Faina’s Palm Springs report.
Sep 27th, 2005 | 11:07 AM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Faina’s Palm Springs report.
We flew Alaskan, their on-time performance on the website is only 40%. I wonder why… we were on time, only 2 minutes late on the take-off coming back as “somebody’s running to the plane trying to make the connection” – announcement from the pilot. To take BART to and from the airport was really confusing, on the way there we got on the blue Air Train line, the wrong way, coming back I had to ask where to go. Are the signs not clear or am I getting too old?
From the plain we saw a mountain range. Why does it look so black? I asked. And my oh so very supportive, never sarcastic husband replied: Because nobody washed them!
I met Paula1470 – lovely woman! We had lunch at the Fishermens’ something in down town Palm Springs. First time I saw sprinklers (?) to make the air humid. The outside air, that is. Spray the planet?? Paula is very easy to talk to, we’ve discussed everything, and will continue… maybe in San Francisco?
The Chase hotel has the perfect location, one small block off the Palm Canyon. Nice pool area with inflatable mattresses for everybody to use. Breakfast buffet – bagels, pastries, coffee. No cereal. Very spacious room with sitting area, separate kitchen, large bathroom with a large counter by the sink – plenty of room to put out cosmetics. Only 1 shampoo bottle for 2 people, and of course every day the maid made a triangle on the toilet paper roll. What with those triangles? Kitchen had a table with 4 chairs, 2-burners gas stove but not even a tea pot. 4 plates, 4 bowls, 2 wine glasses, 1 coffee mug – no coffeemaker! A small refrigerator with dirty ice – it was NOT defrosted and not cleaned! Very comfortable beds – we had 2 doubles. And a balcony with a great view of the pool and the mountains.
I want to thank everybody who recommended this hotel to us. The price off-season was $79-89 what I feel is adequate. In season it doubles. The service… I personally don’t like to wait till the front desk person finishes his personal conversation on his cell phone. And he didn’t ask if we need help with luggage. The next day I saw the same guy carrying somebody else’s suitcase up the stairs to the 2nd floor (no elevator). Other 2 men at the desk were nice and helpful, especially on the check-out: the clerk volunteered to call a cab.
The dress style… mostly shorts and tank tops… think ragged Paris Hilton
A word of warning to older ladies: even if you don’t see them, the blue veins on the back of your legs are very visible. Cover them with something longer.
The temperature was 100 F except the very last day it went down to 92. It was a relief! Out of all activities we only took buts 111 to the stop where it turned to East Palm Canyon and walked down South Palm Canyon maybe 3 blocks to the Moorten Botanical Garden, very interesting place, lots of exotic plants like Ironwood or Pencil tree. Nobody on the bus knew this place and worried if we know what we’re doing By the way, bus stops are marked, but not easy to see from far away which makes them not easy to find. And there may be nobody to ask…
Spent some time in the coolness of the air-conditioned casino, had a dinner in their buffet where I ate the best salmon ever. And the smoked trout was good. We like buffets – easy to choose! Also a take-out from the Lotsa Motsa Pizza – good Greek salad. Thai restaurant almost across from Kaiser, which was full and we didn’t want to wait – not a great place, but not bad for a casual meal, and great outside seating for people watching. Date shake from the ice-cream place next to Kaiser is very good if you like this type of shakes. Lunch at the Grille at the airport – their quesadilla is great!
I love the service at the Indian Casinos! My paper ticket got jammed, a cleaning lady was nearby, she hand-signaled another lady with a radio, and within a minute somebody was at the slot machine opening it. In Las Vegas you’d sit there till you die! The slots where the same as everywhere. I saw a woman winning $100 on a 1 or 2 cents slot. Dunno how much she put in. I think we broke even, but we didn’t risk much. Just for fun.
The small Indian museum is opened in the Green Village, the other 3 were shut down for summer. Thursday street fair is practically the same as in all other cities, only in the evening. It looked like a child’s mouth when the teeth are changing – maybe not all the vendors are coming in the summer months? The best time to visit is February when it’s not hot and the Date Festival is on. There were other events and places to visit, like the Art museum, Short films festival, the Tram, the Living Desert – but we didn’t have a car, and it was too hot to wait for a bus or to take a tour. The Follies are dark till November – is it much fun to see the retirees on stage, anyway??
Overall, it was a nice trip, but I wouldn’t go again in that heat! And the Chase is a perfect place to stay if you’re OK with the older smaller type of hotels. Just don’t forget anything – this place doesn’t have a “gift shop”. Oh, well, a bottle of Alize made everything all right
From the plain we saw a mountain range. Why does it look so black? I asked. And my oh so very supportive, never sarcastic husband replied: Because nobody washed them!
I met Paula1470 – lovely woman! We had lunch at the Fishermens’ something in down town Palm Springs. First time I saw sprinklers (?) to make the air humid. The outside air, that is. Spray the planet?? Paula is very easy to talk to, we’ve discussed everything, and will continue… maybe in San Francisco?
