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Explore Prague's beauty

The historic Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Prague. 



Prague is a city that simply oozes charm and charisma, from its breathtaking architecture to its delicious food and abundance of cultural and historical landmarks. 


It's no wonder that the city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.


When you first set foot in Prague, you'll be struck by the beauty of its architecture. The city is home to some of the most incredible buildings in the world, including the famous Charles Bridge and the St. Vitus Cathedral. The city's Old Town is also a must-see, with its winding streets, colorful buildings, and charming squares that will leave you feeling like you've stepped back in time.


But Prague isn't just a feast for the eyes, it's also a city rich in cultural heritage. Prague is home to countless museums and art galleries, including the National Museum and the Mucha Museum. The city is also known for its theatre and music scene, with many world-class performances taking place throughout the year.


The city is also home to a number of Jewish heritage sites, including the Old Jewish Cemetery, which is the oldest of its kind in Europe, and the Jewish Museum in Prague, which tells the story of the city's Jewish community over the centuries.


You can't visit Prague without trying a trdelnik.


For foodies, Prague is a culinary paradise. Visitors can indulge in traditional Czech dishes such as goulash and dumplings, or sample some of the city's many international restaurants. Make sure to try a trdelnik, a delicious rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with a sugar and walnut mix. The city also has a thriving craft beer scene, with many local breweries and pubs to explore.


Beyond all of these cultural and historical highlights, Prague is also a city that is easy to navigate and offers a great quality of life. The city is extremely bike-friendly and its public transportation system, including buses, trams, and metro trains, is an excellent way to get around. A multi-day pass, available at metro stations, vending machines or the Prague City Transport (DPP) app, allows for unlimited travel. In my opinion walking could be the best option, especially in the very walkable city centre. 


Prague left a lasting impression on me and I can't recommend it highly enough. I think you'll feel the same way after visiting.



TOP 5 SIGHTS in PRAGUE



Wenceslas Square (shown above): This central boulevard is one of the main tourist areas of the city, known for its shops, restaurants, and nightlife.


Charles Bridge: This historic bridge spanning the Vltava River is one of the most iconic landmarks in Prague, offering beautiful views of the city and the river.


Old Town Square: This picturesque square is the heart of the city and home to some of the city's most famous buildings, including the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas.


St. Vitus Cathedral: This magnificent Gothic cathedral is located within the walls of Prague Castle and is the largest church in the country.


Day trips: If you're looking to take a day trip from Prague, consider visiting the nearby towns of Cesky Krumlov and Karlstejn Castle. Both are easily accessible by train and offer a unique and beautiful experience.


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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Seven Magic Mountains is ... well, magical


Have you been to Seven Magic Mountains? It really is magical — there's no other way to describe this striking art installation in the Nevada desert. 

Here are 5 things to know if you're thinking about a visit: 


ARTIST: The installation was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and opened to the public in 2016. 


HOURS: The sculpture is free to visit and open 24/7. At the golden hour, the light is incredible. 


THE STACKS: The seven limestone boulder stacks are each 35 feet tall and painted in vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Each boulder stack weighs between 80-100 tons. The boulders are drilled and anchored into the ground using steel rods and epoxy.


GETTING HERE: The installation is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Las Vegas. Follow I-15 S to Sloan Rd (exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Boulevard. Drive approximately seven miles south on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your left (east). There is ample parking.


DATES: Seven Magic Mountains is a temporary installation and was originally slated to be on view until December 2021. However, that timeline has now been extended though 2026.


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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Las Vegas: 10 great things to do off the Strip



Is there any other city in the world that has slot machines right at the airport? 

Yet, if you came to Las Vegas and only saw the hotels and casinos, you'd be missing so much. Here are 10 great ideas that don't involve the gigantic resorts.


Visit Seven Magic Mountains, the striking desert art installation created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. It opened to the public in 2016 and you'll find it about 15 minutes outside of Las Vegas.


Drive out to the Hoover Dam, a massive concrete dam located on the Colorado River just outside of Las Vegas. The Dam tour is fascinating. 


