Dallas DFW Airport Area - Hilton Garden Inn Irving, TX

This hotel is very convenient to the DFW airport rental car return center.  The rental car return center is a little over a mile away and it is very easy to get to from this hotel. My main focus in choosing this hotel was to be close to the airport and not have to fight rush hour traffic to catch my morning flight.

The Hilton Garden is very nice.  It is on a busy road but it is located back off of the road so I did not hear any traffic noise in my room.  I was able to park very near the door and I always like it when I don't have to drag my bags across a big parking lot.  The check in process was very fast and easy and I was given two cold bottles of water at check in.  My room was clean and comfortable.  The hotel is either new or well kept.  I liked the adjustable bed and I turned my bed all the way to soft and I put the air conditioner on a very low temperature and I had a good night's sleep.

My room included a free breakfast buffet since I am a Hilton Honors Diamond member.  The breakfast buffet was very nice.  The chef was making omelets and egg dishes and there was bacon, sausage and French toast on the hot bar.  There was also a nice selection of cereals, breads, fruit, juices, coffee, tea, etc.  The waitress kept the coffee refilled and she was very pleasant.

I enjoyed my quick stay in this hotel and I will happily stay in this hotel again & again when I need to be near the airport.

Hilton Garden Inn DFW Airport South 2001 Valley View Lane, Irving, Texas, USA 75061 Tel:  1-972-313-2800   Fax:  1-972-313-2885

Dallas - Embassy Suites Dallas - Park Central Area

I just want to preface this post by saying that I don't like parking garages.  I especially dislike underground parking garages so I avoid parking garages if at all possible.  When I read the reviews on this hotel and the reviews said something about a nice sized parking garage.  I knew I was going to have to park in a parking garage.  I looked around for another hotel in the area but there wasn't anything available in this same class of service that was located in the area where I would be working.  It seemed that most of the Hilton properties were full.  

When I got to the hotel and I got myself parked in the parking garage it was no big deal.  I parked near the entrance to the parking garage since I had no idea where the elevators to the hotel were located.  Some cars came into the garage and I watched where the people went so I would know where to find the elevators.  Even though I had parked all the way over by the entrance to the parking garage it was not a long walk to the elevators.   There were four elevators and no sign to say which elevator to take to check in to the hotel.  I picked elevator number one along with another guest that was also checking into the hotel.  Once I arrived on the 1st floor I still wasn't sure where to go.  I did manage to go in the right direction and find the check in desk but I did find the total lack of signs in the parking garage and also when I got off of the elevator to be a little disconcerting.  I did hear other guests commenting on the lack of signs in the hotel and elevators.  This is the only negative thing I have to say about this hotel.  Of course once you are checked into the hotel and you have found your way around the lack of signs is no longer an issue.

The check in process was fast and easy.  The desk clerk was friendly and smiling.  She gave me directions to my room, the times of the free breakfast and I was off to my suite.  My room was on the 9th floor and I like to be on the top floor and away from children and families.  I have stayed in several Embassy Suites that seem to be overcome with children, families and traveling sports groups. I did not see any children at all.  It is not that I dislike children I have just found in my travels that traveling groups of children tend to be loud and rowdy and they can take over the breakfast area and generally make my business trip less than pleasant.  

The hotel is very attractive and well kept.  My suite seemed smaller than some other Embassy Suites where I have stayed.  It was still very roomy and nicer than a plain old hotel room.  I was greeted with a snack basket that had M&M's candies and snack bars and two bottles of water.  My suite had a sitting area with a wet bar with a refrigerator and a microwave.  The bedroom and living area is separate in Embassy Suites and I enjoy this very much.  My bathroom was small with a shower - no tub - but it was very clean and nice.  My king sized bed was comfortable and even though I had asked for extra pillows I only had four.  I think four pillows is the normal number of pillows for a king room.  I did have the extra towels that I had requested with my reservation.  The room also had a real closet which I prefer to a wardrobe because sometimes the wardrobes are not very tall and my longer pants and skirts are dragging on the bottom of the wardrobe and getting wrinkled.  My room was very quiet and I slept very well.

