Previous trip report installments Introduction: Maldives and Malaysia in First Class, How I Booked It and What it Cost Etihad Lounge and First Class, Washington Dulles – Abu Dhabi My flight from Washington Dulles was scheduled to land at 7:45pm, and we were a few minutes late. I’d have to clear immigration (easy enough with no line at fast track), and I’d have to be back at the airport early for my 9:35am departure. Now, on this trip I had checked a bag. I almost didn’t need to, and a little more thoughtful packing I wouldn’t have. I was going to be gone for 12 nights. I didn’t need a large checked bag, and checking a bag I didn’t also take a rollaboard (just my laptop bag). But having done that I checked my bag…
Hotel Report
Tag Archives for Hotel Report.
I Was Actually Impressed By.. A Marriott.. at the Seattle Airport No Less!
For the first time in my life late last month I spent five night at an airport hotel. In a row. I flew out to Seattle for three back-to-back events. Global Flight’s loyalty industry conference The Freddie Awards Frequent Traveler University I had agreed to emcee a panel at the industry event, which included the head of a hotel loyalty program, the head of partnerships for an airline program, a data guy, and an IT solutions provider. The topic was on creating a program beloved by members. I had to come in on a Tuesday night because my panel was at 9am on Wednesday. The Freddie Awards would be the next day at the nearby Museum of Flight, and I was the emcee. And then I would be giving four or five talks and spending…
The W Austin is a Good Hotel With Not Very Good Guests
I’ve stayed a few times recently at the W Austin, booked on points before the recent shift in Starwood reward categories. The property went from category 5 (12,000 points most nights) to 6 (20,000 points most nights), and I figured it was worth getting in under the wire. Now, I’ve reviewed several hotels in the Austin area: the Hyatt Place Downtown, Westin Austin at the Domain, and Hyatt Regency (also here and here). But the W is in my favorite location — right smack downtown, but not by all the 6th street bars (so quieter) and with a view of the river. It’s across the street in one direction from Lamberts Downtown Barbecue and a block in another direction from a great wine bar (Cru). There’s a Starbucks in the building (entrance around the corner),…
W Union Square New York: Good Enough for the Neighborhood
I do realize that lukewarm titles are the worst thing you can do when writing a blog. But that’s more or less the way I come away feeling after a one night stay at the W Union Square. It was a very serviceable hotel, generally clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly. The room wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t outrageous by New York standards either, and it was very convenient for where I wanted to be that evening. In similar circumstances, I would return. New York City hotels are priced pretty high, though there are some reasonably decent hotels that can represent a good value. I love the Andaz 5th Avenue, of course. Since the last thing I was doing Wednesday night was the Amex Everyday launch party and I had a morning flight…
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Amazing Views and Club Lounge: Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau and Hong Kong Trip Report
Index: Introduction, Positioning Flight to New York, and the Hilton JFK British Airways First Class Lounge, New York JFK Cathay Pacific First Class, New York JFK – Hong Kong The Pier First Class Lounge and Cathay Pacific Business Class, Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh City Park Hyatt Saigon Lunch at Pho Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Airlines Business Class, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Vietnam Airlines Economy, Danang – Siem Reap Park Hyatt Siem Reap Angkor Wat and Other Temples Dragonair Business Class, Siem Reap – Hong Kong Turbojet, Hong Kong Airport – Macau and the Sheraton Macao Hotel The Venetian, Fernando’s, and the Ferry to Hong Kong Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Harbor View Suite Bo Innovation, Hong Kong Amber Restaurant, Hong Kong Cathay Pacific The…
Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau and Hong Kong Trip Report: TurboJet from Hong Kong Airport to Macau and the Sheraton Macao Hotel
Hong Kong airport to Macau Ferry — Index: Introduction, Positioning Flight to New York, and the Hilton JFK British Airways First Class Lounge, New York JFK Cathay Pacific First Class, New York JFK – Hong Kong The Pier First Class Lounge and Cathay Pacific Business Class, Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh City Park Hyatt Saigon Lunch at Pho Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Airlines Business Class, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Vietnam Airlines Economy, Danang – Siem Reap Park Hyatt Siem Reap Angkor Wat and Other Temples Dragonair Business Class, Siem Reap – Hong Kong Turbojet, Hong Kong Airport – Macau and the Sheraton Macao Hotel The Venetian, Fernando’s, and the Ferry to Hong Kong Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Harbor View Suite Bo Innovation, Hong Kong…
The Charleston Place Hotel: Or How I Know I Don’t Get Better Treatment As a Blogger…
A month ago I stayed at the Charleston Place Hotel for Conde’ Nast Traveler‘s annual summit for their named Top Travel Specialists, a group I’ve been honored to be a part of since the beginning of 2010 (for my award booking service). It was, oddly enough, my very first time in Charleston. And Conde’ Nast had some fantastic events planned in what I found to be an utterly charming city. The hotel, though lovely in many ways, was an interesting experience. I was paying a conference rate of $199++. I flew in after the Austin Frequent Flyer DO, while many of my fellow specialists had come in earlier for meetings. I turned up at the hotel though right after the lot of them. The hotel knew when everyone would be arriving, but they weren’t quite…
Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile Has Magnificent Public Spaces and Diamond Breakfast
I spent a night earlier this week at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile, since it was the location of a happy hour that Hyatt Gold Passport sponsored for Milepoint frequent flyer community members. Overall I found: The public spaces to be gorgeous, a real thumbs up for that renovation. The breakfast buffet (complimentary for Gold Passport Diamonds) to be fantastic, high quality The rooms to be functional. The ground floor entrance to the hotel has a Starbucks, and an elevator you have to take up to get to reception. That’s when you’re struck by how attractively redone the lobby, the bar off the lobby, and other public spaces are. I was given a room on the 14th floor, a code for complimentary wireless internet, and a breakfast coupon. It was explained to me that Diamonds…
Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau and Hong Kong Trip Report: Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Index: Introduction, Positioning Flight to New York, and the Hilton JFK British Airways First Class Lounge, New York JFK Cathay Pacific First Class, New York JFK – Hong Kong The Pier First Class Lounge and Cathay Pacific Business Class, Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh City Park Hyatt Saigon Lunch at Pho Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Airlines Business Class, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Vietnam Airlines Economy, Danang – Siem Reap Park Hyatt Siem Reap Angkor Wat and Other Temples Dragonair Business Class, Siem Reap – Hong Kong Turbojet, Hong Kong Airport – Macau and the Sheraton Macao Hotel The Venetian, Fernando’s, and the Ferry to Hong Kong Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Harbor View Suite Bo Innovation, Hong Kong Amber Restaurant, Hong Kong Cathay Pacific The…
Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau and Hong Kong Trip Report: Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa
Index: Introduction, Positioning Flight to New York, and the Hilton JFK British Airways First Class Lounge, New York JFK Cathay Pacific First Class, New York JFK – Hong Kong The Pier First Class Lounge and Cathay Pacific Business Class, Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh City Park Hyatt Saigon Lunch at Pho Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Airlines Business Class, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Vietnam Airlines Economy, Danang – Siem Reap Park Hyatt Siem Reap Angkor Wat and Other Temples Dragonair Business Class, Siem Reap – Hong Kong Turbojet, Hong Kong Airport – Macau and the Sheraton Macao Hotel The Venetian, Fernando’s, and the Ferry to Hong Kong Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Harbor View Suite Bo Innovation, Hong Kong Amber Restaurant, Hong Kong Cathay Pacific The…
