The Club at PHX at Sky Harbor Airport

Update: The Club at PHX closed in 2019.

Although I usually fly out of Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4, I only recently had the chance to use the Priority Pass lounge there because the hours were previously limited. Until earlier this year, The Club at PHX was only open for Priority Pass users from 8am-3:30pm which didn’t work for me as I typically fly very early or very late. Last month I finally got to check out the lounge now that the hours are 5am-11:30pm.

The lounge is upstairs from the Concourse B boarding area. Although there are no bathrooms in the lounge, small ones are located just outside the door. As I approached the entry, a woman greeted me and asked to see my ID, Priority Pass card, and boarding pass. With it being just after the opening time of 5am, I ended up being the only person there for about 30 minutes. Though it was nice to have the space to myself, it also meant the bartender was no where to be found. He eventually showed up as others filtered in.

The selection of breakfast food was pretty good—fresh fruit, yogurt, and pastries plus shelf-stable foods like granola bars and oatmeal. Of course, there was also a sign indicating that the food should only be consumed while in the lounge. Non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, tea, and water were also available.

There were plenty of comfortable chairs, but no outlets located at these chairs. The computers and a few hi-tops had outlets, but these were not anywhere near as comfortable or convenient. If it had been a high traffic time, it’s likely that people would’ve been waiting to use outlets. In addition to the lack of outlets, there's no monitor to check flight information although there was a TV tuned to a cable news channel. The Club at PHX is a decent enough airport lounge, but I would've been disappointed had my entry fee not been a perk of one of my credit cards.

Old Town Trolley Tour in Nashville, TN

One of the things I’d enjoyed on my trip to San Diego in 2017 was the trolley tour, so I decided to do it again in Nashville. The same company runs the tour in both cities, but the Nashville trolleys were much larger (and quite crowded—sometimes a backup had to be sent) and more like buses with the seats being progressively elevated the further back one sits. Unlike San Diego, where the stops are quite spread out, many of the stops in Nashville were only a few blocks from each other. This came in handy when the stop in front of the Goo Goo Shop and Johnny Cash Museum ended up being skipped because of road construction. Unfortunately there were no signs indicating the stop wouldn’t be utilized. When I made the full tour run, the driver did announce the closure at the stop with the main ticket booth but with this being hop-on/off, I started in the middle. The man who redeemed my all-access pass at the ticket booth near the Ryman didn’t mention it.

Because many of the stops were so close, this tour isn’t as good of a deal for someone who wants to use it as transportation around the city. The focus really is on downtown, but I appreciated the information shared on the tour. I had no idea how severe the damage had been with the 2010 flooding. The drivers did a great job conveying how incredible the restoration has been.

One of the few non-walking distance stops is for the Belmont mansion. The mansion was undergoing renovation which closed off the upper level, but the docent related an amazing history that shouldn’t be missed by anyone wanting to learn the story of one Civil War-era family that was very much headed by a woman. Many of the pieces in the mansion including the artwork are original. The work the museum staff has done to track down those original works is remarkable.

Some of the other tour highlights are: Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, Parthenon, and numerous bars with local musicians playing.

The stops were well-marked and the directions given on the website made it easy to find each one. Note though that there’s more than one tour company running in downtown Nashville and the stops are sometimes in the same place or very close to each other.

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville @ Opryland in Nashville, TN

When I found out the cast of Nashville was performing a farewell show at the Grand Ole Opry, I figured it was an excellent way to knock two things off my bucket list at once (I wanted to see a show there and Tennessee was a state I hadn't yet been to). With my vacation request approved and my ticket ordered, I needed a hotel. I first considered Gaylord Opryland, where I did end up spending a lot of time (the free fountain show is amazing), but decided to instead stay at the nearby Hampton. The Hampton at Opryland had a few advantages over the Marriott property. I have gold status there (and could use points to pay) plus the Hampton offers free breakfast and a free shuttle that goes on request to both the airport (7am-9pm) and Opryland (7:30am-9:30pm). There's also shuttle service to downtown through a third party which I believe was $10/roundtrip. I didn't use the pay shuttle, but it would've been a good price considering what I would've paid for the ride share service I used had I not had a discount code.

