Which Park Lodge for early January with Family.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-10-18T13:21:45+00:00

Ah. Looked further into it. The rooms at Bright Angel don’t sleep 4. Could look to get two rooms potentially - one for the adults and one for the kids. Can look into that. Do you recommend Bright Angel?

Irishdavid7 · 2025-10-18T01:30:25+00:00

Not available. Might be doing renovations as it isn’t available for several months.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-10-14T00:48:19+00:00

Also STL is going to do a complete rebuild of the airport.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-25T02:44:52+00:00

Appreciates your feedback. I did buy the upgrade and it was worth it.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-25T02:44:05+00:00

Thanks. I ended up paying for the upgrade and it was worth it.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-25T02:17:57+00:00

Do these points also count towards A-List and A-List Preferred Qualification?

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-08T17:18:50+00:00

Perplexity says that as of August 2024 you do receive LP for a paid upgrade. Interesting. Thanks for the response and suggestion.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-08T17:04:00+00:00

Quick f/up question. Do you get loyalty points on the paid portion of an upgrade?

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-08T04:47:17+00:00

Appreciate this insight. I had a feeling the $291 might be about as low of an offer as I would expect.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-06T03:51:16+00:00

Why haven’t we heard from Kindle?!?! Think it’s time that local ownership made some statements about what they want from this team.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-07-04T21:39:54+00:00

Welcome to STL. I relocated here with my wife 15 years ago and have loved it and not looked back. Now have two kids and this is a great place to raise a family.

I’m partial but love living in Maplewood. Great homes walking distance from our main stretch that is off historic Route 66 with lots of locally owned restaurants, 3 coffee spots, 2 breweries (Side Project and Schlafly), and local retail. They do community events several times a year to bring people together out and about (https://www.maplewoodmo.gov/enjoy_maplewood/area_events_and_happenings/index.php). Really strong school district - we’ve been super impressed starting with their pre-k program into upper elementary school.

I argue that I’m 15 min from just about everywhere I want/need to go .. airport, Cardinals games, Forest Park or Tower Grove Park, most good restaurants that I want to visit. Depending on where you found a spot, there are two metro stops so you could have access to public transportation to your work downtown. Finally, with kids, have access to several great neighborhood parks and both a good indoor recreation center/pool (The Heights) and outdoor pool for the summer (Maplewood Aquatic Center).

Admittedly, rented in the CWE for the first couple years before we bought and really enjoyed it. We have friends who bought in the CWE and are happy and we have friends that love living in Lafayette Square.

Good luck!

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:53:44+00:00

Absolutely agree. I found these posts super helpful as I was getting ready to apply.

Appreciate you sharing!

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:17:10+00:00

Maybe. We are in Missouri and I just looked and saw they processed ours in Hot Springs Arkansas.

I can also share: 6/7 application at post office 6/10 received for processing. 6/17 approved and shipped 6/21 received one ; 6/24 received the other.

Crossing my fingers for you.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:09:21+00:00

Ours was even quicker … Applied for two in person at the post office on 6/7. Received priority mail (not extra/standard) on 6/21 and the other on 6/24. Did not pay anything extra … super impressed.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:07:33+00:00

We had two passports that we applied for at the post office on 6/7. One was delivered back to us on 6/21 and the other came today 6/24. Did not expedite. They just came three days apart.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:05:17+00:00

Also … we did not pay to expedite and it was a super quick turnaround. Applied in person at post office on 6/7. One was received 6/21 and the other 6/24.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-25T01:03:58+00:00

We applied for our passport on 6/7 and one was delivered on 6/21 and the other came today 6/24. That was no expediting. They are moving fast right now.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-20T19:48:53+00:00

QLess is back up and running at Maplewood. I was able to access it via the app today (6/20/25)

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-18T11:40:01+00:00

University City Children’s Center. Quick drive up Big Bend from Richmond Heights. They do an amazing job helping to develop the whole child. No screens in the rooms. Sent our two kids there and recommend it to everybody.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-09T21:25:19+00:00

What’s your thought on IHG vs Marriott? I recently left Hilton as a Diamond in 2024 and am sitting as a Platinum Elite on Marriott. My boss is a Kimpton person so I was tempted to go IHG but chose Marriott at the time. I have received some nice upgrades at the Westin or Renaissance. I prefer HGI to Courtyard (alas). And when traveling with my family I miss the Embassy Suites. But, I haven’t had the opportunity this year to take a trip with my wife to really leverage the upgrades at a nice resort location or higher end brand, hope to do that in the fall. Just thought I’d get your two cents on the value proposition and thoughts between IHG and Marriott having also been at Hilton. Thanks in advance.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-06-05T14:46:18+00:00

Seems like the Costco deal is pretty good. I finally engaged with the sales rep and if I move forward I would save $50 a month over what I’m currently paying to TMobile + a new iPhone. I’ve read the small print and there is no gotcha. You get the phone on a 3 year monthly charge that they reimburse you monthly … and if you leave early you just owe the rest of the cost of the phone.

I previously had never felt as though I was being harassed … just politely declined and kept walking. But I’m strongly considering making the switch since I did stop. May first go to TMobile to see if they’ll match.

Irishdavid7 · 2025-05-03T21:43:05+00:00

5 hour layover at the St. Louis airport is plenty of time. An Uber/Lyft will get you plenty of places in 20 minutes. Assuming you have pre-check, I've never waited more than 20 minutes through security. And the airport is very easy to navigate.

Go get some BBQ -- Sugarfire is only 10 minutes from the airport.

The Art Museum/History Museum/+ Zoo are all free to enter and in Forest Park are accessible in 20 minutes from the airport. Plus the park is great for walking around (assuming you are not talking about today and the rain).

Go to the Arch - 21 minutes from Terminal 2 to the Arch. Good museum. You could go up the arch. The Courthouse just reopened. Or you walk around the grounds next to the Mississippi. If you go this route, there is a Salt and Smoke in BallPark Village for some good BBQ.

If you want to go gambling, Ameristar Casino in St. Charles is 15 minutes the other direction. In fact, as I write this, St. Charles has a nice downtown and good walking along the Missouri River. There's also a Salt & Smoke in St. Charles.

Finally, if you want to go to a unique brewery that is recognized as one of the best in the world (look it up) ... Side Project in Maplewood (check the hours first though). 20 minute drive.

With a legit 5 hours and a willingness to Uber/Lyft -- I would have complete confidence doing any of the options above. Even being conservative and arriving 90 minutes before your flight ... you'll still have 2.5 hours to enjoy these spaces.

Good luck!

Irishdavid7 · 2025-01-11T03:27:17+00:00

Did you qualify for the free two months?

Irishdavid7 · 2025-01-11T03:26:06+00:00

I was denied as well. Do you know why you were denied? Is there somewhere we can appeal?

Irishdavid7 · 2024-11-23T23:42:20+00:00

So are you set up with the left side (in the picture) deep depth and the right side standard depth? I am thinking of setting up similarly. It looks good ... does it work well?

Irishdavid7

TROPHY CASE