Today’s Matchbook Monday comes from a local Seattle burger chain, Red Robin.
Known for its extensive menu of burgers, and serving bottomless steak fries, Red Robin was first opened on Eastlake beneath the southern end of the University Bridge. It was first a tavern named Sam’s.  The owner was a fan of the lyrics, “When the red, red robin goes bob, bob, bobbin’ along” and he eventually incorporated the lyrics into the name of tavern with Sam’s Red Robin.
The tavern eventually became more of a restaurant, and Sam’s was dropped from the name.  A local Seattle restaurant developer purchased the …read more

It’s probably too late for most airline tickets and hotel reservations for the Thanksgiving Holiday, and the time till the Christmas holidays is ticking away as well. 
If you need to call a reservation center, here are 6 Tips for Phone Reservation Success that will help you get what you need while also helping to reduce your frustration level:

Place your call at a non-peak time. Late nights are always a good time to call and most call centers define late night defined as any time after 8 pm. If you must call during the day, mid-day during the week …read more

One of the most overlooked and under-used services at hotels is the concierge. 
Maybe it’s because we don’t know what they do and so, by extension, we don’t know what they can do for us.  Maybe it’s because we think a concierge will bill us some outrageous sum of money for helping us.  Or maybe it’s because it’s a French word, and that alone makes it intimidating.
How can a hotel concierge help you? 
Here’s a list of some requests that a concierge can assist with:

recommendations about things to see and places to go
arrange limo services
make appointments for spa treatments, …read more

I’ve written about this previously, but it’s basic information that can’t be repeated too many times.  I know that most people do their research and booking online, but there are times when you are going to have to call a reservation center.
It can be annoying to be put on hold, and repeatedly hear how many callers are ahead of your or how long your expected wait time is, and even further annoying to finally get a person who you can’t understand.  I hope these tips will help reduce your frustration factor, and get you the information and service that …read more