Dusseldorf meet up
April 18, 2008
I got a bit excited and booked the first flight out of T5 that morning not taking into account the fact that I've got to get there a couple hours before and I'm an hour away from the bloody airport.
i got about 2 hours sleep before I got in my car and headed to Heathrow. I checked in using the machines. So quick and easy! Security wasn't too bad either as there weren't many people there at 5am!!
After having a little stroll around Heathrows shiny new terminal, I went to the Giraffe for a lovely breakfast.
Arrived in Dusseldorf at 10am, had no problems getting train tickets and it only took about 15 mins to get into town. My hotel was only round the corner so I thought I'd check in then Have a look around before Mike turned up (he was on the flight after mine). I forgot to check what time I could check in though and when I got to the hotel there were no rooms ready for a couple of hours. I was so tired. I left my bag at the hotel and went for wander.
Found a Starbucks up the road and got myself a latte and blueberry muffin. After a while I got a text from Mike saying that he'd landed and was about to get on the train. I was about a mile away so I ditched Starbucks and headed back to the station.
Walking around Altstadt
When Mike turned up we still had a few hours before we had to meet the other early arrivals so he went off to find his hostel and I went back to my hotel and had a lovely hot bath and a bit of a snooze.
We'd arranged to meet at 4pm for a mini tour of town and a few drinks. We did a lot of walking and Lauro had to dash back to the station every now and then to pick up more TB's. So he left Thy to show the rest of us around til he came back. It was getting a bit cold and some of us were getting hungry so we went ti Altstadt for something to eat and drink. Lauro turned up after a while with a huge crowd of TB's. It was about 10pm and I was getting tired so I went back for an early night. Had a feeling I was going to need all my energy for the big meet up.
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Walking around Altstadt
First stop for beer
Starbucks kills!
In the heart of the Japanese district.
I booked this hotel through the Expedia website. I chose it because it was located close to the train station so I figured it'd be quite easy to find.
It was very easy to find. The entrance is somewhat tucked away in a big complex but the sign is on the street so there was no confusion as to where it was.
The lobby is very impressive. Very open and light. I got there way before check in and knew there wouldn't be any rooms so I just asked the concierge if I could leave my bag with them for a few hours and he was very helpful and but it in a locked room and handed me a ticket in exchange.
I arrived a few hours later to check in and was greeted by some very friendly receptionists. It was probably the nicest check in experience I've ever had. In some places I've been they sometimes act like they're doing you the favour but here it was warm smiles all round.
I got a standard double room on the 6th floor. The room was very spacious. It had a king size bed, table and 2 chairs by the window as well as a writing desk and a huge flat screen tv. The mini bar was fully stocked. It had everything, even a teddy bear with the hotel logo that you could buy. Need I mention the mini bar prices?
The bathroom was also very nice. All the little toiletries were from Molton Brown and they weren't shy in handing them out either.
I was a bit annoyed that there was a 15 euro charge to use the spa. Even if you just wanted a dip in the pool! Also the prices in the bar were ridiculous. It is a very nice hotel but I've been to nicer ones that had cheaper booze.
I would stay here again if I find myself in Dusseldorf. I liked the location and the fact that it was more a business hotel meant that it is very quiet on weekends.
It was very easy to find. The entrance is somewhat tucked away in a big complex but the sign is on the street so there was no confusion as to where it was.
The lobby is very impressive. Very open and light. I got there way before check in and knew there wouldn't be any rooms so I just asked the concierge if I could leave my bag with them for a few hours and he was very helpful and but it in a locked room and handed me a ticket in exchange.
I arrived a few hours later to check in and was greeted by some very friendly receptionists. It was probably the nicest check in experience I've ever had. In some places I've been they sometimes act like they're doing you the favour but here it was warm smiles all round.
I got a standard double room on the 6th floor. The room was very spacious. It had a king size bed, table and 2 chairs by the window as well as a writing desk and a huge flat screen tv. The mini bar was fully stocked. It had everything, even a teddy bear with the hotel logo that you could buy. Need I mention the mini bar prices?
The bathroom was also very nice. All the little toiletries were from Molton Brown and they weren't shy in handing them out either.
I was a bit annoyed that there was a 15 euro charge to use the spa. Even if you just wanted a dip in the pool! Also the prices in the bar were ridiculous. It is a very nice hotel but I've been to nicer ones that had cheaper booze.
I would stay here again if I find myself in Dusseldorf. I liked the location and the fact that it was more a business hotel meant that it is very quiet on weekends.
