HotelChatter

Hotel Deals / → All Tags

In The Bahamas We Drive On The Left

Where: Bayshore Drive, Grand Island, Bahamas

Looking for a Bahamanian getaway?

The Grand Island's Old Bahama Bay Resort is offering a special room rate of $199 from Jan. 4 to March 30.

The rooms, which are discounted 60 percent from high-season regular rates must be booked by Jan.15. Also President's Week is not included.

The hotel has other winter deals and packages such as the "Romantic Rendezvous" and "One Week in Paradise."

And the resort helpfully reminds potential visitors on their website:

"Remember that in The Bahamas, we drive on the LEFT!!"

That, and might we add, "pack some bug spray."

Related Stories:
·   Old Bahama Bay Brand Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]

Hotel Hell / → All Tags

Nebraska Sleep Inn Rejects Pets

Where: 1716 N. Diers [map], Grand Island, NE, United States, 68803

[Editor's Note: switchcoast is back with a couple more tales from his cross country venture. Apparently, Choice Hotels claimed to be pet friendly, and they were, until a Nebraska hotel got involved.]

We ran into our first glitch with Rylee (our bulldog). In two trips across the country we have been fortunate enough not to have any hotel/pet issues. That streak has come to an end thanks to the "Sleep Inn" in Grand Island.

As with all my "Choice Hotel" reservations, I reserved the room on their corporate website. Prior to this trip, I signed up to become a benefits member. When I searched for rooms, I always checked off that I needed a hotel that allows pets. I also typed in the comments field of the reservation that I would be traveling with a small dog. Today when I arrived at the Sleep Inn I was told that they do not allow pets. I explained my situation and the staff did not seem to care, nor did they suggest any alternatives.

We ended up at a place called "USA Inns of America". This is a basic motel, nice and clean. I called Choice Hotels to inform them of my situation. I can't say that I think they cared. I would say that their customer service is like the quality of their hotels, 2.5 stars at best. The rep on the phone said that he has heard of issues like mine before and that he would make some suggestion to management. What slayed me was that even though I told him that I was a member, he never asked for my member number. I guess Choice Privileges don't mean much.

Lesson learned here is to always call the hotels directly to confirm they accept pets.