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| Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, GA (January 2020) |
What to Eat, Where
Over the last three years, I've had the privilege and joy of traveling to a number of different places and trying food combinations that were beyond my imagination. I've learned that just because you've had a certain food or tried a certain activity in one place doesn't mean you will dislike it another. In fact, food, for me, has been a way of breaking out of the mold and learning to try things that I otherwise might pass up. Luckily, my husband is a foodie and has very little that he won't try … which inevitably spurs me on.
Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?
Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…
1. In Hawai'i…
Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)
Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.
The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.
Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)
Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.
The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.
And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!
2. In NYC, New York…
Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!
Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.
And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?
3. In Boston, Massachusetts…
A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.
4. In Charleston, South Carolina…
Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.
5. In Atlanta, Georgia…
Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.
For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.
A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.
6. In southern Germany…
Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.
Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.
Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?
7. In France…
You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.
The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!
My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)
Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!
Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?
8. In northern Italy…
My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!
Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?
9. In the Québec region of Canada…
How can you not have poutine?
I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.
Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.
10. In Prague, Czech Republic…
Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!
11. In Key West, Florida…
To be determined.
In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.
What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?
Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!
Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?
Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…
1. In Hawai'i…
Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)
Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.
The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.
Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)
Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.
The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.
And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!
2. In NYC, New York…
Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!
Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.
And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?
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| Photo credit: edwardkimuk via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND |
3. In Boston, Massachusetts…
A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.
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| Photo credit: greg.turner via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-SA |
4. In Charleston, South Carolina…
Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.
5. In Atlanta, Georgia…
Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.
For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.
A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.
6. In southern Germany…
Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.
Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.
Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?
7. In France…
You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.
The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!
My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)
Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!
Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?
8. In northern Italy…
My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!
Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?
9. In the Québec region of Canada…
How can you not have poutine?
I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.
Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.
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| Photo credit: akimapilot via VisualHunt / CC BY-ND |
10. In Prague, Czech Republic…
Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!
11. In Key West, Florida…
To be determined.
In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.
What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?
Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!
Wordless Wednesday #12
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| Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah, GA (September 2016) |
I try to remain politics-free on my blog, but some weeks … months … years … it becomes near impossible.
For example, in this past 8 days:
- Sally Yates testified
- Comey was fired
- Trump shared classified information with Russians
- European countries have decided to no longer share confidential information with the US
And, somehow, I'm supposed to focus?
I close my ears. I throw my phone across the room vowing to not look at twitter or watch the news.
But then something else happens.
Argh.
So.
Can we just look at the pretty picture of this memorial bridge in Savannah, GA and reminiscence about the good 'ol days when twitter was boring? When the news was mundane? Can we please? My heart depends on it. ❤️
Self-care is a very real and necessary part of life. What is your favorite way to relax and destress?
Wordless Wednesday #3
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| Helen, GA (June 2016) |
The weather here has been in the shocking 70s as of recently. My home almost feels like a tropical paradise. Only problem: I'm not sure what to do with my sweaters? And I was so looking forward to winter when it would be possible to wear sweaters!
What's the weather like near you? Is it abnormally warm? … or colder than usual? Are you ready for spring yet?
All The Broken Hearts in the World Still Beat
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| Photo credit: lakelandlocal via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA |
It is no surprise that the election from Tuesday November 8th caught a lot of people off guard, myself included. While today's post isn't technically a response to the election results, it kind of is.
I had Tuesday November 8th off; the people I babysit for decided to use their oldest son as a babysitter rather than me.
Ok. Whatever.
So, instead I started prepping some December blog posts. Then, as the election polls were being reviewed, I worked on completing my Hawaii hotel bookings. I wasn't worried. I mean I had full confidence that the American people would vote against prejudice and hate.
I have never been more wrong in my entire life. Clearly I live in a bubble.
While I'm not sure as of yet what to expect from Trump as president or even how I will handle (or help friends and family handle) whatever misfortunes he throws at us (hopefully none, but it's not looking good), as a way of coping, Justin and I, at the kindness of my boss, who offered us free tickets, decided to take a date night and attend the Ingrid Michaelson concert in Atlanta at the Tabernacle Theatre.
First, we stopped in at Leon's in downtown Decatur and had a fantastic meal.
Address 131 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030Hours: Mon: 5 pm – 1 amTues – Thurs: 11:30 am – 1 amFri – Sat: 11:30 am – 2 amSun: 11:30 am – 1 am(Kitchen closes one hour prior)
For our entree we ordered the grilled springer mountain chicken, toasted barley, miso, roasted local squash, pearl onion, kale, and cherry-mustard jus. Honestly, when I read that list on the menu, I had no idea what to expect, but yum! :) It was so, so delicious!
