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Just curious about hotels in New London, CT. Is there anything downtown near the Amtrak station that anyone here is familiar with?
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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For those who prefer to feast higher up on the food chain, the only "full service" brand appears to be Radisson - "uh, not exactly" my favorite.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Surprisingly Mr. Norman, I have gravitated away from Red Roof Inns for the most part. I'll sometimes stay at one if I am going solo but travel with the family now neccessitates a swimming pool - preferably indoors - and that puts us in a demographic a notch or two above the Red Roof. I'll also note that the Red Roofs I have used in the northeast have been considerably more worn around the edges than those I have experienced in the south and midwest.
Interestingly, the Radisson website notes that their New London property is currently 'off-line' and not accepting reservations.
Looks like if I do this trip (in November) I'm faced with just going into Providence, renting a car, and staying at a Comfort Suites type place off the interstate. Could be worse I suppose.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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David, Hard to advise not knowing where you are heading, but if you are planning to rent a car anyway, Mystic, CT is just a hop,skip and jump away from the New London train station. You might want to check for Lodgings there. (Mystic is of course a large tourist area and - tourists = hotels). Also New London is the Train Station that serves a couple of Casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun). Both have large hotels. At one time they had a shuttle bus from the station - but do not know if that still exists - suggest you google the Casinos. Dee
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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Isn't it funny, Mr. Presley, how the older we get (and presumably the wallet fatter), the more creature comforts we expect.
Yes, I did once upon a time, maybe thirty years ago, "hit The Roof'. Otherwise I'd dare say over the years I have stayed at places that make a Days Inn look like the Waldorf.
Not no mo.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Ultimate destination would be a basketball tournament at the Mohegan Sun and I have located a schedule of buses going there from New London. Given that fans of one of the teams involved will follow their team to the ends of the earth, the Mohegan Sun rooms are fully booked already.
The Providence Airport factors in because the time frame I'm working with would allow Amtrak up but require flying back..... I'll look into Mystic as a possibility and appreciate the suggestion.
Gilbert - Yes. It isn't so much fatter wallet (though that is part of the equation) as it is a desire to reduce unpleasant surprises..... and I've found a couple of lodging franchises further up the food chain which are more consistent..... and I do enjoy the option of a hot breakfast on site at these chains. I do like actually hitting the road once I start the automobile rather than driving a few blocks and stopping for breakfast.
I suppose that in another few years I'll be seeking on-site restaurants for supper as well!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Ultimate destination would be a basketball tournament at the Mohegan Sun and I have located a schedule of buses going there from New London. Given that fans of one of the teams involved will follow their team to the ends of the earth, the Mohegan Sun rooms are fully booked already.
UK seems to instill that kind of loyalty amongst their faithful. While I'm sure last April the streets of Lexington were awash with tears, to be in the avenger's back yard, even if not taking them on, the faithful will be chanting Re-VENGE, Re-VENGE..Re-VENGE.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I'll add that yes, I am among what former Auburn coach Sonny Smith once termed 'the Blue Mist' when lamenting that Kentucky fans always find tickets..... sometimes filling up to 40% of capacity when playing on the road.
I come by this 'fandom' honestly and it was entrenched many eras ago - my late father did his Phd. studies at UK in the 1960's and my earliest basketball memory was being taken along as a 6-year old to see Adolph Rupp's Wildcats lose to North Carolina in Lexington's venerable Memorial Coliseum. (years later any season in which Kentucky defeats North Carolina is a success in my eyes regardless of the final outcome.)
That this coming season's schedule offers the rare opportunity to use some Amtrak Guest Reward points to see a pair of Kentucky games with only one day away from the office is pretty enticing.
Debates about what is right and wrong (and there is admittedly much to detest) about big-time college athletics I'll hold for another time!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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To add Mr. Presley, one of my Air Force roommates, an Army "brat" who was born at Ft. Campbell, was a Wildcat regardless of where in the world he went. Sitting with him in front of a TV at his home after he got out of service (Colorado Spgs), and with his wife "ducking for cover", I thought the TV would be no more once thanks to a "Ref".
