Luxury – BargainTravelSite.com

St. Regis Hotel Monarch Beach CA – Much Ado About NOTHING!

The St. Regis Hotel in Monarch beach was one of the worse resorts I’ve ever stayed at. I think because they build tips into everything the incentive to provide good service isn’t there. The grounds are nice but if you feel like you will have some luxurious vacation, you will find that this particular St. Regis falls far from the mark! Don’t waste your starwood points on this resort!

I needed to go to Monarch Beach to meet with a company that we wanted to hire to create promotional videos for our company. My sister was going to be there with her family and I was lucky enough to stay with them for 7 nights and I only had to pay for 2 nights. The whole family was looking forward to experiencing a truly luxurious vacation and pulling into the St. Regis your hopes soar even higher! Its mandatory valet parking and as I handed over the keys to my car I marveled at the TWO or was it THREE Bentleys parked off to the side. Bentley’s, Mercedes and every luxury vehicle you could imagine were parked and gleaming in the sun. I handed over my keys feeling my car would be safe….

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Santa Cruz CA – Chaminade Resort & Spa Review

My review of the Chaminade Resort & Spa located in Santa Cruz California.

I had high hopes for the Chaminade Resort & Spa located in Santa Cruz. The company I was meeting with highly recommended them for a nice relaxing 3 night stay. By the time I finished work for the day, my client dropped me off at the Chaminade around 9pm. I had booked their room with one queen bed. For some reason I ended up in a room with 2 queen beds. Normally I would have called about it, since I didn’t need the extra bed and I was hoping the 1 queen bed rooms would have bigger bathrooms. But at the Chaminade, the lobby is in one building and you have to drive to your room. Since my client had driven me there and then was nice enough to wait while I checked in so he could drive me to my room. I didn’t feel like walking back to the main lobby with my luggage, getting a new room, then walking to that new room. Continue reading “Santa Cruz CA – Chaminade Resort & Spa Review”

Hermosa Beach CA – The Beach House

I got a great deal on an ocean view room (AAA $242 a night). Really nice room, but i felt a little crowded. What I mean is there wasn’t a lot of “free” space for those of us that like to get up and do some exercising. Its location makes up for the small size though. I loved walking up and down the pier.

Furniture was nice and was quality. The bellman told me that a lot of the units are privately owned and the hotel rents them out when the owners are not in residence. There is a small cabinet that is locked in the room, he said thats full of “personal” belongings of the owners, but its kind of small. My thoughts are they probably don’t leave anything valuable in it.

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W Hollywood CA – Great Hotel

I LOVED this place! I was lucky enough to get upgraded to their WOW suite and boy did it deliver! It was huge, comfy and very nicely decorated. It had 2 window seats with what seemed like a twin sized mattress in them with some comfy pillows. Perfect for taking a nap and relaxing in. I had friends up to the room and even w/ 6 guys and 2 ladies everyone fit comfortably on the couch or in the closest window seat.

Service was wonderful, but I’ve come to expect that at a W. The room service was good and fast, also available 24 hours a day. We had drinks at Drai’s one night and the drinks were great and the atmosphere was fun, perfect way to kick off a conference.

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The W Westwood – Near UCLA

Great hotel suites. 650 sq feet with 2 flat screen t.vs. Nice pool area, and on property spa.

“W” stands for Wow! The W is fast becoming my favorite SPG brand. I was here for a business networking and training event and really not familiar with this particular brand. I’ve stayed at the W in Atlanta (review to come) and honestly thought it was nice, but I wouldn’t stay there again.

This hotel was NICE! I got my platinum upgrade and they put me in the Spectacular Suite. It has a HUGE living area (see pics below) and separate bedroom. Its 650 sq feet with this huge L shaped couch that was really comfortable. It had large flat screen t.v , a small glass desk and small minibar in the living room. The room was well lit and had a bank of windows that you could adjust how much light was coming in by adjusting the wooden plantation shutters. I LOVE plantation shutters, want them in my own house but they can be a bit pricey .

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The US Grant Luxury Hotel – San Diego CA

The U.S. Grant is part of Starwoods luxury collection…and boy did it live up to its name! I was just in San Diego for 1 night to meet with one of our business coaches on a new telemarketing campaign we are rolling out in 2010. I got to stay here in one of their 28 signature suites. Here is the description from their website.

Offering a sophisticated, self-contained stay, our 770-square-foot Signature Suites—with views of either downtown San Diego or the hotel’s rooftop garden—are a top choice of discerning guests. The spacious and open floor plan comprises a dining area complete with a four-person table. Adjoining the dining area is the spacious living room lit by an exquisite chandelier and equipped with a refreshment center….you can read the rest by clicking here for their site

I stayed here for $32+tax! Yes you read that right! $32 bucks! SPG ran a promotion that if you have 4 stays within a certain amount of time you get a free night. So I had that promotion running on my account and decided to use my free stay for the 1 night I would be in San Diego. The $32 was for parking.

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