My ex-boss being a resident in Madrid, of course brought us to places where the locals go and The Plaza De Santa Ana was recommended by him and it’s a real Spaniard experience here especially in the evenings. You don’t find a lot of tourist around and drinks and food were a lot cheaper than the places where the tourists are brought to by their tour guides. There were outdoor cafes and bar everywhere at the Plaza De Santa Ana and folks play guitar there every night with singing and dancing – it was a very lively scene. There are a few vendors there – who would try and sell you their touristy souvenirs and you can politely refused if you didn’t want any. We usually stay till late in the evening – as people watching as well as the singing was really good. If you want to experience a true spanish atmosphere – try this plaza.
The Plaza is always crowded and with lots of people.
When a friend recommended this boutique hotel to us a few years ago, she told me that if you are thinking of partying and drinking – then this is not the place for you. This place is about relaxation, yoga, healthy eating and lots of sun and the sea. Children are not encouraged so i’ve heard. The family cabanas has a kitchenette – so you can cook and bbq if you want, we choose an Ocean view room and it was lovely looking out watching the sun rise and set. But let me warn you – not to expect too much – there is no cell phone connection nor a phone available for you to call but there is Wi-fi around – but it can get weird and slow at times. No tv in the Cabanas too – so forget about bringing your xbox 360 with you.
For those looking to revitalize or re-kindle your relationship with your spouse or to find yourself – or direction – this is really a place for you. The hotel staff leave you alone a lot of time – the maid does clean your rooms but only ever few days but if you needed anything extra – you can always contact the front desk.
Staying at the Azucar is like going back to basics – and if you want to enjoy this dream holiday – make sure you leave your work and home affairs well taken care of – for the duration of your stay there – because you will not be able to enjoy yourself – if you don’t. This place is powered by Solar energy – pretty neat right? So if sometimes, the power goes off a few times during the day or night – don’t get too upset. There is no air-con in the room – but there are ceiling fans in your cabanas.
To get to the hotel – it’s about 1.5hrs of driving and I strongly advised you to rent your own car at the airport. There are parking space around the hotel grounds – so no worries about that – because the night security will help you park your car if necessary. there are no restaurants within the hotel – but food is within walking distance – and there are convenient stores nearby too – for you to fill up your fridge and temporary kitchen. Azucar is right in the middle of an Eco village – so like I said – do not expect a lot of high tech gadget – enjoy the sound of the waves – and talking to your partner and fall asleep in each others arms. And yes, there are bugs and mosquitoes – so if they are attracted to you – bring your wipes and repellent.
I was only in Dallas once with my ex-boss who was looking for Tubing Bender for a project we were on way back in 2008, since I was in Canada – it would be easier to bring me a long than his engineer in Singapore. We stayed that The Joule in Dallas on Main Street – I think I liked the location best – and because it right where the central area was – it was definitely convenient for us to go about our business and to receive business associate in the hotel or a nearby cafe. I don’t remember them having a business center but they did have some PC – and internet connection that you can hook your laptop to at the lobby. The staff were extremely friendly and they did have a restaurant inhouse – Charlie something – I can’t remember the name.
The rooms were very nice – and modern – I liked the colors immediately – it didn’t feel like I was sleeping in a hotel – it was like an apartment.
Like I said – everything was pretty modern – right up to the bathroom experience.
Loved the outdoor pool – for in Canada – most hotels has indoor ones. I really wouldn’t say that it’s a boutique hotel – because they had a lot of rooms – the concierge was pretty helpful if I remember correctly. Anyhow, we found our tubing bender in Dallas and return home after a 3 days stay. So if you are in Dallas looking for tubing bending – stay at the Joule, Dallas.
We had never stayed at the Niagara Falls before but since there was a special deal on Dealfind one day – we decided to make a trip up to the Embassy Suites by Hilton. We arrived late in the evening and it was a very busy spot as you can see. Located at Fallsview – with casinos like 2 blocks away – its definitely a great location for those who wants to try their luck in the casino.