Hey, it's just a game....
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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As with all fanbases, some people are more of an embarrassment than others. I am among the better behaved and I have never thrown anything at a television, referee, person, etc.
I know Ft. Campbell reasonably well having been stationed there for a couple of years while playing trumpet in the US Army's 101st Division Band. In my spare time I enjoyed attending concerts and basketball games in Nashville and Bowling Green.
To stay reasonably on-topic - my Amtrak watching in that era generally revolved around the City of New Orleans at either Dyersburg or Memphis when tasked with overnight trips to render Taps at military funerals in those areas.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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When I pass New London on the train, it looks very appealing; odd that there are so few hotels. The car (and passenger) ferry from Orient Point docks here, right near the Amtrak station. Orient Point is not far from Greenport on the North Fork, in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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From what I've found..... most of the lodging options appear to be about three miles away..... out by the interstate.
The Raddison there is apparantly in the process of being 'rebranded' as websites for other hotels in the Carlson portfolio all indicate 'no Carlson properties in this location' when searching New London.
And from having ridden through on Amtrak in the past, it does seem that something would be 'right there'.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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David, No mystery here! New London is not a "destination" (no matter what the Chamber of Commerce would like to think). The Casinos, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium etc ARE "destinations". New London is simply a place to detrain and obtain your rental car. Hotels and Motels are located where the "Destination" is or near the Hwy, (in this case I-95), that gets you there.
To their credt the City of New London and its Tourism group are working hard to make it tourist friendly. We now have several Cruise ships stopping there each year. (Side trips to the Casinos etc.)
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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DeeCT, what about Electric Boat (General Dynamics)? Aren't they pretty big up there around Groton/New London? No more subs being built?
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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Lest we forget the research facilities Pfizer has in New London.
I was surprised when I did my research to participate at this topic the apparent 'dearth' of national brand "commercial" grade hotels, i.e. Marriott Courtyard and up.
That the Radission property's fate appears "up in the air", suggests that array of comercial, industrial, and military activities, is not sufficent to attract higher end hotel properties to the Downtown area.
Of interest, and rail related, is that Amtrak appears not overly interested in serving the business travel market to New London. That Acela service is only "one a day" and following the "little town to big town in the morning then back to little town in the evening" model of "one a day' short-distance service is indicative that they have abdicated the business market to the auto and rather directed their resources towards the non-business markets with the Regionals.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Both EB and Pfizer have "down-sized" considerably.
Would suspect the business travel market makes good use of Bradley (Hartford) or Green (Providence) airports and their car rental agencies. Mostly the latter.
You also have to be mindful of the fact that New London has suffered the same fate as many small cities in New England. The textile mills went south. Other small industries have moved to less expensive locations or overseas.
Dee
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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I stayed in the Radisson with my family about a decade ago. Clean, comfortable, and respectable hotel -- and much cheaper than alternatives nearby since, as Mr. Norman correctly points out, New London isn't a "destination". We were on our way home from Nova Scotia, and stopped with the kids in Mystic. New London was the cheapest nearby choice. There are lots of places to stay in Mystic, but you'll pay for them!
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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What I find odd is that that Connecticut Shore Line East train service, which serves a lot of stops Amtrak's Regional and ACELA trains don't, ends in New London instead of running all the way to Mystic, since Mystic is such a popular destination.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Traffic count over the Thames River bridge is a likely factor.
Oh well, at least in this instance the counterparty is the United States Navy, and not the Fairfield Navy.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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If traffic count is really the reason, then perhaps more Amtrak Regional trains should stop there, since they go over the bridge anyway, don't they?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Have you looked into staying in or closer to Groton CT. That is where the Submarine Base is located. Mystic has a Marriot with all emenities. New London has been trying to "reinventing" itself since the Whaling industries had a downturn.
Posts: 516 | From: New Haven, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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