Hyatt Regency Dearborn, MI - Real Life Review
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment
The Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Michigan
One of the perks of being a hotel review writer is that hotels offer you deals — or free rooms — all the time. This is usually accompanied by pretty good service because everyone wants a good review.
I try to balance out the inherent bias of this setup by totally spying on hotel staff, peering around corners and taking notes like my hero, Harriet the Spy. I also strike up conversations the strangers at ice machines and the hallway or lobby.
Yes, I’m that lady, and I keep trying to talk to you because I want to find out if “regular” guests get the same treatment as I do. Usually the answer is yes, as far as I can discern. But recently I was a “regular” guest at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn, MI, and my stay kinda sucked.
The Room - Tiny, Dark and oh my God, is that Pizza on the Carpet?
This is exactly what my room looked like. Plus pizza under the desk.
I have a pretty broad tolerance for hotel rooms, but this one at the Dearborn Hyatt was small. It was cramped and crowded with two beds, two chairs, a desk, the tv/bureau thing, and the luggage stand. Lose a chair, let us breath a little!
The bathroom was tiny, and the handle on the sink was wonky, accidentally turning on the hot water way higher, hotter and faster than was safe. I did appreciate the extra sink and mirror outside of the bathroom, which made it easier to get ready. That’s also where they keep the single cup coffee maker, which was nice to have, but they only provided two tea bags — one caffeinated, one decaf.
I sort of feel lucky that we didn’t die in an electrical fire during the night. All of the outlets were strangely too loose for my computer, phone, and ipod chargers. As in, the plugs kept falling out of the outlets. Then the bedside light was broken. And then my traveling partner and I both had to pay $9.95 for wifi, which isn’t an electrical issue, but is surprising and annoying considering this is a business hotel. You’d think most of the guests would be traveling with laptops.
When I found chunks of dried up pizza on the floor, I was done. The room was terrible, and we didn’t have time wait around for a manager/housekeeping/fairy hotel godmother to come make it better, so we left to go meet friends at the lobby bar.
The Service - Mixed but Mostly Good
They were nice to us in the bar. It helped.
A room can be cleaned — or upgraded — if you’re staying long enough to bother complaining to management. The kind of service you get is a better indication of how good the property is. At this Hyatt, the service was mostly good. Our bellman was very friendly and helpful. The valet guys (who were in love with the Taurus SHO lent to us by Ford) were attentive and fast. The waitress in the bar was terrific.
On the other hand, the clerk at the front desk was vacant and unhelpful — checked out if you will.
Three out of four ain’t bad. But it’s not stellar, either.
No Mini-bar = No Cashews
My favorite Real Life Review hotel measurement was not available at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. No mini-bar in the room, so no cashews. We can deduce from the pizza on the carpet that room service is available. Also, because the website says they have it.
The Verdict
Next time I’m in the Dearborn area, I’m going back to the Ritz, where I stayed earlier in the week. For about the same price, in the same area, I get amazing service, a nicer room, and that Hospitality Suite with the bottomless bowl of Reeses and Rolos. The only upside to the Hyatt is the big, modern lobby with a more happening bar. Which is nice, but not why I’m staying at a hotel. Sorry Hyatt!
Photos: Hyatt Regency Dearborn Hotel
Chicago’s Hyatt Regency McCormick
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Hyatt Regency McCormick, Chicago
While I don’t recommend arriving in Chicago at 1:30 in the morning on a flight from San Francisco, it’s safe to say that I didn’t encounter any rush hour traffic. I was in the windy city to speak about travel writing at the BlogHer conference. This was only my second visit to Chicago and I was excited to be back in this museum filled city.
Unfortunately, my luggage, on a non-stop flight from San Francisco, didn’t arrive on my United Airlines flight. I should have known better than to check my bag, but I was attending a conference and knew my carry-on suitcase would not be able to hold the items I would take home with me.
The folks at Chicago Hyatt Regency McCormick were very understanding of my situation. I was given the key to an $850 Executive Suite and a fully-stocked toiletries bag was delivered to my beautiful hotel room. At least I had a wonderful view of downtown Chicago and the lake while I waited for my luggage to be delivered.
