Reviews – Page 4 – milespointstravel

Hotel Review: Aloft San Francisco Airport

November 3, 2022January 8, 2024

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. …

Hotel Review: Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road

October 31, 2022January 8, 2024

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 Review: Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

September 9, 2022January 8, 2024

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 Review: Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

September 7, 2022January 8, 2024

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

August 2, 2022January 8, 2024

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

July 27, 2022January 8, 2024

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 …

Hotel Review – Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

July 21, 2022January 8, 2024

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 Review – Le Duc De Praslin, Praslin, Seychelles

July 13, 2022January 8, 2024

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 …

Hotel Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort and Spa

June 22, 2022January 8, 2024

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 Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 737-800 with Recliner Seats) : Addis Ababa – Mahe (ET 879)

June 17, 2022January 8, 2024

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 Review: Ethiopian Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-8 with Angled Flat Seats) : Chicago – Addis Ababa (ET 575)

June 15, 2022January 8, 2024

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 …

Airline Review: Qatar Airways – Business Class (Airbus 350-1000 Qsuites with Lie Flat Seats) : Doha – Los Angeles (QR 741)

December 3, 2021January 8, 2024

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 Review: Qatar Airways – Business Class (Airbus 320 with Lie Flat Seats) : Mumbai – Doha (QR 559)

November 22, 2021January 8, 2024

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 Review: Emirates – Business Class (Boeing 777-300 with Angled Flat Seats) : Dubai – New Delhi (EK 516)

November 18, 2021January 8, 2024

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 Review: Emirates – Business Class (Airbus 380-800 with Lie Flat Seats) : Los Angeles – Dubai (EK 216)

November 16, 2021January 8, 2024

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 …

Hotel Review: Hampton Inn Miami Beach – Mid Beach

October 7, 2021January 8, 2024

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 …

Hotel Review: Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach

October 5, 2021January 8, 2024

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 …

Airline Review: Lufthansa – Business Class (Airbus 350-900 with Lie Flat Seats) : Munich – Los Angeles (LH 452)

August 2, 2021January 8, 2024

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 …

Hotel Review: Hotel Fanis, Naxos, Greece

July 20, 2021January 8, 2024

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 Review: Avant Garde Suites, Santorini

June 25, 2021January 8, 2024

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 …