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Texas is Music Country
February 25, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
One of the best amenities found at all Extended Stay Hotels is the well-equipped kitchen. After a hard day of work or play, being able to fix all sorts of meals without having to leave your room is a definite benefit. Having said that, there are plenty of times you do want to head out and kick up your heels. When you do, a night of great music may be just what you're looking for.
As part of our Music Cities series, Road Warrior has decided to visit two Texas locations known for great musical entertainment. Austin is not only the capital of Texas and home to more than a dozen Extended Stay Hotels, it is rightly known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Not only does Austin have amazing nightlife venues, it also hosts numerous annual music festivals.
Best known among these festivals is the South by Southwest, or SXSW Festival. The largest music conference in the world, the SXSW comes to Austin each spring, bringing with it hundreds of musical acts performing in virtually every popular genre. This largest-of-its-kind conference features plenty of collectible items and music equipment demonstrations in addition to the wonderful music.
Not planning to be in Austin in the spring? No problem. For much of each summer, local Austin radio station KGSR hosts Blues on the Green, a free concert in Zilker Park. Featuring both local Blues artists and musicians from across the country, 2010 will be the festival’s 20th anniversary. Another free concert is Live from the Plaza, presented at Austin City Hall from April to December with music ranging from Southern Rock to Mariachi and a great deal in between.
Austin even serenades you when you arrive at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with live music in several airport locations. For information on current performances and nightlife venues, visit the websites for Austin Live Music and Unlock Austin.
Visitors to Dallas-Fort Worth are sure to find an exceptional hotel value, thanks to the over twenty Extended Stay Hotels locations in the area. The music lovers among these travelers will also find a great deal to enjoy.
Among the most famous country music establishments in Dallas is Gilley’s. With a huge dance floor, free dance lessons and plenty of fine music, Gilley’s is a fun place to go. You might even want to try your luck on the mechanical bull.
If you like to party on a budget, consider visiting Adair’s Saloon. The Yelpers loved the place; maybe you will to. Are you looking for something with a deeper soul? The House of Blues may be just what you want. Whether you come for the music, a meal or both, you are sure to leave well satisfied.
With a name like Fred’s Texas Café, this Fort Worth establishment has got to be on your itinerary. It’s no place for fancy duds, just a terrific eatery you can get good genuine Texas cooking at a reasonable price. For a bit of a local history lesson, visit the White Elephant Saloonin the Fort Worth stockyards. Dating from the mid-1800s, the White Elephant offers live music every night, often without a cover charge.
When it’s time to venture out of the comfort and convenience of your Extended Stay Hotels studio suite, music lovers in both Texas locations have plenty of options.
Save 20% Now on Weekend Stays - Select Extended Stay Hotels
February 24, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 2/26 through 2/28) and next weekend (stays 3/5 through 3/7) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, and many others.
For Arrival Dates 2/26/2010 and 2/27/2010
* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $27.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $41.99/night
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all Locations >
For Arrival Dates 3/5/2010 and 3/6/2010
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Nashville, TN - Rates from $27.99/night
* Austin, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* See all Locations >
Dealing with Flight Delays and Cancellations
February 22, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Have you heard of “Rule 240?” Let me ask this another way. Have you wondered what your rights are if your flight is cancelled or delayed? Back when the airlines were under government regulation, Rule 240 was the regulation governing when and how passengers are compensated for flight delays and cancellations.
Since the 1978 airline deregulation, the government no longer dictates one rule on this subject. Instead, each airline develops its own policies. The regulators are not completely out of this process, however, since major airlines must still file “conditions of carriage” with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Included in these “conditions” are the airlines’ policies for compensating delayed passengers.
Knowing how the “conditions” impact you can be very important to business travelers and anyone who travels a great deal.
First, know the rules of your airline. The website Hospitality 1st lists most of the domestic airlines with a link to their “Rule 240” policies. The linked documents vary in size from a few paragraphs to almost 40 pages of text. Some airlines refer to these as their “Contract of Carriage.” Either copy this to your laptop computer or print the pertinent sections and carry them with you. Even though airlines are required to have copies of their Rule 240 at the ticket counter, you can’t always count on it.
