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Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing 97 Jinbao Street,Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005 Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing, a property of Carlson Rezidor Hotel group is located close to the Wangfujing shopping area of Beijing. The hotel has two subway stations within close walking distance – Dongsi subway station and Dengshikou subway station. The Dengshikou subway station entrance by the Regent Hotel (next to Park Plaza) is only a few steps away and gives access to most of tourist attractions in Beijing. A free night at the Park Plaza Wangfujing costs 44,000 Club Carlson points. Since I considered this price to be too steep considering the cost …

Airline Reviews Delta Reviews

Airline Review – Delta Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 767-300 with Lie Flat seats): Seattle – Beijing (DL 129)

Flight:  Delta  DL 129 from Seattle to Beijing Duration: 11 hours 50 minutes Aircraft: B763(Boeing 767-300) Class: Business Seat: 1C-1D (Middle Rows) Seat Specification: Flatbed seat, Seat pitch: 76.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” Delta operates a Boeing 767-300 on Seattle – Beijing route with a 26 Flat bed Business Class in 1-2-1 configuration. I was happy to have redeemed a total of 280,000 Skymiles for this one-way trip for 4 of us. I had forgotten to select seats and after arriving in Seattle the agent assigned me and Karen 1 C-D (first middle row) and my parents 7 C-D (last middle row). Compared to other business …

Trip Summary

May-June 2016: China, Japan, Hong Kong Trip – Introduction

After my parents short 2 week visit in the USA, we went on a 2 week trip to China, Japan and Hong Kong. Our itinerary included Beijing in China and Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka in Japan and Hong Kong.   Here are the trip reports I will be posting over the coming weeks. Airline Review: Delta Airlines Business Class – Seattle to Beijing Trip Report: Beijing, China Hotel Review: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing Hotel Review: Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel Trip Report: Tokyo, Japan Hotel Review: Hilton Tokyo (Shinjuku) Trip Report: Kyoto, Japan Trip Report: Osaka, Japan Hotel Review: Nikko Hotel Kansai Airport Hotel Review: ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto …

Airline Reviews KLM Reviews

Airline Review: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Amsterdam – Los Angeles (KL 601)

Flight:  KLM  KL 601 from Amsterdam to Los Angeles Duration: 11 hours 5 minutes Aircraft: B744(Boeing 747-400) Class: Business Seat: 1J-1K (Window-Aisle) Seat Specification: Flatbed seat, Seat pitch: 63.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” I knew what to expect in the lower deck of the 747 KLM business class after traveling in it for the first time just a few hours earlier on Nairobi to Amsterdam flight. After boarding I took a few quick pictures of the cabin and me and Karen got seated. I really liked the 1A seat but it only is suitable for solo travelers. Soon after sitting down, the flight attendant came by …

Airline Reviews KLM Reviews

Airline Review: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Nairobi – Amsterdam (KL 566)

Flight:  KLM  KL566 from Nairobi to Amsterdam Duration: 8 hours 15 minutes Aircraft: B744(Boeing 747-400) Class: Business Seat: 1J-1K (Window-Aisle) Seat Specification: Flatbed seat, Seat pitch: 63.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” I had booked our return flight from Nairobi back to USA on KLM using Delta Skymiles. I had never flown KLM before but knew that both segments were on the Boeing 747 which featured the newly redesigned business class with flatbed seats instead of old angled flat. I had selected seats on the lower deck because of good reviews of the 2J-2K seats although in hindsight I should have selected upper deck cabin for at …

Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi

Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill Elgon Road 00100 Nairobi Kenya Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi is a brand new Carlson Rezidor property located about 15 km from the Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The property opened late 2015 and costs 44,000 Club Carlson points for a free award night (for standard room and 66,000 for Business Class room which includes breakfast for two) As soon as you arrive at the hotel property, there is a security checkpoint and after crossing the checkpoint you enter the main hotel. The bathroom is pretty nice with a walk-in shower (no bathtub). One of …

Hotel Reviews Independent Reviews

Hotel Review: Sarova Mara Game Camp, Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

Sarova Mara Game Camp Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya We stayed at the Sarova Mara Game Camp through our package tour (2 Night – 3 Day Masai Mara Safari) with Natural World Kenya Safaris. The tour operator’s website listed Sarova Mara Camp along with 4 other lodging options under “Luxury Lodging” option along with other lodges under “Standard Lodging” and “Economy Tented Camp” option. After reading the numerous rave reviews of the Sarova Mara Camp on Tripadvisor, I was sold and went with this one. Unlike some other game camps, Sarova Mara camp is located inside the boundary of the …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

January 2016: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Safari Trip Report

For our 3 day – 2 night Masai Mara safari trip, we chose Natural World Kenya Safaris. There are a large number of safari operators in Masai Mara and we researched around for a while. We chose this operator based on outstanding reviews on Tripadvisor as well as fairly transparent pricing on their website. The safari representative we were corresponding with (Mr. Humphrey) was very responsive via email. Another option we liked about this operator was that you could make safari payments online with credit card. After arriving at the Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we were met by Mr. …

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 …