I’m back from a three-week motorcycle trip down the Pacific Coast, and over the next weeks and months I’ll share a few stories and experiences from this adventure. Riding down the coast has been something I’ve always wanted to do, and after some long planning, this year it finally happened.
Today I’ll share a review on some of the places I stayed at. Three weeks in different hotels almost every night is a good way to find out what you value in a hotel. After six to seven hours of riding, the hotel arrival should be simple and straightforward. I just want a comfortable room and a warm welcome, so I can rest and be ready to continue my trip the next morning. No fluff.
I practice what I preach, so on this trip, I booked several of my hotel stays through FoundersCard: Royal Sonesta in Seattle and Portland, Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento, and Venice V in Los Angeles. The remaining ones were booked through Amex Travel, and a handful I booked direct with the property. Needless to say, each stay was different, and now that the trip is over it’s time to look back and see if my FoundersCard membership paid off.1
Kimpton Sawyer was the surprise
Kimpton Sawyer was the biggest surprise. I stayed here for only one night on my return trip to Canada. I was surprised by how well the hotel took care of me. The service felt thoughtful, and an unexpected upgrade to a one-bedroom suite made the stay memorable. In hindsight, I wish I had been able to stay there for more than a single night.
After weeks on the road, having room to spread out and recharge was much needed. A practical overnight stop turned into relaxation by the pool and complimentary drinks and snacks during happy hour. And thanks to a points redemption, this stay was the cheapest night of my entire journey. Not what I expected, in a good way.
Kimpton includes little extras, like the evening happy hour and morning coffee which made me want to prioritize Kimpton hotels on future trips where possible. Sometimes it’s the little things and simple extras that are normal to them but stand out to me.
Good stays in Seattle and Portland
My stays with Royal Sonesta in Seattle and Portland were more straightforward, but good. It’s the consistency that matters on a long trip. Both were comfortable and welcoming, and I would consider Sonesta again on a future trip. Their operating model seems focused on taking old buildings and renovating the insides to modern, comfortable standards.
In Portland the “royal” room decor of my one bedroom suite seemed way over the top for my taste, but regardless it was comfortable and perfectly fine for a single night. The free breakfast in both cities was a nice perk, as well as the room upgrades. Unfortunately, paying full-fare motorcycle parking did offset the free breakfast a little.
When travelling, consistency counts. Holiday Inn offers that too, but on a long journey it’s nice to know you can looking forward to a room that offers comfort beyond the mere basics. When you’re moving from city to city by motorcycle, not every hotel needs to be standing out. Sometimes a dependable, comfortable stay is exactly what you want.
Venice V: two nights by the beach
Venice was the final stop on the southbound leg before I returned home to Canada. It was a good place to end the main part of my journey. Staying on the coast meant I could skip most of LA traffic, and relax on the beach before starting the trek back to Canada. I booked two nights at a flexible FoundersCard rate with a partial ocean view.
No perks or upgrades here, but at one of the more expensive properties on my trip the discount made a meaningful difference. I probably stayed in the smallest room of the hotel, but the “partial” ocean view was much better than expected. The room itself was perfect as a home base while exploring the surrounding area and resting on the beach.
The beach was just steps away, and one evening I brought a takeout dinner up to the rooftop seating area: all I wanted was a final sunset by myself, and no need to spend another $20 (+tip) on a margarita. After weeks of riding I simply enjoyed being there.
Unfortunately, while the stay itself was good, there was an annoying billing issue after I left, which the hotel rectified after I contacted them. Still, dealing with unnecessary administrative stuff while on the road left a bit of a disappointing aftertaste.2
So, did FoundersCard pay off?
While the discounts provided matter for the bottom line, for this trip I cared more for the overall experience and perks offered by each hotel. Things like room upgrades, a nice breakfast, parking and other hotel amenities. Putting together a sad excuse of a buffet and labelling it a “continental breakfast” with a tip jar is not the experience I’m after. Instead, think free beach chairs and bicycles to explore the area.
All these stays gave me comfortable places to rest and recover along a long ride, and Kimpton Sawyer in particular exceeded my expectations. When planning the trip, FoundersCard also gave me a reason to look at hotel options I might not otherwise have considered. Sites likes Expedia and Booking.com provide way too many options. As I share in my Travel Revolution class, having access to a curated list of hotels narrows down the options to make the trip memorable.
For me, FoundersCard delivered: this trip alone gave me a significant return on my (already low) annual membership rate. This time I came away with one memorable upgrade, two good Sonesta stays, and a beachside finish that included a sunset dinner on the roof.
Exclusive Invitation to FoundersCard Elite Membership
Exclusive to VIP member of my blog, I can offer you a first year special Elite Membership rate that isn’t publicly available and is even lower than the regular tier membership. That’s not a typo.
Unlock access below or find more details in my VIP Lounge.
