Restaurant and Hotel Guide 2012

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Holiday A Special Publication of the I75 Newspaper Group Sidney Daily News • Troy Daily News • Piqua Daily Call Holiday Dining Dining & Hotel Guide & Hotel Guide DECEMBER 2012

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I-75 Newspapers Restaurant and Hotel Guide 2012

Transcript of Restaurant and Hotel Guide 2012

Holiday

A Special Publication of the I75 Newspaper GroupSidney Daily News • Troy Daily News • Piqua Daily Call

HolidayDiningDining& HotelGuide& HotelGuide

DECEMBER 2012

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 2

Planning to visit Grandma's forThanksgiving or spend Christmasin Paris? Traveling over the holi-days can be notoriously busy,expensive and stressful, but thenews isn't all bad. There are still deals to be found, providedyou shop carefully and plan ahead. Check out our 10 tips forholiday travel and find some joy this holiday season.Avoid peak travel dates.At Thanksgiving, Wednesday is the critical outbound "avoid"

day as a rule. Traveling on Thanksgiving day proper is often abreeze and more affordable; there are often cut-rate airfaredeals on Thanksgiving day.On the return, Friday morning isn't bad at all, with each

successive day getting a little busier, more difficult and moreexpensive through Sunday evening. The bottom line: If you arelooking for a deal, you won't find one on the peak travel days.Travel off-peak whenever possible.Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Tuesdays this year, so

the weekend of December 22 - 23 as well as the day after eachholiday could be quite busy.Book early.Haven't booked your holiday travel yet? It's time to stop

waiting and start booking. Fares are only rising asThanksgiving approaches, so those who hold out in hopes of alate-breaking sale are likely to get left out in the cold or pay avery steep price for their procrastination. The same goes forthe Christmas holiday; book sooner rather than later, particu-larly if you require very specific travel dates or times. With thecurrent state of the airline industry, it is never too early tobook your holiday travel flights. Be prepared to be flexible withdates and flight times.

Holiday Travel Ideas and AdviceShop around.Whether you're using booking sites like Travelocity, bid or

auction sites such as Priceline, aggregator sites, or our veryown travel deals, comparison shopping has never been easierthan it is right now. During peak travel season, casting the netas wide as possible will help you understand all of youroptions.For many travelers, price isn't the only or even the most

important factor, especially during the holidays. Thoughtful,deliberate use of the "search adjacent days or airports" featuresfound on many Web sites may also surrender greatly improvedfares and travel times.For more help, see our Tips for Finding Cheap Airfare.

Having trouble finding a hotel? Don't miss No Vacancy? NoProblem.Know your airports.Checking alternate airports is a pretty standard tactic, but

at this time of year it can really make a difference. At no timecan the alternate airport gambit pay off better than during theholiday crush. You can score on almost every front -- parking,

rental cars, traffic to and from, nearby hotels -- and save bothtime and money.For example, a recent flight to Hanscom airport outside

Boston dropped me right into Thoreau and Minuteman countrynear the peak foliage season, offering a very different experi-ence than flying into Logan. Upon my return, the car rentalagent informed me that my flight might be running late andlet me hold onto the car keys until we were sure that the flightwould take off, with no additional fee. Only at a small airportcan you get that kind of treatment.Also, keep in mind that smaller airports see fewer flights

and, typically, fewer delays -- not a minor consideration duringthe busy holiday travel season.

Choosing an Airport: Reasonsto Look Beyond Price

Plot connections carefully.When booking flights, check your search results carefully for

sufficient time during layovers, and build in some time forflight delays and weather woes. Particularly during the wintermonths, peak travel times often bring peak travel delays, andyour connection is more likely to be jeopardized. Avoiding real-ly tight connections may save you a sprint through the termi-nal or a missed flight. Also, it is best if you can muscle yourflight path into position so that connections are in places lesslikely to experience delays -- specifically, airports in warmer cli-mates. For more advice, see our Winter Travel Tips.Leave early.During peak travel times, much of the trouble you'll face lies

on this side of the security check-in, from traffic jams and fullparking lots to absent shuttles and long lines. Rather than

See travel tips/page 3

Plan wisely when travelingduring the holidays

Avoid the hustle and bustle...

