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Golden Valley Golf and Country Club

In Arts & Entertainment, Travel on September 13, 2007 at 3:09 pm

I had the opportunity to visit the Golden Valley County Club and partake in some of its offerings. They are now holding private and public events for weddings, meetings and events. The food is fresh from kitchen to plate- limited boxing of food – so that you can fully enjoy the way it is meant to taste. Some samplings included fresh fruit, extra large shrimp cocktail, pork ribs, wings, tasty mini burgers with onions, a elaborate antipasto plating (think of huge sun dried tomatoes, grilled asparagus, zucchini, squash and sooo much more!, The setting is beautiful among the rolling hills of the adjoined golf course. 5 stars all the way so if your not sure of a venue make sure to check out their offerings!

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Crystal Lake Golf Course Lakeville MN

In Arts & Entertainment, Travel, Uncategorized on September 13, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Oh yesterday was so blue, sunny and a bit windy- perfect autumn day for golfing! Fortunately the choice was at Lakeville Crystal Lake Golf Course for our networking event. The company and golf was very enjoyable for our all women team. The grounds were challenging enough for me – at the time felt it was my first time out for the year – realized later actually was the 2nd and thank goodness we were playing a scramble or there may have been a small ousting of Mochablue off the course! The actual game? Won’t tell but I did have a couple of really nice drives, few putts – the rest you’ll have to read between the lines. Note to self- as we were having games during our event- if you ever, ever have a marshmallow ‘drive’ (hit the marshmallow off the tee furthest) definitely use the spiked tee that our picked up replacement 4th was so kind to loan a girl, examine your marshmallow and make sure it is fairly full (not to squashed) as it makes it very difficult to hit and finally consider using the driver if you have good eye/hand coordination. Those marshmallows are a LOT smaller than a golf ball! On a 5 star rating scale

Overall 4+ stars for the course-felt it was challenging and fun 18 holes- but I am a middle of the road golfer

Food 2.5 stars – please work on this one people! Customer Service 4.5 stars! Everyone Mochablue encountered was extremely friendly, courteous and professional.

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Circuit City Maple Grove – Score on Motorola Q!

In Shopping, Travel on October 7, 2006 at 9:40 pm

: By: Michelle Thayer; Category: Opinion > Other; Read the article on Judy’s Book.

If your dazzled by the new SDA by Motorola Q (as I am) -review at CNET http://reviews.cnet.com/Motorola_Q/4505-6452_7-31473357.html
Circuit City is having a FAB sale where you can purchase the little beauty for $99! That’s $100 off of their price earlier this week. The new Maple Grove Circuit City also opened up – where I happened to buy myself one! Ask for Calvin in the Verizon area just to the left of the main doors. If Calvin isn’t available any of their very customer service oriented techs/associates can help.

Sale starts Monday (October 8th) but they were honoring the price as of Friday (October 6th). Happy shopping!

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Chambers Hotel

In Travel on September 15, 2006 at 10:43 pm

: Review of: Chambers Hotel, Travel & Transportation; By: Michelle T. on Judy’s Book; Rating: 4 stars; Read review on Judy’s Book.

I had the opportunity to check out the new Chambers Hotel on 9th and Hennepin last night. We were invited to a event showcasing some of its offerings. Things I liked…they style and architecture are magnificent (A-). Very crisp, boutique euro hotels. White walls with modern furnishings, artwork and as they promote it “the ultimate Luxury Art Hotel”. The suites we viewed had beautiful views of the city and a nice sized balcony- could easily see myself relaxing with the sounds of the street below. The bathrooms are very modern european- colbalt glass subway tiles, stainless steel fixtures and ceramic sinks. Light flows throughout. The eye opener was the walk in showers with the rainfall fixture grid- their water bills are going to be high! If your not a shower person they have a large soaking tub as well. The only reason it was downgraded to a minus was due to the suites we were able to see did not provide handicap access to the balconies- they were all step overs.

Chef Jean Georges http://www.jean-georges.com had samplings of grey goose vodka martini’s paired with a variety of different appetizers. The mushroom eggroll’s were very crisp and good. Favorite martini was the Ginger Lime. The pork satay’s were well flavored.

Some challenges were …
service- they ran out of glasses, passing of the hor d’oeurves were concentrated in a few areas and did not circulate to the whole crowd, some of the service was poor in behavior towards the guests due to understaffing?? One server actually rolled his eyes at us…and that is just unprofessional. They did have a large crowd enter in around the same time about an 30-45 minutes into the event.

Some pearls were …
greeting- excellent service from the doorman, receptionist- they actually smiled and gave a warm welcome to the guests as we entered- impressive.

service (C+see above)- with good there is bad and thank god there was some real stars who comprehend the art of customer service- be it a smile so they look as if they are enjoying themselves, interacting with the guests positively- taking a minute to see how they can be of service to you is always impressive

food-(B+) the appetizers that I did get to try were fabulous- downgraded for reasons listed above.

