Embassy Suites Nightly Manager's Reception
#31
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: Starwood Gold, HiltonHHonors Silver, Marriott Silver, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 1,775
The worst manager's reception I've ever been to was the ES Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Canada. Each person in the room was given a coupon for exactly one complimentary drink. Anything beyond that was out of your pocket. For as much as they charged per room, they should have given each guest a barrel of beer.
That's the only ES where I've seen them limit you on your drinks, including Chicago.
That's the only ES where I've seen them limit you on your drinks, including Chicago.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,249
Originally Posted by Recreation
The worst manager's reception I've ever been to was the ES Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Canada.... For as much as they charged per room, they should have given each guest a barrel of beer.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
It's been probably 10 years, but I remember one AZ property giving 5 drink coupons for use over two days - the hard part was deciding which day to have three....
#34
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
Check the fine print on the ES hotel-specific website, as some states won't allow free booze (I had to pay regular prices for a drink at the ES Boston Logan Airport last December!). That being said, the ES Lubbock -- on eof the best in the system -- offers top sheft booze during the MR (Jack, Vox/Skyy Vodka, Beefeater Gin, etc.) and always has decent food (sandwiches, chicken strips, veggies, etc) which can fill one up, if you aren't looking for anything special.
#36
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: PBI and FRA
Programs: AA EXP 4MM, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Hertz 5*,
Posts: 199
Originally Posted by janhigginskcmo
I think thats the only good thing about ES, the free booze
I have a four and a five year old. A good thing is a seperate bedroom with a door that locks!
#39
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,714
The ES in Tucson actually had a fairly decent selection of beers (the good ones, like craft Hefeweizen, not s$%t American light beer). Honesty, does anyone even think that that crap tastes like beer?
Other ES hotels tend to stick to the low end garbage. The ES in Charleston, WV served veggie platters, though, which was kind of nice.
(Yes, I'm a little bit of a beer snob, but come on...)
Other ES hotels tend to stick to the low end garbage. The ES in Charleston, WV served veggie platters, though, which was kind of nice.
(Yes, I'm a little bit of a beer snob, but come on...)
#40
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: United 0, HH Gold
Posts: 2,827
Originally Posted by etch5895
The ES in Tucson actually had a fairly decent selection of beers (the good ones, like craft Hefeweizen, not s$%t American light beer). Honesty, does anyone even think that that crap tastes like beer?
Other ES hotels tend to stick to the low end garbage. The ES in Charleston, WV served veggie platters, though, which was kind of nice.
(Yes, I'm a little bit of a beer snob, but come on...)
Other ES hotels tend to stick to the low end garbage. The ES in Charleston, WV served veggie platters, though, which was kind of nice.
(Yes, I'm a little bit of a beer snob, but come on...)
#42
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: YYC
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,410
Originally Posted by janhigginskcmo
I think thats the only good thing about ES, the free booze
About 2 years ago I was staying at the ES Birmingham with a colleague and we had spent the Sunday enjoying beer at many fine establishments. We arrived back at the hotel just in time for the free booze and gave the bartender a generous tip which then translated into drinks for the next few hours that were 9/10th's booze and a little mix for colour!
We woke up in the morning to find a huge receipt for the Ruth's Chris steakhouse in the hotel and wondering who was going to drive to our meeting in Tuscaloosa!
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL Diamond, B6 Mosaic, AS MPV Gold, UA Gold MM, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 16,679
I'll add my vote for the ES in Downtown Portland. Beautiful property, very nice upgrades to very large corner suites for Diamonds, and both the breakfast and evening reception are very nicely done. They have a nice selection of Pacific Northwest beers, decent mixed drinks, and food that goes beyond popcorn and a bowl of potato chips. The restaurant also has a limited menu of dinner items available to order during the evening reception (for a charge, of course). Overall, it's a hard property to beat.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Originally Posted by Non-NonRev
It's been probably 10 years, but I remember one AZ property giving 5 drink coupons for use over two days - the hard part was deciding which day to have three....
More like which day to have 5...
#45
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Programs: Lifetime Plat Marriott
Posts: 1,358
Full meal at Homewood Suites....
Originally Posted by omegadeal
The Homewood receptions are usually decent and have a few choices. Most ES receptions I've seen have the pretzels / chips, beer/wine and liquor. I don't typically drink on business trips so I haven't been to many.
San Diego-Del Mar typically has ravioli (not the cheap kind...the ones that are about 3 times the size as canned one), two different sauces (white/red), a very, very good homemade minestone soup (love their soup), a simple salad and garlic bread. My experience is that every single day (M-T), there is no way I have to go out and fetch dinner. Homewood suites is my new first choice because of the apartment like space (full frig/mic), free DSL and the fabulous dinner. No itty bitty crappy popcorn and veggies here!!!!
Dawn