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striving to "arrive at the airport early," you may want to try to"leave for the airport early" to anticipate all the peripheraldelays you may encounter.

Pack wisely.In the past, you may have been able to fit everything into

your carry-on without having to check any baggage -- a strate-gy we still recommend. However, the TSA rules about liquidsand gels make this a trickier proposition. For the record, youmay bring liquids and gels in 3.4-ounce or smaller containers,packed within a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.You're also allowed to bring any liquids (such as coffee orwater) or gels purchased after you go through a security check-point onto your plane with you. If you want to bring more thanthe 3.4-ounce amount, you'll have to pack the items in yourchecked luggage.

Travel tips continued from page 2

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 4

Full Bar, Dine-In Area & Delivery ServiceView Our Full Menu At www.submarinehouse.com • GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

BAR & GRILL14 N. Market St., Troy • 335-6479

Buy 1/2 Sub, Get 1/2 Sub FREE!(Up To $5 Value) A Drink Purchase Is Required.

Valid At The Troy Location Only. Expires 4/1/2013.

2342668

Dining out with the family...In today's fast paced world,

the life of a working parent canbe hectic. Between work, school,after-school activities for thekids and more, there is very little time to prepare a homecooked meal and dine with the family at home. That is whyit is no surprise to see families dining out at restaurantsmore frequently. While dining out at restaurants can savetime, it isn't so easy on the household budget. Dining outdoesn't have to be expensive. Saving money on restaurantdining is easy if you know where to cut corners.

Set a Clear Limit for EachFamily Member

Prior to going to the restaurant, set a limit as to howmuch each person can spend on his or her meal, and makesure your family sticks to the budget. By setting a strictlimit, indicating how much each person can spend at therestaurant, you are sending a clear message that the familyneeds to watch how much they spend when ordering.

Skip the AppetizersAnother way to keep your total down is to skip the appe-

tizers. Many restaurants now give super-sized entrée por-tions, so there is no need to fill up before the main course.Appetizers are just going to fill you up before dinner, andthen you won't be that hungry when the main coursearrives. Opt against ordering appetizers and your final billwill be significantly lower.

Mailing List and CouponsCan Save Money

If there is a particular restaurant your family enjoys, askto be put on its mailing list. Often, restaurants will mailout updated menus and coupons, and let you know whenthey are having specials. Additionally, if you visit therestaurant's website, you can obtain much of this sameinformation as well. Print out coupons to use towards yournext visit and keep an eye out for special deals beingoffered.

Take Portion Sizes into ConsiderationWhen dining out, take portion sizes into consideration.

Some entrées are big enough to share. If several membersof your family want the same dish, it may be feasible to

share dishes. Rather than have everyone take home a bigcontainer of leftovers, share an entrée. Everyone will bewell fed, you won't have to lug home leftover food and yourbill will be 50% less.

Skip the Alcoholic BeveragesOne item in particular that can drive up a restaurant bill

is alcoholic beverages. Mixed drinks, wine and beer can bevery pricey at restaurants. Instead of indulging at therestaurant, drive home safely and enjoy a drink at home.

Have Dessert at HomeAs you are reaching the end of your meal, your well-

meaning waitress approaches you and asks, "Can I get youanything else? Cake? Pie?" Rather than taking her up onher offer, nix the dessert at the diner and enjoy a treat athome. Both your wallet and your waistline will thank you.

The Bottom LineDining out doesn't have to sabotage your budget. Saving

money while dining out is easy, once you know where to cutcorners. Sometimes, it just takes a little creativity (and alittle cooperation from the family) to save money on yourfinal bill at the restaurant. Rather than splurging everytime you go to the restaurant, take measures to cut spend-ing and stay within your budget.

on a budget

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The holidays are a great timeto get together with co-workers,away from the office, to decom-press, eat, drink, and have fun. It isa wonderful time of year to celebrate your company’s progressin meeting goals, acknowledge employee loyalty, and reinforcecompany values.

