Where is a good place to stay in Philadelphia?
Q. Want to go to Philadelphia and spend the weekend. Want to avoid expensive "convenient" hotels.Also want to stay in safe neighborhoods. Like visiting NYC and staying in Kew Gardens Queens or some other nice quiet outter borough location. Will be visiting museums and looking for live music and comedy clubs in the day. Recommendations on everything would be great.
A. Best Historic Hotel: Well, it's only the "lite" version of what it used to be, when Thomas Edison designed the fixtures and the ballroom defined swank. But the top floor of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets, or 1415 Chancellor Court, between Walnut and Locust streets (tel. 800/223-1234), with its Library Lounge bar and pastel-painted, domed Barrymore tea room, carries traces of a century's worth of history.
Best for Business Travelers: Hotel Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St. (tel. 800/SOFITEL), is one of the upscale chain with a French accent. Philly Sofitel's location is incredibly convenient, and the rooms are large and elegant, with easy access to plugs and modem jacks at a handsome desk. You'll find personal voice mail, also. The service staff is efficient and courteous.
Best for a Romantic Getaway: The Penn's View Hotel, Front and Market streets (tel. 800/331-7634), feels like an exquisite club, with views over the Delaware River. And how could you not like what the New York Times hails as "the mother of all wine bars" downstairs?
est Hotel Lobby for Pretending You're Rich: There's no place like the cool, plush Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 800/332-3442), for rubbing elbows with the moneyed elite (it's also a great place to stay if you are the moneyed elite). The Swann Lounge overlooking Logan Circle is a constant stream of chic outfits, custom suits, and the frequent black tie.
Best for Families: The Hilton Inn at Penn, in West Philadelphia at 3600 Sansom St. (tel. 800/445-8667), is a cross-town ride from the historical sights, but offers the whole family space to roam among spacious corridors, ever-present fruit to munch on and tea to sip in a comfortable library lounge, plus TV for children to watch while parents exercise. Also, the campus of U. Penn across the street is perfect for throwing a Frisbee or playing tag. Slightly tattered but more moderately priced is the Embassy Suites Center City, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. at Logan Square (tel. 800/362-2779), with cute little open-air balconies (yes, the railings are sturdy), and an opulent buffet breakfast at the TGI Friday's at street level. It's 5 minutes to the premier children's museums and Logan Circle. And all the rooms are suites, so parents can have their privacy.
Best Moderately Priced Hotel: The Hotel Windsor, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall (tel. 877/784-8379), is the best choice in its price range. A one-room suite with two double beds and full kitchen goes for $139. A generous continental breakfast is included in the rate.
Best B&B: Many, many more B&Bs are listed through A Bed & Breakfast Connection/Bed & Breakfast of Philadelphia than are listed independently. A favorite among the latter is Shippen Way Inn, 418 Bainbridge St. (tel. 800/245-4873 or 215/627-7266), which has nine rooms in two Queen Village row houses built around 1750 and lovingly maintained. You might also try Ten Eleven Clinton, 1011 Clinton St. (tel. 215/923-8144), an elegant 1836 Federal town house on a quiet tree-lined street. See the "Historic Bed & Breakfasts" box on for more on both.
Best Service: The training process for every employee of the Ritz-Carlton hotels is legendary, and the staff at the hotel at 10 Avenue of the Arts (tel. 800/241-3333) is no exception. Guests pay top prices (though weekend packages are actually quite affordable) to be pampered. It's a fantasyland of amenities; service attendants earn points for thinking of extras like both foam and down pillows in the closets and bookmarks in the TV Guides.
Best Hotel for Historic District Hopping: If you're here to see Independence Park, why not wake up looking at it through the floral chintz curtains at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 4th and Chestnut streets (tel. 800/843-6664)? All 150 guest rooms have views of the Greek Revival Second Bank of the U.S. and a half-dozen of America's Georgian jewels. And the clip-clopping of horses and carriages below maintains the sense of history.
Best for Business Travelers: Hotel Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St. (tel. 800/SOFITEL), is one of the upscale chain with a French accent. Philly Sofitel's location is incredibly convenient, and the rooms are large and elegant, with easy access to plugs and modem jacks at a handsome desk. You'll find personal voice mail, also. The service staff is efficient and courteous.
Best for a Romantic Getaway: The Penn's View Hotel, Front and Market streets (tel. 800/331-7634), feels like an exquisite club, with views over the Delaware River. And how could you not like what the New York Times hails as "the mother of all wine bars" downstairs?
est Hotel Lobby for Pretending You're Rich: There's no place like the cool, plush Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 800/332-3442), for rubbing elbows with the moneyed elite (it's also a great place to stay if you are the moneyed elite). The Swann Lounge overlooking Logan Circle is a constant stream of chic outfits, custom suits, and the frequent black tie.
