Accommodation question in California

[BMK]

Hi all

Sorry to hijack a Cobra forum but...

It has been suggested that I stay at the Queen Mary Hotel in California.

The converted ship offers a number of different rooms - I am looking at the mini suite.

Has anyone stayed there before?...

What was your experience?.....

I see parking is apparently on daily rates - meters or attendant?..

I am there from the 26th of April and was going to allow only three nights there but may extend my booking if your reviews are positive.

I can cancel as I have only held the suite on my Credit card...

Would appreciate your thoughts. We have a hire car.

And if there is anyone I have promised a beer .. now is the time to catch up.

Heading then to Santa Barbara and up to San Francisco. Have not booked either Santa Barbara or San Francisco yet.

Would appreciate thoughts on the Queen Mary as the boss here is packing her Captains uniform now...

[Jerry Clayton]

Bernie , when I was flying for the airlines I stayed there, in fact , one time it was a flight that I had been in New York on new years eve and did times square and the next day(new years day) we laid over at Long Beach and the crew hotel was the Queen Mary---had to wait a little for room that day as people were late checking out after the night before--Tour the Queen Mary, its really something--The Spruce Goose used to be right there also but now its up to Seattle(I think)

[Jamo]

Queen Mary is fun, and Sir Winston's is a damn good restaurant. Not sure I'd stay there for three nights. The rooms are a bit cramped (even the suites)...duh given the venue. The other thing is that there's not much else to do around Long Beach.

Grab a night there, and then go have some fun at Disneyland...and stay at the Grand Californian. Good shopping and the drinking around the fairly new California Adventure addition. You're also close to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach for shopping/meals/sights.

Santa Barbara...the Canary Hotel. One block off of the best part of State Street (downtown). We've held a few conferences there...great rooms/decor/food.

Frisco (aka San Francisco or the City for those with tight panties)...gotta stay at the St. Francis on Union Square or the Fairmont or Mark Hopkins on Nob Hill.

Just trust me...it'll just take a few extra Big Macs and the wifey will wuv you big time.

[Xavier]

Bernie,

I have stayed there before with my family twice and really enjoyed it. It was very unique and as Jerry mentioned, the tour was good. It was something different, the room was good at the time and have heard that it has improved since then. Its not a 5 star accomodation, but gets more points for the real "unique" factor. I cannot tell you anything about parking, attended or non attended; it is in an extremely popular tourist section of the Long Beach peir in walking distance of many popular restaurants and the Long beach Aquarium of the Pacific, as well as the many boats that can take you to from Catalina Island, whale watching tours, etc. So I would have to believe you can park within a parking deck or something close by, but could not tell you if it would be attended. There are pleanty of things to do in that area if you want to take advantage of them, but like Jamo - I don't think I would do anything more than 1 night or 2 at the most (if you take advantage of the things of the pier).

One of the best kept secrets if you fly into the area, espescially from San Fransisco, is to fly into Long Beach airport. It is really small, very close by Queen Mary and it is very easy to get in and out of. I know it accepts flight from SF daily. You literally walk off the runway and walk to your car...LAX is not far away, nor is John Wayne (LAX is closer) - but Long Beach is so damn convenient. I have taken it many times. Its an easy driev from LAX.

I work only about 10 miles from the pier and am very familiar with the area. If I can be of any help let me know. You should have a good time.

[BMK]

Jerry Clayton

jerry,

Thanks for the advice we will book in for the tour or do a self tour.

Thanks again

Bernie

[BMK]

Jamo

Thanmks mate for the advice. The room are obviously converted cabins and Anne was keen on the unusual accommodation aspect of it.

Think we will book in for one or two nights. As it appears to be a quiter season we may stay on another night.

I am ai.ming to get to LA fairgrounds showgrounds on the 19th and 20th for the event there.

Then onto Orlando Florida.

The San FRanciso part will be when we get back after touring Miami and up to Savannah two of Anne's favourites.

Bernie

[BMK]

Xavier

Thanks also for the advice. I think as was suggested we will book in for one or two nights then play it as we see it.

We will head to the LA fairground and showgrounds on the following weekend. May catch up there with you all.