We suggest that before you choose a restaurant for a holidayparty that you pull together a party planning committee orgroup to ensure that you have considered all of the following:

(1) Make sure that the restaurant has a private functionroom and has dedicated staff for your party

(2) Find out if the restaurant has some package deals onfood for group functions. Tony’s Place and many other restau-rants can create a special menu that will include a wide selec-tion of food items such as appetizers, entrees, beverage, dessert,and sometimes tax and tip. Decide on what you will provide forparty attendees

(3) Ensure that the restaurant has a good selection of meatand non-meat dishes, and offer these in your food choices sothat everyone can enjoy a meal. Find out if the restaurant isable to customize meals for those with special diets

(4) Decide if you are inviting spouses, and/or guests to theparty, and get a count of your group in advance to give it to therestaurant. Typically, the more people you have joining you thelower the cost per person

(5) Decide if alcohol will be available, and then discuss the

options and costs of each option with the restaurant. Find outif the restaurant allows you to bring your own alcohol to therestaurant, and if there are any associated charges

(6) Decide if you will provide any entertainment as thiswill need to be considered in the choosing of the space andbudget of the event

(7) Location is important. Find out if the facility is accessi-ble to those with disabilities, and if they have ample parkingand restrooms

(8) Make reservations for your party as far in advance asyou can, and broadcast the date to staff as soon as possible. Ithelps to add a couple people to your count as it is easier totake away chairs than to add them if it is a busy day.

By doing a little pre-planning and considering all of theseabove factors you can insure that your holiday party gets themaximum attendance and is enjoyed by all.

Tips for choosing a restaurant...for your holiday party

“A Sidney TraditionSince 1907”

2342529

Stop inand see us!Corner of Court & Ohio

492-9181

Hours:M-Sat 7am-9pm,

Sun 8am-9pm

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2342710

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#])($MN$

Sidney Inn& Conference Center

• Free Continental Breakfast• Free Wi-Fi• Seasonal Outdoor Pool• Ample Parking for Large Vehicles

• Refrigerator, Microwave, CoffeeMaker, Iron & Board in Every Room

• Restaurants, Shopping &Fuel All Close By

400 Folkerth Ave, Sidney 937-492-1131 www.sidneyinnhotel.com

The top eight creative ways to wrap yourDreading holiday shopping? Tap your inner arts-and-crafts

mentality to dress up a plain old gift card to give a gift thatalmost everyone wants and needs, but with a personal touch.Gifting gurus -- including nationally recognized lifestyle, hol-

iday entertaining and gift giving expert Debi Lilly, owner of APerfect Event in Chicago -- agree that gift card wrapping andpresentation make all the difference in whether a gift card isperceived as a hasty, "cold" present, or a thoughtful, unique giftchosen specifically for the recipient. Lilly, who was a regular on"The Oprah Winfrey Show," tells consumers to put somethought into the whole gift -- both specific type of gift card andwrapping -- before making any purchases. "Always, always,always, try to make the wrap tie to the gift card. Have it besomething personal that kind of reflects the person you'reshopping for -- their personality, their hobby, their style, thatkind of thing -- and then that same trick applies to the wrap-ping," says Lilly.Still feel stuck? Check out our top 10 creative gift card wrap-

ping solutions for 2011 here:1. Cash in with a Card Cache. The Card Cache, a unique

gadget that allows the recipient to keep all her gift cards on asingle card ring (much like a key ring) adds fun and organiza-

tion to shopping with gift cards. Buy a couple of gift cards,punch holes in the corners of them, and add them onto the giftcache. Add a couple of charms to the mix for an extra fewbucks, and you have a useful, valuable, and fun gift. ($13)

2. Think outside the wallet. What better way to give awallet than including some dough -- in the form of a gift card --inside it? This is not your granddad's boring leather billfold.Instead, the cool, funky Jimi Wallet, "the wallet for people whohate wallets," comes in a variety of colors and styles and is theperfect size for gift cards. Best of all, it's made in the U.S.A.from recycled and recyclable materials.

