One thing to remember on weather related flight problems, it is often not winter that is disruptive. While snow storms will tend to close an airport for long periods and allow TV stations to show video of stranded travelers, sometimes the summer is worse. Thunderstorms are highly disruptive – they move ground crew inside for fear of lightning and they cause planes to talk long trips around the storms.

1. Chicago, IL
2. Detroit, MI
3. New York City/Newark
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
5. Boston, MA
6. Philadelphia, PA
7. San Francisco, CA
8. St. Louis, MO
9. Atlanta, GA
10. Anchorage, AK

While it may be advisable to avoid these airports, with the exception of maybe #10, they all tend to be major destinations and transfer points. It may be impossible to travel without touching these airports or being affected by delays that they have.

The hotel has a significant amount of character. The lobby is very comfortable featuring a massive fireplace and overstuffed furniture. In the evenings, you may be blessed with a glass of fine wine and delicious cookies.

The owner of the hotel is an American history buff and has placed two life sized statues in the stately courtyard – one of Thomas Jefferson composing the Declaration of Independence and the other of Benjamin Franklin. Keeping Tom and Ben company are beautiful roses and water fountains.

The rooms are very comfortable with modern beds and furniture, a couple of phones per room, and wired Internet access. Two sinks in each room (one in the bathroom and one just outside) ease the frustration of couples getting ready. Each room also features a real fireplace to make a quaint feeling like you are staying in a bed and breakfast. Many of the rooms also feature a small balcony which is great way to spend an evening.

The restaurant is very good but frankly there are better restaurants that are native to this area of the country just down the street. If you are in a rush for dinner, the Duck Club Restaurant is probably fine but I suggest you jump in a car and go down the street to enjoy some other local restaurants that are top notch.

The outside of the hotel is covered in wood shake and brick. This coupled with the many roses that surround the building and dot the parking lot lead to a very New England feeling in a hotel that neighbors Stanford University.