Oh no, say it aint, so!!!! Please check out this list and your upcoming travel itineraries!!!
Article from HotelChatter.com
Whee!! Summer is officially here and you've got the urge to book a flight+hotel (or two or three) for a summery getaway. But while we've all begrudgingly accepted that airlines are extra fees-obsessed (baggage fees, leg room fees, change fees, security fees, early boarding fees, etc.), we're disheartened to see that more and more hotels are acting like airlines these days by charging big fees for little extras.
Here are five of the top offenders so far:
5. Fontainebleau: The good news is that it looks like this popular Miami Beach hotel has dropped their $8 baggage fee in case you want to store your luggage after check-out but before your flight home. The bad news is they are charging you $150 for incidentals when you check-in. Yup, they automatically charge you $150 before you even step foot in your hotel room.
Now, if you don't charge anything to your room during your stay, the charge will be released at check-out but will take five to seven days to appear back in your account. If you don't have a credit card at check-in, you will be asked to fork over $600 in cash. Then you will be refunded the money via a check in the mail sometime after you check out. Seriously. You can read for yourself here.
4. Kimpton Hotels: Lately, Kimpton has been emailing its Kimpton InTouch reservation-holders with an option of upgrading their room choice for $19, if there's availability. The name of the program is called eStay Upgrade Program which sounds as if it was a leftover idea from a United Airlines marketing brainstorming session.
Kimpton calls it a Win/Win incentive since the guest gets to experience a nicer room for a nominal fee (remember, if it's available) while the hotel gets some additional revenue on a room that would otherwise go empty. We understand that but can you make the name of the program sound less like an airline standby program (that never actually lets you fly standby)?
3. Thompson Beverly Hills: Drinks atop this Beverly Hills hotel are nice, especially on a clear day but is it worth the automatically added service charge? No. Perhaps if the service was quicker and also up front about the charge (a simple, "Thanks for visiting. Here is your bill and don't worry, a service charge has already been added in for your convenience") then perhaps we wouldn't have minded.
2. Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa: This hotel may be popular for its location to Legoland in San Diego but it certainly doesn't win us over with its $12 resort fee and $50 early check-in fee if you arrive before 4pm and want to get situated immediately (as one TripAdvisor reviewer was shocked to learn.) Oh and that ocean view room will cost an extra $40.
1. Caesars Entertainment Group: Formerly Harrah's Entertainment Group, Caesars runs some of the major casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City like Caesars Palace and Paris Las Vegas. Yet while they tout their "No Resort Fees" policy all throughout Sin City, they actually charge a processing fee for reservations made over the phone. Last we heard, it was about $10 for each reservation. This is totally an airline move as evidenced on Airfare Watchdog's airline fee chart which lists airlines that charge for reservations made over the phone.
hotelchatter.com
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Two Urban Licks - Atlanta, Georgia
Two Urban Licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd,
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
ph: 404.522.4622
Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire
Atlanta, Georgia is a foodie's city. Gone are the days, for being known only for southern staples, like cornbread and sweet tea. Do not fret, honey child, Atlanta still has plenty southern cooking establishments however, more diverse restaurants are gaining ground and collecting awards. Some of the best steak houses, Italian, Indian, Greek, fusion this, that and the third can be found in this southern city.
Do you have the taste for good American food, with a little trendy flare? You must visit Two Urban Licks. TWO is located within the downtown Atlanta area. The building is raw and edgy. The lighting is low and moody. If you plan on eating there on the weekend, call and make a reservation. TWO has been an Atlanta hot spot for quite some time so, prevent long waits and plan ahead.
Two Urban Licks is set up where the kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant. The smell of wood fire grills fill the air. You can request a seat, at the bar, around the kitchen. Watching the chef and staff work their magic is a TWO highlight. The menu has small plates and are great for sharing. There are also plenty of entrees and salads.
Make your reservation and let me know what you think? Or, is TWO already your favorite?? Please share your experience.
Happy Dining!!!
820 Ralph McGill Blvd,
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
ph: 404.522.4622
Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire
Atlanta, Georgia is a foodie's city. Gone are the days, for being known only for southern staples, like cornbread and sweet tea. Do not fret, honey child, Atlanta still has plenty southern cooking establishments however, more diverse restaurants are gaining ground and collecting awards. Some of the best steak houses, Italian, Indian, Greek, fusion this, that and the third can be found in this southern city.
Do you have the taste for good American food, with a little trendy flare? You must visit Two Urban Licks. TWO is located within the downtown Atlanta area. The building is raw and edgy. The lighting is low and moody. If you plan on eating there on the weekend, call and make a reservation. TWO has been an Atlanta hot spot for quite some time so, prevent long waits and plan ahead.
Two Urban Licks is set up where the kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant. The smell of wood fire grills fill the air. You can request a seat, at the bar, around the kitchen. Watching the chef and staff work their magic is a TWO highlight. The menu has small plates and are great for sharing. There are also plenty of entrees and salads.