Style, architecture (A-)

Chambers is definately on my list to visit again- I’m looking forward to trying the restaurant especially after the sales the bartender gave and the samplings we tried. Some of the challenges I think will work themselves out as they continue forward.
Overall B+

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Need a vacation? – Here’s Forbes.com’s top ten list for the most expensive resorts

In Travel on May 18, 2006 at 8:33 pm

Necker Island

British Virgin Islands

$30,000 per night

Billionaire Richard Branson purchased this private island in 1982 and transformed it into a vacation destination for his family, building four Balinese-style private villas and cultivating lush gardens. When the Bransons aren't there, they rent it out: The rate starts at $30,000 per night for up to 26 people, and it includes all meals and drinks, wireless Internet access, laundry and activities like windsurfing, kite-surfing, sailing and speed-boating.

For more information, call 011-44-208-600-0430 or visit www.necker.com.

© Musha CayMusha CayBahamas$24,750 per nightMusha Cay has 150 private acres, sugar-white sand and crystal clear ocean all around. It accomodates up to 24 people, and room rates, which start at $24,750 per night, include all meals, beverages (alcohol included) and use of all the island's amenities, but not airport transfers, gratuities or telephone services. There is a minimum three-night stay, and a $25,000 security deposit (refunded within 30 days of departure date) is required.

For more information, call 877-889-1100 or visit www.mushacay.com.

© Casa ContentaCasa Contenta Miami$11,600 per nightCasa Contenta, a $20 million mansion on Miami's Palm Island, is part of the collection of villa hotel company Villazzo, which offers hotel-like service in personal villas for guests. The mansion has an enormous pool with a waterfall grotto, and the guest bedrooms are decorated thematically for different countries. In the off-season, nightly rates start at $11,600. During high season, they rocket up to $17,700, with a three-night minimum stay for new guests. The rates include staff (such as chefs, butlers, nannies and masseuses) and airport pickup in a limo.

For more information, call 877-VILLAZZO or visit www.villazzo.com.

© The Rania ExperienceThe Rania ExperienceThe Maldives$9,500 per nightThe Rania Experience, an exclusive-use resort in the Maldives, is located on a seven-acre island in the Indian Ocean. The island's entertainment pavilion features a home theater and programmed Apple iPods. Use of an 86-foot yacht is included in the room rate, as are a private chef, unlimited spa treatments, diving courses, big game fishing and local island cruises. Rania accommodates nine; room rates start at $9,500 per night for the first couple and $500 per night for each additional guest.

For more information, call 011-960-333-6522 or visit www.raniaexperience.com.

© Sandy LaneThe Villa at Sandy LaneBarbados$8,000 per nightBuilt in 1961 on the site of an old sugar plantation, Sandy Lane is one of the Caribbean's poshest resorts. Highlights include the Romanesque spa and the 18-hole golf course. Room rates at the 7,300-square-foot villa, which is adjacent to the hotel and has five spacious bedrooms and marble floors, start at $8,000 per night and rocket up to $25,000 during high season.

For more information, call 246-444-2000 or visit www.sandylane.com.

© AltamerAltamerAnguilla$4,714 per nightThe African Sapphire villa at Altamer resort goes for $80,000 per week during high season, with a two-week minimum. The villa is 14,000 square feet, with 21-foot windows, a home theater, private pool, several hot tubs and eight bedrooms. For bargain prices, visit during the summer, when rates start at $33,000 per week.

For more information, call 264-498-4000 or visit www.altamer.com.

© Frégate IslandFrégate Island PrivateThe Seychelles$2,450 per nightThe most remote of the granite islands in the Seychelles, Frégate Island is popular with families, who appreciate the children's programs offered by the Cast Away Club. With 16 villas and 40 guests maximum, nightly rates on the island start at $2,450 during low season, with a three-night minimum stay. During high season, a seven-night stay is required and rates start at $2,700. Three meals a day, soft drinks, a personal golf cart and non-motorized water sports are included.

For more information, call 011-49-6102-50-13-21 or visit www.fregate.com.

© Turtle IslandTurtle IslandFiji$1,632 per nightThis all-inclusive resort in Fiji can accept only 14 couples at a time. Reservations are accordingly hard to come by and must be booked well in advance. Guests stay in thatched-roof bures, or traditional cottages, which range in price from $1,632 per night to $2,390 per night. The room rate includes meals and beverages, including alcohol and champagne, plus activities like deep-sea fishing and private beach picnics.

For more information, call 800-255-4347 or visit www.turtlefiji.com.

© Cayo EspantoCayo EspantoBelize$1,395 per nightThis five-villa resort off the coast of Belize accommodates up to 14 visitors. Guests take an activities- and dining-preferences survey in advance, and a personal butler is assigned to each villa. Bone-fishing, snorkeling, scuba-diving and golf are popular activities. Villa rates (including three meals a day without alcohol, and non-motorized water sports) start at $1,395 per night. A full-island buyout is available starting at $10,000 per night. There is a five-night minimum stay year-round, a seven-night minimum during the holidays and a three-night minimum for buyouts.

For more information, call 888-666-4282 or visit www.aprivateisland.com.

© Vatulele Island ResortVatulele Island ResortFiji$1,296 per night Room rates start at $1,296 per night at this informal island resort in Fiji, where guests are encouraged to go barefoot and money transactions, neckties and even newspapers are forbidden. Visitors access the island via helicopter or seaplane transfer from Nadi International Airport, and the resort receives daily imports of fresh ingredients for its kitchen from Australia and New Zealand.

For more information, call 011-679-672-0300 or visit www.vatulele.com.

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