My Travels

I didn't plan on being in Vegas month after month but it just happened. This time, came out to show some out of town relatives Sin City. I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton because I can't say no to free food and drinks. :) I only noticed with this trip that the food and drink coupons were no longer limited to a certain time. Before, the free buffets were only for breakfast but now open anytime of the day. Also, the free drinks had to be around happy hour time, now it is useable anytime. I was hoping to arrive at the sweet spot hour where they automatically give you suites but I ended up arriving way later than ideal and I wasn't able to negotiate much at the desk. After a room mixup (they tried to upsell me a suite upgrade and it ended up being occupied already), we were settled in. Between trying to get homework done and catch a some zzzz's, spent the day checking out the penny slots and Aria . I don't usually gamble at slot machines but ended up doing so whi...

Went to Chicago for a weekend getaway. I had heard from a friend that it has been muggy lately and packed accordingly for this weekend. With the new complimentary upgrade program at United, I was able to get into First class enroute to Chicago. I don't know if it is coincidental but I found the meal very good even the bread!  The carrot cake was ok though. Since I arrived so late in the night, opted to stay at the Hilton O'Hare Airport hotel and get some sleep (mostly did homework). It has been sometime since I've stayed at this hotel and remembered it being smaller for some reason. Word to the wise, the breakfast buffet can be passed unless you are looking for very basic items like cereal. Went into the city the next day and checked into the Conrad Chicago hotel .  Situated a little north of the loop, I liked the hotel when I stayed there when it was a Le Meridien hotel.  I haven't stayed here since it converted to a Conrad in 2005.  It also didn't hurt that I was...