As a photographer for a New York daily newspaper, it's not uncommon to get a last-minute call to go somewhere ridiculous and random RIGHT NOW because a story is breaking.
This happened a few weeks ago, when an NBA ref was implicated in a gambling ring; he lived in Bradenton, and my newspaper wanted 24-hour coverage at his house. Barely booking a flight in time, I found myself in Florida that night, and found the closest hotel to my subject's home, the Fairfield Inn.
We had no idea how long I'd be there, so I asked for two nights initially with the possibility that I'd have to extend my stay. TWO WEEKS later, I was still a happy and satisfied customer!
This was one of the most pleasant hotel experiences I've ever had -- perhaps because it was nice to crash out on a bed in the air conditioning after spending 12 hours sitting in a car, staring at someone's house! Its location was perfect, and the staff handled my daily "one more night, please" requests without a problem.
In comparison, in May I was sent up to Boston to cover the New York Yankees, and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. At $530 per night, I wasn't impressed. The staff was was ridiculously fake and obsequious to a creepy fault, and they screwed up the billing royally, double-charging, charging the wrong person, etc., etc. Here, however, for a $99/night, everyone stayed out of my hair, and provided me with everything I needed efficiently.
Lovely sunrise out the east windows, too!
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