On 15 Jul 2004 06:48:33 -0700, the renowned tchiowa2@hotmail.com
(Tchiowa) wrote:
>Madonna wrote in message news:<8woJc.24237$RD4.1533513@news20.bellglobal.com>...
>> PTRAVEL wrote:
>
>> > I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. I've stayed in 5-star "local hotels"
>> > as well as the international chains, and there is nothing to distinguish the
>> > two except that one will give me frequent stay points.
>>
>> That's what I mean. 5 star hotels isolate you from the country you're
>> in, it's like a bubble isolating you from the country you're in.
>
>???? Where do you get that? Apparently you have never stayed in one.
>There is no more insulation in a 5 star hotel than a backpacker flop
>house. What you have is more "creature comforts".
Personally, I've noticed that I'm less motivated to get out on the
streets if I'm staying in a plush $200 hotel with CNN/ABC on a big TV
vs. a $5 hotel.
In a big hotel, services such as laundry are always very expensive
compared to what you can get outside, sometimes they are more
convenient or of higher quality, sometimes not. I often find their
pickup and delivery times for laundry to cause problems.
The big plus of a classy hotel is if there is a good concierge who can
help arrange transportation, suggest places to go if you have special
interests etc. You might get that in a small hotel, but you're more
likely to get it in some large hotels. Depends on your interests, of
course- for example if you want decorator fabrics for upholstery it
might be hard to find an appropriate wholesale outlet. OTOH, some
small places, such as the place I stayed in Cambodia will not only
give you advice about illegal drugs but also sell them to you. His
Thai wife also cooked some great food and he was an excellent source
of information for visitors, so I didn't much care.
>> It brings home to a foreign land. Sacrificing the princely comfort will
>> give you more of a local flavour,
>
>Nonsense.
>
>> you may have to eat rice with chopsticks instead of steak with a fork,
>
>You can eat rice with chopsticks in a 5-star hotel and you can eat
>(what passes for) steak in a backpacker restaurant.
>
>> the waiter may not speak perfect english,
>
>Which has what to do with anything?
If you want advice on the food it might make a difference.
>> the train ride will show more of the country than a plane over it...
>
>Which has what to do with culture? And a train ride sitting in First
>Class shows just as much of the country as a train ride sitting in
>Third Class.
You meet different local people in first class vs. lower class vs.
flying. All are interesting. Why not try each way?
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
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