I took the red-eye into Nashville in order to maximize my time in the city which meant I arrived at the hotel well before the normal check-in time of 4pm. The staff was very accommodating though. It took no time for the shuttle driver to arrive at the airport and I was able to check my bag at the front desk while I headed to The Hermitage. I was able to get into a room when I returned about 2pm.

The lobby was cute with a music theme that continued throughout the hotel.

My room--a standard king--was very spacious and included a microwave and mini-fridge. I don't always use those amenities, but this time it was great to have because one of the shuttle drivers made an excellent restaurant recommendation. Caney Fork was a short walk from the hotel (on the way to Opryland), but the portion size was a little large and I was glad to have the microwave and fridge for the leftovers. (If you're looking for something a bit quicker than a sit-down restaurant, there's a McDonald's across the hotel parking lot.)

Additionally, the room had a desk with office chair plus one more chair (without arms) and a bench at the end of the bed. There were two nightstands with lamps--one nightstand had an alarm clock while the other had a phone and chargepoint with two outlets, one standard USB, and one tablet USB connection.

In the bathroom there was a large shower and a vanity with adequate counter space for two people. In addition to the standard shampoo/conditioner/lotion/soap, there was a makeup remover wipe and hair dryer. Across from the vanity was the coffeemaker with packets of coffee and tea (more variety was available in the breakfast area).

The morning breakfast features the make-your-own waffles setup and other hot options like eggs and oatmeal plus single-serve boxes of cereal, fruit, and yogurt. For those who want something as they head out, Hampton properties have On the Run breakfast bags. I love these because there's a bottle of water, fruit (usually an apple), muffin, and a snack bar.

Parking is free and there's ample room. The hotel has a small fitness center, a small business center, and a pool (which was closed for the winter). I very much enjoyed my stay and the hospitality of the staff.

Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, CA

A few months ago, I made use of some airline miles to visit San Juan Capistrano, CA where I got to see one of my favorite musicians perform at The Coach House. I didn't want to deal with driving, so I needed a hotel near the venue. The Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano fit the bill as it's less than a mile away. I'm glad the hotel was within walking distance because, although some other online reviews mentioned a hotel shuttle, this Residence Inn does not have one.

My king suite was huge. The kitchenette included service for four along with a stovetop, microwave, coffee pot, full-size refrigerator/freezer, sink, and dishwasher with a detergent pack. A note in the room indicated that for those on an extended stay, the suite attendant would run the dishwasher when "sufficiently full" and change the bedding twice a week. There was also a selection of coffee and tea in the room.

The living area, which has a couch that pulls out for an additional bed, had a pretty good separation from the bed and bathroom. The one TV was on a lazy susan so it could swivel to be viewed from all parts of the room.

In the bedroom/bathroom area, I noted the standard shampoo, conditioner, and soap along with a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and full-length mirror on the bathroom door. One disappointment was that the alarm clock had a charging dock only compatible with the iPhone 4S and older; I recommend that hotels start updating soon. Fortunately, there were plenty of outlets.

One of my favorite parts of this pet-friendly hotel was the door sign to notify housekeeping about a pet being in the room. Although I wasn't traveling with my cat this time, it's been inconvenient in the past to not be able to leave her in the room alone because it violated the hotel's policy. Since Residence Inns are often used for long-term stays this perk is awesome.

A number of reviews mention noise from the train which does go by quite often sounding the horn. I can definitely see where it would be bothersome for people who turn in early. The concert wrapped up a little before 11pm and I didn't hear the train at all once I was in for the night. Upon arriving back at the hotel, I was surprised to find the lobby door locked. As I fumbled through my purse to find my room card to unlock the door, the man at the front desk triggered the door open button for me.

In the morning I indulged in the complimentary breakfast. There was a nice selection of hot dishes like oatmeal and waffles plus fruit, yogurt, and cold cereal.

I took my meal up to my room to eat on the table there, but there's ample seating in the lobby as well as fireplace to enjoy.

The lobby also has two computers available to use.

Another thing to note is that the hotel has "Social Hour" Monday to Wednesday nights; my stay started on Thursday, so I didn't have the opportunity to see what that entailed (the website mentions free beer and wine). I assume that during good weather, "Social Hour" takes place by the nice outdoor barbecue that's available for guests.

