For our most recent trip to the Big Island, we stayed in Hilo. That means we had only three hotels to choose from, and only one of them is associated with a large chain. As such, I decided to give the Grand Naniloa Hotel a try. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning, which means I now have only one other option in the area. … [Read more...] about Review: Grand Naniloa Hotel – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
hotel review
Review: Hyatt House San Jose Airport
For our final night in the Bay Area, I wanted to book a hotel close to our airport, especially since we weren't flying in and out of San Francisco. After much research, I settled on the Hyatt House San Jose Airport. … [Read more...] about Review: Hyatt House San Jose Airport
Review: Hyatt Regency San Francisco
After our too-brief stay at the Alila Napa Valley, it was time for us to head into the city. I long vacillated over what hotel to stay at and eventually settled on the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on Embarcadero. … [Read more...] about Review: Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Review: Alila Napa Valley
As you'll recall from my intro post, the whole reason I booked our Living it Up in California adventure is because I was able to secure award nights at the Alila Napa Valley. That stay was in the middle of our trip and is where we headed after checking out of the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. … [Read more...] about Review: Alila Napa Valley
Review: Hyatt Carmel Highlands
After checking out from our positioning hotel - Hotel Citrine -, we started the one-hour half-plus drive to our next hotel, the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur. After reading several of Matthew Klint's reviews over the years, I was excited to finally check this place out. … [Read more...] about Review: Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Review: Hotel Citrine, Tribute Collection
Given our late arrival into San Jose, there was no way I was going to drive out to Carmel that night. So, for our first night in California, I chose Hotel Citrine, a Marriott Tribute Collection property in Palo Alto. This was my second Tribute Collection stay and my first dual-brand property. … [Read more...] about Review: Hotel Citrine, Tribute Collection
Review: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
It's official! I've finally stayed at all of the Marriott properties in Waikiki with my recent stay at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. To be honest, I could've stayed here long ago, but I just couldn't get myself to do so. Recently, though, I decided to finally pull the trigger. … [Read more...] about Review: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Review
The second hotel of our Labor Day Weekend PNW Adventure was in Portland, Oregon. Specifically, I booked a night at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront to try something new. Plus, it was one of the cheaper options with a central location that weekend. … [Read more...] about Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Review
My Disappointing Hilton Waikoloa Stay
The Hilton Waikoloa is probably one of Hawaii's most iconic resorts. However, a lot has changed over the years with the hotel and its guests, all of which contributed to what ended up being my disappointing Hilton Waikoloa stay. … [Read more...] about My Disappointing Hilton Waikoloa Stay
The Surfjack Hotel Waikiki is Stymied by Inconveniences
The Surfjack Hotel was the second mid-century modern hotel to open in Waikiki, following The Laylow. Given how much we enjoyed The Laylow and the cool aesthetic of the Surfjack, I've long wanted to give them a try. Too bad many inconveniences hold back the hotel. … [Read more...] about The Surfjack Hotel Waikiki is Stymied by Inconveniences