Or you could take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour that flies over the Hoover Dam. (MAIN PHOTO) It's pricey but I would put this under the "once-in-a-lifetime" category and it's so worth it. Our tour included a champagne brunch right on the floor of the Grand Canyon and it's something I'll never forget.


Explore the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, a stunning desert landscape with hiking trails and rock-climbing opportunities. Red Rock is much closer to the city than Valley of Fire.


The Neon Museum has a stunning collection of historic neon signs from Las Vegas' past.


The Mob Museum tells the story of organized crime in America, with a focus on Las Vegas.


The Valley of Fire State Park is worth the drive.


Take a scenic drive to the Valley of Fire State Park, known for its unique red sandstone formations. It's about an hour out of the city.


Lake Mead, a large man-made lake located just outside of Las Vegas, is worth a look for its boating, fishing and other water activities.


Visit the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, which features exhibits on the natural history of the region, including dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.


Browse the Las Vegas Arts District, an area of the city with a thriving arts scene that includes galleries, studios and street art.


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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7 things to know before visiting Las Vegas

Isn't the Las Vegas Strip fabulous from the air? 


Las Vegas attracts millions of visitors each year ... Here’s what I wish I’d known before going. 

HOTELS: Las Vegas is not only a popular convention and trade show city, it's also a huge sports destination now. When I was there in the first week of December to attend an NFL game, occupancy was at 98% and hotel rates were through the roof. If you're planning to visit during a convention or an NFL or NHL game, it's a good idea to book your hotel well in advance — or even pick different dates. There are a number of sites that list Vegas conventions but vegasmeansbusiness.com is a good place to start.


THE STRIP: The Strip is longer than you think! The "Vegas Strip" refers to a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that's known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. With Mandalay Bay at its south end and the Stratosphere at its north end, the Strip is about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long. The good thing is that with so many hotels here, you'll never not have a bathroom when you need one! 


CAR RENTAL: Some hotels have a car rental agency right on the premises so you can rent a car easily for just one day if you want to do some sightseeing out of town. This will save you renting a vehicle at the airport, paying for all of the days you're visiting AND paying the hefty parking rates at the hotel when you'll probably only need the vehicle for a small part of your trip. You’ll need to ride-share or taxi from the airport to your hotel but you’ll still come out ahead.


RIDE-SHARING: With the congestion and surge pricing often in effect, Lyft and Uber rates can be prohibitive. After the Las Vegas Raiders game I attended, the price to ride-share 2.4 miles (4 km) from Allegiant Stadium to our hotel, Paris Las Vegas, would have been US $40 not including the tip. (Needless to say, we walked.)


MONORAIL: If you've opted to not have a vehicle, the Las Vegas Monorail is a convenient and affordable way to get around on the Strip. The monorail runs from the MGM Grand to the Sahara, with stops at hotels and casinos along the way. It does not go to the Harry Reid International Airport. Monorail schedule and ticket prices are at www.lvmonorail.com.


THE SHOWS: Many of the hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip have free shows and attractions that are worth checking out. For example, the Bellagio has a free fountain show that runs every 30 minutes, and the Mirage has a free volcano show. The paid shows are pricey, so read all the reviews because some are downright disappointing IMO. Unpopular opinion, perhaps: I've seen a number of Cirque shows in Vegas and I've found they're never as bendy or thrilling as the ones that come to your town; I think the stages in Vegas just can't accommodate the really cool acrobatics. 


WEATHER: Finally, I think many people know that Las Vegas is located in the middle of the desert so the weather can be very hot and dry especially in summer. But here's something you may not know: Las Vegas can be unexpectedly cool in winter, especially after the sun goes down. I was very glad I had my puffy down jacket when I was there in early December but really wished I'd brought warmer shoes. 


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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Las Vegas: A shopper's paradise


Do you shop while you're on vacation? 


I usually don't but Las Vegas is a shopper’s paradise, and I actually ended up buying some of my Christmas gifts here when I visited in December. Mark these Top 8 Las Vegas shopping spots for your next trip here.


1. The Shops at Crystals are too rich for my blood — but they're definitely worth a look if only to see how the 1% live. The Shops comprise 56 luxury brands from Alexander McQueen to Zegna, and includes the largest Louis Vuitton store in North America.


