Letters: Hotel parking, dogs at hotels, Bhutan-style architecture

Visitors should pay valet fee

In regard to the letter “Hidden Charges” [Oct. 16], I think letter writer E. Siegel should have paid for the service they used. They agreed to use the valet parking service, after having showed up later in the evening, and were presented with a free option that they refused to use. If the charge bothered them so much, they should have parked elsewhere and burned a couple of calories. People like that should stay home and count their pennies instead of going to Vegas.

James Donohue, Venice

I recently returned from several days of leisure at one of my favorite hotels (Hyatt Regency Newport Beach). I noticed several dog guests — all very cute and personable. However, I had an unpleasant experience with one, primarily because of its inconsiderate and silly owner.

A friend and I were having a glass of wine and sandwich in the hotel bar/lounge when an elderly gentleman came in with a cute dog on leash, except the leash was dragging behind the dog, not in his master’s hand. The man walked several times around the lounge before finally settling the dog on a sofa a foot or two from where my friend and I were sitting.

After fussing with the dog for several minutes, he says to the dog: “Stay” [on the sofa]. Stay with these men. Now stay.” He then goes to the bar and orders a drink. Meanwhile, the dog has left the sofa and is jumping up on me and my friend trying to get at our food and, in so doing, is practically spilling red wine on us and the furniture. The man thinks it’s funny and chastises the dog, “Now don’t do that. I said stay on the sofa by these men.”

This goes on for a few more minutes and the action is noticed by the bartender and server who try to intervene to no avail. Finally a manager gets the man and the dog outside to the terrace where he insists the dog be tethered. The waitress who was serving us apologized profusely and offered me a voucher for a complimentary breakfast the following morning. I thought that was an exceptionally nice gesture. I will continue to stay at the hotel. I just hope other guests with dogs will be more considerate.

Andrew Dimas, Palm Springs

I was so happy to see Lisa Napoli’s article about the Bhutanese-style architecture in El Paso [“A Kingdom of Higher Learning, Worldly Bonds,” Oct. 16]. I graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and go back every few years to visit friends. Some interesting facts: UTEP President Diana Natalicio was at the Bhutan king’s coronation in 2008 at the invitation of the king’s brother, who came to visit the university a few months earlier, and there are a few students from Bhutan attending it as foreign students.

Julia Chow, Seal Beach

My husband and I just returned from our annual fall pilgrimage to Convict Lake Resort. We have been vacationing there for the last 14 years and have enjoyed the amenities and attractions highlighted in Susan Spano’s article, that is, until this year [“Convict Lake Worth a Getaway,” Oct. 10]. This once quiet, serene, picturesque, affordable resort has been reduced to a wedding destination, where guests are subjected to the base-thumping DJ’s music emanating from the reception tent.

Even the stars seemed to be pulsating to the Village People’s “YMCA.” No cabin is immune from this annoying intrusion, which is permitted until 10 p.m. It certainly altered the nature of our experience: We endured two five-hour sessions on two separate Saturday nights.

I shudder to think that at present-day Convict Lake Resort, John Muir would be demoted to a party planner and Ansel Adams a wedding photographer. We still think Convict Lake is worth a getaway, but make sure to stay away on wedding weekends.

Lisa McClelland, Malibu

When my husband and I read the story about Convict Lake Resort we decided to call and reserve for the following Tuesday. Our room was described as a luxury spa room, king bed, kitchen. Unfortunately, we were disappointed: dirty carpeting, soiled sofa, no robes as advertised, no TV when we arrived. The information in our room stated that we would be charged $25 if we didn’t do the dishes. You have got to be kidding.

Pat McGill, La Jolla