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Airline Reviews Asiana Reviews

Airline Review: Asiana Airlines – Business Class (Fully Flat Quadra Smartium seats) : Incheon – San Francisco

Flight: Asiana Airlines OZ 214 from Incheon to San Francisco Equipment: 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 ” Two words. Quadra Smartium.  Since this trip was my first time ever in international business class it was very easy to get amazed by the ample legroom, meal on actual plates, mostly angle and sometimes lie-flat seats and of course access to business class lounges. But even then, something tells me that it would be a while before I am going to have a business class …

Airline Reviews Asiana Reviews

Airline Review: Asiana Airlines – Business Class (Angled Flat seats) : Los Angeles – Incheon – Los Angeles (OZ 201 and OZ 202)

Flight: Asiana Airlines OZ 201  from LAX to Incheon and Asiana Airlines OZ 202 from Incheon to LAX Aircraft: B748  (Boeing 747-800) Class: Business Seat:  9A (Upper deck, Window) Seat Specification: Angled-Flat, 170 degree recline, Seat pitch: 60″, Seat width:  20″ Note: This review is based on flights that Karen took by herself. While returning together from our Maldives trip, we went separate ways from ICN. She took the OZ 202 to LAX and I took OZ 214 to SFO.  Asiana Airlines operates a Boeing 747 in this long haul route. This would be my first time in the upper deck of a …

Airline Reviews Reviews Singapore Airlines

Airline Review: Singapore Airlines – Business Class (Angled Flat seats) : Singapore – Incheon (SQ 602)

Flight:  Singapore Airlines SQ 602 from Singapore to Incheon Equipment: 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 runs an A333 in this mid-haul route. There are 30 Angle Lie Flat seats in this cabin with 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. After boarding, we were offered champagne/water/orange juice for pre-departure beverage. We were planning on ordering some Singapore Slings after takeoff so we decided to go with water for now. We were also offered the lunch menu choices. Since this flight originated from Singapore …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2013: Maldives Trip Report – Day 4

Since this was the last day of our stay at the resort, we wanted to make the most of it. Because our flight left at around 11 PM, the front desk notified us that we had complimentary late checkout till 2 PM and after that we could leave our luggage at the reception and leave on the last outbound speedboat at 8 PM. We went to the beach early to spend at least 3-4 hours swimming. Pretty soon it was lunchtime. We went back to our room and took a shower and then headed to the Bokkuraa Club. After lunch, …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2013: Maldives Trip Report – Day 3

On Day 3, we woke up early and had a quick breakfast. Karen had signed up for a complimentary snorkeling trip at the house reef . The trip starts at 9:30 AM and snorkeling gear rent is free for the trip. There were about 8 people on the boat plus the 3 man crew and 1 instructor.  It takes only about 10 minutes to get to the house reef which is somewhere between the Kandooma resort and the Cocoa resort. The snorkeling trip lasted about 2 hours and then we were back on the island. We decided to walk some …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2013: Maldives Trip Report – Day 2

We woke up early and Karen decided to make some freshly brewed coffee using the french press in the room. The resort is pretty expensive when it comes to food. We brought some breakfast snacks like cake, dry indian sweets, chips, crackers for breakfast supplies for the 4 days we were here. We only ate at the restaurants for lunch and dinner.   After breakfast we decided to walk some more around the island. After walking and taking lots of pictures for about 2 hours we decided to go to the poolside. Karen had signed up for a complimentary basic …

Asia Destination Trip Reports

January 2013: Maldives Trip Report – Day 1

We arrived at the resort by speedboat from Male around noon. After an expedited check-in we were shown our sea-view beach house. After freshening up we decided to do a quick tour around the island. You can walk around the entire island in about 20 minutes. Since we are after all in the tropics, pretty soon we were dying to get into the water to cool off. The water is warm and clear with almost no waves in the swimming areas. After spending about an hour or two (who counts time during vacation? :)) we decided to move to the pool. After …

Hotel Reviews IHG Reviews

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, Maldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives Holiday Inn Resort, Kandooma Fushi, South Male Atoll, 00000, Maldives We stayed for 3 nights and 4 days at this Holiday Inn resort using our Priority Club points. Following redemption options are available for stay with points Free award night – 25,000 Priority Club points (currently devalued to 35,000 points/night) Cash + Points: 30,000 Priority Club points + $30 USD or 25,000 Priority Club points + $70 USD per night The resort charges $189 USD + taxes /person for shared speedboat round-trip transfers to the resort. Upon arrival at the airport from our overnight stay at the Fuana …

Hotel Reviews Independent 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 Airways

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 Airways

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

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 …