Flight: Finnair AY 1 from Helsinki to Los Angeles Duration: 11 hours Equipment: A359 (Airbus A350-900) Class: Business Seat: 2A (Window) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats This was my first ever Finnair flight and I was looking forward to flying it on the A350 with the recently redesigned Business class cabin. Finnair A350 has 30 Airlounge seats with 7 rows of 1 – 2 – 1 configuration and 2 seats in the middle as first row. One thing I should add is that this seat is much more comfortable to sleep on than sit. Even though it looks very wide its not …
Airline Reviews ReviewsAirline Review: Finnair – Business Class (Airbus A350-900 with Lie Flat Seats) : Helsinki – Los Angeles (AY 1)
Airline Reviews American ReviewsAirline Review: American Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats) : London – Los Angeles (AA 135)
Flight: American Airlines AA 135 from London Heathrow to Los Angeles Duration: 10 hours 45 mins Equipment: B77w (Boeing 777-300 ER) Class: Business Seat: 3J (Window) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats with seat width: 20″, seat pitch: 72″ MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment. American Airlines on this version of the Boeing 777-300 ER had 13 rows of seats in 1-2-1 configuration with 2 rows in forward cabin and remaining in aft. I have flown AA on Boeing 777-300 ER multiple times before and only difference was the color scheme of …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel ReviewsHotel Review: Hotel Fabian, Helsinki
Hotel Fabian, Helsinki Fabianinkatu 7, 00130 Helsinki, Finland Hotel Fabian is located about 20 minutes walking distance from Helsinki Central station. It is located very close walking to the tourist attractions such as Vanha Kauppahalli (6 minutes) and Senate Square (10 minutes). We stayed 1 night at this hotel using 15,000 Choice Privilege points. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast buffet for all guests. However, I was a little disappointed with the lack of menu options compared to the other Helsinki hotel we had just stayed at in addition to our Norway hotels just before this trip. Thumbs up: Excellent location …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel ReviewsHotel Review: Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport
Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport Taivastie 3, Vantaa, 1531, FI Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport is located right next to the airport connected by a pathway with a very short walking distance. This makes it a great and convenient option for late arrival and early departure flights. We arrived very late in Helsinki (past midnight) and this was the best option for us to stay instead of in the city. We stayed here 1 night using 15,000 Choice Privileges points. The hotel has complimentary breakfast for all guests and the restaurant has a very large seating area. Breakfast buffet had a variety …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel ReviewsHotel Review: Hotel Amerikalinjen, Oslo
Hotel Amerikalinjen Jernbanetorget 2, 0154 Oslo, Norway This iconic hotel is located just across the Oslo Central Station and opposite of the famous Tiger sculpture in front of the station. This makes the hotel very centrally located for a lot of Oslo attractions such as only short walking distance to Oslo Opera House (8 minutes) and Karl Johans Gate (10 minutes). We stayed 2 nights here using a total of 40,000 Choice Privilege points. Breakfast is complimentary at the hotel for all guests. However, to manage traffic we were given time slots to appear for breakfast and we still found …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel ReviewsHotel Review: Hotel Oleana, Bergen
Hotel Oleana, Bergen Øvre Ole Bulls plass 5, 5012 Bergen, Norway Hotel Oleana is an iconic hotel located just 10 minutes walking distance from Bergen Sentrum station. It is located at a very convenient spot to walk to local attractions like Bryggen neighbourhood (12 minutes), Fish Market (6 minutes) and Floyen Funicular (10 minutes). We stayed at this hotel for 4 nights for the entirety of our stay in Bergen and used a total of 60,000 Choice Privilege points. Check-in was a breeze. We met different front desk staff during our stay and everyone was extremely courteous, friendly and helpful. …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavik Keflavik Airport Aðalgata 60, 230 Reykjanesbaer, Iceland We stayed at Courtyard Reykjavik Keflavik Airport for our last night in Iceland before flying out next day. The hotel is located just 2.5 km from Keflavik airport. The complimentary hotel shuttle only runs from hotel to airport and exclusively for Marriott Bonvoy members. We had a rental car and coincidently enough the Ace Rental Car agency is located just across the hotel. The cash rates at the hotel were quite expensive (even by Iceland standards) and we used 50,000 Marriott points for the 1 night stay. The hotel …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Hótel Skógafoss by EJ Hotels
