Sailing today on Holland America's Oosterdam!
Editor Randall Shirley (right) and partner Denni at San Diego's Hotel del Coronado the night before boarding Holland America's Oosterdam.
Today’s the day we cruisers all dream about: embarkation day! Denni and I will board Holland America’s Oosterdam later this afternoon, bound for 7 nights of Mexican sunshine. We’ve already connected with other MeetMeOnBoard.com members who will be on board, and look forward to meeting them in person.
I’ll be blogging daily about the cruise — giving my impressions of Holland America from a middle-aged gay man’s perspective. If you have specific thoughts or questions about the Holland America experience, ask me, and I’ll do my best to find the answers while I’m on board.
And now, bon voyage to us!
Jay Gordon are discussing.
Jay Gordon 5:45 pm on March 12, 2009 Permalink |
Several friends and I stayed at the Park Manor Suites a couple of years ago to enjoy San Diego for a few days before our cruise departure. Among their impressive choice of room arrangements is their 2-bedroom suite with dining area, oversized living room, etc. We had such a great time that four of us went back several months later just to wallow in the comfort of the hotel and the joy of exploring San Diego.
LAST WEEK I went back again, this time for a week by myself, and never felt awkward for a moment that I was traveling solo. The staff treats you like family. The kitchenette was handy, but there is a complimentary continental breakfast in the Penthouse, which includes lovely outdoor space with views of Balboa Park and the planes landing at San Diego airport. The Penthouse also now has a gourmet lunch menu of several items at reasonable prices. It is also has the cutest, friendliest wait staff you’ll find anywhere. If you can dine without falling in love, you’re stronger’n I am. They were absolutely adorable.
Downstairs there is a gourmet restaurant (with reasonable prices and a charming wait staff) adjacent to a piano bar with nightly piano and vocal entertainment. Inn on the Park is a friendly and inviting place. You may also eat at the bar or nearby tables and enjoy the entertainment. You may choose from a modified bar menu or the full-blown, “Omigod isn’t this food wonderful!”! menu you’d find in the main restaurant. It’s a great place to meet locals who appreciate the friendly atmosphere and relatively modest prices.
This is a great hotel to enjoy for romance or with friends and families. There is a diverse clientele. It’s close to an impressive collection of bars, restaurants, shops, etc. You can spend days at the museums, shops, and showplaces of Balboa Park — just across the street and a few blocks up. Be sure to see what’s playing at the Old Globe Theatre in the park. What a showcase theater; superb performances!
You can explore San Diego’s major tourist attractions on the Old Town Trolley. Get the 2-day pass; one day is simply not enough. It picks up passengers inside Balboa Park. Shop at Old Town; lunch at the Del Coronado; visit the zoo. This is one of America’s most delightful cities and Park Manor Suites will quickly endear itself to you if you like charm with traditional decor and accommodations. Get your picture taken in that throne in the lobby — or sprawling on the elegant furniture in the nearby sitting room. Talk about your photo ops!
San Diego hotels 12:32 am on May 12, 2009 Permalink |
I would choose the Ivy hotel. It looks to be very close to my preferences.
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