trainfanmom
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2009
- Messages
- 83
Hello everyone,
It has been a while since I posted here. Everyone was so helpful before when planning our first trip on the Coast Starlight that I was hoping for some advice again.
This time my son and I are doing a round trip, cross-country adventure. We are looking at taking the CS from LAX to either Portland or Seattle, overnight in that city, then take the Empire Builder to Chicago and spend one night there. Then we would return back to LAX on the Southwest Chief. We are looking at booking a single roomette on the CS since we hopefully will have the Pacific Parlour Car on that train (and it not, it is only one night). Then we will most likely book bedrooms on the EB and SWC.
What I was hoping for help with was any suggestions for hotels in Portland, Seattle and Chicago that are near the station and easy for the two of us to get back and forth to the train station.
Price wise it is actually a little cheaper if we go all the way to Seattle but I like the idea of having the additional time in the evening we would get if we stay in Portland instead.
Another consideration is the EB consist. My DS would love to be in the last car and be able to see out of the back of the train (he always makes me walk with him to the very back, LOL). But I think I would prefer to be on the Seattle section that is closer to the dining car, etc. I would love to hear your experience for those two starting cities.
Our original plan was to just connect to the EB from the CS in Portland but both DS and I are worried about not making the connection if the train is delayed. If we get bumped to the next day, we would miss the SWC portion of the trip also. So we would rather not spend our time on the CS worried about not making the connection
Oh, we just returned from another round trip from LAX to San Jose on the Coast Starlight last week and had an amazing time. Great service, both trains on time, etc. Only negative was them running out many of the menu items in the dining car at dinner (before arriving at LAX), LOL.
Thanks!!
It has been a while since I posted here. Everyone was so helpful before when planning our first trip on the Coast Starlight that I was hoping for some advice again.
This time my son and I are doing a round trip, cross-country adventure. We are looking at taking the CS from LAX to either Portland or Seattle, overnight in that city, then take the Empire Builder to Chicago and spend one night there. Then we would return back to LAX on the Southwest Chief. We are looking at booking a single roomette on the CS since we hopefully will have the Pacific Parlour Car on that train (and it not, it is only one night). Then we will most likely book bedrooms on the EB and SWC.
What I was hoping for help with was any suggestions for hotels in Portland, Seattle and Chicago that are near the station and easy for the two of us to get back and forth to the train station.
Price wise it is actually a little cheaper if we go all the way to Seattle but I like the idea of having the additional time in the evening we would get if we stay in Portland instead.
Another consideration is the EB consist. My DS would love to be in the last car and be able to see out of the back of the train (he always makes me walk with him to the very back, LOL). But I think I would prefer to be on the Seattle section that is closer to the dining car, etc. I would love to hear your experience for those two starting cities.
Our original plan was to just connect to the EB from the CS in Portland but both DS and I are worried about not making the connection if the train is delayed. If we get bumped to the next day, we would miss the SWC portion of the trip also. So we would rather not spend our time on the CS worried about not making the connection
Oh, we just returned from another round trip from LAX to San Jose on the Coast Starlight last week and had an amazing time. Great service, both trains on time, etc. Only negative was them running out many of the menu items in the dining car at dinner (before arriving at LAX), LOL.
Thanks!!
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