Sacreligious as it sounds, it was not as rewarding as climbing the steps and taking my photo with Rock. I was not the only one who shared in the excitement. People from all over the world queued to take the same picture. Interestingly enough, those who came to revel in Rocky’s greatness were polite enough to stand in line and allow one person after another to take an unencumbered picture. In a world of no manners (see Etiquette of Things), that was nice to see.
I guess what I’m trying to say, is that if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!
TPOL’s Trivia: Do you know the Philadelphia Museum of Art is behind the Rocky statue? While it may be full of antiquities and masterpieces, the crowd and I were only there to see the Italian Stallion.
After encountering my defective seat, I moved to the unoccupied exit row.
Immediately, the flight attendant asked if I was having trouble finding my seat. I explained that the velcro on my seat had come off, and I thought it would be better if I sat in the exit row. She explained that the plane had to be balanced based on weight and told me to return to my assigned seat. I complied without argument.
I don’t believe that she was being honest. I’ve been on planes where I am weighed in advance (see TPOL’s Worst Flight Experiences). I also do not believe that this plane was small enough where weight makes a difference. But what do I know?
I write these ‘Lounge Reviews’ differently from other bloggers. While they will show up first to the lounge and take a picture of all the chairs and zoom in to capture photos of the day-old hummus, I document my experience to catalog all of the cities in the world I have been to an Admirals Club.
The Admirals Club Toronto was no different than others. The breakfast, apart from the fork with no integrity, was serviceable, and the seating space was ample for the small footprint AA has in Toronto.
Last time I stayed in Toronto, it was at the Hyatt Regency. Unfortunately, my wish that the hotel would not be devalued did not come true (see Hyatt Regency Toronto: Please Don’t Devalue!). Now, the hotel is 15k a night. For that price, I decided to stay in a boutique hotel.
The hotel is technically in Yorkville, one of Toronto’s most affluent neighborhoods. It is also right across the street from the Brass Rail and public parks. By day, nothing seems amiss. By night, everything changes (see What Happened to Toronto? ).
Strip Club parking
Check-In
It has been a while since I was warmly greeted checking in. I was even given a cookie and club soda.
Room
My room had a great view of the high-rises, a distraction from what was going on at night below.
Bathroom
I liked the subway floors.
Brunch
On weekends, brunch is served from 9:30AM to 2PM. Globalists are allowed one entree, one cold drink, and one hot drink per person. As my flight was at 7AM the following day, I asked if I could use both of my vouchers on the same day. They graciously said yes, so I ordered everything, plus a bottle of Cava.
Toronto used to be my favorite city in North America (see TPOL’s Travels: The Best Big Cities in the World). I used to go all the time when I was a yute studying at the University of Michigan. Club goers will recall the great days at Guvernment (see The Best Nightclubs in the World) where yours truly spent New Year’s (see Where to Party? New Year’s Eve). Sadly, the Toronto nightlife is not what it used to be. The housing bubble put it on life support, and COVID delivered the final blow.
The nightlife is not the only thing that has left Toronto. The people have also vacated the city. When I visited Toronto two years ago (see Air Canada DTW to YYZ: Expensive in CAD, Expensive in Points), I found a city with no pulse. The streets were empty. It was depressing. This time, the city showed more signs of life, leading me to believe that there was hope for revival.
Then night came. Suddenly, I understood why the person at the front desk of my hotel, the Anndorre House, said that the hotel is only accessible by key from 10PM-5AM. Up and down and around Charles Street, there were interesting characters everywhere. It looked like a scene from The Penguin. I did not feel comfortable loitering outside my hotel at night. That was a first for someone who used to stumble the streets of Toronto at all hours of the night.
It’s with joy and pain that I announce that my old passport is no more. While it was not set to expire for two more years, I had to get a new one because there were only a few blank pages left. Indeed, I was almost denied entry into Portugal because the border agent said that I needed two blank pages to enter the country. I showed him that there were four, but I quit arguing after he said I was welcome.
