9th November 2018 Flight Charleston to Charlotte and then to Phoenix and drive to The Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix AZ

We checked out of Charleston Doubletreeafter a most enjoyable 3 night.  The drive to the Airport took 25 minutes and was straight forward. 

We dropped of the Hertz Chevy rental, very pleased and a good result. 

walked from the car rental drop off to the terminal about 200 metres, checked in and both cases were heavy with Jeanette’s at 56.2lb and Ken’s at 60.4lb.  Our flight departs at 12.54. 

Flight departed a little late but with only a 30 minute flight and then down, not an issue, but we are very tight with next flight from Charlotte to Phoenix, if it is on time. 

We depart and have quite a lengthy walk from A16/to the departure lounge of B7, but this is complicated by a bottleneck of hundreds of people coming and going from the B departure gates due to a work area which has reduced the width of the walkway from 20-30 people down to 4-5 and all hurrying and pushing to get through.  Chaos rained and many people struggling to catch flights became quite agitated and aggressively pushed.  We got through this area in about 15 minutes but it was tense. 

Our arrivalat the gate occurred as they were boarding group 4, so we were a long way behind our scheduled boarding of group 1.  Flight was then delayed some 35 minutes with passengers arriving late and th3 plane was delayed slightly on arrival.  A good flight seated in 1a and 1c.

Arrived at Sky Harbour some 45 minutes late and many passengers were concerned re connections.  We got through and after some 20 minutes collected our”heavy” luggage then walked to the Car Rental Shuttle stop.  Boarded a bus and arrived at the Car Rental Centre at about 7.15pm.  Departed to pick up our mid size GEC SUV and we were on our way, almost at 7.30pm.  But we get into the Car 🚗 and there is no gear stick/ lever.  How do you drive it? By pushing buttons on the centre consul unit.  We depart at7.35pm, we have a pretty easy drive to the Biltmore Arizona.  We get tooted once as Ken needs to change lanes.  We arrive at th3 address but then need to find reception to check in.  Ca4 is eventually Valet parked.

Check in goes smoothly.  We are in Cottage “C” villa 5108.  It is a beautiful hotel as expected.  Room is comfortable and beautifully fitted out. 

But there is a function out on the Lawn with a meal and a DJ playing very loud music and a karaoke party as well.  Ken rings to find out what time it will cease.  We are informed 10.00pm and we put up with it until that time, when it does stop.  We hear nothing of the clean up. 

Breakfast on a beautiful morning. 

It is a stunning resort and the Arizona Biltmore has certainly met all of our expectations at this early stage.  We have an exciting 3 days here before we head into the desert and Palm Desert.