Best for Families: The Hilton Inn at Penn, in West Philadelphia at 3600 Sansom St. (tel. 800/445-8667), is a cross-town ride from the historical sights, but offers the whole family space to roam among spacious corridors, ever-present fruit to munch on and tea to sip in a comfortable library lounge, plus TV for children to watch while parents exercise. Also, the campus of U. Penn across the street is perfect for throwing a Frisbee or playing tag. Slightly tattered but more moderately priced is the Embassy Suites Center City, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. at Logan Square (tel. 800/362-2779), with cute little open-air balconies (yes, the railings are sturdy), and an opulent buffet breakfast at the TGI Friday's at street level. It's 5 minutes to the premier children's museums and Logan Circle. And all the rooms are suites, so parents can have their privacy.
Best Moderately Priced Hotel: The Hotel Windsor, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall (tel. 877/784-8379), is the best choice in its price range. A one-room suite with two double beds and full kitchen goes for $139. A generous continental breakfast is included in the rate.
Best B&B: Many, many more B&Bs are listed through A Bed & Breakfast Connection/Bed & Breakfast of Philadelphia than are listed independently. A favorite among the latter is Shippen Way Inn, 418 Bainbridge St. (tel. 800/245-4873 or 215/627-7266), which has nine rooms in two Queen Village row houses built around 1750 and lovingly maintained. You might also try Ten Eleven Clinton, 1011 Clinton St. (tel. 215/923-8144), an elegant 1836 Federal town house on a quiet tree-lined street. See the "Historic Bed & Breakfasts" box on for more on both.
Best Service: The training process for every employee of the Ritz-Carlton hotels is legendary, and the staff at the hotel at 10 Avenue of the Arts (tel. 800/241-3333) is no exception. Guests pay top prices (though weekend packages are actually quite affordable) to be pampered. It's a fantasyland of amenities; service attendants earn points for thinking of extras like both foam and down pillows in the closets and bookmarks in the TV Guides.
Best Hotel for Historic District Hopping: If you're here to see Independence Park, why not wake up looking at it through the floral chintz curtains at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 4th and Chestnut streets (tel. 800/843-6664)? All 150 guest rooms have views of the Greek Revival Second Bank of the U.S. and a half-dozen of America's Georgian jewels. And the clip-clopping of horses and carriages below maintains the sense of history.
What are some good restaurants in Nashville, TN?
Q. We are staying at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and need some relatively close and decent restaurant options while we are in town. We are from Texas, so no mexican food. Any southern foods or bbq joints would be appreciated. Thanks!
A. OK!!!
First, for breakfast, there is a Waffle House nearby. I know this sounds like a lame start to a list of restaurants, but boy, for good breakfast cheap, can't beat it.
Opryland hotel itself has some good restaurants. There are a lot of chain places nearby. Frankly, I'm just going to skip all those cause the real Nashville treasures are downtown. I just recommend going into town for most if not all your meals.
The essential Nashville breakfast: Pancake Pantry. expect to have to wait for a table, so go before you're ravenous, but do go! it's worth the wait in it's great food and fabulous Nashville-ness. This is one of the places you may see familiar faces (musicians,etc). (1796 21st Ave S, Nashville)
Elliston Place Soda Shop for lunch... a Meat-n-Three place. So good and so local. you may think this is a hole in the wall at first, but it is another really great favorite of the locals
Noshville - another good lunch with a different twist... good deli style food, Matzo ball soup is a GIANT hit, you can get carryout too (parking isn't always easy) and take it over to nearby Centennial Park... feed the ducks, check out the old steam engine train, tour the parthenon, etc.
Loveless Cafe - farther west - Bellevue to be exact. No matter what else you get, biscuits are essential. You might want to call ahead for reservations. This place is a HUGE hit with locals and celebs alike. One of the most photographed restaurants in Nashville at least! Very good. (8400 Highway 100)
This is a good city to eat at Hard Rock, being Music City USA...
Whitt's or Corky's for BBQ...
HRH Dumplins for incredible bread, chicken and dumplings, apple dumplings and a dessert counter that will make your pants split just looking at it.
You know, I think that the lunch places in Nashville really are the best. There are, of course, great dinner places, but go to Frommers or something to find out about those, cause they're pretty straightforward and frequently chains... Mortons, Melting Pot, etc.
