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    Antidote for Jetlag?

    A United plane with Continental flair: The Dreamliner is nearly perfect — exceptfor the food

    Jane Howze
    Dec 10, 2012 | 6:00 am
    • Jane Howze spent a few seconds in the cockpit of the new United 787 Dreamliner
      Photo Courtesy of Jane Howze
    • United Airlines Dreamliner at Bush Intercontinental Airport in this phone takenlast month.
      Photo by Brian Reedy/Twitter
    • The roomy interior of the first class section on the Dreamliner
      Photo by Jane Howze
    • The windows are about 30 percent larger
      Photo by Jane Howze

    It takes a lot to wow a road warrior. For months we have heard about United Airlines' new but much delayed 787 Dreamliner and how it would revolutionize air travel. Cynical group that we are, we rolled our eyes.

    Mea culpa, United! I was wrong. I recently had the opportunity to fly from Newark to Houston on the 787 Dreamliner and I’m totally wowed by the new plane in both how it looks and how I felt when I arrived.

    I knew something out of the ordinary was happening because passengers who usually fight over electrical outlets in the waiting area were standing by the terminal window oohing and aahing at the sleek lines of the big bird.

    Boarding the plane was special because the entire flight crew were vintage Continental employees. Their pride in their new wheels was palpable and contagious.

    Boarding the plane was special — especially for us Houstonians — because the entire flight crew were vintage Continental employees. Their pride in their new wheels was palpable and contagious.

    After boarding, I asked if I could visit the flight deck. The captain graciously invited me in and was eager to show me his new workplace. He laughed and said, "We are the new kids on the block with the new Ferrari — everyone wants to see and drive it. I have flown 30 years and I am certified on every type of aircraft, and this is the best plane I’ve ever flown."

    If the cockpit display was any indication, he was right. The 787 cockpit features dual head up displays (HUDs), a small transparent screen that drops down in front of the pilots in order to improve visibility during difficult flying conditions, while providing essential flight information. For United frequent fliers who like to listen to the pilots communicate with the tower on Channel 9, it is not hooked up yet but should be in the future.

    Roomier interior

    The interior of the 787 seems roomier with higher ceilings and larger overhead luggage bins that raise and lower more easily. The lighting itself is recessed and in more subtle relaxing colors than the harsh white lights of older planes.

    The windows are 30 percent larger, and instead of sliding plastic shades, they have adjustable tint that blocks out light with a touch of a button.

    The most significant change the average traveler will notice is the windows. They are 30 percent larger, and instead of sliding plastic shades, they have adjustable tint that blocks out light with a touch of a button. And the flight attendants can regulate the degree of tint of all windows. For those of you who travel overnight to Europe, I can now envision you being awakened for breakfast by the shades gradually allowing the morning sun to shine in.

    Now to take off. Hmm, not so fast.

    Just as we were pushing back, a warning light came on that dictated the pilots conduct a few tests. Actually, no one seemed to mind because it gave the flight attendants time to extol the many benefits of their new workplace.

    Precious 1, 2 and 3

    We learned that the three 787s currently flying in the US are called "Precious 1," "Precious 2" and "Precious 3." Flight attendants told us that their favorite thing about the plane is that it is pressurized to an altitude of 6,000 feet rather than the 8,000 typical of most planes, so the passengers and crew arrive feeling less fatigued.

    After an hour wait we taxied to the runway and quickly and gracefully lifted off. The engines were much quieter and it was a smooth three-hour flight to Houston, which passed quickly thanks to the entertainment system's 200 games, TV shows and movies to select from in both first class and economy.

    As someone once said, “Restaurants can’t fly and airplanes can’t cook.”

    Oh, and even the restrooms are nicer, with better lighting, touchless faucets and toilets, and mirrors that don’t accentuate every wrinkle.