The breakfast bar was not overcrowded in the mornings.  The chef prepares omelets along with other egg dishes, French toast, etc. to order.  The omelet fillings are set up so that you fill a little bowl with whatever you desire and then you hand the bowl to the chef and let him know if you would like any cheese.  I loved this set up because I like a pile of spinach and only a little sprinkle of the other fillings.  My omelets were perfect both days!  There were many different bread offerings, several types of fruit and coffees, teas, cereal, juices, etc.  It is a very nice breakfast and the breakfast area was kept clean and items were being refilled quickly.

This Embassy Suites is located off of the service road that runs along the south side of 75.  I needed to go north on 75 to work and this was no problem at all.  Just to the south of the hotel is a turn around to get you on the north bound service road and then to 75 north.  I truly enjoyed my stay at this hotel and I would recommend this hotel to anyone including business travelers, families, or couples looking for a quiet place to get away for a weekend with a good breakfast!

Embassy Suites Dallas - Park Central Area

13131 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas, United States 75243
Tel: 1-972-234-3300    Fax:  1-972-437-4247

Wichita, KS - Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast

It has been a couple of months since I stayed in Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast but it was so nice that once I realized that I had forgotten to post about it on my blog I decided to post about it today.  I have actually stayed in Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast two separate times. I was working in the downtown area of Wichita and there just aren't any decent hotels in this downtown area.  I decided to look online for a bed and breakfast since I had seen several historic type homes downtown I was hoping there was a bed and breakfast in the area so I wouldn't have to drive from a hotel several miles away from my place of work.  I came across the website for Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast and I called and talked to the owner and he seemed very friendly and nice and he said they had available rooms so I made a reservation.

The house is beautiful.  It is located inside a beautiful wrought iron fence and the home has a deep porch with chairs for sitting when the weather is nice.  The second time I stayed the weather was nice and after work each day I would sit out on the porch with other guests and enjoy freshly made cookies and a cold drink.   There is plenty of parking behind the house inside the wrought iron fence.  Once you enter the home there is a beautiful wooden staircase that leads to the second floor and the guest rooms.  Both times that I stayed in Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast I stayed in the Serenity Rose room.  It is a large and roomy guest room with vintage fixtures in the private bath.  There is a little room at the front of the second floor that has a fridge with cold water and soft drinks, popcorn & a microwave, and books & games for the guests. 

The owners wife makes a wonderful country style breakfast that is served in the dining room.  The owners are very friendly and made me feel like a visiting friend.  The Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast was literally around the corner from where I was working so the location couldn't have been better for me!  I would happily stay here again and I would recommend this bed and breakfast to anyone whether you are working during the week or looking for  a quiet relaxing weekend to be pampered.  

Vermilion Rose Bed & Breakfast

1204 North Topeka Avenue

Wichita, Kansas 67214

316-267-7636

http://www.vermilionrosebb.com/index.html

Mt. Dora, Florida - Five Guys Burgers & Fries

We visited Five Guys Burgers & Fries in Mt Dora yesterday evening.  This is a new Five Guys and we were thrilled when we heard that a Five Guys was coming to our area.  The burgers were freshly prepared with whatever toppings we chose, the boardwalk style  french fries were hot and delicious and we got a huge serving of fries.  Between the two of us we couldn't eat but half of the huge order of fries and we ordered the regular size order so a large order must be for four people!

My hubby ordered a traditional cheese burger but I got grilled mushrooms and onions on my hamburger.  The  grilled mushrooms and onions along with a lack of cheese made my burger have a swiss steak kind of taste.  It was wonderful.  

The restaurant was clean and neat and an employee was actively cleaning the dining room while we were there. The service was fast and friendly and we will gladly go to this Five Guys again when a burger craving hits us!

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Loch Leven Landing

19009 US Highway 441
Mount Dora, FL 32757

Tel: 352-735-3500

Mt. Dora, Florida - PizzAmore'

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• On  Sunday evenings there are only a limited number of local restaurants that are open in the area.  My husband and I decided to try PizzAmore.  He ordered the lasagna and I had a small calzone.  We also had a small order of 'garlic knots.'  The garlic knots were wonderful.  They arrived sitting in olive oil and covered in fresh garlic.  No vampires will be after me tonight since I love fresh garlic.  We each had food to bring home since the lasagna was a big piece and a small calzone would feed 2 - 3 people.  Next time I want to try the pizza! 
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• The restaurant and bathrooms were clean.  The server was friendly and helpful.  I looked at some other reviews for the restaurant and I found quotes like "The ingredients are fresh, the service is friendly and the atmosphere is cute, the restaurant is quaint.." and they are all true.  It's a cute little place with good service and fresh food.   

