Portland, Oregon - TDY to Portland calls for the Hilton downtown on Broadway. Gov rate also. Great location, walking distance from everything. Starbucks every block, sometimes twice in the same building. Go to Jakes for great seafood, or the waterfront. Oh, the rooms are nice, it's the Hilton, should I say more....

PENNSYLVANIA

Pittsburgh, PA - YOU MUST STAY at the Pittsburgh Hilton Towers. Five Star Outfit. Across the river from the football stadium, 15 miles from airport. Stumble from the bars. At the time we went, max lodging was $79, The hotel had a fed gov rate of $99. Talk to 'Mary' in reservations and tell here you're not fed gov, but usaf, and your max rate is $79, she'll hook you up. You'll have to valet your car for about $20, but you can claim it too. Tel:(412)391-4600 Fax:(412)594-5161  #600 Commonwealth Place; Gateway Cen, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. The bars are in 'strip district' on Mullberry way (parallels Penn st), around 20th street. There's some bars on Penn Street too. If you park on Pit-Reserve AFB's ramp, PRECOORDINATE for a ride to the rental cars on the other side of the airport. The sucked as far as support, nobody was there. We were on a banner.

Willow Grove, PA - Residence Inn offers free breakfasts, newspapers. Many nights have free dinners as well. Hotel is kept up very well and has a gym pass system with the local "Y". Overall best deal in the area.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston, SC - Don't stay at Super 8. It is right next to the exit ramp for the interstate, and is not conducive to rest. Plus, it has absolutely NO freebies. Sheraton is great with lots of flight attendants,  The Mill's House Hotel 1-800-874-9600 is a very nice hotel and it's $80/night (max is 99). The hotel is in a great location (very close to all the shops/bars/restaurants downtown). ~If Charleston AFB does not have billeting they will try to put you in the days inn right off base where there is nothing to do. If you request to stay at the Mill House ( a 4 star $299 a night hotel) down town, they will get you a room for $80 a night but you have to get the taxi down town. Just claim it on your voucher. You are close to all the good times if you can stay downtown. If you split a room with someone you can both pay $40.

 If you like seafood, we ate at Hymens (yup, that's the real name), and it was pretty darned good, going to try some new places tonight!!!  Embassy Suites/ Historic Downtown  is very nice...(#337 Meeting St. /843-723-6900) it used to be part of the Citadel Military Academy. It's located downtown, with all bars/ restaurants within walking distance. Good bar called the Mandalay nearby. The hotel cost is actually higher than the max allowable, but we were able to talk them into a $99 rate. Just explain that you're in the military, and that's all they'll let you spend. A little Southern charm doesn't hurt either.  Although not downtown, Sheraton-North Charleston 843-747-1900 isn't bad.  Upon checking in, you're given a card for three free drinks in the hotel bar. Also, given a card for a free American breakfast (Nice spread of vittles!). Great room with a free USA Today delivered to your door. $53 per night + tax.  ~The major plus is free buffet breakfast plus three free "real" drinks in the bar per night. DO NOT CALL LONG DISTANCE FROM THE ROOM!!! Our Boom shelled out $27 for a five minute phone call to Fairchild. Hyman's is really good but can be crowded. Wild Wings Cafe is good place to eat and have a brew or two. Most of the places worth eating are all near "the market" in Downtown Charleston. The Southend Brewery is OK but the service was not the greatest. One town over in Mt Pleasent, is a place called "Romanza's" and it has really good Italian food. For directions ask the lady at the Weather desk. If you get a U-drive be wary, our's conked out at Base Ops right before we turned it in. If you are stuck there for a while, head down to the Visitor's Center and catch a bus tour (only $15 for a 90 minute tour).  ~I must disagree with the generous rating of the Best Western. The place is a DUMP! The freeway noise is opressive and the A/C never works quite right. The neighborhood is somewhat seedy at night. Head for downtown for meals.

Shaw AFB, SC - Reserved a regular room at Carolina Pines Inn (Base Billeting) (803)666-3658, given a DV Suite! Cheaper to drink from room minibar/fridge than to go out! El Mariachi (Mex Rest about 5 min from base) has $1.99 margaritas 1600-1900. Great Food! The Aerospace Physiology unit here is Tops! Great Class. Hilarious instructors and excellent instruction. ~The Sleep Inn was decent and had their shit together. The only thing to do on check out was turn in the key. The town really sucks though. The only place to go was Thursday night at a place called "Goochies". Overall not too bad, wouldn't want to be stationed there though.

TENNESSEE

Campbell AAF, Clarksville, TN - Ramada Riverview Inn (931) 552-3331, 50 college St. = Average motel, but apparently its where EVERY aircrew always goes. Two blocks to the bars, 'black horse', 'moose creek', 'Night Deposit', a german place in there too that has big glasses. Enterprise is on post, but when you go back on post from the motel, they will bust your balls and make you get a pass, USE THE MAIN GATE FOR THIS. tell them you're leaving and it's a post rental, they might let you through. About 60 miles from Nashville, but we never went there.

Nashville, TN - Doubletree hotel was decent.  Diverted into Nashville due to WX. Nashville guard was very helpful. Stayed at the doubletree which is walking distance from all the bars. I think they are located on fourth ave. Try the beer seller. Its located next to hooters on second ave. They stock about two hundred different types of brew. Good C/W bars all up and down second ave.

