I was in New York City and applied his credit toward the Da Vinci Hotel at Columbus Circle. The Travelocity price was $97 a night with all taxes, making my cost $195 for a three night stay.  A very good rate by New York City standards.

The TripAdvisor reviews looked above average after filtering out the few high maintenance rants from those expecting the Waldorf for budget rates, rather than the more realistic modest yet tidy and modern room with an alley view.

The Da Vinci doesn’t look impressive from the outside, mainly because one of the city’s ubiquitous scaffolds is currently lording over the sidewalk, however inside it’s a quiet and pleasant place.  The lobby is large with comfy chairs, two guest computers, friendly desk staff and the rooms and overall building are very clean and well maintained. 

I was really surpised at how large the room was, (again by NYC standards,) which included a desk, wardrobe, spacious bathroom, (with bright clean tile,) and flat panel TV.  I had requested the second floor for a better Wi-Fi connection, so I didn’t have a view – but that wasn’t important to me since I was busy in the city and just sleeping and relaxing between going out.

The location is perfect at 244 West 56th Street, close to the Theater District and Central Park.  The entrance to the Columbus Circle Subway station is right across 8th Avenue next to the Dunkin Donuts, and the 57th Street station is one Avenue east at 7th.  Sundries can be round at Duane Reed just a block away, and there’s a Whole Foods in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle.  (I stopped inside for some fruit and bottled water but walked out because there were 842 people in line.)

Coffee and breads are served in the morning,  and there’s an Italian Restaurant on the lower level.  I didn’t eat there, but did have a good wrap with a few Guiness around the corner at Matt’s Grill on 8th Avenue.

My only negative:  Most hotels have a luggage storage room for those arriving early and departing after check out time, but here guests left their luggage along the wall in the lobby.  The desk is always staffed, but I didn’t want to leave my awesome Eagle Creek roller bag (with laptop,) exposed for an entire afternoon, so after checking out I walked a few blocks down 8th Avenue to the Hampden Inn and checked my bag there until my evening flight, paying a $5 gratuity.   

This wouldn’t prevent me from staying again, and I’d recommend the Da Vinci Hotel as a clean, safe and spacious budget hotel in Manhattan.  It was a nice surprise for a budget hotel.

(Frugal travelers tip: there is giant bowl of delicious red apples in the Hampton Inn lobby.)

Da Vinci Hotel
244 West 56th Street
212.489.4100
www.davincihotel.com

Related:   Chelsea Pines Inn . New York City

The potential CON that comes with renting an apartment, is the opportunity to BE conned. Payment methods vary among renters and companies. Some rentals request a deposit of cash be WIRE TRANSFERRED in advance. That’s a 100% no for me under any circumstance. I only rent with those that accept credit cards, or Paypal which allows payment via your credit card. Should your transaction turn sketchy you can easily dispute the charges on your card, and your email exchanges will provide proof for an easy chargeback. Even L.A. Times travel writer Catharine Hamm was bold enough to use herself as an example to warn others what can happen: Don’t send cash, period.

Unlike hotels, with rentals you can’t filter through dozens of Tripadvisor reviews for details. You’re dependent on the referrals you find on the ‘net and the interaction you have by phone and email leading up to your stay. Good research pays. One night in a crummy hotel is far less lost than a rental provider not following through on a unit or ditching you upon arrival. For that reason I also take the name and address of a nearby hotel or hostel with availability, as a backup in case plans falls through. I’ve never had to use a backup, but it’s better to be prepared than sitting on your suitcase at a foreign payphone looking for someplace to sleep.

In a big city the options can be overwhelming. Googling “Buenos Aires Apartments,” or “short term rental” with any other large city yields a multitude of results.

In Buenos Aires I recommend BA4U Apartments. I found them through a small company specializing in day trips and activities geared to GLBT folks. BA4U Apartments only requested one night up front for my 15 day stay. I sent this on my credit card via Paypal, and was able to send the deposit via Paypal which was promptly refunded after departure. Their units are located primarily in the Recoleta, Barrio Norte and Palermo neighborhoods. The site is easy to use with plenty of photos and rates clearly posted, and most importantly my email communications were a breeze and all questions and any concerns answered promptly.

