The Catamaran: The Tired Part of San Diego
February 27, 2024
Back in the mid-’90s we spent a bunch of time in San Diego. One of the first annual trips was a visit to NDSS, a geeky conference always held at the Catamaran hotel. That must have lasted a decade or more. A return in 2024 (some 15 odd years since visiting the Catamaran) shows the toll that time has taken.
You see, the Catamaran has spent more on the common areas (which are very pretty but also just a bit wrong…like, say, a pool area where you are required to wear a wrist band as if you are an untrusted 20 year old) than they have on the rooms. Nobody seems to have considered fixing up the rooms since maybe 1982. Or maybe they spent all of their budget on marketing drones?
So you go from this:
To this:
Hamster cage with no design sensibility and indestructible furnishings. But wait, there’s less. How about the Holiday Inn bathroom console (featuring communal soap)? With a vinyl floor?
But you are here for the shower. Here is a prime example of the worst kind of plastic shower. Oh let us count the ways: lilliputian tub only a foot deep and made of plastic, obesity bar, plastic shower curtain (with a see thru plastic window portal design), and a shower head that does nothing to improve the flaccid water pressure. A big nope.
Here, watch the plastic shower in all of its glorious action…
There are good things about the Catamaran, like friendly staff, a good restaurant, and an espresso bar that knows how to make a real macchiato. And it’s right on the Pacific! But we’re not surfer dudes.
There’s an excellent coffee bar nearby too—pump coffee.
A visit to Ken Sushi Workshop is a great idea. Excellent.
Ultimately, room 218 is so dissatisfying that it was time just to jettison the plan, pack up early (after the morning meeting), and switch hotels. A lowly one showerhead and no more chances for the old Catamaran. It has sprung a fatal leak.
Chez Georges: Santa Teresa Rio
January 16, 2024
Staying in Rio? Definitely get yourself a hotel in Santa Teresa. After a few smashing days in Leblon, we were ready for some more authentic Brazil. Santa Teresa fits the bill.
Chez Georges is owned by architects, and it has only seven rooms. The location is outstanding, with excellent views over the city, a perfect line to sugar loaf, and access to Santa Teresa from the top. The design sensibility is world class (though the property itself could use some TLC and some closets). The vibe is chill. Unfortunately, the staff is a bit too chill (though incredibly friendly and nice) and could use a dollop or two of professionalism.
Seems that the Georges caters to a younger, less experienced demographic. I mean, we can go with the flow, but at this stage of our lives we are spoiled rotten! We even have our own band.
The top of Santa Teresa includes the drowned rat overlook.
We had two rooms at the Georges, the first a regular suite. There were no closets anywhere (which if you have, say, wedding dresses and kilts is not the best of circumstances).
Late lunch at Cafe do Alto was unique and just as fun as the karaoke was terrible.
Night view.
The shower in our first room was fantastic, with an unparalleled view.
Monkeys in the morning.
Fruit in the trees.
One of the great joys of the Georges is the breakfast spread. Fresh fruit. Great company. Hella views. You will likely have to use the espresso machine yourself to make a decent coffee.
A side trip to the MAC in Niterói was most excellent.
Dinner at Aprazivel was very nice and somewhat soggy as the clouds finally burst. We took a cab the 600 meters home.
We switched to the George Harrison suite for the last two nights of our stay. Still no closets. The shower was nice, but not as nice as the first room. And good luck finding a flat iron, arranging a salon, or even finagling an ironing board from housekeeping. Slack slack staff.
We were in Rio for a wedding. The wedding itself was magical. Here we are all suited up and ready to go.
There were, of course, some wedding events, including:
guided tours
philosophy sessions
poetry
and some joyous dinners.
And then there was the big surprise!
Romey said she would like to be a McGraw.
We packed up on our last day and then headed to Sugarloaf for last licks in Rio.
Four showerheads and some mandatory hospitality training for the staff at Chez Georges. Such a beautiful place deserves to be best in class.
Art in London: Zetter Townhouse
November 6, 2023
The Zetter Townhouse, situated just behind the Zetter Hotel and home to one of the best cocktail bars in London, was the base of operations for some business and a nice pile of art. NPS was put into room 6.