In reading the policies, look for exclusions to airline liability, like weather, strikes or so-called “acts of God.” One legal term you might look for covering unforeseen circumstances is “force majeure.” How this is applied varies from carrier to carrier, so read this carefully. Focus on what is important to you. For example, will they book you on another flight or airline? Do they provide meal vouchers or hotel accommodations?
Once armed with this information, you are in a good position to assert your rights. When speaking with the ticket agent, remain calm, but be firm. Yelling never helps. Being able to quote directly from the company policy shows that you know your rights.
As with any conflict situation, document what happened. As soon as possible after you’ve spoken with an airline representative, write down a summary of the conversation, including the person’s name and position.
If you are not satisfied with the resolution, ask to speak with a supervisor. Be sure you get the name and email address for the airline company executive that is in charge of customer service. As soon as you have collected your thoughts on the issue, email this person, calmly describing the situation and, if possible, making a specific request. For example, if you believe you were entitled to a meal or hotel voucher, ask for this. Don’t make outrageous demands, no matter how angry you are.
No matter what sort of flight you might have, a large, inviting hotel room is always a welcome sight. Extended Stay Hotels delivers comfortable, affordable accommodations at all its 700 locations. And don’t worry. If your flight is cancelled, in most cases your Extended Stay Hotels reservations can be cancelled without charge until 6:00 pm on your day of arrival.
20% off Stays this Weekend, Next - Extended Stay Hotels
February 16, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 2/19 through 2/21) and next weekend (stays 2/26 through 2/28) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, and many others.
For Arrival Dates 2/19/2010 and 2/20/2010
* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $27.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $41.99/night
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all Locations >
For Arrival Dates 2/26/2010 and 2/27/2010
* Denver, CO - Rates from $30.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $55.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $34.99/night
* Albuquerque, NM - Rates from $29.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $63.99/night
* See all Locations >
Goldilocks Climates - Continued
February 16, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In a recent post, Road Warrior visited two marvelous Southern California locations with Goldilocks climates, places that year-round are neither too hot nor too cold. Leaving nearby similar climates for a future visit, Road Warrior heads about 500 miles north to the San Francisco Peninsula.
With year-round average temperatures of from 58 to 71 degrees, San Francisco has one of the most stable climates in the nation. San Jose, just 50 miles south, boasts similarly comfortable temperatures. Between these two great cities are some of the best tourist sights in the nation.
San Jose, located within what is often called Silicon Valley, has 14 Extended Stay Hotels, which means it’s easy to find comfort and convenience at an affordable price. Silicon Valley is the ideal place to explore technology innovation, and the Tech Museum of Innovation is the perfect place to start. Complete with an IMAX Theater and lots of hands-on exhibits, this is well worth the visit. Go from the technical to the bizarre by visiting the Winchester Mystery House. Considered the world’s strangest mansion, this 160-room home includes staircases to nowhere, doors that open on blank walls and many other displays of the mysterious.
Drive southwest from San Jose, and you find yourself in coastal forests of Douglas fir, live oak and even some mighty redwoods. Spend the day at Portola Redwoods State Park and be awed by the beauty and refreshed by the clean, cool air.
Continue west and you will come to Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean. Head north and drive along startling promontories and windswept sandy beaches until you reach Half Moon Bay. This coastal town is about half way to San Francisco and within a short drive of Extended Stay Hotels in Belmont, San Mateo and San Carlos. Half Moon Bay is perfect for a quiet day of bird watching, exploring the local beaches and secluded tide pools or maybe a relaxing game of golf.
From here, you are minutes from Palo Alto, home of Stanford University, one of the area’s most prominent universities with a beautiful campus to explore. Continue north to reach the tip of the peninsula and the spectacular City of San Francisco. Known for its hills, bridges and world famous sights, San Francisco is one of the most popular US cities for international tourism. From your Extended Stay Hotels in San Jose or the mid-Peninsula, you can take the train or Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) and avoid the hassles of parking. Just be sure you wear comfortable shoes.
