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Hotel Reviews Reviews Wyndham

Hotel Review: Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside, Bangkok

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside 2074 Charoenkrung Road, Bangkorlaem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside is a Wyndham property located on the banks of Chao Phraya river in the heart of Bangkok. A free night at this hotel costs only 5500 Wyndham Rewards points and is probably one of the better redemptions of this program. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle boat service to the nearby BTS Skytrain station as well as the Central Pier as well as a complimentary tuk-tuk service to nearby Asiatique market. On arrival we were offered warm towels and a delicious lychee welcome drink. The front …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2015: Bangkok Trip Report

 Day 1: We arrived at the Don Meuang International airport from our Air Asia flight from Bali around evening time. We took a cab to our hotel Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside. By the time we checked into our hotel and freshened up it was already dark and time for dinner. We took the hotel tuktuk to the neighboring Asiatique Night Market. The Asiatique night market is located next to the Chao Phraya river (and approximately a 10 minute walk from the hotel). There are a huge number of shopping and dining options here. Even if you are not interested in …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua

Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Kawasan Pariwisata Lot SW1 Nusa Dua Bali 80363 Indonesia Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua is a Category 4 Marriott property located about 8 miles from Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. A free night at this resort currently costs 20,000 Marriott points (15,000 points for Pointsavers redemptions). Check-in was quick. The front desk agent informed me that they had gotten a call from the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort the previous day and were notified that my wife’s birthday was during my stay here and therefore they had arranged a cake for her. I was very happy to hear …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort Jalan Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Bali, 80361, Indonesia Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is a Category 3 SPG property located right on the very popular Kuta Beach and only 3.5 miles from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. The hotel is actually located across the street from Kuta Beach. An SPG free night at this resort costs only 7000 SPG points and Cash + Points rewards go for 3500 SPG points + $ 55 USD per night. We used the latter option when we stayed at this resort. As soon as we arrived at the resort, after entering through a …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2015: Bali Trip Report

Day 1: We arrived at Ngurah Rai International Airport at Bali around 10 in the morning by Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur. I had already booked Sanny from Sanny Bali Tours for our 2 days stay in Bali to drive us around in his Toyota van. He came highly recommended by the posters in Tripadvisor Bali forum. Sanny was waiting in arrival hall for us and after a brief stop to pick up some local currency, he drove us to our hotel (Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort). After checking in and freshening up, we had lunch at a local cafe. Next we …

Hotel Reviews IHG Reviews

Hotel Review: Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur

 Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur 165 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 50450, Malaysia This five star hotel is located right beside the Ampang Park Light Rail Transit (LRT) station on Kelana Jaya Line. This hotel is a very good option for those wanting to walk to the Petronas Towers as its only a 10 minutes walking distance away from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). When checking in, the IHG Guest services agent offered to upgrade us to an Executive Lounge floor at a steep cost (if my memory serves me right, it was something like $80 USD per room) which we declined. …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

 Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur is an SPG Category 3 property located right beside the Kuala Lumpur Sentral train station, the largest train station in South East Asia. A free night at this hotel costs 7000 SPG points per night and Cash + Points currently go for 3500 SPG points + $55 USD. The non-refundable prepaid rate for this hotel was going for only $ 97 USD for the dates we were traveling and so I did not redeem any SPG points for …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2015: Kuala Lumpur Trip Report

Day 1: We arrived at Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia early in the morning. After passing immigration and customs, we made our way to the Air Asia Skybus desk. We were staying at the Le Meridien right on KL Sentral train station and I had booked an airport transfer from KLIA2 terminal to KL Sentral on Air Asia Skybus for 9 RM/person one way. One can take the KLIA Express to the same train station or take a cab but since we were in no rush, the bus seemed the best option for us. Pretty soon we were on our …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai Airways

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Airbus 330-300 with Angled Flat Seats) : Bangkok – Kolkata (TG 313)

Flight:  Thai Airways TG 313 from Bangkok to Kolkata Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Aircraft: A333(Airbus 330-300) Class: Business (Royal Silk) Seat: 14E (Middle Aisle) Seat Specification: Angled Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 58.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” Disclaimer:  Me and Karen flew this route on two different dates. I have combined our pictures on this review. Thai Airways operates the newer reconfigured A330 (with angled-flat seats) on this route now compared to the older versions (with recliner seats) that I flew 2 years ago. For such a short-haul flight (2.5 hours), the difference in experience is not that much significant. After boarding, the stewardess …

Airline Reviews EVA Airways Reviews

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Royal Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Taipei – Bangkok (BR 67)

Flight:  EVA Air BR67 from Taipei to Bangkok Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business (Royal Laurel Class) Seat: 2K (Window) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 26 ” EVA Air operates both Royal Laurel Class (on B77W aircraft) as well as Premium Laurel Class (on A332 aircraft) on this route. My husband planned my itinerary so that I would be able to fly the 77W with Royal Laurel Class (with Flat bed seats) instead of Premium Laurel (with angled flat seats). The Royal Laurel class consists of 38 Flat bed seats with 1-2-1 configuration just …

Airline Reviews EVA Airways Reviews

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Royal Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Los Angeles – Taipei (BR 1)

Flight:  EVA Air BR1 from Los Angeles to Taipei Duration: 13 hours 55 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business (Royal Laurel Class) Seat: 2A (Window) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 26 ” Disclaimer: This airline review was solely the work of my wife Karen. I was not a traveler on this flight. I was really excited about this flight as it was my first ever flight on a true flat-bed product. My husband has already had enjoyed 3 true-flat bed Business class product in the past few years (namely on United, Asiana and Singapore) so it was my turn now. 🙂 …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai Airways