    My only letdown was that I was hoping even if the new plane didn’t have better kitchens, perhaps it would offer better food. Alas, it was not to be. I guess Jeff Smisek promised to revolutionize air travel, not the food service industry. As someone once said, "Restaurants can't fly and airplanes can't cook."

    And Wi-Fi? Yep, a plane this advanced does not have it and probably won't until 2014, because the FAA has yet to certify the technological equipment for a composite material plane.

    As passengers left the plane, the crew thanked us for joining them on the Dreamliner and wished us happy holidays. I was already thinking about my trip to San Francisco next week, wondering if I could pick up another Dreamliner flight before the planes are diverted to international routes in January.

    Although Houston and United have had an uneasy relationship since Continental gave up their headquarters, there is talk that United will continue to fly one of the Dreamliners out of Houston on international routes. That would be a great olive branch for those of us missing the old Continental.

    unspecified
    news/travel

    Riverside Reno

    Fresh makeover turns Hill Country hotel into modern riverside refuge

    Brianna Caleri
    Jun 12, 2025 | 2:36 pm
    Hacienda Del Rio Hotel and Bar
    Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio\u200b
    No matter how cosmopolitan the hotel gets, nothing can beat the trees around this pool.

    After a two-year renovation and rebranding, Hacienda Del Rio Hotel and Bar has opened in Gruene, a historic district within New Braunfels. Formerly the Gruene Outpost River Lodge, the property along the Guadalupe River now has 48 renovated rooms, new outdoor sports like pickleball, and updated amenities at the pool.

    The River Lodge's previous aesthetic was DIY and rustic, but the new Hacienda Del Rio has a much more cosmopolitan, contemporary design. The new look is full of midcentury styles, but with other eclectic elements mixed in. A press release declares the space was "designed in the spirit of Spanish colonial architecture," but don't expect anything old-fashioned.

    Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interiorThese earthy tones mellow out an otherwise energetic space.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

    Texas-based hotel group French Cowboys was behind this major makeover, which started in April 2023. That puts Hacienda Del Rio in a family with Camp Comfort and The Meyer Hotel in the Hill Country town of Comfort; the Claire Hotel near Canyon Lake; the Gruene River Inn and Heidelberg Lodges in New Braunfels, and Webber East in Austin.

    The Hacienda can accommodate up to 178 guests in a variety of room layouts including kings, double queens, and suites. Bathrooms and showers are new, and rooms are outfitted with smart TVs, plus custom steel doors and windows. Photos of guestrooms, although they are colorful, show off a streamlined sensibility.

    A new clubhouse and cocktail bar draws guests who may not be staying overnight. Coffee and breakfast will be available in the morning, followed by daytime snacks, and finally a full bar in the evening. Anyone who stops by can enjoy beer, wine, and signature cocktails, plus shuffleboard, a pool table, and even some workspace. There will also be a new conference room for presentations, retreats, and more.

    Hacienda Del Rio\u200b Hotel and Bar interiorThis lounge is open to hotel guests and the public.Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Rio

    Departing from the artsy interior to New Braunfels' beautiful surroundings, guests can play pickleball, beach volleyball, and basketball on a half-court, plus fire pits near the river and kayaks, paddleboards, and floats. River adventures will be facilitated by Paddle Texas, which will offer rentals and experiences. Finally, a renovated pool and deck provide more leisure space.

    “‘Del Rio’ reflects the area’s deep connection to the Guadalupe River, where guests can jump in, float, or just hang out by the water, whether it’s at the river or our pool," said French Cowboys co-founder Dylan Petrich in a press release. "And Hacienda captures our vision of creating a vibrant, social place where people can kick back, enjoy the outdoors, and grab a drink, all in one of the Hill Country’s most iconic destinations, without breaking the bank."

    Rates start at $125 per night, and the food and beverage space is open every day. Introductory rates are available for those who book through December 31, 2025.

    hotelscocktailspoolgruenenew braunfelstravelhill countryopenings
    news/travel
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