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Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review – Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport

Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport Vip Road Opposite Kochi International Airport, Kochi, Kerala 683572, India Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport is located just across the Kochi International Airport. Although the drive takes less than 3 minutes, to walk from the airport to the hotel would be a challenge due to the busy road between. Good thing is that the hotel provides complimentary shuttle for its guests (call ahead to confirm the booking). We stayed one night at the hotel for 10,000 Marriott points. Check-in was fairly easy and everyone was super friendly and helpful throughout the stay. They insisted on …

Airline Reviews British Airways Reviews

Airline Review: British Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats): London – Male (BA 61)

Flight:  British Airways BA 61 from London to Male Duration: 10 hours 15 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 72″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  British Airways Business Class (Club World) features 7 rows of seats in 2 x 4 x 2 configuration with both forward and rear facing seats. This is quite a dense configuration and mainly the window seats afford a bit of privacy and the rest of them feel very open. British Airways charges for advance …

Airline Reviews British Airways Reviews

Airline Review: British Airways – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats): San Francisco – London (BA 286)

Flight:  British Airways BA 286 from San Francisco to London Duration: 10 hours 20 minutes Equipment: A388(Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 59D (Middle Section) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 72″, Seat width: 20″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  British Airways Business Class (Club World) features full-flat seats in 2 x 4 x 2 configuration on lower deck and 2 x 3 x 2 on upper deck. Because this airline charges for advanced seat request even for Business class, I waited till check-in time to select a seat …

Airline Reviews Korean Air Reviews

Airline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats): Seoul – Bangkok (KE 657)

Flight:  Korean Air KE 657 from Seoul to Bangkok Duration: 6 hours Equipment: A388(Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 10A(Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 74″, Seat width: 21.6″ This flight was originally slated to be operated on a Boeing 777-300 with 2 x 3 x 2 business class seat configuration. An equipment change instead gave me the opportunity to enjoy the A380-800 upper deck with 2 x 2 x 2 business class seating on this flight. I had tried this product pre-pandemic on Seoul-Los Angeles flight early 2020. Though many websites advertise this seat as a lie-flat seat, I think this is …

Airline Reviews Korean Air Reviews

Airline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats): Los Angeles – Seoul (KE 12)

Flight:  Korean Air KE 12 from Los Angeles to Seoul Duration: 13 hours Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 10J(Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 75″, Seat width: 20.6″ Korean Air operates a multitude of aircraft between its Incheon hub and various US destinations ranging from Airbus 380-800 to Boeing 777-300 to Boeing 747. I had tried the A380-800 with 2x3x2 and lie-flat seats (marketed as lie-flat but actually more like angled-flat) on Seoul – Los Angeles route in 2020 just before pandemic took over. This segment was supposed to be on an A380 when it was booked but there was an …

Trip Summary

Nov’22 – Dec’22: India and Maldives Trip – Introduction

Just came back from my yearly family trip to India. Decided to add a short side trip of 3-night stay in the Maldives. Me and Karen had been to the Maldives in 2012 but my parents never been there. Airline reviews, hotel reviews and trip reports for this trip: Airline Review – Korean Air Business class from Los Angeles to Seoul Airline Review – Korean Air Business class from  Seoul to Bangkok Airline Review – British Airways Business Class from San Francisco to London Airline Review – British Airways Business Class from London to Male Hotel Review – Courtyard by …

Airline Reviews Emirates Reviews

Airline Review: Emirates – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats) : Dubai – Los Angeles (EK 215)

Flight:  Emirates EK 215 from Dubai to Los Angeles Duration: 16 hours 30 minutes Equipment: A388 (Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 12B (Window seat) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 48 “, Seat width: 18.5 ” Emirates operates multiple aircraft types between Dubai and USA, mainly Airbus 380 and Boeing 777-300ER. The business class experience between these 2 aircraft are poles apart as A380 has the 1 x 2 x 1 fully flat business class seat configuration whereas Boeing 777-3000ER has angled flat seats in 2 x 3 x 2 configuration. Luckily Emirates has been operating the A380 between DXB …

Accor Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat

Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat Cf 12, BG Block(Newtown), Action Area 1C, Newtown, Rajarhat, West Bengal 700156, India Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat is located about 10km from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Rajarhat/Newtown locality which is a bit far from city center. This is primarily a business hotel serving IT offices in the neighborhood as tourists would prefer staying closer to the city. Cash rates were very reasonable at around $40/night. There was no work desk in the room and the only way to work was using the sofa as well as a small portable table. The shower was pretty small …

Airline Reviews Reviews Thai Airways

Airline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Bangkok (TG 923)

Flight: Thai Airways TG 923 from Frankfurt to Bangkok Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 11J(Window seat but with arm-rest facing window) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 87″, Seat width: 20 ” Thai Airways operates a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on Frankfurt-Bangkok route and this was the first time I was flying Thai Airways business class on a long-haul flight. The business class cabin had 2 cabins with seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration with all seats having direct aisle access. The window seats alternated between having the arm rest facing the aisle …

Airline Reviews Reviews United

Airline Review: United Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats and Open Suites) : San Francisco – Frankfurt (UA 926)

Flight:  United Airlines UA 926 from San Francisco to Frankfurt Duration: 11 hours 10 minutes Equipment: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 1L(Window) Seat Specification: Open Suites, Seat pitch: 78″, Seat width: 22 ” I have flown United Business Class product a few times in the past ranging from the upper deck on a 747 (my first Business Class flight) to a 2 x 2 configuration on a Boeing 767-300 on Transatlantic route (IAH-MUC) to a 2 x 4 x 2 configuration on a Boeing 747 lower deck (FRA-SFO). This was my first time trying the real United Polaris product. Seatguru advertises …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Aloft San Francisco Airport