Art included, the Tate, some theater, and a concert.
The shower is not plastic, though climbing in and out of the enormous tub is a thing, Perhaps some short stairs should be installed.
Room 6 could use a better wardrobe, and some updated less shabby furniture. But all in all it is a nice place to spend a few days.
On our way to the Tate, we stopped by Ibérica Farringdon for a bite.
Our visit to the Tate Modern is documented here.
Of course a cocktail at the Zetter Townhouse rounded out the Thursday plan. We keep reminding them what a Liberal is.
Then some business which included two very nice meals, one at Bocca di Lupo and an incredible lunch at Inko Nito.
A French dinner at Le Café du Marché was very good for London but would never fly in Paris.
Saturday afternoon was meant to start with ramen, but Mohonon was closed (fortunately that was remedied Sunday evening. Suffice it to say that Bone Daddy just does not stack up.
Waiting on line might require a beer.
Some shopping at Varvatos cost everyone a pretty penny, but was surprisingly not awful.
We just had time for a brown meal at Hawksmoor before the theater. Then it was off to see Lyonesse which was enhanced by some sugarless French 75s.
The play was quite good, a medical emergency nothwithstanding.
The next day included a run back to Soho to visit Etro. And then some incredible classical music at the barbican.
Followed by real Ramen. Mohonos is just so good…equal to Japan.
A nightcap at Boccas was not terrible. But no Fernet in an Argentinean bar?! What?! A Pisco Sour (Peru?) would have to do.
All in all, four showerheads and a quick furnishings update required for the Zetter Townhouse.
Back to the Christiania Teater Hotel in Oslo
October 22, 2023
The beautiful and funky Christiania Teater has experienced a face lift. Even room 620 (a long time NPS favorite) has been updated.
The Fly2Get train in from the airport is a snap. The upgraded decor a welcome change.
Funky art in the hallway.
The orange juice machine remains the best in the world. In fact the entire breakfast situation is top notch.
Cafe Skansen is well worth a visit. Great place for a business dinner.
Fireside chat? In Oslo it is the real thing.
Engage.
The Munch museum (iteration three) is well worth a visit.
Himkok seems to have jumped the shark. Good luck edging in past the masses! We tried the Swan instead. Which was OK.
On the other hand, Indian food at Mantra was excellent. Great decor and the best indian so far in Oslo. And Dinner is a good place for dinner, though the food is much better than that work-a-day service.
Then it was off to Tyinkrysett.
Five showerheads for the Christiania Teater hotel. We will most likely return sooner than we think.
The Dupont Circle Hotel: Washington DC
October 22, 2023
Generally speaking, we don’t frequent too many DC hotels since DC is so close to home. But sometimes timing is such that a night in a hotel is in order. The Dupont Circle Hotel is centrally located and not an unreasonable place to stay. Nothing to write home about, but good meeting facilities and proximity to plenty of good things to do.
The outside patio is a nice place for a Negroni on a fall evening. Do note that the bar closes down rather early.
A corporate dinner event at the Lafayette (in the Hay-Adams) was very nice but exceptionally old school even by DC standards.
We were assigned hamster cube 804. The view of the construction site (where jackhammers fired up at 7am) was unobstructed.
Though by no means plastic, the shower was still slightly wrong.
Jackhammer guys.
Excellent meeting facilities.
Four showerheads and some more imaginitive fun and games for the Dupont Circle Hotel. We didn’t get that room on the roof from the website. LOL.
Boston: The Verb and Its Wishful Thinking
August 27, 2023
Before the 30th Anniversary Music Party, there was Contessa. Great food with a superb city view and militant eastern european staff. Not sure I would make a habit of it. Dining with two of my favorite women tips the scales radically. But honestly, Contessa thinks too much of itself. It is aptly named.
After the 30th Anniversary Music Party, the pool at The Verb Hotel (right next to Fenway) was bait. Honestly we felt a bit baited (and switched). The Verb is trying so hard to be hip and cool. But they are falling short due to a number of factors mostly involving an actual demographic of families with kids, a terrible breakfast situation, and a very small dingy pool. Oh well. It was a great plan.