First, for breakfast, there is a Waffle House nearby. I know this sounds like a lame start to a list of restaurants, but boy, for good breakfast cheap, can't beat it.
Opryland hotel itself has some good restaurants. There are a lot of chain places nearby. Frankly, I'm just going to skip all those cause the real Nashville treasures are downtown. I just recommend going into town for most if not all your meals.
The essential Nashville breakfast: Pancake Pantry. expect to have to wait for a table, so go before you're ravenous, but do go! it's worth the wait in it's great food and fabulous Nashville-ness. This is one of the places you may see familiar faces (musicians,etc). (1796 21st Ave S, Nashville)
Elliston Place Soda Shop for lunch... a Meat-n-Three place. So good and so local. you may think this is a hole in the wall at first, but it is another really great favorite of the locals
Noshville - another good lunch with a different twist... good deli style food, Matzo ball soup is a GIANT hit, you can get carryout too (parking isn't always easy) and take it over to nearby Centennial Park... feed the ducks, check out the old steam engine train, tour the parthenon, etc.
Loveless Cafe - farther west - Bellevue to be exact. No matter what else you get, biscuits are essential. You might want to call ahead for reservations. This place is a HUGE hit with locals and celebs alike. One of the most photographed restaurants in Nashville at least! Very good. (8400 Highway 100)
This is a good city to eat at Hard Rock, being Music City USA...
Whitt's or Corky's for BBQ...
HRH Dumplins for incredible bread, chicken and dumplings, apple dumplings and a dessert counter that will make your pants split just looking at it.
You know, I think that the lunch places in Nashville really are the best. There are, of course, great dinner places, but go to Frommers or something to find out about those, cause they're pretty straightforward and frequently chains... Mortons, Melting Pot, etc.
I am going to Seattle and I'm looking for recomendations on what part of downtown to stay in?
Q. We are going for a couple of days just to have fun! We will have a car and plan on hiking & things of that nature during the day, but at night we would like to be within walking distance to fun spots. I'm searching online and I am finding different areas within downtown (Pike Place, Space Needle, Bellevue Area...) any recommendations on area/places to stay? Any must do's you can recommend to a first time Seattle fun seeker?
A. There are numerous things to do in Seattle! The newest and most luxurious hotel in Seattle is the Four Seasons. I would highly recommend it. It is located right on Puget Sound, only a couple blocks away from Pike Place Market. Pike Place Market is a must.(Don't forget to get a homemade donuts when you are there! They are amazing) If you are looking to be on 5th Avenue or near shopping district there are other hotels such as The Fairmont Olympic(previously the Four Seasons), The Hyatt and the Westin. All are nice hotels.
Some things you should do while in Seattle:
1. Visit the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center: If you catch Seattle on a nice day make sure you don't miss the Space Needle. You can get a great view of the city, mountains and the sound. The Science Center is pretty entertaining as well. You can catch an IMAX Film while you are there as well.
2. Argosy Cruise: You won't want to miss a chance to be on the ocean and maybe even see some whales if you are lucky.
3. Pike Place Market: Don't miss out on the local market. There are many different varieties of food to choose from. Also you can pick up some souvenirs.
4. The Metropolitan Grill: One of the top ten steakhouses in the country(if you are willing to pay don't miss out on this one). Try the Banana's Foster or Carrot Cake. They are amazing. Also the Spinach Salad is probably the best salad I have ever had in my life.
5. Gelatiamo: The local Gelato shop. Tastes like you are in Italy or even better. Don't miss out on this special shop.
6. Paramount Theatre: Check out and see what plays are showing
Some things you should do while in Seattle:
1. Visit the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center: If you catch Seattle on a nice day make sure you don't miss the Space Needle. You can get a great view of the city, mountains and the sound. The Science Center is pretty entertaining as well. You can catch an IMAX Film while you are there as well.
2. Argosy Cruise: You won't want to miss a chance to be on the ocean and maybe even see some whales if you are lucky.
3. Pike Place Market: Don't miss out on the local market. There are many different varieties of food to choose from. Also you can pick up some souvenirs.
4. The Metropolitan Grill: One of the top ten steakhouses in the country(if you are willing to pay don't miss out on this one). Try the Banana's Foster or Carrot Cake. They are amazing. Also the Spinach Salad is probably the best salad I have ever had in my life.
5. Gelatiamo: The local Gelato shop. Tastes like you are in Italy or even better. Don't miss out on this special shop.
6. Paramount Theatre: Check out and see what plays are showing
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