We had been planning on going to the Big Island in Hawaii for a while. Back in 2018, we had a trip to the Big Island already booked but due to increasing volcanic activity we changed our trip and ended up in Oahu instead. When Hawaiian Airlines had a good airfare sale, I jumped on another chance to visit this island during the January long weekend (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday). We ended up having a great time on the island along with once in a lifetime opportunity to view active volcanic activity from a distance. Hotel Review: Courtyard by …
Destination Trip Reports North America US, Canada, MexicoJan’ 23: Hawaii Big Island Trip – Introduction
Hilton HHonors Hotel Reviews ReviewsHotel Review – Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
Hilton Amingiri Resort & Spa Malé 08540, Maldives Hilton Amingiri Resort is located on a small island in the Indian Ocean, about 20 minutes speed-boat ride from Male International Airport. It is a very new resort having opened only in 2022. One of the biggest selling points of this resort is that the overwater villas book as a Standard Award making for an exceptional redemption option for Hilton Free Night certificates. The other big selling point is that all villas (including the overwater bungalows) come with its own private pool!! The points required for a free night fluctuates by season. …
Hotel Reviews Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel Review – Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, 999, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand MilesPointsTravel Disclaimer: This review is solely the work of Karen. I personally did not stay at this hotel at the time of this review. Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is located just a 5 minute walk from the airport through an air-conditioned, underground walkway. The hotel also provides complimentary 24-hour shuttle between the airport and the hotel. I booked a 1 night stay at the hotel through a 3rd party booking site (rocketmiles) and paid around 175$ after taxes (with breakfast). It is pricey compared to downtown …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel 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 …
Asia Destination Trip ReportsNov’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 …
Hotel Reviews Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel 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 $40/night. There was no work desk in the room and the only way to work was using the sofa as well as a small portable table. The shower was pretty small …
Hotel Reviews Marriott/SPG ReviewsHotel Review: Aloft San Francisco Airport
Aloft San Francisco Airport 401 E Millbrae Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030 Aloft San Francisco Airport is located right next to the SFO Airport with less than 5 minutes drive to the terminals. The hotel provides a complimentary 24 hour shuttle service which runs every 30 minutes. The hotel charges 40,000 Marriott points for a free night award. After landing at SFO airport and making my way to the hotel shuttle area, I did not have to wait longer than 10 minutes. I had arrived very early in the morning but luckily the front desk had an available room for me. …
Le Club AccorHotels ReviewsHotel Review: Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road
Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road Ecospace Business Park, Marathahalli – Sarjapur Outer Ring Rd, Bellandur, Bengaluru, India Ibis Bangalore Outer Ring Road is located near Kadubeesanahalli neighborhood, about 45 km from Kempegowda International Airport. Cash rates per night were quite reasonable for around 75$/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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Destination Trip Reports EuropeMay’21: Greece Trip – Introduction
It had been a long time (since Jan 2020) I’ve been on a vacation. Ever since Covid crisis started, we were staying home hoping for it to all blow over. After we got vaccinated in Feb 2020, it gave us the chance to go on our already postponed Greece trip in May 2021. Greece finally opened up to international tourists at end of April and the requirements were fairly simple. For vaccinated tourists, a proof of vaccination was sufficient for entry along with a passenger locator form specifically for Greece that had to be filled out no later than day …