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There's just no pleasing me

I don't know what it is. I can find fault in almost anything. Even staying at a 5 star resort [FOR FREE] doesn't cut it.

As some of you already know, especially if you've read my previous post, Edie and I decided to celebrate my 60th birthday, by staying at the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point this weekend.

While the hotel grounds were spectacular, the room extremely comfortable (I slept till 7 AM both mornings), dinner at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding, service throughout the hotel was equally outstanding, and the masssages were to die for, was it all worth the price?

Well, for the most part it was, but I did have some issues.

If I had to pay the full room rate ($565 for the cheapest rate + tax), the answer would be a definite no, but since the room was free (I used my Starwood rewards points), I have to give it a qualified yes.

Qualified, because the view from the room was less than desired (see my previous post), and everything just seemed way over priced.  It's just so hard to justify spending $4 for a simple cup of coffee, $14 for a margarita (at least they used Cuervo Gold), and $30 per night to park the car.  Oh yeah, and a glass of club soda at Stonehill Tavern cost $5, refills not included.

And why when you're paying $565 per night for a room, does the hotel feel it is necessary to charge you an additional $12.99 per night to access the internet?  Why don't they just include it in the cost of the hotel room, like most of the less expensive hotels, i.e. Holiday Inn, Best Western etc?

Plus, when you're spending as much as you are for a room, in a setting as spectacular as this one, why in the world would you want to bring your kids along?  Maybe it's because I don't have kids, but I just don't get it. Bringing your kids to such an environment seems inconsistent with my perception of a 5 star resort.

All in all, I enjoyed the two days, but I wouldn't go back.  One of the great thing about living in Southern California, is we don't have to travel very far to get to a great tourist destination.  We're already here, and there are lots of other choices.
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Comments

Becky said…
Oy gevalt, enough of the kvetching, already. You're getting too good at it.

I'd knit you a shawl and officially declare you a cranky old fart, but then you'd complain about the color or the fiber would be too scratchy.

Happy Birthday, Marc, You're not quite as old as Israel, so, that should make you happy.

Becky

PS Did Morris get you anything? Louis brought me a bird today and it wasn't even my birthday.
3:31 PM
Mark VanKirk said…
We are going to La Costa in a couple of weeks. www.lacosta.com Ever been?

Happy Birthday!
1:10 AM
Marc said…
Never been to La Costa, but have been wanting to go. If I had to pay for the room, I would have chosen La Costa over the St. Regis, but you can't beat free. Plus La Costa is a little further drive.

Maybe for Edie's birthday we'll go to La Costa.

And thankfully Morris didn't bring me anything for my birthday. I think it's too hot for him to go outside to catch anything.
3:12 AM
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