(…The Fat Duck Review: a continuation of my trip report “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”) When planning my American Airlines Oneworld award, I decided to pop through London on the way back to the US. It meant that I’d be able to try British Airways First Class (I’ve flown ClubWorld only in the past) and I’d be able to eat at the Fat Duck Restaurant. Ever since my meal at El Bulli in 2008, I’ve wanted to try the Fat Duck. At the time of the meal, only Heston Blumenthal and his three Michelin stars had bested El Bulli in the San Pellegrino/Restaurant Magazine ratings over the previous 5 years. Now, in fairness I’ll be the first to quibble with those rankings. In…
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The Waldorf Hilton, London: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
Last November, after my stay at the Prince de Galles in Paris, I decided that I would always endeavor to pick a hotel in a major European city that had an executive lounge. Now, the Euro has been falling relative to the dollar in recent weeks (oh, those profligate Greeks, Portugese, and Spaniards, you make the Italians look fiscally responsible!). But Europe is just really hard on my wallet, and a lounge there yields especially good value — for my morning coffee, for breakfast, for access to water. I’ll never ‘get’ Europeans who don’t drink water and no I’m not willing to chug multiple bottles of marked-up Evian over lunch every day. So I decided to burn some Hilton points for London, and as a Diamond I had heard that the executive lounge at the…
Macau – Hong Kong – London by Ferry and Cathay Pacific First Class: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
After our last complimentary ‘all you can order off the menu’ breakfast, we said goodbye to the Westin. I had a bit of a confusing interaction with the front desk over the bill, but it was minor. I should have had complimentary internet, but they charged for two days’ worth. When I asked about this they explained that their system offered two speeds, the slower internet was free, I had selected the faster option. Now, I’m confident that I didn’t do that, as I guessed that they might charge for the faster speed, I didn’t really need it, and I didn’t feel like asking. But they initially stood their ground. As did I, and they removed it from my bill. Rather than taking the hotel’s free shuttle, I opted to hang around an extra 15…
Fernando’s, Beijing Kitchen, and the City of Dreams in Macau: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
Fernando’s, Beijing Kitchen, and the City of Dreams in Macau: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant” During our three night stay in Macau, and in addition to our breakfasts at the Westin (unlimited complimentary order-off-the-menu), there are two meals I thought I’d highlight: Fernando’s and Beijing Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt. Whenever I travel someplace new, I reserve food. And there were two things that really stood out as the ‘must-dos’ while I was in Macau: Fernando’s and Lord Stowe’s bakery for Portugese egg tarts. And as luck would have it, both were in Coloane where I’d be staying. In fact, Fernando’s is a short walk up the beach from the Westin, and we decided on dinner there our first full…
The Westin Resort Macau: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
It was a quick 10 minute cab ride over to the Westin Resort in Coloane. The hotel does offer a complimentary shuttle to the Venetian and ferry dock, but a cab was inexpensive so we didn’t wait for it. The Westin is a grand older hotel on the beach, far away from the action of Macau but not really more than 10 minutes away. The property reminds me a bit of the Westin Puerto Vallarta, each floor set back slightly from the one below it and all rooms offering balconies. It’s a beautiful, old, quiet property and seemed fairly unoccupied throughout our three day stay. We were assigned a suite looking out on the beach on the top guest floor, I didn’t ask how many suites they had but there didn’t seem much competition for…
Manila to Macau via Cathay Pacific First Class and Turbojet Ferry: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
We arrived at the Manila airport and had to show printed e-ticket itineraries to enter, and then had to go through security screening of our checked and hand baggage as well. Once you’ve entered there’s a sign saying not to exit. We walked up to the Cathay Pacific checkin desk, and they helped us right away, but our checkin was confusing. I handed them not just our itinerary and passports, but also our receipt for the Turbojet ferry from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau Ferry Terminal. I asked them to check our bags through to Macau, and the agent had never heard of such a thing and couldn’t figure out how to do it. After much plugging away he called over his supervisor who fiddled for awhile and got on the phone but finally…
Philippine Cooking Class: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
Philippines Cooking Class in Cebu: I try to take cooking classes when I travel, and bring back the food and lessons to my own kitchen at home. I love Thai cuisine in particular, perhaps because I’m most familiar with it and it’s actually pretty easy — I can always fix mistakes (add a little more chili paste? Some more fish sauce?) and there’s not so much precision required. I’ve done both Southern and Northern Thai and Balinese cuisine. So naturally I wanted to take a stab at Philippine cuisine, both to learn to cook but also to better understand the culture through its cuisine. I emailed my hotel to ask for a recommendation, and they suggested the Caro & Marie cooking school. But it turns out that their classes were all featuring international dishes. I…
Philippine Airlines Manila – Cebu and Hilton Cebu Resort — a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
A quick ride over to the airport and we were walking into the terminal. Documents checked upon entering, then all bags screened prior to reaching the checkin counter. We each checked a bag and then they weighed our carryons. So we checked two bags. These were not heavy rollaboards — two 20″ bags, not pushing a size limit by any stretch — and there was plenty of space on the flight. Then we had to stand in line to pay the airport usage tax. They give you a receipt, which is then immediately collected. Then men and women stand in separate security lines. Computers didn’t have to come out, but everyone got a pat down. And off to the mediocre lounge downstairs. Couldn’t get the wireless internet to work, and didn’t bother trying to convince…
Intercontinental Manila Presidential Suite — a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
On arrival at the Intercontinental Manila we waited for the bomb sniffing dog at the entrance to give us the all clear. Not bringing any bombs into the hotel, so we were cleared to head to the checkin desk. After a long overnight flight I didn’t want to think about, “where is the club?” to handle checkin there, a waiting staff member at the main desk in the lobby would do just fine. Now, it was still a bit shy of noon. As a Royal Ambassdor I’m entitled to 8 a.m. checkin, one of the great unsung elite status benefits out there and one which no other chain matches. However, I was told my room wasn’t ready yet. After all, there was only one of my room… the Presidential Suite. I had actually wanted to…
Hong Kong – Manila in Cathay Pacific First Class — A continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant
Our flight from Toronto landed just a few minutes early, but that meant before 5 am. And Hong Kong is a ghost town at that hour. We quickly went through transit security and found our way over to the Wing. It opens at 5, but the first class side doesn’t open until 5:30 am. We waited and wandered — most parts of the lounge, the Game Room for instance, were deserted. But the main sitting room was jam packed. Once 5:30 rolled around we went upstairs, and immediately asked for a Cabana. We shared one, which was perfectly fine, and in my opinion this makes for one of the nicer shower facilities after a long overnight flight. My wife and I aren’t separated, which means we can mill about and meander slowly given our four-ish…
