ATLANTA: A WEEKEND ADVENTURE

Since we don't get to travel as much as we would like due to the fact I have to go to work Monday through Friday (humbug!), we decided to try a quick weekend trip, flying into a city on a Saturday morning and flying back home on Sunday afternoon. The flight needed to be less than two hours. Since we would be gone less than 48 hours we couldn't plan to do too much. We have always wanted to visit the Georgia Aquarium: it is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and being cruise and snorkeling enthusiasts, we love gazing at exotic fish. I found reasonable airfare from O'Hare airport, and a hotel package that included both the tickets to the aquarium and breakfast the next morning. Thus, we recently spent the weekend in Atlanta, a city I had never been to.

First: the hotel. I originally chose to stay at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis because of the hotel package offered: 2 entry tickets to the Georgia Aquarium plus free breakfast for $235 per night. But when I saw photographs of the hotel's amazing 470-foot atrium I knew I wanted to stay there just to see that architectural achievement.

The 52-story hotel is located in the middle of downtown Atlanta but it is within walking distance of the aquarium. There are lots of restaurants within a block or two of the hotel including the always-touristy Hard Rock Cafe and Atlanta Braves Grill. One very interesting place is Agatha's, A Taste of Mystery for fans of mystery dinner theater.  For shoppers, the hotel connects to the Peachtree Mall through one of several over-the-street, covered pedways located in the area. (NOTE: very few stores in the Peachtree Mall are open on Sundays.) 

  












































The atrium did not disappoint; it was at one time the tallest hotel atrium in the world. It's an architectural wonder and a photographer's dream.   

 












































I've read where the design has been described as resembling whale's ribs. Here is a view as we rode the elevator to the top floor. It may be an accurate description...

 











































A set of elevators runs straight up the middle of the space to the 47th floor. We did go up to the top to take pictures. However, I actually got so nervous looking all the way down that the best I could do was stick my iPhone out and click. Of course there are bars protecting someone from falling over, but still: that's a long way down!

Located on the second floor in the center of the atrium is one of the hotel's bars: Pulse. A giant TV screen is attached to the color-changing sail: sometimes green...

 





































Sometimes red...

The hotel rooms are located on the outside balconies surrounding the atrium.  Although I requested a high-floor room, we ended up only on the 8th floor. However, our room was check-in ready when we arrived at 10:00 a.m. from the airport so that was a positive. For a one-night stay, it was an adequate room with a king-size bed and sitting area. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful (it's that southern hospitality!). When our TV wouldn't work or I couldn't get the hotel wifi to work, both problems were quickly solved. We even received a follow-up telephone call to the room to make sure the problems were corrected.

Before heading off to the aquarium, finding nourishment was essential. Our 6:00 a.m. flight didn't allow for much breakfast. Where to eat? Of course: the Waffle House! Not having these restaurants anywhere near Chicago meant it was a must-stop during our visit. Fortunately there are actually two restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Due to discombobulation navigating the streets of Atlanta, we did end up at a different Waffle House than intended, still just blocks from the hotel but opposite of our intended direction. It did force us into a longer walk than necessary to the aquarium afterwards.  However, it did not dampen the breakfast: delicious orange juice, hash browns with mushrooms and of course, a waffle.

In my next post, I will continue with our weekend adventure to Atlanta with a tour of two unexpected discoveries: Centennial Olympic Park and our Atlanta streetcar ride.

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by my husband and me in August, 2016. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

OLD WORLD CHARM WITH A TERRACE VIEW

In the heart of Old San Juan, housed in two adjacent 19th-century buildings (the peach and blue buildings in the photo below), is the charming hotel, La Terazza. We stayed here for two nights prior to our cruise.

The hotel gives you a security code to open the front gate. Once inside, you walk down the corridor and to the right to the reception desk/bar.

All of the staff at the hotel are friendly and welcoming. Complimentary ice water or espresso is offered at the reception desk/bar.

Opposite the bar is the dining area where the breakfast is served. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel (more on that in a future post), but the hotel does serve a continental-type breakfast.

I like the mural that is painted on the wall in the dining area.

Beautiful inlaid tiles and dark wood furniture give the hotel an Old World feeling.

