Reader to Baldwin: So what's so bad about a $7 glass of OJ at a golf resort?

Man's instincts have been evolving for thousands of years. Instincts are very real, learn to listen to them. If you start to walk down a dark alley and the hair on the back of your head stands-up ... STOP!! Don't go there, something is wrong. Listen to your instincts.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel
Guests at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel won't have to worry about bumping into 'riff raff' when taking their morning $7 glass of juice, according to one reader.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel
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What a joy it must be to walk through life understanding all that surrounds us, understanding the value of all we see. Knowing in your heart and mind what is best for everyone. Oh to be Chris Baldwin for one day.

Chris touches on one of the wonderful mysteries in golf travel: Some places just feel right, some DON'T. That's OK.

This may zoom over Chris' head, but maybe there is a reason for charging $7.00 for a glass of orange juice. [Editor's Note: In a recent blog, Baldwin criticized the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel in Arizona for doing this.] Perhaps the executive minds (suits) behind one of the premier and most successful resorts in Scottsdale know what their clientele want. One of the things that their customers want for sure is "Not" to have riff raff come in off the street and sit next to them at the bar.

How do they keep the Riff Raff out? Ahhh, The Perfect $7 Glass of O.J.

There is a theme that runs through Baldwin's travel ramblings: If you have the resources and the time to enjoy them with family and friends, then you must be Stupid!!

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a lavish resort with one of the few five-star Mexican restaurants in the country. Wonderful facility, wonderful service, but if you feel uncomfortable there, it is not for you.

The Resorts Suites Resort is a short walk away, built and run with the golfers in mind. They have a knowledgeable golf bank, real pros who can hook you up with tee times at a variety of golf courses in the area. Jacuzzi's are everywhere for the golfers' tired backs, a terrific bar, great food, tennis, a sunny swimming pool, accommodation for one, a family or a foursome. It's a perfect Scottsdale golf resort, but if you feel uncomfortable there, it is not for you.

Out near the airport you can still find rooms for $39.99. But if you are uncomfortable there, it is not for you.

How often have we seen tourists unhappy with everything? They could be at the best or worse hotels, it doesn't matter. They are simply uncomfortable with their choice of accommodation. It isn't the hotel's fault, the hotel is what it is. The customer didn't do their homework and made a bad choice. Or maybe they read a travel writer who gave them uniformed and opinionated information?

You could set up a business meeting at the local 7/11 and share a $2 cardboard quart of orange juice? The meeting may not go well, but it's not the fault of the 7/11.

Chris, all people of means are not stupid, as much as you want to believe that.

The wonder and truth of travel is that we always learn more about ourselves than we learn about the destination. Some of us make a lot of mistakes in life, some never learn and want to blame others for our faults.

Chris, when you walk into a resort and the hair on the back of your neck stands up, trust your instincts, trust your feelings and leave, it is you who is in the wrong place.

- Bill Giering

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