Just My Luck

Drafted on 8/30. I am a lazy SOB

I was at the airport on Monday, and after printing out my boarding pass, I walked over to security. I was in for a shock. I paid $140 to do the AA challenge. I attained Gold status to get through security, to get on the plane faster and possibly check bags for free (which I don't intend to do often). Security was empty. For the past 7 weeks, it has been a zoo. I'm away for one week, and the place became a ghost town. I didn't need any status to get through security fast. I have to keep reminding myself that it'll still work out for seats, bags and speed. But why try to attain an elitist status when it doesn't mean anything? Yeah...I'm an elitist prick.

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This week I stayed at a Residence Inn by Marriott. This is my fourth hotel in 6 weeks of being on site. This should be it though. I'm not bouncing to anymore hotels. I left a bag at this one, meaning I'll be back next week, and the week after...maybe the week after that. Since I have stayed at so many hotels recently, I'd like to think I am somewhat of a pro when it comes to hotels. Let's start at the beginning:

My first job had me stay at Hampton Inns. This was when I was single and traveling to implement software. I didn't travel as often as I'd like, but it still scratched that itch. I really wanted to stay at hotels where they had bars, where I would meet women who are also on the road, and potentially turn conversation into some sort of tryst. Sorry, this is an adult blog, isn't it? I'm just telling the truth. I was in my early 20s and didn't get out of Massachusetts enough. It never happened though. Hampton Inns do not have bars. So instead, my coworkers and I would hit the hot tub with a 12 pack of bud lights, and talk about who is/is not attractive at the company we worked for. THE LONG OF THE SHORT OF IT, is that if I had to choose a business hotel that served breakfast, the Hampton Inn would definitely be my choice. Nice facilities; nice rooms; decent breakfast; cheap, for those who would be footing my bill.

I have stayed at a couple Courtyard Marriotts, and while in the same class as a Hampton Inn (in my opinion anyway), they just don't match up to the Hampton. Sure, I had a real crummy experience the last time I stayed there 7 weeks ago, but the people going at it in the next room definitely made it interesting. They did have a bar downstairs, so maybe they fulfilled my dream? The pillows stink. I need a fluffy, yet firm pillow. I can't sleep otherwise. This place just did not cut it.

The Hyatt Place is next on the list. It has great TV, comfortable beds, decent breakfast, bar, and a few other odds and ends. It really wasn't a bad hotel, but I had just stayed at the Hyatt House, and I kept longing for it instead. If I was just staying for 1 or 2 weeks, then I would definitely do the Hyatt Place. They had the cheapest rate for the company I am consulting for, which is a bonus. Overall, not a bad place if you haven't stayed at their sister hotel.

I stayed at the Hyatt House for 3 straight weeks. It was glorious, except the handicap room I stayed in. I wasn't a big fan of that particular room. It has all the amenities that the Hyatt Place has, and more. Breakfast wasn't bad, but the big thing is that they have an early evening social. They serve food and beer/wine. I'm a bit of a beer snob, but I will not turn down free Miller Genuine Draft. They also have to beastly Weber grills outside, where I cooked a couple steaks. The first steak I cooked was too thin and the second was the beautiful choice NY Strip that was excellent. They also have a full kitchen in every suite, which is great. Unfortunately the Hyatt Place had a better rate and I hate to leave the House to go to the Place.

Which leads me to the Residence Inn. The company was able to get a matching rate from the Residence Inn, so I basically get all the amenities of a Hyatt House, at the Hyatt Place price. The room isn't as nice, but I think that is because I got a studio instead of a 1 bedroom. The 1 bedroom truly costs more, so maybe after staying there long enough, I'll get an upgrade. Status, Status, Status.

If I really wanted to be nit-picky, I'd ask my wife where she wanted to go. Then, I would have figured out which airline flies there. Then, I would have booked solely on that airline (based on price). Then I would have researched what nice hotels are in the area. Then, which brand are they affiliated with. An example would be the Waldorf-Astoria. When I watched Coming to America with Eddie Murphy, I thought that it was a one off hotel. It was only a few years ago that I realized it was part the Hilton brand. When I went to Paris for my anniversary, we stayed at Le Meridien, which was part of Starwood. Normally you can find one of those really nice hotels whenever you go to a decent city, but you always have the option of being scrupulous.

I suppose it doesn't matter right now. The chances of me going on vacation are ZERO. My sister is getting married, and there was a chance of going to Israel for it, but that got nixed. I was hoping to fly BA, hang out in one of their posh lounges, maybe even take a couple of days in England, stay at The Dorchester, have a couple decent pints of Fullers London Pride and call it day. Oh well. I'll just stick with Massachusetts for now.

BTW, I would NEVER stay at The Dorchester, and not because of the price. I'd rather stay at The Savoy.