to be hot as dickens then I need AC. I don’t mind stairs. Besides that I usually go for a combination of skimp & splurge on stays throughout the trip. And I look to use Starwood/Marriott points on hotels. Location matters too. And basic reviews on cleanliness, loud construction, staff. |
Originally Posted by Macross
(Post 16980947)
Cowboy, the old forge is very near my family in NY. Did you go to the hardware store?
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First, location is the #1 thing you should look for (in your budget) I would rather stay in a place in the heart of the action, then have to take a cab or bus to get to anything good, even to save a buck.
For me a nice room is important, yes you sleep there, but it is how you start your day and end it. A nice balcony, glass of wine, and comfortable bed are all important to me. |
Originally Posted by CounterClifton
(Post 16981061)
To have a bit of privacy and come and go as you please as a local in Connemara would be pretty wonderful, gtg!
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Originally Posted by starrs
(Post 16980179)
Or other variations in between?
What's most important to you? Does location matter? Does budget reign? Whether "traveling" or on "vacation", what's the most important to you and does it vary? |
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