The Death of a Titan

Slated for a "temporary" closure later this year, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, once a AAA 5 Diamond property,  has seen its better days.  For nearly two decades, Mauna Lani was the shining star of the Kohala Coast, playing host to flocks of rich and famous patrons. The hotel was popular for many years for two main reasons, large well furnished rooms and impeccable personalized service. Though the resort had two championship golf courses, it lacked most importantly a beach and the spirit of Aloha (honestly you could have been staying at Mandalay Bay if you did not know better). 

Today her age shows. Once considered a masterpiece of late 20th century architecture, now looks nothing more than failed 1980's modernism. The massive porte cochere is now void of cars and people. Fish ponds, though filled with water, lacks its abundance of sea life. The once grand lobby is eerily quiet, no guests milling about, empty work stations, out of date water features and a once trendy glass elevator now looks strange. What happened to the grand dame?

There are many contributing factors to the hotels demise. The first blow to Mauna Lani came in the form of the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai, which opened in the late 1990s. To date no hotel has brought to the island the level of luxury and sophistication provided by Four Seasons.  Next came September 11th, which as we know resulted in the near collapse of the American tourism industry. The worst damage to Mauna Lani's ability to succeed, was the loss of Pan Pacific as the management firm. What the hotel lacked in beach and views, Pan Pacific brought in terms of service. Finally the hotel's out of date design did not age well by any means. With all of this pilling up on management it was a teetering on the brink of failure and need just one last push. This push came in the form of the 2008-2009 economic downturn. 

During my last evening in Hawaii, I dined at the hotel's only remaining venue, The Canoe House. Having finished dinner at around 8:30, I decided to walk around the hotel and count how many rooms had lights on. Lets just say I counted twice since the first count seemed way to low. In a 350 room resort, a whopping 16 rooms had lights on. Now I doubt the hotel is truly running at 4.5% occupancy (both Four Seasons and Mauna Kea were running around 80% at the time) but this gives some indication of Mauna Lani's decline. 

Rumor has it that the Mauna Lani's closure in September is for a renovation but the hotel is slated to reopen in November. I foresee two problems with this. A- How do you "remodel" a 350 room hotel and its venues in 60 days? B- If you are running at an absurdly low occupancy rate for an extended period of time, where in the world are you going to get money for a renovation?

The future of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is uncertain. My bet is on the hotel closing in September indefinitely, eventually a new owner will come in and refurbish the it. Only time will tell. 

-- Jaguar

Whats the Deal with Opakapaka?

First off, what is Opakapaka?

Well, Opakapaka is a red snapper, considered a bottom fish which are difficult to catch. It is also considered the most abundant Hawaiian bottom fish.... in terms of landed weight and total catch value.

Due to over fishing around the Hawaiian Islands, there are now times when "Deep 7" Bottom fish (opakapaka included) are banned. This year, the ban is in effect from July 6th to August 31st.

So now you are asking as to how exactly does this relate to my recent journey...

Well my second day on the Island I was dinning at Bamboo in Hawi Town. The proprietor noticed that one of my family members is wearing a hat that says Mauna Kea on it. She came over and asked if we were staying at Mauna Kea. Well, she goes into this long story about a recent dining experience. While she was pondering over the menu at the Hau Tree (beachside restaurant), she noticed that there was opakapaka. She inquired with the waiter as to its freshness. He informed her that it is"fresh and caught locally". The lady found this puzzling since she knew that the "Deep Bottom 7" are currently banned. When dinner was over, she stopped by Manta (Mauna Kea's fine dining venue) and inquired about the opakapaka and received the same information.

As her story came to a close, she informed us that she had turn the Mauna Kea in to the Health Department, since the hotel might be buying fresh black market fish. The inspector reported his findings to her. The supposedly locally caught fresh opakapaka was fresh when it was frozen. Also it was flown into Hawaii from Guam.

After hearing this story, I decided to do a little test of my own.

Here are the responses I received from various restaurants I recently dinned at:

Manta at Mauna Kea: "It is fresh but it caught down south outside of Hawaiian waters due to the ban."

Hualalai Grill at Four Seasons: "Yes it is fresh and local. We receive it from Fresh Island Fish."

Canoe House at Mauna Lani: "It is fresh and comes right here from Hawaii."

So are restaurants lying to their clients? Is opakapaka being acquired on the black market?

Not sure what to think of this but I smell something fishy....

