Monday, March 2, 2009

Back in Florida Again--

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
9300 Airport Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32827
(407) 825-1234


SO GLAD I AM STAYING IN THE AIRPORT!

When I finally stumbled off the second leg of my flight from Lynchburg, VA to Orlando, FL at 9:30 PM, you cannot imagine how happy I was that I had the good, common sense to book my first two nights in Orlando right at the airport. My flight out of Lynchburg had been canceled and they stuffed us all into a "limo van" like sardines and trucked us off to the Roanoke airport over an hour away. The relief at finally being able to climb into a warm, soft bed was incredible after dragging around too heavy luggage all day. I didn’t even have to hassle with my luggage again after I arrived at the Hyatt Orlando because for a $10 fee, you give your luggage pick-up stubs and a description of your luggage to the bell captain and he sends someone off to pick up your luggage and deliver it to the room for you. (Yes—that monstrous green suitcase is heavy, isn’t it? Thank you—here’s another $5 towards your hernia surgery…You say you don’t have a hernia… Well, you will after you do the same thing for me on the return trip… Ask for Tony, you say…OK John! Thanks and I will ask for Tony on the return trip…) I also hadn’t eaten since breakfast and so I ordered room service, at 10 PM. Sushi—wonderful, incredible sushi—available by room service—at 10 PM! Amazing! I also ordered my breakfast for in the morning and a large pot of Starbucks coffee to wash down my zucchini and cheese frittata. This was served promptly at 10AM when I finally became conscious again. Now I admit to you that all of this luxury isn’t cheap. The least expensive rate is $145.52 a night after they add all the taxes and that is only if you are a Hyatt Gold Passport member and a senior—(Ahhhh… the blessings of AARP… It almost makes being over 50 enjoyable.) Lucky me, I am a Gold Passport member, an AARP member AND I had 24,000 points idling away in my rewards account, so I stayed for free for both nights. Soft, comfy king size bed, marble bath, room service, and a balcony overlooking the inner court of the airport central terminal where you could people watch for days and never get truly bored—ahh—what a life we frugal travelers live! If you can afford it—do yourself a favor and spend the first night or even two of your Orlando vacation at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel. It was wonderful for me.