US help.

[cormet]

Is parking very jialat inside the rim?

I was thinking to drive around those scenic pts but I read once you get a parking better not to touch the car.

Those scenic spots far from the lodges and visitor centre,most are only accessible by the shuttle bus there, so you should park and take the bus.

Whereas for parking at the lodge,visitor centre,supermarket area,no problems at all. Just that when it gets dark,limited lamposts, cannot see well.

 

[cormet]

Oh and I was the only driver in the group! Drove from LV to South Rim (stopped at Hoover Dam along the way),I recommend you stay 2 nights at GC because we weren't able to take the shuttle bus due to lack of time... We had to rush back to vegas to catch a flight to SF.

 

[xtwis7]

I stayed at the Yavapai Lodge before. That was slightly more than 5 months ago when some of the snow haven't melt at the canyon. Night temp was close to 0. My friends and I drove at night and directions to Yavapai was a nightmare, luckily my friend had a US data plan so at some point of time we had a bit of reception because enroute to the lodge, there was totally no reception. The room was actually pretty big and clean. Basically what a hotel has, you have it in the room too. From the Yavapai lodge, it's a short drive away from the Visitor's Centre where you can hop on the free bus. You can also drive to the Desert View watchtower on the eastern side.

 

[derazor]

I stayed at the Yavapai Lodge before. That was slightly more than 5 months ago when some of the snow haven't melt at the canyon. Night temp was close to 0. My friends and I drove at night and directions to Yavapai was a nightmare, luckily my friend had a US data plan so at some point of time we had a bit of reception because enroute to the lodge, there was totally no reception. The room was actually pretty big and clean. Basically what a hotel has, you have it in the room too. From the Yavapai lodge, it's a short drive away from the Visitor's Centre where you can hop on the free bus. You can also drive to the Desert View watchtower on the eastern side.

Actually out of the 5 lodging locations, the best location and hotel type of rooms is it El Tojar? Also when you've finish your day tour. At night what can be observed at the rim aside from the sun rise the next day. Also when you stay at the rim, is parking damn difficult ( I mean those near the El Tojar Hotel )

 

[derazor]

One day for GC a bit tight. You mean 1 night? Like that can but you will really be driving for a very long time if it is the South Rim you are going. Got buddy driver or not?

Before the plan I had, I nearly wanted to go South Rim then go to Flagstaff, AZ for the Lowell Observatory. In the end was way too long. Since North Rim less people go, I took North Rim but base must be in Kanab, UT.

Since got 1 night to slot in, see what sights you can see along the way. I assume you are driving from South Rim to Anaheim, CA? Then check out the old Route 66! That was my original plan. Visit the ghost town of Oatman, AZ. I think there are sections of the road that are marked with the Route 66 symbol. Drive on it and make sure take picture of it. Seligman, AZ is the place were you can go to Delgadillo's Sno Cap Drive-In. That stop ice cream place/diner is the inspiration for Pixar's Cars. The other place to go here is the Roadkill Cafe.

There are lots of other stuff along the old Route 66 since you are going down to the South Rim. Williams, AZ is also another stop along the old Route 66. It is also the site of the Grand Canyon Railway.

http://www.experiencewilliams.com/

If you are going to drive from South Rim to CA, might as well visit these towns nearer to the South Rim, then stay the night on any place along the I40 on the way the CA.

I'm the only driver LOL. Regarding the Route66 I will need to research a bit. 66 old route. What so special?

> SFO ( 3 nights )
> Vegas ( 4 nights )
> GC ( 1 night )
> Anaheim ( 2 nights )
> Santa Monica ( 1 night )
> LA ( 2 nights )

I'd be take domestic flight from SF to Vegas. I will rent a car at Vegas ( Nevada ). Go to GC then return the car at Vegas.

When I leave Vegas, I have to rent another car to go to Anaheim / LA. I read there is a surcharge if you're returning from a different state. Should I return the car at Anaheim or... ? Is it expensive? Any alternative?

 

[stormcontrol]

Need some advice in terms of planning and airlines.