Make your reservation and let me know what you think? Or, is TWO already your favorite?? Please share your experience.
Happy Dining!!!
Sophisticated Boutique Hotel: Amalif Hotel - Chicago, Il
Amalfi Hotel
20 West Kenzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
ph: 312.395.9000
“My first day in Chicago, September 4, 1983. I set foot in this city, and just walking down the street, it was like roots, like the motherland. I knew I belonged here.” - Oprah Winfrey
Chicago has a few tag lines: the windy city, home of the original gangsters, home of the Obamas and let's not forget the other O...Oprah Winfrey.
If you are planning a leisure or business trip to Chicago and interested in staying in a downtown boutique hotel, check out the Amalfi Hotel.
A luxury boutique hotel located in downtown Chicago’s River North district, the Amalfi Hotel Chicago offers the ultimate in modern style and hospitality. Boasting a central location near Michigan Avenue and the Loop, the Amalfi is a distinguished downtown escape for both business and leisure travelers. Discover the perfect blend of elegant design, luxury amenities and attentive service at a hotel designed around the guest experience. - Amalfi Hotel website
As soon as you step into the hotel lobby, you know you are not checking into a hotel chain. There is nothing cookie cutter or mass produced. The decor is sleek and modern. The lobby chairs are over sized and the accent rugs are bold. The chandeliers are not your grandma's chandelier. The waterfall next to the registration desks give off that spa zen. And the hot jazz playing softly through the speakers accessorize the fedora wearing bellman. Oh yes, A-Listers, walk into the Amalfi Hotel and you are stepping into cool.
The rooms are furnished to fit your either your business or personal needs. You have to love complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and iPod docking stations in your room.
This is so cliche' but I have been saving the best for last. I could not wait to share my favorite two amenities. First, the Amalfi has a complimentary Manager's Reception, every evening, with appetizers and drinks.The bartenders serve high quality liquors and manage the lounge-like area.
My second favorite Amalfi amenity is the complimentary breakfast. This breakfast is not like most hotels where you have to put on a pile a clothes, stand in line in a lobby dining area and wait for milk for your cereal. If you are not the cheerful morning person, that is not the way to start your day. The Amalfi sets up breakfast on every floor. Oh, what a treat!!!! Thank you's and kudos to the staff who set up and break down that many breakfast areas, everyday.
**A-List tip - If you are able to make the Manager's Reception, try the two signature drinks: the Amalfitini and the Sorrento. These two cocktails are light and delicious. The bartenders have ingredients cards so you can experience these cocktails at home.
Happy travels!!!!
20 West Kenzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
ph: 312.395.9000
“My first day in Chicago, September 4, 1983. I set foot in this city, and just walking down the street, it was like roots, like the motherland. I knew I belonged here.” - Oprah Winfrey
Chicago has a few tag lines: the windy city, home of the original gangsters, home of the Obamas and let's not forget the other O...Oprah Winfrey.
If you are planning a leisure or business trip to Chicago and interested in staying in a downtown boutique hotel, check out the Amalfi Hotel.
A luxury boutique hotel located in downtown Chicago’s River North district, the Amalfi Hotel Chicago offers the ultimate in modern style and hospitality. Boasting a central location near Michigan Avenue and the Loop, the Amalfi is a distinguished downtown escape for both business and leisure travelers. Discover the perfect blend of elegant design, luxury amenities and attentive service at a hotel designed around the guest experience. - Amalfi Hotel website
As soon as you step into the hotel lobby, you know you are not checking into a hotel chain. There is nothing cookie cutter or mass produced. The decor is sleek and modern. The lobby chairs are over sized and the accent rugs are bold. The chandeliers are not your grandma's chandelier. The waterfall next to the registration desks give off that spa zen. And the hot jazz playing softly through the speakers accessorize the fedora wearing bellman. Oh yes, A-Listers, walk into the Amalfi Hotel and you are stepping into cool.
The rooms are furnished to fit your either your business or personal needs. You have to love complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and iPod docking stations in your room.
This is so cliche' but I have been saving the best for last. I could not wait to share my favorite two amenities. First, the Amalfi has a complimentary Manager's Reception, every evening, with appetizers and drinks.The bartenders serve high quality liquors and manage the lounge-like area.
My second favorite Amalfi amenity is the complimentary breakfast. This breakfast is not like most hotels where you have to put on a pile a clothes, stand in line in a lobby dining area and wait for milk for your cereal. If you are not the cheerful morning person, that is not the way to start your day. The Amalfi sets up breakfast on every floor. Oh, what a treat!!!! Thank you's and kudos to the staff who set up and break down that many breakfast areas, everyday.
**A-List tip - If you are able to make the Manager's Reception, try the two signature drinks: the Amalfitini and the Sorrento. These two cocktails are light and delicious. The bartenders have ingredients cards so you can experience these cocktails at home.
Happy travels!!!!
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