Get off BART at Powell Street and take a Cable Car to one of San Francisco’s most well-known attractions - Fisherman’s Wharf. From here, you can head to Angel Island or Alcatraz, enjoy a seafood lunch or just take in the sea air.
Given the tourist opportunities in this amazing area, it is impossible to cover even a part of this in just one blog. Road Warrior suggests that you come to the Bay Area, stay at one of the almost 30 Extended Stay Hotels and explore to your heart’s desire. You won’t be disappointed.
Three Keys to Healthy Travel
February 12, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A while back, Forbes Magazine ran an article that shocked me. According to a study by the American Fitness Index, or AFI, the healthiest city in America is Washington, D.C. Why, one might wonder, with all its stress, long hours and dining out, would Washington rank as the healthiest city? The reasons for the AFI ranking can actually be a guide for road warriors interested in maintaining good health while they travel.
After eliminating inherited risk contributors, there were three basic health factors in the AFI study that attributed to a city’s rank. These are diet, exercise and recreation. It is exactly these factors that are the primary challenges faced by many road warriors who spend days or weeks traveling for business each month.
The AFI study sited two specific aspects of how food is important. First was the frequency with which we eat five or more daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. The second item was the availability of farmers markets in the region.
Consuming the appropriate amount of fruits and vegetables at the appropriate frequency is tough enough while you’re at home, but even harder when you are traveling on business. Although we might be able to get the prescribed volume of fruit and vegetables eating in restaurants, it is highly unlikely we would get the nutritional value of fresh produce found at a local farmers market. As the predominant US hotel chain offering full kitchen amenities in its guest rooms, Extended Stay Hotels provides the best environment for those who are trying to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily meals. You can stock up on the good stuff, thanks to our full refrigerators, and prepare delicious meals to your taste in your room, either on the stovetop or, in several locations, in the oven.
As for the farmers markets, fear not. The Internet has once again come to our rescue. Local Harvest is a website that makes finding a farmers market or organic food outlet very simple. From the Home page, click “Farmers’ Markets” or “Grocery/Co-op,” insert the zip code of your hotel and view local options.
Exercise was the study’s second major factor. Specifically, bicycling and swimming are suggested as ideal physical activities. Often times, bicycle shops rent bikes, and many communities have accessible riding trails. The Great Bicycle Trails website has good information on trails in various locations.
As for swimming, many Extended Stay Hotels locations have swimming pools inside or outside the hotel. Still other Extended Stay Hotels have fitness centers or are near local gyms.
Road Warrior believes that a happy traveler is a healthy traveler, which brings us to the final key to staying healthy - recreation. Add to the value of your exercise by doing something you enjoy. For many people that means golf. Most sizeable metro areas have multiple public courses, many offering rental equipment. Pack your shoes, a glove and a few golf balls, and then use Golflink.com to find the perfect local course.
Everyone has his or her own favorite recreation. Extended Stay Hotels wants to help you locate the right hotel near your favorite activity. Visit this page to find a hotel near your favorite leisure destination.
Road Warrior hopes you will be a happy and healthy traveler as you move around the country on business or for fun.
20% off Stays this Weekend or Next - Select Extended Stay Hotels
February 11, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 2/12 through 2/14) and next weekend (stays 2/19 through 2/21) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and many others.
For Arrival Dates 2/12/2010 and 2/13/2010
* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $31.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA- Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $34.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* See all Locations >
For Arrival Dates 2/19/2010 and 2/20/2010
* Orlando, FL- Rates from $35.99/night
* San Francisco, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* New Orleans, LA- Rates from $51.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV- Rates from $47.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $51.99/night
* See all Locations >
Need a Break During your Next Business Trip? Slip on Some Pointy Ears.
February 10, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
There are plenty of conventions you must attend because, well, that’s your job. Then there are conventions you must attend because they are experiences you don’t want to miss.
Millions of Americans have become fans of the Harry Potter books and movies. Still others will see just about any science fiction movie playing. There is a little part of each fan that would like to step behind the screen and be part of the action, if only for a few minutes.
