2010
You are browsing the archive for 2010.
Ms Whittaker,
I was part of a baseball group, Vxxxxx Bxxxxx, that stayed in your property (Fairfield Inn Lancaster) this past weekend. I wanted to drop you a short note to tell you that my family had a very nice time and enjoyed our stay. Your staff was very easy to work with and very helpful with directions and recommendations for local restaurants, etc.. The room was clean and very comfortable with easy access. Check in and check out was quick and easy and the breakfast was very good. I know that handling large groups can be very challenging on all your staff but your service was excellent.
Many thanks to you and your staff for making our stay very comfortable. If I am in the area again, I will stay at your hotel.
Bill Gxxxxx
Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark are open for summer operating hours through Labor Day. Hershey Park is great for older children and those who love roller coasters. Dutch Wonderland is perfect for younger children. It is possible to enjoy one amusement park each day. Have fun!!
Hot Weather Travel
Summer is here the sun is out and the temperatures are rising. With the warmer weather there are several things you can do to make traveling easier and less stressful for you and your family.
If you are traveling by car this summer get your car checked out. A quick check of your cars coolant, hoses, belts tires, oil, battery air and fuel filters can help avoid breakdowns sitting in the hot summer sun waiting for AAA to come fix your car. Carry liquids in your car with you and encourage people to drink more often then thirst requires, children dehydrate at a much faster rate then adults.
If you are traveling by rail this summer there are a few things to keep in mind. Each rail car has it’s own AC unit so if the car you are in is becoming to hot, don’t be afraid to move around.
Many of you will be traveling by air, while the FAA has changed some of the regulations so that we can not be forced to sit on the tarmac more then three hours, any delay on a plane can seem like a life time in the stuffy air. One of the keys to staying cool is to stay calm. The less energy you exert the cooler you’ll stay. Do what you can to distract your mind from any delays, read a book, listen to music, or watch that latest episode of “Lost” you downloaded to your computer.
Till next Tuesday, travel safe.
Jason W. Deeds
Local Flavor
I’m a big fan dining local, but when I talk to many of our travel guests I’m surprised to find that they don’t take the time to find local places to dine. When I have asked why this is I get everything from, “That restaurant is too far away”,” We don’t know where we’re going”, or “We just want something we’re familiar with”. While all of these are reasonable, with a little effort the experience of visiting a local establishment can change your entire outlook on a location.
So how do you find these “Hidden Gems?” Well you could drive around the town and get lost and find some great locations, but if “Getting Lost” is not your style then here are two great resources to find the great local dinning experiences.
Many of the cities have Convention Visitors Burros who put out guides and have websites that highlight the great local venues and attractions. A great example of this is Lancaster County’s own PDCVB website and Map & Overnight Getaway Guide. This site highlights many of Lancaster’s great local dining selections.
Stop into a Hotel (even if you aren’t staying there) and ask the front desk staff about local selections. Front Desk staff at hotel are full of information on local dining, attractions and shopping. It’s a wealth of local information at your finger tips. Not only can you tell you the name the place, the hours of operation, and maybe even book you a reservation, they can also give you one thing that is left out of many guides . . . personal experences and opinions.
So next time you stop in town, stop by the desk ask for Jason. I’ll be happy to tell you were you can find your new favorite eatery!
Till next Tuesday, travel safe.
Jason W. Deeds
Social Media
Yes we are aware that this weeks Travel Tip Tuesday is being released on a Thursday. We have a good reason.
For several months I have been talking to many people at the work place about social media and engaging the audience and getting involved in the conversations that are already out there in the travel industry. Today we are taking the next step. With so much of the travel industry jumping on board with Social Media there are many great deals out there if we just open our eyes. Included in that now is Hilton Garden Inn Lancaster! We are now offering a special rate bookable directly through the hotel front desk reservations. We will be adding the rate information to our Facebook account, twitter account, foursquare and now on the Google coupons! Many other hotels and travel industry groups are doing the same. What specials have you been able to take advantage through social media?
The discount rate is based on availability and can not be combined with any other offers.
Time is Money!
For many business travelers time is the most precious resource they have. Today I wanted to highlight a tip on saving time while traveling.
The Hilton Garden Inn brand has been forward thinking with how to interrogate technology and the travel industry. It started with being able to book via your smart phones. Now you can print from you smart phone device or laptop to our business center from anywhere! Most business travelers generally are never more then a foot away from their blackberry, Iphone or Laptop. Ease of access to their personal information including email, spreadsheets, and contacts is essential. Yet where does the business traveler go when they need to print something quickly for a meeting or interview? They could use the blackberry or Iphone and find the closest Kinko’s drive over their, sit down at a computer upload the information and then print…30 to 45 minutes later they could be at their meeting. OR… Now they can print from any of their mobile devices to the printer in any Hilton Garden Inn Business center and have it waiting in the printer que for them to come release. You don’t even have to be on the hotels wireless network. Land in Harrisburg even before you pick up your rental car you could be sending your print job to our business center to pick up right after you check in. You can even print your next boarding passes to our printer while you are still at on the road!
Here is a link to the Printer On Website for directions on how to print to the Hilton Garden Inn Lancaster for you next visit!
(Work Smart)
Until Next Tuesday Travel Safe and Smart!
~Jason W. Deeds
I love this time of year. It’s not just the beautiful weather, I love the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available everywhere. The Great Pennsylvania Flavor Fest is this weekend at the PA Renaissance Faire. Cooking demos, wine tasting and live music are featured at Flavor Fest. Foodies will also enjoy the many farmers markets in Lancaster County. Central Market is in downtown Lancaster and the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market is located on Route 340 in the heart of Amish country. Another farmer’s market on Water Street in Lititz will be open on May 29,2010 from 8am- 12pm. The Lititz farmer’s market has music and fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods. For those foodies not afraid to go off the beaten path, try one of the local farm stands. You will not be disappointed with the home grown fruits and vegetables here in Lancaster County.
What a great exhibit for Lancaster city. Get out and explore the city and make some noise!
Keys for the city is a project of twenty custom designed pianos set throughout the city as in interactive art exhibit. This is another great example of Lancaster’s exploding art scene. Created by Music for Everyone, a non-profit based in Lancaster PA.
“The pianos are intended to engage the public by inspiring people to stop and strike a few keys or play an entire piece,” said John Gerdy, president of Music For Everyone. “This project is a literal expression of what this organization is about – Music For Everyone.”
You might even catch me sipping on a square one coffee and pounding on the keys!
[/caption]
[/caption]
Beware the lower rates, there can sometimes be strings attached.
Many hotel chains, including our own, are offering on-line “Advance Purchase” room rates. This program rewards people who book in advance extending reduced room rates of varying amounts based on how much in advance the purchase is made. The advance purchase is a purchase and requires payment at the time of confirming a reservation. The payment is nonrefundable and the reservation is unchangeable.
While these rates are great bargains for many travelers, they can sometimes become a bit of a headache when a traveler’s plans make a sudden change. Many people have called and asked if they can change the dates of their reservation and pay a higher rate, and are more than a little frustrated to find out that we are unable to accommodate the requested changes.
When booking your next hotel stay online, if this rate is available to you, take a quick moment and remember these rates are a great deal, but if you are not 100% sure of your travel plans it could cost you more in the long run.
I want to let you know that this hotel (Fairfield Inn Lancaster) and their staff throughout the stay were fantastic, they know the hotel, they know the area and are so accommodating.
Lynn Mxxxxx, Matawan, NJ
Posted in Fairfield Inn & Suites Lancaster | Tagged Guest comment, Reviews | Leave a response