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Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Le Méridien Cairo Airport Cairo International Airport, Terminal 3 Cairo, Egypt Le Méridien Cairo Airport is a Category 2 SPG property located adjacent to the Terminal 3 of Cairo International Airport. It is attached to the airport building with a bridge that allows for a very reliable way to stay near the airport for short business stays. A reward night at this property costs 4000 SPG Starpoints (or 2000 SPG Starpoints + $35). We were arriving in Cairo from Luxor early in the morning (7:30 AM) and departing early next day (2:00 AM) onwards to Nairobi. I had already booked a …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

January 2016: Luxor Trip Report – Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon

Day 1:  We took the Hilton courtesy shuttle from the hotel to the entrance of the Karnak Temple. It gets hot pretty early in the day and so the earlier you go, the more comfortable the visit will be. After paying 80 EGP entrance fee, we were inside the complex. At the front entrance of the actual Karnak Temple lies the Avenue of Sphinx’s. A row of sphinx’s with head of a ram and body of a lion line the walkway to the entrance of the temple. After crossing the first pylon (entrance door), you are greeted with a courtyard with rows …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa Fondok Al Nile Helton, El-Karnak, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt Hilton Luxor is a category 4 Hilton property located on the banks of River Nile in the town of Karnak. It is located only 10 km away from the Luxor International airport and only a few minutes drive from the Karnak Temple. The hotel provides complimentary airport transfer shuttle for elite Hilton HHonors members. The hotel also has a shuttle that transports guests along the East Bank all the way up to Luxor Temple 6 times a day. A reward night at this property costs only …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Ramses Hilton Cairo

Ramses Hilton, Cairo, Egypt 1115 Corniche El Nile, Cairo, Egypt Ramses Hilton is a Catgory 2 Hilton property located on the banks of the Nile, only a 10 minute walk from the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (also commonly known as Egyptian Museum). This hotel costs only 10,000 Hilton HHonors points per award night. We arrived really late at night (around 2 AM). We had booked 2 rooms for a total of 4 guests. Check-in was very quick and the agent upgraded both the rooms from a regular King to King Deluxe (with River Nile views). Due to me and my …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

January 2016: Cairo Trip Report – Cairo Museum, Memphis, Saqqara, Giza Pyramids, The Sphinx, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo

We arrived at Cairo International Airport just past midnight. Immigration and customs was a breeze and pretty soon we were outside the terminal building. We were staying at the Ramses Hilton on the banks of Nile (close to Egyptian Antiquities Museum). I had researched various airport transfer options and based on Tripadvisor forum recommendations, I had opted for Cairo Airport Shuttle. The company operates 24/7 out of the airport and usually has the vehicles parked in the car lot outside the terminal. After confirming my prepaid booking, we were on our way to the hotel. Day 1: After waking up …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai Airways

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777 300 with Angled Flat Seats) : Seoul – Bangkok (TG 659)

Flight:  Thai Airways TG 659 from Seoul to Bangkok Duration: 5 hours 50 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 14A (Window) Seat Specification: Angled Flat seat, Seat pitch: 61.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” Disclaimer: This report is solely the work of Karen. MilesPointsTravel was not a traveler on this segment. Thai airways operates both Airbus 330-300 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft between Seoul and Bangkok. I have been on the Airbus 330-300 flight before and was glad to try a different aircraft this time. Thai Airways Business Class (Royal Silk) on this 777 aircraft features 34 Angled-flat seats in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. Frankly for …

Airline Reviews Asiana Reviews

Airline Review: Asiana Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777 200LR with Quadra Smartium Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Seoul (OZ 203)

Flight: Asiana Airlines OZ 203 from Los Angeles to Seoul Duration: 13 hours 20 minutes Aircraft: B772 LR (Boeing 777-200 LR) Class: Business Seat: 4 A, Window/Aisle Seat Specification: Full Lie Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 78″. Seat width: 21 ” MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  Asiana Airlines operates both an Airbus 380 (morning flight) as well as a Boeing 777-200LR (midnight flight) on the Los Angeles – Seoul route. Both the flights currently carry their Quadra Smartium seats with 1-2-1 seat configuration with direct aisle access for all seats. I …

Airline Reviews Cathay Pacific Reviews

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Airbus 330-300 with Lie Flat Seats) : Hong Kong – Bangkok (CX 615)

Flight:  Cathay Pacific CX 615 from Hong Kong to Bangkok Duration: 3 hours Aircraft: A333(Airbus 330-300) Class: Business Seat: 19A (single seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 82.0 “. Seat width: 20.2 ” When I went to select seats for the Hong Kong to Bangkok flight, I was pleased to find out that the short 3 hour flight was serviced by an Airbus 333 with lie-flat seats with reverse herringbone configuration in 1-2-1. I was able to select the backward cabin featuring only 3 rows instead of the forward main cabin with most of the seats are. For …

Airline Reviews Cathay Pacific Reviews

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Hong Kong (CX 881)

Flight:  Cathay Pacific CX 881  from Los Angeles to Hong Kong Duration: 15 hours 15 mins Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 19A (single seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” Cathay Pacific operates 4 daily flights out of Los Angeles to Hong Kong and all of them are on Boeing 777-300ER. The Business class features 51 flat bed seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration i.e. all seats have direct aisle access. The seats are all laid out in reverse herringbone pattern. The business class cabin is divided in 2 sections, …

Trip Summary

Dec’15 – Jan’16: India, Egypt and Kenya Trip – Introduction

Its that time of the year !! Time to go to India and see my family again. Last year, on our trip to India, me and my wife along with my parents did a short South-East Asia trip visiting Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phuket and Bali. This time we wanted to check off two items from our bucket list – Pyramids and African Safari. Yes, we have plans to go to Egypt (Cairo and Luxor) as well as Masai Mara Reserve close to Nairobi. I know that some folks might think its too risky and maybe even reckless to be visiting Egypt (especially …