I had originally booked “The View”, but a few days before departure my contact Tomas informed me of gas problems in the building that would require substantial time to fix. He was apologetic and offered an upgrade to the “River View,” a new unit near Las Heras and Aguero, near Parque Las Heras, and also included airport transportation at no charge. Issue solved proactively and with excellent communication. Mind at ease I was then curious what the residents of the other building were doing without hot water. The only stipulation to my upgrade was that I water the plants. They obviously were unaware of my history with gardening. Thankfully it rained heavily the third day.

I actually preferred “RiverView’s” neighborhood along Las Heras over our original apartment along the stuffy designer store laden blocks east of Recoleta Cemetary. The neighborhood is perfect, and we found many small cafes walking various streets down to Avenida Santa Fe and back. This may have been particular to the building, but the two building managers were some of the friendliest Portenos I’ve ever met. I felt as though I had lived there for years and was more than just a tourist staying for a few weeks. On a few nights we had friends over with some new acquaintances for drinks – and I truly have never felt more like an expat living in a new city, even if it was for only half a month.

When returning I’ll definitely be scouting their catalog of residences again. And for those looking for a referral I highly and happily recommend them.

Doing it: All apartments and contact info listed at http://ba4uapartments.com.ar/

Above: View to the north and the Rio de la Plata. Right: Overlooking Avenida Las Heras and Hospital Rivadavia

Below: Drinks with friends. Right: The neighbor across the way tending to her flowers

Related: Marnixkade Canalview . Amsterdam

photos/edits by Caleb Cross Denver Colorado

Growing up in Michigan we made frequent family trips to Chicago. I remember we often stayed at a Days Inn a few blocks southwest of the Sears Tower. The Days Inn offered budget rooms, cheap parking, a pool, and being frugal Dutch folk saw no reason to indulge ourselves with such luxuries as mildew free curtains or functioning elevators.

When in Chicago I’m usually on the north side, but this time stayed in the south loop. With some time to kill on a Saturday afternoon I went for a walk with no destination in mind. The logical choice would be the lakeshore and Grant Park, sparkling and sunny this Memorial Day weekend, but some exploring sounded more interesting so I set out to find my old motel..

The one highlight I remember most was the diamond shaped rooftop pool, which at 10 years old was a real treat after trundling around the city all day. When atop the Sears Tower I would look down excited that I could spot our tiny ant size hotel among the grid of streets and other buildings. Did I say “Sears” Tower? I’m sorry, I meant the soon to be “Willis” Tower.

I headed towards the Sears Tower, and over the Van Buren street bridge. I was surprised to see the main post office had been shut down. A friend later told me it’s been that way for several years. This building, eating up two entire city blocks along the river, is a behemoth structure with the Eisenhower Expressway running under it. With enormous interior spaces it would be a challenge to reinvent as residential. Current retail trends favors outdoor walkable spaces, which leaves this building waiting for some sort of factory or manufacturing base – which it will probably never see. Not as many people send letters now, (which is correct – I haven’t MAILED a bill anywhere in years,) and technology is more advanced and physically compact. In its heyday I picture the building filled of mazes of roller coaster looking conveyer belts and sorting machines – spinning and whirling letters around like bottles in a brewery.

I walked along Canal Street, which runs under interstate 290. I hadn’t remembered traversing this grubby portion under the expressway to access the touristy parts of Chicago.

The building was still standing. It’s now a Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites. However it looked nothing like the picture in my mind. I remember the old Days Inn having very narrow windows, and being quite dark and gloomy inside. I was certain the structure had been razed and a new building was in its place. I headed inside and saw a standard check in area and small lobby.

I took the elevator up to the pool, and contrary to my prediction the diamond shaped pool was still there. So apparently the building had been gutted and remodeled, but not completely razed.