And because the restaurant offered it (and I had been wanting to try it), we also ordered beef poutine made up of brasstown beef (whatever that is), peppercorn gravy, cheese curds, frites, and a sunny side up farm egg. I had never tried real poutine before (and still haven't since we haven't been to Canada); however, this version was amazing! Far better than our experiment from July!
And because I can't resist delicious ice cream, our next stop was Butter and Cream.
Address: 416 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.Friday and Saturday: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
My favorite flavor of ice cream there is butterscotch (plain), but they didn't have it. Instead we got the butterscotch brownie which was equally as good! We got it in a waffle cone, taking it on the go, so that we wouldn't miss our MARTA train.
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| No judgement! We had to eat a bit before I took the picture! ;) |
Address: 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
A few things to know about the Tabernacle and what is allowed:
• No outside food or drinks.
• No weapons of any kind.
• No cameras, GoPros, OR selfie sticks.
• No bags.
• Taking pictures with your phone is OK unless they tell you otherwise (probably based on celebrity and event).
For security, they split us into two lines – men and women. Then used a metal detector wand to determine if we were bringing anything forbidden into the theater. Seurity checked our IDs and gave us a wristband before we entered the theatre (just for those interested in drinking) as well as offereing an upgrade for VIP seating at a cost of $25 more (on top of whatever you paid for your tickets. Preferably you would have bought the cheap seats for this.) VIP seating had access to a full bar, side seating for the theatre, and "rooftop access" (whatever that is).
Overall, Justin and I found that this concert arena that would have cost us $35 for seats or $29 for general admission was a great place to spend our evening. Ingrid Michaelson provided a safe space for us to get past the election results in a somewhat neutral location. (Though it can be argued how neutral the location actually was since Michaelson definitely shared her position on the election results.)
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| Our seats were second row balcony! |
The opener was a band called AJR, a group of brothers who named their band after the first letter of their first names. Quirky, cute, unimaginative. Needless to say, I was unimpressed with the band. They were loud and seemed to be more interested in entertaining than actually singing. Whatever.
Finally, Ingrid Michaelson came on stage, nearly half an hour after AJR had retreated. She sang a bit, talked about the election, interacted with her audience, then entertained a bit more all while throwing a few songs into the mix and really making the whole concert experience fun. If you ever have the chance and know at least one song sung by her, I'd recommend going. She definitely makes her concerts more about experiences and entertainment than purely music.
Just as the concert was coming to an end, Michaelson informed the audience to give her a minute and she would be back for the encore. And just like that, a few minutes letter, she came back bigger and better than ever (and perhaps louder?) with her closer "Girls Chase Boys Chase Girls". It was fantastic and the audience was enthralled! Everyone (well, except me!) was singing along and a few were up out of their seats dancing.
At 10:30 pm, the concert had officially concluded and we were let out onto the fire exit steps where we got a beautiful view of the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel. I don't think our night could have ended on a more pleasant note (aside from the one hour drive we had to make to return home).
Do I dare ask your feelings on the election? Were you as shocked and surprised as me … or was this something you were expecting? (Do I want to know?)
How do you get through difficult times? Would a night out on the town have distracted you and helped you disassociate yourself from your feelings? Or would it have led to more stress and anxiety?
Have you ever received free tickets to a concert performance, theatre production, or something else? What would a date night for you look like?
Holiday Inn Express – Historic Savannah, GA Review
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| image from IHG |
Destination: Savannah, GA
Date: May 2016
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Brand: IHG
Elite Status: spire
# of travelers: 4
nights: 1
Making the Decision
Like with the Doubletree from last week, I was trying to find the best place to stay on a graduation/Mother's Day weekend during early May. Prices were high and choices were limited. And to make matters even more complicated, my parents, who my husband and I were traveling with, were limited on money. As an IHG member with over 100,000 points, I decided it was time to visit my supply so that we wouldn't end up sleeping on the side of the road in a box … or, worse, end up at a dumpy motel where roaches and bed bugs come to play.
For a few thousand points (it's always a few thousand…) + around one hundred or so dollars, we found ourselves at the Holiday Inn Express in historic Savannah. There were a few others equally priced outside of the historic city perimeter located near the airport, but why pay the same price for a lesser product? The Holiday Inn Express would work out perfectly! Plus, I have a personal goal of staying at new hotels each time we visit Savannah. Considering this hotel was the right price and available (and downtown! making it easy to get away from parents despite only being in one vehicle), why not?!
Getting There, Check-In, Valet Parking, & Location
After a long day, my brother encouraged my parents and I (and the hubby) to head on out to Savannah, GA from his apartment in Statesboro. (My dad and sister-in-law's mom are talkers and take some encouragement to separate.) Once we were out of the house, my brother would have an easier time getting his mini-me, significant other, and in-laws ready to go out for dinner on the town. And in the meantime, my family would be able to check into hotel #2 giving us a chance at a room upgrade that may not be available later during the day.
