BUENOS AIRES: A Return to the City of Contrasts

SAN TELMO

RECOLETA CEMETERY

PALACIO DUHAU HOTEL

PALERMO SOHO

HIERRO SAN TELMO in the market

It had been a couple of decades since I first visited Buenos Aires. That initial trip was brief, as I also included stops at Iguazú Falls, Mar del Plata, and a few places in Brazil. Yet ever since, I’ve held a desire to return and truly immerse myself in the spirit of the city. A few weeks ago, I finally had that chance.

As with many things remembered fondly, expectations tend to grow over time—and sometimes, reality doesn’t quite match the memory. I remembered Buenos Aires as a large city, but I had forgotten just how sprawling it truly is. It’s a metropolis made up of distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own unique rhythm, architecture, and character. One moment you’re surrounded by sleek skyscrapers of glass and steel, and the next you’re in a district of colorful, makeshift homes or historic, manicured townhouses.

What binds the city together are its sweeping boulevards—some of the widest I’ve ever seen—lined with pedestrian walkways and leafy trees. Many of the elegant shops that once graced these avenues have been replaced by simpler storefronts selling souvenirs and household wares. Outdoor cafés, once a cornerstone of city life, now seem fewer and less lively.

But what makes Buenos Aires truly unique is its abundance of green spaces. The city feels like a lush oasis: everywhere you look there’s foliage, tropical plants, and vibrant parks. From the Botanical Gardens and the Japanese Garden to Los Bosques de Palermo and the Ecological Reserve, these spaces breathe life into the city and offset the smog and chaos of its ever-present traffic.

I began my visit with a hop-on-hop-off tour—a smart way to get oriented and decide which neighborhoods to explore more deeply. My hotel was located in Recoleta, an elegant district known for its Parisian flair. Here, boutique shops, high-end hotels, and refined restaurants abound. I stayed at the Palacio Duhau, a five-star neoclassical palace that first opened in 1934 and is now part of the Park Hyatt brand. My room was both efficient and comfortable, and the service was flawless. The hotel hummed with energy, welcoming both leisure travelers and business groups, all enveloped in a warm, understated luxury.

Just a short walk away was the Recoleta Cemetery, famous for its elaborate mausoleums and as the resting place of Argentina’s elite—including Eva Perón. A small entrance fee grants access to what feels like an open-air museum. Strangely, this historic site is surrounded by residential buildings whose windows look directly into the cemetery—a view I personally wouldn’t want every day.

Another highlight was Palermo, a vast neighborhood subdivided into areas like Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Alto Palermo, and Palermo Chico. Despite the trendy names, the vibe here is more eclectic than clearly defined. Gentrification has made Palermo a hotspot, with lively cafés, bars, and lush parks like the Rose Garden, which offers a welcome escape from the neighborhood’s energetic nightlife.

Then there’s Puerto Madero, the city’s newest district, created along the riverfront. This modern, master-planned neighborhood features sleek skyscrapers, high-end residences, and posh dining spots. Quiet by day, it transforms at night with bustling restaurants and fashionable clubs. Despite its upscale aura, it felt a bit sterile to me—and noticeably light on actual shoppers.

But my favorite neighborhood was San Telmo, which reminded me of New York’s Greenwich Village. Quaint cobblestone streets, antique shops, funky boutiques, and cozy bars give the area a distinctly bohemian feel. On Sundays, the streets come alive with market vendors, musicians, and flamenco dancers performing on nearly every corner. The heart of it all is the San Telmo Market, originally built in 1897. Once a produce market for European immigrants, it’s now a hub of culinary delights. One standout for me was Hierro San Telmo, where the grilled meats were as memorable as the warm, welcoming staff.

There’s so much more to say about this fascinating city—but instead, I’ll invite you to experience it for yourself. Walk its neighborhoods, make your own observations, and find the corners that speak to you. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of Recoleta, the energy of Palermo, the serenity of its parks, or the soul of San Telmo—Buenos Aires has something to offer everyone.

There are countless hotels across a range of neighborhoods, and I now feel confident in recommending which might suit different travelers best. A word of caution: areas like La Boca are colorful and worth a daytime visit, but they’re not ideal after dark. As with any large city, it’s important to consider both charm and safety when choosing where to stay.