Although the walk under the freeway isn’t very enticing, overall it looks like a decent place to stay. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but for a brief overnight would be acceptable. There are some nice condos opposite the building on South Clinton and the Blue Line is a block away. Tripadvisor’s reviews average out quite high, so the staff must be doing a good job.

Next time I’ll have to find that building where I got my arm stuck in the revolving door. Meanwhile I hope something good happens with the post office.

More photos…

Related: Sherman Tower or Mezzo . Denver

James Van Dellen Denver

My most enjoyable stays have been in small guest houses I’ve found online after scouring reviews, local listings, and personal travel blogs.  The work usually pays off.  Fortunately during the same trip I also found the Luz en Yucatan over in Merida, and also explored Puerto Morelos, a small village halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. If you’re looking for seclusion Morelos is a beautiful village yet close to everything along the coast, including Cancun.

On the subject of growing too big for enjoyment, that’s the assessment many folks currently hold on Playa del Carmen.  People who have been regulars or visitors for 20 years are now seeing a progressive increase in construction, including resorts inside the city limits which eat up multiple blocks. I happen to like Playa del Carmen, perhaps because I see it in the present rather than the days it was just a small fishing village. It also makes a great launching point for truly getting off the beaten path with easy access to Tulum and points south, and west to the villages and old towns of the inland Yucatan Peninsula.

Despite the encroaching developments the city is still “people-scale,” and it’s easy to get around by walking, bike, or a quick taxi ride.  Many small hotels and guest houses are found in Playa del Carmen, allowing you to fully aborb the beach and the town, without being isolated in a ostentatious and isolated time share 20 miles in the middle of nowhere.

Hotel Banana sits on the north end of town. They recently changed their name, so a search brings up their former name “Fiesta Banana” as well. Not only am I thankful I found this hotel, but also the neighborhood. It’s quiet and the location borders a residential area to the north and west. Further south you’re surrounded by non-stop merchants, nightlife, and tourists that populate Calle Quinta (the 5th Street pedestrian mall.)

The rooms in Hotel Banana are similar to most medium range small to medium size hotels in Mexico, in that Americans would consider them spartan, furnished simply with the basics.   However much effort goes into the common areas and courtyards, which are usually filled with lush trees, comfortable sitting areas, and promote open air socializing and relaxation rather than staying cooped up in your room.

Hotel Banana has three floors with an open air sitting/breakfast area on the second floor. The location can’t be beat, and it’s quiet with little traffic or pedestrian noise at night. That’s not the case south on the busier parts of 5th. It’s about a five block walk down to the beach, which is closer than you’ll get staying at other large “beachfront” resorts.

The staff is friendly and always ready to help. My Mom made friends with the housekeeping ladies and locals from the dive shop during her hours spent reading on the second floor. Despite the language barrier they enjoyed each other’s company, and since my mom has been on a crocheting spree she knocked out some potholders for them.

My only suggestion would be to offer a bit more for breakfast. Currently the breakfast is just toast with nutella, and fresh coffee with juice. But if you need more there’s a small cafe on the first floor run by some Italians who really love soccer.

On a related note, I do enjoy having a kitchen for longer stays. The Hotel Banana lacks any suites, however some rooms have fridges and there’s plenty of inexpensive markets and cafes nearby. I just returned yesterday from Puerto Vallarta, doing the beach with some friends. (My Hotel Banana stay was in December.) I stopped for pizza at Wyman’s #5 en route home from the airport, and the waitress told me about a small condo in Playa del Carmen that she absolutely loves. However I was so tired I didn’t remember the name, but may research it further. If she’s reading this perhaps she can post. Occasionally I’ll be sitting at a diner here in Denver and I’ll see people whispering while pointing at me – then one will walk up and say “Excuse me, but are you the Future Gringo?” and want a photo. ok that never happens, but it’s a joke amongst my friends and coworkers.

The small features are nice, but to me the aesthetics are that of a space station medical exam room circa 2040.  The entire place appears frigid – and upon checkin I wouldn’t be surprised to be assigned a sterile white sheet to wrap around me for the duration of my stay..