We paid for a pool view room. Whatever. We were on the second floor a nice hike from everything past many hallways of refrigerated hamster cages.
This may be one of the only times and actual touring musician has ever stayed at The Verb. Too much veneer and not enough reality makes NPS a grumpy poster.
The Pool. Such a great idea, and so not what it needs to be. We did use it. And we had some great Mai Tais from next door.
At least the shower is not plastic.
The real record player was a nice touch and fun. Many of the records were in terrible shape though.
Mandolin.
It was great to be in Boston for the night. We had fun.
Sunday Jazz at the Mad Monkfish.
All in all, not a plan to repeat but one that was worth doing once. The Verb Hotel earns two showerheads and is summarily dismissed from the target list.
NYC: Intercontinental NY Barclay
August 27, 2023
In the still active quest to find a NY hotel to use as home base, we present the (nope) Intercontinental Barclays hotel. This was a quick, trip up for business and pleasure.
The Barclays is old school. Well, old. Definitely old. Try as they might to upgrade to “hip” or “relevant,” there is too much inertia for the sluggish IHG chain to overcome.
Our arrival was very corporate and our room was nice but hamster cage. All vestiges of Kimpton privilege have been assimilated. And there is only so much that you can do to drag a mid-century hotel into the new millennium. Frankly, I don’t even remember what our room number was or even what floor it was on.
The shower was fine.
A comfortable generic bed. Design by somebody’s grandmother.
Oh, here it is, room 939 on the not at all memorable 9th floor. This is a concierge floor which means only you can share an OK breakfast with other people who think that concierge service is good.
But it was NYC! BTW, the Fasano is a great place for a ridiculously expensive business dinner. Great food and a relaxed atmosphere conducive to conversation.
Also, as always the tucked away Oyster bar in Grand Central is a fun place for a snack. We tried out the back room (new to me). The front is more NY, FWIW.
Meanwhile, the bar back at the Barclays has a reputation far beyond its ’70s reality. Great cocktails served by cynical old school NY barkeeps with a hotel lobby feel that can’t be overcome. Skip it.
The great news is that the trip’s most memorable experience was a great one. The MOMA’s Karl Lagerfeld exhibit was not to be missed. See more here.
Before whizzing back across town and under the river to Newark, we had a great lunch at Blue Willow somewhat on a whim. Outstanding.
All in all, three showerheads and a continued search for a NY home for the Barclays Intercontinental. Too much corporate genericism for us.
Back to Berlin: The Circus Hotel
July 14, 2023
Definitely get an apartment in Berlin at the Circus Hotel. Just make sure it’s not apartment two (unless you like going up and down precarious stairs). We are told apartment four in the main building is the room to request.
Apartment two aside, the circus hotel has lots to offer, including great breakfast, a top notch bar, outstanding staff, and the best lost-and-found monkey in Europe. We enjoyed the location.
Once again no AC. Berlin was cooler than Brussels (in both ways), but it still could use some HVAC tech.
The shower was just fine, though the bathroom was down some stairs and was pretty tiny.
It rained. But we ventured right out into it. Berlin with Lisa and Noelie is fun no matter the weather.
The holocaust memorial is a good place to visit in the rain.
I had not seen the Brandenburg gate since 1985. Things have changed in Berlin.
The Wall museum is well worth checking out.
But then you need a rooftop bar without a corporate event! And yet it is apparently too early to drink?! Who knew.
Problem solved! Open your own rooftop bar and serve Tanqueray and Tonics whenever you want. The collusion from the circus staff was greatly appreciated.
And what is a party without sun umbrellas?
This is the 100th luftbaloon (it didn’t make the cut).
Of course our actual reason to visit Berlin is to visit Jaqueline! new life. new town. new beginnings.
It’s startup city.
An actual dark and stormy with Angostura procured after a delicious dinner.
About that monkey…
We started the next day with a river tour. Highly recommended, especially if you bring Markus along to translate.
The architecture is stunning and gorgeous.
But it’s too hot! So time for a beer with the boyz.
St George
Or make that a truly awful cocktail at Wilde Matilde what a place.
What?!
I will never forget the clickty-clack of the skeleton teeth.
