No offense taken about a leisure trip to CAE in the summer. I don't vacation here, either. Even I suggested to BlissWorld that he could have picked a better summer vacation destination than CAE. Nonetheless, this weekend isn't as hot as it sometimes is, and there's a good band for this Saturday's free concert series in Finlay Park near downtown.

I just logged on to announce the hotel's opening delays, though. Wish I had known of them sooner in order to warn BlissWorld before today.

I stopped by the hotel late this afternoon for a tour, and it was quite clear that they weren't open and weren't ready to open. There have been many people busy at work there the past couple of days, but I didn't realize until today that they still didn't have guests. I know that they had been taking reservations online until very recently. The website has now been changed to present the opening date as July 31, but I think that it could open sooner. But my tour guide said that they really don't know the new opening date yet.

So they've been getting final touches done during the past couple of days, apparently, but there are no guests. They apparently have an inspection from Starwood tomorrow, so they are working to get lots of things completed. It looks as if they're planning to work into the night.

A number of the workers today were wearing "Sheraton Opening Team" t-shirts. A young man at the front desk was dressed in a suit as if to greet guests. But they clearly are not ready for guests.

Maids were cleaning rooms and making up beds. Bottled water was being distributed to all of the rooms. It was clear that they were still bringing in some of the accessories such lamps and sofas. There was still some minor painting work at the pub entrance.

They are still setting up the downstairs sports bar restaurant. Some additional TVs are still to be installed in there. I was told that they have not yet set a menu for that restaurant, but that might be misinformation. The chef was there earlier today. They were setting tables with silver and glassware while I was there, but maybe that's just for the inspection.

There is a nice restaurant, P.O.S.H., on the Mezzanine level that overlooks the lobby and that has nice window views to the streets. It has a great looking menu with decent prices. It is very bright in this restaurant. I have photos of the menus, but the wine list was empty so far.

The martini lounge just past the front desk is a main attraction because of its main entrance through the huge bank safe door.

I took a tour of several rooms on the 14th floor, and I'll post pictures later. The 16th floor is the top floor. There are 4 Club Level floors. I see that Club Level rates include "Cont Bkfst Mon-fri Only, Eve Drinks/hors D Oeuvres, Robes And Slippers." I did not inquire about a Club Lounge, so I'm not sure what the arrangement is for that.

Within each floor, every room has a unique layout. Rooms are small, but most of the bathrooms are better than average size. As my tour guide said, someone used to NYC rooms would feel at home. Every bathroom has a TV. Most bathrooms have a spacious glass shower stall, but some rooms have a jacuzzi tub/shower combo.

Rooms have the original hardwood floors. Many parts of the building still have the original decorative tile floors -- including a mosaic in the center of the lobby. They hired a photographer to take black and white photos of the historic building and other nearby sculptures. These photos decorate the rooms and halls.

On each floor, room xx02 is a suite. It has a small living room area and a cozy bedroom area. The couch was not yet in the living room area, but I'm doubtful that it is a big enough area that it could be a sofabed.

The rooftop restaurant won't be open when the hotel opens, I don't think. I was not able to go up there during my tour. It was closed even to the Sheraton staff. Maybe a permit/inspection issue? (Just a guess.)

The downstairs sports bar years ago was The Sherlock Holmes Pub. They've kept the outside entrance to this bar and it's Sherlock Holmes stained glass window.

This morning, I saw the hotel's Escalade parked by the building. That could provide their "Shuttle Service within Surrounding Area (Limited)," but I don't think that they offer service to/from the airport.

I like what they've done. The rooms are "cozy," but they are unique. This isn't just another cookie-cutter hotel. The restaurants all look like something that I'd actually be willing to dine in as a local. We'll see if the service and atmosphere actually meets that expectation after they open, though.

FWIW, the Marriott on the other end of the block might be quite decent. It recently rejoined Marriott (its original brand) after being an Omni and Adams Mark for a number of years. It's been many years since I've been inside of it, though. But the Hilton at the convention center about a half mile away is brand new, and it's also closer to the many restaurants and bars in the Vista area and closest to the Colonial Center for USC basketball, concerts, and other events.