• PizzAmore
• 622 North Donnelly Street 
• Mount Dora, FL 32757
• Phone: 352.383.0092 
• www.youlovepizza.com

Tavares, Florida - Soup To Nuts Diner

We eat here often and tonight we had dinner at Soup to Nuts.  This isn't a fancy place but the food is good and the service is fast and friendly and the price is right.  The chicken tender platter comes with several chicken breasts, two sides and toasted bread.  The chicken tastes fresh - not some pre-formed patty thing but whole breasts that are freshly breaded and the french fries are always hot and delicious.  


Breakfast is a good bet too!  I like the biscuits and if you get to the restaurant early enough in the day - before they run out - you can get a giant fresh made cinnamon biscuit..  

If you join their dining club (it's free) you will recieve lots of coupons in the mail, a free meal in your birthday month and rewards based on your spending.  It's a great deal and an easy laid back local place!






Soup To Nuts Diner. 383 E Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL Tel: (352) 343-7704

Tuscaloosa, AL - Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa - East

I am such a positive person that I hate to say anything negative about a hotel property so I have waited almost two weeks before posting my opinion on this hotel. I thought maybe I wouldn't post anything at all and act like I have never stayed in this hotel but that doesn't really seem fair to all of the hotels and businesses that go out of their way to make my stay a pleasant experience.

I arrived to the hotel late at night after a long drive. I was surprised to see a line of people waiting to check in to the hotel. There seemed to be only the one girl on duty and she was doing her best to work her way through the line of people waiting. Once it was my turn at the desk my check in was quick and painless. She verified my check out date and I was quickly on my way with key card in hand.

As soon as I entered my room I was assaulted with the strong smell of cigarette smoke. It literally smelled as if someone had just been smoking in the room. I opened the door to check and see if the sign by the door said this was a 'non smoking' room and I was surprised to see that this room was indeed designated as a non smoking room. I thought I had been given a smoking room by mistake. Eyes watering and nose running I went back down to the front desk and I stood in line again. I explained the problem about the smoky smelling room and asked if I could have a different room. The desk clerk was very nice as she searched for several minutes to find another room for me while she explained that the hotel was 'very full.' She did eventually locate a different room for me and she gave me new keycards and now again I was on my way to my room.

The second room had a totally different aroma. This room smelled like a dirty baby diaper - a poopy one. The smell seemed to originate from the carpet. I stood just inside the door way for a few minutes trying to decide what to do. It was after 1 am and I had an 8 am meeting so I did not relish another trip to the lobby and another wait in line to see if I could get yet another room and I was wondering if there was even another room to be had. I checked the window and thank goodness the window did open a little so I opened the window as far as it would go and I turned the air up all the way and I went to bed. I was praying that my clothing and luggage would not pick up the smell of the room. I will say that by the time I returned to my room the next afternoon most of the dirty diaper smell had dissipated and the room just had a general stale smell.

The breakfast bar had the usual assortment offered by Hampton Inns. There was plenty of seating and the lady running the breakfast bar was actively cleaning tables and replenishing the food.

This hotel seems to be ageing and it is in need of some deep cleaning and/or replacing of carpets, drapes and other items that can hold smells. It isn't a bad hotel and I have stayed at this hotel many times in the past and it seemed fine. I had not been to this hotel in two years and the cleanliness seems to have suffered. I have always felt safe at this hotel and the desk clerks and other employees are helpful and smiling. The pool is in a weird place - it is just a small pool in a fence in front of the hotel and cars park right around the edge of the pool outside the fence. The pool seems like an extension of the parking lot almost like an afterthought to the hotel.

I am not sure if I will stay here again and I am hesitant to recommend this hotel to anyone. I have definitely stayed in hotels that were much worse and on the same note I have stayed in hotels that were much much better.

Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa-East
6400 Interstate Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA 35453
Tel: 1-205-562-9000 Fax: 1-205-562-9859