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Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain Reviews

Hotel Review: Fuana Inn, Hulhumale Island, Maldives

Fuana Inn Hulhumale’ Beach Road Plot No.10107, Hulhumale Since we were arriving at Male International Airport  (also called Ibrahim Nasir International Airport) close to midnight on our Singapore Airlines flight, we had decided to spend the night at a local hotel and then go to the Holiday Inn Kandooma resort next day. Searching through Tripadvisor and Hotels.com, I came across this small hotel approximately 15 minutes from the airport. For 1 night, I would definitely advise all visitors to stay on the same island as the airport rather than in Male. You would have to take a ferry to the city …

Airline Reviews Reviews Singapore Airlines

Airline Review: Singapore Airlines – Business Class (Angled Flat seats) : Singapore – Male – Singapore (SQ 451 and SQ 452)

Flight:  Singapore Airlines SQ 452 from Singapore to Male and Singapore Airlines SQ 451 from Male to Singapore Aircraft: A333 (Airbus 330-300) Class: Business Seat: 12 H (Window), 12 K (Aisle) Seat Specification: Angle Lie Flat, Seat pitch: 60.0 “. Seat width: 24.5 ” Singapore Airlines operates Airbus 330 in this mid haul route between Singapore and Male with flight duration of around 4.5 hours. There are 30 business class seats in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. To view the cabin layout and seat pictures, here is the flight review for the Singapore Airlines CCU – SIN flight with same Airbus 330 cabin and …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2013: Singapore Transit Trip + Flashback from 2007 Singapore Transit Trip

On our way to Maldives we had a long connection in Singapore. Since we had already taken advantage of the free guided tour of Singapore arranged by Changi airport in 2007, we decided to venture out on our own. This time we wanted to see the Skypark at the somewhat recently opened Marina Bay Sands Hotel, billed as the most expensive standalone casino property of the world. We found out that one of the best ways to get to the MBS is to take the East – West line (in green) from Changi Airport and then switch to Circle line …

Airline Reviews Reviews Singapore Airlines

Airline Review: Singapore Airlines – Business Class (Angled Flat seats) : Kolkata – Singapore (SQ 517)

Flight:  Singapore Airlines SQ 517 from Kolkata to Singapore Aircraft: A333 (Airbus 330-300) Class: Business Seat: 12 H (Window), 12 K (Aisle) Seat Specification: Angle Lie Flat, Seat pitch: 60.0 “. Seat width: 24.5 ” Singapore Airlines operates Airbus 330 in this mid haul route between Kolkata and Singapore with flight duration of around 4 hours. There are 30 business class seats in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. As soon as we boarded the aircraft we were struck by the nice color scheme in the business class. The light brown leather contrasted well with the walls. The seats were wide and very comfortable. …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Recliner seats) : Bangkok – Kolkata

Flight: Thai Airways TG 313 from Bangkok to Kolkata Aircraft: A333 (Airbus 330-300) Class: Business Seat: 14 E, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Recliner, 138 degree recline, Seat pitch: 50 “. Seat width: 20 ” Thai Airways operates an Airbus 300 on this short-haul route between Bangkok and Kolkata. The flight time is only around 2 hours 30 minutes so a recliner seat gets the job done here. Right after boarding, I was offered pre-departure beverage of orange juice/grape juice/water. No champagne? Bummer !! Karen: They offered us champagne for pre-departure beverage. Maybe the wheels came off the wagon on my husband’s flight. Next came …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Angled Flat seats) : Incheon – Bangkok

Flight: Thai Airways TG 657 from Incheon (Seoul) to Bangkok Aircraft: B772 (Boeing 777-200) Class: Business Seat: 16A (window); 14A (window) Seat Specification: Angled Flat,170 degree recline. Seat pitch: 61.0 “. Seat width: 21.5 ” Thai Airways operates a Boeing 777 for ICN to BKK mid-haul route. There are a total of 30 business class seats with 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. Me and Karen both flew this flight separately about 2 weeks apart. Right after boarding, the cabin crew were offering champagne for pre-departure beverage. I opted for an orange juice since I had a few drinks at the Asiana lounge earlier.Karen: They …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