Is our future completely void of coziness and warmth?  Minimalism is in.  Cocoons are not. 

I can’t embed the video but check it out here.  Photo from RetroRichmond.com  - which is worth a nostalgic look after seeing that video…

I visited Breckenridge just before last weekend’s big storm, and found Peak 8 and 9 open. Unfortunately Peak 7, higher runs and many connecting trails were closed.

It snowed all weekend, (the precursor to this week’s storm,) which made for great skiing – but with the limited terrain many visitors crowded the slopes and lift lines. Around noon Friday I almost called it a day due to extremely long lines, but then it suddenly became colder and windier. That was a good thing as it pushed everyone back into town, paring down the crowds for the remaining three hours. Between 2pm and 4pm I made the most of my skiing, albeit on the same eight runs.

The Beaver Run Resort had a Thanksgiving special which included two nights and two Thanksgiving dinner meals at Spencers, their classy restaurant. The Beaver Run Resort is a big boxy complex of Soviet era looking buildings located at the base of Peak 9. Skywalks connect four condo/hotel buildings to pools, rec areas, and a conference center. Its kind of like a cruise ship, only cemented into a hillside. Its not at all pretty or inviting from the outside. With creaky elevators and shabby fixtures the they certainly could move a few decades forward, however the staff is friendly, the room was quiet, and the location can’t be beat for ski in/ski out. For me those three positives far outweigh the lack of pleasing aesthetics. Spencers featured a Thanksgiving buffet that served all afternoon, complete with music, ice sculptures, and amazing butternut squash brown sugar soup.

Our room had this oddball design, kind of reminiscent of Dynasty: Separating the bed area from the living room is a windowed room housing the tub/spa. We guessed its so you can look across the living room and out the window while your sitting in the spa – but really its too low for that. It serves no other purpose than to give your friends a giggle moment before closing the blinds to the storefront view of your naked self.

Out of curiosity I looked up the Tripadvisor reviews and most had the exact same thoughts.

But any trip to Breck is a good one for me, even with early season conditions. I love visiting my regular spots: Erics, Cecilia’s, and sitting in front of the giant fireplace with a martini at The Brown.

I’m off to Playa del Carmen and Merida this week. I’m booked on the Mel Gibson “Apocalypto” all-inclusive stay and pray package. No not really. While I just visited here in ’06 I’m returning to spend a couple days scuba diving, plus see some of the less visited ruins including Coba – and whatever other roadside attractions the Yucatan jungle has to offer. And the DJs at Hotel Basico usually have some good stuff going on.

I hope to find some more interesting out of the way places, and pay a visit to Guillermo, new owner of “El Atrio”, (formerly Cafe Kabah.)

So goodbye to Colorado’s roller coaster weather – at least for a week.

Recommended budget hotels like the Pod were all booked. I checked out a few sites like New York 50- a site devoted to hotels and rentals for around $50 a night.  Needless to say the reviews were atrocious.  I found various lists of top rated budget hotels including this About.com collection, but they were booked too. I checked out a condo rental site with attractive rates, but balked when I learned they wanted a 50% deposit forked over via wire transfer. Yeah right. Take a credit card already – This isn’t 1950.  For a month I occasionally read reviews and prices. Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns and the other chains run north of $300 a night in Manhattan. The nicer hostels were booked. Tripadvisor’s reviews of budget hotels were actually amusing to read – if not frightening.  When finding a place for under $140 I would pull up the Tripadvisor review and read horrifying tales of bugs, mold, surly staff, and even beetles crawling over people as they slept. I wish I had bookmarked some of the reviews as they’re hilarious. I’m far from high maintenance, but I do require my room beetle free.

Someone on Lonely Planet mentioned the Chelsea Pines Inn to another poster looking for accommodations. It was the neighborhood I wanted to be in, for a very good price, and they had availability. Tired or searching and comparing I immediately booked it.

