Reviews by ecaarch

ecaarch says "I ate the entire container too quickly" about Kraft - Philadelphia Sundried Tomato and Basil Cream Cheese Spread

ecaarch — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:39:06 GMT

I had the container of Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Cream Cheese home for all of two days before I attacked it. And that would be the problem. I attacked it. I consumed the entire container in two days (by myself). I spread it on Triscuits and once I started I didn't want to stop. I guess I could console myself with the fact that the Triscuits gave me some fiber. The cream cheese had just the right amount of flavor without being overwhelming.

...

ecaarch says "GREAT location" about Club Quarters Central Loop - Chicago, IL

ecaarch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:39:03 GMT

Like most of the Club Quarters locations, the Chicago Central Loop property has a spartan lobby. The corridors can be convoluted and confusing, especially if you room is at the south side of the building.

The rooms are well maintained and spotless. The rooms are compact and efficient. Most bathrooms have a shower only.

A favorite feature is the filtered water dispensers in the corridors. Sealed plastic bottles are provided that can be refilled throughout your stay. This provides filtered bottled water without having to buy it, and reusing the bottles reduces landfill waste.

The hotel is inside the loop, only 2 blocks from the Quincy station.

...

ecaarch says "Can be the right program depending on your needs" about Delta Skymiles Program

ecaarch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:31:22 GMT

The Delta SkyMiles program might or might not be the best program for you. It all depends on your needs and your travel patterns.

There are only a handful of US based frequent flyer programs where you can acrue and redeem miles if you travel both domestically and internationally. Delta SkyMiles does not have as many airline partners as United Mileage Plus or American AAdvantage, but Delta flies more places with its own aircraft, allowing you to earn and redeem miles almost anyplace in the world.

The program can seem complicated to a novice. There are MANY rules about how miles are earned, who gets upgraded and why, and when miles expire. Frequent Flyer websites such as FlyerTalk can be invaluable in maximizing the benefits that you get from the SkyMiles program.

...

ecaarch says "Spotless and often a great value" about Express By Holiday Inn LONDON - EARL'S COURT - London,

ecaarch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:22:54 GMT

I have stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn Earls Courtl 5-6 times. It is in an okay location, although the walk from the Earls Court tube station is about 10-12 minutes. (While the West Brompton tube station is much closer, it has pretty infrequent service.)

The hotel has been spotless every time. The rooms are basic but certainly not lacking.

The continental breakfast buffet is better than at most hotels. However, it is not set out until 7am. This can be a problem if you have an early flight/train.

I wish the Holiday Inn Express hotels in the US were as well run and maintained as this property.

Note that rates can very tremendously depending on events at the nearby Earls Court Exhibition Centre. There are times when this hotel can be a bargain, but there are times when the rates match those of a four star hotel in the city centre.

...

ecaarch says "Not really a 4 star hotel - more like 3 stars" about Copthorne Tara Hotel - Kensington, London, United Kingdom

ecaarch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:10:30 GMT

The Copthorne Tara is an adequate hotel. It isn't bad, but it certainly is not a four star hotel. The rooms are pretty dated with early 80's pickled wood furniture.

It is VERY convenient to the High Street Kensington tube station. (Walk out the arcade to Kensington High Street, turn left, left again at the first corner, and look to your left at the dead end of the street.) Time from exiting the tube to key in your door is about 3-4 minutes.

The rooms overlooking the tube lines have double glazing which helps to provide soundproofing. The rooms facing the entry drive have single glazed windows and can be slightly more noisy.

The desk staff is very efficient and professional. I was expecting a package during my stay and the concierge seemed clueless about how that would be handled.

For the right rate, I would stay there again.

...

ecaarch says "Better than sleeping in an alley...but not by much" about Britannia - Manchester,

ecaarch — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:59:57 GMT

The hotel is a grand old building that COULD be incredible. However, the lobby is decorated more like a bordello than a grand hotel.

I have stayed at this hotel three times, only because there were no other rooms available in the city centre. Each time, there has been mildew on the shower curtain (ewww!) and on the wall tile at the bathtub.

The hotel is in a VERY convenient location, especially if you need to be in the city centre or the gay village. It is within walking distance from Piccadilly Station, Piccadilly Gardens, and Arndale Centre. It is immediately adjecent to the gay village.

Use the Britannia as a hotel of last resort when nothing else is available. The Thistle (one block north) is a much better option if available.

...

ecaarch says "reliable....eat on the deck in the back" about Pablos - Atlanta, GA

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:49:24 GMT

...

ecaarch says "As classic rock as it gets" about Neil Diamond - Hot August Night

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:48:52 GMT

...

ecaarch says "not applicable" about N/A - N/A, N/A

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:48:04 GMT

...

ecaarch says "IDEAL location" about Bailey's Millennium - London, United Kingdom

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:47:22 GMT

seperate hot and cold water taps at the lavatories are a pain...

ecaarch says "Fun and reasonably priced" about Wagagmama - London, UK

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:46:11 GMT

look on the Wagamama website for coupons each week...

ecaarch says "Service doesn't get any better than this" about USAA Banking and Insurance

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:45:04 GMT

CONSISTENTLY good service...

ecaarch says "Weasels" about Chase - Priority Club Visa

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:44:19 GMT

Chase moves the payment date forward one month, bacwards the next, all in an attempt to trip you into making a late payment...

ecaarch says "Packed with features including a real Sony CyberShot camera" about Sony - K800i Cell Phone

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:43:09 GMT

The camera cover gets bumped a lot...

ecaarch says "Fun and reliable" about Volkswagen Jetta - 2000

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:41:24 GMT

...

ecaarch says "The right school can open doors" about University of Virginia Charlottesville VA

ecaarch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:40:47 GMT

...