Welcome Home Sgt Dad

Sgt Dad made it safely home from Thailand last night. We elected to enjoy a night to ourselves and abandoned our children to stay downtown. We enjoyed a long, relaxing dinner, spent some time chatting and playing pool, stayed up late watching TV, slept in, and, finally, enjoyed a relaxing breakfast. It was great. No messy house or arguing teenagers to interrupt us!
Unfortunately, we had to come home to reality all too soon.
When, we came home this morning, we couldn't find the remote for the TV, discovered the boys had taken over the living room with their video games and accessories, and, worst of all, young Strummer had slept right through his alarm and is not in school! I guess it's time to take away his computer privileges so that he gets himself to bed at a decent hour. Despite these setbacks, it was worth it to have some uninterrupted time to visit with Sgt Dad after his long absence.

Now it's time for a hotel review. Last night we stayed at the Marriott in downtown Anchorage. It was pretty pricey but did have a great view of the water and downtown buildings. I also liked the heavy down comforter on the bed. Big plus, it was nice and clean. The room, lobby, hallways and elevators all smelled clean and fresh. Still, it was basically just an ordinary hotel room with upgraded bedding and quality staff. The negatives were the price, lack of on site parking, and the shower didn't have very good pressure or a good shower head. Personally, I don't think I'd spend the money to stay there again. I could have spent half that for a hotel just a nice if we were just looking for a place to lay our heads.
On the other had, before Sgt Dad left for Thailand, we stayed at the Dimond Center Hotel. It almost looks like a warehouse from the outside but inside is a very nice hotel. It was more expensive than the Marriott but when you factor in the cost of parking and breakfast (no complimentary breakfast at the Marriott) the two hotels cost about the same. The Dimond Center Hotel is not downtown but is in a major shopping center and has everything that one could want right nearby. This hotel has all the amenities that make for a luxurious stay. The room has very high ceilings and feels very spacious. Every room features an enormous bathtub (big enough for two) and a separate shower. It also has a nice heavy down comforter, quality linens and big, fluffy bathrobes. Our room had a small refrigerator and Krups coffee maker. The room is designed with large windows separating the bathtub from the main room that can be opened so that one could watch TV while soaking in the tub (which I did and LOVED!).
Needless to say, that is my hotel of choice for a special weekend. When traveling and I just need a place to sleep for the night, then Motel6 will be just fine but if the intent is for something special- then I want Dimond Center Hotel!