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Travelling to JAX from NY next May can one count upon the Silver Meteor in terms of reliability?
Also can anyone suggest a reasonably priced (say, no more than $150 a night) hotel near to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra which does not rely upon my having a car? Quite happy to take a cab from the station to the hotel but need to be able to walk or catch a regular bus to the course on a daily basis.
posted
Hello England! Sounds like a nice trip is planned. I am very familiar with the TPC Sawgrass area as it is a favorite weekend getaway for my family. Note that it is a LONG way from the Amtrak station and I would imagine a taxi will cost a lot as the trip is at least 25 miles, probably more. Unfortuantely, rental cars are not located close to the train station so you'd have a taxi fare to the rental place anyway but only a fraction of the cost of getting to Ponte Vedra. There is a car rental stand (Avis or Hertz) at the Marriott.
The Marriott Sawgrass is excellent and is adjacent to the golf course. Often they have rates in the ballpark of $125-$150 per night especially if you are eligible for a motor club discount. It is definitely worth the price if you can find the acceptable rate. Otherwise, there is a Hilton Garden Inn right across the street from the Marriott. It probably is a bit cheaper but not much. Being familiar with that brand, I'm sure it is clean and nice inside but the exterior is very nondescript with a parking lot on all sides as opposed to the Marriott which has 2 large swimming pools that look straight out of Hawaii, a free putting course, access to TPC, fine dining, free bicycle usage, access and transportation to a nearby private beach club, and beautiful tropical grounds. Believe me, if it's a difference of $30/night, go with Marriott Sawgrass. There are no other hotels in the nearby vicinity. By the way, I'd think the Marriott shuttle would take you to the golf course...perhaps the Hilton Garden Inn will also. There is no bus service as the course is in a private gated community.
If you'd like to read about Jacksonville and see photos of the Marriott Sawgrass, check my "Weekend Getaways" article in TrainWeb's "previously feature stories" link. If reserving Marriott, be sure it's the Marriott Sawgrass not the Jacksonville Marriott as they are far apart in distance and luxury.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Hello America! Thanks for the info. Looking at the schedules on the local site I believe I can get a bus/or two buses from JAX station to Ponte Vedra. I won't be hiring a car so public transport seems the only option.
Re accommodation, things don't look overly bright at present. I have seen both hotels you mention on the web and noted their approx prices - however, if it is anything like other venues around the world that host major sporting events - and this country is a main culprit - I suspect their prices will rise quite sharply during Players' week. We'll see - cannot be certain yet because both hotels are not showing any availability info beyond next April. It is also possible that the PGA Tour/Travel Agents will have already snapped up a great many of the rooms for their people, golfers,spectators etc even before any details about room availability appear on their internet sites.
I am also looking at the possibility of renting a holiday home for the week as that might be cheaper but, again, I notice prices rise quite sharply during the golf week. I was wondering if people hire out rooms but can't find any info so far. One of the problems of being on the other side of the Atlantic I suppose.
Will look at your article - thanks for pointing it out.
As I am reasonably flexible over visit dates perhaps I would be better off choosing another, and less popular, golf tournament in a different part of the USA!
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Sorry for the misinterpretation. I thought you had a chance to play golf on the TPC course rather than attend the big tournament. You are right that those hotels will be filled and likely will be super pricey even if any rooms are available. That said, many hotels don't open up reservations until 11 or 12 months in advance so keep trying. I suggest you try the Hampton Inn along J. Turner butler Blvd. near the beach. Check www.hilton.com, click Jacksonville Beach then "all Hilton brands to be sure it's the right one. I estimate it at 5 miles from TPC and a city bus likely would get you near the entrance to Sawgrass which is walkable to the course. I'd also suggest you correspond witht he Jacksonville Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding house rentals during the tournament.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Thanks for this I will follow your advice up and may,in the end, have to try elsewhere - perhaps somewhere less difficult to get to by public transport and also less prestigious (which should reduce the possibility of not being able to acquire a hotel bed as near as possible to the course).
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Too bad that 1) a "major' is not hosted at the Forest Hills Golf Course in North La Crosse WI and 2) that the Empire Builder or other service is not routed over the CB&Q.
Had such been the case, you could simply get off your train and walk over to the course. I once was on the North Coast Limited stopped at the station, and "I'd swear" the Dome almost got 'beaned".
To continue, your dilemma certainly suggests how the entire commercial travel market is oriented around "fly and rent'. While your reasons for choosing not to rent an auto are yours (possibly concerns about "driving on the wrong side of the road"), it is certainly evident that access to Amtrak trains is a real problem; even taxicabs have a way of being scarce at stations.
But then to have an auto rental concern located at a station is simply a matter of volume - and the percentage of rail travelers that rent an auto at destination is minuscule. Even in leisure travel capitol Florida, there is only one station that has an on-premises auto rental outlet with both staff and autos at train times; that is Hertz at Orlando.