3. Create your own GC-a-Month Club. Who among ushasn't felt the post-holiday blues? Come Feb. 1, the decorationsare down, the weather is bleak, and unless you're a groundhog,there's no reason for celebration. But wait -- what if you gaveyour loved one a present that would continue giving through-out the year? Even for us creatively challenged folks, this one'sa breeze. First, find a calendar (one with pockets works best,but isn't necessary) that suits your recipient. Next, purchase 12gift cards -- in whatever increments you choose -- and attachone to each month. Vary the selection by month: for July, a ColdStone gift card means a cool treat on a hot summer night,

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 9

Our Holiday Gift toYou to Kick Off Your

Holiday Season

Bring this bill in for$10 OFF

your purchase of $30.00 or MoreNot Valid With Any Other Offers Or Coupons.

Good Saturday - Thursday Only.Troy Location Only Expires 1-31-13.

Hours: Mon-Thur 11am-10pmFri 11am - 11pm, Sat 12Noon-11pm,

Sun 12Noon-10pm

440-8999

2317 W. Main St., TroyAcross from Lowe’s

Family Mexican Restaurant

$10.00FOOD ONLY

Excludes Alcoholic Beverages

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Los

Pita

yos

Los Pitayos Dollars

holiday gift cardswhile hectic December is the perfect time for a massage giftcard. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving throughout theyear.

4. Let them eat cake. Let's face it: The holidays meanyummy food and lots of it. It's the one time of year that mostpeople give in to the craving for rich foods and delectabledesserts. So why not attach a gift card to their HanukkahSweets Gift Box, or a box of Hand-Dipped Chocolate Pears.Adults and kids alike will love Popcorn Cones in flavors rang-ing from Cinnamon Toast to Cupcake and Rocky Road. It's nowonder that Popcornopolis has been dubbed "the Prada ofPopcorn."

5. Go faux. Dad might think he's the only prankster in thefamily, but you're about to show him how it's done. Just waittill Dad opens the Musical Tie of the Month or the BaconTuxedo and watch his smile falter as he tries to pretend it'sjust what he's always wanted. Only after he oohs and ahhsover this whoopee cushion of gifts should you allow him to openthe box to see his real present: a gift card to his favorite golfstore.

6. Make your mother proud. Mother Earth, that is.Present your gift card in a reduce-reuse-recycle manner that

fits your recipient's style. Foryour gardening grandma, agift card to the local nurseryenclosed in a plantable cardor for your antiquing aunt, abeautiful vintage glass jarfilled with old-fashionedcandy, wrapped with wide silkribbon, with gift card tuckedinside the lid.

7. Book 'em. In our book,you can't go wrong by matching the perfect gift card with just-the-right book. Get your college-aged daughter a gift card tolocal fast food restaurants near her college and tuck it inside UChic: The College Girl's Guide to Everything.

8. Think outside the box. When buying a dining gift card,look around for great packaging ideas in the restaurant. WhenMinneapolis resident Mickey Mikeworth purchased a gift cardat Davanni's, a local pizza place, the restaurant provided himwith a mini pizza box -- to which Mikeworth added the restau-rant's menu and delivery information -- and viola! A gift trulyready to go.

Picture the scenario: You havebeen invited to yet another holi-day occasion, office party, or socialget-together and you find yourselfstanding in a room full of strangers. Now what do you do?A) Stock up on food and find someplace comfortable to hide.B) Hang out by the bar and wait for someone to approach

you.C) Escape as you see an opportunity.Answer: None of the above. Learn to be a skilled eco small

talker!If you have read self-help books or have attempted to learn

helpful tips on mastering party mingles, you may already knowthat ‘awareness’ is one of the common suggestions. Authors ofthis advice suggest reading up on local news and events tostimulate and engage in party conversation. As a sustainabili-ty consultant, I agree and suggest focusing your efforts toexpand your eco awareness.

At this year’s Christmas or New Year’s holiday party, takethe opportunity to engage others in sustainability conversation.Spice up the discussion with some personal topics of eco aware-ness. Any one of the typical party conversations can be anentry point towards an exploration of sustainability concepts.

� Want to talk about the weather? Grow that typical con-versation about local weather patterns into an expanding dis-cussion about climate change. Take the lead and solicit opin-ions about global warming, pollution, emissions, or a host of

other environmental issues and opportunities related to theweather.

