Hotel Dena, a Tribute Portfolo Hotel (formerly Sheraton Pasadena) [Master Thread]
Nov 5, 2005, 5:24 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DEN
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Pasadena...Seriously?
It just seems so implausible. It can be an hour drive at many times of day and even with a great negotiated price I can't see it making sense.
Only thing I can think is some TA not familiar with LA at all made the deal, since it's not that many miles, per se.
Only thing I can think is some TA not familiar with LA at all made the deal, since it's not that many miles, per se.
Nov 5, 2005, 6:28 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by mallthus
It just seems so implausible. It can be an hour drive at many times of day and even with a great negotiated price I can't see it making sense.
Only thing I can think is some TA not familiar with LA at all made the deal, since it's not that many miles, per se.
Only thing I can think is some TA not familiar with LA at all made the deal, since it's not that many miles, per se.
I hear you, I was floored myself. The bartender at the Torrance Hilton informed me "they all scattered and a bunch of them went to Pasadena" as he was drowning his own sorrows. I just so happened to be staying in Pasadena and upon exiting the elevator in the lobby around 8:00 PM was greated with the most beautiful sight known to any traveling man; about 10 Virgin FAs in full regalia! After picking my tongue up off the floor I proceeded to the bar to confirm what my eyes had just witnessed.
Nov 6, 2005, 5:04 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,960
I've been seeing NZ Flight attendants lately at the Universal City Hilton. Seems like Pasadena and UC are a LONG way away from LAX, though. Wonder if that means the downtown LA hotel rates are going up again soon...
Nov 6, 2005, 5:14 pm
#19
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I have stayed at the Pasadena Westin some and every time have seen a Qantas crew arrive or depart from that hotel. Pasadena does seem like quite a distance, but if you think about the departure and arrival times of flights to and from OZ, the traffic to LAX wouldn't be too bad. Still is quite a drive though.
Or who knows, maybe Qantas launched SYD-BUR, and no one told us
Or who knows, maybe Qantas launched SYD-BUR, and no one told us
Nov 11, 2005, 5:49 pm
#20
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I spoke to a QF flight attendant on a SYD-LAX flight once and he mentioned that when they work longhaul flights like that, their contract mandates a minimum layover of 72 hours. With 3 full days at their disposal to enjoy So Cal it makes sense that the company would book its crews (and the union probably has to approve the hotel too) in a location with lots of activity and things to do as opposed to some airport hotel.
Nov 15, 2005, 6:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA EXP, *wood Plat, all the others basic
Posts: 20
This is nothing new
I have been staying at the Pasadena Sheraton since Jan 2004, and the Quantas crews have been staying there for most of that time. While that bar can be lively on occasion, you can often find the crews (and other yuppies) in a more lively spot 1 block away at the wine bar at the Paseo mall on the upstairs terrace.
And by the way, non rush hour, you can make it to LAX from that Sheraton in 30 minutes exactly... rush hour forget about it.
And by the way, non rush hour, you can make it to LAX from that Sheraton in 30 minutes exactly... rush hour forget about it.
Nov 16, 2005, 6:56 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
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Posts: 1,497
Originally Posted by clover
Where?!! (see my location)
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Nov 18, 2005, 1:05 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2003
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This needs to be a sticky, truely useful info.
REN-LB(i know-the wrong forum) was full of BA FAs last I was there(ok BA not=SQ)
Damn why did I even bother to write this
REN-LB(i know-the wrong forum) was full of BA FAs last I was there(ok BA not=SQ)
Damn why did I even bother to write this
Jun 4, 2006, 8:10 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,573
Sheraton Pasadena - WEAK, but the error helps
All - less-than-spectacular stay at the Sheraton Pasadena last week. Notwithstanding a cockroach in the lobby (not exactly disturbing to a New Yorker, but still...) my experience was marked by:
1) lengthy midnight check-in for my party of 5, separate rooms, separate bills.
2) I received my key last, found my room, went in...and it was somebody else's room. Thankfully somebody I KNOW, but nonetheless unacceptable. The guy was already in bed. What if it has been a stranger?
3) Went to another colleague's room to call for a new key to be brought up.
4) Went to the lobby after 20 minute wait.
5) Finally got right key, and into to right room.
Anyhow, upon check-out, the morning's clerk offered my 500 bonus points for the "trouble" I experienced the night before. Too weary to push for more, I accepted.
Now the good part - because of the mix-up, the system apparently credited for me two separate stays. 2 500-point amenities, 2 credits towards 2007 Platinum, 2 50% bonuses, and since I'm enrolled in the triple points promotion (7EL), I doubled up on that, too. All in, around 4,500 points for a single night stay.
Granted, I may be risking my windfall by discussing it so openly, though I now consider the reward to be commensurate with the completely unacceptable experience of being given somebody else's room, and then having to schlep back to the lobby once they refused to bring me a new key.
Jamie
1) lengthy midnight check-in for my party of 5, separate rooms, separate bills.
2) I received my key last, found my room, went in...and it was somebody else's room. Thankfully somebody I KNOW, but nonetheless unacceptable. The guy was already in bed. What if it has been a stranger?
3) Went to another colleague's room to call for a new key to be brought up.
4) Went to the lobby after 20 minute wait.
5) Finally got right key, and into to right room.
Anyhow, upon check-out, the morning's clerk offered my 500 bonus points for the "trouble" I experienced the night before. Too weary to push for more, I accepted.
Now the good part - because of the mix-up, the system apparently credited for me two separate stays. 2 500-point amenities, 2 credits towards 2007 Platinum, 2 50% bonuses, and since I'm enrolled in the triple points promotion (7EL), I doubled up on that, too. All in, around 4,500 points for a single night stay.
Granted, I may be risking my windfall by discussing it so openly, though I now consider the reward to be commensurate with the completely unacceptable experience of being given somebody else's room, and then having to schlep back to the lobby once they refused to bring me a new key.
Jamie
Jun 4, 2006, 12:15 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: UA 2MM, DL MM
Posts: 3,167
The Sheraton used to be the Holiday Inn and the first manager they brought in did wonders for customer service. After he left things started to slide, and I also switched to the Westin or the Hilton, depending on the price.