One Tank Weekend

by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

It was an exciting invitation. A long weekend in Houston and Lake Conroe to visit newly updated hotels and two top restaurants. Houston is close enough to my home "base" of Dallas that it is a tossup as to whether to drive or fly. By the time you get to the airport two hours early, check luggage, get on a plane( hope it is not delayed),  arrive, get luggage (hope it is not lost) and then rent a car, it is often faster to drive.It sounded a lot easier to throw my stuff in the trunk and be off. When I had an opportunity to drive a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, I knew driving was the right decision. And I asked a friend to join me because each journalist could invite a guest..In hindsight,  I realize I could have invited six more friends.

How far can you go?

The tank was filled before we left. Not only did we make it all the way to Houston, we drove all over the city seeing the rodeo, the Azalea Trail, historic places, artists' lofts and more.
After a delicious dinner at Voice we realized we could still go farther on our first tank.  We went on to Lake Conroe for the opening of Chez Roux Restaurant at La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa and to meet the famous Alberto Roux who was opening his first restaurant outside on France.

We arrived in style in the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. We noticed that each place we went, the valet parkers were eager to drive it. I thought it was interesting that when we arrived at La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa, they seemed to leave it out in front. I have always suspected that valets at top restaurants and hotels are told to leave the coolest cars out front to give cache to the establishment.

And the other eight journalists on this culinary trip were always eager to drive with us. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid didn't just outclass the rented van that was the planned transportation, it was lots more comfortable and got better mileage. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid could seat eight comfortably and it was almost as if everyone tried to be invited to our car. Journalists can be a hard group to impress. But with the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, it was no problem. The seats were extremely comfortable and since I have a bad back, I was especially appreciative of that. My companion who is more the size of a football player, also found it comfortable. In the back of my head for over 200 miles was the thought that we could have been sitting in an uncomfortable middle seat. Instead we spread out in luxury and brought all the stuff we wanted, with no baggage limitations.

Looks good. Is Comfy. And gets great mileage. What more could you want from a car?

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
is the first hybrid in a large luxury SUV

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the world’s first fuel-saving hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV, delivering a 50-percent fuel economy improvement in city driving. It is powered by GM’s innovative, fuel-saving two-mode hybrid system and offers the same dramatic design, luxury and full-size capability that have made the Escalade an icon.

“No other manufacturer offers a hybrid than can seat eight luxuriously while simultaneously carrying or trailering lots of cargo comfortably,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. And my companion and six other journalists at any one time would agree with him.
“And no hybrid delivers the dramatic presence that is synonymous with Escalade", according to Taylor. And I know that all the car parkers would agree with him.

Escalade Hybrid is available in 2WD and 4WD configurations. It delivers up to 5,800 pounds (2,631 kg) of usable towing capacity on 2WD models and 5,600 pounds (2,540 kg) on 4WD models. Nearly all of Escalade’s standard comfort and convenience features are included as standard equipment on the hybrid model, including an eight-inch, touch-screen navigation system that displays performance readouts of the two-mode hybrid system on the screen.

Safety isn't an Option

In 1928, Cadillac became the first automaker to incorporate safety glass in all windows. Proud to carry on that legacy, Cadillac still keeps safety a primary concern. The 2009 Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT and Escalade Hybrid have received five-star frontal and side impact ratings - the highest scores possible. But even more valuable to us is the peace of mind that comes with knowing Cadillac's legacy for safety lives on.

Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard Head Curtain side-impact air bags (SABs). Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program ( www.safercar.gov ). 

A unique Entertainment System

My friend and I had so much to say during the drive that we never even turned on the radio. We did, however, keep our eyes on the monitor of the fuel system.

I hated to give this car back. There are so many more places I would like to go to on long weekends. This car could seriously effect my status with frequent flyer programs.

www.Cadillac.com
http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/model/landing.jsp?model=hybrid&year=2009

If you want to follow in my footsetps

Icon Hotel
220 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
713.224.4266
http://www.hotelicon.com/

Voice Restaurant
Pairing inspired modern American cuisine with one of the city's most dazzling venues, VOICE restaurant in downtown Houston Icon is a don't miss experience
http://www.hotelicon.com/voice-restaurant/downtown-houston-restaurant.php

La Torrette Del Lago Resort and Spa
Just a short drive from downtown Houston, La Torretta Del Lago Resort and Sp is as easy to find as it is to enjoy. They have an extraordinary spa and great restaurants,
600 La Torretta Blvd.
Montgomery, Texas 77356
(936) 448-4400
http://latorrettadellagoresortandspa.com

Chez Roux Restaurant
Voted one of the most influential chefs in the U.K. in 2003, Chez Roux is perhaps best known for opening Le Gavroche in 1967. Located in London, it is Britain’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. In fact, Chez Roux’s Executive Chef, Matthew Gray, is the only Michelin Guide-rated chef in Texas.
http://latorrettadellagoresortandspa.com/chef-roux-cuisine/restaurant/chez-roux

Crave Cupcakes
1151-06 Uptown Park Blvd.Houston, TX 77056
Phone 1-713-622-CRAVE (7283)
Fax 1-713-622-7285
Email: eat@cravecupcakes.com 
Monday – Friday 8AM – 8PM
Saturday 9AM – 8PM
Sunday 10AM – 7PM

http://www.visithoustontexas.com/

If you decide to take this trip in a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, please call me. I would love to be your tour guide. And I know the backseat is really comfortable.

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who found some of her favorite things in Houston--fine dining, luxury hotels, and spectacular spas.

Read her stories on www.travellady.com,  www.carladynews.com,  www.yogayaya.com,  www.chocolateatlas.com,  www.cocktailatlas.com,  www.coffeeatlas.com,  www.teaAtlas.com