-- Jaguar

August 2009 Update

I am pleased to report that there will finally be some recent articles on here. As mentioned before the failing economy has taken its toll on my traveling plans. Though with out further delay, here are some topics to look forward to.

1. What's the Deal with Opakapaka?

2. The Death of a Titan

3. A Dining Experience at Monettes

4. Big Island Adventure (or lack there of)

5. Sights and Attractions of San Diego

Should have these up soon.

Until next time... Jaguar out.

Indonesia Terrorist Attacks

As you most likely have seen on the new today, deadly terrorist attacks took place in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The attack took place at the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott luxury hotels. My deepest condolences go out to the families' that lost loved ones in the attacks.

Greetings

It has been some time since I lasted posted on this blog. Due to the crumbling economy my travels have been put to a minimum but will try to post some interesting tid bits here and there.

Thanks for reading,

Jaguar

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Summary

Sorry for the delay, but I have only just returned home since my flight to Los Angeles was delayed several hours. Hopefully the final post will be up in the next day or so, plus a former post which was being reedited. Thank you for your patience. 

Having been at the Mauna Kea for 5 days, it is necessary to share some constructive criticism.

1. Presidential Ocean View Suites (Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa) - this will be my worst criticism!

At $3,500 per night your money would be better spent on a down payment for a Toyota. The first thing that came to mind when I entered the Mauna Kea Suite was "spartan". Now twelve hours later, I have yet to figure out what Barry Design Associates were thinking when these rooms were designed. With loads of useless open space, stark walls, and the same furniture found in lower category rooms it does not match its competitors in the scope of luxury. If you must have a suite, my suggestion would be either the Ocean View (Hualalai) or the Mountain View (Kohala) suites, $1,750 and $1,100 respectively.

2. Employee Training

Since the hotel only opened two months ago it is slightly understandable that the employees are not fully aware of the property's "standard operating procedures". Sadly this is apparent through out the hotel and reflects the management's lack of involvement. With the grand opening being only a few weeks away, service style, quality, and consistency needs to be ensured.

3. Employee Morale

With the lack of training prior to the soft opening, low morale is running rampant through out the hotel. Many of the employees had suggestions and opinions on what should be done with the Mauna Kea during renovation. Sadly, senior management did not take their workers feelings seriously. By far the most common complaint from team members are the new uniforms they have been issued. Many say, the uniforms are too hot and uncomfortable for the tropical climate and most would agree that they are not "Mauna Kea-ish". Other areas of concern have been the use of public spaces, employees have lost their "space" to make way for stores and art galleries (who wants to be stuck in small windowless areas?). Even though these issues maybe considered trivial, they all add up to bring down worker satisfaction. If team members are unhappy, in many cases they will not work the extra mile to ensure guest satisfaction.

4. Changes to tradition

One key ingredient that Mauna Kea had was guest loyalty. Why have generations of families been returning to the Mauna Kea for over 40 years? Tradition and familiarity. The hotel became travelers' home away from home, they knew what to expect. From the orange beach towels to plumeria leis and understated elegance to familiar faces. In many ways, traditions have been altered. For return guests like myself and employees too, this is an uncomfortable. Some traditions may change with time but other are to be left alone.

With this being said, I still love the Mauna Kea and it will always be my home away from home. Most likely I will have to adapt to the changes and accept new traditions. I firmly believe that in time, service will excel to the 5 diamond standards the management is striving for. Though with these small issues, the property has earned 4 out of 5 stars. By my next visit, which will be in August, all these issues should hopefully be ironed out. There shall be two more posts regarding the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel over the next few days.

--Jaguar

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 5

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 5

Yesterday's post is under review. Some of my comments and opinions may have been out of line and not well thought out. It will be reposted later today. Sorry for any inconvenience. 

Jaguar 

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 4

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Continued 

Swimming at Kauna'oa Bay (aka Mauna Kea Beach) is a great treat for anyone who enjoys the seaside. Truly, it is the finest beach in the world, a quarter mile of soft white sand that meets a crystal clear ocean. Many times when you are walking knee deep in the water, merely peering down will revile the sea life among you. Since the bay is perfectly crescent its waters are protected from many harsh ocean elements, especially rough swells in the winter. Regardless of what time of year you are visiting the Big Island, Kauna'oa is a great location for children to learn how to swim and for eco-adventurers to explore the world of a lush tropical reef. Mauna Kea Beach is also home to legendary manta rays and playfully swim nightly off the north point. 