2. Las Vegas North Premium Outlets features more than 150 stores offering designer and brand name merchandise at discounted prices. Popular stores include Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. 


3. The Las Vegas South Premium Outlets is lower-end, and features more than 145 stores with discounted prices on brand name merchandise. Popular stores include Nike, Under Armour and the North Face.


4. The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood include a variety of shops and restaurants with great deals on clothing, shoes and accessories. I liked that this mall is enclosed, and also that I could afford to shop here! 


5. The LINQ Promenade has a mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. It's known for its unique stores from Havaianas to Harley Davidson. There is also a Museum of Selfies here.


6. The Grand Bazaar Shops near Bally's comprise a unique shopping experience with a mix of international and local boutiques, street performers and live music.


7. The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian include a mix of high-end boutiques and designer stores such as Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors.


8. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace are a luxury shopping experience with more than 160 stores including brands such as Louboutin and Gucci.


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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Top 7 European landmarks — in Las Vegas


From the Eiffel Tower at Paris to the canals of Venice at the Venetian, it’s easy to feel like you’re on the other side of the pond. 

Here are the Top 7 sights in Las Vegas that made me feel a bit like I was in Europe, only without the cobblestones. 


1. Paris Las Vegas features replicas of many famous landmarks in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.


2. The Bellagio Hotel’s choreographed fountain show is one of the most popular free attractions in Las Vegas. You can watch the show from the sidewalk or from one of the restaurants that looks out on the 8.5-acre lake, which is loosely based on northern Italy’s Lake Como near the village of Bellagio, Lombardy.


The High Roller observation wheel at Linq is modelled after the London Eye.


3. The Linq features an observation wheel based on the famous London Eye. The wheel offers views of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding desert.


4. The Park MGM’s crowning glory is Eataly, a higher-end Italian food hall that features a variety of Italian-themed restaurants, bars and food counters.


Head to the Venetian for all things Italy, including gondola rides.


5. The Venetian features replicas of many famous landmarks from Venice, including the Rialto Bridge and the Doge’s Palace. You can also take a gondola ride through the hotel’s indoor canals.


6. The Wynn’s Lake of Dreams features a nightly show that includes fountains, music and lights inspired by European-style gardens.


7. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is based on the ancient Colosseum in Rome, and is used for live entertainment shows such as concerts and boxing matches.


ALL PHOTOS ©JUANITA NG



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15 best things to do in Vancouver




I recently got to know my own city, Vancouver, a whoooole lot better than I ever thought I would when, thanks to the pandemic, I did a staycation. And you know what I discovered as a tourist in my own town? I live in an absolutely gorgeous part of the world where there are a ton of things to see and do.

I've listed my top 15 things to do in Vancouver and area, along with how much time you'll need to see them. If you're here for a few days prior to a cruise, this list is for you. If you've planned a week-long stay here, this list will work for you as well. Whatever your time here, just cut and paste and slot the attractions in a way that makes sense for the time you have.

If you just want to walk around downtown, you should be able to easily. To see some of the attractions I've listed here, however, you really need a car or an Uber. Enjoy Vancouver!


VANCOUVER


1. English Bay
When you've been go-go-go and you need some down time, there's no better place in Vancouver than here for a stroll along a picturesque beach and to get some of that energy back. This is truly one of the best spots for people-watching. Make sure you walk up Denman Street to window-shop or even shop for real; the local merchants will love that. And don't forget to pose with the A-Maze-ing Laughter sculptures, or "the laughing guys," as we locals call them. (More on the art in Vancouver below.) Afterwards, park yourself down at a restaurant for drinks or a meal. One of my favourites is Cactus Club, which is right on the water and has killer views. 
Time: At least 2 hours, and longer if you're stopping for a bite.





2. Museum of Anthropology at UBC
The spectacular Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver is one the city’s most underrated treasures. Put this on your list particularly if you have an interest in the First Nations of the Northwest Coast. The design of the striking Great Hall shown here, with its 15-metre-high (50 feet) glass walls, was inspired by the post-and-beam architecture of the northern Northwest Coast First Nations people. ⁣
Time: 1-2 hours.




