I am returning to the Plaza in February and wanted to know from anyone who has been there recently if they have upgraded to real washcloths and coffee pots or do they still have a hot pot and disposable paper wash cloths????

A couple of days ago I sent an email to the Plaza asking about the coffee pot (is it a real coffee pot or just a hot water pot to make instant coffee)and they responded that they have a hot water pot. I did not ask about the wash cloth. I asked if the casino was open and they responded No but without any additional information hence my question about the status of the casino.

Plaza responded to me that they only have a hot water pot and they still use the disposable paper wash cloths. I recommend bringing a couple from home as the disposable ones are hard and scratchy.

We stayed in the 2 bedroom villa in December 2003, it had a coffee maker and also a hot water pot. No washcloths, tho. The maid said they don't use washcloths when we asked. Hence, they loaded us up with plenty of soap and dishwasher detergent.

Never could figure out the NO Washcloth thing. Been to many different islands and only one or two had wash clothes in the rooms. So I always bring some.

Not sure what you mean by 'washcloth' - is it what we in UK call a 'flannel' - a small square of fabric (often towelling) used for washing your face?
In UK (and rest of Europe?) these would not typically be provided in a hotel room (tho since the arrival of the 'chains' they more often are) - we'd regard them as 'personal' items like a toothbrush (you dont expect hotel rooms to have tothbrushes do you?).
Funnily enough, with the increased availability and use of showers (rather than baths)I think the use of flannels has decreased - do Americans typically use a washcloth in the shower?

Rita, yes, a washcloth is a flannel I've only traveled to Mexico and Canada, Bonaire and the US Virgin Islands...and in Mexico you typically get at least one washcloth per person in the hotel room. We stayed at Sand$, and I don't remember whether they provided them or not. In the states, you will typically get them as well.

I don't know how many Americans use them...I use one of those loofa nylon sponge things, so I never really worry about a washcloth when traveling...

Divi Flamingo has real washcloths on the timeshare side so I would imagine they would provide them on the hotel side, too. We bring out own mesh wash thingies with us and toss them when we are leaving. Carole

PS Maybe we should bring them back with us and toss them here now that I think about recycling issues on the island. Hmmmmm.

Cynde,

This typical American like to soak his flannel in a bucket of ice water, fold it over four time and put it over his eye in the morning to help with with the 7 margaritas he had the night before at Kerrels or Bongos!

Thats why they call it TyKIllYah!!!

11 Days and Counting!!!!!

by the way -8 Degrees here this morning!!!

Yikes

Big Ed

Border Boy has to respond to Big Ed

Margarita....heresy and potentially lethal combination of fine tequila and mixed citrus leading to near terminal flatulance and cranial dysfunction syndrome (hangover). Good tequila should be kept freezing (if you can freeze it it's not tequila bruddah), served in snifter with a sqooze of lime, and sipped until somnabula displaces euphoria.

Does the "typical american" have but one eye? Perhaps I live in the wrong part of Amurkah.

3 and a wakeup. Hopefully we'll meet while we're both on Bonaire. I'm spending my weekend making sure all my luggage is exactly 49.9 lbs.

See Ya

Joe (seriously lacking in cheese names)

The typical American has only one eye under two circumstances.....

1. It's 9am on Sat. and your wife got you up at 6am to complain about the fact that she has to go to work and is miserable and then you take the dogs out and it's -8 degrees and it even hurts to breath.

or

2. You're a Pirate who loves cheese and tequilla.

Hope we can hook up too, and I am serious I do have an extra t-shirt from the Wisconsin Cheese Curd Festival that I attended over the summer, and it has your name all over it. I can't think of a more worthy candidate.

Big Ed

Ed...LOL (on the first post, not about having to take the dogs out at -8F...BRRRRR!)

Joe...check with the airline you are traveling with. On most carriers, International flights will let you have 70lbs That's about the only thing I ever put on our bathroom scale...You two need to hook up fer sher...and we want to see Joeycheesaholic on the cam with the cheesehead shirt!

A little late in this thread, to answer the original question. No washclothes and instant coffee at the Plaza. One interesting note about the instant coffee, the pot they use heats water amazingly fast and the instant coffee is quite good after a breaking in cup. It's a European blend heavy on chicory (I think), but by the second morning I really looked forward to my cup on the deck with my morning buddies.

I find it ironic that the "deluxe" Plaza doesn't provide washcloths, while the "budget" Bonaire Town Homes does.

Actually, the reason I love this tiny place is that whatever I've ever needed and asked for has always been provided. The first year we came here, they were newly opened, and I mentioned that I though Americans, at least, would prefer bigger towels. A day later, Benny had been out and bought nice thick beach towels for each unit. I also said that perhaps a bigger shelf in the bathroom would be more convenient -- the next day one had been built in while we were off snorkeling.