I thoroughly enjoyed my return to Buenos Aires, but next time I’d love to venture beyond the urban sprawl—perhaps to Mendoza, the heart of Argentina’s wine country, where vineyards and ranches paint a different picture of Argentine life.

Until then, hasta luego.

Porto, Portugal: A Springtime Mosaic of Culture and Charm

At the end of April, I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Porto, a destination that added a distinct layer to my previous experiences in Portugal, which have included Lisbon and the island of Madeira. This time, it was Porto’s turn—and it did not disappoint.

Spring in Porto presented its usual array of moods: warm, chilly, sunny, cloudy, breezy, and calm. It was a textbook case of Spring’s unpredictable temperament.

The city itself is a patchwork of steep hills, cobbled streets, and panoramic vistas. While highly walkable for the able-bodied, those with mobility issues might find Porto challenging. The promenade along the Douro River offers some respite with its flat terrain, but nearly every other part of the city demands stamina—especially after indulging in a glass of Port or Cava!

Tourism was in full bloom during my stay. Americans, Asians, and Europeans all seemed to converge on the city at once, creating a cosmopolitan buzz. Outdoor cafés and restaurants overflowed with smiling guests savoring local delicacies like pickled sardines, francesinha, bacalhau, and a variety of savory croquettes.

The pedestrian shopping street, Rua de Santa Catarina, features a mix of boutiques, cafés, and pastelarias. While it may not rival the charm of promenades in other European cities, it’s still worth a stroll.

For a broad overview of the city, I opted for a day on a hop-on-hop-off tour bus. Sitting atop the open-air deck provided sweeping views, though the traffic occasionally turned the ride into a slow-moving parade surrounded by honking horns, buzzing scooters, and dense foot traffic.

A highlight of the trip was a scenic boat ride on the Douro River. Passing beneath the city’s six bridges—each unique in architectural style and era—offered a fascinating perspective of Porto and its twin city across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia.

I also ventured on a short side trip to Aveiro, a charming seaside town just 45 minutes from Porto. With its network of canals, calm streets, and whimsical ambiance, Aveiro offered a refreshing contrast. A boat tour, led by a bilingual guide, added an engaging and humorous touch to the visit.

My stay was elevated by my choice of lodging: the Hotel Infante Sagres, Porto’s first five-star hotel. It combines historic elegance with modern comfort. Service was impeccable, and breakfast was a delight, served in a bright, sunlit room just off the lobby. The hotel also features a lively bar and restaurant, both popular with locals and guests alike.

Final Thoughts:

Porto may share some traits with Lisbon, but it has its own unique rhythm, topography, and charm. For travelers headed to Portugal, Porto is a destination that should not be missed.

 My musings after 3 days in Bordeaux

It’s been several years since I’ve spent any time in France. This time I chose a destination I had not been to before. Bordeaux obviously brings to mind quality French wines, just as Chianti in Tuscany does for Italy.

However the city of Bordeaux does little to remind one of the beautiful bucolic areas where vineyards abound, just a short drive from the city. 

The hotel I chose for this trip is “Le Grand Hotel”, a 5 star Intercontinental establishment with more than one restaurant (including one by Gordon Ramsey), a Guerlaine Spa and a vibrant rooftop bar with a nautical theme called “Night Beach”.

It is directly across the Grand Théâtre, one of the most important monuments in the city. The hotel has been named “France’s Leading Hotel” and it is part of the Signature group of hotels, which my agency is affiliated with. The service here is nonpareil, the staff is attentive without being intrusive. There is great care in keeping this the rare gem that it is in the international hotel realm. Applause to the staff!

I spent the days walking. Each morning, exiting my centrally located hotel, I chose a different direction. 

There are many pedestrian areas in town, making it easy to avoid cars, but not bicycles, scooters and other two wheeled vehicles which abound and seem to have the right of way no matter what. France has become a secular country in the last decades, so the worship of Saints has obviously been replaced by the worship of bikes and dogs…yes it does seem every French household has at least one of each.

I made o point of finding a bench or a seat at an outdoor café, intermittently during my walks, in order to observe the flow of the city, the people going about their business, the groups of tourists taking photos of buildings not having a single clue what they were capturing, grandparents walking their restless grandchildren, vagrants asking for alms, women doing their daily shopping. In other words observing the Bordolaise in their own element.