Destination Trip Reports North America

November 2015: Tampa Trip Report

Me and Karen just did a quick weekend getaway trip to Tampa. Earlier this year, Spirit Airlines ran a couple of “hating an airline” promotions such as “Hate Thousand Miles” promotions during which both of us netted over 16,000 miles each. Free Spirit miles expire relatively sooner than all other airlines, and so I used them up for a free one-way flight from Los Angeles to Tampa this November. Why Tampa? Well, its Florida (our favorite vacation destination state in the US) and we have never been here before. We have been to Miami in 2009 before a Caribbean Cruise as well …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Hilton Curacao

Hilton Curacao Resort John F Kennedy Boulevard, Willemstad, 2133 Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles Hilton Curacao Resort is a Category 5 Hilton property located in Piscadera Bay, about 10 km away from Curacao International Airport. A free night at this property using Hilton HHonors points costs between 30,000 – 40,000 points per night. We arrived at the resort around 1 PM. Check-in was quick and the front desk agent upgraded us to an Executive Floor room facing the parking lot. He indicated that the North Sea Jazz festival was going on during our stay and our room would have a clear line …

Destination Trip Reports North America

September 2015: Curacao Trip Report

After visiting Aruba during September 2014 (exactly a year ago), we finally made our way to one of the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles – Curacao. Curacao has the same dry, desert climate as Aruba but is a larger island. Similar to Aruba, it is outside the hurricane belt in the Caribbean and therefore a good place to visit throughout the year. Our Itinerary: Flight: Ontario – Phoenix – Miami – Curacao on US Airways/American Airlines 4 Nights at Hilton Curacao Flight: Curacao – Miami on American Airlines and then Fort Lauderdale – Los Angeles on Southwest Airlines Day 1: After a red-eye …

Destination Trip Reports North America

July 2015: Cancun Trip Report with Day Trip to Mayan Ruins in Tulum

Me and Karen have been wanting to go to Cancun for a long time. I had read about its white, sandy beaches for the longest time and finally decided to make it over there during the 2015 Independence day long weekend. Day 1: We flew the Delta red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Cancun and arrived at the Cancun International Airport early morning. I had booked a round-trip airport transfer through Canada Transfers (one of the highest rated airport transfer company in the Cancun Tripadvisor forum). A representative of Canada Transfers was waiting for us when we cleared immigration and …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun

The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun Boulevard Kukulcan KM 20, Cancun, Quintana Roo, 77500, Mexico The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun is a Category 3 SPG property located at the lower end of the Zona Hotelara (Hotel Zone) in Cancun. The hotel is only 12 km from the airport and the first hotel one would come across when arriving at the hotel zone from the airport. A free night at the hotel costs 7,000 SPG points. We arrived at the hotel early in the morning as we were flying in red-eye from Los Angeles. The hotel front desk agent was very …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Four Points Sheraton Portland East

Four Points by Sheraton Portland East 1919 NE 181st Avenue Portland,Oregon 97230 Four Points by Sheraton Portland East is a Category 2 SPG property located about 10 miles away from Portland International Airport (and also 10 miles away from Portland downtown), less than half way between the airport and the various water-fall attractions on the Columbia River Gorge. A free night at the hotel costs only 4,000 SPG points. Check-in was quick. I requested the front desk agent for a late checkout on last day because our flight back to Los Angeles was departing in the early evening. She mentioned …

Destination Trip Reports North America

May 2015: Portland Trip Report

We spent the Memorial Day weekend over in Portland. We flew in early Saturday morning and were back home late Monday night. Me and Karen had been to Portland before in May 2013 and loved the natural surroundings as well as the large number of waterfalls in the area. This time we wanted to show my parents the area. Day 1:  We arrived late afternoon at Portland airport and picked up our rental car and drove to our hotel in east Portland. After checking in and freshening up we decided to visit the Portland Saturday Market. We had some trouble finding …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Caribe Hilton, San Juan

Caribe Hilton 1 San Geronimo St, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico The Caribe Hilton is a Category 6 Hilton property located by the Condado Lagoon area of San Juan. The hotel is located about 15 minutes from the international airport (Luiz Munoz Marin Airport) and costs approximately $22 one way by cab (luggage charges extra). Since we were staying in San Juan for just a night after returning from our 7 Night Carnival Cruise, I had booked only 1 room (2 Double Bed Room) for the 4 of us for 50,000 points. Check-in was quick. Karen has Hilton HHonors Gold status and since the booking …

Cruises Destination Trip Reports

May 2015 – Trip Report (in pictures) of dining on-board Carnival Liberty

During our 7 Night Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Liberty, we got to sample different types and flavors of food that we don’t get to experience in our day-to-day lives. From exotic items like frog legs and ox tongue to regular fare such as grilled salmon and flat bread, it was a feast lasting a week. So before any delay, let’s start our food porn aboard Carnival Liberty. Night #1: Night #2: Night #3: Night #4: Night #5: Night #6: Night # 7:

Cruises Destination Trip Reports

May 2015: Port of Call – St. Maarten: Visiting Maho Beach and Mullet Bay

The last port of call for the Caribbean Cruise was the island of St. Maarten. The island holds the record of the smallest island governed by 2 countries (Netherlands and France). The cruise ship docks in the dutch side of the island, close to Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Karen and my parents decided to go shopping at this port so I went out on my own. After disembarking, I made my way to the ferry terminal by the cruise port and bought a day pass for $7 which allows unlimited trips by the ferry. The ferry trip from the cruise terminal to …