3. Spanish Banks
I think Vancouver has some of the prettiest beaches in the world. This is Spanish Banks, right by the University of British Columbia, and it's very easy to spend a few hours here. The water will be cooler because we're so far north, but it'll be amazing on those melty kind of days. Don't forget, this is Pacific Ocean water so it will be salty; I know that's always a shock to some people. Pack a lunch or buy one at one of the concession stands. 
Time: Up to you.





4. UBC Botanical Garden and Treewalk
I've lived in Vancouver for most of my life and actually went to school at UBC and yet had never been to its botanical garden. When I finally went during my staycation, I couldn't understand why I'd waited so long. The gardens are big and lush and I think if you visit in springtime, there must be flowering blooms. The marquee attraction for me, though, is its Treewalk, a series of bridges suspended between trees. It's not all that high off the ground, but wow, do those bridges ever wobble and shake! I loved it and found this to be my favourite of all the suspended bridges that I visited — and Vancouver has a lot of them! Another plus is how cheap it is to visit. Don't miss this one. 
Time: About 2-3 hours.




5. Granville Island
Granville Island was once an industrial manufacturing area but in the 1970s, a local politician floated the idea of building an entertainment district on the little bit of land under the Granville Street Bridge, and the notion took hold. Today you’ll find restaurants and breweries, performing arts theatres, artisan shops and a public farmers market here. Make sure you watch Vancouver paddle by on False Creek, and don't miss having a gawk at the houseboats that are moored here. If you have the time, hop on one of the Aquabuses. It’s a great way for people living in the condos across False Creek to hop over to Granville Island, buy some items at the farmers market for supper and then ferry on home. But these fabulous vessels, most of which can accommodate bikes and wheelchairs, actually make eight stops. Its last stop puts you about a 10-minute walk to downtown Vancouver and about a 25-minute walk to Stanley Park. If you just want to go from A to B, a return Aquabus ticket is $8. But for $16, the price of an all-day ticket, you can make unlimited stops and there’s something to see at every point. Granville Island is one of the city’s most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.⁣ 
Time: At least 3-4 hours, longer with meals or an Aquabus ride.




6. Vancouver Biennale art
Vancouver is blessed with a lot of public art thanks to the Vancouver Biennale, which has brought some amazing work from artists all over the world to the city. After each Biennale has concluded, some of the art has remained permanently. I have so many favourites but A-Maze-ing Laughter by Beijing-based artist Yue Minjun is tops on my list just because of the joy on the faces of "the laughing guys," as many of us locals refer to these sculptures. You can find a list of all of the artwork throughout the city at vancouverbiennale.com. It's all contemporary art and it's all public and accessible 24/7. It might be difficult to see all of the art while on a tight sightseeing schedule but it's worth it to check the site to see whether one of the artworks might be close to where you're going to be. 
Time: Varies.




7. Whale-watching tour
When I booked a whale-watching tour, I have to admit I felt a bit like I might have reached peak tourist. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made in my staycation planning. I went with the Prince of Whales and that's a company I can recommend wholeheartedly for its professionalism, its enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff and just an all-around great experience. In addition to whales, I also saw sea lions and a bald eagle, and the catamaran I was on was new and spotless. It was an amazing day on the water. The company guarantees you'll see whales and if you don't, they'll book you on another tour at no cost. I sadly didn't get a good shot of a whale but here's one of adorable sea lions.
Time: 3-5 hours.




8. Coal Harbour
My favourite way to wind down my day is to have supper or drinks or both in Coal Harbour. There are a lot of restaurant choices but my top picks are patios of Cactus Club Coal Harbour or the Tap & Barrel for the best views of Vancouver harbour and of Stanley Park. Right here on these patios is also where you'll find the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron, a massive and impressive artwork that's a permanent memento of the 2010 Winter Games that were held in Vancouver. And don't forget to get a photo of Digital Orca, a nearly eight-metre-tall (25 feet) sculpture of a killer whale which you'll see next to the Vancouver Convention Centre. Digital Orca is a powder-coated aluminum sculpture on a stainless steel frame, but I think it looks like it was made from Lego blocks.
Time: 2-3 hours.