Marx and Engels. Or maybe not.
Dinner for ten (!!) at VOLK was slow. Delicious. AND SLOW. Not a fan of French-style service though the food was great.
And then it was off to the Oderberger Pool for a midnight swim. Who knew we were supposed to be there at 10?! LOL. This was awesome. A romantic and delightful thing to do as a couple.
This rainbow unicorn is a tricky thing.
Another beautiful breakfast at the Circus Hotel.
We found of a copy of the Alchemist (not in London) and so had a celebratory CR#2.
We looked into terror and fascism for as long as we could stand. The idiots in the US don’t think this can happen again. They are fools.
Time for a quick roses break to level set.
Jacqueline on the street.
And a prize visit to Beavis, an outstanding bar. Fortunately the lightning storm spared us all.
All the way from Virginia, some 601 now lives in Berlin.
Have breakfast at the house of small wonder. Amazeballs.
A visit to the Boros Foundation (set up way in advance) was superb. No pictures because these people have no idea how social media works.
Guess whose apartment this is?
Hearts.
Quick cocktail before dinner at Betty F.
And it was time to fly.
A fantastic visit, and no doubt the first of many to come.
Four showerheads for the Circus Hotel. Fewer stairs and you would have a thing!
Two Days in Brussels: Hotel Manos Premier
July 14, 2023
After the relaxing visit to Lichtervelde for the 3rd Great Belgian Rum Tasting it was a quick train ride to Brussels to await Romey’s arrival. The Hotel Manos Premier is a bit off the beaten track between touristland and the train station. It is an easy walk to everywhere.
The room I requested was occupied by someone who had changed rooms. I was assigned the same category suite connected to the bee garden. Predictably, the HVAC was unable to handle the heat (something that seems to be pervasive in Europe these years what with massive climate change) which made for a less comfortable stay than it could have been stay. Minus ten for the room swap.
The hotel is well appointed in an old Europe kind of way. Very nice breakfast room. Cosy grounds with nice outside greenery.
The room itself had plenty of space and was comfortable but was not well put together into a coherent design. Euro-bathroom. Not plastic. But not a real shower either.
The water closet. LOL.
The bedroom had room for the bed.
By far the nicest part 0f the suite was the sitting room. This is where working AC would have been helpful.
Romey arrived! Every visit to Brussels must include the main gothic square. Have a beer.
And visit the little pisser too!
A stop in at the Musical Instrument Museum usually includes a very nice visit to the rooftop bar. Sadly, the rooftop is under renovation. The museum itself is remarkable with a great collection of very weird instruments from all over the world.
La Pharmacie Anglaise is a very good bar indeed, right next to the MIM. Handcrafted nicely-designed cocktails are abundant, and they know most of the classics.
A cocktail and some finger food at Vertigo was OK. The service could be easily improved,
Make time for a walk in the park. We spent a few hours just following our noses around the city which was very nice. Brussels is reasonably walkable.
Street fun and frites clothing.
The highlight of the visit was lunch with Yo and Caroline at restaurant Albert, on the top floor of the national library. Great food, but more importantly, great company.
Finally, before our train trip to Berlin, we stopped by for a rooftop cocktail at some completely forgettable rooftop bar (maybe JAM Brussels) with our London companions. And then it was time to catch the train…
Three showerheads for the Hotel Manos Premier. Best to have working HVAC and give people the room you promised them.
SecAppDev in Leuven
June 17, 2023
Though we stayed at Yo’s house this time, secappdev was held in the same excellent venue as always (the Faculty Club in Leuven Belgium).
I gave three talks (including the opening keynote) during SecAppDev, and one bonus talk for the Belgian Security Consortium.
Much fun was had during the hall track and pizza night.
A Belgian, and Israeli, and an Italian walk into an ice cream shop…
The venue for the last talk was a repurposed convent.
As always in Leuven, beer was unavoidable.
Lunch at Absolut was excellent.
More beer at Malz.
Negroni capability varied widely, with Bar Nine coming in at the top. Baracca was good pizza. Manhatt’n Burgers was quite bad.
As always, Leuven is an excellent place to visit. Five showerheads and a top secret location for the accommodations.
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