Western Renegade Fly Drive

My wife and decided to go to the US on holiday and as we like the freedom of having a car a Fly-Drive was the obvious choice. However, we had no real idea how to arrange a Fly-Drive so we went to Thomas Cook and asked! They showed us a number of different options and from those we chose Virgin's Western Renegade as it covered most places we have always wanted to see. Booking was easy, however we were quoted the 2003 price not the 2004 one - Virgin honored the price quoted without hesitation. Pre-allocated seats were arranged on the aircraft and we were offered a number of excursions through the Virgin brochure. We decided to book the San Francisco City Tour and Alcatraz visit for the day after our arrival. This proved to be a good move as this tour is normally booked up. We took travel insurance through Thomas Cook (you can normally negotiate a discount on this if you try) and opted for the full Platinum insurance on the car. More expensive but worth the peace of mind as we were to find out! Flight Tickets, hotel vouchers and detailed itinerary and directions arrived in good time and off we went via Heathrow:

SAN FRANCISCO
Hire Car: Easy to get to the Hire Car Centre at San Francisco Airport using the Air Train, the Dollar Hire Car desk is 10yds from the platform. Tip: Follow Virgin's advice and upgrade BEFORE you go (if you want an upgrade that is!) and don't be tempted at the Hire Car desk - it will cost you more and you might get upgraded free anyway - as we did.

Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel: Easy to find and park. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, room safe, iron, coffee maker etc. Hotel décor is starting to look a bit drab; however, it’s clean and friendly and a laundry room is available. We only used the restaurant for breakfast and would recommend their buffet – the best we had in the US. 3 nights here translates into 2 full days sightseeing and then off to the next place. Do a city tour – it’s the only way to see it all and ride a cable car – they are great! (HOTEL RECOMMENDED)

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN
Mammoth Mountain Inn: Again easy to find but parking is not easy. Rooms are smallish but well equipped, iron, safe, coffee maker etc and a laundry room is available. Hotel décor is poor and because it’s a ski resort suffers from mud and snow being trailed into the corridors etc. We used the restaurant during the 2 days and the food was good. However, after 9pm everyone’s in bed and it’s a bus ride into Mammoth if you want any nightlife. Being a non-skier at Mammoth during the ski season is like being the only bloke at a dance without a girl!! (HOTEL NOT RECOMMENDED)

GRAND CANYON
We had a small problem with the car after hitting debris on the Interstate and had to wait for a replacement. Dollar were very good and arranged it all no problem. I had paid for a tow truck and that was reimbursed without question. However, we had the platinum package so everything was covered. Arrived at the Grand Canyon late at night and it was raining hard next day with low cloud. We cut our losses, had breakfast and left for the next place.
Maswik Lodge Accommodation: Rooms are very small and poorly equipped, however, if you are there to sightsee, the location could not be better as it’s very close to the rim. Unfortunately restaurant/cafeteria was appalling, food was cold and poor quality and the whole dining area was covered in dirty plates and food. Without doubt the worst dining experience in the US probably due to a lack of staff. (HOTEL RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOCATION ONLY)

LOS ANGELES
Sheraton Anahiem: Again easy to find and park. Rooms are huge and very well equipped, iron, coffee maker etc. Hotel décor is absolutely superb and staff are very friendly and helpful. We used the restaurant each night and would highly recommend the food. There is a nice bar and swimming pool – Virgin customers get a free drink and 10% off their bar and restaurant bill! Without doubt the best hotel we stayed at. Close to Disney and some great shopping. (HOTEL VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)