US - Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill
I wish these were all one place. They are too close to be so far away from each other. I don’t like it, someone get on that please. Durham is cool, lots of old buildings. They’ve built a riverfront area, they’ve built an entertainment area with a giant theater arena type thing (the DPAC), they have a pretty sweet triple A ball park that you can just walk right up to, and they have a university area near Duke. The walk from the hotel to the Duke area passes all kinds of shops and restaurants and this little 2 or so block pedestrian “mall” that kind of sucked ass (Brightleaf)…nice walk though. It feels relaxed. It feels like just the right amount of southern. A few blocks away from downtown they have an area called Geer and Foster (street names), not a bad little spot. Had a fantastic outdoor lunch (food and atmosphere wise), picnic table style, at Geer Street Café. Raleigh has a downtown area that’s sort of next to a warehouse area. This area has potential as a pedestrian thoroughfare but it ain’t there yet. Chapel hill, business wise, I think I liked the best. Franklin street is wide, super long, encompasses university areas and extends well beyond their influence, and it’s filled with restaurants. Feels safe, quaint, and bustling. I’d probably live in Raleigh though if I had to choose.
Notes to self:
-Raleigh supposedly has an area they call “little New York”?? Where the fuck was that?
21C Hotel Durham - Mar 2015
The 21c is pretty sweet. A gem I’d say, and I don’t say that much. It’s located in what they call the city center and is a hip cool boutique hotel in a sea of Red Roof Inns. Their top floor is one penthouse room with a hot tub and giant outdoor area. I mean, what the fuck. It was like a couple grand a night, but damn, even if it’s just wedding nights and bachelor parties, some major cities don’t even offer rooms like that. Basic rooms are ok I guess, but sadly they are terrible amenity wise. No pay per view at all. I mean seriously, fuck you. Mini bar was stocked but room service only goes till 12 on weekdays and 1 on weekends. The basic rooms are kind of small, with kind of a small tv, and a black tiled bathroom with shower only. Honestly, weird complaint, but the room was too quiet at night, even turning on the AC full blast did nothing.
The lobby of the hotel is on the second floor with the bar and the restaurant being on the main floor. The bar may be too artistically mad and crazy in design but the main idea is bad ass, giant rooms with a cool whimsical menu (small plates) and lots of modern touches. The lobby is all done up with modern touches (going South Beach really) and there is a giant picture of a naked Jackie O right in the front. This was a paparazzi photo from a million years ago…strangely I felt bad for her. What does she or anyone else get because some Jack ass hid in the bushes and snapped a nudie, she gets her bush in the lobby of a hotel for all the world to see I guess. Go America! The lobby also housed a museum off to the side which was wacky! Lots of boobies…which suits me just fine (as long as it’s consensual! Poor Jackie). The lower level housed a small but modern gym and a spa with a unisex steam room and sauna. Not bad. Location was great. Wifi was free, Valet was 15. Hotel is cool. Big fan. Just get some fucking modern amenities in the rooms!
Notes
-Penguins. We mustn’t ever forget the penguins.