Q. I've heard it's a rapidly growing city but I heard it's an alternative to the City of Seattle?
BQ: Best/Worst parts of the city?
BQ: If Bellevue wasn't any good, any other suggestions?
Wow, stupid grammar typo.
I should say "Is Bellevue, WA a nice city to live/work/visit?"
A. Bellevue is right across the lake from Seattle. It's the home of Microsoft, which spurred its growth; downtown Bellevue has a Hyatt hotel that is something like 30 stories tall, a huge upscale shopping center, some good upscale restaurants... they key recurring word here is "upscale."
There's not really a "worse" part of the city. The "worse" parts would be considered middle class, as opposed to upper-middle class or upper-class. It's safe overall, and though the downtown area is surprisingly tall, it's still not very big, and so because of this, most of the city is pretty suburban.
I suppose it's as good as any small city to live and work in. If you work at Microsoft or a bank or some other high-paying job; any other job in the city is typical of Washington state pay, which is fairly low. Visiting is largely pointless, since there's not much to *see* in terms of touristy, unique attractions, unless you reeeeeeeally want to take a tour of the Microsoft campus. I think it'd make more sense to stay in Seattle and maybe get over to Bellevue for the day if you're interested in moving there.
The main thing I didn't like about Bellevue is that it seems as though it's trying to be Seattle's Beverly Hills - country clubs, large upscale shopping center that feels like the Beverly Center, and is filled with people who look like they want to live in Beverly Hills. All of my LA friends who came to visit and went over there all remarked how "fake LA" it was.
Where is a good place to stay in Philadelphia?
Q. Want to go to Philadelphia and spend the weekend. Want to avoid expensive "convenient" hotels.Also want to stay in safe neighborhoods. Like visiting NYC and staying in Kew Gardens Queens or some other nice quiet outter borough location. Will be visiting museums and looking for live music and comedy clubs in the day. Recommendations on everything would be great.
A. Best Historic Hotel: Well, it's only the "lite" version of what it used to be, when Thomas Edison designed the fixtures and the ballroom defined swank. But the top floor of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets, or 1415 Chancellor Court, between Walnut and Locust streets (tel. 800/223-1234), with its Library Lounge bar and pastel-painted, domed Barrymore tea room, carries traces of a century's worth of history.
Best for Business Travelers: Hotel Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St. (tel. 800/SOFITEL), is one of the upscale chain with a French accent. Philly Sofitel's location is incredibly convenient, and the rooms are large and elegant, with easy access to plugs and modem jacks at a handsome desk. You'll find personal voice mail, also. The service staff is efficient and courteous.
Best for a Romantic Getaway: The Penn's View Hotel, Front and Market streets (tel. 800/331-7634), feels like an exquisite club, with views over the Delaware River. And how could you not like what the New York Times hails as "the mother of all wine bars" downstairs?
est Hotel Lobby for Pretending You're Rich: There's no place like the cool, plush Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Sq. (tel. 800/332-3442), for rubbing elbows with the moneyed elite (it's also a great place to stay if you are the moneyed elite). The Swann Lounge overlooking Logan Circle is a constant stream of chic outfits, custom suits, and the frequent black tie.
Best for Families: The Hilton Inn at Penn, in West Philadelphia at 3600 Sansom St. (tel. 800/445-8667), is a cross-town ride from the historical sights, but offers the whole family space to roam among spacious corridors, ever-present fruit to munch on and tea to sip in a comfortable library lounge, plus TV for children to watch while parents exercise. Also, the campus of U. Penn across the street is perfect for throwing a Frisbee or playing tag. Slightly tattered but more moderately priced is the Embassy Suites Center City, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. at Logan Square (tel. 800/362-2779), with cute little open-air balconies (yes, the railings are sturdy), and an opulent buffet breakfast at the TGI Friday's at street level. It's 5 minutes to the premier children's museums and Logan Circle. And all the rooms are suites, so parents can have their privacy.
Best Moderately Priced Hotel: The Hotel Windsor, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. near Rittenhouse Square and City Hall (tel. 877/784-8379), is the best choice in its price range. A one-room suite with two double beds and full kitchen goes for $139. A generous continental breakfast is included in the rate.
Best B&B: Many, many more B&Bs are listed through A Bed & Breakfast Connection/Bed & Breakfast of Philadelphia than are listed independently. A favorite among the latter is Shippen Way Inn, 418 Bainbridge St. (tel. 800/245-4873 or 215/627-7266), which has nine rooms in two Queen Village row houses built around 1750 and lovingly maintained. You might also try Ten Eleven Clinton, 1011 Clinton St. (tel. 215/923-8144), an elegant 1836 Federal town house on a quiet tree-lined street. See the "Historic Bed & Breakfasts" box on for more on both.
Best Service: The training process for every employee of the Ritz-Carlton hotels is legendary, and the staff at the hotel at 10 Avenue of the Arts (tel. 800/241-3333) is no exception. Guests pay top prices (though weekend packages are actually quite affordable) to be pampered. It's a fantasyland of amenities; service attendants earn points for thinking of extras like both foam and down pillows in the closets and bookmarks in the TV Guides.
Best Hotel for Historic District Hopping: If you're here to see Independence Park, why not wake up looking at it through the floral chintz curtains at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 4th and Chestnut streets (tel. 800/843-6664)? All 150 guest rooms have views of the Greek Revival Second Bank of the U.S. and a half-dozen of America's Georgian jewels. And the clip-clopping of horses and carriages below maintains the sense of history.
What are some good restaurants in Nashville, TN?
Q. We are staying at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and need some relatively close and decent restaurant options while we are in town. We are from Texas, so no mexican food. Any southern foods or bbq joints would be appreciated. Thanks!
A. OK!!!
First, for breakfast, there is a Waffle House nearby. I know this sounds like a lame start to a list of restaurants, but boy, for good breakfast cheap, can't beat it.
Opryland hotel itself has some good restaurants. There are a lot of chain places nearby. Frankly, I'm just going to skip all those cause the real Nashville treasures are downtown. I just recommend going into town for most if not all your meals.
The essential Nashville breakfast: Pancake Pantry. expect to have to wait for a table, so go before you're ravenous, but do go! it's worth the wait in it's great food and fabulous Nashville-ness. This is one of the places you may see familiar faces (musicians,etc). (1796 21st Ave S, Nashville)
Elliston Place Soda Shop for lunch... a Meat-n-Three place. So good and so local. you may think this is a hole in the wall at first, but it is another really great favorite of the locals
Noshville - another good lunch with a different twist... good deli style food, Matzo ball soup is a GIANT hit, you can get carryout too (parking isn't always easy) and take it over to nearby Centennial Park... feed the ducks, check out the old steam engine train, tour the parthenon, etc.
Loveless Cafe - farther west - Bellevue to be exact. No matter what else you get, biscuits are essential. You might want to call ahead for reservations. This place is a HUGE hit with locals and celebs alike. One of the most photographed restaurants in Nashville at least! Very good. (8400 Highway 100)
This is a good city to eat at Hard Rock, being Music City USA...
Whitt's or Corky's for BBQ...
HRH Dumplins for incredible bread, chicken and dumplings, apple dumplings and a dessert counter that will make your pants split just looking at it.
You know, I think that the lunch places in Nashville really are the best. There are, of course, great dinner places, but go to Frommers or something to find out about those, cause they're pretty straightforward and frequently chains... Mortons, Melting Pot, etc.
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