Third Hole Restaurant at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

For a new restaurant that has been open for only a few months, Third Hole is quite stellar. Having enjoyed two lunches there, I can confidently say that it will be one of the top dining venues on the island. Located in the club house of the Mauna Kea Golf Course, Third Hole offers excellent cuisine in a casual yet fine dining atmosphere. Foods offered range anywhere from personalized pizzas to chinese chicken salads and prawns to hot dogs. If there is something you desire that is not on the menu just ask and most likely the kitchen will make it for you. Try it out it's a symbol of the new Mauna Kea. 

The trade winds are still playing havoc on the Big Island, bringing cool arctic air to this tropical paradise. Though for this afternoon's activities the winds prevented any rain from washing us out. 

Big Island Eco Adventures (Zipline Tours) 

What an adventure! Ranging from spans that are only a dozen feet off the ground to mile long runs over valleys with waterfalls. Not only do you get to zip across North Kohala but part of the adventure includes hikes and off roading in army vehicles. The entire experience is comprised of 8 zip lines, short hikes between each of them, local refreshments alongside a waterfall, and 30 minutes of off roading (each way); total it takes about 4 hours. If you choose to experience this excursion, ask to have Brax and Ha'a as your guides. Be ready to get dirty especially if it is raining but totally worth it.

*I will post a link to their website soon. 

More scoop tomorrow on the changes to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel since the renovation and other venues to check out on the island. 

-- Jaguar 

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 3

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Continued

To say the least today has been rather interesting and adventurous. Since I spent little time around the property today, I would like to take the opportunity to report on other venues here on the Big Island. 

First, I must report that the quaint town of Waimea has lost its great dining establishment. Earlier today I was saddened to see that Edelweiss is no longer opened for business. Weeks prior to arriving the thought of their duck in green peppercorn sauce was enough to make my mouth water. I shall truly miss having dinner there. 

Daniel Thiebaut - Restaurant

2 out of 5 Stars (that's pushing it)

WARNING: RUN AWAY FROM AT ALL POSSIBLE COSTS! Not quite sure what all the hype is about this place but it has been ages since I last walked out of a restaurant. Their menu appeared to be slightly appetizing....and I mean slightly. If you have any dietary issues, especially food allergies, do not expect to find anything edible on their menu  especially since their chef is inflexible and unwilling to do anything remotely accommodating. Otherwise they have warm and welcoming staff, which earned them the two star rating. 

The Canoe House at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel - Restaurant

4 out of 5 Stars

By far one of the best restaurants on the island! The view is exceptional and the food is to die for. Try the Hawaiian style BBQ ribs, they have a kick but are the best appetizer on the menu. The Canoe House also features an excellent wine list, though I would recommend one of their delicious cocktails. Make your reservations days in advance since they book up quickly, request a table on the patio or in the front of the dining room. 

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

Duration of Stay - Walkthrough 

3.5 stars out of 5

To say the least it is no longer the 5 diamond property it once was nor is its 1980's ambiance aging well. The property is in dire need of a management shake up and suffers from the character flaws as The Fairmont Orchid. Do not expect a welcoming white sand beach but rather a rocky shore. The majority of rooms do not have an ocean view and tend to be dated. With this being said, if you can afford the bungalows...go for it. Offering exceptional individualized service and the ultimate in hideaway privacy, the bungalows are worth every penny. 

The Fairmont Orchid

Duration of Stay - Walkthrough 

3.5 out of 5 stars

The multi-million dollar resort that never made it. Now under Fairmont Hotels and Resorts management, it is essentially a Ritz-Carlton property in drag. The Orchid lacks three main important ingredients that are necessary at any "fine" island hotel: a beach, ocean view rooms, and quality service. If your idea of a beach is a rocky out cropping with un-swimmable waters and jagged coral then this would be the place for you (don't expect the prefect white sand crescent beach you would find at the Mauna Kea). The majority of their rooms do have ocean views, if you lean way out beyond the railing of your balcony and crane your head at an uncomfortable angle.  Service is questionable and unreliable at best. There is a serious issue when an employee has to instant message their coworker, who is standing next to them, when unsure of an answer. If you are going to spend money on luxury accommodations, look elsewhere. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

