This is a customer review from the Langham party who went on a fly drive to America’s west at the end of March 2016. 

Dear Andy

I thought I’d just give a bit of feedback.

 

Flights – all fine and they had allocated seats together so the panic about pre-booking wasn’t necessary.

SFO ~ Argonaut Hotel – very nice although would have paid extra to have a room on the outside of the building because the inside ones don’t have opening windows and room got a bit stuffy. We borrowed their bikes and had a great day cycling round to Tiburon on the other side of the bridge.

Car rental ~ Chevy Tahoe – excellent for the job – spacious, comfortable etc. Car hire very easy to negotiate.

Monterey ~ Clement Hotel. Again very comfortable and smart. Huge rooms with excellent bathrooms and gas fire a nice touch.

Yosemite ~ Evergreen Lodge. Not smart but great for a family and enhances the feeling of being in the wilderness as it’s miles from anywhere. Cabin simple but comfortable. Restaurant excellent – really interesting food.
Close to Hetch Hetchy gate which apparently also has amazing scenery but with only one day, we drove to Yosemite valley and climbed to the top of the falls (slightly crippled the oldies for a couple of days..)

Death Valley ~ Stovepipe Wells – has a slight Bates motel feel to it although rooms were clean and comfortable. The barren surroundings emphasise the nature of Death Valley but I wonder if Furnace Creek Ranch (I know it was full when we booked with you) might be a bit more appealing as it is in an oasis? Food quite good in restaurant.

Las Vegas ~ Venetian. Wonderfully luxurious rooms and great pools. Fun place to stay and the canals are surreal. Wifi not great!

Grand Canyon ~ Thunderbird Lodge ~ Hotel building very ugly but as you said, probably best accommodation as Blue Angel cabins looked v basic. Wouldn’t have wanted to pay extra to stay in main hotel. Walked the rim to Hermit’s Rest.

Lake Havasu ~ Heat Hotel. Storm brewing as we arrived but hired a jet ski and electric pedalo for an hour and explored the lake. Hotel comfortable and ate in the Brewery over the road – good food.

San Diego ~ Pacific Terrace Hotel. We loved San Diego and particularly this hotel. It is the only one on the front and they provide bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas and surf boards plus delicious cookies at tea time.
Excellent for families yet smart and very comfortable. Biked along the beach and to La Jolla, surfed and did segway tour of down town and the embarcadero area.

Santa Monica ~ Shore Hotel. Hotel smart and very comfortable although rooms not huge and wifi also a bit dodgy. Great showers, nice pool area and excellent position. Didn’t see anywhere I’d rather have stayed at apart from Shutters on the Beach at about twice the price, I’d guess. Biked to Venice Beach and around canals and then up the other way. 2nd day at Universal Studios (had booked front of line passes and they are essential) – Harry Potter had just opened which was very exciting. Lunch at Malibu on the pier (organic farm restaurant) on last day.

Return flight. Entertainment system excellent. Thanks for changing flights for us.

All in all a superb trip so thank you for all your help in organising it. I will recommend you to friends.

 

Best wishes

Catherine