Chapter 1 - Who are these sociable people staying in B&Bs?? (My dad, for one.)
Alright bebbies... I've got 5 hotels near the airport that I'm going to choose from because they're in my price range. I've looked at some B&Bs but... no, not for me. I want anonymity. Plus I'll be staying up til 5 AM, watching TV, maybe talking with my brother... how does that work when you're in someone's house? What if I'm coming back from my mum's at 1 AM?
It's too weird. I feel like if I sleep in til 2 in the afternoon I'll then be subject to Old People Making Jokes About Me.
(I've only met one person, over 60, in my life who understood sleeping in. He's my grandfather's cousin, and when he went to bed he'd say: See you at the crack of noon!) No, I'm not a B&B gal. And the prices are in the same range as the hotels.Chapter 2 - Mabel considers her choices
When I chose the hotel for Stratford, last year, I relied on the TripAdvisor site, and it worked out. Lots of people post detailed reviews that tend to answer all my questions. And I can see if the hotel manager replies to the comments. For example, someone in 2009 will complain about holes in the blankets, and then the manager will post a note saying all new blankets have been purchased, and then you see only good reviews in 2010. Gilby and I both enjoyed the place where we ended up staying.
Ideally I'm looking for:
- internet included (doesn't have to be wireless)
- a mini fridge so I can have a little food in the room
- a microwave
- clean
- cable tv
- and maybe some nearby places to walk to, like shopping or something
I'm off to compare The Five and will report back...
Chapter 3 - The results revealed!
* Comfort Inn Van Airport
* Executive Inn Express
* Quality Hotel Airport South
* Ramada Limited Van Airport
* Travelodge Hotel Van Airport
...I'm back. It's funny some of the things listed as amenities. Like smoke alarms. Or a touch tone phone. When is the last time you saw a rotary dialer phone? In this day and age that would be the amenity! "A retro touch with our classic rotary phones!"
Okay, now I'm going to read the reviews...
Well, it looks like the Ramada's the clear winner. Let me go double check the transportation to Mother's, though anything near the airport will be very short for her to pick me up.
...Well I have to transfer once, which seems a bit foolish. But driving is 7 minutes.
Chapter 4 - Mabel reveals all, and asks you a question
The Ramada has all the right features, and there are some balconies, and an in-room safe which would be nice for the laptoppy.
It's next to a park.
And a hospital for physical emergencies, and a library for intellectual emergencies.
12 minutes by bus from my bento boxes.
There's three different king bed rooms available. I'm going to sleep with my arms completely outstretched every night.
For $7 I can get a balcony, but it would only be worth it if warm enough. Early Sep is nice and sunny and warm and when I stay at my mum's I often sit in the back doorway in the sun, reading and drinking tea when I first get up.
But is October too cold? ...I just checked Weather Canada -- it's usually not too rainy, highs between 13-17 degrees. What do you guys think? Is that balconyable? I can pass on the jet-tub for $15 more. But. I think... I think I might NEED a balcony. ...Balcony?
