Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[BM1090]

Recs for Jamaica? Staying in Lucea at the Grand Palladium.

[21Jumpstreet]

Going to be in Vegas for a work conference next week. Staying at MGM Grand. Not my first time there, but still open to any suggestions for fun things to do at night. It will be early in the week (Monday through Wednesday) so there aren't a lot of shows besides the standard Carrot Top/Cirque du Soliel stuff, which I'm not particularly interested in. I plan on gambling a little bit but I'd like to get out of the casinos too. I'm not a huge Vegas person but its a free trip on my employer so I'd like to make the most of it.

I've never been to Fremont Street, is that worth checking out?

I think Downtown Vegas/Fremont/Arts District is totally worth it. I recently at at Esther’s Kitchen in the arts district, delish. There are a ton of great spots to eat down there. On the strip, I’m a Cosmopolitan food guy, can’t go wrong really.

[21Jumpstreet]

Any recs for Costa Rica? We'll be on the Pacific coast flying into/out of Liberia

We like Ginger restaurant in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. If you can get in a zip line, jungle horseback ride, Arenal volcano hikes/trails, Coco Beach and Tamarindo towns. My brother and his wife stay further south along the coast, I’ll pass on his thoughts, too.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Recs for Jamaica? Staying in Lucea at the Grand Palladium.

Day pass at Hedo.

[21Jumpstreet]

Any recs for Costa Rica? We'll be on the Pacific coast flying into/out of Liberia

From my brother:

We’ve been and stayed in the following areas for at least 3-4 days. Some places almost 2 weeks.

-Samara (laid back beach town, yoga, lots of European expats, not much in way of excursions or stuff to do IMO)

-Manuel Antonio (wildlife, incredible beaches, excursions galore: rafting, zip lining, jungle night hikes, Manuel Antonio National Park, catamarans, deep sea fishing, waterfalls, rappelling, agritourism aka farms)

-Fortuna (self proclaimed adventure capital, luxury hot spring resorts, rafting, zip lining, hiking, Arenal Volcano, day trip to Rio Celeste is a MUST)

-Monteverde (cooler temperatures in the mountains, smaller town, this is where you wanna go if hiking is your MO, wildlife especially birds, zip lining, rafting, lots to see and do)

My favorite spot for a vacation was Manuel Antonio hands down. It offers the best of jungle, wildlife and beaches. We went in November, which is the end of the rainy season. It rained every afternoon so we did all our excursions in the morning.

This year we are staying 1 month in Jaco and 1 month is Puerto Viejo.

[21Jumpstreet]

Any recs for Costa Rica? We'll be on the Pacific coast flying into/out of Liberia

From my sister in law:

I would say top 5 for me:

1. Rio Celeste waterfall and hiking
2. Private guided tour Manuel Antonio National Park
3. Hiking in Monteverde
4. Zip Lining in Monteverde
5. Rafting (class 3/4, I do NOT recommend a class 5 trip)

[Spotcheck Billy]

Recs for Jamaica? Staying in Lucea at the Grand Palladium.

All depends on what you want. Some like to swim with the dolphins nearby, some have to go to Rick's cafe although I'd pass on both of those. Since you are at an AI I doubt many restaurant ideas are necessary BUT if you do stop at Rick's for a couple to check it out, go just down the road to the LTU Pub for dinner (chicken lola rec.).
You might want to check into booking Club Mobay for arrival/departures. https://booking.vacationpriorities.com/

Any day but Mondays go to Raggabones (aka Red Dragon) in the Redground neighborhood at about 7 pm for their incredible jerk pork which is only available until sold out that day. For the extremely adventurous many retail places are now selling psilocybin products as there are no laws against them in Jamaica.
As for side/road trips the Appleton Estates tour is good but it is a drive best combined with another attraction(s) be it YS Falls, Black River tour or the Pelican Bar (Google it).



YS Falls is cool but we enjoy Mayfield Falls more.
I already mentioned LTU Pub, if you do dine outside your AI: Kuyaba (Treetop table is really cool), Firefly, Quality's Seabreeze offers free pick-up/drop-off and the food/hosts are great, 3 Dives is known for great jerk chicken and grilled lobster.
Favorite bars: Peewee's, Ixtabi (check out the caves), Tony's Hut, the Canoe Bar (killer rum punches), Alfred's Ocean Palace, Rondel Village and Negril Treehouse..
 

[JWags85]

From my brother:

We’ve been and stayed in the following areas for at least 3-4 days. Some places almost 2 weeks.

-Samara (laid back beach town, yoga, lots of European expats, not much in way of excursions or stuff to do IMO)

-Manuel Antonio (wildlife, incredible beaches, excursions galore: rafting, zip lining, jungle night hikes, Manuel Antonio National Park, catamarans, deep sea fishing, waterfalls, rappelling, agritourism aka farms)

-Fortuna (self proclaimed adventure capital, luxury hot spring resorts, rafting, zip lining, hiking, Arenal Volcano, day trip to Rio Celeste is a MUST)

-Monteverde (cooler temperatures in the mountains, smaller town, this is where you wanna go if hiking is your MO, wildlife especially birds, zip lining, rafting, lots to see and do)

My favorite spot for a vacation was Manuel Antonio hands down. It offers the best of jungle, wildlife and beaches. We went in November, which is the end of the rainy season. It rained every afternoon so we did all our excursions in the morning.