TPOL Trivia: Why do countries require two blank pages?
Instead of mailing my old passport and waiting weeks on end, I applied for an expedited passport. I had to show that I was traveling within the next weeks and pay an additional $60. I was surprised how easy it was to make an appointment, and was more surprised that I could pick up my passport two days later. I often complain about how difficult it is to get things done in Puerto Rico, but this time I have nothing but good things to say.
The quest to fill this one up my new passports begins anew. Today, I will be using my passport to go to Canada! I am eager to expand my Country Count which stands 158 ‘countries and territories’ by continuing to explore the world (see Where I’ve Been).
TPOL’s Trivia: Do they stamp your passport when you go to Canada?
The old one was so battered that the chip could not be read.
My friends, I tried my best. I tried to get approved for the Hawaii Business card (see Barclays Hawaii Business Card App: More Information Required). But ultimately, like Donovan McNabb in the Super Bowl, I ran out of time. I called to find out the status and was told that even more information was required, but that I could not provide it because it was more than 90 days since I applied.
Sending a physical copy of my driver’s license and social security card was not enough. Calling and going through screening with three different members of Barclays was not enough.
Resilient, I am applying again and will let you know the result . . . in 90 days.
Hyatt needs to change the name of all Grand Hyatts to Grande Hyatts. Grand means opulent, visible. Grande means big. And that’s all Grand Hyatts are—big hotels.
Another example of a Grand Hyatt that was big in size but not great is the Grand Hyatt Athens.
As a Globalist, I was upgraded to a suite. How can I complain about a suite? Because the bedroom did not have a door. I felt like a lying duck in the bedroom waiting for housekeeping to pounce at any time.
Will this stop them?Who’s there!
Welcome Amenity
I did appreciate the sweet treat and ouzo.
TPOL’s Trivia: Turkish delight is called loukoumi in Greece. Given the history between the countries, it would be awkward to order a Turkish delight at a pastry shop. Per the Internet, “It is often served alongside Greek coffee (as opposed to Turkish coffee), providing a sweet accompaniment to the strong beverage.”
I woke up early, ready for some Greek breakfast (as opposed to Turkish). I found American. It was very disappointing, apart from the orange juice.
Lounge
The lounge was basic and, like the breakfast, there was no trace of Greece.
Alex in Greek
Location
Like the Grand Hyatt Barcelona (see Good, Bad, & Annoying), the Grand Hyatt Athens is not located near the city center, forcing me to rely on Uber more than I would like.
TPOL’s Tip: If you’re looking for a Greek strip club, this is the hotel for you. There are many right across the street.
Zoom for strippers.
Pool
The rooftop pool is very nice. My complaint is that the family pool is facing the Acropolis instead of the adult’s pool.
Last year, I met my Italian friend and real estate attorney (see “Did TPOL Buy a € 1 Italian Villa?“) in Barcelona for our annual reunion. While Barcelona is not God awful like Miami, it is one of the most overrated cities (see The Worst Cities in the World). This year, despite stating that I would go anywhere, my friend chose Athens, Greece. This is a legitimate destination for lovers of history or those who would like to run a marathon (see Athens Marathon Course Review), but it is not a place I would seek out for debauchery.
Landing at the airport, I looked with jealousy as other travelers were making their connection to the party islands. Maybe Mykonos is overrated, but what about Crete? We could have gone to either, and TPOL could have added another ‘country‘ to his list (see Where I’ve Been).
Here’s where we went and how it went:
Best Club: Banana
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Ελλάδα, Ardittou 3, Athina 116 36, Greece.
Best Day Day Drinking: Bolivar Beach Club
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Leof. Poseidonos, Alimos 174 55, Greece
Worst Idea: Underground Club
Worst Still: Bolivar Beach Bar at night.
Overall
Athens for history? Yes. Athens for gyros? Yes. Athens for marathon? Yes. Athens for nightlife? Όχι.