I began noticing some patterns: man buns are obviously de rigueur here for men of all ages! I noticed countless males sporting that particular up-do. It appears that the once elegantly dressed French have evaporated like snow on a warm spring day.

Women are wearing long flowing (matronly) dresses made of cheap and transparent material reminiscent of the “flower power” hippy days. America seems to have breached the shores of this country once again, this time conquering the once tastefully coiffured and bien habillé French population. White sneakers are everywhere, torn jeans, short-shorts, t-shirts white English writings, poorly fitting H&M off the rack anything, I could have been in a mall in Passaic!

I should have been concentrating on the architecture around me, the fountains, the beautiful river crossing the city, but I was obviously distracted.

More patterns emerging: an over abundance of ethnic restaurants. The French are turning from their food, to the food of other countries. Yes there still are countless crêperies, boulangeries, viennoiseries and oenothèques but many are being supplanted by Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Pakistani and an assortment of other ethnically diverse establishments so that you can have a poke bowl, sushi,or a bowl of pasta on almost every street.

Don’t take me wrong, these things are not necessarily all bad, I’m just observing and reporting. I’ve enjoyed Bordeaux overall, but tomorrow begins aa brand new adventure.

At the end of this trip, I’ll be in Paris for a few days. I’ll give you my thoughts on that city which is only two hours away from here, but with quite a different vibe.

BARCELONA

BARCELONA, A VISIT AFTER A LONG ABSENCE.

I must say that after four days in this city, my thoughts about it have not changed. I do love Spain and especially enjoy the many art cities scattered around the country, both coastal and inland, however if comparing the two largest cities, Barcelona and Madrid, I still prefer Madrid.

Barcelona, not unlike Naples Italy, is a port city and therefore a popular stop for cruise ships of all sizes. This in itself brings a certain vibe to the town that can be more negative than not. Thousands of cruise passengers alight on that city in a frenzy, wanting to see and photograph everything, trying to use their few hours on shore to the max. What it shares with its Italian counterpart is the grittiness, the traffic, the chaotic rhythm and cacophony while still offering unparalleled architecture and culture. What it seems to lack is a sense of neighborhood, of warmth and cohesiveness, a factor that can be a bit off-putting to the uninitiated. It is quite unfortunate that most first time visitors end up walking the famous ( now infamous) Las Ramblas which has become an elongated version of New York’s Times Square. Masses of people ambulating the pedestrian avenue flanked by schlocky shops, mediocre food venues and all sorts of dubiously intentioned characters looking for their next unsuspecting prey.

Not far from there is just as wide and grand of a pedestrian artery called Gran Via, a much more upscale version of the Ramblas and with lovely shops and food venues. Most one day cruisers probably only see it in passing on the way to take photos of La Sagrada Familia. What they would miss is a hidden gem called El National. This is a wonderful large space encompassing a dozen different elegant bars and restaurants offering a variety of  foods and libations in a safe, clean and welcoming environment. Here locals and visitors alike can rub shoulders while enjoying an ambiance quite unlike any other in the city. 

Another quite interesting place frequented by those with discriminating taste and who enjoy being around an international clientele, in a cozy yet lively setting, where interesting tapas are served, along with a large choice of wines and quirky cocktails, is Babula Bar.

Leo, the owner, named the place in honor of his grandmother whose food he enjoyed so much. The service is provided by an array of young bartenders and food servers who attentively make their patrons immediately feel like “family”. It’s easy to see why people keep returning regularly, not just to savor the special tapas of the day!

Both the above places are in the Eixample district of the city.

While the shopping scene is represented by the usual high end boutiques with the familiar names of Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, etc.. along with the ubiquitous and familiar international brands like Zara, Mango, Uniqlo, Massimo Dutti, (stores that exist in every city in Europe and are as numerous as CVS is in our cities,) making the search for the local and unique indeed a chore.

I happened to find one particular men’s clothing store called Aragaza, which features only items actually “made in Barcelona”. They have several locations around the city, and it is a stop I definitely recommend those needing anything in men’s fashion at reasonable prices, and locally made.

El Corte Ingles, the largest department store in Spain, is also worth a visit. They carry the usual international brands, many of them American, but the reason to bother entering the structure is to wander the aisles of the sprawling food and wine department, where you can find local products of all kinds. This is a great place to pick up an edible souvenir to bring back home.