For me, visiting the national park is one of the main reasons for visit the Big Island. How often to you get to witness a volcano in action creating the newest land on earth? Plan on spending a whole day here and be prepared for all the elements. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses the majority of Kilauea (the youngest of the islands 5 volcanoes) and large portions of Mauna Loa (the largest mountain on earth). The visitor center is a good place to start but the Jagger Museum is even better. Though the Jagger has looked better, its perch on the side of the caldera makes it a memorable moment. Due to recent volcanic activity certain areas of the park are closed indefinitely but do not let this persuade you. If you are looking for accommodations inside the park, check out Volcano House or camp at one of the many campsites. There are to many amazing features at the park to describe so I would recommend visiting their website, www.nps.gov/havo 

If you are interested in the recent volcanic activity occuring at Kilauea visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://hvo.usgs.gov

Town of Hilo

If you are looking to experience old Hawaii, look no further. Hilo is a town that time left behind... essentially nothing has changed much in the last 40 years. Shops and museums in the town close early, so plan on visiting here during a dedicated day trip or while en-route to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you are in dire need of inexpensive Hawaiian goods to give as gifts, pop into Hilo Hattie (you will get a free shell necklace just for walking in!). On Monday's there is the local farmer's market offering all kinds of produce and goods held in the center of town. 

To really experience to culture of Hilo, walk along the main street (which somewhat runs along the waterfront). If time permits, the Pacific Tsunami Museum is worth a visit. The museum sheds light on an important issue that has impacted the culture of not only Hawaii but the entire pacific rim. 

**Looking to experience old Hawaii without the tourists? Check out North Kohala and the town of Hawi. 

Volcano Golf and Country Club - (on-site Restaurant)

4 out of 5 stars

If you are in need of food while at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this is the place to visit. Located just outside the park's main entrance it is the only place in the locale that offers decent food. My suggestions for lunch would be the chili bowl or the double burger, both are simple but hit the spot after a long day of hiking. Watch out for the Nene and other wild animals in the area (already saw one get run over today, please do not add to it). If you are brave enough, check out the Volcano Winery just up the street from the country club, I have heard interesting things about it. 

More to come....

--Jaguar

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 2

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Continued

I must apologize for any errors in this first draft but I did not wish to break my promise of daily postings. The sun and Mai Tais have gotten to me. 

It is an amazing feeling to walk around a hotel, you have not visited for over two years, and have staff members remember you. The only real way to describe the feeling would be that sensation of coming home. 

An unfortunate experience began with Room Service this morning but ended on a positive note.  So, breakfasted arrived promptly in 25 minutes, which in the hotel industry is light speed (and something this property had not been exceptionally good at since the end of the Adi Kohler management era) but there was no table to be found in the room or balcony. The server suggested that we eat at the desk...after a tense but pleasant moment she departed to search for a table. Returning minutes later dragging a table, she was kind enough to set it up on our balcony and we got to enjoy breakfast looking out over Kauna'oa Bay.  (Currently the Mauna Kea is back ordered on guest room tables, so select rooms have them but the unlucky ones force guests to eat at the desk.)

Currently the west side of the Big Island is plagued with intense trade winds which have limited services. Combine this with the fact that the Mauna Kea's new spa has yet to be completed... and this equals for a very windy outdoor massage. Oddly enough the wind was quite peaceful and only added to the experience.  An international company, Mandara, has assumed spa management duties and the new facilities are set two open in two weeks (not quite sure if they will make it). According to my masseur, it is still not known as to whether or not they will continue offering outdoor massages once the facility officially opens. 

Lunch at the beachside Hau Tree restaurant was enjoyable as always. My recommendations the cob salad or burger (made with local range fed beef) and to drink an ovaltine froth. What makes this restaurant so nice is its proximity to the beach, a couple of steps and your in the sand. The only downside came in the form of damn annoying wind which forced them to close the table's fixed umbrella; eliminating the view of the beach for someone but totally obscuring  your view of your table guests. 

The property's new gym is a huge improvement over the former one. Within its approximate 2000 square feet is every modern piece of equipment any person could ask for. 

Some rough spots in the Mauna Kea's service are clearly visible. With time things will run more smoothly. It would be great if someone could please explain to me the idea behind the new god awful employee uniforms. No offense to whom ever designed them but it is not something a Mauna Kea employee would wear. There were also some issues this morning with the fire alarm in the beach wing, seems as if it was being tested several times. Overall the construction of the hotel is coming to a close and they are attempting to tie up all the loose ends prior to the official Grand Opening, which is occurring later this month. 

Caution: Beware of the deep soaking bathtubs!! They are easy to trip over while getting in and out, also expect water to puddle on the floor due to spay from rain shower heads. 

