Day 1: Me and my parents arrived in Male International Airport in the morning from Kochi, India. Karen’s flight from London was delayed by 3 hours so I made the decision to send my parents to the resort so they did not have to wait with me at the airport. Hilton Amingiri representative at the airport assured me that my parents would not have to wait at the hotel to get a room even though both rooms were booked under my wife’s name and mine. After Karen arrived at the airport, we took the same speedboat to the resort. After …
Asia Destination Trip ReportsTrip Report – 3 Night in Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
Hilton Amingiri Resort & Spa Malé 08540, Maldives Hilton Amingiri Resort is located on a small island in the Indian Ocean, about 20 minutes speed-boat ride from Male International Airport. It is a very new resort having opened only in 2022. One of the biggest selling points of this resort is that the overwater villas book as a Standard Award making for an exceptional redemption option for Hilton Free Night certificates. The other big selling point is that all villas (including the overwater bungalows) come with its own private pool!! The points required for a free night fluctuates by season. …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats): Seoul – Las Vegas (KE 5)
Flight: Korean Air KE 5 from Seoul to Las Vegas Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 15A(Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 74″, Seat width: 20.6″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment. I was supposed to fly ICN – LAS segment on a Boeing 777-300 with 2 x 2 x 2 seats with the Apex Suite but there was a last minute equipment swap and ended up on a 2 x 3 x 2 configuration. This configuration is my least favorite as the seats have wedges …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Angled Flat Seats): Bangkok – Seoul (KE 660)
Flight: Korean Air KE 660 from Bangkok to Seoul Duration: 5 hours 15 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 11H(Aisle) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 74″, Seat width: 20.6″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this specific flight. Korean Air operates various aircraft types (with different configurations) between Bangkok and Seoul including Airbus 330, Airbus 380, Boeing 777-300. I ended up on a Boeing 777-300 with 2 x 3 x 2 seating in Business Class. This type of seating is terrible if you are unlucky to be seated in the middle row. …
Hotel Reviews Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel Review – Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, 999, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not stay at this hotel at the time of this review. Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is located just a 5 minute walk from the airport through an air-conditioned, underground walkway. The hotel also provides complimentary 24-hour shuttle between the airport and the hotel. I booked a 1 night stay at the hotel through a 3rd party booking site (rocketmiles) and paid around 175$ after taxes (with breakfast). It is pricey compared to downtown …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport
Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport Vip Road Opposite Kochi International Airport, Kochi, Kerala 683572, India Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport is located just across the Kochi International Airport. Although the drive takes less than 3 minutes, to walk from the airport to the hotel would be a challenge due to the busy road between. Good thing is that the hotel provides complimentary shuttle for its guests (call ahead to confirm the booking). We stayed one night at the hotel for 10,000 Marriott points. Check-in was fairly easy and everyone was super friendly and helpful throughout the stay. They insisted on …
Airline Reviews British Airways ReviewsAirline Review: British Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats): London – Male (BA 61)
Flight: British Airways BA 61 from London to Male Duration: 10 hours 15 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 72″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment. British Airways Business Class (Club World) features 7 rows of seats in 2 x 4 x 2 configuration with both forward and rear facing seats. This is quite a dense configuration and mainly the window seats afford a bit of privacy and the rest of them feel very open. British Airways charges for advance …
Airline Reviews British Airways ReviewsAirline Review: British Airways – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats): San Francisco – London (BA 286)
Flight: British Airways BA 286 from San Francisco to London Duration: 10 hours 20 minutes Equipment: A388(Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 59D (Middle Section) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 72″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment. British Airways Business Class (Club World) features full-flat seats in 2 x 4 x 2 configuration on lower deck and 2 x 3 x 2 on upper deck. Because this airline charges for advanced seat request even for Business class, I waited till check-in time to select a seat …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats): Seoul – Bangkok (KE 657)
Flight: Korean Air KE 657 from Seoul to Bangkok Duration: 6 hours Equipment: A388(Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 10A(Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 74″, Seat width: 21.6″ This flight was originally slated to be operated on a Boeing 777-300 with 2 x 3 x 2 business class seat configuration. An equipment change instead gave me the opportunity to enjoy the A380-800 upper deck with 2 x 2 x 2 business class seating on this flight. I had tried this product pre-pandemic on Seoul-Los Angeles flight early 2020. Though many websites advertise this seat as a lie-flat seat, I think this is …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats): Los Angeles – Seoul (KE 12)
Flight: Korean Air KE 12 from Los Angeles to Seoul Duration: 13 hours Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 10J(Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 75″, Seat width: 20.6″ Korean Air operates a multitude of aircraft between its Incheon hub and various US destinations ranging from Airbus 380-800 to Boeing 777-300 to Boeing 747. I had tried the A380-800 with 2x3x2 and lie-flat seats (marketed as lie-flat but actually more like angled-flat) on Seoul – Los Angeles route in 2020 just before pandemic took over. This segment was supposed to be on an A380 when it was booked but there was an …
Asia Destination Trip ReportsNov’22 – Dec’22: India and Maldives Trip – Introduction