Our room was on the first floor, but located away from the street so noise was not a problem. The large room had a 15-foot ceiling, a king-sized bed,  a beautiful dark wood armoire for storage and a clean, modern bathroom with a wonderful rain-shower showerhead. Those dark wood shutters that you see in the bathroom are also in the bedroom.

The hotel gets it name from its rooftop terrace (terazza in Spanish). The terrace gives you spectacular views of the bay, the docked cruise ships and of course, Old San Juan.

The terrace has a small infinity-edged pool so you can cool off after a long day of walking on those cobblestone streets of San Juan.

The terrace also has its own bar which is open during the afternoon and evenings.

La Terazza is the #1-ranked San Juan hotel on Tripadvisor. Click here to read the great reviews. From what we experienced during our stay, I totally agree. We will stay here again!

La Terazza is located at 262 Calle Sol. Click here for their website and to book a room of your own. NOTE: La Terazza will match any hotel's price if you are staying two or more nights in San Juan.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner 

All photos were taken by me during our visit to San Juan in April, 2015.

RAVISHINGLY-REDESIGNED RENAISSANCE HOTEL, CHICAGO

The Renaissance Hotel Chicago is located at one of the busiest intersections in downtown Chicago: State Street and Wacker Drive...

The hotel is also connected to one of the most well-known skyscrapers in Chicago, the Leo Burnett Building. This is very convenient during those bitter-cold Chicago winter mornings because you can enter the Leo Burnett building at the corner of Lake and Dearborn, and exit the Renaissance Hotel at State and Wacker, basically walking the equivalent of two city blocks indoors.

For the past two months or so, the Renaissance Hotel has been going through a renovation, of what sort I had no idea because the entrance to the hotel from the Leo Burnett building was closed during that time.

Finally the entrance to the hotel was reopened last week, so I took the opportunity to take the shortcut through the hotel lobby since it was a rather brisk morning, temperature-wise.

WOW! is all I can say. The lobby has been redesigned and what a redesign! A very modern and open-spaced concept.

As you enter through the glass doors from the Leo Burnett Building, the check-in desk has been moved completely to this end of the lobby.

Pale wood planks replace the old orange-brown patterned carpeting and marble floors. Walls have been removed with pillars allowing to open the space. The pillars are decorated with photographic murals of dancers...

and the walls are covered with a black-white wall paper design that reminds me of a painting hanging in the Art Institute's Modern Wing. 

The wall art throughout the lobby incorporates the city of Chicago itself. From a map of the CTA subway lines hanging on the wall outside the restrooms...

to a map of the portion of city that includes the Renaissance Hotel itself...

 




to a large Yellow Cab made out of plastic pins.

As you enter the main door of the hotel, this is what greets you...

This is the really WOW factor for me; the new Staytion bar has been installed right in the lobby.  Two different styles of bar stools and on the back walls of the bar hang a mix of framed mirrors and caricature drawings.

Next to the bar is the Staytion Market...

where guests can grab a quick muffin and juice to go or sit at the bar and order off the menu. The bar serves a multitude of draft beers, wine and cleverly-named specialty drinks. Check out the entire menu below:

They have created very nice padded bleacher seating (perhaps in reference to the famous bleachers at Wrigley Field) for those customers who purchase food or drink from Staytion.

Also new is Navigator, the hotel's new personalized computer concierge service. Local experts give you their recommendations for the best of the city's restaurants, nightlife, shopping and all of the Windy City's top sites. For example:

"A stroll at dusk along the Chicago River, followed by a cold, locally brewed Goose Island draft in Chicago's historic theater district is the perfect way to unwind after an exciting day in the Windy City. From the American landmark that is Wrigley Field to the famous Art Institute of Chicago, a ton of amazing adventures await you in our gorgeous city." Ikram, Chicago Navigator

Just want to relax after a long day of meetings? You can sit and relax in the redesigned lounging area.

The Renaissance Hotel Chicago is located at Wacker Drive and State Street in downtown Chicago, just blocks from State Street shopping. It is also within easy walking distance to the luxury stores along the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue.

For more information, visit the hotel's website here. 

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me.