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Day 1

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743

(808) 882-7222

Duration of Stay - 6 nights (2/28/09-3/6/09)

Rating - 4 out of 5 stars

WOW! That's all I can say, WOW! It is amazing what two years and $150 million can do to a hotel. The Mauna Kea reopened in December 2008 after a forced renovation due to earthquake damage and has reemerged as the diamond of the Kohala Coast. They shall certainly give Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai (30 minutes south of Mauna Kea) a run for their money. The amazing thing about the new Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, is that none of its uniqueness was lost during it 21st century transformation. What was designed as "understated elegance" in the 1960s and severed the hotel so well for 40 years, has been replaced by a more modern sense of "understated elegance"  (no doubt carrying the hotel for the next 40 years). 

One of the things I love most about the property is the guardhouse located at the entrance from the highway. Not only is the guardhouse still there (and renovated) but the posted guard once again serves a purpose. Past the guardhouse the familiar views return and memories of prior visits come flooding back. (Especially the memory of hitting a window while playing on the 4th hole). And then you reach the bottom of the road where it gently curves to the left and you witness one of the pretties views on the Island, right there in front of the world famous 3rd hole at the Mauna Kea Golf Course.  Finally, you pull into the main driveway and the beautiful structure is there in front of you and after taking it in your eyes finally pick up the crystal clear waters of Kauna'oa Bay. 

Familiar faces are there to greet you at the car and you are then ushered into the lobby. The lobby has undergone massive changes. The beautiful marble and teak front desk has been replaced by a simpler "more inviting" set up. They are essentially sit down desks; I understand the idea behind them but its hard to accept changes. The worst part of the set up are the hideous orange retro style desk chair, (i get the orange bit since it's the hotels color but I sure has hell don't get the styling).  The front desk and lobby staff were very warm, welcoming and attentive. Their service was spot on; though Landon, the gentleman who checked us in, seemed to be in an awful hurry to show us our rooms, almost as if he had better things to be doing (oh, and he is the assistant hotel manager...). A young lady named Misty who works at the Concierge desk was extremely helpful with arranging our dinner reservations. 

The new rooms, which were created by Berry Designs, are jaw dropping. No longer the tired yet tradtional furniture but a highly modified floor plan as well. To say the least they are stunning and will require a separate post just for them. 

Our choices for lunch ended up being rather disappointing. We had been looking forward to having lunch at the beachside "Hau Tree" restaurant but they were closed (guessing due to the high winds). We ended up having lunch at the new "Number 3" restaurant located in the golf club house. The food was of superior quality but the service tended to be slow. The restaurant has only been open for two weeks and it seems like they are still getting all the kinks out. Number 3 will also be serving dinner in the near future. 

Due to the extremely windy weather, we were unable to have cocktails at the Copper Bar Terrace to watch the sunset. Instead we head over early to the restaurant. "Manta and Pavilion Wine Bar" is currently the properties only dining venue open for dinner (The Batik Restaurant will not be reopening in the foreseeable future). The service was excellent, with prompt attentive staff who went the extra mile on everything. With this being said, there was an extreme low point. Their menu is rather small and since I have severe food allergies, this limited my choices even further. The Chef was extremely helpful in providing a dish I could eat but it wasn't worth the excessive cost. 

I will end it here for this evening and post more tomorrow. So Far So Good. 

-- Jaguar

Santa Fe Review

Sorry for the delay, work got the larger portion of my schedule.

Eldorado Hotel and Spa
309 West San Francisco, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Rating – 3.5 of 5 stars
Duration of Stay – 4 Nights (January 15 – 19, 2009)

The Eldorado is an interesting hotel and my perception of the property has changed over the last 15 years. After going through a multi-million dollar new lease on life, you would believe that the hotel would have some potential, especially with the addition of the Nidah Spa. On prior visits my opinion of what the property had going for it was its level of service, which was worthy of its AAA 4 Diamond award (and possibly its location depending on which entrance you used). But, alas this is no longer true and magnified by the economic downturn. Architecturally, the Eldorado never had anything going for it - the rooms are cramped with low ceilings and out-of-date fixtures.