The outdoor amenities also include a pool and tennis courts.

There's also a gym, which might be nice for longer term guests, but I didn't check it out. As for the WiFi, the speed was great and I had no issues with the connection.

Minute Suites at DFW Airport

I'd hoped to make use of a Minute Suite during my DFW layover on the way to Nashville as I'd taken the red eye from Phoenix, but they were all booked. On my back I had a long layover because I just wasn't sure if I could make the earlier flight (I would've with about 10 minutes to spare). I decided to see if a suite was available. Normally I wouldn't, but I was pretty wiped out and my Hilton Ascend card includes 10 free passes to Priority Pass lounges which Minute Suites is a part of. The woman working the desk let me know one would come available in 20 minutes. She took my name and number so I could wander, but I sat at the gate across from the location in Terminal A. She called at the appointed time and I was able to check in with my ID, my Priority Pass card, and a credit card (there's snacks and beverages in the room that, if consumed, will be charged to the card as well as any damages). It was heaven to lay down for an hour although the pleather couch was not the most cushy. The blanket was super soft though and stacking two of the three pillows (Two are decorative and the one meant for sleeping is covered with a disposable pillow case. There was another disposable case in the room as well.) made for an adequate one.

I was happy to be able to charge my phone and zone out with the TV as background noise. There's DirecTV or the ability to log on to your Netflix account. If one wants to get some work done, there's also a desk and chair. I could hear some muffled noise (I think it was airport announcements), but the room was otherwise quiet.

The Red Door Spa & Salon in Phoenix, AZ

Update: The Red Door Spa rebranded as Mynd in 2019, but then closed in 2020.

When spa week rolls around (in April and October), I’m always excited to take advantage of one or more of the $50 treatments. October 2017 saw only a few spas participating in the Phoenix area, so I ended up only receiving the de-stress body treatment at the Red Door Biltmore. It was my first visit to the spa which is located in the outdoor shopping mall that also houses Saks and Macy’s.

After being offered a choice of cucumber or lemon water, I was led past the front desk to the locker area which had all sorts of hair products (even brushes!) and perfumes to fix yourself up after your service.

The lockers had two hangers and although the space was longer than most spa lockers, it's not quite the length of a dress.

Once I’d changed into the very soft robe (my only complaint about the robe was that it didn’t have a pocket to store my glasses—I put them on the counter in the room), I headed to the relaxation lounge which had low lighting, plush chairs, and an assortment of current issue women’s magazines.

The wait wasn’t long before Michelle introduced herself and brought me to one of the treatment rooms. The de-stress treatment I had focuses on hydration (minus the face). It began with exfoliation via gloves, then a copious amount of olive oil was applied before I got wrapped up “to cook.” During that time, I was given a warm neck pillow (which I loved so much I purchased) along with a blissful scalp and shoulder massage.

On a return trip a few months later, I received a manicure. There’s a separate area for the hair and nail services, so this time I went straight to that section without a stop in the relaxation lounge. I was offered a selection of lemon water (always my pick), tea, and coffee. I also got to make use of that excellent warm neck pillow while my cuticles were soaked then trimmed, my hands were moisturized, and my nails were painted with Essie polish.

Old Town Trolley Tour in San Diego, CA

During my October trip to San Diego, I did the Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour. It’s an excellent way to learn a bit about San Diego while exploring a limited portion of the city. I hopped on the trolley at the Horton Plaza stop as soon as the tour got going in the morning. Ric was working at the Horton Plaza stop (tickets are available at that stop) and provided me with great information about how to navigate the stops. I highly recommend dropping a pin on your phone’s map app because while most of the stops that sell tickets are easy to find, some of the other stops aren’t as well-marked. Some of the drivers were more entertaining than others, but I learned much about San Diego’s history regardless of who was driving. I didn’t get off at every stop, but found plenty to do at the ones I did—Coronado, Balboa Park, Old Town Market (everyone has to get off there), and Embarcadero Marina. There was so much to do that I ended up using the trolley from its first pickup time at Horton Plaza all the way to the last run of the day.

