Flight: EVA Air BR 206 from Bangkok to Taipei Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: A333 (Airbus 330-300) Class: Business (Premium Laurel) Seat: 8G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Angled Flat, Seat pitch: 62″. Seat width: 22″ EVA Airways flies different configurations on Bangkok – Taipei route. They fly Boeing 777-300 with Royal Laurel Business class with flat beds in 1-2-1 layout (which I flew in 2015) and also fly Airbus 300 with Premium Laurel Business class with angled flat seats in 2-2-2 layout (this flight). For a short flight as this one the difference in comfort was minimal. Flight attendant …
Airline Reviews EVA Airways ReviewsAirline Review: EVA Airways – Business Class (Airbus 330 with Angled Flat Seats) : Bangkok – Taipei(BR 206)
Airline Reviews Lufthansa ReviewsAirline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Bangalore (LH 754)
Flight: Lufthansa LH 754 from Frankfurt to Bangalore Aircraft: B748 (Airbus 747-800) Class: Business Seat: 5G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 64″. Seat width: 20″ Lufthansa operates a Boeing 747-800 on this route with 2 x 2 x 2 layout in Business Class downstairs and 2 x 2 upstairs. Since I was traveling by myself and opted for a middle row downstairs (for direct aisle access and having seatmate not climbing over mid-flight). For a 9 hour flight, Lufthansa was pretty generous in feeding us 2 full meals :). Lunch service started soon after …
Airline Reviews Lufthansa ReviewsAirline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Frankfurt(LH 457)
Flight: Lufthansa LH 457 from Los Angeles to Frankfurt Aircraft: B748 (Airbus 747-800) Class: Business Seat: 11D, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 64″. Seat width: 20″ Lufthansa operates a Boeing 747-800 on this route. To be frank, this is one of my favorite aircraft to travel on (because of upstairs). There are 8 rows of 2 x 2 x 2 configuration downstairs and 8 rows of 2 x 2 configuration upstairs in Business Class. I usually prefer the upstairs because its more cozy. However, I was traveling by myself and preferred the middle seats …
Airline Reviews Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel ReviewsHotel Review – Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chicago O’Hare South, IL
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chicago O’Hare South, IL 777 E Grand Ave, Bensenville, IL 60106 This Country Inn & Suites hotel (a Radisson property) is located about 7 km from O’Hare International Airport. The hotel provides complimentary airport shuttle once an hour (both for pickup and drop off). We were arriving at the airport and staying just 1 night in Chicago so this was a convenient option for us. The bed was not very comfortable and felt like it sagged in the middle. We tried the complimentary breakfast and the selection was quite limited. Thumbs up: Complimentary Breakfast …
Airline Reviews Iberia ReviewsAirline Review: Iberia – Business Class (Airbus 359 with Lie Flat Seats) : Madrid – Chicago (IB 6275)
Flight: Iberia IB 6275 from Madrid to Chicago Equipment: A359 (Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat: 3E – 3G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 78″. Seat width: 26″ Iberia used to operate this route using Airbus A346 in the past and recently upgraded it to an Airbus A359. The business class seats and configuration stayed the same with a 1-2-1 direct aisle access to all seats. The middle rows are better for families traveling together and we got the “honeymoon seats” where the middle seats are really close together and the arm rests face the …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center
Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center Av. de Aragón, 400, 28022 Madrid, Spain Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center is a Category 2 Marriott property located just 10 minutes away from Madrid Barajas International Airport. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle to and from the airport at set times (twice in an hour). We stayed at the hotel twice during our Europe trip, first at a cash rate (about $100 USD per night) and second time using points (12,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night). After clearing customs and immigration at the airport, I called the hotel front desk and …
Accor Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Ibis Moscow Domodedovo Airport