� Want to talk about work? Turn that uninspiring work-place problem into an exploration of business sustainabilitysolutions. Leverage those issues into a discussion of businessinnovation, operational efficiencies, or exciting new technolo-gies.

� Want to talk about family and children? Explore conver-sations about green living, eco travel, or fun green activities forthe kids.

� Want to talk about projects around the house? There is anumber of topics to choose from, either though personal experi-ence or thoughts of doing in the future. As a starter, energyefficiency is always a conversation starter for home improve-ment projects and appliance upgrades.

Have fun with it, see where the conversation goes, andapplaud yourself for mingling sustainably and sharing ecoawareness with others!

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 10

How to make the most...of holiday mingling

Make your holiday plans with us.Group seating to 75!

The gift of La Piazza is perfectfor everyone on your list!

(La Piazza gift cards are not valid at our New Bremen location).

From the entire La Piazza team...

937-339-5553

2342648

HHaappppyy HHoolliiddaayyss!!

www.lapiazzatroy.com

"Troy and Miami County's Landmark Restaurant"

It's one of the most commonquestions asked by people withdiabetes, and no wonder: from

Thanksgiving to Passover toKwanzaa, holidays are all about the food. And not just anyfood, but the types of rich celebration foods we look forward toall year long. For the most part, forgoing those foods isn't anoption, since they're such a part of who we are. How to do itwisely?Lighten up. Recreate a traditional recipe to fit into your

eating plan, while still preserving the goodness that makes itso treasured. That green bean casserole with fried onions, say,might be just as wonderful, or even better, with roastedcaramelized onions instead.Choose and cull. While some holiday foods are essential,

you might feel less strongly about others. Why not pare thosefoods from the menu (or leave them off your plate)? That givesyou more leeway to enjoy your "must-haves."Plan ahead. If you're going to a holiday party or restau-

rant, find out what's on the menu ahead of time, and decide onwhat you're going to eat. That way you can adjust the rest ofyour day's eating, activity and medication schedules accord-ingly.Bring your own. If you're going to an event where you

know the foods served will be a challenge for you, offer to

bring along your own dish to share. Consider a vegetable-based dish that contains little or no carbohydrate, so you canenjoy it freely. If you'll be staying over for the holidays, bringbreakfast and lunch items to help you start your days on theright track.Navigate the buffet table. Inspect the offerings first

before loading up your plate (choosing a smaller, cocktail-sizeplate, if possible). Make your first trip for vegetables andsalad, then go back for smaller portions of richer fare.Have a drink if you want, but wait until after the

meal. You'll have something in your stomach to blunt theeffects of the alcohol. Before and with the meal, sip sparklingwater?with lots of lemon and lime wedges to make it festive.Focus on the fun, not the feast. Spend more time in con-

versation and enjoying the entertainment rather than worry-ing about what's on your plate. After all, isn't that why you'reat the party?

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 11

• Wireless/Hi-Speed Internet• Microwaves, Refrigerators

& Coffee Makers• Cable TV • Central Air

Great for Holiday Partys,Graduation and Special Events

Clean and Comfortable for our Guestsand Quality of Service You Expect!

• Catering • Game Room• Full Kitchen • Bar• Big Screen TV

10 Motel Rooms

Dairy KingDairy King(937) 295-2673

33 North Main St.,Fort Loramie

Hall Rental

CCoommiinnggSSoooonn......

RESTAURANTFt. Loramie Lake • St. Rt. 362 • Across from the Campgrounds

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How to eat healthy...during the holidays

Accommodation is a concern ofevery traveler, whether lookingfor a place to pitch a tent or a lux-ury suite in a fancy resort.Booking accommodation, dealing with the vast array of

accommodation options, and considering alternative lodgingoptions are all issues that travelers face.Finding accommodation can be one of the most frustrating

aspects of plan-ning your trav-els. There aretwo ways to solvethe accommoda-tion problem:booking inadvance or find-ing a place onthe day.Booking inadvanceBooking in

advance givesthe travellerpeace of mindthat they willhave somewhereto sleep oncethey arrive attheir destination. It is also a good idea when travelling to apopular tourist destination.This can be done in a number of ways:� Over the internet� Through a travel agent� Over the telephoneHowever, hotel managers have to fill beds so it's not uncom-

mon for travellers having booked a room, particularly at thelower end of the cost scale, to arrive to find that it has beenresold.OnlineYou can book accommodation online, either at hotel's own

web site or at web site of an agency. Depending upon whereyou are going, this can be extremely useful. Yet if you are trav-eling to somewhere a bit more out of the way, for example, asmall city or town, you may find something, but there will beaccommodation options not listed on the internet. In this situa-tion, it is better to find accommodation "on the day", asdescribed below.Meta-search (price comparison) websites are very useful.