The drive from Statesboro takes approximately 45 minutes, so we arrived at the hotel around 4PM, just in time for check-in. Or so we thought.
As it turns out, the hotel was behind in preparing rooms. The front desk staff offered to take our luggage, but we held onto it opting instead to sit in the lobby with a free (to all guests of the hotel) cup of coffee instead. It took nearly an hour from the time we sat down until they were ready for us. Got to be honest – I thought it was a bit ridiculous. Did they not see that I had status?! (But as with most IHG chain hotels, I was led to believe that my status did not matter; they didn't care. Argh.)
One perk of the hotel though was that once we handed our car over to the valet, we were free to explore Savannah. So, just as our room became available, when my brother called to say he and his "group" were in downtown historic Savannah waiting for us, we didn't even have to get in the car to go join in. A glance at Google Maps and we were on our way!
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| image from IHG |
Room, View, Amenities
The room itself was a decent size. We had ample room to move around, and the beds were decently comfortable. There was a work desk, a big screen tv, free internet (!!), a fridge, a Keurig with coffee offerings, and iron + board. The bathroom came with soaps, shampoos and a blow dryer. Unfortunately our room did not have much of a view, so instead we found ourselves admiring the cityscape from the rooftop pool and lounge. Despite the heat, the pool area was beautifully maintained and a great getaway from the city below.
Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express was served in a large room next to the lobby. We arrived early, and soon saw why it was important to arrive early: the lack of tables! The crowd filed in, but after about 8:30AM there was nowhere for anyone to sit!
Breakfast itself wasn't terribly impressive. It was very much your typical "continental" servings. We got the choice of waffles, cinnamon rolls (probably from Costco), apples, bananas, sugary yogurt, sausage, scrambled eggs, bagels, toast, muffins, cereal, apple/orange juice, coffee, and water. And, of course, the water tastes gross since you are at a location near the ocean… (Probably not the case for people that are used to it!)
Check Out
After breakfast, we decided to head back to Statesboro (where my brother lives) to say goodbye. Checkout was quick and painless. From our room, we called the valet to get our car. Then we headed to the front desk where we handed over our room key and received our bill. We had to wait an additional 30 minutes for the valet to get our car (there is seating outside the hotel), but eventually we were ready to go. And by ready, I mean … ready! Our time in Savannah was up and we were anxious to start our journey home…
Overall Review
★★★ (average)
While the room was decently sized, the view from the roof was a stunner, and the location of the hotel worked well for us, the disappointment and aggravation I felt about having to wait for my room to become available (despite arriving after check-in time) as well as being unimpressed with the breakfast has resulted in this three star overall review. For the most part I've found that no matter what my status (whether elite or not), IHG seems to treat all of their customers … as customers and not royalty, for lack of a better word. When I'm on vacation, I don't need my every beck and call answered, but at the very least I want the hotel to live up to expectation – have a room ready and waiting after check-in time and not make the customers wait an hour, actually put effort into breakfast, and, if you keep a customer waiting (or disappoint them somehow), offer to go out of the way and provide something a little extra like a water bottle, a room with a view, a free drink from the bar… I don't think that's asking for too much.
Would I go again? Maybe. I think I prefer staying at the Historic Doubletree or Hampton Inn instead. Plus, did you know there is now a Hotel Indigo in downtown historic Savannah? With only 252 rooms and having just opened, I think this would be my first choice. Boutique hotel feel, IHG prices. Win. :)
Your Turn
Do you think the hotel was in the right expecting my family to wait for our room without offering us anything for our time? What would you have done if your hotel room wasn't ready upon arrival? … Do you ever get tired of the same old "continental breakfast" when staying at hotels?
Doubletree Airport – Savannah GA Review
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| image from Hilton |
Destination: Savannah, GA
Date: May 2016
Hotel: Doubletree
Brand: Hilton
Elite Status: diamond
# of travelers: 4
nights: 1
Making the Decision
For my brother's graduation, my parents asked me to find a somewhat cheap hotel just outside of Statesboro for us to stay at. In my desperate search for a room, I discovered that Hilton was having a sale. I don't remember exactly what the sale discount was, but I believe it was like 25% off a room.
Sure! Why not?
Only my options were severely limited when I considered how much my parents were willing to pay. That's how we ended up staying in a room outside of Savannah. I knew that Doubletree, one of my favorite hotel chains, offered free, delicious, chocolate chip cookies from a previous visit to another location in Savannah. That, combined with the free breakfast we would receive for having elite status ended up sealing the deal. Everything, including the price ended up working out for us to stay at this Doubletree.