As for us – we turned in early and got up early too – just so we can talk a walk around and see what Niagara falls have to offer us.
With TGIF just behind the hotel and the Keg in the hotel itself – you don’t even have to walk out of the hotel if you don’t want to. I think the best part of staying at the Embassy Suites is the spectacular view of the Horseshoe fall on the Canadian side. But be warned to stay on the upper floors else you will be disappointed.
The rooms were huge and clean – but it had seen better days – the aging of this magnificent hotel is showing – another few more years – they would definitely need some renovation. And what’s with hotel and their bed cover colors – those are the most deary looking ones – but most hotels have the same type of bed covers.
The outlaws room – which was just as huge.
A little kitchenette – great for family who has kids like us.
A jacuzzi for those romantic evenings – don’t forget to bring some bubble bath and rose petals.
A very awesome view from our room – we were pretty pleased.
A pretty big pool which gets really busy with kids during the weekend – so if you have kids – don’t worry about them not having fun – they will make friends really quick like mine.
Surprisingly, they have a big business center at the Embassy Suites even though the room has wireless.
The lobby was really nice – but I won’t go to the Manager’s reception if I were you – they served us drinks in a plastic cups! hahahah!! too funny! Overall, it was a good stay and we will return if we had just a good deal for the room. The rooms were like $149 a night but it included food vouchers for The Keg Steakhouse and casino chips of up to $50 and some manicure spa thing for $50. A pretty good deal if you asked me – so we can’t complain eh.
So it’s that time of the year again – where you see tons of Canadians flocking to the south to the warmer weather – and to our friendly neighbors in the south. If you ever go to Cuba or Mexico – you would think that the entire population in Canada might have migrated there. But hang on before you head for the airport with your tablet laptops and 3D cellphones – what are the laws to bringing them on the airplane and crossing custom?
Like many travelers, we cannot travel without at least 1 of these gadgets – and I don’t blame you because we still need to keep in contact with the rest of the world/work even though we are on vacation. So I found out a little more about traveling with electronics like cellphones, laptops, your favorite androids, your e-readers, gaming devices and digital cameras. And it looks like we are all safe with that – all passengers can bring their personal electronics on board but make sure you check with your airline for its restrictions. But most airlines prefer your carry them with you on the plane – so that they don’t have to be responsible for any damages/lost item. But you still cannot use your electronic items when the plane takes off and land – so there you have it. And going thru’ custom with them shouldn’t be a problem at all. So those escaping the winter – and heading out south – have fun !
Like most people here in Canada – we all rushed out to the south for the warmth and better weather – and you can’t really blame us when it is freezing cold here. Last year, we had decided that we wanted to head to Jamaica and we wanted an all inclusive resort – so when the cousin reported that the Grand Palladium was darn good – we had to check it out.
The Grand Palladium has a grand lobby and you would love the resort as it is huge – so be prepared for some good walking exercises while you are there. The location is also not bad – but you do have to travel quite a bit to other places depending on its traffic that day.
The grounds are immaculately kept and the staff are pretty awesome – they made our stay a very enjoyable one. And what I loved about the resort most is that we weren’t hustled at all – like most all inclusive resort in Cuba or Mexico whereby they tell you all their sad stories and sometimes curse you for not buying their wares.
The beaches are wonderful – the little huts are great for children who don’t want to be in the sun for too long – we like the sunset cove beach very much. I could lived like this forever – hahah!
The pool was huge and the pool bar was just right there – very convenient for those who loved their drinks when they are swimming – as for us – we only had the punch and water for the spouse as we both don’t drink – the house wine was ok – but I prefer ice wine which they didn’t have.
Our suite room was huge and so were the friends who came with us – love the bathroom shower and the tub as well.
This is the sunset cove.
An awesome looking sunset that makes you think of all the wonderful things in life. The Grand Palladium also has a kid’s cove for the kids and many entertainment in the evening – definitely a great place to relax and recharge. Lots of restaurants to choose from Mexican and the international buffet – plus American food.
