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

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

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 …

Cruises Destination Trip Reports

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

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 Reviews

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 …

Cruises Destination Trip Reports

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: …