Getting There & Location
To be honest, we drove so I'm not quite sure how far this hotel is from the Savannah airport. And I think it goes without saying that we did not use any of the hotel transportation to or from the airport. Instead, we found ourselves in a rush to get to this Doubletree late Friday night so that we could be awake and ready to go at 8am the next morning. (All hotels in the Statesboro area were sold out.)
So location didn't play much of a role in our trip and I don't feel that I can confidently comment on it.
Checking In, Room, Elite Status Perks, View
Arriving at midnight, we received a warm welcome from the front desk with delicious chocolate chip cookies waiting for us at check-in. The front desk staff provided us with breakfast coupons and directed us to the second to last floor of the hotel. We were offered two bags with water and snacks, which, as an elite, always makes me feel special. :)
Upon entering our room, we felt we had entered a suite, the room was so large and well-appointed. We almost wished we were spending more time at the hotel, our room was so nice. The room is split into two sections with a wall in between – the first part offered a couch, big screen tv, work desk, microwave, and fridge, while the second section provided two queen beds and yet another tv. Perfect for families who need room to spread out on vacation or business workers who are stationed out of their home office for any length of time.
The bathroom was generously sized providing soaps, shampoos, lotions, and a hair dryer working out perfectly for prepping for a big event, like graduation. (Although with the graduation taking place outside, casual was less an exception and more a rule.)
The view we received was of a parking lot. I had high hopes of getting to see the nearby lake that we had received a view of when we stayed at the airport location of the Hilton Garden Inn, but no dice. I'm not sure the Doubletree offers a good view. They are very close to retail shops though. Take your pick of chain restaurants or visit the local Wal Mart, if that makes you happy. :)
Breakfast & Lobby
The next morning we awoke early. Graduation was to begin at 10AM and they encouraged parents and graduates to arrive at 8AM meaning we needed to leave the hotel at 7AM. Unfortunately for us and, as it turns out, the many other graduate family members that were staying at the hotel with us (we ended up seeing familiar faces at the school after leaving the hotel! It's a small world?), breakfast didn't start until 7AM. Impatiently we waited hoping against hope that they would open the restaurant early, but ultimately deciding that we had time for breakfast regardless. It was free and continental, so why not?
The continental breakfast in the lobby consisted of pastries, yogurt, cereal, fruit, bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and coffee, orange juice, or milk. With the coupon diamond members receive at check-in, you can opt to exchange your continental breakfast option for something on the menu at the continental breakfast price or less; it should be noted, however, that the kitchen doesn't open until 7:30AM, which, in our case, would have been too late.
The husband, myself, and my parents all were content to eat from the breakfast bar getting quite full off of all that was offered and enjoying the small bit of service our waitress provided as she refilled our drinks and continued to ensure our happiness. While the breakfast passes do cover the cost of the meal, my husband and I always make sure to leave a tip big enough to cover 20% of what the meal would have cost for our server, since the pass does not include gratuity. We have noticed that others do not though, so, as usual, this is up to your own discretion. Keep in mind though, that at most American restaurants wait staff are underpaid and rely on tips; even at a hotel, these men and women could technically be considered "wait staff".Treat them with kindness in the same way you would behave at a normal restaurant; they probably are underpaid despite whether their job title includes "wait staff" or not.
Check Out
Even before breakfast, we checked out of the hotel just hanging out in the lobby talking with the individual at the front desk and waiting for the waitstaff to start seating hungry hotel guests. Check out went quickly enough with the young man offering us extra breakfast coupons for waiting as well as their famous chocolate chip cookies to go. Yum! (We originally only receive two breakfast coupons for our party of four.)
As we left the hotel, my husband grabbed a cup of coffee to go from a spot in the lobby near the elevators which also offered flavored water and fruit (apples, bananas) for guests.
Amenities
Even though my family didn't have time to check out the hotel amenities, I feel it is worth mentioning that the Doubletree Savannah Airport location offers a pool, workout room, washer and dryer, business area, snacks that can be bought, and airport transportation/a shuttle.
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| Congratulations Class of 2017! |
Overall Review
★★★ (average)
The Doubletree Savannah airport hotel was a wonderful place to stay for the night. Staff were considerate and went above and beyond. Breakfast was tasty, and even the room was a beautiful respite away from work and the long drive that it took to get to Savannah. The entire clan that I took to the hotel was quite pleased with the choice; all saying that, for the right price (which the price was actually kind of high given it's location because of the weekend we chose to visit on), we would all consider staying again. If you are looking for a night in Savannah near the airport, whether for a family vacation or work trip, this was a great location that offers a lot of benefits for the money. At it's out-of-the-way location presumably, on a non-busy weekend, you could find a good price resulting in a very affordable getaway.
Your Turn
Have you ever considered staying at a hotel located near the airport of a city rather than within the city itself? What would sway your choice one way or the other – better price? the comforts of home (like a fridge and microwave)? a bigger room?