The Chase hotel has the perfect location, one small block off the Palm Canyon. Nice pool area with inflatable mattresses for everybody to use. Breakfast buffet – bagels, pastries, coffee. No cereal. Very spacious room with sitting area, separate kitchen, large bathroom with a large counter by the sink – plenty of room to put out cosmetics. Only 1 shampoo bottle for 2 people, and of course every day the maid made a triangle on the toilet paper roll. What with those triangles? Kitchen had a table with 4 chairs, 2-burners gas stove but not even a tea pot. 4 plates, 4 bowls, 2 wine glasses, 1 coffee mug – no coffeemaker! A small refrigerator with dirty ice – it was NOT defrosted and not cleaned! Very comfortable beds – we had 2 doubles. And a balcony with a great view of the pool and the mountains.
I want to thank everybody who recommended this hotel to us. The price off-season was $79-89 what I feel is adequate. In season it doubles. The service… I personally don’t like to wait till the front desk person finishes his personal conversation on his cell phone. And he didn’t ask if we need help with luggage. The next day I saw the same guy carrying somebody else’s suitcase up the stairs to the 2nd floor (no elevator). Other 2 men at the desk were nice and helpful, especially on the check-out: the clerk volunteered to call a cab.
The dress style… mostly shorts and tank tops… think ragged Paris Hilton
A word of warning to older ladies: even if you don’t see them, the blue veins on the back of your legs are very visible. Cover them with something longer. The temperature was 100 F except the very last day it went down to 92. It was a relief! Out of all activities we only took buts 111 to the stop where it turned to East Palm Canyon and walked down South Palm Canyon maybe 3 blocks to the Moorten Botanical Garden, very interesting place, lots of exotic plants like Ironwood or Pencil tree. Nobody on the bus knew this place and worried if we know what we’re doing
By the way, bus stops are marked, but not easy to see from far away which makes them not easy to find. And there may be nobody to ask… Spent some time in the coolness of the air-conditioned casino, had a dinner in their buffet where I ate the best salmon ever. And the smoked trout was good. We like buffets – easy to choose! Also a take-out from the Lotsa Motsa Pizza – good Greek salad. Thai restaurant almost across from Kaiser, which was full and we didn’t want to wait – not a great place, but not bad for a casual meal, and great outside seating for people watching. Date shake from the ice-cream place next to Kaiser is very good if you like this type of shakes. Lunch at the Grille at the airport – their quesadilla is great!
I love the service at the Indian Casinos! My paper ticket got jammed, a cleaning lady was nearby, she hand-signaled another lady with a radio, and within a minute somebody was at the slot machine opening it. In Las Vegas you’d sit there till you die! The slots where the same as everywhere. I saw a woman winning $100 on a 1 or 2 cents slot. Dunno how much she put in. I think we broke even, but we didn’t risk much. Just for fun.
The small Indian museum is opened in the Green Village, the other 3 were shut down for summer. Thursday street fair is practically the same as in all other cities, only in the evening. It looked like a child’s mouth when the teeth are changing – maybe not all the vendors are coming in the summer months? The best time to visit is February when it’s not hot and the Date Festival is on. There were other events and places to visit, like the Art museum, Short films festival, the Tram, the Living Desert – but we didn’t have a car, and it was too hot to wait for a bus or to take a tour. The Follies are dark till November – is it much fun to see the retirees on stage, anyway??
Overall, it was a nice trip, but I wouldn’t go again in that heat! And the Chase is a perfect place to stay if you’re OK with the older smaller type of hotels. Just don’t forget anything – this place doesn’t have a “gift shop”. Oh, well, a bottle of Alize made everything all right
Sep 27th, 2005 | 12:56 PM
#3
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
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Welcome Faina! Welcome home and thanks for your trip report. I too no longer care for 100 degree weather. And I find SFO since they remodeled very confusing. Had to ask 4 different people where to catch the Evans Bus. The directional signs at SFO leave a lot to be desired.
Good salmon, that is a joy!
Take care, and have a happy week.
Good salmon, that is a joy!
Take care, and have a happy week.
Sep 27th, 2005 | 03:27 PM
#4
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Oh, thank you both, so it's not me... not being able to understand those Air Train signs
Donco, yes, great substitute - you won't see those... whatchamacallit? who hand out naked cards on the strip. In over 3 days we saw only 1 begger and 2 questionable people, maybe sick or homeless. Clean town, safe feeling.
Donco, yes, great substitute - you won't see those... whatchamacallit? who hand out naked cards on the strip. In over 3 days we saw only 1 begger and 2 questionable people, maybe sick or homeless. Clean town, safe feeling.