Biggs AAF, El Paso, TX -The Hawthorn Inn & Suites (915) 778-6789 is nice, and they have complimentary drinks 5-6pm M-F -- BONUS! Also, it's right next door to the Cattle Baron's restaurant which has a nice bar, attentive waitstaff, and a great menu. One of the best restaurants, Carlos and Mickey's has AWESOME Mexican food (a MUST for El Paso) with speedy service and reasonable prices; fantastic margaritas too -- get the "TEXAS SIZE". It's only 5 minutes from the hotel which is right near the airport. If you have any problems, call Chief Warrant Officer 3 Roberson at DSN 979-6707 -- he'll hook you up with wheels and hotel reservations. These are good folks and they represent the 204th -- an Army unit from Fort Bliss. They'll make what could be a pain-in-the-a** trip a good time for you and your crew. ~El Paso is a hole for those of you who haven't had the pleasure. The Embassy Suites was nice - all the standard embassy suites stuff like free happy hour and breakfast. About 10 minutes from the field. Close to the hotel was a good mexican place called Forti's - ask the guys at the desk. No Udrives from the base.

Austin, TX - Omni is a palace and only one block from the party on 6th Street. 5 Star accommodations. ~OMNI Austin Downtown (800-the-omni) is fantastic and has a government rate, just ask for it, about $85-95 a night. Best location to party on 6th St. Also, check out the Hula Hut on Lake Austin for great food and try the Fishbowl drink. Antone's is the best place for live music.

San Antonio, TX - The Kelly Base CC has a new way to screw with crews.  If you do not process thru billeting, even when less that 24h, the base trans WILL NOT take you to the hotel, or pick you up...WHAT A CROCK!!! - Luckily you can call MACTRANS (Baseops has the #) and for a fee (reimbursable) they will pick you up and drop you off at any hotel in SA. Officer's clubs usually suck these days, but The Auger Inn at Randolph is pretty jumpin on fridays. They put out a free buffet spread at 5pm and the beer is damn cheap. A good place to start the night before you head down to the river walk. Stay at the Hampton Inn on Bowie Street - it is right downtown 2 blocks from the River Center at the Riverwalk - and it is within your lodging allowance! Eat the best Tex-Mex: Rio Rios on the River Walk. Homewood Suites is great for crew dogs. Free happy hour w/beer, cocktails and food Mon-Sat. Free Breakfast. Rooms are suites with separate bathroom and living room/kitchen - call ahead for Gov rate. On the riverwalk just a few blocks from everything, such as, Market Square, Dirty Nellies, and Dick's Last Resort. Residence Inn was a .5 mile walk from the river walk and each room was a business suite style room.  It had a full kitchen with all appliances a queen bed and pull out couch bed as well. The staff was very friendly and the complementary continental breakfast was great.  Also the 24 hour mexican restaurant (Mi Tierra's) down the street was good for margaritas after a long mission.  It is on the Non-A list at Kelly Billetting as well. Enjoy!  Alamo Cafe, located at 281N and Bitters Rd (on the northbound access road) -it's not close to the riverwalk, but just as good and much cheaper....any nav should know how to get there.  A GREAT bar is The Tap 210-404-0827 at: 903 Bitters, STE 313, SA, (Just off HWY 281 N at Bitters, by the SA Int't Airport) Neat In-crowd hangout spot for Spurs players/managers and exotic dancers "off-duty".  Tell Jennie or Jon (owners) "DAD" from Tinker AFB, OK sent you! Just got back from TDY to AIS at Randolph, found a couple great local bar/hangouts(not typical River Walk venues): Camelot on Pat Booker just outside the gate is good place with high quality young lovelies. Go for some great barbecue at The Barbecue Station at Loop 410 and Harry Wurzbach, followed by drinks next door at Lil' Darlin Lounge.  The key to a stay at Randolph for any length of time (PIT, etc) is to get off base! Not too difficult (especially if your family tags along) if you are staying for 2-4 months (i.e. PIT or T-6 transition). They book billeting pretty far in advance. They will give you a Non-A number (not a "letter", just a "number"); just put it on your travel voucher. The Clarion Suites 210-655-9491 (Pat Booker & 1604) has 1 & 2 bedroom options (2 BR has 2 bathrooms also); full kitchen; living/dining area; pool/hot tub (outdoors); laundry facility; free continental breakfast. Make sure you are getting the "monthly rate" if you are staying that long (see maximum rate notice on your room door) - if billeting makes your reservation - they will charge the GOV rate (for a 2 BR that is $85, but $69 is the "daily" max rate based on monthly rate schedule). Either way - you get reimbursed, but the $85/day will max out your GOV'T card faster!  Residence Inn, Santa Rosa Ave (210)231-6000 was fantastic and has Free Beer and Pizza from 5 to 8pm. Close to the River Walk. ~I've stayed at the Crockett Hotel previously with my civilian employer and it was nice. The difference is this time we had the government rates and the rooms sucked. They put you in the building across the parking lot. If you stay in the main building I think you're alright. ~Randolph AFB -If you're quick-turning, grab a burger at Chester's.  It's straight out the front gate on Pat Booker.  The jailhouse cafe has the biggest chicken fried steak you've ever seen - and it tastes great.