QCT Charlotte Women's History and Heritage Toursm Travel Article
By Jay Whipple
Trend Magazine Online™
Great Customer Service!
Trend Magazine Online™
Great Customer Service!
I
arrived at this property at approximately 8:20 PM on a Sunday
after a very educational and entertaining venture to the Kennedy Space Center in
Titusville, Florida, located just south of this portion of this very long state. I
must admit that I have been through this largest city in what is called the Lower
48 of the (contiguous) United States -- at 840 square miles -
and have never spent a night. I stopped through once years ago and went to its
famous beach but kept getting up the highway afterwards. All the other times I
would either stop before or after for fuel but not in the city as it always
appeared very busy and congested and there used to be a litany of toll bridges
that I found extremely annoying especially when I had to make sure that I had a
bunch of quarters handy.
Today
there is this new outer loop Interstate 295 that allows you to bypass
the dreaded I-95 that passes through the center of the city. My GPS
tells me that it is faster, but it does not seem to be that way when I am
driving around it seemingly for an hour or awhile. Anyway, I finally arrived at
my airport exit and was looking forward to finally arriving at my hotel when
boom, bam, zing; I whizzed right past the DoubleTree sign that came and
went in a flash. It is plainly marked but the turn itself is so narrow that it
is very easy to miss, especially at night. I then had to drive around in a great
big circle until I arrived back at the same turn off as what seemed to be an
eternity after a long road trip originating from the other end of the State
in Miami. 
After
finally arriving at the hotel, I was looking forward to a speedy check in which
was made possible by a very short line at the front desk. My experience was
made more pleasurable by the front desk clerk who asked if I wanted a lower
floor and handed me a fresh baked cookie after my check in process. It may not
seem like much, but that cookie made my day after a long trip. In addition,
that very nice clerk complemented my stay with a parking pass after learning
that I was a military Veteran. I was also impressed that this property was
practicing proper protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
As a retired military veteran, we were trained to not remove our protective
gear until the all-clear signal was given during Chemical and Biological
warfare training. One thing I did not like during the check in process was the $25
refundable fee added to my bill because I used a third-party site to book
my room.
Today
there is this new outer loop Interstate 295 that allows you to bypass
the dreaded I-95 that passes through the center of the city. My GPS
tells me that it is faster, but it does not seem to be that way when I am
driving around it seemingly for an hour or awhile. Anyway, I finally arrived at
my airport exit and was looking forward to finally arriving at my hotel when
boom, bam, zing; I whizzed right past the DoubleTree sign that came and
went in a flash. It is plainly marked but the turn itself is so narrow that it
is very easy to miss, especially at night. I then had to drive around in a great
big circle until I arrived back at the same turn off as what seemed to be an
eternity after a long road trip originating from the other end of the State
in Miami. After
finally arriving at the hotel, I was looking forward to a speedy check in which
was made possible by a very short line at the front desk. My experience was
made more pleasurable by the front desk clerk who asked if I wanted a lower
floor and handed me a fresh baked cookie after my check in process. It may not
seem like much, but that cookie made my day after a long trip. In addition,
that very nice clerk complemented my stay with a parking pass after learning
that I was a military Veteran. I was also impressed that this property was
practicing proper protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
As a retired military veteran, we were trained to not remove our protective
gear until the all-clear signal was given during Chemical and Biological
warfare training. One thing I did not like during the check in process was the $25
refundable fee added to my bill because I used a third-party site to book
my room.
Next,
it was finally up to my room after a long day driving and touring the Kennedy
Space Center. I ended up on the second floor, so I did not have far to
travel on the elevator especially with my baggage on other travel items. I really
appreciate it when the property management thinks enough of their guests to
place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the room door that gives us the option
of enjoying a late wake up after a long day of travel. Believe it or not I have
stayed at some properties where management was so selfish that they put their needs above that of their
paying guests and not provided any signs that allow sleep ins without
disturbances from housekeepers and their uninvited early morning knocks.
Anyway,
the room was very clean, and the queen-sized bed looked and felt very inviting,
but I had to resist the temptation because I had to make a late-night run for
food and beverages for the night and next day of traveling. They provided a
very small refrigerator but no plastic cups or a microwave in my room. I found
out a little bit later that there was one downstairs near the check in desk
which I found very inconvenient. In addition, one lamp did not work but the
bulb was good, the A/C unit was rather loud and too cold (I increased
the temperature from 66 to 72 degrees), and the shower door did not close all
the way. 
After
my initial room inspection, it was time to make my run for food supplies as I
learned driving in that there were not any eateries within walking distance
especially at night. The closest restaurant was .4 of a miles away which
is not bad for daytime walking. I decided to head on over to the nearest Wal-Mart
grocery store which was 5.6 miles away and about a 10-minute drive. After
returning from my late-night supply run, I got a chance to chat a bit with a
different front desk person while my meal was heating up in the one microwave
for the entire property.
Anyway,
the room was very clean, and the queen-sized bed looked and felt very inviting,
but I had to resist the temptation because I had to make a late-night run for
food and beverages for the night and next day of traveling. They provided a
very small refrigerator but no plastic cups or a microwave in my room. I found
out a little bit later that there was one downstairs near the check in desk
which I found very inconvenient. In addition, one lamp did not work but the
bulb was good, the A/C unit was rather loud and too cold (I increased
the temperature from 66 to 72 degrees), and the shower door did not close all
the way. After
my initial room inspection, it was time to make my run for food supplies as I
learned driving in that there were not any eateries within walking distance
especially at night. The closest restaurant was .4 of a miles away which
is not bad for daytime walking. I decided to head on over to the nearest Wal-Mart
grocery store which was 5.6 miles away and about a 10-minute drive. After
returning from my late-night supply run, I got a chance to chat a bit with a
different front desk person while my meal was heating up in the one microwave
for the entire property.
I
learned that we were located on the non-busy side of the airport which
explained why I did not hear any planes flying over. The clerk said that there
was an Air National Guard base nearby and they occasional fly over on
training missions. I also discovered what they consider their business area which
came complete with two personal computers that log you off after 15 minutes,
so I found out the next morning after check-out time (11 AM) when checking my
email. That front desk person was very nice and helpful as well.
All in all this was a good stay in particular because of the great customer service provided by the check in and check out front desk clerks. I did not get a chance to enjoy the outdoor amenities that include an inviting pool, courtyard, and small lake. Perhaps on my next stay!
The DoubleTree Hotel Jacksonville Airport is located at 2101 Dixie Clipper Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32218. Their telephone number is and website is here. Tell them that Trend Magazine Onlinetm sent you!
All in all this was a good stay in particular because of the great customer service provided by the check in and check out front desk clerks. I did not get a chance to enjoy the outdoor amenities that include an inviting pool, courtyard, and small lake. Perhaps on my next stay!
The DoubleTree Hotel Jacksonville Airport is located at 2101 Dixie Clipper Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32218. Their telephone number is and website is here. Tell them that Trend Magazine Onlinetm sent you!
