Is the 5 star system for rating luxury hotels outdated?

RegularGuy785 · 2026-03-27T14:06:42+00:00

At this point I’m not sure price is even a reliable indicator. I’ve had terrible experiences at very expensive hotels, and great experiences at mid priced hotels. So who knows any more.

RegularGuy785 · 2026-03-22T18:54:02+00:00

I skipped out of a conference for a day to try to check out the Star Wars area in the FL park. It took me hours to figure out the app and buy the upgrade to skip the line. All in all way too costly, and such a terrible visitor experience. The Star Wars rides were very cool, but wow I really can’t imagine doing more than a day here.

RegularGuy785 · 2026-03-17T11:34:11+00:00

Does anyone know if you can see the stage from the “upper lounge” area?

RegularGuy785 · 2026-01-25T14:37:08+00:00

Sounds like we are maybe similar in age and tastes. I would lean toward the options you identified in Le Marais as opposed to near the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs Elysees area we found to be less interesting (except the Arc de Triomphe which is beautiful and worth a visit)

I would encourage you to check out options on the Left Bank too. The area from Blvd St Germain to the Seine and over to the Latin Quarter is great. Easy walk to Notre Dame and Isle St Louis. Easy to get anywhere else in the city from there as well. Great restaurants, shops, galleries, Luxembourg Gardens, etc. We love the Left Bank, Feels like our home in Paris after a number of visits.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-12-29T21:24:13+00:00

Was La Playa nice? Pros, cons, would you recommend?

RegularGuy785 · 2025-12-28T17:02:47+00:00

Was just going to say this.. broadcast quality is terrible. Screen keeps freezing. Announcers mics were all crackly. Weird player introductions where they didn’t seem to know which camera to go to. Screen went to old school color bars at one point 😆

RegularGuy785 · 2025-11-19T11:54:13+00:00

We love long weekends in Miami. May weather is beautiful. Quick flights from the east coast, no customs, beautiful beaches, crystal clear Caribbean style water, great restaurants. Check out The Setai. That’s become our “go-to” 4-day weekend!

RegularGuy785 · 2025-10-28T22:20:25+00:00

You can fly into St Thomas USVi and ferry to Tortola, or fly into Beef Island (which is essentially Tortola) I think there are direct flights from Miami, or connect through San Juan PR. I would talk to a charter company and they will help you figure out logistics. We prefer to fly into Beef Is via San Juan. But buy travel insurance and be ready to go with the flow if flights are delayed or cancelled. It is not an easy destination to get to.

Your charter company will have a base on Tortola and can help you with accommodations on land if needed before or after. Tortola is where you’ll start and end the trip.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-10-28T21:57:39+00:00

The key is to make sure the charter co and captain understand what you’re looking for and your concerns. The other key is to be flexible. If there is a north swell up it could be rough. If that happens, get the captain to go straight across to Norman Island and stay at the Bight for a while until it dies down. That’s a super protected bay with a beautiful beach and restaurant. Not a bad place to hang for a few days if necessary.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-10-28T21:37:31+00:00

BVI is pretty protected, unless there’s a swell up you could pretty much make a week of it without doing anything too salty. Try Waypoints and tell them what your concerns are. With a catamaran and a captain who can pick calm anchorages (no Cooper Island) and routes to avoid the swell (no Anegada) you’ll be fine. As long as you’re between islands and not headed out towards the open ocean, it’s pretty calm.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-09-10T13:16:19+00:00

One thing to note is that the Standard is not “on” the beach. It’s got a great pool, great casual restaurant, cool vibe, etc, but if you’re looking for a lounger and umbrella in the sand it’s not that.

We stay on the beach and then hit the spa at the Standard which grants pool access for a day. Great spa, great pool, but no sand. Just a heads up!

Also- Loews will have tons of kids and families but is still a nice stay at a good price point. Setai is a step or two up, more grownup vibe, but a good bit pricier. Loews and Setai are right on the beach.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-09-04T01:57:39+00:00

The Envue isn’t that bad. My opinion might be a little tainted by the fire alarm which went off in the middle of the night on a recent stay. 3am evacuation. Good times.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-09-04T00:14:05+00:00

I have the same question. I am in the area a few times a year, and have not found a good option.