Meeting this desire has become an entire industry. After all, who hasn’t seen the photos of the die-hard fans donning pointy Vulcan ears at a local Star Trek event? Whether you are a sci fi fanatic, or just like to people watch, these venues can provide road warriors some much needed weekend entertainment while on an extended business trip.
Traditional science fiction has brought us unforgettable characters that travel to new galaxies and fight off alien species. Although there are some newcomers to the sci fi television series world, Star Trek still remains as popular as ever.
- Star Trek - August convention in Las Vegas and October convention in Chicago
- Stargate SG1 - August convention in Chicago and November convention in Los Angeles
- Farscape - November convention in Los Angeles
- Supernatural - March convention in Los Angeles and October convention in Chicago
One of the most successful types of sci fi genres is the Vampire saga. Popular culture seems to have moved from Buffy to Twilight, New Moon. After all, who could resist a love story between a vampire and a mortal? The Twilight Convention will hit more than 20 cities during 2010. Among these are Houston and Charlotte in April, Minneapolis in June, Indianapolis in July, Sacramento in September and Portland, Oregon in October.
Being on an extended business trip, away from friends and family, can be lonely and stressful. To keep you at the top of your game, you need a comfortable place to stay and some fun things to do on those long trips. For a complete list of conventions on everything from space travel to comic books, visit the Creation Entertainment or Star Trek web pages.
As for the comfortable room, there are Extended Stay Hotels in every city named here. For a list of the Extended Stay Hotels in each location, just click on the city name. You may have to travel for business, but no one says you can’t have fun on the weekends.
Weekend Stays from $31.99/night - Extended Stay Hotels
February 4, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 2/5 through 2/7) and next weekend (stays 2/12 through 2/14) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here. From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, and many others.
For Arrival Dates 2/5/2010 and 2/6/2010
* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $39.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from $41.99/night
* Atlanta, GA- Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all Locations >
For Arrival Dates 2/12/2010 and 2/13/2010
* Denver, CO- Rates from $30.99/night
* Jacksonville, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Portland, OR- Rates from $37.99/night
* Memphis, TN- Rates from $35.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* See all Locations >
Looking for a Goldilocks Climate
February 3, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
On any given mid-winter day, many of us wonder where we might find warmer weather. In some parts of the nation, the same process takes place mid-summer. At one time or another, we all wish for that “Goldilocks” place to be - not too hot and not too cold. You might be surprised by just how many such places with favorable climates there are. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Extended Stay Hotels offers comfortable, convenient hotel rooms in just about all of them.
In the far southwestern corner of California is a place where avocados grow, and the average high temperature changes just 12 degrees year round. San Diego is without a doubt the closest thing we have to a city with a true Goldilocks climate. It was also the subject of a recent blog, “Beating the Winter Blues.” Hopefully, you will find fun things to do and six great San Diego Extended Stay Hotels.
Heading north along the Pacific Ocean, you'll come to Orange County. With average high temperatures ranging between 69 and 86 degrees through the year, be sure to bring sun block, sandals and shorts. Orange County is home to theme parks, golf courses, amazing beaches and 21 fabulous Extended Stay Hotels.
While most travelers know about Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, there are other sights that really should not be missed. For example, Balboa Island is a manmade in Newport Beach Harbor with fun shopping and wonderful beaches. You can even catch the Catalina Flyer from here and visit nearby Catalina Island for the day.
If you want to get back to nature, head just south of Newport Beach to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 7,000 acres, this park is among the larger areas of natural open space along the coast and offers over 40 miles of trails to hike.
What good would it be to have all this wonderful weather and not have great golf courses? Not much, if you linke spending your free time on the green. Since Orange County has over 40 championship golf courses, there has to be at least one that is perfect for you. Here you can choose an inland course with a view of the mountains, like Eagle Glen, or stay near the beach at Costa Mesa Los Lagos.
With ten comfortable, affordable hotels across Orange County, Extended Stay Hotels has you covered for an inviting place to stay.
Road Warrior hopes you’ll be able to experience an adventure in one of these wonderful destinations. And, be on the look out for other Goldilocks climate locales in future posts.