Stanley Park is Vancouver's crown jewel, 1,001 acres (405 hectares) of nature right in the heart of the city. There's so much to see here, starting with these totem poles at Brockton Point that are the province's most visited tourist attraction. But there's so much more! Take a walk along the Seawall, explore 27 km of forest trails, visit the Rose Garden, ride the miniature train, have a swim at the heated Second Beach Pool. Then, for the best views and photo ops, head to Prospect Point. There's also a cafe here to grab a quick bite or an ice cream cone. The best way to see the park is either by car or by bike rental, because there's a lot of physical space between the park sights. 
Time: Varies but allow the better part of the day to see Stanley Park properly.





This ice cream parlour is one of Vancouver's best-kept secrets, loved by locals but not often on the radar of tourists. But I'm sharing the secret: If you love ice cream, this pink east Vancouver building holds within it pure bliss in the form of over 100 ice cream flavours. Besides the usual flavours and some fun combos, make sure you try some of the more unusual flavours such as durian, rice and corn. 
Time: 30 minutes.




11. Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest point in Vancouver proper. It’s a prime spot for taking pictures set against the backdrop of the city and also where photos for calendars are often shot. The quarry gardens are not big but they're among the prettiest I've seen, and they're free to visit. And on't miss the statues called The Photo Session for a fun photo op.
Supper tip: If you're a fan of Italian food, check out the fabulous Savio Volpe, which is about a 15-minute drive away.
Time: 90 minutes minimum.




It had been a while since I’d been to the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library and I’d forgotten how stunning it is until I visited while on staycation. This building is remarkable because it's Vancouver's only building designed by the amazing Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, who's now 82. You may have seen Safdie's work elsewhere around the world. His debut project was Habitat 67 in Montreal, which he conceived of for his Master's thesis, and he hasn't stopped since. His latest is Singapore's fascinating Jewel Changi Airport, which features the world's largest indoor waterfall. 
Time: Drop by if you're in the area, or if you're an architecture lover.



NORTH VANCOUVER



One thing I learned while on staycation was that we have a lot of suspension bridges and tree walks here! Makes sense, I guess, as we have so many trees. One of the best is the Cliffwalk, an attraction that’s included when you visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The suspension bridge is fun but for me, Cliffwalk is the star at this attraction. It's a series of cantilevered bridges and stairs with only 16 anchor points in the cliff supporting the structure. It’s a bit freaky, to be honest, but definitely a must-see.
Lunch tip: Dine at a restaurant on Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and get the best views of Vancouver. My favourite is the Tap & Barrel patio.
Time: 3-4 hours at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
 

SQUAMISH



13. Shannon Falls
Gorgeous Shannon Falls is near Squamish, about an hour's drive north of Vancouver. The waterfall rises 335 metres (1,100 feet) above ground. It’s the third highest waterfall in British Columbia and the easiest to get to from Vancouver. ⁣
Time: A scenic one-hour drive from Vancouver, and 30 minutes at the falls for photos.




14. Sea to Sky Gondola
This is the amazing view of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, which is about an hour's drive from Vancouver. The gondola is the next exit after Shannon Falls up Highway 99. It's an attraction that I'd always slotted into the "too touristy" category but you know what? It's fabulous! The gondola ride is 10 minutes long and it goes nearly 900 metres (3,000 feet) above sea level. At the top there are lookouts, restaurants, hiking trails and a fantastic suspension bridge. 
Lunch/supper tip: Watershed Grill in nearby Squamish. 
Time: 2-3 hours, not including lunch.


CHILLIWACK



If you love waterfalls and feel like taking a bit of a drive, one of the prettiest I've seen is Bridal Veil Falls, so named because the falls look like a bridal veil. The falls are located in Chilliwack, about two hours east of Vancouver.
Time: About 30-60 minutes at the falls.


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STAYCATION NOTES:

I highly recommend being a tourist in your own town! You could stay in a hotel locally, I guess, but we decided to stay at home and we loved having all the comforts of home and sleeping in our own bed every night. Here's how we did it.

➤ We slept in every day and never left the house before 12-1 p.m.

