I'm working on arranging a trip that is still a month away and already is annoying me on several levels. Here are the things I'm having trouble with, and I welcome any suggestions:

1. I want to use an AmEx certificate for a free companion airfare to take Roy Boy with me on a trip from Chicago to Colorado (I have to go to Colorado Springs in August for a conference). Problem: the coupon has to be used for flights on one of the six major carriers, for fares that would otherwise cost at least $379 per person, and the economy fares I'm finding to Denver or to Colorado Springs cost $371 and less. Do I move up to business class at about $1000, which at 2-for-1 is a good deal, but a lot more than 2-for-1 at $379 ... or do I wait a week or two until the economy fares go up above $379?

2. The conference is going to be at the Sheraton Colorado Springs. I am already deeply peeved that the conference organizers passed up such options as Orlando, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Seattle, and Mexico City to put this conference in Colorado Springs, and what's worse, at the Sheraton Colorado Springs. A few searches of FlyerTalk and tripadvisor.com have only deepened my dismay at having to spend four days at this hotel. But I see no good alternatives nearby, so I guess I'll have to bite the bullet on that one.

3. At least we have the option to fly in to Denver and spend part of the weekend there before driving down to Colorado Springs. I have a great plan for Saturday -- driving through Rocky Mountain Natl Park -- Roy Boy has never been to Colorado and always wanted to see it, so I think that'll be great for him. Problem: where to stay in downtown Denver. All the higher-rated places (Brown Palace, Oxford, Westin, even Hotel Monaco) have no rooms available for the Friday night we'll be there. Since it's his first time there and maybe the only time for a long time to come, I had hopes of staying at one of the well-known places unique to Denver, but, my hopes are now dashed. Now I'm trying to decide between a Residence Inn and an Embassy Suites. What I'd REALLY like to find, in or around Denver, is something like one of those historic lodges with the huge vaulted ceilings and huge stone fireplaces and moose heads on the walls and a view of the mountains. Not another, sigh, Hampton Inn like every other Hampton Inn.

p.s. to #3, I considered the option of staying somewhere around Estes Park, and was thrilled when I discovered the
Taharaa Lodge website -- until I saw that they have a two-night minimum stay, maybe three nights in the summer, and we'd only be there one night. So I went back to thinking we'd better stay in downtown Denver. Anyone have a more creative solution?

4. Here is one little aspect that I feel good about: the conference only goes til 1:30 one day, so I'm thinking about us driving back up to Denver to spend the afternoon and evening, to take a tour of the U.S. mint, and then if it's hot, go to the water park at Six Flags (we have season passes). Then I suppose we could catch an early dinner in downtown Denver before driving back down to Colorado Springs. Is there anything to do on a free afternoon in Colorado Springs that beats that plan?

Argggghhh... Colorado. Is it just me, or is there really less there than one would expect from such a heavily plugged tourist destination, for someone who's less interested in hiking and hosteling, and more interested in a good bed in front of a fireplace, in a lodge or other comfortable and memorable hotel?

On #1, I'd suggest contacting a travel agent. The $371 fares are likely the lowest available restricted tickets, but I'm sure there are higher fare classes available that the online sites are just too smart to display.

A few years ago I had some jewelry stolen from this hotel. I don't know if this still happens, but the management at the time told me it was fairly common that the housekeeping staff did this since they were not Sheraton employees, but were contracted out.

I used to stay at a hotel called the Holtz in downtown Denver that I liked very much. It was an old converted building with rooms of odd sizes, high ceilings. No fireplaces. I just googled it and found that it has changed names:

Magnolia Hotel---formerly Holtz Hotel
818 17th Street
Small reasonable priced rooms with good reputation
4 blocks to Colorado Convention Center
303-607-9000
www.themagnoliahotel.com


Beware that this information is a few years old and things can and do change!

I've only done the tourist thing in this area once, so I'm not an expert, but from my limited experience & what I heard before I went, the US Mint tour seemed impossible unless you were there to line up *very* early in the day, which we were not & were completely discouraged by the extremely long lines. In COS I enjoyed Garden of the Gods (red rock formations - not a huge area, but interesting) and Pikes Peak offers a great view -- we were through there pretty quickly, but I think you could spend the afternoon & evening in COS quite pleasantly.
I'm sure others with greater familiarity can offer further advice.

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I'll talk to a travel agent about the fares.

Still displeased at the prospect of staying at the Sheraton in Colorado Springs, now more than before! When I stay in a hotel where I don't feel confident about leaving things in my room, I lock my computer bag and everything else in my suitcase when I leave for the day. Sounds like I'd better do that there.

Sounds like the US mint tour might not work out as I'd hoped. Ah well, if we do go up to Denver that afternoon, we could spend it all at Six Flags. Roy Boy would probably welcome a chance to ride the roller coasters without having the three little kiddies to worry about for a change.