Phoenix
Traveled out to the Valley of the Sun aka Phoenix for a college football game. Decided to make it a road trip and headed out late Friday evening. Since I was coming in late, I opted to stay somewhere relatively cheap without any resort amenities. Checked into the Homewood Suites by Hilton Phoenix-Biltmore hotel. The hotel was a little dated but the room was roomy for the group. The breakfast buffet was passable, I opted to have waffles since the buffet had a self serve waffle maker. I'm never a fan of scrambled eggs buffet style, just always too runny or dry...
Hopped to the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas hotel the next day. I wanted to hit the pool killing some time before the game in the evening. I didn't realize that this hotel was a timeshare resort. I would call this hotel a medium tier timeshare hotel and the clients tend to be retirees. At least as evidenced by the people in the pool. You can tell that the hotel caters to this group as the bathroom in the room was built for those who needed to sit and shower at the same time. It was an interesting tub/shower enclosure with two shower heads and built in whirlpool/sitting area tub. The room is your typical timeshare style room with kitchenette and small laundry/dryer machine in the closet. There were several pools in the hotel but I opted for the main one as the others seems to be in shade and I wanted to get some sun on. The hotel was nice to stay but I don't think I like staying at timeshare hotels as they have 10 am checkout time. I'm used to being able to stay until noon or later.
Had an early dinner at Pizzeria Bianco before the game. I saw the restaurant on Food Network's Best Thing I Have Ever Ate. It is near the convention center area so parking is a little tough but the garages offer reduced rates if you have a restaurant validation. Ordered the Pizza Rosa and Wiseguy, I actually enjoyed the Wiseguy more than the Rosa. The Rosa was the featured pizza but I give it a thumbs down from Best Thing.
The next morning, grabbed breakfast at Dick's Hideaway. Ordered my usual - carne adovada and eggs. After checking out, headed to Culver's for some frozen custard to snack on the car trip home.
Hopped to the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas hotel the next day. I wanted to hit the pool killing some time before the game in the evening. I didn't realize that this hotel was a timeshare resort. I would call this hotel a medium tier timeshare hotel and the clients tend to be retirees. At least as evidenced by the people in the pool. You can tell that the hotel caters to this group as the bathroom in the room was built for those who needed to sit and shower at the same time. It was an interesting tub/shower enclosure with two shower heads and built in whirlpool/sitting area tub. The room is your typical timeshare style room with kitchenette and small laundry/dryer machine in the closet. There were several pools in the hotel but I opted for the main one as the others seems to be in shade and I wanted to get some sun on. The hotel was nice to stay but I don't think I like staying at timeshare hotels as they have 10 am checkout time. I'm used to being able to stay until noon or later.
Had an early dinner at Pizzeria Bianco before the game. I saw the restaurant on Food Network's Best Thing I Have Ever Ate. It is near the convention center area so parking is a little tough but the garages offer reduced rates if you have a restaurant validation. Ordered the Pizza Rosa and Wiseguy, I actually enjoyed the Wiseguy more than the Rosa. The Rosa was the featured pizza but I give it a thumbs down from Best Thing.
The next morning, grabbed breakfast at Dick's Hideaway. Ordered my usual - carne adovada and eggs. After checking out, headed to Culver's for some frozen custard to snack on the car trip home.
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