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 747-400 with Angled Flat Seats) : Hong Kong – Bangkok (TG 607)

Flight: Thai Airways TG 607 from Hong Kong to Bangkok Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes Aircraft: B744 (Boeing 747-400) Class: Business (Royal Silk) Seat: 12A (Window, Upper Deck) Seat Specification: Angled Flat, Seat pitch: 60.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” Thai Airways operates multiple configurations of Boeing 747 and the specific configuration that operates on the Bangkok – Hong Kong route has the newer angled-flat seats instead of the old recliner seats. Last time I flew on the upper deck of the 747 was a couple of years back on a United Airlines flight 893 from San Francisco – Incheon. Soon after boarding the aircraft, …

Airline Reviews EVA Airways Reviews

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Airbus 330-200 with Angled Flat Seats) : Taipei – Hong Kong (BR 867)

Flight:  EVA Air BR 867 from Taipei to Hong Kong Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes Aircraft: A332(Airbus 330-200) Class: Business (Premium Laurel) Seat: 7A (Window) Seat Specification: Angled-Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 61.0 “. Seat width: 22 ” EVA Air operates an Airbus 332 (and occasionally an MD-90) in Taipei – Hong Kong route. The business class (Premium Laurel) on the A332 consists of 24 angled-flat seats in 2-2-2 configuration over 4 rows. The charging port is located below the armrest at a very awkward angle and it took me a while to get the plug inside there. Before takeoff we were given menu for …

Airline Reviews EVA Airways Reviews

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Royal Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Los Angeles – Taipei (BR 15)

Flight:  EVA Air BR 15 from Los Angeles to Taipei Duration: 13 hours 55 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business (Royal Laurel Class) Seat: 2K (Window) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 26 ” EVA Air joined the Star Alliance in June 2013. They operate the newly configured Business Class (Royal Laurel Class) as well as old configuration (Premium Laurel Class). The Royal Laurel Class features 38 fully flat beds in reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 pattern. All three daily flights between Los Angeles and Taipei feature this product. Passengers for EVA Air can use the Star Alliance Lounge at the Tom …

Trip Summary

Dec’14 – Jan’15: India and SE Asia Trip – Introduction

Its December again which means its Vacation Time !! This trip I am leaving for India 10 days before Karen and will spend some alone time with my family before Karen will join me. During the second week of January, we will be going on a 9 day trip to South East Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand) with my parents. I have been to both Bangkok and Phuket before (Bangkok trip report and Phuket trip report) but it would be the first time for Karen and my parents. There will be a lot of trip reports, airline reviews and hotel reviews following this trip. Airline …

Hotel Reviews IHG Reviews

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino

Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino – Aruba J.E. Irausquin Blvd 230, Noord, Aruba Holiday Inn Resort is located in the High-Rise area, right on Palm Beach. It is located about 2 hotels down from the Radisson Resort on the same beach. A free night at this hotel costs 30000 IHG rewards points. Just before our stay, IHG was running a 50% off points promotion and I switched our reward night booking to Points + Money booking (70$ + 2500 points). Since the rooms go for about $180/night – $300/night, I was pretty happy with this redemption. The …

Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81, Noord, Aruba Radisson resort is the lone Club Carlson property in Aruba. It is located next to the all inclusive Riu resort on Palm Beach in the High-Rise area. A free night at this resort costs 50,000 and 75,000 Club Carlson points for standard room award and premium room award respectively. We arrived at just after 1 pm and check-in was fairly quick. Front desk agent told us she upgraded us to an oceanview king deluxe room. As a Club Carlson gold member, we are not eligible for complimentary breakfast …

Destination Trip Reports North America

September 2014: Aruba Trip Report

We visited Aruba for a weekend trip in September. I have always wanted to go to this small Caribbean island (located less than 20 miles off the coast of Venezuela). Lying outside the hurricane belt, this dry, desert island is perfect to visit any time of the year. Our Itinerary: Flight: Los Angeles – Orlando on Delta Airlines and Orlando – Queen Beatrix Airport, Aruba on Southwest 2 Nights at Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa 1 Night at Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino Flight: Queen Beatrix Airport, Aruba – Orlando on Southwest and Orlando – …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Hilton Dublin Airport

Hilton Dublin Airport Northern Cross, Malahide Rd, Dublin, D17, Ireland Hilton Dublin Airport is a Category 4 Hilton property located less than 10 minutes drive from the Dublin International Airport. A free night at this hotel costs 20,000 – 30,000 Hilton HHonors points. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service between the airport and the hotel. However, it is not a 24 hour shuttle service (the website does not make any mention of it). We found out the hard way when we arrived at the Dublin airport at close to 11 PM (partly due to the 1 hour airline delay) and after reaching …

Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel, Paris Trocadero

Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel, Paris Trocadero 117 rue de Lauriston, 75116, Paris, France Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel is located in the Paris Trocadero area. It is about 8 minutes walking distance from the Trocadero Metro station (Metro Line 6 and 9) and 15 minutes walking distance from the Eiffel Tower. This is a true boutique hotel with eclectic interior decoration and furnishings. This hotel is the home of the Le Dokhan’s Bar, the oldest champagne bar in the city of Paris. A free night at this hotel now requires 70,000 Club Carlson points (for standard room) and 105,000 Club Carlson …