Chelsea Pines sits on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.  Typical to the area its a narrow building with five floors, with about four to five guest rooms per floor.  Giving the rooms a distinct style and character, each is dedicated to a former actor or actress from Hollywood’s golden years. There’s a sunroom and patio for socializing and meeting fellow visitors, and breakfast is served every morning until 11am.  Even though I always travel with earplugs just in case I wind up above a noisy street, the sounds below on 14th Street didn’t wake me at all.  It was fairly quiet at night, and central airconditioning helps too.   (Above photo of 14th Street taken from room.)

Something else makes this place special though: The variety and diversity in their rooms and rates. The deluxe, modern rooms on the lower floors are decked out in granite, have iPod docks, flat screen TVs and modern fixtures.  Standard rooms reside in the middle floors, and the fourth and fifth floor house smaller economy rooms with a partial shared bath - (not uncommon in NYC hotels.)  My room wasn’t as modern as the updated ones, but that was ok by me because the rate was below average for a place of it’s overall superb quality.  When I return I may opt for fancier accommodations, but this time my needs were simple.  There are plenty of economy rooms dotting the city, but being able to find an economy room that’s also in a well hosted and well kept building is rare.  I’m appreciative of proprietor Jay and the staff for offering their guests a variety of economic options, which results in a nice blend of guests too.

Although there were a few faces manning the front desk I didn’t meet, I chatted with the owner Jay a few times and met a small group visiting from Scotland.  Chelsea Pines is clean, comfortable, and more than spacious enough for myself traveling solo – and I’d recommend it as a “second home” to anyone staying in the city.

They’re at 317 West 14th Street in Chelsea, and about 30 steps from the subway too.  Check out Chelsea Pines Inn .com for rate details and their history.  And any other hotel should be so fortunate to have their Tripadvisor ranking.  

If you find them booked when visiting NYC check out this article in New York Magazine listing other highly rated budget hotels.

by James Van Dellen

Locals refer to it simply as “The Poudre.”  Reaching up from the narrow portions of the canyon where the road and river run side by side are tall rock walls for climbing, hiking trails reaching back into the wilderness, and rapids providing adventure for rafting outfits and kayakers.

Last week we attended a wedding at “Archer’s Poudre River Resort,” an event center about 40 miles west of Fort Collins along highway 14, which follows the Poudre and eventually makes it’s way to Walden.  Archer’s is located in a medium size valley, located a few blocks after emerging from the the most windy and rocky part of Highway 14.  Archer’s is a pleasant stop off if traveling through this part of the state or just a day trip from the city.  While they arrange on-site activities like horseback riding and candle making, their site also lists nearby activities like hiking trails and rafting companies, which makes it the Archer’s website an excellent resource if traveling in the area.

We stayed overnight a mile east of Archer’s at the The Glenn Echo Resort, a collection of cabins and campgrounds.  The property is split between cabins, campers and RVers staying for a limited time, and anchored trailer homes.  Such a mix makes it enjoyable for meeting fellow travelers, whether its a family with a small pop-top, some Harley riders spending the night, or the couple from Kansas City I chatted with living in the dreamy airstream pictured below.  The general store has sundries, laundry facilities, rents videos, and an adjacent restaurant serves up great chicken fried steak.

Some of the cabins are “rustic,” a nice way of saying they lack bathrooms; however a modern facility is located in the center of the grounds.  We stayed in one of the duplex cabins, which did have a bathroom plus two bedrooms and a large kitchen.    I absolutely love the older cabinets and wood paneling.   Although the fixtures and style are retro, the place is very well kept.  The shower had better water pressure than most motels I’ve stayed at.  And how can anyone go wrong with a colorful Brady Bunch coffee maker like this?  Forget Kitchenaid and their shiny stainless.  These appliances rock.

Seeing my phone flash “NO SERVICE” made me a little uneasy at first, but I was too busy celebrating and sharing cake and wine among friends to worry about it.  Just an FYI if you’re running your eBay business from the road, and to me to start treating my internet addiction.

Archers and Glenn Echo make a great escape for local Front Rangers and travelers alike – check out their digs and excellent hospitality!

