HOTEL DE PARIS MONTPARNASSE

GREAT STAFF, TINY ROOM, GOOD LOCATION NEXT TO GARE MONTPARNASSE

Rue Daguerre, one of the greatest foodie streets in one of the greatest gastronomic cities, is a 10 minute stroll from Hotel de Paris Montparnasse.

The wonderful Marche Edgar Quinet sets up on Wednesdays and Saturdays less than 5 minutes from Hôtel de Paris Montparnasse.

Historic Cimetière du Montparnasse is footsteps away, as are the famous Catacombs underground boneyard.

I would strongly suggest heading south of the hotel through the various low key, very French neighborhoods of the 14th.

There are old villages that became a part of Paris.

Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves, open Saturdays and Sundays only, is the second best flea market in all of Paris.

In perfect 72 F weather, I zig zagged through some not so tourist-choked Paris and -- 2 km and less than an hour from hotel -- turned up at the Marche aux Puces.

HOTEL DE PARIS MONTPARNASSE

GREAT STAFF, TINY ROOM, GOOD LOCATION NEXT TO GARE MONTPARNASSE

My room was very tiny at Hotel de Paris Montparnasse.

Barely 100 SF if that.

Basically a place to store some clothing, take a shower, hit the bathroom and sleep. I was there two days.

I don't think I could recommended it for more than 3 days stay -- and I'm the kind of person who goes out early and comes back late each day while traveling.

It's a typical old, tiny European hotel room -- modernized with plenty of outlets -- regular and USB.

HOTEL DE PARIS MONTPARNASSE

GREAT STAFF, TINY ROOM, GOOD LOCATION NEXT TO GARE MONTPARNASSE

High praise for the staff at Hotel de Paris Montparnasse.

It is a smallish, family-run hotel and I made a couple special requests -- having an extra flat sheet in the room upon arrival -- and they had this covered.

It's my test of front desk responsiveness.

They have fresh filtered water and large glass bottles for you to use for free.

This was an excellent way of saving money on buying water while also saving the planet by not tossing away plastic.

The location is crawling distance from Gare Montparnasse -- which was a big draw for me because I was catching the high speed train to Bordeaux at the end of my Paris stay.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

Hotel Antre Chapultepec staff is outstanding about explaining the price, departure times, etc. of the tours it sells from the front desk.

I wish it would affiliate with a better tour provider than Jalisco Tour Mendez.

Both daylong tours that I took spent an endless amount of time stopping at horrible restaurants and tourists traps that likely pay the tour company a kickback for depositing hapless tourists at their doorstep.

The base price of the tours is 25 USD -- at that low price, you get a tour that only rates about 2.5 on a scale of one to 5.

 

 

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

Hotel Antre Chapultepec’s room temperature control is fixed.

You have to ask the front desk to send a person up to set it.

That means you only have a choice of air conditioning on or off -- you cannot adjust it to you comfort.

Please, treat guests like adults, and remove the governor on the temperature settings that can only be overridden with a code used by management.

The breakfast buffet was about 14 USD -- very high by Guadalajara standards.

I checked it out and while it looked clean, it really didn't appear to be worth the money.

I could not justify paying more than 20% of my daily room rate on a breakfast that was not cooked to order and had no luxury items on the buffet tables.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

The Centro Historico is a 20 minute walk -- or a rideshare under USD 5 with tip – from Hotel Antre Chapultepec.

Tlaquepaque and Zapopan are about a half hour (45 minutes with traffic) 10 USD rideshare trip to visit those historic and vibrant neighborhoods.

The room had a large desk for working and room enough for a small fainting couch by the large balcony.

I would gladly stay again. 

And I wish every major city had a centrally-located, cost-effective Hotel Antre.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

The fabulous working class Santa Tere neighborhood, with dozens of outstanding foodie spots, is a 12 minute walk north of the Hotel Antre Chapultepec.

GDL is a gastronomic mecca -- with amazingly fresh and fabulous seafood for not being a coastal city.

With a smooth check in and bilingual staff, Hotel Antre sets you up for all the cultural delights that GDL has to offer.

Jalisco state also is ground zero for outstanding coffee production.

Several of the best coffee purveyors in all of Mexico are within walking distance of the property.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

Hotel Antre Chapultepec’s daily maid service brought two large bottles of water and cleaned -- while honoring my request to not remake my bed.

