Flight: Lufthansa LH 452 from Munich to Los Angeles Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes Equipment: A359 (Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat: 1 D & 1G (Middle row bulkhead seats with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 64 “, Seat width: 20 ” Lufthansa Business class on Airbus 350-900 consists of 8 rows of 2 x 2 x 2 seats with 6 rows in main Business cabin and 2 rows in rear cabin. Lufthansa Business product definitely lags behind the times with its 2x2x2 configuration while the rest of the industry moves towards business class having all seats …
Airline Reviews Lufthansa ReviewsAirline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Airbus 350-900 with Lie Flat Seats) : Munich – Los Angeles (LH 452)
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain ReviewsHotel Review: Hotel Fanis, Naxos, Greece
Hotel Fanis, Naxos Agia Anna Beach, Naxos Island, Cyclades, Greece For our 2 night stay in Naxos, we chose Hotel Fanis by Agia Anna Beach. The hotel is right across from the beach. We arrived at the Naxos port from Santorini in the afternoon. The hotel provides complimentary pickup and drop-off service from the airport and Naxos port. The hotel manager (Katerina) and her husband were at the port to pick us up in their van. We got Room #1 which faces the Agia Anna Beach. When we opened the doors to the patio, you could hear the waves from …
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain ReviewsHotel Review: Avant Garde Suites, Santorini
Avant Garde Suites, Santorini Akrotiri [Caldera], Thira 847 00, Greece Avant Garde Suites is located in the quiet town of Akrotiri on south-west part of Santorini. Most tourists who want the caldera view in Santorini usually go for towns like Oia and Fira. We found this hotel on Booking.com and after visiting the hotel’s website we fell in love with it. The hotel is located about 11 km from Santorini Airport which didn’t take long as we were renting a car for our stay in Santorini. We were the very first and only guests during our stay since reopening of …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: New Hotel, Athens
New Hotel, Athens 16 Filellinon Street, Syntagma, Athens 10557 Greece New Hotel, Athens (a member of Design Hotels™) is located in the heart of Athens within 5 minute walking distance from Syntagma Square. The hotel has convenient access to the Athens International airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) via Bus (X95) or Athens Metro Line 3 from Syntagma Square. This hotel is a part of the Marriott program and costs 35,000 points/night for an award night stay. We stayed here for 2 nights at the beginning of our Greece trip and 1 night at the end. The best feature of the hotel is …
Airline Reviews British Airways ReviewsAirline Review: British Airways – Business Class (Boeing 787-800 with Lie Flat Seats) : London – Athens (BA 626)
Flight: British Airways BA 626 from London Heathrow to Athens Duration: 3 hours 50 minutes Equipment: B788 (Boeing 787-800) Class: Business Seat: 1 D & 1E (1D is forward facing & 1E is rear facing both with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 75 “. Seat width: 20” Normally British Airways Boeing 787-800 aircrafts service long haul destinations. But due to Covid and full reopening not happening at the time, we lucked out and got it on our short flight from London to Athens. British Airways Boeing 787 has 2 business class cabins, with 3 and 2 …
Airline Reviews American ReviewsAirline Review: American Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats) : Dallas – London (AA 50)
Flight: American Airlines AA 50 from Dallas to London Heathrow Duration: 9 hours 20 minutes Equipment: B777 (Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 6 D & 6G (Middle row seats with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 43 “. Seat width: 20.5 ” American Airlines Boeing 777-300 between Dallas to London has 13 rows of Business Class (1 x 2 x 1 configuration) with 2 rows in a forward cabin and remaining in the main cabin. The starter of latin shaved beef with lemon aoli was sub par (mixed reviews as Karen apparently liked it) and salted caramel …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats): Seoul – Los Angeles (KE 11)
Flight: Korean Air KE 11 from Seoul to Los Angeles Duration: 11 hours Aircraft: A388(Airbus 380-800) Class: Business (Prestige Class) Seat: 20D (Middle row bulhead seat with direct aisle access in rear cabin) Seat Specification: Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 74 “. Seat width: 21.6 ” Korean Air operates both Airbus 380 and Boeing 777-300ER on Seoul – Los Angeles long-haul route. My flight was operated on a double-decker A380 with 2 x 2 x 2 configuration in business class throughout the upper deck. There are 3 cabins on the upper deck, all business class and I was in the rear …
