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AngelTraveler

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 Hotel Reviews - North America
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hilton Long Beach and Executive Meeting Centre
701 W Ocean Blvd
Long Beach,  CA
 
We stayed two nights at this hotel in late November 2006 before our cruise out of the port of Long Beach. We got a shuttle from the airport to the hotel.
 
The room was nice and overlooked the pool, roomy enough for two and we paid a good price of under $100 per night.  Have a look at the deals at HotelClub.com as you can really get good discounts there.
 
There are not a lot of restaurants nearby although we did have dinner one night at the Daily Grill which was just outside the hotel and we did enjoy that. We did not have breakfasts at the hotel at all so I can’t comment.
 
I don’t think I would want to stay in Long Beach more than two days as there were only limited things to see and do compared with Los Angeles. There were a lot of banks on that part of the street so the hotel probably caters to business clientele more than tourists.
 
Overall we had a good experience here but it probably would be better to choose a hotel closer to the main attractions of the Pike, Shoreline Village, Market Place and the Marina.
 
Liked:  It was handy to the free passport buses that go past outside the hotel to all over the city (including the Queen Mary) and the Pike is near enough to walk to.
Disliked:  It was a bit out of the way for restaurants
Tip:  Have dinners at The Pike
 
 
Hollywood Celebrity Hotel
1775 Orchid Ave
Los Angeles  CA 

 

This is a buget hotel but well worth staying in.  The staff are friendly and the rooms are clean and large. I would have liked to have had some toast and spread included in the breakfast as I dont like bagels or muffins. This is the only adverse remark  (besides the bathroom remark below) I can make about this hotel and overall enjoyed the experience.

I would highly recommend this hotel for anyone wanting to stay near Hollywood Boulevarde.  I also found the area around the hotel safe for walking around at night. The metro rail and buses are located nearby on Hollywood Boulevarde and it costs only $3 for a day pass. Universal Studios is only one stop on the rail away.
 
Liked:  Location, location, location
Dislikes:  The bathroom is very old fashioned and need updating
Tip:  Make sure you make use of the free internet in the lobby
 
 
Castle Maile Sky Court Hotel
2058 Kuhio Ave Waikiki,
Hawaii
 
We arrived very late at night by taxi and were taken to our room straight away.  Initially we were given a room with single beds and as this was a romantic vacation away we asked to be moved and they did this the next day with no problems.  We got a nice corner room with ocean views and kitchenette which included a microwave and fridge whereas the other room had a mountain view so we ended up with a bigger room overall.  The room was clean and the staff friendly. The lifts are slow and most of the time one was out of order.
 
TGI Friday Restaurant was downstairs and we had lunch and one dinner there during our stay.  Its also a nice place to get a drink especially my favourite, a margarita (they serve a huge one there). We had breakfasts outside of the hotel most of the time and bought some tropical fruit to have one morning.  There are ABC stores everywhere to buy groceries, snacks and drinks for the fridge. 
 
I would recommend this hotel for those wanting budget accommodation with a clean room and friendly service but I think the lifts would really annoy me if we stayed any longer.  We stayed for 4 nights.
 
Likes:  clean room with nice view
Dislikes:  Lifts slow
Tips:  Shop for snacks etc at ABC stores that are on every corner
 
 
Days Inn Airport South Bay LAX
15636 Hawthorne Blvde
Lawndale CA
 
I arrived early in the morning, about 7.45 am, and the staff went out of their way to get me into a room as quickly as possible as they knew I had just travelled a long way and was very tired.  I walked down to McDonalds which is very close and had breakfast there while I waited.  You can catch the local bus across the road to the Galleria Mall and I did that and had lunch there which was very pleasant.
 
This hotel is a budget one but the room was clean and had everything I wanted.  Breakfast was basic with coffee and muffins but expected and sufficient for me. 
They have a free airport shuttle included and the driver was very pleasant and professional.  I was happy with the price and would stay again but for only one night if in transit.  Rates are around $85 from  HotelClub.com.
 
