While attending the Search Engine Strategies conference in San Jose, California, I stayed at the Sainte Claire, a historic hotel operated by Larkspur Hotels & Restaurants.
The Sainte Claire is indeed a very nice hotel, located right in the heart of downtown San Jose. Rooms are bit small, but they make up for it with lots of little touches -- robes, a big-screen TV with DVD player (DVDs & CDs are available at no charge) and much more.
It's next to the San Jose McEnery Convention center, and only a few blocks away from many area restaurants and businesses.
You can view some pictures of the Sainte Claire that I took during my stay, or visit the official website.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Blogging SES 2007
Of course I'm not the only person blogging from SES 2007 in San Jose, there are lots of others doing the same thing.
Below is a list of other bloggers, which I'll attempt to update as I find them:
ask.com
toprankblog.com
More to come!
Below is a list of other bloggers, which I'll attempt to update as I find them:
ask.com
toprankblog.com
More to come!
Still live from SES!
Well, it's Day 3 here at the Search Engine Strategies conference, and things are still rolling along.
Yesterday was a big day -- the exhibit floor opened up, the sessions were very informative, and, last but not least, last night was the Google Dance!!
Wow, I was definitely impressed. They have a beautiful campus. There was lots to do and see. What caught my eye was the number of Google employees -- they were everywhere! I had no idea there'd be so many.
Anywho...another session is about to start, I'll check in again later!
Yesterday was a big day -- the exhibit floor opened up, the sessions were very informative, and, last but not least, last night was the Google Dance!!
Wow, I was definitely impressed. They have a beautiful campus. There was lots to do and see. What caught my eye was the number of Google employees -- they were everywhere! I had no idea there'd be so many.
Anywho...another session is about to start, I'll check in again later!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Live from SES!
Howdy, folks. I'm reporting live from San Jose, California at the Search Engine Strategies conference. I just checked in, and I'm going over the course materials.
Already met and chatted with some nice folks, and just hanging out a bit before the first session starts!
I'll check in when I can...till then!
Already met and chatted with some nice folks, and just hanging out a bit before the first session starts!
I'll check in when I can...till then!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Worst of the Worst
I'm shining a spotlight on 2 hotels this issue, the Sands Ocean Club Resort & the Sand Dunes Resort Hotel, both in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
I have no doubt that these two hotels are fine, upstanding places. In fact, Sands Ocean Club is currently ranked #77 out of 212 area hotels over at tripadvisor, and Sand Dunes Resort is ranked #114 -- not bad, but not great, either.
We've currently received several bad reviews for both, so I thought I'd let you read for yourself!
Sands Ocean Club Resort reviews
Sand Dunes Resort Hotel reviews
I'll be out of town all next week -- many of my coworkers and I will be attending the Search Engine Strategies conference out in San Jose, California. We're looking forward to it!
See you next time...
I have no doubt that these two hotels are fine, upstanding places. In fact, Sands Ocean Club is currently ranked #77 out of 212 area hotels over at tripadvisor, and Sand Dunes Resort is ranked #114 -- not bad, but not great, either.
We've currently received several bad reviews for both, so I thought I'd let you read for yourself!
Sands Ocean Club Resort reviews
Sand Dunes Resort Hotel reviews
I'll be out of town all next week -- many of my coworkers and I will be attending the Search Engine Strategies conference out in San Jose, California. We're looking forward to it!
See you next time...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
July 2007 Pick-of-the-month
It's time again for another "pick", and this month it's Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort, located in the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (whew, that's a mouthful)!
Now, I've had the pleasure of staying here on several occassions, but the most recent visit was something really special, as it was for my honeymoon! Ooh...ahh...thank you, thank you. You're too kind, really.
Ahem, sorry about that. :-)
Anywho, the resort is outstanding. It's considered a "Moderate" Disney resort, which means it's nicer than the "Value" resorts (Disney's lowest-priced hotels), but not quite as nice as their "Deluxe" resorts. But, I feel it's definitely worth the price.
Riverside (formerly known as "Dixie Landings") is based on a deep south motif. The resort is layed out on the Sassagoula River. The front building is designed to look like a regal southern entry port. The buildings closest to this area (which also includes the food court and sit-down restaurant) are dubbed the "Alligator Bayou". However, as you progress around down the river, the buildings become more ornate as you move into the "Manor" section. All in all, a great effect.
Guests are within walking distance to Port Orleans French Quarter resort, which is a Disneyfied version of New Orleans' French Quarter. These 2 sister resorts both feature pools, eateries, bus service to the theme parks & boat service to Downtown Disney shopping.
As expected, my bride and I had an amazing trip, and look forward to many many more.
You can read more about Port Orleans Riverside, as well as view pictures and more at the "official" Disney World website.
See you real soon!
Now, I've had the pleasure of staying here on several occassions, but the most recent visit was something really special, as it was for my honeymoon! Ooh...ahh...thank you, thank you. You're too kind, really.
