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 ThaiAirline Review: Thai Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Bangkok (TG 923)
Airline Reviews Reviews UnitedAirline 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 ReviewsHotel 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. …
Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel 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$/night while next door Novotel or nearby Marriott properties were charging a bit over that. Room was very basic but the bed was comfortable. They also replenished 4 water bottles every day so that was nice. The breakfast buffet had wide variety of Indian items although they were repeated throughout the week. Thumbs up: Basic hotel for …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Fairfield Marriott Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located in Bellandur about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. There is another Marriott property (Courtyard by Marriott Outer Ring Road) right next door. When I stayed at the Fairfield, the front desk for this hotel was closed and was using the Courtyard front desk to check guests in. I stayed 2 nights here for 15,000 Marriott points/night. The 2 Marriott hotels are connected through a hallway and I would usually enter the Courtyard and …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road Cessna Business Park Sarjapur – Marathahalli Outer Ring Road, Post, Kadubeesanahalli, Bellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road is located in Marathalli – Bellandur neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. I stayed at the hotel for 2 nights @ 12,250 Marriott points/night (cash rate around 150$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 Airlines ReviewsAirline 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 Airlines ReviewsAirline 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 HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel 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 …
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major ChainHotel 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 …
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa
DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa South Coast Road Anse Forbans Mahé, Seychelles DoubleTree Hilton Seychelles is located about 15km from Seychelles International Airport in Takamaka area (5km south of Anse Royale Beach). The hotel is located right on the beach with private beachfront. We redeemed 70,000 Hilton Honors/night on a 2 night award stay. Check-in was smooth and easy and the front desk agent recognized my wife’s Diamond status. Right after checking in, we freshened up and hit the beach (as it was getting late in evening). After spending an hour at the beach and rocks …
Airline Reviews Ethiopian Airlines ReviewsAirline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 737-800 with Recliner Seats) : Addis Ababa – Mahe (ET 879)
Flight: Ethiopian Airlines ET 879 from Addis Ababa to Mahe Duration: 3 hours 55 minutes Equipment: B738(Boeing 737-800) Class: Business Seat: 2C(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 former with 4 rows of recliner seats in 2 x 2 configuration in business class. The aircraft interior looked worn out and in need of a refresh. I am not …
Airline Reviews Ethiopian Airlines ReviewsAirline Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-8 with Angled Flat Seats) : Chicago – Addis Ababa (ET 575)
Flight: Ethiopian Airlines ET 575 from Chicago to Addis Ababa Duration: 13 hours 30 minutes Equipment: B788(Boeing 787-800) Class: Business Seat: 2D (Middle row) Seat Specification: Angled Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 68″, Seat width: 21 ” MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not fly this segment. Ethiopian Airlines alternates between Boeing 787-800 and 787-900 between Chicago and Addis Ababa. This outbound segment was operated using the former and featured 4 rows of angled-flat seats in 2-2-2 seating configuration. The cabin felt too open and lacked any sort of privacy. Meal service began soon after …
Africa Destination Trip ReportsMay’ 22: Seychelles Trip – Introduction
After about a year from our last international trip (2021 Greece Trip), we went on a quick 7 day vacation to Seychelles. I had been planning on visiting this beautiful island on the Indian Ocean for a while and finally was able to make it happen this year. Seychelles does not require any visas for US passport holders. All visitors however are required to obtain a Travel Authorization before departure. We applied for the travel authorization online about 5 days before the trip and were approved within 2 hours. They require to upload all flight tickets, hotel bookings, passport cover …
Airline Reviews Qatar Airways ReviewsAirline Review: Qatar Airways – Business Class (Airbus 350-1000 Qsuites with Lie Flat Seats) : Doha – Los Angeles (QR 741)
Flight: Qatar Airways QR 741 from Doha to Los Angeles Duration: 16 hours 15 minutes Equipment: A35K (Airbus 350-1000) Class: Business Seat: 5A (Qsuites with Window seat) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 103″, Seat width: 21.5 “, Closed Suite My all time favorite business class product so far are the Qatar Airways Qsuites. I have experienced them once previously on a Boeing 773 from Doha to JFK in 2018 at the end of our South Africa Trip. This time I was flying Doha to Los Angeles on the latest Qatar Airways A350-1000 Qsuites. There are 46 closed suites on …
Airline Reviews Qatar Airways ReviewsAirline Review: Qatar Airways – Business Class (Airbus 320 with Lie Flat Seats) : Mumbai – Doha (QR 559)
Flight: Qatar Airways QR 559 from Mumbai to Doha Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes Equipment: A320 (Airbus 320) Class: Business Seat: 1D(Aisle seat) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 45″, Seat width: 21 ” Qatar Airways alternates between an Airbus A320 and Boeing B787 between Mumbai and Doha currently. When I called Qatar Airways to select seats, I had selected middle row of 1 x 2 x 1 configuration on a B787 so I was quite dejected to see A320 at the gate when boarding. Qatar Airways A320 business class only has 3 rows of 2 x 2 business class …
Airline Reviews Emirates ReviewsAirline Review: Emirates – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Angled Flat Seats) : Dubai – New Delhi (EK 516)
Flight: Emirates EK 516 from Dubai to New Delhi Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes Equipment: B77W (Boeing 777-300 ER) Class: Business Seat: 9K(window seat) Seat Specification: Angled Flat seats, Seat pitch: 60″, Seat width: 20.5 ” On Dubai – New Delhi route, Emirates currently operates a Boeing 77W with the dreaded and very outdated 2 x 3 x 2 configuration. I know that they even operate this awful configuration on some long haul routes like DXB – SEA and DXB – SFO. In fact, outside of A380 aircrafts, Emirates business class is not competitive at all and lagging far behind the …
Airline Reviews Emirates ReviewsAirline Review: Emirates – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Dubai (EK 216)
Flight: Emirates EK 216 from Los Angeles to Dubai Duration: 15 hours 30 minutes Equipment: A388 (Airbus 380-800) Class: Business Seat: 23A (Bulkhead window seat in rear cabin) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 48 “, Seat width: 18.5 ” Emirates business class on an Airbus 380 is located entirely on the upper deck behind the First class. The business class section is split into a much smaller rear cabin with only 4 rows of 1 x 2 x 1 configuration with the rest of the rows in a much bigger forward cabin with a total of 76 seats. The …
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: Hampton Inn Miami Beach – Mid Beach
Hampton Inn Miami Beach – Mid Beach 4000 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 We used up our 2 free night certificates at the Hilton Bentley and decided to stay at the Hampton Inn Miami Beach – Mid Beach for the remaining 2 nights. The cash rate was pretty reasonable for a memorial day weekend. The hotel is on the other side of Collins Avenue so does not have its own beach access. However, it’s only a 5 minute walk to the beach. During check-in we were upgraded to a partial ocean view (see picture down below). Thumbs up: Excellent …
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach
Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach 101 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida, 33139, USA Hilton Bentley Miami Beach is located in South Beach neighborhood about 11 miles from Miami International Airport. It is a short 5 minute walk from South Pointe Park Pier from where you can see the cruise ships departing Miami. We arrived on an early morning flight and the front desk agent notified us that the room wasn’t ready but we could leave our luggage in storage and explore the property and avail pool and beach amenities. We got our room about 3 hours later which was understandable because …