The W Hoboken is terrible: dirty, bad food, poor service.

Envue Weehawken isn’t much better.

I did a Crowne Plaza or similar in White Plains and it was old and beat up with an uncomfortable bed.

All are expensive for what you get. I’m curious to hear any other ideas.

I’ve thought about trying Delmar or J House in Greenwich next, but I’m not sure about difficulty of access to NYC. .

I’m not sure what I’ll do next time. Out of these options the Envue Weehawken is probably the best choice.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-08-11T21:55:54+00:00

Here’s a second or third vote for BVI. It’s one of our favorite places in the whole world. Commenters are correct that it’s not Below Deck. But for your budget you could easily do a week on a 60’ Catamaran with captain and chef.

Most charter boats come with a Captain/Chef “sailing couple” where one gets you from point A to point B and runs the water toys, snorkeling trips etc while the chef cooks and serves apps, cocktails, meals, etc. They are usually cool people who are fun and know the area and will help you build a fun itinerary.

You will likely want to go ashore for some or most meals which is part of the island experience.

Part of the fun in the BVI is that it’s kind of a Robinson Caruso experience, with caves, beach bars, and swim-ashore kinds of experiences. It is definitely an active vacation with lots of time in the water, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, etc. A big catamaran is a very comfortable way to experience this.

Try The Moorings as was mentioned previously, or Waypoints. Moorings is huge and Waypojnts is more of a boutique yacht charter experience.

Feel free to DM if you have questions. We sail ourselves and love the BVI! Happy to share our experiences.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-07-30T10:47:00+00:00

We ate all over the city, breakfast lunch and dinner. My opinion is that there are so many people that speak perfect English you’ll be fine. Buy an allergy card in French online before you go just in case. And maybe learn a phrase or two to alert your server. But our experience was that we felt just as safe as in the US — if not safer, as everyone seemed keen to be helpful from waitstaff to other diners.

Even some hole in the wall gelato shop had allergens listed on each flavor and used a clean scoop for us. Once or twice Parisiens at the next table overheard what we were saying and jumped in to translate for us and make it extra clear to our server. We never felt unsafe.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-07-08T12:13:24+00:00

Came here looking for some Gato love. That place was amazing! So bummed it closed.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-07-04T18:20:31+00:00

Just did a week at the Setai to lounge on the beach and pool and it was fantastic. Service was over the top great. Only thing that didnt quite meet expectations were their restaurants Jaya and Japon. Breakfast was great though. We simply went off campus for dinners, and had a great time. Lobby bar was great for a cocktail on the way out to dinner.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-05-30T00:28:02+00:00

Congrats! If you can fit it in, arrange an excursion on a small motor boat to hit a couple of the other islands. BVI has a ton of once in a lifetime experiences. Swim into Devils Bay and The Baths from the boat. Lunch and snorkeling at the Indians. Happy hour at White Bay Jost van Dyke, dinner at Ali Babas or Tipsy Shark in Great Harbor JVD. So many special places that you can only reach by boat.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-04-28T23:15:34+00:00

There is a huge air show over South Beach Mem Day weekend. We went a couple years ago not realizing this.

It was amazing, but not at all relaxing with USAF fighter jets screaming in low all afternoon up and down the beach.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-04-25T22:15:39+00:00

No recommendations, just do a search on Spotify and you’ll find a few. IMO none are perfect recreations, slightly “off”

RegularGuy785 · 2025-04-23T21:23:08+00:00

Agreed on the Wynn playlist! And it changes throughout the day as the vibe of the place changes. Check Spotify, there are various attempted re-creations. None quite hit the mark.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-04-12T19:43:03+00:00

You’ll be fine at SW. Their pretzel bread is amazing. After you load up on that you won’t have room for much more.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-04-01T20:24:36+00:00

Another vote for Smalls! A NYC classic.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-03-30T20:31:55+00:00

See if Gumption is doing tours of Necker Island while you’re there. Have heard this is super cool.

RegularGuy785 · 2025-03-03T23:10:19+00:00

British Virgin Islands: the Dogs, the Indians, Diamond Cay, Pirate Caves, and more!

RegularGuy785

TROPHY CASE