Ahem, sorry about that. :-)
Anywho, the resort is outstanding. It's considered a "Moderate" Disney resort, which means it's nicer than the "Value" resorts (Disney's lowest-priced hotels), but not quite as nice as their "Deluxe" resorts. But, I feel it's definitely worth the price.
Riverside (formerly known as "Dixie Landings") is based on a deep south motif. The resort is layed out on the Sassagoula River. The front building is designed to look like a regal southern entry port. The buildings closest to this area (which also includes the food court and sit-down restaurant) are dubbed the "Alligator Bayou". However, as you progress around down the river, the buildings become more ornate as you move into the "Manor" section. All in all, a great effect.
Guests are within walking distance to Port Orleans French Quarter resort, which is a Disneyfied version of New Orleans' French Quarter. These 2 sister resorts both feature pools, eateries, bus service to the theme parks & boat service to Downtown Disney shopping.
As expected, my bride and I had an amazing trip, and look forward to many many more.
You can read more about Port Orleans Riverside, as well as view pictures and more at the "official" Disney World website.
See you real soon!
Worst of the Worst
Hello, and welcome to another exciting installment of "Worst of the Worst". In today's episode, we hear from "Samantha", who had a bad experience with the timeshare sales folks over at Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa near Universal Orlando.
Yes, she wrote it all out in caps -- crazy, huh? Well, as someone said in reply, it just goes to show that there's no such thing as a free lunch!
Now, the last 4 reviews we've received for the Westgate have all been negative. In fact, the hotel is currently ranked #162 out of 289 properties in Orlando over at TripAdvisor. You've been warned.
See you next time!
Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE Behavior!!!!
I DID NOT ACTUALLY STAY @ THE RESORT, HOWEVER, AFTER THERE UNACCEPTABLE TIMESHARE PRESENTATION I WILL NEVER, EVER, GO THERE AGAIN. THEY HAD ME DROP MY KIDS OFF(3, AGES 5,6,9) FOR "APROX. AN HOUR" WHICH TURNED INTO 3.5 HRS!!!AS SOON AS MY FRIEND AND I BEGAN SPEAKING W/ ALI(THE REP) WE ASSURED HIM WE WERE ONLY THERE FOR THE UNIVERSAL TICKETS AND NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING A TIMSHARE. HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD BUT HE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OR HE WOULD GET INTO TROUBLE. AFTER SHOWING US THE PICTURES AND EXPLAINING THE PROCESS WE GET ON A GOLF CART AND TRAVELED APROX. 1/4 MILE AWAY FROM WHERE WE BEGAN, HE SHOWED US THE CONDO, WE SAID IT WAS NICE...WE GO TO A DIFFERANT BUILDING AND WE BEGIN TO RUSH HIM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO LONG THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN AT THEIR DAYCARE-WHICH HE IGNORED!! HE BRINGS OUT A MGR. WHO CALLED US LIARS ABOUT VACATIONING AND ASKED IF WE SAID WE WERE INTERESTED IN PURCHASRING TO MAKE ALI FEEL GOOD, WHICH WE NEVER DID!!!WE STATED FROM THE BEGINING WE WERE NOT INTERESTED!!!SO AFTER BEING HORRIBLY RUDE, HE LEAVES AND ALI GETS KRISTIN TO HELP US, WHO WAS EVEN WORSE THAN THE OTHER TWO-SHE ACTUALLY THREW HER FOLDER AT ME AND SAID "YOU PEOPLE ARE MESSED UP!" WHY? YES, BECAUSE WE WERE NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING A TIMESHARE, IT DID NOT MATTER THAT THEY HAD KEPT ME AWAY FROM MY KIDS FOR OVER 3 HOURS OR THAT WE SAID NO VERY NICELY-REPEATEDLY, FROM THE VERY START, THEN THEY GET UP FROM THE TABLE AND LEAVE US THERE. WE HAD NO IDEA WHERE WE WERE, HOW TO GET BACK TO MY KIDS, OR EVEN WHERE THE PARKING LOT WAS!!! IT WAS HORRIBLE AND BY THE TIME WE FINALLY LEFT THERE THE TICKETS THAT WE STILL PAID 194.00 FOR WE HAD 3.5 HOURS LEFT TO SPEND AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!! WE HAVE CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THIS PLACE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION NOT ONLY FOR MY COMPLAINT BUT FOR THE MANY SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS!! TAKE MY ADVICE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH A COMPANY THAT TREATS YOU AND ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILDREN THE WAY THESE PEOPLE TREATED US-WE LEFT IN TEARS! TO MAKE UP FOR OUR MISTREATMENT WE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE COMPANY TO SAY THE EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN REPRIMANDED AND TO ME THAT'S NOT EVEN GOOD ENOUGH-THEY SHOULD BE FINED AND HAVE THEIR LICENSE WITHDRAWN!!
Yes, she wrote it all out in caps -- crazy, huh? Well, as someone said in reply, it just goes to show that there's no such thing as a free lunch!
Now, the last 4 reviews we've received for the Westgate have all been negative. In fact, the hotel is currently ranked #162 out of 289 properties in Orlando over at TripAdvisor. You've been warned.
See you next time!
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