Having flown from Denver to Albuquerque on a delayed flight due to weather (there is no such thing as an on-time departure from Denver) and then driving an hour to Santa Fe, I was looking forward to a warm welcome. This warm welcome was nowhere to be found when we arrived at the hotel. Even though the hotel had undergone an extensive renovation that added a porte-cochere, you are still required to drive down into the garage. When you get to the bottom of the garage ramp, there is a little kiosk and office where the porters usually hang out. But not on this night, the garage was abandoned except for the lone luggage cart (I thought this was a 4 Diamond property).

Unfortunately I do not understand the concept of packing light, since planning for every occasion makes sense, and was once again forced to lug my bags from the garage to the lobby. I had to park the car myself at a hotel with “valet parking”. Now in the lobby you would expect there to be a front desk agent to assist you with checking in…wrong! Well actually they were there just in the back having a bit of an old chinwag, and obviously could care less about the guests. After coaxing one of them out of the cubby, an attempt was made to check in and proved to be far more difficult than I expected. It is never a good sign when you are informed that you can stay in a particular room for one night and that you would have to be moved the following day because another guest had reserved it. Then why the hell are you assigning me to that room is someone else is going to need it the following day?

Once this was all sorted out and we were informed that the hotel no longer offers 24-hour room service that there is an all night diner “down the road”. (…4 Diamonds?...) By this point it was close to 11 o’clock at night and there was still one more bump in the road to come. Now I was in my room, tired and ready to pass out, except that fact that the heater was on but the room was getting colder. In Santa Fe it is customary for hotel rooms to be equipped with a wood burning kiva fireplace. The room not only had the late 1970s era designed fireplace but it also had a broken damper which couldn’t close and allowed cold air to pour in. Up come engineering, well a security guard who claimed he knew how to fix it. You have probably guessed right, he couldn’t fix it and I was too tired to make a bigger fuss about it, which would eventually come back to bite me in the butt.

The next day was busy at the Eldorado since there was an in-house convention and this kept housekeeping busy. Somehow they managed to miss my room…twice. But phone calls solved those issues though it was still a headache. Overall there was more staff on hand to assist guests, which allowed for valet parking, room service but the lobby lounge was still not open. We did have a lovely dinner this evening at the hotel’s fine dining venue, The Old House (please refer to separate entry for restaurant details). Service was back to normal to normal on Saturday and Sunday. What we found out is that the property management company had lain off the majority of the property’s middle management and run a skeleton crew when the occupancy falls below a certain level.

During my trip, I did not have the pleasure of enjoying the Nidah Spa but received a quick tour of it. I must admit that it wasn’t overly impressive. The spa’s lobby was overly modern and not the welcoming feeling a spa should have. Throughout the facility cheap materials were used and did not measure up to what their local competitors offer.

The real disaster occurred the next evening and of course it had to happen to me. Having returned from a day of skiing and sight seeing, I was ready to get to bed until I walked into my room. No, there was no one in there and nothing had been stolen, but my room was filled with smoke and smelled like a wild fire had been through it. There were no visible flames but the smoke was getting thicker. Ten minutes had passed before I made my way down to the front desk since security had never sent someone up after I called. What surprised me the most was that the front desk staff didn’t take it seriously until I requested the manager. Oddly enough the manager on duty happened to be the Director of Sales and Marketing; she seemed to be scared to death to deal with a serious problem but in the end handled it well and I was impressed.

Would anyone like to take a guess as to where the smoke was coming from? The broken damper in the kiva fireplace allowed smoke from the neighboring room’s fireplace to vent into my room because of the vacuum effect. After more than an hour, the maintenance team couldn’t manually close the damper from the room or roof and I was forced to change rooms. It is always a pain moving your luggage after you have unpacked and settled in, but alas it had to be done. In the end it wasn’t too bad. I was upgraded to a spacious junior suite, received that night complimentary, received a decent bottle of white wine from Napa, and a plate of expensive French cheeses. The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful and the staff went out of their way to assist us. When we checked out on Monday, the hotel was back down to a skeleton crew and we were forced to drag our bags down to the garage again.

The Eldorado Hotel and Nidah Spa are something of an oddity. As Santa Fe’s largest hotel, you would expect them to go the extra mile and stand out from the crowd. This has never been the case from any of my encounters at the property over the last 15 years. The recession has made matters only worse. There are better lodging options through out the city and personally would suggest La Posada de Santa Fe, Inn of the Anasazi, or Inn on the Alameda (B&B).


