Evading Easter, a Bourbon trip to Cincinnati and the joys of BA J
Apr 5, 2026 | 4:08 am
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Good morning from Cincinnati where it’s now approaching 6 am. I didn’t end up with food last night, I just crashed and burned 
Unfortunately, the weather forecast was correct and the temperature has absolutely plummeted! In fact the forecast from yesterday was overly optimistic. It was showing 11 to 12C and now it’s looking more like 6C
that’s a drop of almost 20 overnight!
As I mentioned before, there is no real plan of the day since the food tour that was going to take up most of today was cancelled. Time to google…. But, before that, milk and cookies
Unfortunately, the weather forecast was correct and the temperature has absolutely plummeted! In fact the forecast from yesterday was overly optimistic. It was showing 11 to 12C and now it’s looking more like 6C
that’s a drop of almost 20 overnight!As I mentioned before, there is no real plan of the day since the food tour that was going to take up most of today was cancelled. Time to google…. But, before that, milk and cookies
Apr 5, 2026 | 4:56 am
#62
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
I’ve hit a very unexpected wrinkle… the hotel does not store luggage! Not only does the hotel not store luggage, there is no left luggage at CVG!
A goodly amount of searching has turned up nothing, the recommended locations and lockers are either full or closed. This was definitely not part of the plan
Where there’s a will there’s a way. IHG Status offered later check out and I’ve negotiated them to 2pm from an original lowball offer of noon
Now to check out day rooms or even hotel rooms near the airport. I’d rather chill in a room for a few hours than end up bag-dragging around the city or camping out in departures.
A goodly amount of searching has turned up nothing, the recommended locations and lockers are either full or closed. This was definitely not part of the plan
Where there’s a will there’s a way. IHG Status offered later check out and I’ve negotiated them to 2pm from an original lowball offer of noon
Now to check out day rooms or even hotel rooms near the airport. I’d rather chill in a room for a few hours than end up bag-dragging around the city or camping out in departures.
Apr 5, 2026 | 8:49 am
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Happily party source was selling alcohol at 10:30 am and I’ve picked up the 10yo Basil Hayden that was high on my want list for this trip. I only saw it for sale in the UK once for nigh on 300 so 70 is a price I’m happy to pay. Also picked up some of the flavoured moonshine minis as I keep seeing these deeply discounted on Amazon but never been willing to pay out for a full bottle blindly.
The rollaboard is now solidly packed so I’ll have to pin my hopes on duty free for the last two bottles. Even if I strike out I’ll be happy
Time to switch hotels, I’ve picked up a day room at the airport Hilton for 50.
The rollaboard is now solidly packed so I’ll have to pin my hopes on duty free for the last two bottles. Even if I strike out I’ll be happy
Time to switch hotels, I’ve picked up a day room at the airport Hilton for 50.
Apr 5, 2026 | 10:40 am
#64
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
The Airport Hilton bears a striking resemblance to the HIE I just vacated. The standout difference was the receptionist who was without doubt the most surly receptionist I can recall! Check in took a while with a decent degree of huffing and puffing but eventually I got my room.
Staying solo? No pool for you
The bar and restaurant opens at 5pm
Bags dropped it is time to head out for food, my stomach is making its opinion felt on this matter, the last thing I ate was those wings about 22 hours ago… breakfast pancakes went straight in the bin after a single bite.
Staying solo? No pool for you
The bar and restaurant opens at 5pm
Bags dropped it is time to head out for food, my stomach is making its opinion felt on this matter, the last thing I ate was those wings about 22 hours ago… breakfast pancakes went straight in the bin after a single bite.
Apr 5, 2026 | 10:53 am
#66
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum (OW Emerald)
Posts: 1,294
Apr 5, 2026 | 10:53 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Starter was servers choice and a surprise selection of the French onion soup which suits me just fine
Edit: A bread and cheese soup with onions. It was really good and vacuumed up in no time
Edit: A bread and cheese soup with onions
. It was really good and vacuumed up in no time
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 5, 2026 at 11:04 am
Apr 5, 2026 | 11:10 am
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Flighty is predicting an hour long departure delay, hopefully being overly pessimistic
My day room expires at 6pm so the current plan is the 6pm hotel shuttle to the airport: I do have my sights set on chilli three way
My day room expires at 6pm so the current plan is the 6pm hotel shuttle to the airport: I do have my sights set on chilli three way
Apr 5, 2026 | 11:22 am
#69
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Main course: Meatloaf. Both crumbly and moist and a clean plate heading back to the kitchen.
And Sundae for desert. I had to leave half the brownie, it was big!
Total bill under fifty dollars including a couple of Ultra draft beers.
Now let’s migrate to the bar to see how good their old fashioned are
And Sundae for desert. I had to leave half the brownie, it was big!
Total bill under fifty dollars including a couple of Ultra draft beers.
Now let’s migrate to the bar to see how good their old fashioned are
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 5, 2026 at 11:41 am
Apr 5, 2026 | 11:58 am
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Definitely spoilt for choice in the bar, draft beers of every type
And obviously lots of bourbon, this was just a sample
I decided to try the whistle pig which I’ve seen often but never tried, and the old fashioned burnout which was pretty decent
This guy has definitely snagged the best parking spot
I think he is due an engine tune up though.
And obviously lots of bourbon, this was just a sample
I decided to try the whistle pig which I’ve seen often but never tried, and the old fashioned burnout which was pretty decent
This guy has definitely snagged the best parking spot
I think he is due an engine tune up though.
Apr 5, 2026 | 12:24 pm
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Nearly time to hit the road but a standard old fashioned and a very odd lemon beer to see me on my way. After this it will be back to the hotel to chill until 5pm and then shower etc ready for the 6pm shuttle to the airport
Apr 5, 2026 | 1:37 pm
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Finally back to the hotel at 15:30 which is a half hour later than planned and in no way influenced by the gorgeous and gregarious bartender that had just come on shift 
BA have just confirmed what flighty had been saying-
That doesn’t change my plans, still targeting the 6pm shuttle. Right now it is time for 90 minutes of chill, lets see what HBO has to offer.
BA have just confirmed what flighty had been saying-
That doesn’t change my plans, still targeting the 6pm shuttle. Right now it is time for 90 minutes of chill, lets see what HBO has to offer.
Apr 5, 2026 | 4:54 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
And so to the airport. No delays anywhere and It’s now 45 minutes after I left the hotel and I am at the B gates. A little photo montage
And time for chilli
That was actually worse than it looked! It bore no resemblance to any chilli I have ever had, best described as bland mushy meat like substance in brown sauce. Sorry Cincinnati, that’s just foul.
And time for chilli
That was actually worse than it looked! It bore no resemblance to any chilli I have ever had, best described as bland mushy meat like substance in brown sauce. Sorry Cincinnati, that’s just foul.