Finally, I can't help but note how even pay phones are becoming quite scarce at stations. There used to be two of such here in town,; now there are none. When I was in Chi-town last Thursday for a concert, I could not help but note the row of unused phones at CUS with youngsters just sitting on the floor in front of them - yakking/texting on their cell phones!!!!!
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Thank you Mr Norman for your comments. The reason I don't want to drive does not relate to "driving on the wrong side" (I lived for many years in Continental Europe and had no difficulties driving on the right) but, rather, due to medical problems. In other circumstances, I would be quite happy to rent a car.
The distance between rail stations and (in this instance) golf courses is replicated in most places across the world and I have personally experienced the same problems in Spain, Germany and Italy. However, I have invariably been able to take a taxi as the distance was only 6 or 7 miles. It is not a surprising situation because who would create a golf course in the middle of a city? Actually, I understand some entrepreneurs did in New York creating Liberty Park but that is surely an anomaly.
I am presently considering other venues where a. the accommodation may be cheaper and b. the golf course may be more amenable to access by public transport.
Payphones at my local station are non-existent.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Note the shuttle bus to the Universal resort area.
With all the tourists visiting, cabs/limos are plentiful and therefore may be relatively inexpensive to Universal. Also the many hotels in the area may keep costs down.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Stephen W: [QB I was wondering if people hire out rooms but can't find any info so far. [/QB]
Stephen W, have you tried craigslist.com? The answer is yes people do do that and I have taken advantage of it successfully and happily, even as a senior citizen. Pay no attention to Mr. Norman. He means well but continually demonstrates to us that knows little about the country outside of his isolated existence. I have relied on public transportation all my life and invariably find it quite satisfactory wherever I go; usually it is not as speedy as a private vehicle - and occasionally it is faster.
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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The public transit systems in most places can be found on-line. It may take a couple of steps, like starting with the city or county itself, and then working out from there. In a lot of urban areas you can go to mapquest or some other map system and zoom in with aerial photography and get an idea of what the area or even the building you need to find looks like.
We are approaching 2 years carless in the San Francisco Bay area, and are getting fairly good at figuring out what can be done where around here. Admittedly, this area does have good public transit for the most part, but we have also helped some friends in other places to find out what they could do there. There are places where the answer is, walk or get a car, but things can be finagled out in a lot of places. A certain flexibility and spirit of adventure is required for this to be done without overstressing yourself.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Stephen W...don't give up. As mentioned before, there is a Hampton Inn off J. Turner butler Blvd that would not be too far from Sawgrass assuming public transit exists. Just be sure it's the one near Highway A1A. Other hotels off A1A in Jacksonville Beach or Atlantic Beach also would be fine.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Here's a link to the transit authority. You should be able to contact them via e-mail for info regarding service to the Sawgrass area in Ponte Vedra. http://www.jtaonthemove.com/Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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People, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of all your replies. I shall not give up and thank you all for your various suggestions.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by City of Miami: Pay no attention to Mr. Norman. He means well but continually demonstrates to us that knows little about the country outside of his isolated existence.
I'm not certain what prompted Mr. Miami's comment. However, I acknowledge my appetite for travel and, by consequence adventure, has greatly diminished in this life to such extent that my travels today are, save the joyride last Summer, limited to that necessary to "keep friends friends and family family'.
However it should be noted that my lifetime rail mileage is in the range of 350K ridden on three continents, and I have traveled some three quarters of the way around the world (Edit: Long 16E to 100E is missing).
If my comments suggest a perceived need for an auto when traveling, and going without saying in Daily life, I admit it - of course 95% of the US adult population holds same view. Of the three 'away from home overnight' trips I have made this year and comprising fourteen nights, one was air and the other two were using my auto (including Auto Train on one). Two others are planned with mode yet to be determined (Amtrak LD is not off the table BTW).
However, for the air trip (Florida last Feb for a meet up with my Sister, who resides in NY area), there was never a "to rent or not to rent" moment. On the journey, owing to a recurring ear problem, my Sister could not fly when scheduled, and had to stay over an additional two days until she could. The last I saw of her was at a Hertz facility in Boca Raton so she could get her own auto 'for the duration".
But alas, to each his own; to Mr. Miami, even if I am not about to emulate, I do respect that you apparently endeavor to lead an auto-free lifestyle - especially residing in Texas.
Finally, of the cities I have visited in this life, there are four in which I think I could carry on an auto-free lifestyle: New York/Manhattan, Toronto, London, and Tokyo. Note the absence of Chicago; I once knew a fellow who residing roundly at Lincoln and Armitage (Near North; young-professional "mecca"), tried it. He could never get a rental auto when he needed one; let alone taxicabs within his acceptable time frames. While he did ride the "reasonably reliable" bus to his Loop law firm, that of course was rush hour. Otherwise, after about four months, he threw in the towel and bought another auto.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: However it should be noted that my lifetime rail mileage is in the range of 350K ridden on three continents, and I have traveled some three quarters of the way around the world (Lat 16E to 100E is missing).