I found the Marnixkade Canalview after a few days of haphazardly hunting around online for a place to reside during two weeks in Amsterdam. I researched the basic areas of town and was intent on finding a place in a more neighborhoody environment rather than the central tourist area or red light district. I was in the city solo for a four days before my best friend Lili flew in to meet me.

Based on the excellent reviews and email exchanges I chose the Marnixkade Canalview.  There are just two apartments in a typical looking four story building. Each apartment has a living room, separate bedroom, with full kitchen and washer/dryer.  I cooked dinner at home the first few nights there (being by myself,) so the nice kitchen was a plus to cook in during those rainy evenings.  The most notable feature is the beautiful view of the canal between Marnixkade and Nassaukade from the wide living room windows.

If you strive to “live like a local” when visiting a city, the Joordan district of Amsterdam is a prime location. Around the corner is Westerstraat, a larger retail street with grocery stores, clothing boutiques, and restaurants. The folks at Videoland were nice enough to set me up with a membership. (Another reason to return.)

The Marnixkade’s location is about a five minute bike ride to the city center. However you could spend an entire day in the Joordan alone. Home to the Ann Frank House and Westerkirk (church,) along with intricate mazes of smaller streets, (watch out for bikes and scooters!) From this location its easy to follow the semi circular path of the canals to access other parts of town too, while avoiding the busy streets.

The Marnixkade is run by Bruce and Eelko. Bruce is an expat from the U.S., and his Dutch partner Eelco have lived in the house for about 15 years. Allen, a student from South Africa manages the day to day duties, and has a really cool accent too. Upon arrival I found a kitchen stocked with meats, cheeses, breads and miscellaneous Dutch treats including those cookies with the caramel in the middle.

If you’re looking for a temporary home in Amsterdam, I can’t say enough wonderful things about Bruce, Eelco, Allen, and the Marnixkade. More info on their site at www.marnixkade.com.

I’ve written previously about how much I love the Arkansas River Valley in this post from ’06. Nearby alpine ski towns which pack countless upscale resorts and condos into narrow valleys. Nothing wrong with that, but this area of central Colorado is rural by comparison. Between the majestic 14ers you see wide open spaces, some farmland, and remnants of the 1800s mining boom are still seen along the highways and county roads.

Small cabins speckle the rivers and creeks, and you’ll find small motels, family restaurants, and outdoor outfitters in the friendly towns of Leadville, Buena Vista, and Salida.

But first a quick tip for those heading southwest from Denver via 285: As you climb up the canyon past 470 there are some stretches that are 45mph. The tight curves provide a perfect shelter for the Morrison Police Department to hide out and catch zooming motorists who are attempting to be on time for their noon rafting departure. Since this was my first ticket in seven years Officer McConnell knocked it down to a mere two points and a $115 fine. Lesson learned; check’s in the mail.

An hour later we were back on schedule – and hungry. My regular breakfast place on I-70 is “Marion’s of the Rockies” in Idaho Springs. I’m far less traveled on 285, and would have preferred to push on and dine at the Evergreen Cafe in Buena Vista, (another fav,) but we decided to check out the “Dinky Dairy” in Fairplay. I’ve seen this shack of a building several times and have always thought it was just a small ice cream joint. After piling in I was surprised to see a menu board full of burgers and sandwiches, plus a complete breakfast menu and a variety of coffee brews.

Good stuff – especially the Cafe Americana. I recommend it and will be back.

I’ve rafted with Arkansas Valley Adventures a few times before, usually when taking family and friends to the mountains in the summer. AVA’s Upper Arkansas River location is just a few miles north of Buena Vista in the village of Granite. The environment is casual and relaxed, and they have all the gear needed to prep you for your trip. (However bring shoes that can get wet.) They’re a safe and professional organization with excellent guides and top-notch gear.

You’ll notice I have no photos of rafting. That’s because you get VERY wet. Usually there’s a photographer camped out on the rocks taking some group photos – but I find it pointless to purchase them, because since you’re donned in wetsuits, jackets, helmets, and life vests, any stock photo could look just like you. In lieu of an action packed shot of paddles churning the rapids here’s a photo of “Rally Liquor” at 402 Highway 24 North. Rally offers a fine selection of beer and spirits and they sell the large size Red Bulls. They have a drive through in case you need to get drinking in a hurry.

