Is that the "haunted" hotel in San Antonio?Rufus wrote:That sure is. When we lived in Houston we often went to San Antonio and always stayed in the Mansion del Rio. As it's been several years since we were last there, we'd be interested on getting your take on the hotel.Gene wrote:What a coincidence - wife and I are driving down to San Antonio for the weekend, and we are staying at that hotel!Rufus wrote:There are two I should mention in addition to the two I mentioned above: Mansion Del Rio on the River Walk, San Antonio and the Arizona Builtmore in Tucson, AZ.
Favorite hotel
Re: Favorite hotel
Jim
Re: Favorite hotel
I can recommend the Mansion Del Rio and the Riverwalk generally.Rufus wrote:There are two I should mention in addition to the two I mentioned above: Mansion Del Rio on the River Walk, San Antonio and the Arizona Builtmore in Tucson, AZ.
Regards,
Squire
Squire
Re: Favorite hotel
According to the interwebz, San Antonio's famous haunted hotel is The Menger Hotel near The Alamo.Kyle76 wrote: Is that the "haunted" hotel in San Antonio?
Jim
Re: Favorite hotel
Well, I had it wrong.
We were planning on staying at the mansion, but at the last minute shifted to the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. I had stayed there before, years ago ... and it was close to all the things we wanted to do:
Walk the Riverwalk
Take the boat tour around the Riverwalk
Eat at Dirty Nellies (part of the Hilton, Irish pub with the best shepherds pie I have ever had)
Stop by Schilos (pronounced she-lows) Deli - delicious home-made root bear: one glass sipped, one in a float with ice cream
Eat at the Iron Cactus - table-made guacamole
Of course visit the Alamo
It was an amazing weekend!
We were planning on staying at the mansion, but at the last minute shifted to the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. I had stayed there before, years ago ... and it was close to all the things we wanted to do:
Walk the Riverwalk
Take the boat tour around the Riverwalk
Eat at Dirty Nellies (part of the Hilton, Irish pub with the best shepherds pie I have ever had)
Stop by Schilos (pronounced she-lows) Deli - delicious home-made root bear: one glass sipped, one in a float with ice cream
Eat at the Iron Cactus - table-made guacamole
Of course visit the Alamo
It was an amazing weekend!
Gene
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
Re: Favorite hotel
Sounds like a great weekend; I'm very jealous. SWMBO and I love San Antonio. Although I've been there many times for both business and pleasure I really can't get enough of the place and look forward to visiting again some time soon.Gene wrote:Well, I had it wrong.
We were planning on staying at the mansion, but at the last minute shifted to the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. I had stayed there before, years ago ... and it was close to all the things we wanted to do:
Walk the Riverwalk
Take the boat tour around the Riverwalk
Eat at Dirty Nellies (part of the Hilton, Irish pub with the best shepherds pie I have ever had)
Stop by Schilos (pronounced she-lows) Deli - delicious home-made root bear: one glass sipped, one in a float with ice cream
Eat at the Iron Cactus - table-made guacamole
Of course visit the Alamo
It was an amazing weekend!
Bryan
Re: Favorite hotel
Big fan of the Menger, especially their wood paneled bar (go ahead and laugh) which is a copy of one of the private bars in the British House of Commons. It's also the place where Theodore Roosevelt sat down with Col. Leonard Wood to organize a new outfit called the Rough Riders.Kyle76 wrote:According to the interwebz, San Antonio's famous haunted hotel is The Menger Hotel near The Alamo.Kyle76 wrote: Is that the "haunted" hotel in San Antonio?
Regards,
Squire
Squire
Re: Favorite hotel
I thought I’d revive this thread. Previously I listed a few of my favourite hotels, but one that I didn’t is the Mena House Hotel in Giza, Egypt. In the later 1970’s I travelled to Egypt frequently on business. When in Cairo I’d always stay at the Mena House, which is in Giza close to the base of the pyramids. After a day battling the people and traffic in Cairo it was an oasis of tranquility. It comprises low-rise cum bungalow-style buildings behind a high wall with beautiful gardens. The restaurant looks out on the Great Pyramid, which made a nice backdrop for my daily breakfast. I haven’t been back since 1980, so I don’t know what it’s like today. I believe it was one of Winston Churchill’s favourite hotels.
Bryan
Re: Favorite hotel
On our most recent visit to Fredericksburg Texas we were pleasantly surprised by the Peachtree Inn. Still privately owned by the original family. Free standing duplex cabins. Nicely refurbished and very reasonably priced. Upon check-in, we found a complimentary bottle of wine in our room. I'm definitely going back when we get a chance.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
Re: Favorite hotel
So many wonderful hotels. Let me call out one US and one international.
The Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans is probably the most hospitable hotel I have ever stayed in. The staff at all levels speaks of it as being "my hotel" as if they owned it. Serious southern hospitality. The revolving Carousel Bar is not to be missed. Plus, the French Quarter is said to begin in the lobby of the Monteleone. It seems to be rated 4.5 stars, but I personally don't pay much attention to stars.
The Hotel NIcolo in the heart of Paris was (and I assume still is) a small, family owned hotel boasting the smallest elevator I have ever seen (about as big as a phone booth, for those of you old enough to remember such things). You put your luggage in the elevator and then walk up the stairs. It is rated 2-stars but is warm and inviting. All the food is prepared on site; no finished product brought in. They do not speak much English, and they encourage patrons to at least try to speak a little French (they will teach you). We had a view of the Eiffel Tower if you stick your head out the window and crane your neck. Our friends who live in Biarritz stay at the Nicolo when in Paris, and they told us about the place. Very reasonably priced, and includes breakfast.
The Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans is probably the most hospitable hotel I have ever stayed in. The staff at all levels speaks of it as being "my hotel" as if they owned it. Serious southern hospitality. The revolving Carousel Bar is not to be missed. Plus, the French Quarter is said to begin in the lobby of the Monteleone. It seems to be rated 4.5 stars, but I personally don't pay much attention to stars.
The Hotel NIcolo in the heart of Paris was (and I assume still is) a small, family owned hotel boasting the smallest elevator I have ever seen (about as big as a phone booth, for those of you old enough to remember such things). You put your luggage in the elevator and then walk up the stairs. It is rated 2-stars but is warm and inviting. All the food is prepared on site; no finished product brought in. They do not speak much English, and they encourage patrons to at least try to speak a little French (they will teach you). We had a view of the Eiffel Tower if you stick your head out the window and crane your neck. Our friends who live in Biarritz stay at the Nicolo when in Paris, and they told us about the place. Very reasonably priced, and includes breakfast.
Re: Favorite hotel
The Nicolo sounds wonderful.
The company I work for is based in Montreal - and I get a lot of (private) laughs tossing the odd French word into my conversations - I can almost feel them rolling their eyes at my Texas-accented tones. "Bon Jour, y'all" and so forth.
Gary - we are about 90 minutes from Fredericksburg - and planning a trip out there in January. I will try to get our group to stay there.
What I really want to do is tour that Pacific War Museum while we are there. I never knew that Chester Nimitz was from Fredericksburg. Plus - they have a full sized actual PT boat on display there. I love those things - can't wait to get in/on one.
The company I work for is based in Montreal - and I get a lot of (private) laughs tossing the odd French word into my conversations - I can almost feel them rolling their eyes at my Texas-accented tones. "Bon Jour, y'all" and so forth.
Gary - we are about 90 minutes from Fredericksburg - and planning a trip out there in January. I will try to get our group to stay there.
What I really want to do is tour that Pacific War Museum while we are there. I never knew that Chester Nimitz was from Fredericksburg. Plus - they have a full sized actual PT boat on display there. I love those things - can't wait to get in/on one.
Gene
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
Re: Favorite hotel
The Quebec language police would have your guts for garters if they heard you utter that. They are currently trying to ban shop assistants, baristas, etc. from greeting people with “Bonjour-Hi”. I kid you not: The Parti Québécois recently put a motion forward in the Quebec National Assembly calling on service-sector workers to greet the public with just the word “Bonjour”; the motion was adopted unanimously.Gene wrote:. "Bon Jour, y'all" .
Bryan
Re: Favorite hotel
This reminds me of some of the "French" we came up with in my office, to give equal time to non-Spanish speakers:
Je ne wanna do it pas.
Je ne gonna do it pas.
- Murray
Je ne wanna do it pas.
Je ne gonna do it pas.
- Murray
Re: Favorite hotel
Bryan - They told me a little about this.
The law is already pretty clear - French first, english second. Our phones system is that way - you get used to it.
What does perturb me are the people who pretend they don't speak English when I want to order something at a deli or whatever. Deliberate snubs - and they could care less. I actually had one nice counter lady snap at her work companion for doing that to me.
But - Montreal is a pretty city - and I am headed up there next week for meeting and our yearly party. I am looking forward to it.
We used to stay downtown - at the Novotel. It was pretty nice - I always liked it.
The law is already pretty clear - French first, english second. Our phones system is that way - you get used to it.
What does perturb me are the people who pretend they don't speak English when I want to order something at a deli or whatever. Deliberate snubs - and they could care less. I actually had one nice counter lady snap at her work companion for doing that to me.
But - Montreal is a pretty city - and I am headed up there next week for meeting and our yearly party. I am looking forward to it.
We used to stay downtown - at the Novotel. It was pretty nice - I always liked it.
Gene
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
Re: Favorite hotel
Montreal is one of my favourite cities. I attended McGill University, which is right downtown and lived a half a block up Peel St. from Sherbrooke for four years. As this was right in the heart of Montreal’s bar, restaurant and club scenes, I’m surprised that I actually graduated. After graduation I moved further east on Sherbrooke St and worked in Old Montreal for several years. Only occasionally I came across locals who refused to speak to me in English, but they usually succumbed to my Franglais Unfortunately, I left Montreal in the great exodus of the financial sector in the late 1970’s and thereafter. My favourite hotel in the city is the Ritz-Carlton on Sherbrooke St. West. Unfortunately, the Ritz doesn’t have a McGill alum rate, so I stay down the street at the Meridien which does. Enjoy your stay in Montreal and try to take in a Habs game.
BTW Gene, where is Buda, Texas? I lived in Houston (Missouri City and The Woodlands) for ten years.
BTW Gene, where is Buda, Texas? I lived in Houston (Missouri City and The Woodlands) for ten years.
Bryan
Re: Favorite hotel
We are about 15 miles south of Austin. About half way between Austin and San Marcos.
Looking at the 2 inches of snow that fell last night - an unusual thing for us hill country folks to be sure!!
Looking at the 2 inches of snow that fell last night - an unusual thing for us hill country folks to be sure!!
Gene
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."
Mark Twain
"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people."
Alan Moore
Re: Favorite hotel
The Monteleone in New Orleans is one of my favorites and a great introduction to New Orleans.
Regards,
Squire
Squire