They offer an online service which searches and comparesnumerous accommodation websites at once to return thecheapest price across them all. This saves time as they do thesearching and comparison for you.Another frequent situation is that hotel has its own web site,

but doesn't publish which dates it can it is not busy. Then fill-

ing a "Contact us" form or sending an email are equal choicesfor inquiring every detail you need.While online is increasingly becoming the most common way

of booking accommodations (sometimes the only way), unfortu-nately the downside is that a credit card is required to processthe reservation so you will be out of luck if you don't have one(sometimes getting a debit or prepaid VISA/Mastercard maywork). Moreover, you will need to check the rate being offered ifpayment is needed immediately or upon arrival/departure.Discounted rates would usually require that payment be madeimmediately but regular rates will allow you to pay uponarrival or check-out at the property. In the case of the latter,you do not need to settle payment with the same credit cardused for reserving; in fact you can pay using cash. However youmay still be required to present the credit card used duringbooking (especially for pre-paid/advance purchase bookings) toverify your identity so bring that with you.

See accommodations/page 13

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 12

NNeeww YYeeaarrss EEvvee SSppeecciiaallNNeeww YYeeaarrss EEvvee SSppeecciiaall

937-498-8888937-498-8888Exit 90, I-75, Sidney

* Dinner at Applebees* Hot breakfast* Late checkout

*Indoor pool*Free Hot Breakfast

*In-Room movies and games

Dinner and 1 night stayDinner and 1 night staypackage includes:

package includes:

2342530

Making the most of booking your...holiday accommodations

EmailFor booking by email, the sequence of events is roughly the

same, with some steps omitted when not applicable: first, askwhether your dates are available; ask for up-to-date pricesinquire on your preferred rooms and other essential details askto reserve for your dates; provide all personal details (passportdetails of every visitor etc.) they may need to issue the confir-mation. In the end, ask for cancellation policy, directions to thehotel and other practical details that don't affect your decisionto stay there.

When you use non-native language for writing to a hotel, it'sbest to ask one or two questions per email, asking all questionsat once frequently results in huge delays that can be brokenonly by a telephone call.

Avoid from giving sensitive financial information such ascredit card details through email. Use the website's bookingengine for that instead.Travel agent

Travel agents often have deals with specific hotels, althoughyou may find it possible to book other forms of accommoda-tion, like camping grounds, through a travel agent. Travelagents usually offer packages that include breakfast, trans-portation arrangements to/from the airport or even combinedflight and hotel packages. They can also hold the reservationfor you if you need time to think about the offer or procureother documents for your destination (e.g. visa). Any amend-ments or requests though should be coursed through the trav-el agent first and not directly with the hotel.Telephone

Consumers often find the best lodging rates by calling trav-el suppliers directly. Contacting the specific property, ratherthan the chain's main toll-free telephone line, provides thebest opportunity to negotiate discounts and ask about spe-cials (advertised and unadvertised). In the U.S., hotel andlodging listings can be found for free either by name or cate-gory via 1-800-Free411.Cancelling a reservation

You might have to change or cancel a reservation. Forexample if your plane/train/bus is delayed or cancelled andyou therefore arrive a day later.

Depending on how you booked the accommodation, youmay be able to contact the hotel or pension directly by phoneor internet to make the necessary change/cancellation. If itwas booked through a travel agent or consolidator, you mayneed to go through them.