Even though, as I expressed earlier, there are cities in Spain I enjoy more, even in Barcelona one can find places where, a bit apart from the unwashed masses, one can find solace and even a reason to spend a few Euros!

www.babulabar.es

www.aragaza.com

www.elnacionalbcn. 

 NAPLES (ITALY THAT IS...)

Writing this blog from my home in Naples, Florida, I need to make the distinction clear: Naples, Italy is my topic today!

I recently returned from a second trip to Italy in one month, this time dividing my stay in three popular Italian cities: Florence, Rome and Naples. There must be some kind of magnetic pull emanating from that prominent volcano that sits majestically beside the bustling metropolis called Napoli, because I keep wanting to go back.  Several years ago, in fact, I decided to return to this Italian city despite all the negative press in the media: "dangerous...filthy...smelly...chaotic...pickpocket capital of the world...etc). what I found on that visit was quite the opposite, as a matter of fact that same year I found Rome ( to my dismay) to be much dirtier and chaotic than its neighbor to the south. Thankfully things have improved of late in Rome, but that's a topic for another essay.

Naples is a city in competition with itself, it has a dual personality which some may describe as disfunctional, yet it survives by acting just like an extended family that sits at the same table, tolerating the crazy uncle, the eccentric grandmother, the judgmental teen, the slutty cousin, and still being able to enjoy the drinks and subsequent meal without batting an eye. As you begin ambulating through the city streets its dual character begins to become very apparent: there are well maintained pedestrian paths, next to alleys with cracked sidewalks, majestic villas in rococo style, next to seedy apartment buildings, wildly expensive boutiques flanked by schlocky stores selling cheap merchandise, elegant restaurants competing with stands selling street food, and so on.

The Neapolitans seems to exaggerate in everything: their flailing hand motions while speaking seem to increase along with the volume of their voices, which seem to be louder here, maybe to compete with the constant cacophony of zipping scooters, waling ambulances, music emanating from windows and stores, children being children and street vendors vying for attention. It is a living Picasso painting, where you recognize the subject, but you see it through distorted eyes. The women here exaggerate their maquillage, the men their attire, the children their screams for attention; it takes most uninitiated visitors a few days to become accustomed to this delirious buffet of humanity, but once they let themselves go and allow themselves to roll and sway with the natives, they are forever changed in their perception of Italy.

As I've underscored many times before, Italy is held together as one united country simply by language ( and even that can be disputed), political decrees, the love of soccer, coffee, pasta, geography.  Yet every corner of the country has a unique culture, cuisine, architecture, music, that makes it different from the rest. In that sense, Naples is a microcosm of the entire country. The schitzophrenic dualism of the city mirrors that of the rest of the "boot". But it is that seemingly unsettling characteristic that makes Napoli so attractive. The people are genuinely friendly, they are generous, gregarious, inclusive, spontaneous. The food offerings are the basis of most Italian-American cuisine, so more recognizable to tourists, yet more "real". I found the very best shopping for men's clothing in this city, at very reasonable prices. Neapolitans are known for their haberdashery skills and they are not shy in showcasing them in store window after store window. I must assume it's the same for women's attire, though I'm too engrossed in what they offer for my gender to notice.

This city has a very prominent history, its origins dating back to the 9th century BC. It boasts a pedigree that rivals Rome, having survived multiple layers of diverse dynasties (Greek, Roman, Norman,French and more). Its 2500 years of history is probably why in its time it attracted famous individuals like Dickens, Goethe, Hemingway, Andy Warhol and many others. The Neapolitan dialect is one of the few that continues to remain relevant through poetry, music and theater. The Neapolitan Music Festival each year rivals that of the San Remo Music Festival in Liguria. Its religious DNA is  an intertwining of Catholicism, paganism, superstition and folklore. All you need to do is to be in that city of the day they celebrate the patron Saint,  Gennaro, whose blood supposedly liquifies once a year to the explosion of joy from the masses who attend the festivities, and that will explain it all. By the way, if the blood should not liquify on any given year, the residents believe that disaster will fall upon the city at some point during that year. I haven't done a nexus study of the blood non liquifying and the natural disasters that the city had endured, but disasters have indeed occurred.  In 1626, 70,000 people perished in an earthquake. In 1980 another major earthquake killed several hundreds.  Living in the shadow of Vesuvius is a constant reminder of the ephemeral life they live, alongside what could be their executioner.