Perhaps you mean longitude, since last I heard the Earth is round and latitude therefore only extends to +/-90 degrees, ignoring magnetic variations and the not-completely-spherical Earth.
In any case if I take the eastern and westernmost extremeties of my travel which you appear to have done then I also have travelled approximately 3/4 of the way around the world. This on four continents yet I certainly do not consider myself to have seen even a fraction of the world in general, especially as I'm missing 3 continents, all in the southern hemisphere.
I've no idea of my rail mileage except on Amtrak - about 16,000 with more to come in autumn.
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Geoff M: Perhaps you mean longitude, since last I heard the Earth is round
Safe assumption I do, Mr. Mayo--
The posting has been edited to reflect such with proper notation.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Stephen W: A friend who used to live in Jacksonville says there are shuttles run to the TPC for the tournament. I suggest you contact the Jaksonville Visitors and Convention Bureau and inquire if that is common practice. Then you can locate a hotel in an appropriate area. Local busses do serve the Amtrak station so, if you have time, you could perhaps even avoid all or part of the taxi ride.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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SilverStar 092 - very kind of you to post this info and I will get onto the Bureau to find out the likely situation. Many thanks.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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Stephen W, it would appear from the discussion that if you "make it to KJAX" you will have many more direct public transportation options to Ponte Vedra:
Since there appears to be a co-promotion with a Marriott and the Club, I would presume that hotel offers "shuttles' to the course, as those using autos to get to the hotel already have a parking space.
But again, even if I do not follow golf that closely, The Players is a "near major' tournament. The final rounds are aired here on network broadcast TV, and not the cable Golf Channel (they air the preliminaries). Advance planning is the best word to the wise, which evidently you already heed.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I contacted the Jacksonville Visitors' Bureau and they tell me that shuttle buses have run from the UNF campus the past couple of years but cannot say, at present, if they will run again next year. I suppose it's a fair bet they probably will so maybe worth taking a chance and booking a hotel near to the campus rather than nearer to TPC Sawgrass itself.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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I would like to protest City of Miami's pointless and insulting comments concerning one of our most esteemed members.
Posts: 255 | Registered: Nov 2001
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Stephen W, if the objective of your journey is to attend a "near major' and get to such on Amtrak, how about considering the Byron Nelson held at TPC La Colinas Course, Irving TX. There is a Four Seasons right at the 18th (rates? "let's not go there" out of deference to the "where can you find a cheap hotel in..." crowd around here). Since the Eagle arrives in Dallas "smack downtown' at Reunion Center, there obviously will be limo transport to KDFW; from which surely there are shuttles to the course in Irving.
There are also "econotel" properties on the perimeter in the range of Comfort and LaQunita.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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KDFW is the ICAO code for Dallas/Fort Worth International airport; the more familiar IATA code is DFW.
I use the ICAO codes because, having been in Air force communications during the Viet Nam War, I have more familiarity with such than the average person; many a military facility does not have three letter IATA codes, but, absent a classified location, they all have an ICAO. However, I should be mindful of the thought expressed here.
But more to the point, there is so much alphabet soup thrown about this forum, some of which only is "forumese" such as CONO, TE, CS, SL, SWC, EB, that it can get a bit "boggling' - and in the case of the three letter IATA codes, many of such also happen to be an Amtrak Station Code. I've reviewed postings here is which LAX is noted; since in the message, the author is also addressing air travel, I was honestly quite confused whether reference was being made to the train station or airport in Los Angeles.
Finally, and as I've noted here in the past, the alphabet soup of CONO etc is not any kind of official Amtrakese. Start using such around an Amtrak employee, and absent being a railfan (some are "out', many more are "in the closet') would likely not have the "vaguest' what was being addressed.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Well, it appears, according to Hotels.com, that both hotels nearest to TPC Sawgrass have no rooms available for that week - that may mean either they are fully booked or that it is too early for the online booking sites which seem to have an 11 month periodicity. I have emailed both Hilton and Marriott direct to see if they can confirm the position but, to date, no response.
I have also put an advert on craigslist.com (thanks for the suggestion City of Miami) for a room to rent near to the TPC.
Having cast my bread upon the waters I hope I get something back that isn't too soggy.
Posts: 211 | From: Norfolk England | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: KDFW is the ICAO code for Dallas/Fort Worth International airport; the more familiar IATA code is DFW. [...] the alphabet soup of CONO etc is not any kind of official Amtrakese. Start using such around an Amtrak employee, and absent being a railfan (some are "out', many more are "in the closet') would likely not have the "vaguest' what was being addressed.
PKB?
(Pot, Kettle, Black)
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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