Will be working in Houston till mid November. Thinking of taking a week off after work wraps up to visit LV and SF. Because of the distance, I think I will be flying IAH -> SFO -> LV -> IAH. Would you guys know what's the cheapest airlines I can take for this route? I see Virgin for SFO -> LV, and i've gotten a quote for the entire route on United from Travelocity but i would like more (and definitely cheaper) options if you guys know of them. If you can think of a better route as well, suggestions are also very much welcome.

Also, due to the timing, I will definitely be spending Thanksgiving day in the US. Any idea between SF and LV, which city is a better place to spend Thanksgiving in? Taking into consideration price of accommodation, availability of shopping, and/or attractions that are open?

 

[genie47]

I'm the only driver LOL. Regarding the Route66 I will need to research a bit. 66 old route. What so special?

> SFO ( 3 nights )
> Vegas ( 4 nights )
> GC ( 1 night )
> Anaheim ( 2 nights )
> Santa Monica ( 1 night )
> LA ( 2 nights )

I'd be take domestic flight from SF to Vegas. I will rent a car at Vegas ( Nevada ). Go to GC then return the car at Vegas.

When I leave Vegas, I have to rent another car to go to Anaheim / LA. I read there is a surcharge if you're returning from a different state. Should I return the car at Anaheim or... ? Is it expensive? Any alternative?

I have not experienced the drop off charges at another yet. I returned my car at LV where I rented. But surprisingly, the car I drove has CA plates.

Route 66, well, think of it as nostalgia. When you got pictures of it, and well taken pictures of this route plus some attractions along the way, at least you would have shown you drove the Mother Road of the USA. I dunno about you, I'm a road trip kind of person.

 

[genie47]

Need some advice in terms of planning and airlines.

Will be working in Houston till mid November. Thinking of taking a week off after work wraps up to visit LV and SF. Because of the distance, I think I will be flying IAH -> SFO -> LV -> IAH. Would you guys know what's the cheapest airlines I can take for this route? I see Virgin for SFO -> LV, and i've gotten a quote for the entire route on United from Travelocity but i would like more (and definitely cheaper) options if you guys know of them. If you can think of a better route as well, suggestions are also very much welcome.

Also, due to the timing, I will definitely be spending Thanksgiving day in the US. Any idea between SF and LV, which city is a better place to spend Thanksgiving in? Taking into consideration price of accommodation, availability of shopping, and/or attractions that are open?

For cheap, you cannot get better than Southwest.

As for Thanksgiving, it is a nightmare holiday in the US. Better city depends. SF is a very expensive city. LV on the other hand is much cheaper and you get bigger hotel rooms.

 

[xtwis7]

Actually out of the 5 lodging locations, the best location and hotel type of rooms is it El Tojar? Also when you've finish your day tour. At night what can be observed at the rim aside from the sun rise the next day. Also when you stay at the rim, is parking damn difficult ( I mean those near the El Tojar Hotel )

Actually we didnt stay till night at the canyon. Basically when we reached there, it was 12-1am already. Slept and woke up next morning for breakfast before heading to the Visitor's Centre where we parked and took the bus because the areas like Hermit's Rest are not accessible by car. There are several parking lots at the Centre, but I went during a low-peak period I think. El Tojar is not the one where you have to take a mule ride down to the foot of the canyon right? Basically, all the lodges have plenty of parking available.

 

[stormcontrol]

For cheap, you cannot get better than Southwest.

As for Thanksgiving, it is a nightmare holiday in the US. Better city depends. SF is a very expensive city. LV on the other hand is much cheaper and you get bigger hotel rooms.

Yeah, i know abt thanksgiving. was disappointed abt work not extending till then, maybe a colleague would have invited me home for turkey =p

Eh, I thought towards weekends and holidays LV would double and triple in price? that was what made me think LV might not be do-able over Thanksgiving

What about in terms of entertainment? Will the LV outlet shopping malls, the casinos still be open during Thanksgiving?

[edit] Oh yeah, found it! The malls are still open till 7pm. Joy! =p

 

[genie47]

Yeah, i know abt thanksgiving. was disappointed abt work not extending till then, maybe a colleague would have invited me home for turkey =p

Eh, I thought towards weekends and holidays LV would double and triple in price? that was what made me think LV might not be do-able over Thanksgiving

What about in terms of entertainment? Will the LV outlet shopping malls, the casinos still be open during Thanksgiving?