Maybe this is why Neapolitans live their life with exuberance and passion: could today be their last day before they become a modern day Pompei? I'm a Roman by birth, yet I'm intrigued by Naples. Even if you don't want to overnight there, its only a short train ride from Rome, so you could easily depart Rome after breakfast and return after dinner, but you will have missed the very late night pulse of the city, where crowds gather at their favorite mostly outdoors bars and restaurants to enjoy each other company, speaking loudly over the even louder music and enjoying Neapolitan pizza (the real thing!), sfogliatelle, good wine and great vibes.

 I would recommend staying at my favorite hotel, the historic Grand Hotel Parkers, perched hillside overlooking the beautiful bay of Naples. It is in the Chiaia district where it has welcomed the famous and not so famous since the 1870. This year while I was there, it was going through some major renovation, which should be completed in 2022. The work being done did not disturb me while I was there, the beautifully appointed room was quiet despite facing the main drag right in front of the main entrance of the hotel. The staff there is the friendliest I've encountered anywhere, ready to respond to any request. The highlight of this building is the breakfast room and terrace on the top floor. what a way to begin the day, sipping cappuccino while admiring the bay of Naples come to life! On that same level is the Hotel's Michelin starred restaurant, George. From there I was able to walk to any part of the city I wanted, whether it was the shopping street of Toledo, the main square Plebiscito, the Quartiere Latino or the seafront Posilippo.

Allow me to book your next trip to NAPOLI!!

 LOPESAN RESORT & SPA

COSTA BÀVARO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In 1972 the family of Lopez & Sanchez created a successful construction company based in their country of origin, Spain. A few decades passed and their passion for creating structures morphed into something completely new: the hospitality business. They began with a resort hotel in Spain, eventually adding others there and finally the “Lopesan” brand crossed into Austria and Germany. Europeans noticed the beautifully built resorts and flocked to them with gusto. The service, food and ambiance created fans in the many repeat guests.

          The Punta Cana resort is the first foray outside of Europe for this still family owned          business. After an unfortunate opening just as the COVID pandemic was rearing its ugly head, the resort closed shortly after its opening, only to re-open in early 2021. The success was almost immediate. With little publicity, but word of mouth, Lopesan was able to welcome record number of guests, mostly Europeans who were familiar with the brand. They were followed by the Americans, always looking for a luxury product coupled with impeccable service. They were not disappointed. Last week while I stayed there, the resort was at 92% occupancy, unheard of, particularly for such a new and little know product in the Caribbean.

The resort has over 1000 rooms, yet you would be hard pressed to find throngs of people in any one location. By virtue of the resort’s well planned design, guests are spread out throughout the property which boasts 7 freshwater pools, 2 water parks, 7 speciality restaurants, 16 bars, a double buffet ( with a section for adults only) as well as its unique highlight: the Boulevard. The aforementioned Boulevard is a space dedicated to shopping, a coffee bar, a wine cellar, a cigar bar, a bowling alley, the theater, the spa and areas for teens and ones for smaller children. as well as an ice cream parlor, a fast food restaurant and an English pub. A cornucopia of offerings for all ages and tastes. The large white sand beach being the other option for people to gather.

The resort is divided into three sections: a basic and most sought after one which welcomes people of all ages (a favorite of families), an adults only section and finally the VIP section called “Unique”. Unique guests have a dedicated beach space as well as their own beachfront restaurant for breakfast or lunch and a bar. They also have exclusive access to the speciality restaurant, Mareas. The added amenities in the Unique area, make the slightly higher price, definitely worthwhile. All rooms are spacious and have large bathrooms. The furnishings are modern and eye pleasing. Balconies are also big and adorned with comfortable seating for lounging in privacy. 

Food offerings, premium liquor, friendly service and elegant furnishings throughout, make Lopesan the obvious resort choice to spend one’s vacation. I, personally, was hard pressed to find things to criticize. If I wanted to mention one, it would be the occasional periods of spotty wifi service, an annoyance for those who want to work while vacationing. Another might be a word of caution for those with problems ambulating, because of the size of the resort and the walking distances to reach certain services from one’s room. Additionally the very beautiful hallway floors could become treacherously slippery when wet, because of their slick shiny surfaces. Again, I’m nit picking, because overall this is a magnificent resort. Unlike the resort in my previous blog, this one I highly recommend and look forward to visiting again myself soon!