While some people say it’s a budget hotel – I didn’t really think it was – rooms were like $200 a night – so I don’t really think it’s budget hotel. But it sure was pretty sleek looking and almost geeky like inside.
The staff very pretty nice and the hotel lobby and general area were kept clean – and overall it’s alright – but don’t expect any frills even though you paid so much for the hotel. Now the plus – about Alma Barcelona is – it’s right in the middle of everything within walking distance – so the locality is great. It seems like a pretty safe neighborhood to stay in and getting a cab is pretty easy and it’s not expensive like most people say about 10 euros. The shops around the hotels are all high end stuff so if you want to shop for more reasonable price stuff head out to Plaza Catalunya.
Modern looking room – clean and comfy and a bit futuristic looking as you can see.
A basic looking bathroom – but adequate.
This is the bar in the hotel but since there are many restaurants and cafes around the hotel, we usually choose to eat out instead of paying lots for the food here. There is room service but I think they stop at 10pm if I am not wrong. There isn’t a real concierge in this hotel – and the staff recommendation for restaurants wasn’t the most accurate. Overall, it’s a great place to stay for a few days – and if you are a single geeky male – this place is awesome – and if you are in for the location – great – but for that price – I think I prefer a more feminine hotel and that’s just my perspective – not kid friendly either.
I loved traveling as you all know – but I`m also worried when I travel that I might fall sick or worst – if the kid gets sick and everytime we do stay in a hotel that is dusty I get a very bad headache or migraine. Chronic headache is actually my greatest enemy when I am traveling – therefore, I never leave home without my travel health kit – and I tell yer – I feel a lot safer when i have all my back up medication and anything that I might need in this travel health kit. I take a small portion of whatever I need, from tylenol to band aid with me when i travel and of course medication for my headaches/migraine is a must and if I don’t get an attack, it will not go to waste, I can always use it on my next trip. But of course, I do check for expiry dates and make sure I change them ever so often if I haven’t used them for the last 6 months. So if you are traveling for vacation or work – make sure you pack your health travel kit with you – for you never know when you might need it.
While many feel that the hotel’s lobby and restaurants are important when you pick a hotel – it’s the room and the recreation areas that are most important to me. When I get into the room and see such a big bed – I’m usually impressed already – I love a king size bed room – even if I was traveling alone. I don’t know why but I don’t like sleeping in small beds.
The Marriot hotels rarely disappoints – so I wasn’t too surprised that I liked the room and the inn as soon as I checked in. The price was right since I was traveling with kids – it was good to have a small kitchenette for us to do our little microwaving for milk and other snacks for the kid.
There was a little dining area – for us to eat in if we wanted to or put another laptop to work on. The Marriot Residence is near the entertainment center – and there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Every room I was told had wifi – and they are free and the TV are those flat screen ones. Overall, we find that the hotel is nice and new – the front desk staff were pleasant – but unlike the Hyatt of course, where they try very hard to please you and make everything as best as possible. But of course, you will see the price difference you pay at the Hyatt as compared to the Marriot Residence Inn – so I rate the hotel pretty good for the price I had paid for my business trip.
The outside of the Marriot Residence In.
The fitness center.
The stadium near the hotel.
For someone who travels as much as I did before – you would be surprised at how much pictures I had printed out during the last 20 yrs of traveling. 20 yrs ago – I wished for a printer that I could carry around with me and print out pictures I liked or had taken with a friend or family members and share it with them immediately but alas, there was none. As I looked at my Epson TM-T88V receipt printer today – I was thinking about how nice it would have been if I had a printer that was this small and prints as fast but in color. Of course, they now have portable printers that are small and affordable now – but with digital cameras – one don’t really need to print out all the photos that you’ve taken during a vacation to find out which one is the best. But it would still be very nice to have a small color printer like the Epson that I have for my store’s receipt printer to use for my holiday pictures. I really like my Epson printer – it’s small – cheap and definitely ink friendly – now if only some manufacturer or designer can design a portable printer as small and lightweight as my Epson – I’m sure folks like us would love to have one too.