Executive Suite & Cool Jazz
Executive Suite 2933
My room was on the twenty nineth floor of the 33-story hotel. There were nineteen Executive Suites at the Hyatt Regency McCormick with one suite located on floors 14-33. For the convention goers, the 800 room Hyatt is connected to the McCormick Place Convention Center and Arie Crown Theater via a concourse pedestrian walkway and is a ten-minute drive from downtown Chicago. I appreciated the complimentary shuttle that dropped me on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, otherwise known as Michigan Avenue. Check with the hotel for shuttle service times or hop on the #3 bus, which will take you downtown to shopping and dining heaven or Millennium Park, between Randolph and Monroe streets.
The hotel is hip on social media, is on Twitter and even has a blog, but still doesn’t offer wireless internet throughout the facility. Plans are underway to remedy the Wi-Fi situation. If you find yourself staying here mid-week in the summer, you can check out Cool Jazz Thursdays from 7-9 p.m., where a Columbia College jazz quartet plays music on the patio. Available at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts worldwide, the company is offering a collection of value-added packages such as Amour, Balance, Awaken and Explore. The “Field Explorer” package includes two tickets to the Field Museum and complimentary one-way shuttle service to the museum.
In case you were wondering. United Airlines did eventually deliver my bag to the hotel. If you ever find yourself separated from your luggage, I have some Lost Luggage Tips for you to consider.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (312) 567-1234
2233 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
Photos by Nancy D. Brown
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers: Bad WiFi and Too Soft Beds, With A Smile
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Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
I stayed at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers about 5 years ago for a bachelorette party. I had booked the room on Priceline and remember being extremely impressed with the quality and location of the hotel, considering the price I had paid.
I returned to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in July 2009 for a much different reason and walked away with a much different impression.
My most recent experience with the Chicago Sheraton started several months ago when I booked a room to attend a blogging conference that was being hosted at the hotel. I was thrilled to hear about a “reduced” conference rate and happily made my reservation and paid my deposit by phone with no problems.
And then I started getting emails confirming my deposit. Several of them. I checked my bank account online and found that, yes, my credit card had been charged numerous times - with credits back to my account made in between the various charges.
I wasn’t overcharged. I was, however, a little concerned that the Sheraton seemed to be confused about how to properly bill a credit card. You hope for a little more competence and confidence when you’re about to hand over several hundred dollars to a major corporation.
However, seeing as how I wasn’t actually overcharged, I put the issue out of my mind and went about making the rest of my preparations for the conference.
I arrived at the hotel by cab and was met inside the beautiful lobby by no line at a fully staffed registration desk. The hotel seemed to be properly prepared for a busy weekend in their fully (over)booked property. Check in went quickly, once I clarified that the other name they had on my reservation was incorrect.
And then had a minor panic attack about whether or not I had just inadvertently left another conference attendee with no room for the night.
(I hadn’t. I still have no idea WHY they had this other person’s name on my reservation, but she checked into a room of her own later in the day with no problems.)
I made my way from the lobby to my room by way of the express elevators. With 32 floors in the towers, I was grateful to find I would only need to navigate half of them every time I went to and from my room. I also got a little kick out of the head rush from the extremely fast elevator ride.
Double Occupancy room at the Sheraton Chicago
I was staying in a standard guest room with two double beds. I was a little disappointed to discover how small the room and bathroom felt upon entering it and hauling all of my luggage inside. I was slated to share this room with three other women, and I was having a difficult time imagining sharing the space with even one other person. I would have probably preferred to ditch the desk in exchange for a little more floor (and breathing) room.
And, yes, I realize that the room was designed for double occupancy. But I have crammed four women in a two double bed hotel room several times before with much more comfort than the Sheraton rooms provided. The room and bathroom felt smaller than most hotel rooms I’ve stayed in.
Despite the size, the rooms were beautifully appointed, clean, and fresh. (No threadbare carpets or worn out bed linens here!)
