Home Again: Field Hockey Summer
For the last two months, it seems that the suitcases have not left our bedrooms. Each time we returned, the next trip was imminent. Until now. We’re home. And, we actually have no hotel reservations until November. But I might make some today. Since March, there have been 17 room-nights and only two were booked on Priceline.
One simmering thought is of the conditions encountered at the Mostly Marriott hotels along the way:
Best Western near Harrisburg and Hershey Park: Although we booked using the Girl Scout rate, they seemed surprised that we actually wanted seven sets of towels in a suite for seven! At the front desk, I was informed that our four sets were enough. (Does this speak to a shortage of towels or poor training for employees?). There's a reason we don't stay at Best Western very often.
Marriott Town Place Suites, Chesapeake VA. Although it is a Marriott property, this property gave us daily quandaries from exceedingly polite employees. A two-bedroom suite did not have enough towels for four people. We requested a sufficient quantity, but they were not replaced on the next room change. Same for the shampoos. If the cleaning staff removes empty shampoo bottles, shouldn’t they be replaced? But I am being petty. Perhaps the A/C unit with the deep BASS (like a booming car in traffic) could be serviced? Alas, the real highlight: the stunning CAR FIRE in the parking lot that did significant damage to the car across the way.
Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA: You can’t beat the size of the rooms at this indoor water park resort, but out first floor room was a bit damp and dark – and let’s face it, we had no cell service unless we walked into the parking lot. We weren’t exactly hiking the Appalachian Trail with the Governor of South Carolina, and we desired electronic connections.
Marriott Courtyard, Bethlehem, PA: It was our second stay at this property since March. The first stay was perfect. This time: not so perfect. Someone had “an accident” in the pool, so we were also restricted from using the hot tub. (Um, why?) Then at 11:00 PM, I pulled back the sheets – on the new all-white bedding that is so popular, and found coffee stains on the comforter. (I hope?) So, at that hour, I re-dressed so that I could await delivery of new bedding.
Hampton Inn & Suites, Vestal, NY: We’ve stayed here every-other-year for the past dozen years. It’s our Family Reunion hotel. At each stay the clan takes at least 15 rooms and suites. It’s a great set up and we all look forward to it. The food offerings were a bit more “budget” this time. The TVs have been replaced with flat models and new window coverings adorn the windows. (Please fill the holes in the wall from the former electronics and window treatments?!?) The kitchen table was “set” albeit with a dirty napkin encrusted with some food substance.
A note on Priceline: We’ve had three Priceline nights this year. The first landed a nice Courtyard in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The second, a Doubletree in Wilmington DE, and the third, an Extended Stay America (right before their financial troubles made the news). The first two were successful stays, and the last, was not so good. Actually, it was bad enough that we won’t Priceline again in that zone for fear of getting that property again!
One simmering thought is of the conditions encountered at the Mostly Marriott hotels along the way:
Best Western near Harrisburg and Hershey Park: Although we booked using the Girl Scout rate, they seemed surprised that we actually wanted seven sets of towels in a suite for seven! At the front desk, I was informed that our four sets were enough. (Does this speak to a shortage of towels or poor training for employees?). There's a reason we don't stay at Best Western very often.
Marriott Town Place Suites, Chesapeake VA. Although it is a Marriott property, this property gave us daily quandaries from exceedingly polite employees. A two-bedroom suite did not have enough towels for four people. We requested a sufficient quantity, but they were not replaced on the next room change. Same for the shampoos. If the cleaning staff removes empty shampoo bottles, shouldn’t they be replaced? But I am being petty. Perhaps the A/C unit with the deep BASS (like a booming car in traffic) could be serviced? Alas, the real highlight: the stunning CAR FIRE in the parking lot that did significant damage to the car across the way.
Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA: You can’t beat the size of the rooms at this indoor water park resort, but out first floor room was a bit damp and dark – and let’s face it, we had no cell service unless we walked into the parking lot. We weren’t exactly hiking the Appalachian Trail with the Governor of South Carolina, and we desired electronic connections.
Marriott Courtyard, Bethlehem, PA: It was our second stay at this property since March. The first stay was perfect. This time: not so perfect. Someone had “an accident” in the pool, so we were also restricted from using the hot tub. (Um, why?) Then at 11:00 PM, I pulled back the sheets – on the new all-white bedding that is so popular, and found coffee stains on the comforter. (I hope?) So, at that hour, I re-dressed so that I could await delivery of new bedding.
Hampton Inn & Suites, Vestal, NY: We’ve stayed here every-other-year for the past dozen years. It’s our Family Reunion hotel. At each stay the clan takes at least 15 rooms and suites. It’s a great set up and we all look forward to it. The food offerings were a bit more “budget” this time. The TVs have been replaced with flat models and new window coverings adorn the windows. (Please fill the holes in the wall from the former electronics and window treatments?!?) The kitchen table was “set” albeit with a dirty napkin encrusted with some food substance.
A note on Priceline: We’ve had three Priceline nights this year. The first landed a nice Courtyard in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The second, a Doubletree in Wilmington DE, and the third, an Extended Stay America (right before their financial troubles made the news). The first two were successful stays, and the last, was not so good. Actually, it was bad enough that we won’t Priceline again in that zone for fear of getting that property again!
Labels: Appalachian Trail, Courtyard, Field Hockey, Great Wolf Lodge, Hershey, Hershey Park, Marriott, Priceline
posted by Carly @ 5:01 AM
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