Pay attention to the cancellation policy when you make thereservation. Most hotels will require a credit card number toguarantee the room. They will usually charge you for onenight if you cancel less than 24 hours before arrival. In somepopular tourist destinations such as Hawaii or Las Vegas, thisminimum notice may be as long as 72 hours, or you may becharged for the entire stay. This can happen even when you

make reservations through a travel agent and your delay iscaused by transportation also arranged by that travel agent.On the day

If you have planned your trip yourself, which means youhave not decided to use a package from a travel agent, some-times finding accommodation when you arrive is the bestoption.

If you have not made reservations in advance, this should beyour first priority upon arriving. The best and/or cheapesthotels have a tendency to fill up most quickly, and looking for aplace to sleep as darkness falls can be an anxious - and evendangerous - experience.

It is sometimes frustrating to be reading a guidebook andlooking for the listed recommendations trying to decipher anunfamiliar map having just travelled for several hours. Walkaround and inquire at the first few places you see. Courage andconfidence are required for this type of thing, especially if youare not using your native languages. However, it is sometimeseasier to do this rather than tracking down listings, especiallyfor the first night.

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 13

2342641

HHaappppyy HHoolliiddaayyss!!

The northern Miami Valley's Premier Independent Dining Destination!

Located in the heart of beautiful downtown New Bremen, Ohio.

Make your holiday plans with us! Group seating to 50.

La Piazza New Bremen gift cards are perfect for everyone on your list!

(New Bremen gift cards are not valid at our Troy location)

www.lapiazzanewbremen.com419-629-3800

From the entire New Bremen team...

Accommodations continued from page 12

Staying at a hotel is an oppor-tunity to relax and enjoy yourselfin a place other than home. Whileyou may want to make yourself athome, it's important to practice proper etiquette. The extent ofyour manners cannot only have an effect on your stay, but canalso affect the employees at the hotel. There are ways to makesure you are a wonderful guest who will be welcomed back anytime.1. Throw out your own trash. When you eat or even open toi-

letries, throw whatever you don't want into the garbage can.While the housekeeping staff will come into the room to tidythings up, you can still clean up after yourself.2. Be kind to the hotel employees and say "please" and

"thank you." Whether you are staying one night or several, youshould be polite and genuinely nice to those who work at thehotel--not only just for the sake of doing it, but also becauseyou may be treated better. The employees may be more willingto be extra accommodating to you if they know they're helpingsomeone who is respectful and pleasant.

3. Give adequate tips to the employees at the hotel. Peopleyou should tip include the bellboy, room service and the valet.Pay them what they deserve and thank them for their serv-ice.Tipping cheaply may result in mediocre service for therest of your stay at the hotel, as not many people want tomake a massive effort for very little money.4. Sort your own dirty clothes from the hotel's dirty linens

and towels. Housekeeping shouldn't have to sort through yourdirty underwear and shirts to get to the towels and pillowcas-es they need to take to be laundered. When you finish usingthe towels and linens, put them in a single pile so they areeasily accessible, and put your dirty laundry elsewhere.5. Avoid being demanding. Whether you are calling for

extra pillows or ordering room service, give them enough timeto fulfill your request. While you may want things done soon-er rather than later, there are other people staying at thehotel, and some of them are making the same requests youare.

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 14

HAMBURGER SHOP

K’S HAMBURGERSSince 1935OPEN

Monday-Friday6:00 am - 9:00 pm

Saturday 6:00 am - 7:00 pm117 E. Main St., TROY

339-3902

2342

657

HappyHolidays!We hope theholidaysdeliver anabundance ofjoy to you andyours, just as you’vebrought to us this past year.

How to practice etiquetteas a hotel guest

I75 Newspapers • Restaurant and Hotel Guide • Page 15

SDN 498-8088 / TDN 335-5634 / PDC 773-27212342

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Holiday fun begins at

1700 N. Co. Rd. 25ATroy • 339-2100

1274 E. Ash St.Piqua • 778-2100

It’s Party TimeFiesta Platter$36.95

!A Family Mexican Restaurant

We’ll do the work for you!Just call ahead & pick up!

The Perfect GiftEl Sombrero Gift Certificates available inany amount. Buy a $20 gift certificate and

receive a $5 bonus gift certificate.

Book YourHoliday Party Today!

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ServesUp To 10