Hótel Skógafoss by EJ Hotels Skógar, Skogar 861 Iceland Hotel Skogafoss by EJ Hotels is located just 5 minutes walking distance from the Skogafoss falls. The biggest selling point of the hotel for us was being able to walk to the falls. The hotel included 2 days of parking inside the park. The rooms have a numeric keycode lock outside the wing so it did feel more secure. In the bathroom we saw a note saying hot water is sourced from geothermal source and might have sulphur smell. It wasn’t too bad and I actually enjoyed the uniqueness of it. …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Guesthouse Dyngja, Hofn
Guesthouse Dyngja Hafnarbraut, 780 Höfn í Hornafirði, Iceland For our 1 night stay in Hofn, we stayed at Guesthouse Dyngja. The guesthouse is located right on the harbor within minutes walk from a lot of good, renowned restaurants in Hofn. The day of arrival we received an email from the owner stating the passcode for the keybox to the apartment. Thumbs up: Excellent location right on the harbor Lots of good restaurants within very short walking distance Thumbs down: No breakfast at the hotel
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Hotel Katla by Keahotels
Hotel Katla by Keahotels Höfðabrekka, 871 Vík, Iceland Hotel Katla by Keahotels is located just 5 minutes drive from the town of Vik in very picturesque surroundings. We stayed here 1 night, booked direct with the hotel. The property had various buildings of different shapes and sizes but the 2 storey building below is the one we stayed in. We received complimentary breakfast with our stay at the hotel. The breakfast is served at the main restaurant and had quite a few options such as bread, juice, cold cuts, waffles, eggs etc. Thumbs up: Located in very picturesque surroundings near …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Hótel Laugarvatn
Hótel Laugarvatn Dalbraut 10, Dalbraut 12, 840 Laugarvatn, Iceland Hotel Laugarvatn is located next to Lake Laugarvatn and also the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths on the Golden circle route. The hotel does have a front desk but I rarely saw anyone sitting there. However, day before arrival, I received an email with the room number and passcode to the room electronic lock. Thumbs up: Very affordable by Iceland standards. I would rate the hotel as great value Beautiful surroundings and great location on the Golden circle route Thumbs down: Did not see anyone at the front desk during the stay. …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Center Hotels Klopp, Reykjavík
Center Hotels Klopp Klapparstígur 26, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Center Hotels Klopp is located in the city of Reykjavik. It is within short walking distance to a few of the tourist attractions in the city – for example, 6 minutes walking distance to the Sun Voyager, 9 minutes to Hallgrimskirkja, 8 minutes to Harpa Concert hall. The hotel has complimentary breakfast buffet for all guests. However, I was disappointed at the lack of options here. Thumbs up: Location!! Conveniently located within short walking distance to a lot of Reykjavik attractions (such as Sun Voyager, Harpa concert hall, Hallgrimskirkja) Thumbs down: Only …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavík Airport
Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavík Airport Hafnargata 57, 230 Keflavík, Iceland Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport is located about 5.5km (8-10 min cab ride) from the Keflavik Airport. There is no complimentary shuttle through the hotel so if you are not using a rental car, would advise arranging a cab through the hotel (they have fixed published rate instead of metered cabs). A 10 minute ride from the airport cab stand to the hotel ran 48$ USD for me!! On arrival we were upgraded to a suite. I have VIP elite status at Radisson hotels which meant …
Airline Reviews Reviews Virgin AtlanticAirline Review: Virgin Atlantic – Business Class (Airbus A350-1000 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – London (VS 142)