➤ We ate out for every meal, just like on a real vacation. After a first experience where we just booked a reservation and then discovered the staff was not wearing masks, we started calling first. It limited our options to only eat at restaurants where the staff was wearing masks, but we felt OK about that.

➤ We had house issues that needed addressing but we didn't deal with a single one of them during the whole staycation.

➤ I wore the same favourite capris every day because I was able to wash them every night.

➤ Blunder: I didn't plan my grocery ordering as well as I could have, given that every meal was eaten out, and so unfortunately there was waste.


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Virgin River Season 2 on Netflix:
A visit to Doc's house

I've never been the type of person who visits houses that are listed for sale out of curiosity. But I suddenly saw the appeal of doing so when I learned of a showing for the home that's "Doc's house" in Netflix's Virgin River series.

The series is filmed throughout Metro Vancouver, and the Queen Anne-style home that is Doc's house is located in the Vancouver suburb of New Westminster. It's up for sale for $2.25 million CAD, and when I learned there was going to be an open house recently ... well, that's the day I became a looky-loo.

The house is stunning! It has five bedrooms and is 5,363 square feet in size. It sits on a lot that's a quarter of an acre in size, just steps from a great park. It has some serious star appeal too: Besides Virgin River, the house has starred in the shows Supernatural, Jinxed and Caprica, to name just a few.

Most of the filming for the Virgin River series is done on sets that are built on soundstages. But exterior shots and establishing shots are done at the house, and the sets themselves are based on the look and layout of the real house. Here's a look in photos:

The real "Doc's house" is on a quiet residential street in the Queen's Park area of New Westminster, a Vancouver suburb.

There's been a lot of discussion about the two doors: The solid outer door and the stained glass inner door. Here's a look.

The foyer, first seen in Episode 1 when Mel enters the house to meet Doc.

The room that's seen most often is Doc's waiting room with adjoining examination room. IRL, it's the home's billiards room.

Doc's office. IRL it's actually the first room off the foyer.

The kitchen is completely different in the show -- it's a set -- but this is the home's real kitchen.


The home has a beautiful sun room that wasn't seen in Season 1. I hope they shoot some scenes in it in Season 2.

The elegant dining room, also not seen in Season 1.

The TV room. The TV is in the cabinet to the right of the fireplace.

Um yes ... of course I had a photo taken at the front door of the house!



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Snapshot: The Guest House at Graceland



When I was planning a trip to Memphis, the idea of staying at Graceland was absolutely off my radar. It's not cheap, and to that cost we would be adding about 37% for the CAD to US exchange rate.

But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of staying on the Graceland grounds. After all, this is the iconic home of Elvis Presley. And chances were that we would not make a second trip to Memphis. So I booked it, and I'm so glad I did. If you can do it, you absolutely should.

To be clear, this is not actually Graceland, Elvis' home. But it's the next best thing: The Guest House at Graceland is the hotel on the grounds next to the mansion. You're within walking distance of Graceland, the home and the behemoth museum adjacent -- but take the free shuttle because, the humidity!

Here's a look inside The Guest House at Graceland.

This is the key card to your room, with a photo of The Guest House at Graceland on it.

This is the real Graceland, Elvis' home. It's not that big by superstar standards: Only about 10,000 sq ft in size.

This is a standard room at The Guest House at Graceland. It's spacious and modern and pristine.
The bathroom is gorgeous.

Full confession: I never take hotel toiletries home -- but I did this time.

The lobby. You'll see a lot of pilots and flight attendants here as it's the closest nice hotel to the airport.
This is the kind of artwork you'll see throughout. It's subtle. But you will hear Elvis songs 24/7 in public areas.
The hallways look like this. (Because I believe you can tell a lot about a hotel from its hallways.)
The back of the hotel, plus the pool area.

We spent a lot of time hanging out at the really great pool.
The most fun thing about the hotel is that every night between 10 and 11 p.m., there is a PBJ station.

You can make a sandwich before bedtime just like Elvis used to do! Be prepared for lineups, though.

MORE:
New Orleans: There's so much to love about the Eliza Jane Hotel.
Singapore: I stayed in a university dorm.
Boston: The Marriott Moxy Downtown is fabulous.

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