Fri 16 Feb 2007
Tv-free lodging
Posted by Lis under Everything, Travel
[4] Comments
I’ve been catching up on my travel reading and one of the newest trends in luxury lodging is flat screen tvs, ipod docking stations, and bose sound systems. Every time I read about those things I think, that’s the LAST thing I want is to listen to my neighbor’s bose sound system. I will admit that I am WAY overly sensitive to certain types of noise. I am the person who’s constantly pointing out, “Wow, doesn’t that [tv] [radio] [domestic disturbance] coming from [next door] [upstairs] [down below] drive you crazy?” And then the people whom I’m with, who didn’t notice it previously, thank me for pointing it out because now it’s bugging them.
Anyway, I’ve decided to compile a list of lodgings that do not have tv’s in the rooms because those are the places I want to stay. For now, I only have two: On the Oregon Coast, The Sylvia Beach Hotel (an Oregon institution and wonderful for many reasons) does not have tv’s, radios or phones in the rooms.
The other, I just read about, and while it is in not-very-gay-friendly Jamaica, it sounds wonderful. The Jamaica Inn, located 10 minutes from downtown Ocho Rios and Dunn’s River Falls, does not have tv’s, radios, or clocks in the rooms. I quote from their website: “On-property croquet, swimming pool, snorkeling, kayaks and sunfish sailing are complimentary. Windsurfing, sailing and diving facilities available nearby at an additional charge. Jamaica Inn guests can also play tennis nearby . An exercise room is located in the garden wing. Equipment includes a stair climber, stationary bicycle, treadmill and free weights.”
Here’s another place posted by a user: I know of a wonderful place – no tvs, no radios, no phones, no AC etc. – on the Big Island of Hawai’i – Hawai’i island. It is called “Kona Village Resort,” on the west (Kona) coast. Wonderful, secluded, “old-Hawai’i” feel, your own individual rooms/houses called “hale” Polynesian-style buildings, 3 fabulous meals included – is not cheap. I’ve stayed three times with girlfriends (room with one big bed) – one night, two nights, one night, over 10+years, Very friendly, on the ocean (many hale have ocean views, some on lava rock etc.) Ocean swimming, snorkeling, tennis etc., pools, massages, the Fri. night Luau is great too. Things for kids to do too, plus (two?) months in the year the kids are not encouraged to stay, so just for adults. They will pick you up at the airport, so no car needed. Check them out!
If you know of any other wonderful places where there are no noise-making electronics in the rooms, please let me know so I can post them here.
4 Responses to “ Tv-free lodging ”
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[…] One of the things I really DON’T like about traveling is listening to my next door neighbors. I don’t want to hear them talk, I don’t want to hear their phone ring, and I REALLY don’t want to hear their tv. I wrote an earlier post on hotels that don’t have tvs, which is my preference, but I recently read an excellent article in the New York Times called “Blessed Silence is the Newest Amenity”. According to the writer, a chain called AmericInn is as obsessed as I think hotels should be with providing quiet rooms. According to the Times article, last September, “the fast-growing chain began advertising a new sleeping amenity called SoundGuard at its 213 hotels. Itâs not an electronic gadget or a bedding accessory, but a construction material. Instead of wood-frame construction, the hotel uses masonry blocks filled with sound-deadening foam, in addition to drywall that is 5/8-inch thick, instead of ½-inch, to muffle noise.” AmericInn is also putting their tvs on tables rather than mounting them on walls. Yay to that! I’ve never figured out why the majority of hotels elect to put the tvs in one room right against the beds in the next room. Oh, if only I was in charge. Anyway, the Times article has lots of other interesting information about Sound Transmission Class Tests and tips on how to possibly get a quieter room. If you’re a quiet freak like me, you might enjoy the article. […]
HI – I know of a wonderful place – no tvs, no radios, no phones, no AC etc. – on the Big Island of Hawai’i – Hawai’i island. It is called “Kona Village Resort,” on the west (Kona) coast. Wonderful, secluded, “old-Hawai’i” feel, your own individual rooms/houses called “hale” Polynesian-style buildings, 3 fabulous meals included – is not cheap. I’ve stayed three times with girlfriends (room with one big bed) – one night, two nights, one night, over 10+years, Very friendly, on the ocean (many hale have ocean views, some on lava rock etc.) Ocean swimming, snorkeling, tennis etc., pools, massages, the Fri. night Luau is great too. Things for kids to do too, plus (two?) months in the year the kids are not encouraged to stay, so just for adults. They will pick you up at the airport, so no car needed. Check them out!
Hi Stephanie – Thanks for posting about Kona Village Resort. I have one question. Has the lack of AC ever been a problem? I worry about that since I have a tendency to sunburn. Nothing worse than lying around in a hot room with a sunburn.
Lis
My partner and I are going to stay at the Kona Village Resort the first week of July and I would like to know how any other gay or lesbian couples liked it / didnt like it or any other specific occurances that you would like to share.
Heather