Cool. Another Seahorse Inn vet. It was Mardi Gras weekend about 11 years ago and there wasn't much of a choice. Did you go to their "club"?? A buddy of mine and I went. Needless to say we didn't stay long. I thought of another "bad" category hotel. The place itself wasn't bad, it was our "neighbors" a couple of pimps and their hoes. The hoes kept hanging out the window looking for their next John I guess. Then at about 4 or 5 am when I heard the two pimps talking about the money their hoes made and how another pimp pimped on of his girls, but loudly declared he didn't care because he had more "b****es on the payroll" than the other pimp.
BEST: Venetian Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV The "regular" 700 sq ft. rooms have 2 TV's, enough seating for a baseball team, seperate tub and shower, 3 telephones (1 in the sh!tter), and just gleam of elegance. WORST: Ramada Inn - Giddings, TX I stayed there a night I drove back to Austin and had to be at work the next day kind of early. It was a bona-fide dump. The carpet was worn and stained, the A/C blew damp musty air, and the bed was catering pretty bad. I think I slept about 2 hours total.
Best: Two from Las Vegas stand out- a suite at the Monte Carlo was pretty damn luxurious. It made a nice place for our wedding reception, so it was big, too. A fountain facing room at the Bellagio was spectacular. The hotel is just gorgeous. Worst: Me and a couple of girls went to see REM in Paris and we needed to stay somewhere cheap. We got a place not only cheap but also infested, dingy, whory (is that a word), needle-y and smelly. It was one of those places that people who have been down on their luck for 50+ years go to die. Charles Bukowski whould have shuddered at this place. But, it was cheap!
BEST: Gold Strike Casino & Hotel Tunica, Mississippi Had a great view of the Mississppi River, a living area, a bedroom, hot tub, seperate shower and bath, dual bathrom (his and hers). This is for the deluxe suite, of course. WORST: Jonesboro Hotel Jonesboro, Arkansas Didn't even stay the night there because of the flea infestation. Enough said.
I second the Marriott chain, though i specifically avoid Fairfield and Residence. Prefer Hampton and Homewood, both Hilton properties.
Best The Broadmoor Stayed here when I was a kid and was probably too young to fully enjoy it but I do remember it being very nice. This was probably like the mid to early eighties.
For nicer hotels at an affordable price I HIGHLY suggest using Priceline. Do your homework here first: http://www.biddingfortravel.com My wife and I stayed at the new Inn At The Ballpark downtown the night of the Prince concert for just $58. It's a sweet hotel considered 4 star by Priceline. I wont use Priceline for travel but love it for hotels.
That's a very good suggestion. Only drawback with Priceline is that you will not get any points or miles, unless the loyalty program makes a mistake...it seems that one can more often still get points on Priceline stays when one stays at a Hyatt hotel than, e.g., Hilton or Starwood.