The front desk arranged a tour for me and helped estimate the price of a car service.

The room has tons of outlets -- regular prong and USB -- for recharging.

Antre Chapultepec is in the heart of Colonia Americana -- voted the hippest neighborhood on earth (as judged by Time Out Magazine).

Endless upscale and down home restaurants, bakeries, shops, street art and early 20th century architecture are within easy walking distance.

HOTEL ANTRE CHAPULTEPEC GUADALAJARA

PERFECT LOCATION, INCREDIBLE VALUE, 

TOP-NOTCH STAFF FOR PROSPEROUS VISIT

The Hotel Antre Chapultepec is modern, perfectly-located and well-run.

I asked a lot of questions before my arrival and the staff answered each of them expertly.

The hotel is very near Chapultepec and its noisy bars and clubs plus it is on one of the city's busiest streets -- but I only heard a minor roar on my 10th floor, sound proofed room.

I had a fabulous balcony with southern exposure.

The room was large for a price well under 100 USD per day.

The walk-in shower had endless warm water.

 

NOBLE DEN HOTEL

CLEAN, EFFICIENT ROOMS PLUS ROOFTOP DECK

IN LOWER MANHATTAN'S CHINATOWN/LITTLE ITALY

I could instantly see why Noble Den Hotel gets high reviews.

The staff is very polite and resourceful.

The property is an oasis in an otherwise slightly gritty area where Chinatown meets Little Italy -- with the Lower East Side and SOHO nearby.

Mulberry Street next door can be noisy, but the hotel is sound proofed.

The units are small, but super well designed. They have thought of everything as far as space, natural light, comfortable bath, tons of outlets (with USB outlets too), a mini fridge, etc.

The super bonus is a rooftop lounge. It has no bar, so there is no noise are hipster crowds to fight. Just some nice furniture and a panoramic view of lower Manhattan.

Just off the lobby is really good free coffee, hot chocolate and a microwave for heating up delicious food from the neighborhood.

The room fridge is not a mini bar, which is a good thing. All of its space is for cooling beverages, berries, breakfast foods and leftovers.

There are two elevators, so no waiting in the smallish family feeling property.

I was checked in just under an hour early -- for free -- and they safely stowed my bags.

You get a cute stuffed animal on arrival and there are toothbrushes, combs and more in the room, if you forgot to pack those.

Major subway stations are nearby for fast, inexpensive transit.

The price point was incredible for a modern, fresh, well-designed and well-located hotel.

There is a great accessible room with roll-in shower. The only drawback is adjacent elevator shaft noises.

 

SOLAR ANTIGO LUXURY COIMBRA

PERFECT LOCATION, PERSONAL SERVICE, COMFY BEDS

AND AN AMAZING VALUE 

I'm exacting and demanding.

If I feel this happy with the Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra, you will be very pleased and comfortable.

When you fill out your review at Booking.com – they ask you to list negatives or things you would change.

This is the first time I’ve ever said I would not change one thing.

Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra is the best value I have ever experienced.

 

 

SOLAR ANTIGO LUXURY COIMBRA

PERFECT LOCATION, PERSONAL SERVICE, COMFY BEDS

AND AN AMAZING VALUE 

The Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra apartment, were it a tiny bit bigger, is something one could live in year round.

I cannot believe the value. It was under 100 euros including tax and everything.

The chocolate tort+champagne on check-in plus the lavish breakfast is worth 25-30 euros alone. So you are barely paying 60 euros to sleep in an historic and magical city in a privileged location.

SOLAR ANTIGO LUXURY COIMBRA

PERFECT LOCATION, PERSONAL SERVICE, COMFY BEDS

AND AN AMAZING VALUE 

The kind staff at Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra warned me it was the time of year when students party into the night -- and the road they are located on is a route the revelers use.

 I'm a light sleeper, but dozed like a baby.

The shower water was plenty warm. 

The staff is like family.

SOLAR ANTIGO LUXURY COIMBRA

PERFECT LOCATION, PERSONAL SERVICE, COMFY BEDS

AND AN AMAZING VALUE 

The Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra location is very close to the famous University of Coimbra, the museum on its grounds and the main shopping streets and historic churches in Coimbra.

On check-in, they brought me a glass of champagne and a tasty chocolate torte.

They bring breakfast to the room and it may well be worth 20 euros. Coffee, cereal, croissants, bread, jam, butter, bread, meat, cheese, fruit, juice.