On Coronado Island, I explored the Hotel del Coronado which has quite the history (including being where L. Frank Baum wrote a lot of his books). The beach there is beautiful. I'm now planning a return trip so I can stay at the hotel.

Balboa Park is home to the Museum of Man and California Tower. The tower was closed until 2015, but now visitors to the museum can buy an additional ticket to take the stairs almost to the top. It's well worth it for the spectacular view. (I’ve been to the San Diego Zoo previously, so I didn’t visit this time but it can be reached from this stop.)

At the Old Town Market stop, I walked over to Whaley House which is said to be the most haunted house in America though I didn't experience anything spooky.

My last stop on the trolley tour was the Embarcadero Marina where I walked along the waterfront and visited the Maritime Museum.

Given the cost of parking and gas, the Old Town Trolley tour is more than worth the cost. According to the website, the tour would last two hours if one does it without getting on and off.

Sofia Hotel in San Diego, CA

Walking into the Sofia Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, I was greeted by a statue called "That-a-Way" which was created by Seward Johnson. Upon walking through the sliding glass doors, I was immediately impressed by the lush look of the lobby—there are gorgeous couches and chairs that just call out to be sat in. Unfortunately, hotel guests don’t tend to spend much time in the lobby, especially when there’s no continental breakfast or happy hour provided. At the desk, I was informed of a $12.50/night charge for services. I was prepared for the charge because I’d read about it in reviews for the hotel, but was surprised to learn that tax is also charged making it $14.97/night. The check-in process was smooth until the clerk realized my credit card didn’t have raised numbers and a photocopy would be needed. It took more than a few minutes for the copy to be made by a second person working the desk. During that time, the woman checking me in offered a map of the Gaslamp District and circled the two locations I said I’d be going to. She didn’t know, however, that one location (the Balboa Theatre) was less than a mile away and advised that I arrange for transportation until I pointed out its location on the map. She then said she was new. After my card was finally returned, I rode one of the two elevators up to the fourth floor.

On the way to the room, I noted that old photos were hung in the halls with information about the hotel in the past. I paid for a standard room and that’s what I received. The room was small and cramped, with the armchair making one side of the bed inaccessible. Staying by myself, this wasn’t an issue, but couples would likely find it a problem. I moved the chair some just to test it out and found that it would be a very tight squeeze for a second person even with the chair pushed against the window. Each side of the bed has just one outlet though the side without the chair has an alarm clock that will charge the iPhone 4S and older.

The bathroom is also quite small with the sink in the entryway and the toilet and shower squeezed in on the other side of the door. Apparently because of the small space, the shower has only a half door. The lighting in both the toilet/shower and sink areas is very dim. It would’ve been difficult to try to shave my legs in that lighting (I did not attempt). There is a nod to the low lighting by the sink with the addition of a lit makeup mirror. Unfortunately, the mirror can only be adjusted horizontally so that I, at 5’3”, had to stand on my tip-toes to see. My guess is that the mirror would work for those 5’5”-5’7”.

The room has some nice touches like an orchid on the bathroom counter and a lavender sachet on the bed, but those things don’t make up for the lack of a security latch. To my horror, I discovered the housekeeping staff (and I would assume all other employee keycards) can override the door bolt. Fortunately, I was dressed and close to leaving when she entered the room, but I did not sleep easy that night. Also, after housekeeping came in at 8:15am with me in the room, no one ever returned. When the desk clerk asked how my stay was I mentioned this as well as the loudness of my neighbors on Friday night (they were quite, uh, enthusiastic about each other and I eventually called the desk to complain because it had gone on for over an hour), he removed the $14.97 service fee for one of the nights.

My travel plans did not allow me to take advantage of the yoga, walking tour, or available bicycles, but I did hope to indulge in a spa service; when I called for an appointment, I was told no one was available. I did give the WiFi a try and the speed was sufficient, but it didn’t appear secure so I only used it briefly. The best thing about the Sofia Hotel (other than the location) is the attached restaurant. Currant had delicious beignets for weekend brunch and an excellent happy hour. The waitstaff was incredibly attentive and accommodating. I highly recommend the beignets (especially with the lemon curd) and butter cake.