Inn of the Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel
4.5 of 5 Stars
Duration of Stay – Walkthrough

The boutique Inn of the Anasazi is Santa Fe’s most celebrated and talked about property. The hotel is so popular that room reservations are required a year in advance during the high season. The exterior of the hotel provides you with the poor impression and misleads you as to what lays inside. This changes when you are welcomed and ushered inside by a doorman, who is donning a southwestern cowboy uniform. Once indoors, your impression changes even further because of the simple yet lush appointments. By no means is the Inn spacious but the designers used every possible square inch to the best of its capability.

If you have the opportunity to dine at the hotel’s fine dining venue, I would suggest not passing it up. The menu is to die for with its succulent ingredients. Below the restaurant is the wine cellar (private dining room) with an expanse of vintage wines. Also check out the Inn of the Anasazi’s small library that can serve as your home away from home.


La Posada de Santa Fe, a Rock Resort
4 of 5 stars
Duration of Stay – Walkthrough **was a guest in 2002, prior to renovation and Rock Resort’s purchase**

I have always been harsh on La Posada since a disastrous stay in 2002. After walking through the property and engaging with the staff, my opinion on the hotel as lightened a bit. The property has a few things going for it. The service is exceptional and personalized, beautiful manicured southwestern grounds, its location, and intimacy. Lap Posada does have the southwestern charm and elegance down to the last letter. Beyond there, it has some low points. To say the rooms are tiny and tend to be dark would be an understatement. It also has expensive rates and it is not the most family-friendly. I would highly suggest that you avoid the rooms located in the Staab House, unless you like haunted Victorian rooms.



Inn on the Alameda
4 of 5 Stars
Duration of Stay – Walkthrough **former guest**

A quaint boutique hotel, if not a bed and breakfast, located along the Santa Fe River and a moments walk from the Plaza and Canyon Road. The Inn on the Alameda is a great place for families due to its friendly staff and the wonderful secluded casitas. Like any traditional bed and breakfast, limited services are offered; so don’t expect room service but they do have two Jacuzzis and a fitness center. If you are a first time visitor to Santa Fe, this is a great place to have your home base during your trip.

Bishop’s Lodge
Duration of Stay - Walkthrough
3 of 5 Stars

Still not quite sure what my final opinion is on this property. If you like to be off the beaten path and enjoy remoteness, this is the place for you. Bishop’s Lodge has an attentive and friendly staff. They go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable and enjoying yourself but sometimes fail. The lodge has been through a recent renovation but still seems aged and tired, though quaint. Don’t hold your breath on their culinary abilities. I attempted to enjoy dinner in the dinning room one evening but was plagued with poor quality food and a kitchen with the inability to meet necessary dietary requirements. There are better places to stay, trust me.


Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino
Duration of Stay – Walkthrough
4 of 5 Stars

What an amazing resort! After visiting Buffalo Thunder, my impression of Hilton has changed considerably. Through out the property a modern take on the pueblo style has been used, with beautiful craftsmanship. The staff is more than attentive and outgoing. Make sure to visit the resorts upscale dining venue, Red Sage, which is an amazing restaurant with an outstanding menu and wine list plus knowledgeable staff. Though I have not had the opportunity to view one of the guestrooms, I would expect the rooms to be of higher quality than found in the average Hilton.

On the other hand, the casino is interesting to say the least. The patrons are comparable to those in downtown Las Vegas; the more compulsive type who have been there since the yesterday. The staff attempts to be attentive but tends to be preoccupied with trying to figure out the rules of the game. It is slightly embarrassing when they have to ask customers if they are doing it right. Overall it was a fun experience but keep a close eye on your chips, you might not get them or your winnings back.

The difference in management styles and employee qualifications are apparent between the resort and casino. This is entirely due in part to the fact separate companies operate them. The resort is managed by Hilton and the casino by the local Native American tribe. The Buffalo Thunder has only been open for a little over 6 months but in time they will get things right.

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Beginning this Saturday, February 28, there will be daily posts reviewing the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and other venues on the Big Island of Hawaii. Until then, happy travels.

- Jaguar

Up to Speed

Before I begin my critique on recent experiences, I must mention that I am smiling at the moment becuase I recently noticed a dear friend from the Big Island of Hawaii is following my blog.



Air Travel

Star Alliance Lounge
Heathrow Airport, London, England
(4 out of 5 Stars)
January 2, 2009

With the recent economic downturn, it is not surprising to see airline partners consolidating their expenses by forming joint passenger lounges. Anyone that has walked through Heathrow Airport will remember the mass of people in the general seating area; families huddling on the floor to backpackers passed out on a bench. The few fortunate enough to afford a first- or business-class ticket are privy to the luxury and serenity of the airline lounge. Those flying a Star Alliance member airline are welcome to enjoy the new club in Terminal 1. What seperates this from other airline lounges is the stark mondern interior design yet plentiful services.