Because I was there for a blogging conference, one of the first things I unpacked was my laptop. Part of our conference rate included free wifi in our rooms and I was eager to plug back into the matrix for a moment. Except that the wifi sucked.
I finally gave up and PAID to plug in to the internet via an ethernet cord.
Shortly after unpacking and getting my online fix, I made my way back downstairs to the hotel bar. The drinks were expensive, which I expected, but the service was excellent. This was a theme that would continue throughout my stay. Every employee I encountered offered me a smile and an eagerness to help in any way they could.
The lounge area offered ample space for small groups of people to talk, and although the area was full for most of the weekend, it was never too loud to enjoy your conversation. The seating was extremely comfortable and the area was obviously designed with the idea that this would be a place where people would spend time relaxing during their visit.
Later that night I enjoyed a meal at Shula’s Steak House on the main level of the hotel. Again, the prices were what you’d expect from an upscale restaurant inside a Chicago hotel, but the service was of the caliber that you almost forgot the damage you were doing to your bank balance. Sadly, the steak itself was mediocre - but the Oysters Rockefeller were to die for.
Stuffed from my meal and drunk on good conversation, I finally made my way back upstairs to my room for bed late into the night.
And then the bed tried to swallow me whole.
Holy softness. I appreciate that some people prefer a softer bed than I do. Really. But the beds at the Sheraton were ridiculously soft. Too soft. I heard other people complain about them all weekend long. The beds were soft enough to become a topic of conversation at an internet conference. I spent every night trying to ignore the fact that I felt like I was sleeping on an incline and desperately trying not to roll downhill into the great abyss created by my body weight.
I managed to get a few solid hours of sleep before the first morning of my conference.
The Sheraton is set up perfectly for an extensive conference like the one I attended. There are several rooms of various sizes that are easy to get to via elevator and escalator. I never felt like I was lost in a maze of hallways or that any place I needed to get to was too far from where I was at the time. The conference made use of everything from a small meeting room meant for 100 or less people to a large ballroom that held over 1500 people.
What the Sheraton was not designed for was an Internet conference or any conference where the participants are going to want to access the internet during their stay. Or their cell phones.
I have an iPhone and spent the majority of my weekend searching for a signal of any kind. The wireless internet was spotty at best and even the cell phone coverage seemed to disintegrate the instant you walked into the hotel.
WiFi Fail, to say the least.
That was my biggest complaint about my stay at the Sheraton. As someone traveling for a blogging conference, it was a serious issue for me and I would seriously consider any tech groups rethink using the Sheraton for business.
However, the hotel itself was beautiful and well laid out. The location is perfect for enjoying Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The staff was friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend this hotel as a home base if you plan to visit Chicago in the winter, when the financial and shopping district are bedazzled in tiny, white Christmas lights.
But don’t expect to get online while you’re there.
(And considering bringing a board if you have a bad back.)
Photos Credit: MissHeathyrm
10 of the World’s Best Observation Decks
Posted July 22, 2009 , add a comment10 of the World’s Best Observation Decks
A city is best explored by foot. We follow our map, walking from place to place, turning off down tangents when a sound, a sight, or a smell catches our interest. We see doorways. We see ground floors. And sometimes, when we crane our necks back at an angle that no chiropractor would recommend, we begin to get a faint understanding of a city’s full scope. But to really take in the magnitude of a city, to see where it ends or just how far it stretches to the horizon, we need to see it from above. We need to visit an observation deck.
Nearly every city has one – either a designated observation deck that charges money for visitors to get an aerial view, or just a building that happens to offer a great vantage point from which to see the city. Some are tall, some are small, for some the appeal lies in unobstructed views and for some the appeal lies in the total experience. Here are some of the best views worth checking out around the world.
Sears (Willis) Tower, Chicago
Though the Sears Tower (recently renamed Willis Tower) offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city of Chicago, many people prefer heading up to the lounge on top of the John Hancock Center (no admission fee, plus drinks!) instead. But with the addition of the new glass-bottomed viewing decks at the Sears Tower Sky Deck, that could change. Now, instead of just looking out at the city skyscrapers, the clear blue of Lake Michigan fringed by golden beaches, and the ant-sized people and cars below, you’ll be able to stand over them, seemingly suspended in air 1,353 feet over the city.