I'm probably leaving something out. I certainly broke my diet for this dazzling treat!

SOLAR ANTIGO LUXURY COIMBRA

PERFECT LOCATION, PERSONAL SERVICE, COMFY BEDS

AND AN AMAZING VALUE 

The thoughtful staff at Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra put me in the apartment across the street from the boutique hotel.

It had an elegant spiral staircase, old world decor and a jacuzzi. Upstairs there was a super comfortable bed and super clean bathroom.

There were bottled waters, beers and juices free in the fridge. 

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

Access to a train into Manhattan and points I was working in throughout Queens was a major factor in enduring the trash at the no-tell motel

I worried the whole time during that last half day in the city – and was shocked that the bag was in the closet upon my return.

For dealing with noise at all hours, cigarette stench, most electrical outlets broken, unsecure bag storage, entering my room against my clear wishes and above all else – the fear for safety from the overt, vulgar and constant prostitution – 

I am owed 50% of what I paid as a refund.

Booking.com Please send a secret shopper to this property. 

When you see it is more brothel than hotel, you will hopefully stop doing business with it – so legitimate travelers, especially families with children, will NEVER be subjected to my experience.

When I escaped the hell hole that is the Elmhurst Hotel, I sent direct emails to: the Queens Borough President, New York City Councilmember for this district, two senior staff members of that councilmember and two senior police officers at the precinct in which the hotel is located.

My note was honest, earnest, brief and to the point.

To date, only the police precinct has pledged to look into my dire warning.

Disgracefully, none of the other leaders/professionals or their assistants have had the common courtesy to phone or email me to know they are lifting a finger to address this cesspool that will kill tourism and investment.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

Vacant restaurant next door to shameful Elmhurst Hotel

During booking and upon checkout, I explained that my flight was a half day past check out and that I would need safe storage of my small suitcase.

I was told this would be no problem.

On checkout, the front desk person rudely said they do no such thing.

 I asked if there was a locker storage place nearby.

The person just glared at me.

I showed my message – routed through Booking.com site – where a manager promised safe bag stowage.

The front desk person walked to a chemical-wreaking, janitor/maintenance closet without a lock on it and told me I was welcome to toss my bag in, but no promised it would be there.

I worried the whole time during that last half day in the city – and was shocked that the bag was in the closet upon my return.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

I do not how this hotel gets a better than 5 out of 10 star rating on Booking.com.  Booking.com is my bible for booking rooms all over the world.

Its contributors are much more spot-on than rival online booking sites.

I have to figure that either the Elmhurst management has recently shifted to being hooker hotel central, or the handful of non prostitute-john customers are immune to seeing this frightening and filthy activity.

I made it clear I did not want my room entered while I was there. I had a do not disturb sign on door and left notes each day with front desk.  

In middle of my stay, my bed was made and stuff changed around.  

I honestly wonder if they sort of sublet my room for a 2-hour tryst, gambling that I wouldn’t be back till night – giving them time to clean up a mess.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

On the third day, I was propositioned by a pair of scantily clad gals in the elevator who were clearly stealing the same NYC skyline cheap poster photo that was in my room.

On the fourth day, I left early Sunday morning to find provocatively dressed prostitutes on 8-inch platform shoes of every stripe – trans, female, male….

The fifth day, a shirtless, high/drunk pimp was screaming – both into his phone and at a cowering working gal – in the tiny dreary lobby. 

Guess this why the sullen front desk staff hides behind bullet proof glass – speaking through a tiny cut out and taking your credit card/ID through a tiny slot.

Why did I stay?  Very good question.

I had just gotten some very bad news the week leading up to my trip and I was in a funk and less aware of the world around me.

Plus, they charged the full amount of the stay the first night and I figured owners uncaring enough to run a house of prostitution would never in 10 million years refund my remaining nights stay if I checked switched hotels.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

I was tired when I arrived, so I didn’t think about the set up being a giveaway that this is a by the hour hotel.

As noted by many reviewers, only a fraction of the outlets work. 

So you pick between a lamp and charging your smart phone, etc.

The dead bolt wouldn’t click, so I had to use the little rocker arm to hope to be extra protected when sleeping.

On the second day, I realized something was up, because housekeeping was cleaning rooms constantly. 

Like people were only in them for a couple hours.