[edit] Oh yeah, found it! The malls are still open till 7pm. Joy! =p

Then good loh. LV is all entertainment. They cannot tahan not opening.

 

[derazor]

I saw these LA land tour at Tripadvisor. I was wondering if it's worth it.

https://tourificescapes.checkfront.com/www/

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-2.asp

http://www.citypass.com/hollywood

 

[cyberpolice]

I saw these LA land tour at Tripadvisor. I was wondering if it's worth it.

https://tourificescapes.checkfront.com/www/

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-2.asp

http://www.citypass.com/hollywood

Got mine here
http://www.smartdestinations.com/los-angeles-attractions-and-tours/_d_Lax-p1.html

Got 2 to choose from

 

[derazor]

Just got CX in October SG HKG SFO , LA HKG SG.

Now the next priority to get the hotel at GC.

 

[genie47]

You want to see a snowy GC or not? Read the following:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions_n_rim.htm

More about off-season visits to the North Rim

Highway 67 into the North Rim remains open to public travel through mid-November, but from mid-November on, Highway 67 may close for the season on short notice due to major storms and heavy snowfall. Check the Arizona Department of Transportation Road Conditions and Closures Map for the latest update. (www.az511.com/hcrsweb/hcrsweb.jsp)

During daytime visitation, from mid-October until the final closure of Highway 67, emergency services ONLY are provided by the National Park Service. Visitors are reminded to pay special attention to their gas gauge, since gas will no longer be available in the park. Food service will not be available. Only portable toilets will be provided.

Once the Arizona Department of Transportation closes Highway 67 south of Jacob Lake to vehicle traffic for the winter season, the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park also closes to vehicle traffic.

The gate at Jacob Lake is closed and locked and the gate at the North Rim entrance station is closed and locked. The National Park Service does not unlock the entrance station gate for public vehicle access until North Rim visitor facilities open up for the season in mid-May.

During the winter period when the North Rim entrance station gate is closed, the only public access into the national park is on foot, skies, or snowshoes. Snowmobiles are not allowed inside Grand Canyon National Park. Hikers and cross-country skiers are permitted to use the park's group campsites throughout the winter months if they have obtained a permit through the park's Backcountry Information Center.

You can still go to the North Rim which is nearer to LV. Just like me, you have to put up base at Kanab now that I know you are going in Oct.

From the 2011 season brochure:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2011NorthRimGuide-0428.pdf

The North Rim is opened from 9.00am to 4.00am from 15 Oct onwards. Will be very different to see the North Rim with snow on the ledges.

 

[giftgalz]

hi all, my partner and i carelessly booked the wrong date for country inn & suites newark for 14 Aug. We won't be arriving until a week later. We are willing to let go at 50% of rack prices - any takers pls?

 

[googol]

hi folks,
is there any website for booking cheap hotels in boston,US?

thanks

 

[cyberpolice]

hi folks,
is there any website for booking cheap hotels in boston,US?

thanks

http://www.chanbrothers.com/
http://www.agoda.com.sg

 

[genie47]

hi folks,
is there any website for booking cheap hotels in boston,US?

thanks

Bid for the hotel with Hotwire.

http://www.hotwire.com/us/index.jsp

If you are unsure how it works there are many online sites that explain how it is done.

You can try Priceline but Priceline won't let you go to the US site unless you go the SG site.

But be warned. Hotel room bidding is not for everyone. But if you are a bargain hunter and addicted to good deals, this may be for you. You have to have a strategy as well. Read up more on hotel bidding.

 

[derazor]

Bid for the hotel with Hotwire.

http://www.hotwire.com/us/index.jsp

If you are unsure how it works there are many online sites that explain how it is done.

You can try Priceline but Priceline won't let you go to the US site unless you go the SG site.

But be warned. Hotel room bidding is not for everyone. But if you are a bargain hunter and addicted to good deals, this may be for you. You have to have a strategy as well. Read up more on hotel bidding.

Can briefly explain on this?