December 2012: 24 Hours in Bangkok

I was actually only in Bangkok for 22 hours but who’s counting? 🙂 I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at around 1 am in the morning. First thing was a short trip to the currency exchange counter at the airport. I have read that you get a better exchange rate at the city counters or withdrawing cash from ATM’s but I was in no mood to maximize the currency rate. However, one thing I would definitely advise everyone is to avoid currency exchange counters at US airports. The USD-THB exchange rate at LAX was about 15% higher than what was offered …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Aloft Bangkok

Aloft Bangkok 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Sukhumvit Road,Bangkok 10110, Thailand Aloft Bangkok is a hip, modern, upscale hotel in the heart of Bangkok on Sukhumvit soi 11, right off the street from the BTS Nana station. For those interested staying in this hotel using points, here is what you need to know. Category 1 SPG property SPG Free Nights Redemption: 2000 – 3000 Starpoints/ night (based on dates and availability SPG Cash & Points Redemption: 1200 Starpoints + $25 USD (subject to availability) The hotel is located in a busy Soi 11 street off of Sukhumvit road. It is a 3 …

Airline Reviews Reviews United

Airline Review: United Airlines – Business Class (Fully Flat beds) : San Francisco – Incheon

Flight: United Airlines UA 893 from San Francisco to Incheon (Seoul) Equipment: B744 (Boeing 747-400) Class: Business Seat: 15 A (Upper deck, Window, Rear facing seat) Seat Specification: Full Lie Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 74.0 “. Seat width: 23.5 ” United operates a 747-400 in SFO – ICN route. The flight leaves in the morning from SFO and arrives at ICN at evening next day (both local times). The flight duration is around 11 hours 30 minutes. This was my first business class experience and I wanted to make the most of it. I had selected seat 15 A which is …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Marriott Courtyard Solana Beach/Del Mar

Marriott Courtyard Solana Beach/Del Mar 717 South Highway 101, Solana Beach, California 92075 USA This is a category 5 hotel located about half a block from the Del Mar North Beach on Highway 101 very close to the famous Del Mar racetrack. The exterior of the hotel looks pretty unimpressive but inside is a different story. The lobby area looks real cool with lots of modern style furnishings. The business center is in main lobby area with 3 computers and a fax/copier. Complimentary coffee/tea with snacks is available in the evenings. The center courtyard features a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Ventura Beach Marriott

Ventura Beach Marriott 2055 Harbor Blvd., Ventura, California 93001 USA It is a Category-5 property located in the city of Ventura Beach about 200 yards from the San Buenaventura State Beach. The property looks very well maintained. It has a very nice courtyard in the middle with lots of plants and a nice waterfall. It looks like they imported an oasis in there. The courtyard also features a smallish size heated swimming pool (open till 10 pm) and a Jacuzzi. The back lobby looks pretty swanky. The business center is right next to the check-in area with 3 computers. It …

Destination Trip Reports North America US, Canada, Mexico

October 2012: Weekend Trip to Ventura and Del Mar, California

Me and Karen took a weekend trip to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary last weekend. Wow!! It’s been 5 years already? How time flies…. We had originally planned a 4 day weekend getaway to Fort Lauderdale, Florida but after seeing the thunderstorm ravaged 14 day weather forecast, we decided to cancel our airline and hotel bookings and attempt a local getaway instead. Thank goodness I had booked the flights on Southwest which has a zero penalty cancellation policy!! The AAA rate at the Marriott is a refundable rate so no problem there either. We wanted to stay two nights at …

Restaurant Reviews Reviews

Restaurant Review: SkyCity Restaurant, Seattle

One of the Seattle attractions is the restaurant at the top of the Needle called SkyCity restaurant.  Since we were here, we were not going to miss the opportunity to try this place out. The check-in for the restaurant is at the entrance where the gift shops are at the ground floor. After a little gift shop browsing it was time to go up the super fast elevator. The Needle is 605 ft tall and it takes about 45 seconds to get from the bottom to the top. Since we were a bit early, we were given a buzzer and …