Not easy to find due to its seculded location in the back of the terminal tucked behind the mass of duty free stores; travelers are greeted warmly by the airline staff. Once you enter, a spartan and cold interior rubs away the warm feeling received by the staff. You also realize that there is no other airline staff only travelers and airport employed cleaners. With this being said, nearly every amentity expected by the weary traveler is avaliable including food and beverage, world news, showers, and a comfy place to stretch out. Yet, the two most important items needed were not readily avaliable, acholic beverages (I find that flying becomes much easier after enjoying a gin and tonic) and power outlets.

After an hour of BBC news my flight was annouced over the PA system. Then came the tricky bit, getting up from the comfy couch and making my way to the security checkpoint. As I was exiting the lounge, the hostess was kind enough to remind me that as a business class passenger I was allowed a pass to use the express security line. This pass alone is reason enough to fly in an upper class, no lines!!

*For future United Airline travellers: Most UA airport lounges are referred to the Red Carpet Club. It is free to those with a First or Business Class ticket but an annual membership may be purchased through united.com





TransAtlantic Flight (London to Los Angeles, non-stop)
United Airlines
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
January 2, 2009

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to spend a large amount of time in Europe. As great as the Old World may be, travelling there is not the most plesent of experiences. Yet have I had a flight that is as relaxing as a crossing on the former Cunard liner, Queen Elizabeth 2. A dedicated customer of United Airlines but switched to Virgin Atlantic and then quickly hurried back to UA. My advice is to avoid Virgin at all costs, unless you enjoy sitting at Heathrow Airport for an additional 5 hours since they overbook flights, the inability to redeem frequent flier miles, cramped seats and allergic reactions to cheap oils used during in-flight massages.

Surprisingly though, my flight back to Los Angeles earlier this month was by far the most pleasant TransAtlantic flight I have experienced. The flight was on-time departing and arriving which is an unusual annomaly in today's travelling world. Another rare in-flight experience is an engaging and prompt crew; every attendant were on their best behavior fulfilling passengers' needs. Also, the food was an enjoyable lasagne, ice cream for dessert, plus a decent wine list. Thankfully United supplies Business Class passengers with wide seats that lay nearly flat with ample ammount of leg room; the best place to recover from a long New Year's celebration. Coupled with the experience earlier in the day at the Star Alliance lounge, it was an overall excepetional flying experience (better than Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic).


If you intend to travel around the world, Jaguar recommends choosing Premium Economy, Business or First Class on United Airlines. The level of service is worth what you pay and the in-flight ammenities are exceptional. Another added benefit of UA are the still redeemable points from Milage Plus for upgrades.

Another post will be online soon with details from my recent trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Safe travels.

-- Jaguar

Recent Changes

After some thought, I have decided to talk about all fields of the hospitality and tourism industries on this blog. There are to many interesting encounters to mention that relate beyond the scope of the hotel field. The majority of posts will be published shortly after a noteworthy experience at a particular location but there will be a few stories from the recent past.

Recent Experiences to be published soon:

(Air Travel)

Star Alliance Lounge at Heathrow Airport, London (January 2, 2009)

Service on a United Airlines TransAtlantic Flight (January 2, 2009)

(Lodging)

The Curtis - Denver, Colorado (walkthrough)

Eldorado Hotel and Spa - Santa Fe, New Mexico (January 15-19 2009)

Bishop's Lodge Resort and Spa - Santa Fe, New Mexico (walkthrough)

Inn of the Anasazi - Santa Fe, New Mexico (walkthrough)

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa - Santa Fe, New Mexico (walkthrough)

Past Experiences to be Published Soon:

Four Seasons Resort - Costa Rica (August 2008)

The Broadmoor - Colorado Springs (October 2008)

Upcoming Stories

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Kohala Coast - Big Island of Hawai'i (March 2009)

This will be a very detailed report from a legendary property, built by Laurance Rockefeller in 1965, which has undergone $150 million restoration. The hotel began its soft opening in December 2008 and the hard opening is March 2009. One component of the renovation was a new interior design scheme that had to bring the hotel up to 21st century standards but to keep with Mr. Rockefeller's original philosophy of "understated elegance". (More to come in March)