Just came back from my yearly family trip to India. Decided to add a short side trip of 3-night stay in the Maldives. Me and Karen had been to the Maldives in 2012 but my parents never been there. Airline reviews, hotel reviews and trip reports for this trip: Airline Review – Korean Air Business class from Los Angeles to Seoul Airline Review – Korean Air Business class from Seoul to Bangkok Airline Review – British Airways Business Class from San Francisco to London Airline Review – British Airways Business Class from London to Male Hotel Review – Courtyard by …
Airline Reviews Emirates ReviewsAirline Review: Emirates – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats) : Dubai – Los Angeles (EK 215)
Flight: Emirates EK 215 from Dubai to Los Angeles Duration: 16 hours 30 minutes Equipment: A388 (Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 12B (Window seat) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 48 “, Seat width: 18.5 ” Emirates operates multiple aircraft types between Dubai and USA, mainly Airbus 380 and Boeing 777-300ER. The business class experience between these 2 aircraft are poles apart as A380 has the 1 x 2 x 1 fully flat business class seat configuration whereas Boeing 777-3000ER has angled flat seats in 2 x 3 x 2 configuration. Luckily Emirates has been operating the A380 between DXB …
Hotel Reviews Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel Review: Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat
Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat Cf 12, BG Block(Newtown), Action Area 1C, Newtown, Rajarhat, West Bengal 700156, India Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat is located about 10km from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Rajarhat/Newtown locality which is a bit far from city center. This is primarily a business hotel serving IT offices in the neighborhood as tourists would prefer staying closer to the city. Cash rates were very reasonable at around $40/night. There was no work desk in the room and the only way to work was using the sofa as well as a small portable table. The shower was pretty small …
Airline Reviews Reviews ThaiAirline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Bangkok (TG 923)
Flight: Thai Airways TG 923 from Frankfurt to Bangkok Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 11J(Window seat but with arm-rest facing window) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 87″, Seat width: 20 ” Thai Airways operates a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on Frankfurt-Bangkok route and this was the first time I was flying Thai Airways business class on a long-haul flight. The business class cabin had 2 cabins with seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration with all seats having direct aisle access. The window seats alternated between having the arm rest facing the aisle …
Airline Reviews Reviews UnitedAirline Review: United Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats and Open Suites) : San Francisco – Frankfurt (UA 926)
Flight: United Airlines UA 926 from San Francisco to Frankfurt Duration: 11 hours 10 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 1L(Window) Seat Specification: Open Suites, Seat pitch: 78″, Seat width: 22 ” I have flown United Business Class product a few times in the past ranging from the upper deck on a 747 (my first Business Class flight) to a 2 x 2 configuration on a Boeing 767-300 on Transatlantic route (IAH-MUC) to a 2 x 4 x 2 configuration on a Boeing 747 lower deck (FRA-SFO). This was my first time trying the real United Polaris product. Seatguru advertises …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Aloft San Francisco Airport
Aloft San Francisco Airport 401 E Millbrae Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030 Aloft San Francisco Airport is located right next to the SFO Airport with less than 5 minutes drive to the terminals. The hotel provides a complimentary 24 hour shuttle service which runs every 30 minutes. The hotel charges 40,000 Marriott points for a free night award. After landing at SFO airport and making my way to the hotel shuttle area, I did not have to wait longer than 10 minutes. I had arrived very early in the morning but luckily the front desk had an available room for me. …
Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel Review: Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road
Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road Ecospace Business Park, Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, India Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located near Kadubeesanahalli neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. Cash rates per night were quite reasonable for around 75$/night while next door Novotel or nearby Marriott properties were charging a bit over that. Room was very basic but the bed was comfortable. They also replenished 4 water bottles every day so that was nice. The breakfast buffet had wide variety of Indian items although they were repeated throughout the week. Thumbs up: Basic hotel for …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Fairfield Marriott Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located in Bellandur about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. There is another Marriott property (Courtyard by Marriott Outer Ring Road) right next door. When I stayed at the Fairfield, the front desk for this hotel was closed and was using the Courtyard front desk to check guests in. I stayed 2 nights here for 15,000 Marriott points/night. The 2 Marriott hotels are connected through a hallway and I would usually enter the Courtyard and …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Cessna Business Park Sarjapur – Marathahalli Outer Ring Road, Post, Kadubeesanahalli, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road is located in Marathalli – Bellandur neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. I stayed at the hotel for 2 nights @ 12,250 Marriott points/night (cash rate around 150$USD/night). Check-in was quick and fairly easy. Not sure why but they asked for my vaccination records(??), even though the front desk themselves were not wearing any masks. The room was clean and the bed very comfortable. I appreciated the welcome amenity of some cookies …
Airline Reviews Ethiopian Airlines ReviewsAirline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Addis Ababa – Dublin – Chicago (ET 574)
Flight: Ethiopian Airlines ET 574 from Addis Ababa to Chicago via Dublin (Only ground stop) Duration: 8 hrs (ADD – DUB), 7 hrs 30 mins (DUB – ORD) Equipment: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat: 2D – 2H (Middle row) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats Ethiopian Airlines alternates between Boeing 787-800 and 787-900 between Chicago and Addis Ababa. When Karen flew by herself between Chicago – Addis Ababa, it was the 787-800 with angled-flat seats. However, this time when we were both flying back to Chicago, we were lucky to have gotten the 787-9 with full lie-flat seats. The seats are still in …