Taipei 101, Taipei
You may not fully comprehend just how big Taipei is until you take the high-speed elevators, which travel over 50 feet per second, up to the 91st floor observatory of the Taipei 101. The tower holds the current distinction of being the world’s tallest building (though once the Burj Dubai is occupied, it will lose the title) and offers sprawling views of the city. As you see Taipei spreading to the horizon, you realize just how big it is, and how very small you are in comparison.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
If Paris were to be summed up in one iconic image, it would be that of the Eiffel Tower. One of the most famous landmarks in the world, it is the tallest structure in Paris. Visitors can ascend to the second level for a view of the area surrounding the tower and the thousands of tourists taking pictures below. Or you can go all the way to the top, about 900 feet above ground, for views of the whole city. In the distance, you can just make out landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.
Shanghai Oriental Pearl, Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands 1,500 feet over Shanghai. The tower is composed of spheres of varying sizes suspended at different points along the tower’s height as though they were slowly descending. While the view of the tower is impressive enough, the one you’ll get from inside is even better. Fifteen different observation decks include a restaurant, revolving tearoom, and an outdoor observation deck with a glass-bottomed floor.
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin
At only 7 stories up, the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the Guinness Storehouse is the shortest building on the list. But it is also the only one where you can get a complimentary glass of beer to take in along with the view (after a tour of the brewery). You’ll only be about 130 feet above ground, but as the rest of Dublin’s buildings aren’t much taller, you can still enjoy a nearly unobstructed 360-degree view of the city along with your Guinness.
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, Florence
The 15th century Duomo, or dome, at the Santa Maria del Fiore church in Florence remains the largest masonry dome in the world. Visitors have the option of not just gazing at the dome from below, but of actually climbing up the nearly 500 steps to the top. The climb is narrow, but not too difficult, and the rewarding panorama of the city of Florence below makes any exertion worth the effort.
Hallgr?mskirkja, Reykjavik
Iceland’s Hallgr?mskirkja church is the largest in Iceland and Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmark, but when it debuted in the 1980’s, it was to mixed reviews. Some praised the unique design, which symbolizes the lava flows that run through the country, while others found it gaudy and ostentatious. If you’re in the latter camp, you might change your mind once you see the views from the observation deck on top. Below you you’ll see the brightly colored houses of Reykjavik, retired whaling ships in the grey-blue waters of the harbor, and snow-covered mountains in the distance. With a view like that, you might forgive any shortcomings of the exterior’s design.
Space Needle, Seattle
On clear, sunny days in Seattle, there’s no better place to be than at the top of the Space Needle. Head up to the revolving restaurant for brunch, or just take the elevators to the 520-foot high observation deck for a panoramic view of the “Emerald City”. To the north you’ll see Lake Union, with its houseboats and sea planes. In the west, you’ll find cruise ships docked in port, ferry boats in Puget Sound, and the lush greenery of islands like Bainbridge Island fading into the background of the Olympic Mountains. As you make your way to the south end of the deck, you’ll see the city below and just beyond that, the snowy peak of Mt. Rainier.
Top of the Rock, New York City
There’s no city in the world like New York. And there’s no view in New York like one from the Top of the Rock, the 70th floor observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Center, which offers sweeping views of New York, including Central Park and the city skyline. The Top of the Rock also boasts views of the city’s most iconic skyscraper, the Empire State Building (which of course you wouldn’t see from the Empire State Building itself). And the Top of the Rock has glass walls enclosing the observation deck, meaning you get unobstructed views from eye level to your feet.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
The unfinished famous work of Antonio Gaudi, Sagrada Familia’s main draw is not the view it offers. But the view is a nice perk to visiting this architectural masterpiece. For a few extra euros, visitors can take the elevator up into the towers, about 230 feet above ground, and walk out onto the connecting bridges. Unlike on most observations decks, where visitors are kept safely behind glass or enclosed by tall walls that cannot be scaled, here you are virtually unrestricted and open to the elements. While you fight the crush of tourists and try not to drop your camera while attempting to take in the view, the only thing that keeps you from falling to the city below is the few feet of stone that form the bridge’s walls.