Airline Reviews Korean Air ReviewsAirline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER with Lie Flat Seats): Bangkok – Seoul (KE 660)
Flight: Korean Air KE 660 from Bangkok to Seoul Duration: 5 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 8B (side Aisle seat in forward cabin) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 74″. Seat width: 20.6 ” Korean Air flies both A380 as well as Boeing 777-300 widebody on Bangkok – Seoul route. This was my first time flying Korean Air Business and over 2 segments I got to try business class on both type of aircraft. The flight form Bangkok – Seoul was on a Boeing 777-300ER with 2 x 2 x 2 configuration for a total of 56 …
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review: Hilton Colombo Residences, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Hilton Colombo Residences 200 Union Pl, Colombo 00200, Sri Lanka Hilton Colombo Residences is one of the 2 Hilton properties in Sri Lanka (as of now). Located about 30 minutes from Colombo International Airport, this hotel has huge rooms that are more like serviced apartments. I had booked a 2 bedroom suite for 1 night with 40,000 Hilton points. Check-in was quick and I was upgraded to a huge 3 bedroom – 2 bath suite. The front desk agent also handed me 3 welcome drink vouchers. We were happy to see some nice pastries and a wine bottle as welcome …
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain ReviewsHotel Review: Earl’s Regent Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Earl’s Regent Hotel, Kandy 40/1 Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka Earl’s Regent Hotel is located by Mahaweli river in the outskirts of city of Kandy. Located away from the hustle and bustle of Kandy, this hotel is ideal for tourists seeking calm and quiet surroundings with great views. Check-in was fairly quick and I was glad to find out that the hotel provided complimentary accommodation for drivers. I had booked half-board rate (includes dinner & breakfast). However, we arrived late afternoon and were hungry so went for lunch at the on-property restaurant named The Flavors. The pricing was reasonable …
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain ReviewsHotel Review: Ruvidee Villa, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Ruvidee Villa No. 3/6 Glenfall Rd, Nuwara Eliya 22200, Sri Lanka Ruvidee Villa is a small hotel located close to Grand Hotel in the center of Nuwara Eliya. I was quite late in searching for hotels in Nuwara Eliya and by the time I was looking to book a lot of the options were either gone or charging high prices. I basically booked this hotel mainly for the price. The room was quite small and there was not much space to move around. The bathroom was very cold during our stay. The hotel did not provide any toiletries. The hotel …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review – Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa 700 Matara Road, Pelana, Weligama 81700 Sri Lanka Marriott Weligama Resort & Spa is a Category 3 (Off-peak 15,000 Marriott rewards points/night) property located in south-western part of Sri Lanka in Weligama Bay. The property is located right on the beach known for surfing and other water activities. Check-in was fairly quick and while I was being checked in, front desk manager Bhagyashree came by and introduced herself and notified me that although our room was not ready yet, if we were willing to wait for 30 minutes, she would have an amazing room …
Hotel Reviews Independent/Non-Major Chain ReviewsHotel Review – Shangri-Lanka Villa, Bentota, Sri Lanka
Shangri-Lanka Villa #23, De Alwis Road, Horanduwa, Bentota – 80500, Sri Lanka Shangri-Lanka Villa is a very highly rated home-stay property located in Bentota, Sri Lanka. Surrounded by lush greenery, this property highlights individual villas and a swimming pool. I loved the bathroom the most in this property. The water pressure was really good and was nice to take a shower after all the travel. I had booked at a rate that included breakfast and the caretaker took our order the night before. We opted for Western Breakfast instead of traditional Sri Lankan breakfast. Thumbs up: Room had 3 beds …
Airline Reviews Cathay Pacific ReviewsAirline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Hong Kong (CX 881)
