|
R.I.P Allen Park Inn  After suffering heavy flood damage from Tropical Storm Allison, the Allen Park Inn has permanently closed its doors. CLICK card to read the story. |
ATLANTA:
The DOUBLETREE, PEACHTREE - DUNWOODY RD.
I love DOUBLETREEs. Two trees add up to great accommodations. This one is located a block away from a Publix Grocery Store. You can wire broke people money with their Western Union and then have the deli fix you a sandwich that incorporates Boar's Head lunch meat. A favorite of the limo driver (limo means Town Car 90% of the time). The tree again throws in the free cookies and half the rooms surround a pool that I have yet to jump into. A small store sits next to the front desk in case you forgot razors or pretzels. Enroll in the Hilton HHonors program and you get points at the DOUBLETREE as well. It's a parent company situation.
SEATTLE:
The CAMLIN, old and sorta quaint with a large, lighted green sign on the roof. The top floor has the CLOUD ROOM, a cool bar with impressive views. I like to go up there before a show, slug a stiff drink and think my new jokes are funny again. The rooms are spacious but beware of the room service. I once ordered coffee only to open the door and see the front desk clerk holding a cup with one hand and sugar packets in the other. I lived at The CAMLIN while I was editing 'Los Enchiladas'.
LOS ANGELES:
The FARMERS DAUGHTER if you're low on cash but still want to be in the thick of things. Very basic but GREAT VENDING MACHINES. Across the street from 'CBS' so you stand a chance of bumping into THE PRICE IS RIGHT contestants. The band IVY was there once. I left a CD for them at the front desk. I hope they got it. Avoid if you want to be pampered.
LAS VEGAS:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Got my first room at N.Y. N.Y. and I was very happy. They've got that rollercoaster encircling the entire premises, just like Manhatten. You can get fake GRAY'S PAPAYA Hot Dogs at a place called Mango Micks or something. And even slices. Ask for a slice and they'll say "What kind" though. Plus, they don't fold well. But fuck it, save the folding for that 8 high hand you were dealt at the poker table.
MANDALAY BAY
I really dig MANDALAY BAY and THE FOUR SEASONS that occupies the top floors. Pretty much everyhotel in Vegas rules but MANDALAY BAY houses the HOUSE OF BLUES, where I took in an amazing MARILYN MANSON show. Gambling is all the better when you can check out what type of person goes to a HENRY ROLLINS spoken word show as you decide whether or not to double down on 9 when the dealer has an 8 up. I joined the HILTON slot club and got 5 free nights of lodging and 200 hundered in cash offered to me a couple of months later. Try and find COOK E. JARR for some real fine lounge singer action. LAS VEGAS: I always wish I was there.
NEW YORK:
I lived at the Chelsea Hotel for a stretch...Proprietor STANELY BARD is a true American gentleman. I hung my cap in room 330. The hotel is seriously special. If I was late with the rent, I didn't even have to finish spitting out my excuse before the front desk guy said "It's alright, pay us when you can." Must've been why Sid liked it.
The LETTERMAN SHOW puts me up at various midtown 4 star joints. I like the DOUBLETREE. Very high up above Times Square. Looking down on that circus for 47 floors up gives you a sense of dominence street level can't provide. Plus the '2 trees' throws in warm cookies when you check in. A 9 dollar mini-bar value.
ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA:
The AMEN SUITES at the ONTARIO MILLS MALL. I live 45 minutes away and I still stay there. That's how good it is. Great complimentary breakfast with waffles, french toast, and pancakes ready for you to stuff into your 'in room' microwave oven. Movie theater style popcorn available 24 hours a day. Same goes for coffee, tea, and mix-it-yourself hot chocolate. Hotel is a stones throw from a Big-Ass Mall.
Most MOTEL 6's make you feel a tad lowbrow. A 'wrong side of the tracks' vibe absorbs you as the night rolls on. But you can hook up with the construction workers relatively easy at any 6. Check in with caution.