We rode a section of the Arkansas called “The Numbers.” The title is derived from the sets of rapids following each other in close sequence. With the spring season and recent snowmelt this was by far the fastest and highest water I’ve ever seen. In addition to a lengthy safety briefing covering all potential rapids related catastrophes our group of six boast was also accompanied by a safety kayaker. This was all for good reason since three people, including a guide, were bounced out of their respective rafts during our trip. Fortunately none from our raft! Our guide (sorry name forgotten,) was a bit bossy, but with violent waters like these her demanding military style was needed and appreciated. She got us through our trip safe and sound.

Since the nights are still chilly we decided to rent a cabin instead of camp. Via The Google I found Paradise Cove Cabins, located about three miles west of Buena Vista near the Cottonwood Hot Springs. Paradise Cove is run by Shiarra, a fellow Michigan native. Her two cabins are located along a creek downstream from Cottonwood Lake. The “Paradise Cottage” cabin has a full bedroom plus loft with two beds upstairs. The smaller “Abbot Cabin” is cozy and great for couples. Both feature fully stocked kitchens for cooking, and large decks to sit out and watch the river flow by.

I’ve recommended the advantages of staying in a condo or guest house many times, and this ranks right up with the Luz en Yucatan, New Orleans’s Burgundy, and the Amsterdam’s Marnixkade, (review soon-promise.)

Places like this are what makes traveling worth it, even if its only three hours outside your backyard. When you find places well cared for homes like this its like having your own vacation home, but without those pesky time-share fees.

More info about Paradise Cove on their site.

And seriously of you’re coming to Colorado during the summer skip Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park and head to this area. Fewer people, open spaces, and great people.

Bottom Left: Mt Harvard from Highway 24.

I stayed at the Romulus Ramada Inn last night in order to catch my early morning flight to Denver. The room was as expected; everything worked, it was clean and quiet with minimal jet noise. The desk staff was friendly and my shuttle bus driver was very cordial and right on time at 6am for my 6:40 flight. Also I was surprised at the incredible cornucopia that was the breakfast bar!  What a welcome treat to see bacon, sausage, eggs, and fresh fruit along with the expected bread line-up that normally constitutes the entirety of most “continental” breakfasts.

Here’s the gripe though: You have a major infestation! No it’s not rats, cockroaches, or other sorts of vermin I saw on Discovery’s “Verminators”  last night while sprawling out on your spacious bed.   The problem is your “free lobby computer”   A free access PC is a great feature for the traveler, especially leisure travelers who don’t need to carry a laptop with them.

But your computer is not safe and should be avoided at all costs! Seriously, I jogged the mouse and saw a desktop half full of app icons, a start menu two columns wide chock full of – err, “programs,” more toolbars littering IE than I could count, and a check of the task list check revealed upwards of 30 processes running.

This is very very bad. I’m not just writing a funny letter – it seriously needs to be addressed for this reason:  The people your PC serves MOST are usually non savvy computer users who just want a quick email or bank account check.  These are the people who will be HURT the most because they don’t realize the enormous population of malware or log in/password harvesting programs that might be residing in this PC.

Of course I don’t know for certain what if any viruses are actually INSTALLED on this PC.  A nefarious trench coat wearing individual might never have sat down with their skull and bones flash drive and uploaded said keyloggers to this PC. However when you see a public PC that allows ANYTHING to be installed you should ALWAYS err on the side of caution when using it. In fact it would be better to REMOVE the PC completely rather than have it sitting there inviting grandmothers to type in their Hotmail passwords and credit union log ins.

I suggest you re-install Windows on this PC, create a “guest account” which prohibits installation of any programs, and ensure the “admin” account is securely locked.

Feel free to pass this along to other Ramada Inns as well.  I was too tired last night to take a picture but fortunately found a photo of your motel and offending PC on your website.

