October 6, 2009
Euro-feel, lotsa space for reasonable price, great ambience
I stayed at the Oceana from Sept 21 through Oct 2 for the business trip I was on, and I have to say I was most pleasantly surprised and delighted by the hotel and staff. Most of them called me by name from Day 1, and it had the look and feel of a much more expensive hotel, but was much more reasonably priced than any of the nearby properties.
I had a great Lanai suite room that overlooked the pool; the only downside was the back windows looked out over an alley (complete with some local homeless people at night) - so I'll know next time to ask for a room that looks over Ocean Avenue (to the beach).
The Lounge was a small-plate format place that served a European style breakfast buffet - I ended up several nights eating there when I didn't feel like walking the 5-6 blocks to the 3rd Street Promenade area.
The only down-side I have to report was that they referred me to the Exhale Spa at the Fairmont for Spa services and it was not at all good and very overpriced. As an alternative, I contacted the nice folks at Greenbliss EcoSpa, and they sent someone to me who was excellent! (I'm going through Physical Therapy for a ruptured cervical disc, so deep tissue massage is part of the PT - tough requirement, but someone has to do it!)
I had a great Lanai suite room that overlooked the pool; the only downside was the back windows looked out over an alley (complete with some local homeless people at night) - so I'll know next time to ask for a room that looks over Ocean Avenue (to the beach).
The Lounge was a small-plate format place that served a European style breakfast buffet - I ended up several nights eating there when I didn't feel like walking the 5-6 blocks to the 3rd Street Promenade area.
The only down-side I have to report was that they referred me to the Exhale Spa at the Fairmont for Spa services and it was not at all good and very overpriced. As an alternative, I contacted the nice folks at Greenbliss EcoSpa, and they sent someone to me who was excellent! (I'm going through Physical Therapy for a ruptured cervical disc, so deep tissue massage is part of the PT - tough requirement, but someone has to do it!)
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October 6, 2009
Off the Promenade, but worth the 2 block walk!
I went to jiRaffe twice during my 2 week trip. Both times were quite excellent. Prompt and friendly service, and the hostess called me by name on my second trip. I had the Jidori chicken on the first trip and trout on the second - both excellent. Featured soup on week 2 was tomato and it was exquisite! I also enjoyed the small eggplant appetizer, complements of the chef during my second visit.
For restaurants in the area, the menu and wine were all reasonably priced - esp. in light of some of the nearby more expensive places.
The lemon souffle with blackberry sauce and sorbet were melt-in-your-mouth delicious - so good I had it both times.
Will be back on subsequent trips - great atmosphere and great wine list as well, I had a wonderful St. Julien bordeux (left bank) that I highly recommend as well.
For restaurants in the area, the menu and wine were all reasonably priced - esp. in light of some of the nearby more expensive places.
The lemon souffle with blackberry sauce and sorbet were melt-in-your-mouth delicious - so good I had it both times.
Will be back on subsequent trips - great atmosphere and great wine list as well, I had a wonderful St. Julien bordeux (left bank) that I highly recommend as well.
Cool theme on the menu and throu…