ibis Moscow Domodedovo Airport 40 km A-105 building 3, Moscow Oblast , 142046 ibis Moscow is one of the very few chain hotels located in the vicinity of Domodedovo Airport, in the outskirts of Moscow. It is located about 5 km from the airport and offers 24-hour complimentary shuttle service. We booked 2 rooms for 1 night at this hotel through Booking.com website. Check-in was quick and we were informed that the complimentary shuttle leaves for the airport twice an hour and to be at the front desk 10 minutes before scheduled time. The bathroom is very small, one of …
Hilton Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya
Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya Kalanchevskaya Street 21 40, Moscow, 107078, Russian Federation Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya is located right next to Leningradsky Railway station (where Sapsan trains from St. Petersburg terminates) as well as Komsomolskaya Metro stop (Line 1, Line 5). It is about 30 km from Sheremetyevo International Airport and 55 km from Moscow Domodedovo airport. The hotel building is one of the Seven Sisters skyscrapers of Moscow. We stayed 3 nights at this hotel using cash rates. The room was fairly large with plenty of space. The carpet could use a bit of cleaning though. Being Hilton Gold members, we …
Hotel Reviews IHG ReviewsHotel Review – Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg, Russia
Staybridge Suites Saint Petersburg Moskovsky Prospekt 97V St. Petersburg, 196084 Russia Staybridge Suites Saint Petersburg is located about 15 km from St. Petersburg International Airport (Pulkovo Airport). It is right next to Moskovskiye Vorota metro station making it very easy to connect to the city. It shares a walkway with another IHG property, Holiday Inn St. Petersburg – Moskovskye Vorota. We stayed here for 2 nights and booked the room using 25,000 IHG Rewards points per night. Based on the price of the hotel, it was an excellent redemption at the time. Check-in was quick and we were informed by …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel
Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel Brussels National Airport, Brussels 1930 Belgium Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel is located right opposite of Brussels International Airport (BRU) less than 5 minutes walk from Departures level. This is a Category 5 Marriott property costing 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. The view was nothing to write about (of airport parking lot!!). While staying at the hotel for the night, we walked over to the airport next door and had dinner in the food court. One thing to remember is the food court starts to close down after 8 PM. Thumbs up: Right next to Brussels …
Hilton Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Hilton Brussels Grand Place Hotel
Hilton Brussels Grand Place Hotel Carrefour de l Europe 3, Brussels, 1000, Belgium Hilton Brussels Grand Place hotel is located in the heart of Brussels, right opposite of Brussels Central station (just 2 minute walk across from the station). This means that the hotel is walking distance to most of Brussels attractions and anything that cannot be reached by foot can be accessed by the train station (as well as Metro stop) just across the hotel. This is one of the most outstanding hotels I have stayed in Europe (based purely from location standpoint). We booked 1 night at this …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – AC Hotel Diagonal L´Illa
AC Hotel Diagonal L´Illa Avinguda Diagonal, 555, 08029 Barcelona, Spain AC Hotel Diagonal L’llla is a Category 4 Marriott property located on the busy Avenida Diagonal street in the heart of Barcelona. We booked the hotel for 1 night at 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The cash rate for that particular night at this hotel (as well as the nearby Hilton Barcelona) was very high so represented a good value of points. I don’t particularly like carpet flooring so really liked the wooden flooring in the room. Thumbs up: Good location on busy Avendia Diagonal street in Barcelona with lots of …
Hilton Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Hilton Barcelona
Hilton Barcelona Avenida Diagonal 589-591, Barcelona, 08014, Spain Hilton Barcelona is located in the heart of Barcelona, only about a 4 minute cab ride from Camp Nou (FC Barcelona stadium). It is just 5 minute walk from Maria Cristina Metro stop (Line L3 Barcelona Metro). We booked one room with points and at that time it cost 50,000 Hilton HHonors points per night while another with cash ($160 USD per night after taxes). Thumbs up: Great location in the heart of Barcelona around a lot of dining options on Avenida Diagonal street Only 5 minutes walk to nearest metro stop …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review – Artiem Madrid