One more quibble: Ramada.com says this location has a “business center” and labels this photograph AS the “business center.” Sorry, but an unsecured Dell computer on a particle board desk in the corner is not a “business center.” But let’s take care of the computer first then worry about semantics.

Thanks again for a good nights sleep, and I hope you’ll address this matter.

All the best, James..

by James Van Dellen

Yes its karma time for all the bitching I’ve ever done about kids on planes, kids in restaurants, kids stomping around in floors above you, and etcetera. 

Most British hotels that cater properly for children take the form of fancy country-house pads costing over £200 a night. Yet from our experience, cheaper places to stay rarely work well with young ones. So when we go away, like most families I know, we usually end up camping or renting a cottage.

But there is a promising-sounding alternative. Hostels may conjure up images of spartan, single-sex dorms and hardy backpackers, but at many properties this view is well out of date. Around two-thirds of the Youth Hostel Association’s 200 hostels in England and Wales offer private family rooms and about 50 have family rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

So, with family rooms costing from £36 a night, are hostels the budget accommodation answer? My partner Emily, our two boys (Edward aged two, and Arthur, five) and I thought we’d find out.

Full article “Bunking Down with the Family“

The Denver Business Journal reports construction will begin in 2008 on the new “Loft Hotel,” one of the first three to open including Plano (Dallas,) Texas and Providence, Rhode Island.  They plan to have 50 hotels by 2010 around the U.S.

For business travelers on Denver’s northwest side this is sure to be a nice change from the usual sterile corporate hotels that are plunked down near the office parks.   For tourists visiting Boulder, especially students at C.U.,  it may draw those looking for a high end designer appeal.  By local standards I consider Broomfield a hike from downtown Denver, however if the popular RTD “B” bus line stops near the Loft Hotel, and if a Fastracks commuter rail station is located nearby, (some years away,)  that will certainly add to the accessibility factor.

NYLO hotels feature red brick and glass construction, 11-foot ceilings, extra-large windows and custom furnishings. They also will have flat-screen TVs, free high-speed Internet connections as well as CD and DVD players.   The heart of each hotel will be “The Loft” common area, where guests can have cocktails, check e-mail, read the paper and relax. Other hotel amenities range from gym with steam rooms and business center to restaurant/bar and game room.   Started in 2005, NYLO offers what it calls a new class of hotel with spacious 300-square-foot, loft-type rooms at affordable rates of $115 to $135 per night, according to Hospitality Net. The company initially said its hotels would cost $90,000 a room to build, putting the Broomfield property at roughly $16 million.

Christopher Lindholst and Arshad Chowdhury opened up “Metronaps” in New York’s Empire State Building to the delight of groggy commuters around the area.   Their 42nd floor station has several of these “nap pods,” with a built in alarm clock, mints, and hot towel when you awake.   

Each 20 minute nap is $14.  The Metronap “napologists” (ok I just made that up)  have assured us that a 20 minute nap is beneficial, but personally I prefer a nap of about 30-35 minutes to feel fully refreshed. 

From a travel angle an excellent use of Metronaps would be for the visitor arriving New York in the morning after a fidgety red eye flight from the west coast.   Why not?  See the view from the Empire State Building, then recharge for an evening out.   JetBlue flies Denver – N.Y. at 12am, which saves time by not eating up an entire day of flying, but any flight like that is bound to leave your head in a fog the first day.   I’d definitely use Metronaps on that schedule.

More about Metronaps at this Healthy Living NYC article

When traveling to Chicago I always recommend staying just north of downtown in the more residential areas, as opposed to the large hotels in or near the loop. This gives you a less touristy experience, and you’ll find more to do at night as these neighborhood restaurants and pubs are open serving the locals. The sights of downtown are easily accessible via the CTA’s Red Line El train, and you’ll find it more “homey” returning to a house or small hotel near parks and the lakeshore.

Our room on a Thursday night was $120, with breakfast included of course. Most hotels in the area run upwards of $175, making a “home away from home” location such as this more preferable than a hotel, and more affordable.

Online at thevillatoscana.com