Flight: Cathay Pacific CX 881 from Los Angeles to Hong Kong Duration: 15 hours 55 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 11A (single bulkhead seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” Cathay Pacific flies Boeing 777-300ER on all its LAX – HKG flights (3 x Daily) and I have experienced it twice before, once in 2015 and next in 2018. There are a total of 53 business class seats divided between a small forward cabin of 2 rows of 1 x 2 x 1 reverse herringbone configuration and rest in a …
EVA Air ReviewsAirline Review: EVA Airways – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Lie Flat Seats) : Taipei – Los Angeles (BR 6)
Flight: EVA Air BR 6 from Taipei to Los Angeles Aircraft: B773 (Boeing 777-300) Class: Business Seat: 10K, Window Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 81″. Seat width: 26″ EVA Air operates Boeing 777-300 on all its flights between Taipei and Los Angeles with Royal Laurel Class (Business Class) having 1-2-1 layout and full flat beds. I have flown EVA airways on this route before, on both LAX-TPE and TPE-LAX segments in 2015. I was a bit full by eating in the EVA Air lounge earlier and opted to skip the main entree. I slept for a …
Airline Reviews EVA Air ReviewsAirline Review: EVA Airways – Business Class (Airbus 330 with Angled Flat Seats) : Bangkok – Taipei(BR 206)
Flight: EVA Air BR 206 from Bangkok to Taipei Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: A333 (Airbus 330-300) Class: Business (Premium Laurel) Seat: 8G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Angled Flat, Seat pitch: 62″. Seat width: 22″ EVA Airways flies different configurations on Bangkok – Taipei route. They fly Boeing 777-300 with Royal Laurel Business class with flat beds in 1-2-1 layout (which I flew in 2015) and also fly Airbus 300 with Premium Laurel Business class with angled flat seats in 2-2-2 layout (this flight). For a short flight as this one the difference in comfort was minimal. Flight attendant …
Airline Reviews Lufthansa ReviewsAirline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Frankfurt – Bangalore (LH 754)
Flight: Lufthansa LH 754 from Frankfurt to Bangalore Aircraft: B748 (Airbus 747-800) Class: Business Seat: 5G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 64″. Seat width: 20″ Lufthansa operates a Boeing 747-800 on this route with 2 x 2 x 2 layout in Business Class downstairs and 2 x 2 upstairs. Since I was traveling by myself and opted for a middle row downstairs (for direct aisle access and having seatmate not climbing over mid-flight). For a 9 hour flight, Lufthansa was pretty generous in feeding us 2 full meals :). Lunch service started soon after …
Airline Reviews Lufthansa ReviewsAirline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Boeing 747 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Frankfurt(LH 457)
Flight: Lufthansa LH 457 from Los Angeles to Frankfurt Aircraft: B748 (Airbus 747-800) Class: Business Seat: 11D, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 64″. Seat width: 20″ Lufthansa operates a Boeing 747-800 on this route. To be frank, this is one of my favorite aircraft to travel on (because of upstairs). There are 8 rows of 2 x 2 x 2 configuration downstairs and 8 rows of 2 x 2 configuration upstairs in Business Class. I usually prefer the upstairs because its more cozy. However, I was traveling by myself and preferred the middle seats …
Club Carlson Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chicago O’Hare South, IL
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chicago O’Hare South, IL 777 E Grand Ave, Bensenville, IL 60106 This Country Inn & Suites hotel (a Radisson property) is located about 7 km from O’Hare International Airport. The hotel provides complimentary airport shuttle once an hour (both for pickup and drop off). We were arriving at the airport and staying just 1 night in Chicago so this was a convenient option for us. The bed was not very comfortable and felt like it sagged in the middle. We tried the complimentary breakfast and the selection was quite limited. Thumbs up: Complimentary Breakfast …
Airline Reviews Iberia ReviewsAirline Review: Iberia – Business Class (Airbus 359 with Lie Flat Seats) : Madrid – Chicago (IB 6275)
Flight: Iberia IB 6275 from Madrid to Chicago Equipment: A359 (Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat: 3E – 3G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 78″. Seat width: 26″ Iberia used to operate this route using Airbus A346 in the past and recently upgraded it to an Airbus A359. The business class seats and configuration stayed the same with a 1-2-1 direct aisle access to all seats. The middle rows are better for families traveling together and we got the “honeymoon seats” where the middle seats are really close together and the arm rests face the …