Your Favorite Choice Property
Dec 19, 2009, 10:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cullman, Alabama
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 648
Your Favorite Choice Property
Like to poll the community to see where in the USA or outside the USA, where people have favorite Choice Properties. I have some points i need to use up and would like to read about why people have favorite choice properties and the cities that they are in. (Please leave out any Econo Lodges, Roadway Inns and Suburban lodges.
Got some time to use the points up but would like to start narrowing down my choices after reading FT members reviews on their favorite Choice Property
Got some time to use the points up but would like to start narrowing down my choices after reading FT members reviews on their favorite Choice Property
Dec 20, 2009, 11:14 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
All the ones in Norway (Western fjord area) I stayed in were great, especially in Bergen city (the one in Bryggen) and Eidsfjord (at the end of a beautiful fjord). The one at Bergen airport (walk to the terminal) was a bit wierd, but otherwise great for a night-before-the-flight stay.
However, be aware that Norway can be expensive for food, so picnic creatively or starve or budget for that.
Especially in the countryside, but I found it a better experience to stay in the countryside -- in this case Eidsfjord -- for at least part of the stay than only to be based in the city the whole time.
And for 16K points a night (for hotels that cost $200++ in money), you can't beat the value.
(But you do have to get there!)
Choice Scandinavia is a slightly different hotel family than Choice elsewhere, but you can redeem there. But "slightly different" means "higher quality" (on a more consistent basis), which is very good IMHO!
There are decent Choice properties in London, but nothing that special, just a decent-enough property for a redemtion stay in that city where all hotels tend to have smaller rooms. (I couldn't find one at a great redemption rate and with a great location, though, that gave both free breakfast and free interent -- just one or the other.)
In my US travels, I've mostly stayed in Choice hotels in conjunction with National Park visits. They were fine for that (a base for sleeping, when I spending most of my time out in parks anyway), but nothing to write home about as hotels proper. These were at the northern end of Skyline Drive (Front Royal VA), nortthern entrance of Olympia Nat'l Park (Port Angeles WA), main entrance to Zion and main entrance to Arches/Canyonlands (different parts of UT), etc.
However, be aware that Norway can be expensive for food, so picnic creatively or starve or budget for that.
Especially in the countryside, but I found it a better experience to stay in the countryside -- in this case Eidsfjord -- for at least part of the stay than only to be based in the city the whole time.And for 16K points a night (for hotels that cost $200++ in money), you can't beat the value.
(But you do have to get there!)
Choice Scandinavia is a slightly different hotel family than Choice elsewhere, but you can redeem there. But "slightly different" means "higher quality" (on a more consistent basis), which is very good IMHO!
There are decent Choice properties in London, but nothing that special, just a decent-enough property for a redemtion stay in that city where all hotels tend to have smaller rooms. (I couldn't find one at a great redemption rate and with a great location, though, that gave both free breakfast and free interent -- just one or the other.)
In my US travels, I've mostly stayed in Choice hotels in conjunction with National Park visits. They were fine for that (a base for sleeping, when I spending most of my time out in parks anyway), but nothing to write home about as hotels proper. These were at the northern end of Skyline Drive (Front Royal VA), nortthern entrance of Olympia Nat'l Park (Port Angeles WA), main entrance to Zion and main entrance to Arches/Canyonlands (different parts of UT), etc.
Dec 20, 2009, 5:20 pm
#3
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I dout this will be one you'll want to travel to, but it's still my favorite.
The Clarion LGA. If flying out of the Central Terminal you have the ability to easily walk to the hotel (1/4 mile walk at most). Also, the Q33 bus stops right outside the hotel which connects you to the subway and Manhattan for an easy $2.50. Finally, the employees are great here and the breakfast is not bad.
The Clarion LGA. If flying out of the Central Terminal you have the ability to easily walk to the hotel (1/4 mile walk at most). Also, the Q33 bus stops right outside the hotel which connects you to the subway and Manhattan for an easy $2.50. Finally, the employees are great here and the breakfast is not bad.
Dec 20, 2009, 5:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LIS/ATL/other
Programs: UA 1K, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Marriott Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 1,983
Most Choice properties do not qualify as "favorites", but I do have a few memorable ones that I look forward to returning to any time:
Clarion Suites Lisbon, Portugal, especially their 2BR 2BA "penthouse" suites. Great location (central yet quiet), roomy new suites.
Kress Inn, De Pere WI (a Clarion Collection Hotel). I don't quite understand why this property became a Choice hotel. It is superb in its cleanliness, staff attentiveness, and even its spiritual mood. Located on the St. Norbert College campus.
Le Consulat, San Juan PR (an Ascend Collection Hotel). Small hotel, relatively new and very clean, close to everything, reasonably priced for San Juan.
Clarion Suites Lisbon, Portugal, especially their 2BR 2BA "penthouse" suites. Great location (central yet quiet), roomy new suites.
Kress Inn, De Pere WI (a Clarion Collection Hotel). I don't quite understand why this property became a Choice hotel. It is superb in its cleanliness, staff attentiveness, and even its spiritual mood. Located on the St. Norbert College campus.
Le Consulat, San Juan PR (an Ascend Collection Hotel). Small hotel, relatively new and very clean, close to everything, reasonably priced for San Juan.
Dec 21, 2009, 4:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Choice Suites ONT
New property with good prices and nicely designed rooms. Close to rail and next to the airport, so noise may be a problem for those bothered by it.
This is not a vacation or resort setting, but it is good for the one-night-close-to-the-airport traveler.
Joe
This is not a vacation or resort setting, but it is good for the one-night-close-to-the-airport traveler.
Joe
Dec 22, 2009, 11:27 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Freeload Univ. Where are you sitting?
Posts: 14,818
The Clarion in downtown Dublin was a real treat. We had 4 rooms there in April (all on points, 10K/room/night).
The rooms were all 1BR suites, huge size, balcony/party deck, etc. Nice bar, close to the O2, convenient to the tourist district, free airport shuttle, etc.
All in all, a great location and a tremendous value.
The rooms were all 1BR suites, huge size, balcony/party deck, etc. Nice bar, close to the O2, convenient to the tourist district, free airport shuttle, etc.
All in all, a great location and a tremendous value.
Dec 23, 2009, 9:56 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2000
Programs: Hy-Vee Fuel Saver
Posts: 404
If anyone is interested in older threads, these threads include some people discussing Choice properties they like, along with other things:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choic...ew-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choic...-property.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choic...ew-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choic...-property.html