Aloft San Francisco Airport 401 E Millbrae Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030 Aloft San Francisco Airport is located right next to the SFO Airport with less than 5 minutes drive to the terminals. The hotel provides a complimentary 24 hour shuttle service which runs every 30 minutes. The hotel charges 40,000 Marriott points for a free night award. After landing at SFO airport and making my way to the hotel shuttle area, I did not have to wait longer than 10 minutes. I had arrived very early in the morning but luckily the front desk had an available room for me. …

Accor Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review: Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road

Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road Ecospace Business Park, Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, India Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located near Kadubeesanahalli neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. Cash rates per night were quite reasonable for around 75$/night while next door Novotel or nearby Marriott properties were charging a bit over that. Room was very basic but the bed was comfortable. They also replenished 4 water bottles every day so that was nice. The breakfast buffet had wide variety of Indian items although they were repeated throughout the week. Thumbs up: Basic hotel for …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Fairfield Marriott Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located in Bellandur about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. There is another Marriott property (Courtyard by Marriott Outer Ring Road) right next door. When I stayed at the Fairfield, the front desk for this hotel was closed and was using the Courtyard front desk to check guests in. I stayed 2 nights here for 15,000 Marriott points/night. The 2 Marriott hotels are connected through a hallway and I would usually enter the Courtyard and …

Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG Reviews

Hotel Review: Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Cessna Business Park Sarjapur – Marathahalli Outer Ring Road, Post, Kadubeesanahalli, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road is located in Marathalli – Bellandur neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. I stayed at the hotel for 2 nights @ 12,250 Marriott points/night (cash rate around 150$USD/night). Check-in was quick and fairly easy. Not sure why but they asked for my vaccination records(??), even though the front desk themselves were not wearing any masks. The room was clean and the bed very comfortable. I appreciated the welcome amenity of some cookies …

Airline Reviews Ethiopian Reviews

Airline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-9 with Lie Flat Seats) : Addis Ababa – Dublin – Chicago (ET 574)

Flight:  Ethiopian Airlines ET 574 from Addis Ababa to Chicago via Dublin (Only ground stop) Duration:  8 hrs (ADD – DUB), 7 hrs 30 mins (DUB – ORD) Equipment: B789(Boeing 787-900) Class: Business Seat: 2D – 2H (Middle row) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats Ethiopian Airlines alternates between Boeing 787-800 and 787-900 between Chicago and Addis Ababa. When Karen flew by herself between Chicago – Addis Ababa, it was the 787-800 with angled-flat seats. However, this time when we were both flying back to Chicago, we were lucky to have gotten the 787-9 with full lie-flat seats. The seats are still in …

Airline Reviews Ethiopian Reviews

Airline Review – Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 737 MAX with Recliner Seats) : Mahe – Addis Ababa (ET 878)

Flight:  Ethiopian Airlines ET 878 from Mahe to Addis Ababa Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Equipment: B7M8(Boeing 737 MAX) Class: Business Seat: 2J(Aisle) Seat Specification: Recliner Seats, Seat pitch: 48″, Seat width: 20 ” MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment.  Ethiopian Airlines alternates between the older 737-800 Boeing and the newer 737 MAX 8 aircrafts. On this trip, it was the MAX version with 4 rows of recliner seats in 2 x 2 configuration in business class. This was a new aircraft with shiny interior indicating almost no wear and …

Hilton Hotel Reviews Reviews

Hotel Review – Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa N Coast Rd, Mahé, Seychelles Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa is an upscale, beachfront resort located at the north-west tip of Mahe Island, about 16km from Seychelles International Airport. We stayed 1 night at the resort using 95,000 Hilton points. Check-in was fairly quick. After we parked at the parking lot near the entrance of the property, we were escorted to a “pre-check in” room where the staff took our passport and booking details and served welcome drink (fresh lemonade). Next we were taken to the front desk in main building on a golf …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

May 2022: Praslin, Seychelles Trip Report

Day 1 (Day 3 of Trip): We drove from our hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa) to the Cat Coco Ferry Terminal for our ferry to Praslin Island. The ferry takes about 1 hr 30 mins from Mahe to Praslin. I had heard that the seas are rough starting June and so we had already applied a motion sickness patch about an hour before leaving for the terminal. After arriving at the ferry terminal, we picked up our rental car (Capricorn Car Rental) and drove to the resort (Le Deuc de Praslin) where we were staying …

Hotel Reviews Independent Reviews

Hotel Review – Le Duc De Praslin, Praslin, Seychelles

Le Duc De Praslin MPPR+CW5, Cap Samy, Seychelles Le Duc De Praslin is located right next to the gorgeous Cote d’Or beach, about 6 miles from the inter-island boat ferry terminal on Praslin Island. It has 2 different properties, one older and one newer. We stayed at the older property (with bungalows) for 3 nights. Check-in was fairly quick. Additionally we met with the actual owner of the property who introduced himself to us. We also saw the owner couple of times during the stay so you know that you are staying at a property where the owner is not …

Africa Destination Trip Reports

May 2022: Mahe, Seychelles Trip Report

Day 1:  We arrived at Mahe International Airport from Addis Ababa around 2 PM. After picking up our rental car, we drove 15km south along the coast to Doubletree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa. We stayed here for 2 nights before visiting Praslin Island. After checking in at the hotel and freshening up, we hit the beach. It was early evening by now and we did not get in the water although it was quite warm!! The hotel is a beachfront property with private beach access. We walked along the beach to nearby rocks which had a …