Likes:  Free airport shuttle
Dislikes:  Didn’t like the area much
Tips:  Eat at McDonalds or go to the Mall to eat
 
 
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
1633 North Bayshore Dr
Miami  FL
 
I stayed in this hotel after a cruise to the Caribbean.  I took a taxi from the cruise terminal to the hotel at around 10 am (which costs around $9).  I checked in and left my bags and caught the free shuttle outside the hotel to the Dolphin Mall.  I had lunch there and did a bit of shopping then got the bus back and by then they had my room ready. 
 
The room was very nice and had a lovely water view.  Breakfast wasn’t included so I picked up a coffee and a Danish in the coffee shop each morning and sat and had it in the room sitting by the window looking at the sparkling water so I cant comment on the Bay View Grille.
 
There is a shuttle to Bayside which I did take advantage of and had dinner there after taking a boat cruise.
 
I would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting a non smoking hotel that is very tastefully decorated but try and get breakfast included.
 
Liked:  View from the room
Disliked:  Check in staff not very helpful
Tip:  Take the shuttle to Bayside.
 
 
Victorian Hotel,
514 Homer St,
Vancouver, Canada
 
I stayed at this hotel after my cruise to Alaska.  I caught a cab to the hotel from the Port, which is fairly close, and got my bags up the steps into the hotel.  I haved stayed in this hotel before and so I booked a room with ensuite this time as I have a shared bathroom last time (used the womens bathoom) on the third floor and decided to upgrade on this occasion.  I was placed on the second floor and my suitcase was taken up for me. 
 
This hotel is very quaint with lovely furnishings.  I liked it so much the first time that I decided to stay there again.  I left something in the room on my first trip and they posted it to me in Australia.  What great customer service is that!
 
The breakfast included toast, spread, coffee and juice which was sufficient for me, as I don’t eat big breakfasts anyway.  The hotel is located in a great position, in walking distance to Gas Town and Robson St shopping in the other direction.
 
I would recommend this hotel to anyone who can manage the stairs as it is a great deal for being so central.
 
Liked:  Clean room with lovely furnishings for a very good price
Disliked:  Stairs
Tip:  Walk everywhere - dont miss out on Gastown which is a few blocks away
 
 
Best Western Chateau Granville
1100 Granville St
Vancouver, Canada
 
I stayed here for one night before my Alaskan cruise.  I had a one bedroom suite in a tower room and it was quite large.  I cant comment on the courtyard building.
 
I didnt like the area the hotel was in as I soon discovered as I went for a walk and walked past people dealing (that was a bit scary). Its a very busy street as well although we didnt hear any noice in the room itself.
 
There is a nice bar and bistro for meals. 
 
I dont know that I would recommend this hotel to anyone traveling alone.
 
Likes:  Big room
Dislikes:  Area the hotel is in
Tip:  Walk to Robson St which is fairy close
 
 
 
Best Western Airport Plaza Inn
1730 Centinela Ave
INGLEWOOD CA
 
I stayed here for one night only on my way home from Miami.  I called the hotel shuttle bus at LAX on the courtesy phone and it took about 20 minutes to get to me.  I got a room on the first floor which was clean but showing a little age.  Breakfast is supplied downstairs in an area near the pool.
 
I chose this hotel because of the airport shuttle and that they also supply the shuttle to take you to Fox Hills Shopping Center or to local restaurants.  I wasnt leaving for the airport again until around 3 pm so I spent the morning and had lunch there.
 
I would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to stay near the airport and only wanting to stay a day or two.
 
Likes:  Shuttle
Dislikes:  Busy road outside
Tip:   Cant think of one
 
 
HotelClub.com
 
 
 
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5 Hotel Travel Tips
Take a small travel clock as not hotels will supply one and you dont want to be late for a tour you have booked.
 
Also check that there is a hairdryer and an iron if you think you will need one.  Most hotels will supply these on request.
 
If traveling alone take a door wedge for extra security.
 
If your hotel has a room safe then use it.
 
Check where the fire exit is.  This information is usually on the back of the main door.
 
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