Artiem Madrid Calle Juan Perez Zuñiga, 20, 28027 Madrid, Spain While researching for various hotel options in Madrid on Tripadvisor, I came across Artiem Madrid hotel. It had a good cash rate (about $120 USD per night after taxes per room per night) along with a high rating on Tripadvisor (#3 as of booking the hotel). I went ahead and booked 2 rooms for 2 nights at this hotel. We showed up at the hotel from the airport at around 10 AM. The hotel is in a residential neighborhood and about 10 minutes walk to nearest metro stop Barrio de …
Airline Reviews Iberia ReviewsAirline Review: Iberia – Business Class (Airbus 340 with Lie Flat Seats) : Chicago – Madrid (IB 6274)
Flight: Iberia IB 6274 from Chicago to Madrid Equipment: A359 (Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat: 1E – 1G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 78″. Seat width: 26″ Iberia flies a couple of different aircraft types in this route (for example A340 and A350) and we got the fly the older A340-600 aircraft. The business class still features 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access to all seats. The middle rows are good for couples traveling together while the window seats are better for solo travelers. The odd number middle rows are next to each other …
Airline Reviews American ReviewsAirline Review: American Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787 with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Dallas (AA 71)
Flight: American Airlines AA 71 from Frankfurt to Dallas Equipment: B787 (Boeing 787-8) Class: Business Seat: 2 D & H (Middle row seats with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 60 “. Seat width: 21 ” American Airlines operates a Boeing 787-8 aircraft between Frankfurt and Dallas. There are 28 lie-flat seats with 1 – 2 – 1 configuration in Business class. Some seats are rear-facing while others are standard forward facing. Bottomline: Seat: ***** Service: *** Food: **** The seat was long, quite comfortable and even though it was a daytime flight, had no trouble sleeping …
Airline Reviews Etihad ReviewsAirline Review: Etihad Airways – Business Class (Boeing 787 with Lie Flat Seats) : Abu Dhabi – Frankfurt (EY 01)
Flight: Etihad Airways EY 01 from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt Equipment: B789(Boeing 787-9) Class: Business Seat: 11H & 5A (Rear facing and forward facing seat in aisle) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 73 “. Seat width: 22 ” Etihad operates twice daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt, both on Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Business class consists of 28 seats with 1 x 2 x 1 configuration. The seats are in staggered layout with the odd number rows facing the aisle (less privacy) while even numbers facing the window (more privacy). Service started with pre-departure beverage. We chose a refreshing lemon-mint drink. …
Hotel Reviews IHG ReviewsHotel Review – Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi 31st Street, between Muroor & Airport, P.O. Box 46668, Abu Dhabi There are a few IHG properties in Abu Dhabi but we chose the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi for its high ratings in Tripadvisor. Its important to remember that there are 2 Holiday Inn hotels in Abu Dhabi. This is the one that is “closer” to Abu Dhabi International Airport while the other one is the “downtown” hotel (and also called Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown). Both these hotels charge 25,000 IHG points per night for award redemption stays. We booked direct with IHG.com as we …
Hilton Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Residences Dubai Al Barsha
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Residences Dubai Al Barsha Al Barsha Road, Al Barsha P.O. Box 72584, Dubai, U.A.E Hilton has close to 20 properties in Dubai and it is easy to get overwhelmed by options. We were looking for a mid-price range property and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Residences Dubai Al Barsha fit the bill. It is located very close to Mall of Emirates (about 10 minutes walk due to all the construction going on around it). I had booked 4 nights at this hotel – first 3 using regular rate through Hilton website and last night …
Hotel Reviews IHG ReviewsHotel Review – Crowne Plaza Amman
Crowne Plaza Amman K. Faysal Ben Abdul Aziz St.، Amman, Jordan Crowne Plaza Amman is located in city of Amman about 35 km from Queen Alia International Airport. While I was researching accommodations in Amman for our upcoming trip, it was rated as #1 hotel in Amman on Tripadvisor. I booked 2 rooms at this hotel for 1 night for 20,000 IHG points each. Check-in was smooth and we were upgraded to a King room. We wanted to have dinner at the Cafe Vienna and it was smoke everywhere and no separate section for non-smokers. We ended up ordering from …