Lodging: Residence Inn, Framingham, MA

December 13, 2012 -- Now that I'm working for an extended period in the Sudbury/Framingham, MA area, I needed to find myself a suitable Marriott.  Of course the area is loaded with them and I settled on the Residence Inn in Framingham, MA.  If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a Platinum Elite Marriott Rewards member, so staying with the chain is a must!  This hotel offers several different styles of rooms and I've stayed in just about every one!  The building is a bit older and could use upgrading, but it's more than adequate for what I need.  It's situated just off of Rt. 9, which is both a good and bad thing.  Rt. 9 has a ton of stores, restaurants, and bars, which is great, but if you happen to have a room facing the road it can be quite noisy.  There's traffic literally all times of the day and night, and if you're trying to sleep in you better be used to the sound of cars driving by.  And depending on the time of day, traffic to and from Boston can get backed up.  You've been warned!

All in all, the staff is very friendly, the hotel is clean, and the Internet service is free as well as breakfast and happy hour (no, not drinks but food!).  I'll be here during the week for the next few months so if you see me be sure to say hi!

Lodging: Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel, Providence, RI

November 19, 2012 -- As you might already know, I'm a Platinum Elite Marriott Rewards member and I have several eCertificates built up that I need to use before they expire.  That was the case Saturday night.  I wanted to surprise my wife with a nice dinner in Providence followed by an overnight stay.  I used my expiring eCertificate for the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel and later that afternoon we made the drive to Providence.  The area was hopping since their was a show at The Vet, a wedding in the hotel, and a dance competition held close by.  When we got to the check-in counter we were told that our room was not ready.  I was a little disappointed, but Amy at the front desk went to work making sure I would be able to check in.  While we waited, Casey (another front desk helper) asked what our plans were for the evening and I told her we were going to Hemenway's Restaurant for dinner.  She excused herself and quickly came back with a coupon for a complimentary appetizer!  Nice!

After a few minutes, Amy told me that she found an available room and said I'd be happy and surprised.  She handed me the keys and my wife and I headed for the elevators.  We arrived on the sixth floor and proceeded to walk the length of the hallway until we came to a set of double doors.  I checked my room key -- #616 -- and it was the same as the placard on the wall.  I'm having problems uploading the video directly to this blog, but if you go to my Facebook page you can watch it there.  You really need to watch this video to appreciate what we saw next!  Here are some pictures to hold you over:

Not only was the room ridiculous, but the whole staff treated us like we were royalty.  My wife and I were so happy with everything and you can bet that we will stay at the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel again soon.  Can we get the same room, please?

Lodging: Marriott Hotels, Andover, MA

August 22, 2012 -- Well I've been working up in the Andover area for the better have of five weeks and I'm starting to know my way around.  The first thing I needed to do was to find a place to stay and being a Marriott Rewards member I looked for the right Marriott hotel.  The first week I stayed was the Courtyard Marriott in Andover, MA.  Not a bad place, but a little out of the way of everything.  Knowing that, I looked for something a little better for my subsequent weeks.

Not too far from where I'd be working is the Residence Inn in Tewksbury, MA.  This place is far better!  The rooms have a kitchen, living area, two flat screen HD TVs, and bedroom with a king size bed that's separated from the rest of the living quarters by sliding doors.  And if you know me, you know that I get acquainted with the right people.  Victoria Ashworth, Marriott's Director of Sales, was kind enough to book me for the next eight work weeks, in the same room!  It's like my home away from home!  If you need to go on travel or if you're looking for a place to stay north of Boston, give this place a try.

Bars: Altitude Sky Lounge, Marriott Hotel, San Diego, Day 11

June 28, 2012 -- Up on the 22nd floor of the Marriott Hotel in the Gaslamp District is the Altitude Sky Lounge.  The lounge has a breathtaking view of San Diego Bay, Coronado, and Petco Park.  Take a look at some of the shots I took the last time I was here.

A great place to watch a game when the Padres are in town, watch a sunset from up high, or to just have a beer and enjoy the skyline.  By 9 PM, AP sounded the bell and we all left.  Goodbye AP, it was real.  But, as one co-worker leaves, another arrives ... in a few days.

Lodging: Residence Inn in La Jolla, San Diego, Day 1

June 18, 2012 -- I'm a Marriott Rewards member, so I have a vested interest in taking advantage of staying at Marriotts while on travel any time I can (hey, they bumped me up to Gold level after my last trip!)  When in San Diego, if I can't book a stay in the Gaslamp District I like to stay at the Residence Inn in La Jolla.  The hotel isn't one that has a ton of amenities, but it acts more like and apartment and when I'm in town for a month it more than fits the bill.  AP hates the place, but that's just him. I personally like being close to La Jolla, rubbing elbows with the rich people!  I'm settled in, went to Ralph's to stock up on some groceries (fruit and Coca-Cola!) and chilled out from my long day.  Tomorrow I'll start my work and workout routine (6AM at work, the La Jolla YMCA afterwards), so I'm off to bed now.