Those of you (and me) that do a lot of traveling have surely had your share of unacceptable accomodations. But what about those one or two nights that particularly standout because of the great accomodations you had.

For me it was the time we arrived at the Grand Hyatt Washington DC at 2PM and they said no rooms were ready and that we should come back at 3 (the stated check in time). We got back at 4 and we knew there was a problem when the agent kept typing away and asked again how many nights we were staying (just 2). No mention of it by the front desk agent but the bellman sure thought we were important because we arrived at our room-the presidential suite. It was larger than our apartment and I didn't even want to leave the room!

I book a $180 suite at the Ventian in Las Vegas, but when I checked in they upgraded me to a Hi Roller Suite than normally goes for $2000/night!

We had travelled during the evening on the ferry from Victoria, BC to Seattle. The ferry arrived late, because a pod of orcas had been spotted nearby and they stopped the boat for about 45 minutes - we certainly didn't object to that! - but it meant that we arrived later than we had intended. It was dark. The map I had (and reading maps is definitely not one of my talents at the best of times) didn't indicate that there was construction on the highway and the exit we would have taken to get to our hotel had been closed. I took a series of wrong turns and we ended up heaven-knows-where, and somewhat apprehensive. I called the hotel on my cel phone. By this time it was very late. The front desk clerk asked a few questions about where we were, and guided us through the maze of construction for the 20 minutes or so that it took to get to the hotel - it was the Sorrento. When we got there, he made us a pot of tea, took care of the car, brought the luggage to us, and took us to one of the most beautiful, luxurious rooms it has ever been my pleasure to stay in. He was working virtually alone at the front desk that night, but took the time to be kind and welcoming to us. It's not just the room itself that makes a memorable stay; it's the people that staff the hotel, IMHO. The place was a standout in all respects.

I won't give you the date, but at the time, my wife and I, desperately wanted a baby. It was prime conception time, I had a whirlwind tour of the west coast, and my wife said: "I'm coming!"...no pun intended.

Well, after a hellish day, we rolled in to the Sunnyvale Hilton. I went to the desk and told the delightful young lady behind the counter: "We just want a big, comfortable bed."

Well, ask and ye shall receive! We got the whorehouse! Red flocked wallpaper, 4 poster bed, and a mirror on the ceiling!

Nine months later, Elizabeth arrived, 8 lbs., 6 oz.

God! I love California!

I have to say 3 because each was at a different stage in my life when luxury meant something different.
1-(when I was 19)Acapulco-Las Brisas.I went with a movie star.Need I say more
2-The Washington Hotel,Mayfair,London-went with my husband.Understated,quiet English luxury.Art Deco suite.A/C in London heatwave.Perfect.
3-(My birthday this past spring)-The Bellagio-Las Vegas.Bday present from the hotel-great room & spa day.Almost made getting a year older painless

S, are't you doing this backwards? Come back in another 10 years. Hopefully this isn't a trend.

Hotel Principe in Venice. We told the reception we were on our Honeymoon (which we weren't) and unexpectedly got a great room with a HUge balcony overlooking the Grande Canal! (and paid only for the street side room price) + got comp. fruit & wine.
JK

Sorry? y-I don't get your point.

About 10 years ago my husband and I went to a convention @ the Scotsdale Princess in AZ. We couldn't get our room the first night and they put us up in a near by condo, which we thought was great. The next afternoon, I went to get our room at the Princess and I was taken to a Casita @ the Princess...beautiful room with a fireplace (not needed in May), and the biggest bathroom, closet and dressing room I've ever seen! The shower was off to itself and was so large that, when we showed some friends, all 4 of us could stand in there together (all dressed, NOT showering).

We once stayed in the "Daisy Mae" room at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, CA. This is the hotel that has the theme rooms, the waterfall urinals, and the giant clamshell sinks. I read that it was built out of the rocks salvaged from the various construction sites over the years of its owner, a developer. No 2 rooms are the same, and the Daisy Mae room was their only one built entirely of stone. You can see pix of all 100 rooms at their web site, madonnainn.com. It was also memorable because we had an argument that night and didn't talk to each other for the next 3 days. The room was like a little cave, very romantic in a VERY strange way.

HEY-y(YYY ) !!
who made you the leader or is it trend setter?
and where was your answer to the thread? I seem to have missed it.What a wanker!

I have to agree completely with the Sorrento in Seattle - I was there for business, and my husband joined me for a long weekend - the rooms were nice, but the service was outstanding. I loved the lobby bar, dark wood, fireplace, so elegant!

I just love any Ritz-Carlton. I haven't travelled extensively but I have stayed in several of their hotels and even the hallways are gorgeous. The lobbies are usually filled with gorgeous antiques, and the bathrooms are beautiful. I stayed in a suite once in Houston (on our honeymoon) and it was just divine..

The New York Palace this past May. Had a room with a wonderful view of St. Patricks Cathedral. A discount Summer Weekend Package made it even better.

1. Hotel Europa and Regina in Venice (upgraded to a suite with huge balcony and canal view)
2. Bristol Hotel in Vienna (lucked into a suite there as well)
3. St. Regis Hotel in NYC - real ambiance!
Larry

We don't usually get to stay at luxury hotels, but we got a good deal for 2 nights last December at the Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach. It was wonderful. We also liked the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

The Loews Coronado in San Diego - such luxury, free upgraded room, beautiful area. What more could you want?

The Grand Hotel Villa Balbi in Sestri Levante, on the Italian Riveria. A huge room, marble floors, gorgeous bathroom, antique furniture, frescoes painted on the ceiling, and two huge windows that opened up and revealed the azure Med, dotted with sailboats. I doubt I will ever stay in a hotel room that tops it.

The Quay West in Sydney.

Our suite was equpped with everthing including stereo vcr, granite counter tops in our kitchen, and two refrigerators.

From our bed we could see Harbour Bridge.

A highlight , was having a romantic dinner on our private terrace overlooking The Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

After a week of roughing it through Costa Rica, we checked into the Marriott San Jose. It has to be one of their flagship properties, because it is truly a magnificent place. After a week of budget travel, we luxuriated in the pristine bed sheets and marble bath. It was only a standard room, but we appreciated the hell out of it.