We generally seek out small family-operated accommodation where ever we travel because the personal service is so delightful.

I have been told by a couple of different sources that most people make instant coffee incorrectly. One should use 1/2 cup of water, add the instant coffee, stir well, and then add the rest of the water.

5 degrees in NYC, we are not amused.

Mary saw A HAWK today swooping over our backyard and scaring the wits out of all the birds.
We may soon need a coffee topic.

Capt. Don's provides washcloths/flannels. We've always had several folded like fans with a fresh flower in our bathroom....very decorative. I'm not a coffee drinker but it seems our cottage has also had a regular coffee pot. IMHO the "newer" cottages are much more "deluxe" than the Plaza. And Harbour Village is the most luxurious. :-)

Cynde
If I try for 70 lbs I'll have 80, I'm hoping that shooting for 50 I can get around 50. I happened to look at my tickets today and discovered that we leave Tucson on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, so I"M GOING MAD trying to cram last minute readiness into one last day. WHAT A PROBLEM TO HAVE?

Big Ed....I will almost certainly have remnants of my traveling tequila bottle to trade, if not other items for you on the 21st or 22d. We don't leave till the 24th.

Two and a wakeup

TEQUILAJOECHEESE

Thank you to everyone who answered my original question. Looks like next year we will have to look for accommodations that have real coffee and wash cloths although I must agree that you do get use to their instant - much different than what we are use to in the States. Any suggestions on everyone's favorite spot would be appreciated. We thought Harbor Village looked a little too fancy for us but also thought the Divi didn't look as nice as the Plaza, a beach is a necessity as well. 42 days and counting and 5 degrees this morning when I woke up. Can't wait........

Joe, how could you overlook your departure date? Cheese in the eye??? BTW, do you leave the red eye on Tuesday and get there Wednesday night?

cynde
i had tequila in my cheese in my eye. Actually, the state legislative session (starts monday next) is my busy time of the year so I've been even extra confused. We do Tucson to Miami on Tuesday and Miami to Bon on Wednesday, to maximize travel time and ingratiate myself to the TSA pals.

Someone somewhere posted a list of most important things to not forget (like a checklist) do you.....are anybody else among the massively helpful remember where it was.....Mr ScatterCheeseBrain needs all the help he can get.

Two and a wakeup
YEEEHAAAAAWWWW
joey

Hey Cheeseman here is your link to the forget me not list... Wally's checkoff list

Hey, Joe...One more post before you leave. Where are you staying in Miami? We haven't booked our overnight accommodations for March yet. My kids stayed at Crown Park Plaza last year. Would like some recommendations, please.

If your layover is not very long and you don't care about doing Miami things, the hotel in the airport is pretty good. It also has a decent restaurant and a sushi bar. The Cuban restaurant in the airport is also good.
Tony

Thanks, Tony. We arrive 10pm and depart 1 pm the next day. Two years ago my daughter stayed at the airport hotel...she took a video clip since she was not sure it was worth the $150. Last year we had a full 24 hrs. so we rented a car and visited friends on the Gulf Coast. Someday I'd like to travel to Bonaire in ONE day. The return is 19 hours but all in the same day! :-)

LOVE the Cuban resturant in Miami airport...it's cafeteria style, so many people may not enter..but watch who is eating there..all the employees of the airport besides travelers..it's like stopping at the truck stop that has all the trucks...the Imperial Chicken is just yellow rice with pulled chicken and some kind of cream sauce and peas on top..how cum I can't make it that way ? maybe becauz i"m not Cuban
have also used the Sheraton Hotel in the airport for the top floor pool and lunch only..good way to spend lots of layover hours..good luck

Linda
Did priceline yesterday and got Homewood Studio Suites for $40 (which equals $51 with taxes and the Priceline charge). They have a free airport shuttle too. I use priceline a lot for work if there's not a hotel I just "have to" stay at and save a bunch of money. I just looked for Miami, airport area and bid. I'm thinking we paid like $55 plus tax and fees for embassy suites at the airport when we went down in March.

One and a wakeup

Cheezoid

Roast pork at the cuban rest. in the miami airport is soooo good

Linda,
Does Captain Don's have a beach??? We will check it out while there this year and see if it is a possibility for next year. Fresh flowers, WOW, I'm impressed. The Plaza has the nautical theme going and I miss the tropical look of other places we have visited not to mention yes, I'm at it again, wash cloths and coffee pots........ Sorry, I'm just so spoiled.. 30 days and counting.

Cindy

Cindy,

Captain Don's has a beach called "Seven Body Beach" - a cute reference to its smallish size :-)

Jake

And that is seven bodies lying side by side!!!!

I seem to remember that 7 Body was one of the casualties of Lennie' s waves. No?? Welcome news if it wasn't.