This year we are staying 1 month in Jaco and 1 month is Puerto Viejo.

But what if you’re looming to establish an online poker startup?

[jesmu84]

Thanks 21!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Going to be in Vegas for a work conference next week. Staying at MGM Grand. Not my first time there, but still open to any suggestions for fun things to do at night. It will be early in the week (Monday through Wednesday) so there aren't a lot of shows besides the standard Carrot Top/Cirque du Soliel stuff, which I'm not particularly interested in. I plan on gambling a little bit but I'd like to get out of the casinos too. I'm not a huge Vegas person but its a free trip on my employer so I'd like to make the most of it.

I've never been to Fremont Street, is that worth checking out?

Wicked Spoon is still one of the top 5 meals I've ever had.  Highly recommend

[Herman Cain]

Glow and I are visiting London soon.

Which sites are overrated?  Which are underrated?

Any restaurant/pub recommendations?  Not looking for anything fancy.  We especially like historic places.  Also maybe a good Indian restaurant.
[/quote
I think for one night You and The Mr should go to The Ritz . Back in the day (about 30 years ago when I last went)used to be great for people watching. Food is good .

https://www.theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/the-ritz-restaurant/

[warriorchick]

I think for one night You and The Mr should go to The Ritz . Back in the day (about 30 years ago when I last went)used to be great for people watching. Food is good .

https://www.theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/the-ritz-restaurant/

I guess you missed the part about "not looking for anything fancy". 

Dinner for 2 there costs about the same as my airfare.  We're not even bringing any clothes nice enough to wear to a place like this.  I guess I am not much of a gourmand, but for the same price, I could have ten meals at fun, funky joints, which I prefer as an experience.

[StillAWarrior]

I guess you missed the part about "not looking for anything fancy". 

Dinner for 2 there costs about the same as my airfare.  We're not even bringing any clothes nice enough to wear to a place like this.  I guess I am not much of a gourmand, but for the same price, I could have ten meals at fun, funky joints, which I prefer as an experience.

But how are you going to do "people watching" at those fun, funky joints that you prefer? Or, more to the point, how are you going be watched yourself and impress people that you're willing to blow $1000 on dinner. And did you not see that Herman said the food is "good." It's hard to imagine a more compelling review. You simply must try it. I mean who wouldn't take $1000 dollars worth of "good" over fun and funky?!

Edited to add: in case it wasn't entirely clear -- and I think it was -- I'm a big fan of fun and funky. Especially when traveling. I'm not averse to fancy from time to time on a special occasion, but I'll pick fun and funky 99 times out of 100.

[warriorchick]

But how are you going to do "people watching" at those fun, funky joints that you prefer? Or, more to the point, how are you going be watched yourself and impress people that you're willing to blow $1000 on dinner. And did you not see that Herman said the food is "good." It's hard to imagine a more compelling review. You simply must try it. I mean who wouldn't take $1000 dollars worth of "good" over fun and funky?!

Edited to add: in case it wasn't entirely clear -- and I think it was -- I'm a big fan of fun and funky. Especially when traveling. I'm not averse to fancy from time to time on a special occasion, but I'll pick fun and funky 99 times out of 100.

Exactly.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Exactly.

Approachable luxury— cocktail at the American Bar at the savoy or tea service at the hotel.

[Coleman]

Any recs for Costa Rica? We'll be on the Pacific coast flying into/out of Liberia

Been there a couple times, including honeymoon. Definitely get out and do some excursions...we saw a coffee plantation, did a wildlife river cruise, and ziplining. If you are into surfing or beach town scenes, check out Tamarindo.

[warriorchick]

Approachable luxury— cocktail at the American Bar at the savoy or tea service at the hotel.

Getting drinks at the Sky Garden on Friday night.  Fancy enough for me.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Which Scoopers are in Paris?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-tourists-found-sleeping-off-104430138.html

[21Jumpstreet]

Which Scoopers are in Paris?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-tourists-found-sleeping-off-104430138.html

If the headline read “American takes a wee on a building on the rive gauche at 4am” well it might have been me.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If the headline read “American takes a wee on a building on the rive gauche at 4am” well it might have been me.

I can think of a few suspect" nocturnal infiltrators"

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I mean, who hasn't gotten a disorderly ticket for public urination?

[🏀]

I mean, who hasn't gotten a disorderly ticket for public urination?

Michigan Street alley.

[Coleman]

I mean, who hasn't gotten a disorderly ticket for public urination?

If you get caught you're doing it wrong

[Spotcheck Billy]

I mean, who hasn't gotten a disorderly ticket for public urination?

James Schoemperlen

[Dickthedribbler]

James Schoemperlen

You have an EXTREMELY long memory, Billy.