For a recent trip to Matsumoto, my wife and I wanted a hotel with Western-style rooms close to the train station and the city’s popular tourist attractions. Hotel Matsumoto Yorozuya is about five minutes from Matsumoto Station, but also has a parking lot. It is 12 minutes from the city’s main attraction, Matsumoto Castle, and a five-minute walk to either popular shopping street (Nawate or Nakamachi) in town. Additionally, the hotel is five minutes from Honmachi Street, which has several restaurants. Double room Traveling with my wife, we chose a double room. Like many hotel rooms in Japan, the 15-square-meter room (approximately 160-square-feet) is the epitome of form following function. …
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My experience at McMenamins Grand Lodge Hotel
For a trip to Portland, my wife and I wanted to spend a few days outside of the city to relax and recharge our batteries. About 30 miles from downtown Portland, we found Tualatin Valley. In working with the local visitors association, we settled on McMenamins Grand Lodge Hotel in Forest Grove. The hotel is a 45-minute drive from Portland International Airport or a two-hour transit using TriMet. From downtown Portland, the lodge is a 30-minute drive or about 90 minutes on TriMet. Original king with private bath My wife and I opted for a king room with a private bath. There is plenty of space for two suitcases and…
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My experience at the Best Western Lakewood
For my first visit to a Tacoma Rainiers game in several years, I was looking for a mid-priced hotel within a reasonable driving distance to the ballpark (read about my visit to the ballpark here). The Best Western Lakewood fit the bill. It is about 15-minute drive from the ballpark or a 40-minute bus commute on Pierce Transit Route #2. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive to downtown Tacoma, but is only 14 minutes from Tacoma Mall. Additionally, it is less than 10 minutes to great outdoor spots like American Lake Park and Fort Steilacoom Park. 2 queen beds room Although I was traveling with my wife, we chose…
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My experience at the Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett
For my visit to an Everett AquaSox baseball game, I wanted a hotel close to the ballpark and easily accessible from I-5 (read about my visit to the AquaSox game here). The Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett was a great match. The hotel is a five-minute drive or a 25-minute walk to Funko Field. Additionally, it is about half mile to Angel of the Winds Arena or Funko headquarters. Paine Field, which restarted commercial air service in March 2019, is a 12-minute drive from the hotel. King guest room Traveling with my wife Katie, we opted for a king guest room. It comfortably fit our two large suitcases, two carry-on bags, and…
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My experience at the EVEN Hotel Eugene
For my visit to a Eugene Emeralds baseball game, I wanted a hotel not too far from the ballpark (read about my visit to an Ems game here). The EVEN Hotel Eugene in the Harlow area was a great match. The hotel is a three-minute drive, a 13-minute bus ride, and a 20-minute walk from the baseball stadium. Additionally, it is a five-minute drive to Downtown Eugene and a six-minute drive to the Whiteaker neighborhood. Wellness king room Traveling with my wife, we chose a wellness king room. There is plenty of space for two large suitcases plus two carry-on suitcases and a pair of backpacks. The desk was a…
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My experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Salem, Oregon
For my first visit to a Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball game, I sought a hotel that split the distance between the ballpark and downtown Salem (read about my visit to the ballpark here). The DoubleTree Hotel Salem in northeast Salem was ideal. It is about 15 minutes from the stadium and 10 minutes to the Oregon State Capitol. Additionally, the hotel is 5 minutes from the Oregon State Fair Expo Center. One king with sofa bed and sitting area Traveling with my wife, we opted for a king room. There is plenty of space for a small carry-on suitcase and two computer bags/backpacks. The room is divided into a sitting area…
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My experience at The Guild Cincinnati at The Banks
During a recent business trip to Cincinnati, I was searching for a unique accommodation near downtown. I ended up finding The Guild Cincinnati at The Banks. The Guild offers apartment-style accommodations in prime locations. The Guild Cincinnati at The Banks is a two-minute walk from Great American Ball Park and a five-minute walk to Paul Brown Stadium. Visitors have several restaurants within walking distance ranging from quick eats like Jimmy John’s to craft beer-focused Yard House. 2-bedroom Although I was traveling by myself, I ended up choosing a two-bedroom. It is approximately 1,300 square feet and has a king-size bedroom, a queen-size bed, and a sleeper sofa that can sleep…
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My experience at the Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown
For my first visit to Indianapolis, I was looking for a hotel in downtown so I could walk to the Indianapolis Indians baseball game (read about my visit to the ballpark here). The Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown was an ideal choice for a downtown hotel. The hotel is a five-minute walk to Victory Field, a five-minute walk to the sights in White River State Park, an eight-minute walk to the Indiana Convention Center, and a thirteen-minute walk to Lucas Oil Stadium. The hotel is a short drive to several tourist attractions. For example, it is an eleven-minute drive to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, a twelve-minute drive to Indianapolis Motor Speedway,…
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My experience at the Crowne Plaza Dayton
For my latest visit to Dayton, I was looking for a hotel in downtown so I could walk to the Dayton Dragons baseball game (read my visit to the ballpark). The Crowne Plaza Dayton was the perfect choice for a downtown hotel. It is two-thirds of a mile to Fifth Third Field, one-third of a mile to the Oregon District, and two-thirds of a mile to RiverScape MetroPark. The hotel is a five-minute drive to the University of Dayton, a fifteen-minute drive to Wright State University, and a twenty-minute drive to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It is a 15-minute drive to Dayton International Airport and the hotel offers a free…
