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1 Aug |
Just don’t seem to have it lately Cycling, Day to Day Life, Vacations
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Ever since riding Glendora Mountain Road two weeks ago, my energy seems to be sapped, and I don’t feel much like riding. Top that off with a 3 day vacation, which drained even more energy out of me, and it was like I was just going through the motions on this mornings ride.
I think it was mostly the vacation that did me in this time though. We spent Sunday through Wednesday in the Santa Ynez Valley, drinking lots of wine, and eating lots of really rich food. It was truly decadent. Can you believe I gained 5 pounds in 3 days? Thank goodness we only went for 3 days!
Then after driving home on Wednesday, hoping to rest for the drive to work the following day, I remembered we had committed to a wine dinner that night, with even more wine and rich food. At that point work was starting to look appealing.
Hopefullly today will give me some time to recuperate. We are having a new entertainment center delivered, and that will take a little effort setting up, but other than that, I don’t plan on doing anything.
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22 Jun |
There’s just no pleasing me Vacations
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I don’t know what it is. I can find fault in almost anything. Even staying at a 5 star resort [FOR FREE] doesn’t cut it.
As some of you already know, especially if you’ve read my previous post, Edie and I decided to celebrate my 60th birthday, by staying at the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point this weekend.
While the hotel grounds were spectacular, the room extremely comfortable (I slept till 7 AM both mornings), dinner at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding, service throughout the hotel was equally outstanding, and the masssages were to die for, was it all worth the price?
Well, for the most part it was, but I did have some issues.
If I had to pay the full room rate ($565 for the cheapest rate + tax), the answer would be a definite no, but since the room was free (I used my Starwood rewards points), I have to give it a qualified yes.
Qualified, because the view from the room was less than desired (see my previous post), and everything just seemed way over priced. It’s just so hard to justify spending $4 for a simple cup of coffee, $14 for a margarita (at least they used Cuervo Gold), and $30 per night to park the car. Oh yeah, and a glass of club soda at Stonehill Tavern cost $5, refills not included.
And why when you’re paying $565 per night for a room, does the hotel feel it is necessary to charge you an additional $12.99 per night to access the internet? Why don’t they just include it in the cost of the hotel room, like most of the less expensive hotels, i.e. Holiday Inn, Best Western etc?
Plus, when you’re spending as much as you are for a room, in a setting as spectacular as this one, why in the world would you want to bring your kids along? Maybe it’s because I don’t have kids, but I just don’t get it. Bringing your kids to such an environment seems inconsistent with my perception of a 5 star resort.
All in all, I enjoyed the two days, but I wouldn’t go back. One of the great thing about living in Southern California, is we don’t have to travel very far to get to a great tourist destination. We’re already here, and there are lots of other choices.
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21 Jun |
Were I paying $600 Restaurant Reviews, Vacations
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per night, for the room we’re staying in this weekend at the St Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point, to celebrate my 60th birthday, I would be a little pissed. The view of the of the adjacent cafe, partially block by a big palm tree just doesn’t cut it.
But since the room is free (I used my Starwood Rewards points), I really can’t complain a whole lot.
Other than that, and the fact there is no in room coffee maker, and the scale doesn’t work (which may actually be a good thing), the hotel easily meets my expectations. The hotel grounds and view of the ocean are truly beautiful, the service has been outstanding, and the rooms are very comfortable. I actually slept till almost 7 AM this morning, which is virtually unheard of.
Oh and dinner last night at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding as well. It was a little expensive, but with a $115 bottle of wine, and $10 for two small glasses of club soda, what do you expect. And besides, it’s my birthday.
So now we’re off to be pampered at the Spa Gaucin. Edie is getting a facial, and I’m getting a massage. I’m really looking forward to that.