Destination Trip Reports North America US, Canada, Mexico

September 2012 – Seattle Trip Report

Me and Karen decided to go for a quick Seattle trip over the Labor day weekend. I have always wanted to see the Space Needle up close and since we live on the west coast, the flight was going to be nice and short. The idea was to fit in a trip without having to take any extra days off from work. Flights: I had booked my ticket about 2 months out on Southwest and added Karen’s ticket for just $5 with my Southwest Companion pass. I did not pay for early bird check-in and got C group boarding. The …

Destination Trip Reports North America US, Canada, Mexico

May 2012 – San Francisco – Lake Tahoe – Solvang Trip Report

Me and Karen along with my parents went on a long weekend trip up north to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day weekend (Road trip!). Day 1: We took a 6 hour drive from my home in southern California to San Francisco. Since we were planning on driving down PCH on our way back, we took the 5 freeway for faster timing on our way north. We saw lots of vineyards on both sides of the freeway along with some other trees and plants while passing through Central California. There are lots of opportunities to stop at various …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront

This category 6 Marriott property is located in Miami Beach on Collins Avenue, with an oceanview. There is a small pool and a jacuzzi at the back. Towels were provided for hotel guests at the pool. It also has a cute little tiki bar at the back of the hotel, just past the pool, that seemed pretty crowded all throughout our stay. There is a wood planked boardwalk that runs between all the hotels and the beach (bring your sandals, don’t want to get splinters). You can gain entry to the beach by walking through these, or along the side …

Caribbean Cruises Destination Trip Reports North America

May 2012 – 5 Day Caribbean Cruise

When looking for something exciting yet relaxing to do for my parents visit to the U.S., me and Karen decided on a 5 day cruise out of Miami. My parents had never been on a cruise before so I wanted an itinerary that included places I’d travelled before. We decided to stick with the last cruise Karen and I had taken in the Bahamas, so that there were no surprises when we showed up with our first-time cruisers. Itinerary: Flight: LAX – MIA: US Airways Hotel (1 night): Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront, Collins Avenue Cruise: Carnival Destiny Day 1: Depart …

Cruises Destination Trip Reports US, Canada, Mexico

September 2010 – 7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise

We went on a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise with Carnival. One big advantage of this cruise is that because it is from Long Beach, people like us who live in the west coast (specifically California) don’t have to pay money on airfare and hotel. Just drive down to the Long Beach Cruise ship terminal, park your car, and off you go. The itinerary of the cruise trip was: Day 1: Depart Long Beach Day 2: Day at sea Day 3: Day at sea Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Day 5: Mazatlan, Mexico Day 6: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Day …

Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain

Hotel Review: Circa 39, Miami Beach

Circa 39 Hotel 3900 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 This boutique hotel is located in Miami Beach on Collins Avenue (right across the street of the Marriott Courtyard, Miami Beach). There are plenty of boutique hotels in this area but this stands out because of its retro interior style and good location. The hotel has a very convenient location. You cross the Collins Avenue and take the narrow street beside the Marriott and reach the boardwalk. Cross that and you are at the beach. Takes less than 1 minute to get from the hotel premises to the sand. The …

Caribbean Cruises Destination Trip Reports North America

July 2009 – 5 Day Caribbean Cruise

After our 1st cruise ever (3 day Mexico Cruise) I was hooked. We decided to try a different itinerary, a Caribbean cruise this time. We had never been to Caribbean before and those beautiful, white, sandy beaches tempted us to book a 5 day Caribbean cruise leaving Miami. Itinerary: Flight: LAX – MIA: Continental Airlines Hotel (1 night): Circa 39, Miami Beach Cruise: Carnival Destiny Day 1: Depart Miami Day 2: Day at sea Day 3: Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands Day 4: Half Moon Cay ( Private Island) Day 5: Nassau, Bahamas Day 6: Arrive Miami Flight: MIA – LAX: …