Locked Out

Last week, I learned what NOT to do when having a late night arrival at a hotel then getting a room on the ground floor: lock yourself out.

So, after a long-delayed flight out of Detroit to Kansas City, my presenters (yup, two of them, again) and I check into the Courtyard Marriott and I get a free upgrade to a jacuzzi suite (sweet!).

Upon entering, I immediately close the security bar on the front door (force of habit by now) and go to drop my bags on the floor, bed, or wherever. I then notice that the hotel has a nice courtyard between the sleep rooms and the adjoining conference center (Adams Pointe). I step outside and, as I close the door behind me, I notice the security bar starting to fall into place as my room keys are both still on the bed. Crap.

The front desk staff helps me get another room key and, by this point, I had forgotten about the lock on the front door. Not for long, though. Now I've gotten myself locked out of the room TWO different ways. Great job, genius.

With some dedication, wire coat hanger, and frozen fingers (why did I have to leave my jacket inside, too?), I managed to jerry-rig the sliding door's lock out of place. By this time, it was almost 12:45 a.m. and I hadn't even started unpacking.

Not a good start to the Kansas City visit, I'd say. The next day proved to be a bit better, especially with the sympathy from the front desk landing me a free mini-bottle of wine to enjoy at my next destination.

Staying fit on the road

Canuck Extravaganza

This week is my first week in Canada, with or without work. Ontario's got all my attention for the first three days of this week: Ottawa on Sunday/Monday, Toronto on Monday/Tuesday, and Hamilton on Tuesday/Wednesday before heading across the border (eh?) to Buffalo on Wednesday/Thursday. The first night in the country, staying at the Hilton Garden Inn near the Ottawa Airport was awesome! Not sure if it was because I asked about a free room upgrade, but the room I got, pictured above, was HUGE!

Probably comparable in size to the living room of my last house in Orlando (huge, by the way), I had way more space than I really needed. Even though I passed on the option, the hotel has "Stay Fit Kits" for free rental in order to do just that, but in the privacy of your room. Apparently available at all Hilton Garden Inns, these kits include tools to accommodate three different areas of training: Yoga, Pilates and Core. Check the link for more info, but needless to say, I was very impressed with this very modern, very comfortable hotel (they stay even included the oft-desired minifridge and microwave!).