Sep 27th, 2005 | 06:53 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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FainaAgain, I read your post twice and for the life of me can't figure out why you flew to SFO and took BART to Palm Springs! Is that even possible? I think not! My brain is fuzzy... I am ill... my husband is ill and out three small boys (6, 4 and 1) are feeling JUST FINE! That should give you a clue as to my mental condition! Anyway... please tell me where you trip originated and how you got from The City to the desert!
Sep 27th, 2005 | 07:15 PM
#6
Joined: Jul 2004
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Faina-Thanks for the trip report. I had such a good time having lunch with you. For all of you who have never met her, what a great lady! We did talk about a lot of things. I was only sorry that I had to do business in PS in the afternoon so our time together was short.
We had lunch at the Fisherman's Market and Grill was about 2 blocks from the Chase. Both of us had the Ahi Tuna Salad. The salad was good although I thought the tuna was a little overcooked because I was expecting it to be just seared. But it was tasty. As Faina mentioned, we sat outside with the misters going. It was about 100 F and didn't seem too bad because of the mist. I was raised in the desert so the temperature was bearable but I agree that PS is so much nicer in cooler weather.
I was excited to see the Chase Hotel since I had heard much about it. I thought the rooms were very nicely done and I am going to try it out some weekday night when I am there for business. You can't beat the price-just bring your shampoo and hairdryer.
Oh yeah, Faina, glad to hear you got your date shake. Hope you enjoyed it. Next GTG-San Francisco!!
We had lunch at the Fisherman's Market and Grill was about 2 blocks from the Chase. Both of us had the Ahi Tuna Salad. The salad was good although I thought the tuna was a little overcooked because I was expecting it to be just seared. But it was tasty. As Faina mentioned, we sat outside with the misters going. It was about 100 F and didn't seem too bad because of the mist. I was raised in the desert so the temperature was bearable but I agree that PS is so much nicer in cooler weather.
I was excited to see the Chase Hotel since I had heard much about it. I thought the rooms were very nicely done and I am going to try it out some weekday night when I am there for business. You can't beat the price-just bring your shampoo and hairdryer.
Oh yeah, Faina, glad to hear you got your date shake. Hope you enjoyed it. Next GTG-San Francisco!!
Sep 27th, 2005 | 07:26 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
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Faina, I loooove your trip reports!!
I like your comment on the blue veins too I think there are quite a few of those ladies in that town, no? It has been so long since I have been there, I bet it has changed completely. I always wanted one of those glass houses
moneygirl,
Faina lives in SF, I think she took BART to the airport to fly to Palm Springs
Feel better
I like your comment on the blue veins too
I think there are quite a few of those ladies in that town, no? It has been so long since I have been there, I bet it has changed completely. I always wanted one of those glass houses moneygirl,
Faina lives in SF, I think she took BART to the airport to fly to Palm Springs
Feel better
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Sep 27th, 2005 | 07:54 PM
#8
Joined: Sep 2004
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Yes, you are right Scarlett, BART does NOT go to Palm Springs. BART to SFO! SFO to Palm Springs.
Moneygirl, hope you and your husband get feeling well really quick. It is terrible to be ill and to have children to take care of also. Best wishes.
Moneygirl, hope you and your husband get feeling well really quick. It is terrible to be ill and to have children to take care of also. Best wishes.
Sep 28th, 2005 | 08:42 AM
#9
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Joined: Apr 2003
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MoneyGirl, get better soon! Before they extend BART to Palm Springs (hey, neat idea!)
I took BART from home in San Francisco to the SFO stop. From there to the airport a connecting monorail AirTrain to the terminal. Flew SFO-PSP, taxi to the hotel.
Going back - reverse of above.
I took BART from home in San Francisco to the SFO stop. From there to the airport a connecting monorail AirTrain to the terminal. Flew SFO-PSP, taxi to the hotel.
Going back - reverse of above.
Oct 3rd, 2005 | 04:50 PM
#10
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
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Hi, Faina!
What a great trip report! You are a one-of-a-kind person! Terrific sense of humor!
Paula: glad you were able to have lunch with Faina. Yes, she's a great lady!
Date Festival, hey? Is this the two-legged kind? or the ones that you munch on?
What a great trip report! You are a one-of-a-kind person! Terrific sense of humor!
Paula: glad you were able to have lunch with Faina. Yes, she's a great lady!
Date Festival, hey? Is this the two-legged kind? or the ones that you munch on?
Oct 5th, 2005 | 03:20 PM
#12
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Easy: date festival of your choice, whatever you can afford: date shake, date fruit, date w/a local guy Or all of the above!
Marylin, if there is a casino in California, we go ha ha ha ha. My side of the bargain: the next trip is my choice (without him, unfortunately) anywhere in the world!
Or all of the above!Marylin, if there is a casino in California, we go ha ha ha ha. My side of the bargain: the next trip is my choice (without him, unfortunately) anywhere in the world!
