ATL-PHX, 1/2 of vacation
Aug 16, 1999 | 7:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 2,686
ATL-PHX, 1/2 of vacation
Finally got out of Dodge for a short break to Phoenix. Hadn't been in about 5 years, so wanted to go back and do some baking.
Catalyst for trip was a Winback coupon I got mailed from Midwest Express airlines--$150 RT anywhere. From ATL, they connect through MKE, so the obviously interesting places were PHX, LAX and SFO. LAX and SFO didn't have flights on the dates I wanted (it was to be booked in their free ticket class), but PHX with 2 flts/day, did...so PHX here I come.
Car w/Avis for $28/day, for 3 days (love those buy 2, get 1 free coupons-keep them coming
). Also splurged on the Phoenician ($159/night)
Midwest Express is, bar none, the best airline experience in the United States today, IMHO. For those of you who don't know ME, they are based in MKE and fly various types of DC 9s with 4 seats across (not 5). That's right, all first class! The nicest thing is that with 80 people on a DC9-30, 60 on a DC9-10, and 110 on an MD-80, even if they are full, the airport and onboard facilities aren't overtaxed (people, seats, etc). Even domestic first class has become so frantic these days (will I get my upgrade, will all the carryon fit, etc etc etc) that it was a real breath of fresh air.
Anyway, 3rd in line at the airport, got right through checkin (agent had to hand write a luggage tag b/c PHX is not a common place for them to send people)and to the gate (unfortunately D concourse at ATL).
DC9-30 about 3/4 full, noontime flight ATLMKE has a cold lunch (good ham/cheese on foccacia, orzo pasta salad, unlimited wine), then hot choc chip cookies. Plentiful smiles, pleasantries, etc. Excellent flight, 10 mins early.
Left time to leave the concourse at MKE where there is a super used book store (well worth a visit) where for $1 I found the 1965 Intourist (Russia) tourist map (with airline routes highlighted). What fun.
Next leg to PHX was on a 40% full MD80 to PHX. Again, pleasant, informal, lunch is a cold chicken breast plate with mixed green salad, again unlimited wine and choc chip cookies. Sat next to an unaccompanied minor--kids plate was a cheese sandwich on white bread with chips, grapes and pudding. A few mins early getting in but pulled right up to gate (shared with America TransAir).
Luggage off promptly, my Olds Alero awaited.
Stayed 1st night at a LaQuinta nearby (no sense wasting $$$ the first day). Took neat excursion to Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home) where there was a Friday evening tour. I had been there several x before but never on the evening tour. Recommend it highly!!!!
The Phoenician is really over the top---it was Charles Keating's folly in the late '80s (he was a savings and loan crook). Huge complex, can't see from the road, backs right up to Camelback Mountain. Got my $159 no-view room which is spectacular--marble clad bathroom as big as a living room, the 2 queen beds are lost in it!
Food was great--quite ornate but very well done. Pools are amazing--waterfalls, slides, etc in the middle of the bright bright sun.
Dinner on Sat. was a highlight--in Scottsdale at the Bistrot 6th Avenue--right off of Scottsdale Road in downtown SD--excellent pork tenderloin in port reduction sauce. Yum!!!
Had a neat tour this AM of their cactus garden led by their horticulturist. Learned more about Cactus than I ever wanted to know.
Checked out this AM (extra charges were steep---$16 for one day at the health club, $15/day parking), but you expect these.
For my last nite, found a $75 "studio" at the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak, incl. drinks and b'fast. They are much more kid-oriented at the pool etc. A very nice place, though I was concerned at the peeling paint on the outside doors.
All for now-=-having fun so far.
jl
Catalyst for trip was a Winback coupon I got mailed from Midwest Express airlines--$150 RT anywhere. From ATL, they connect through MKE, so the obviously interesting places were PHX, LAX and SFO. LAX and SFO didn't have flights on the dates I wanted (it was to be booked in their free ticket class), but PHX with 2 flts/day, did...so PHX here I come.
Car w/Avis for $28/day, for 3 days (love those buy 2, get 1 free coupons-keep them coming
). Also splurged on the Phoenician ($159/night)Midwest Express is, bar none, the best airline experience in the United States today, IMHO. For those of you who don't know ME, they are based in MKE and fly various types of DC 9s with 4 seats across (not 5). That's right, all first class! The nicest thing is that with 80 people on a DC9-30, 60 on a DC9-10, and 110 on an MD-80, even if they are full, the airport and onboard facilities aren't overtaxed (people, seats, etc). Even domestic first class has become so frantic these days (will I get my upgrade, will all the carryon fit, etc etc etc) that it was a real breath of fresh air.
Anyway, 3rd in line at the airport, got right through checkin (agent had to hand write a luggage tag b/c PHX is not a common place for them to send people)and to the gate (unfortunately D concourse at ATL).
DC9-30 about 3/4 full, noontime flight ATLMKE has a cold lunch (good ham/cheese on foccacia, orzo pasta salad, unlimited wine), then hot choc chip cookies. Plentiful smiles, pleasantries, etc. Excellent flight, 10 mins early.
Left time to leave the concourse at MKE where there is a super used book store (well worth a visit) where for $1 I found the 1965 Intourist (Russia) tourist map (with airline routes highlighted). What fun.
Next leg to PHX was on a 40% full MD80 to PHX. Again, pleasant, informal, lunch is a cold chicken breast plate with mixed green salad, again unlimited wine and choc chip cookies. Sat next to an unaccompanied minor--kids plate was a cheese sandwich on white bread with chips, grapes and pudding. A few mins early getting in but pulled right up to gate (shared with America TransAir).
Luggage off promptly, my Olds Alero awaited.
Stayed 1st night at a LaQuinta nearby (no sense wasting $$$ the first day). Took neat excursion to Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home) where there was a Friday evening tour. I had been there several x before but never on the evening tour. Recommend it highly!!!!
The Phoenician is really over the top---it was Charles Keating's folly in the late '80s (he was a savings and loan crook). Huge complex, can't see from the road, backs right up to Camelback Mountain. Got my $159 no-view room which is spectacular--marble clad bathroom as big as a living room, the 2 queen beds are lost in it!
Food was great--quite ornate but very well done. Pools are amazing--waterfalls, slides, etc in the middle of the bright bright sun.
Dinner on Sat. was a highlight--in Scottsdale at the Bistrot 6th Avenue--right off of Scottsdale Road in downtown SD--excellent pork tenderloin in port reduction sauce. Yum!!!
Had a neat tour this AM of their cactus garden led by their horticulturist. Learned more about Cactus than I ever wanted to know.
Checked out this AM (extra charges were steep---$16 for one day at the health club, $15/day parking), but you expect these.
For my last nite, found a $75 "studio" at the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak, incl. drinks and b'fast. They are much more kid-oriented at the pool etc. A very nice place, though I was concerned at the peeling paint on the outside doors.
All for now-=-having fun so far.
jl
Aug 16, 1999 | 7:26 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: America Central
Programs: CO Gold, AA Gold, HH Diamond, IC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 936
Oh I wish we'd known Jamiel! The Phoenician is 2 miles from our home... Plus, PremEx was in town over the weekend -- we could have had a mini-mini FT meet!
Darn...
Glad you enjoyed what we call the Surface of the Sun (at least in the summer)...
Darn...
Glad you enjoyed what we call the Surface of the Sun (at least in the summer)...
Aug 17, 1999 | 10:44 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Glad to hear you took such good advantage of the summer prices during the "monsoons"! I'm just a little envious. The Phoenician and Boulders are both absolutely wonderful. I think the Boulders started staying open for the summer about five years ago now. Maybe next year!