From the Washington Monument in DC to the Sky Tower in Auckland and nearly everywhere in between, there are countless places to rise above a city and enjoy spectacular views. Next time you think you’ve seen a city from every angle, make sure you’ve also seen the view from above.
Photo credits:
Willis Tower by thomas.merton on Flickr, Taipei 101 by misterbisson on Flickr, Eiffel Tower by switchhook on Flickr, Shanghai by Pixeloflight on Flickr, Guinness by Ian Wilson on Flickr, Florence Duomo by Tama Leaver on Flickr, Reykjavik by Wrote on Flickr, Space Needle by anneh632 on Flickr, Top of the Rock by qbix08 on Flickr, Sagrada Familia by Andifeelfine on Flickr
Northam Exposure: John M. Edwards Interviews Adventure Journalist Bruce Northam
Posted , add a commentNortham Exposure: John M. Edwards Interviews Adventure Journalist Bruce Northam
Bruce Northam in Kenya
Award-winning travel journalist Bruce Northam has wandered freestyle in over 100 countries on seven continents, with experiences ranging from drifting with Burma’s sea gypsies, playing naked Frisbee with New Guinea natives, and beholding the beguiling shores of Antarctica.
With three books under his equatorial belt and a fourth on the way called “The Wisdom of Strangers”—a 108-country journey in search of unsung hero wisdom and happiness–Bruce still finds time to contribute to such venerable venues as Forbes Traveler, Perceptive Travel, Details, National Geographic Traveler, The New York Times, and National Public Radio.
Meeting up in Manhattan at a South African winebar called Xai Xai, Bruce, an energetic and entertaining conversationalist, and I downed
three bottles of Stellenbosch and became new best friends for one extraterrestrial night.
JOHN EDWARDS: Bruce, how was your recent trip to Vietnam? What all did you do? What was the travel vibe like?
BRUCE NORTHAM: Southeast Asia is my first faraway love. After covering a travel conference for a trade magazine–and staying in fancy hotels—I got back to basics, stayed in a dive, hung with local expats, and explored the countryside and the coast. Vietnam differs from nearby Laos and Cambodia where there’s a Buddhist vibe. I’m not a Buddhist, but I love Buddhist countries because of their food, tolerance, geography and affordability–that seems to be a consistent theme in those countries.
Whereas, Vietnam is more like industrious China–go go go–Me = Now. Sort of like New York City, but everyone zips around on mopeds instead of in taxis or in subways. The only drawback for me in Hanoi and Saigon is the horn-honking nightmare–oh, and almost getting whacked by spastic, no-look moped pilots.
JOHN EDWARDS: How did you get into travel writing in the first place? Is there any one author or book, or experiential epiphany, which set off your perpetual motion? Who are some of your favorite travel writers?
BRUCE NORTHAM: I had already traveled far and wide by the time I was in my late 20s, and I wanted to break into the speaking business. Every successful speaker I knew told me to write a book first, then you’ll get gigs. So I turned my seminar outline into a book called The Frugal Globetrotter, and that enabled me to go out and corrupt young minds on campuses nationwide. Tim Cahill and Bill Bryson are my favorite roving writers–equally funny, but different.
JOHN EDWARDS: Was it difficult getting your books–The Frugal Globetrotter, In Search of Adventure: A Wild Travel Anthology, and Globetrotter Dogma published? They say you need an “agent,” but they are difficult to find. Any advice?
BRUCE NORTHAM: I got The Frugal Globetrotter published by cold-calling 300 publishers in the summer of 1993. No agent, just sweat. This was pre-email, so it was all about letters and phone calls. I don’t miss licking envelopes.
I had an agent for Globetrotter Dogma, which sounds fancy . . . but it didn’t mean that I could then go out and buy a few houses.
I recommend turning your book idea into a 2,000-word story that gets published somewhere–then that is the root of your book proposal to show agents.