Flight: Virgin Atlantic VS 142 from Los Angeles to London Heathrow Duration: 10 hours Equipment: A35K (Airbus A350-1000) Class: Business Seat: 1 D – 1G (Middle Aisles) Seat Specification: Flat bed seats with seat width: 20″, seat pitch: 82″ This was the first time ever we flew on Virgin Atlantic. This carrier flies various aircraft between USA and Europe. There is the old Boeing 787 herringbone configuration seats (which are terrible to fly in per most internet forum reports) and there are newer business class seats on Airbus A330-neo and A350-1000 aircraft. Virgin Atlantic is also notorious in swapping the newer A350-1000 …
Choice Hotels/Radisson Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, Warsaw
Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, Warsaw plac Artura Zawiszy 1, 02-025 Warszawa, Poland Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel is a pretty Radisson Hotels property located just 7 km from Warsaw Chopin Airport. We stayed just 1 night at the end of the trip with cash rate. Standard room was quite big by Europe standards and I liked it. We were happy to see a welcome amenity box waiting for us in the room. Thumbs up: Lots of options for breakfast including omelette station Thumbs down: A little far from Warsaw Old Town and other tourist areas
Hotel Reviews Hyatt ReviewsHotel Review – Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik Ul. kardinala Stepinca 21, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia Hotel Kompas is a luxury hotel belonging to Adriatic Luxury Hotels collection and simultaneously participating in the Hyatt program. We stayed 2 nights at the hotel, one night paid with 26,000 Hyatt points and another night in cash ($450 usd). It is a beachfront hotel directly across Lapad beach on the Adriatic sea. We booked our first night through Expedia and second night using Hyatt points. This hotel has complimentary breakfast for all guests. Additionally for our first night, we received 20% off of F&B once during the stay. We …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Vila Rosa, Vis
Vila Rosa Ul. bana Jelačića 11, 21480, Vis, Croatia We spent a night on Vis Island so we could visit the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island. We booked Vila Rosa on Agoda.com and got a great rate. The apartment is only a 7 minute walk from the ferry terminal. On the day of our arrival, we received an email with the passcode to the apartment entrance door. The apartment we booked is upstairs with 2 rooms. The apartment comes with a fully functional kitchen, although we were in no mood to cook on vacation. Our ferry was set to depart …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review – Royal Suites, Split
Royal Suites, Split Ulica kralja Zvonimira 12, Ul. Sv. Petra starog 14, 21000, Split, Croatia Royal Suites Split is located just a quick 6 minutes walk from Old Town Split. We stayed there for 1 night (booked in Agoda.com). The hotel was difficult to find. It couldn’t have been just us because we found another guest who actually seeked our help finding the hotel as we passed him by on the way to hotel. Also the building operates off of a keycard and the front desk is not always at their spot (on the 2nd floor). You might have to …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – AC Hotel Split
AC Hotel Split Ul. Domovinskog rata 61A, 21000, Split, Croatia AC Hotel Split, a very nice Marriott property is located 22 km from Split International Airport and 3 km from ferry terminal. The hotel is located in Dalmatia towers, the tallest building in Croatia. Check-in was quick and the front desk agent notified us that we were going to be upgraded to the corner room on the 27th floor (2nd highest floor) of the tallest building in the country. He assured us that we were going to be impressed. And indeed we were. We have stayed in many nice hotels …
Hotel Reviews Independent ReviewsHotel Review: Pansion Breza, Plitvica Selo
Pansion Breza 53231, Plitvica Selo, Croatia Pansion Breza is a family owned lodging located in the Plitvica Selo area, just 15 minutes walk from the Entrance #3 of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. We booked a twin room through Agoda.com although you can book direct also. We also opted to have dinner the day we arrived as well as requested the breakfast next day. The surroundings of the property are very serene. The property itself is extremely well maintained. Check-in was quick. The owner indicated we could settle the bill at the end when checking out. Very important thing to …