Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Americas Lodgings
Clearly, this is, by no means, a comprehensive guide to accommodation in the Americas. Instead it's some of the places I've stayed in the past few years.
​
There are clearly more comprehensive guides available elsewhere on the internet, however this guide may give some suggestions of places to stay or, more importantly, avoid if you are considering visiting a particular location.
In some instances the establishment has replied to my comments, where this has happened I have include, for fairness, their response.
Listings are alphabetical listing by country / state.
Canada
British Columbia
Hawley Place B&B, Ladysmith, Vancouver Island 6/5
We had only one regret, namely we only stayed one night.
​
We were expecting something quirky - it was far from quirky, it was a home from home, but better.
There are only three rooms, each with a different theme. We stayed in the China Rose room.
The room was spacious and the bed oh so comfortable - we had a wonderful nights sleep.
The welcome was fantastic and as we unpacked our hosts bought us a very welcome tray with hot tea and biscuits.
​
When we though it could not get any better we were presented with the most glorious, seemingly never ending, breakfast. All freshly made. So much was on offer, and with fantastic quality, we ended taking a doggy bag with us.
I have mixed feelings strongly recommending this guest house. It is fantastic and if we are in the area again there is no doubt we will stay here - but if word gets out we will never be able to book again as it will always be full.
U.S.A.
​
California
​
Death Valley
​
Furnace Creek Inn 5/5
Furnace Creek is a most appropriately named location with temperatures regularly in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and this Inn is an true oasis in a barren desert.
​
Laid out chalet style this is classy establishment.
The rooms are incredibly spacious with massive picture windows and, thankfully, air conditioning.
​
There is an open air swimming pool ..... unfortunately the air temperature is to high to use it during most of the day.
There is a golf course at the hotel but, again, tee times are avoided during the heat of the day, with tee times just after dawn or late evening
Nevada
​
Las Vegas
​
Bally's 4/5
Unlike many of the hotels and resorts along the strip Bally's doesn't have a theme to attract visitors. Moreover it's a traditional hotel casino and by concentrating on these core components it does its job well.
​
Not as expensive as some of the big resort hotels, it offers spacious, clean rooms and with a central location along the strip it is well located, so don't let the lack of a theme put you off.
Indeed if you manage to grab a room facing the strip you'll be rewarded with a stunning overhead view of the Bellagio water show.
With rooms available from $33 a night the hotel offers quality on a budget
​
Golden Nugget 3½/5
One of the original and iconic hotels in Las Vegas, the Golden Nugget is located in downtown Fremont Street, so it's not in the quietest part of the town and depending on where your room is located it could be a bit noisy but as many guests say this adds to the atmosphere.
​
Like Bally's (see above) this is a standard hotel casino without any fancy gimmicks or themes.
However being away from the strip it has to work harder to attract guests. Depending which side of the hotel you stay you will have either mountain or city views.
Golden Nugget isn't the cheapest hotel in Vegas by any means but it does offer a touch of luxury.
Luxor 5/5
One of the iconic resorts on The Strip and conveniently located near to McCarran Airport the iconic black pyramid is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Las Vegas.
There are two tower blocks containing hotel rooms but rooms are also located in the pyramid and I have to say staying in the pyramid is a little disconcerting.
Due to the sloping walls, walking the corridors to the rooms can be disconcerting as the optical illusion kids your brain you're about to fall over, probably not a good place to stay if you have an inner ear infection or suffer from vertigo.
Notwithstanding the sloping walls the rooms in the pyramid are pleasant and spacious.
Like most hotels in Vegas there are a multitude of eating options to suit all budgets.
I imagine staying in one of the tower blocks would be much of a muchness but staying in the pyramid is quirky and good fun
Paris 5/5
No prizes for guessing the theme of this hotel and if you really are that thick not to realise, then eh replica Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph and Montgolfier Balloon outside will soon tell you.
​
The French theme continues inside as well with a definite French ambience, however try to speak French in any of the French themed shops and the staff are totally flummoxed.
The first stage of the replica Eiffel Tower is home to a rather impressive, unsurprisingly French themed, restaurant.
The rooms, like most in Vegas are spacious and the mini-suites are very spacious indeed.
Rio Suites 4/5
The Rio is an "off strip" all suites hotel with a grand Vegas tradition. It was built in 1990 as a casino for locals, away from the tourists on The Strip.
​
As the name implies all the rooms are larger suites so you get more money for your buck. However to stay here you really do need a car or be prepared to pay for taxis.
The hotel is about a 20 minute walk from The Strip and it is doable but as I discovered in the searing heat of the day it isn't an enjoyable experience. After dark it's cooler but the route takes in some quiet dark areas and I wouldn't feel easy venturing in that area after dark.
It's a reasonable place to stay if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the touristy areas but be aware of the limitations as well, on the plus side rooms can be cheap with some available from $29 a night
New York
​
New York City
​
Hotel Pennsylvania 4/5
One of the iconic hotels in New York and home to one of the most famous phone numbers in the world Pennsylvania 6-5000, immortalised by Glen Miller.
​
Located opposite Madison Square Gardens and Penn Station the hotel has an Art Deco feel.
The rooms are compact and the furniture dated but it's an ideal base for exploring New York.
There is a deli on the ground floor which serves good food, albeit with massive portions, if there are two of you and you fancy the same thing then buy just one and share.
Times Square is just over half a mile away, however the proximity of Penn Station allows good access to most of the city using the subway system.
Utah
​
Mount Carmel
​
Best Western Thunderbird 4/5
What a fantastic place to stay. The area itself is out of this world, the hotel was the icing on the cake.
The room was spacious with a fantastic view and the five days we spent there went by far too quickly.
An excellent base for exploring Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and all the other nearby great wonders.
If we are in the area again there is no doubt we would stay there again.
​