 

           

 SERENADE PUNTA CANA BEACH & SPA RESORT

I must preface this review with a reminder to my readers that everything I write is completely subjective, based on my personal experience and never based on personal relationships with those offering the services of either hotels, restaurants or other venues. I wish to be informative, without bias.

I arrived at this newer resort in Punta Cana knowing nothing about it, other than what appears on their website and on social media. I checked in and asked to briefly greet the sales manager, with whom I had had a couple of email exchanges prior to my trip, simply to introduce myself, share my business card and thank her. She was very cordial but very hurried. I was not given a map of the resort, or instructions on how to navigate the system, which is different at every property. I found my room on my own and must say I was impressed.

The property is beautiful, it is spotless, the rooms are large as are the bathrooms, furnished in a very minimalist modern way, yet with much storage space and thankfully several USB ports for charging electronics ( something I expect these days, particularly in newer hotels). There are 6 buildings, three on each side separated in the center by two very large pools. Each building has four floors with a mix of swim up ground floor jr suites as well as regular jr suites and large two room suites. There’s also a premier section of the hotel with upgraded amenities and separate pool area which can be accessed only if  your room is booked in that category.

I don’t know about you, but when on a vacation, I don’t want to have a schedule or be compelled to jump through hoops to get certain basic things accomplished. After all they sell themselves as a 5 star property. For example, at arrival everyone is given a towel card which allows you one beach or pool towel. You need to go to a booth (which was inconveniently located) to exchange the card for a towel, and then return the towel to the same location at the end of the day. The process is then repeated each day you’re there. I find that annoying…is it just me?

There are signs throughout the property indicating directions in order to make it easier to find restaurants and bars. I found some of the bars were non-existent. The bar serving the main pool also served the entire beach, so it got a bit crowded compelling one to wait. There is no waiter service. The swim up portion of the bar was unattended the entire time I was there. To access the bar menu, you had to download a barcode which I found cumbersome and at times inaccessible. There is no premium liquor that I could find anywhere and the drinks were unimaginative, watery and overall disappointing. On a positive note the staff around the pool and beach was pleasant, friendly and helpful.

Food is what at times cements the memory of a resort either in a positive or negative way. Unfortunately in the case of this resort the food throughout was memorably unappealing and remarkably mediocre. For lunch you have the choice of two buffet restaurants: one large one and another a “ Mexican” one which was smaller and surprisingly offered very similar food, just fewer choices. For dinner there is the same large buffet restaurant, or a sports bar which features the usual offerings you might expect at any sports bar. This one, once again, disappointing ( I’m trying to be kind here!). Worst hamburger I ever tasted….I’ll leave it at that.

To access the speciality restaurants you have to find the desk where two young ladies will help you make a reservation. I found the desk by chance especially because there was no sign anywhere indicating that it was the reservation desk, rather a makeshift folding table. However, what they don’t tell you is that if you arrive anytime after 10 or 11 am, those restaurants are full and you have to return the next morning to attempt a reservation again. I walked by the restaurants and despite being half empty, without a reservation, you were turned away. Please don’t ask me why I avoid “Italian” restaurants at all inclusive restaurants in the Caribbean…thank you! The other choices were a Mediterranean restaurant and an Asian one.  I was  able to secure a reservation at their “ premier” restaurant; a steakhouse called CUT, which everyone assured me was the very best. The ambiance screamed steak house, so I thought I scored gold! Again the menu can only be accessed online by scanning the barcode ( annoying). I chose a Caesar salad ( it was identical to the one I saw served at the sports bar) followed by churrasco. The meat arrived flanked by a tired and truly unappealing portion of mashed potatoes, over boiled asparagus , mushy mushrooms and a small slice of corn on the cob. The meat was tough, stringy and flavorless. The wine I was served was also of very low quality. After that, I avoided the specialty restaurants and simply grazed at the buffet.

I have stayed in two and three star hotels and have eaten in dives, but they never pretended to be more than what they were. I enjoyed the food in many of those places more than I did here. I am simply annoyed by venues that sell themselves as 5 star, or “deluxe” and don’t produce the quality they portray on their websites. I visit as many places as I can so that I may steer my clients correctly, depending on their expectations. I hope you read this in the spirit it was written, one of constructive criticism.