The Polite Traveler

  Dear Polite Traveler, If you’ve read my review on this Hilton you know we needed a break, as many do, from the stress of last year.  So, we traveled eight hours from our home in Northern California to stay in the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.  And it is indeed  beachfront .  Pacific Ocean breezes soothed me into a calm I’m still enjoying.  Friendly faces awaited us at the extremely busy registration desk.   Not surprising since it was after 4 O’clock.   Since we’re Honors Members a lovely young person offered us the typical room upgrade and handed us bottles of water and drink coupons. Note The Daily $30 Resort Charge includes internet access for 2 devices, 2-hour bicycle rental; a glass of house wine (2 adults), 2 bottles of water available daily at front desk and a 20% discount on Spa services and tennis clinics. Room #491 Bougainvillea Building There are eight buildings full of rooms in this complex.   We were ass...

  Dear Polite Travelers, Lucky us.   With a credit card we use, we receive free nights each year at Hilton Properties, which is fortunate as we are Hilton Diamond Honors Members.   These nights can be used at any Hilton property.   So, as the pandemic waned here in California, we decided to hit the road and travel south to Santa Barbara, also known as the American Riviera.    Once here, we stayed three nights in the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.   ( Review ) Three nights doesn’t offer much time to offer you, my polite travelers, a vast amount of information.   I do, however, have some.   Here’s what I found. The Roundhouse Since we stayed for so few days, we never ate at the main breakfast restaurant , The Roundhouse.   I did, however, check the menu.   Basically, it was what one would find in a typical coffee house, minus the substantial amounts.   Peeking inside, I was surprised to find very few takin...

  A Conundrum of Contrasts Dear Polite Traveler, While breathtakingly beautiful grounds and impeccably designed interiors, I wouldn’t call this a “luxury” resort that should demand a premium daily rate.   Still, this is one of the few large hotels in Santa Barbara, CA, directly across the street from the Pacific Ocean in what is called “The American Riviera . ”   So here begins my explanation of why this hotel confuses me.  ( Video : Santa Barbara) The Pluses Take a deep breath, you have arrived in the land of Aww.... Damn straight, this is a beautiful place.   The grounds are massive, green and, well, just about all colors blended into a mosaic of California’s best.   The jasmine perfumes the air as the bougainvillea tantalizes the eyes.   Those are also two names of the eight buildings. While strolling through the well-manicured gardens , a stunning vision of the deep-blue Pacific Ocean peaks through the buildings to remind me of why we’...

Old, Odd but Friendly Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, After a half-day of air travel that began early in the morning, we arrived at the DoubleTree in Waikiki.   From the outside, the hotel didn’t impress.    It looked dingy, small, and old.    To be honest, it is small (ish) compared to so many in Waikiki, but somewhat cozy. Old?     Yes, even though its website mentioned being recently updated.    Still, it was adequate, especially when receiving a deal not easy to pass up.   Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Upgraded Again!  Upon reaching the welcome desk, we were greeted by more than a friendly face.  Rebecca automatically upgraded our “deal room” to a suite.  Gotta love that!  And, besides sharing the same name as me, she shares my love of tea.  Subsequently, she made sure I had plenty ...

Look!  There's...A Parking Lot? Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Sure, we were upgraded to a suite, even though we received a “deal” for a regular room due to our member status with Hilton, but a room overlooking a parking lot isn’t ideal.    Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem for me.   After all, I’m in Hawaii.  Life is good.    Nevertheless, because of our room’s position in this DoubleTree , headlights lit up our room all night long.      Furthermore, due to the hotel’s size and location, there were few room alternatives.      Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Still, if not at night, just look at this room!  It has room to spread out and, if ignoring the parking lot, has wonderful views of a large park—near Fort DeRussy—on one side and mountain view on the other.  The hotel itself is located near...