Local Sensitivity: Priceless

Holiday Inn, Waterbury, CT

I left a review of the Holiday Inn Waterbury on TripAdvisor, as I do with any hotel at which I stay. Well, some local was upset that I began my review with what I think of the town (which is not much). I viewed it as a public service, so fuck him. Anyway, he left me a hilarious message through TripAdvisor, which I am inclined to share with you:

Good afternoon,
Before sending my RSVP for a charity event being held at the new Holiday Inn, I decided to go online to view any information or reviews on the hotel and water park. I was very disappointed to read your review of the hotel, as it began not as a hotel review, but as an opinionated rant of a town that is quite beautiful with tremendous history.

Let’s take this from the top. If he knows so much about Waterbury, why the fuck is he looking up the hotel? Why doesn’t he just drive by the goddamned place? But, maybe I’m the retard. Also, Waterbury may have a tremendous history (as does every town in New England), but it is far from beautiful, particularly the neighborhood in which you’ll find this particular hotel.

The beautiful and historic Palace Theater hosts many wonderful theater and musical performances. Diorio’s, Carmen Anthony’s, Brass City Bistro and Quench Cafe are among the finest dining establishments in CT.

I rather suspect that there are several restaurants in Hartford that rival those listed above. Just a guess, but I also think there are a number around Stamford, Greenwich and other “rich people” places that have a leg up on Waterbury as well. Oh, and I just spoke with my wife. She grew up in Waterbury, just like the dumbass who wrote this message. She is only familiar with one of the restaurants above and says that, while it’s good, it’s probably not among the best in the state. So, take that!

I, for one, am extremely proud of the City where I was born and raised, and hope you might take the time to experience some of the pleasantries that Waterbury has to offer if you should “have to” return again.
Cheers!

Well, happy fucking day! He’s proud of where he grew up! And, he still lives there, so he probably hasn’t seen much of the rest of the world. A look at his profile suggests that he joined TripAdvisor specifically to send me this “invitation” to “experience some of the pleasantries that Waterbury has to offer.”

If I had ever bothered to form an opinion of the type of nutjob who would be proud to call Waterbury home, this would have been it.

What the moron failed to indicate is whether my review of the hotel was helpful. Unlike most users, I put a considerable amount of time and effort into my TripAdvisor hotel reviews, and I do include photos when I can. So far, I have written 13 reviews and posted 22 photos. I do this not for compensation but because I use TripAdvisor and realize that other people do, too. The only way it works is if we are all as thorough as possible. This piece of shit has missed the point entirely, instead opting to defend his hometown to someone he likely will never see there.

So, he pays the price on the Wandering Blogger.

New Hotel Review on TripAdvisor

Obligatory photo of me by me

Check out TripAdvisor for my latest hotel review. Last weekend, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Waterbury (in Waterbury, CT); I was in town for a wedding. The hotel wasn’t that bad, aside from the fact that it’s in Waterbury. Well, it’s an interesting hotel for a dumpy town in suburbia and even has a waterpark (I never got around to trying it.

Check out the Holiday Inn Waterbury >>

Sheer Insanity from the Leading Hotels of the World

This is fucking nuts. Hotel chain “Leading Hotels of the World is offering a deep discount to celebrate its 80th anniversary– think 1928. For 80 minutes on October 1, guests will be able to log in and book a room with this companies properties for the low price of $19.28 per night. No bullshit. I doubt everyone will get a taste, but at least we all have a shot. I’m gunning for a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Check it out for yourself >>

Women Wild about Wine at Tides Inn

A Weekend Getaway for Girlfriends Celebrating Friendship and Virginia Wine Month

This Chesapeake Bay weekend getaway for women who are wild about wine celebrates the 20th anniversary of Virginia Wine month this October. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to Virginia wineries on a self-guided tour of the Northern Neck Wine trail, complete with a Chesapeake regional picnic lunch. There’s also plenty of time for catching up and relaxing back at the peaceful setting of the waterfront inn with mani-pedis over wine, and activities such as tennis, golf, boating and nearby antiquing and historical attractions.

The two-night Women Wild About Wine Package includes:
- Friday and Saturday night accommodation in a Vista Suite, double occupancy
- Scrumptious breakfast for two
- Two manicures and two pedicures accompanied by a Virginia wine of your choice, selected from the six wineries on the self-guided itinerary
- Picnic basket lunch for the Saturday self-guided tour of six Virginia wineries located near the Inn (basket is yours to keep): Athena Vineyards, Belle Mount Vineyards, Ingleside Vineyards, Oak Crest Vineyard & Winery, Vault Field Vineyards, and White Fences Vineyard & Winery. Tastings at each winery included
- Bottle of wine from each of the six wineries presented at each respective winery
- Two “Women Wild about Wine” logo shirts

Two-night package for two people, based on double occupancy, is $335 per person, per night, plus tax. Valid for Friday-Saturday weekends through November 15, 2008.

These vineyards are part of the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace appellation and enjoy a climate similar to that of Bordeaux, France. The weather is moderated by the Chesapeake Bay and the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, allowing the region to grow exceptional wine grapes in well-drained, sandy loam soil. Gently rolling hills are planted with American hybrid and grafted European vines, offering breathtaking views and award-winning wines.

About Tides Inn
The intimate 106-room Tides Inn, set on its own waterfront peninsula in the charming town of Irvington on Virginia’s Northern Neck, has been a Chesapeake Bay tradition for over 60 years. A preferred mid-Atlantic getaway for couples, families and small groups, the resort features luxury accommodations furnished in British colonial style and dedicated state-of-the-art conference facilities certified by IACC. The resort’s signature fine dining restaurant, the Chesapeake Club, serves seasonal regional Chesapeake Bay cuisine. Additional amenities include a full service spa; an award-winning 60-slip marina that accommodates boats up to 125 feet; a professional sailing school and an array of outdoor recreation, including championship golf, tennis, croquet and volleyball.

For more information, please visit www.tidesinn.com.

A sneak peak at my DC trip

Of course, I remembered to pack my camera, but I forgot to include the cable that connects my camera to my laptop. So, I now have more than 100 pictures from today that I will not be able to access until tomorrow. It is entirely my own fault. Life’s a bitch.

But, I didn’t want to deprive you of how I am living down here. So, I had my wife snap this shot with my blackberry (day job blackberry, to be exact). The animal print bathrobe comes with the room … and it’s consistent with the decor. I can’t wait to post pictures of the Hotel Helix … and yes, I’ll do a TripAdvisor review on it. But, I absolutely will not mention this hotel in my Trader/Dealmaker column– not a fucking chance.

My next getaway

I’m heading down to Washington, D.C. for Labor Day weekend and staying in a cool boutique hotel. It’s a new one for me, and I’m looking forward to it. This will be my second trip down to DC this year. It is likely to take the place of Boston as my weekend getaway destination. It’s a decent-sized city with a cigar shop and plenty to do. That’s all I really look for.