John M. Edwards, in the drink
JOHN EDWARDS: What are your 3 favorite countries, and why?
BRUCE NORTHAM: For visuals, Antarctica–stadium-sized icebergs that shimmer between aquamarine and psychedelic blue, kayaking next to whales that roll by and look at you, and, of course, the affable penguins.
For culture, Southeast Asia–incredible nature, quietude, or party-off-the-hook city life. Whatever you want. You can eat all day and not get fat, and (legitimate) massages are a bargain.
For entertainment, Manhattan, New York, USA, which I consider to be its own country. I don’t go out on weekends when I’m home, but there is great everything, music, food, whatever, from Sunday through Wednesday.
JOHN EDWARDS: What are your three least-favorite countries, and why?
BRUCE NORTHAM: Aruba: I don’t go to Hooters, Outback Steakhouse, or McDonald’s when I’m home in the U.S., so why in God’s name would I go to one of those joints when I’m supposedly traveling.
France: Yes, beautiful women, wine, countryside, whatever–if you don’t speak French, though, you’re toast. Most of the time, I find French men extremely annoying. No further comment.
Open: Anywhere native English speakers say things like “Where’s Tom at?” rather than “Where is Tom?” . . . just a pet peeve. I’m not Mr. Grammar, but I think it’s important to honor a few easy rules.
JOHN EDWARDS: So what is your upcoming book, The Wisdom of Strangers, about?
BRUCE NORTHAM: I had to put that down for a bit with the economic hell we’re in right now–my agent pitched a different version of this book idea around but nothing happened. Example: today I got the word that Best Life Magazine folded. My Arctic Northwest Passage story was supposed to run soon. I’m taking a break from worrying about the freelancer’s toil for now. Taking a break from a life of taking a break, I guess. To stay current, I’ve created a web video series called “American Detour.” Tunisia is finished. I just returned from frozen Burlington, Vermont, to cover the Magic Hat (beer) Mardi Gras. Next up for the travel show series is Honduras.
JOHN EDWARDS: There’s an underlying philosophic edge to your stories. Do you think with so many boho backpacker boomtowns worldwide that modern travel writing is veering more towards narrative essay or practical advice?
BRUCE NORTHAM: There’s enough practical advice out there. How many self-help books can you read before you smile on your own? I think it’s all about entertaining while informing. I think perceptivetravel.com is the best zone for modern narrative essays about travel.
JOHN EDWARDS: What is your travel mantra?
BRUCE NORTHAM: On any journey, the first thing you pack is yourself.
JOHN EDWARDS: What are you excited about these days?
BRUCE NORTHAM: Along with my American Detour travel show series, I enjoy being a street anthropologist . . . . Hey, that might be the title of my next book?
JOHN EDWARDS: Where are you off to next?
BRUCE NORTHAM: I already told you: Honduras!
JOHN EDWARDS: Fantastico. Muy bien. I had a great time on the Honduran island of Roatan, where you can snorkel on the Belize Barrier Reef only 100 meters from shore. Didn’t make it to the ancient mainland ruins of Copan, though. But I’m sure you will. Bring me back an awe-inspiring hand-rolled stogie.
BRUCE NORTHAM: Okay.
About the author:
John M. Edwards has traveled worldwidely (five continents plus). His work has appeared in such magazines as CNN Traveller, Missouri Review, Salon.com, Grand Tour, Islands, Escape, Endless Vacation, Cond? Nast Traveler, International Living, Emerging Markets, ForeWord, Literal Latt?, Coffee Journal, Artdirect, Verge, Slab, Stellar, Glimpse, Big World, BootsnAll, Trips, Travelmag, Vagabondish, Hack Writers, Richmond Review, Borderlines, North Dakota Quarterly, Michigan Quarterly Review, and North American Review. He recently won a NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association) Award, a TANEC (Transitions Abroad Narrative Essay Contest) Award, and a Solas Award (sponsored by Travelers’ Tales). He lives in New York’s “Hell’s Kitchen.” His future bestsellers, Move and Fluid Borders, have not yet been released. His new work-in-progress, Dubya Dubya Deux, is about a time traveler.