Reviews – Page 2 – milespointstravel

Airline Review: China Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Business Class with True Flat Beds) : Los Angeles – Taipei (CI 7)

January 12, 2024February 9, 2024

Flight: China Airlines CI 7 from Los Angeles to Taipei Duration: 14 hours Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 11A (Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 78.0 “. Seat width: 22 ” China Airlines operates a 777-300ER on its flight out of Los Angeles to Taipei. The business class has flat bed seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration in 2 different cabins with the forward cabin having 6 rows and 4 in rear cabin. China Airlines (similar to the other Taipei based carrier EVA Air) makes available an expanded menu for business …

Hotel Review – Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Los Cabos

January 8, 2024January 8, 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Los Cabos Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 24.8, San Jose del Cabo, BCS, 23400, Mexico Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Los Cabos is located in the “tourist corridor” zone in Cabo. The hotels in Cabo are grouped into 4 zones – San Jose Del Cabo, Tourist Corridor, Cabo San Lucaso and Pueblo Bonito. The zones come into play when booking for round-trip hotel transfers from Cabo Airport. I stayed for just 1 night at the hotel to basically catch a flight the next day (to start my month long India trip). Cash rates were cheap …

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Business Class with True Flat Beds) : Hong Kong – Los Angeles (CX 880)

August 10, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Cathay Pacific CX 880 from Hong Kong to Los Angeles Duration: 13 hours 15 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 17A (Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” Yet another review on Cathay Pacific Business class on Boeing 777-300 ER? I know, I know!! I have plenty of reviews on this same aircraft type that I have flown over the years. I had high hopes for the lamb but unfortunately I was expecting (my fault) a lamb leg or a variation of some sort. Having it shredded over the …

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Airbus A350 Business Class with True Flat Beds) : Bangkok – Hong Kong (CX 708)

July 21, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Cathay Pacific CX 708 from Bangkok to Hong Kong Duration: 3 hours Aircraft: A350-1000(Airbus A35K) Class: Business Seat: 20A (Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 75.0 “. Seat width: 20 ” I have flown the Cathay Pacific Business class on Boeing 777-300ER (on long haul flights) and Airbus A330 (on short haul flights). This was my first time flying the CX business class on A350 so was excited (although it was a very short flight of 3 hours). Business class is still on a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration and look and …

Airline Review: Cathay Pacific – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Business Class with True Flat Beds) : Los Angeles – Hong Kong(CX 883)

July 13, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Cathay Pacific CX 883 from Los Angeles to Hong Kong Duration: 14 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business Seat: 15A (Bulkhead Window seat with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 21 ” Cathay Pacific Business Class on the Boeing 777-300ER is one of my most frequently traveled hard product along with the EVA Air on the same aircraft. This was the first time I was flying Cathay Pacific post-pandemic and what a difference it was compared to before. I ordered the wok-fried cod on corn sauce. It was very bland and had …

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Royal Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Taipei – San Francisco (BR 18)

June 23, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: EVA Air BR18 from Taipei to San Francisco Duration: 11 hours 15 minutes Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business (Royal Laurel Class) Seat: 2D – 2G (2 Middle seats each with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 26 ” For its long-haul routes EVA Air operates its Boeing 777-300 ER with the industry standard 1 x 2 x 1 seat configuration in Business class. The only thing different on this flight was a different color scheme in the cabin (compared to my previous flights on EVA Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft). I have traveled probably the most times …

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Airbus A330-300 Premium Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Cebu – Taipei (BR 282)

June 20, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: EVA Air BR282 from Cebu to Taipei Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Aircraft: A333(Airbus 333-300) Class: Business (Premium Laurel Class) Seat: 7A – 7C (Window + Aisle) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 62″. Seat width: 22 ” EVA Airways operates lie-flat seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration in mostly long-haul routes (branded as Royal Laurel Class) and in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration in mostly shorter routes (branded as Premium Laurel Class). On our Airbus A-330 flight from Cebu to Taipei it was the latter. Oddly Seatguru marks these seats incorrectly as angled-flat which …

Hotel Review – Hennan Prime Beach Resort, Boracay

June 13, 2023January 8, 2024

Hennan Prime Beach Resort Station 1 Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines Hennan Prime Beach Resort located in Station 1 of Boracay White Beach belongs to the Hennan Chain of resorts that have several other properties in Boracay. The hotel is divided into 2 wings – the beach wing that is on one side of the road and the East Wing that is on the other side of the road away from the beach. We stayed in a double room in the Beach wing. One big difference between the wings is that the East Wing has a much nicer and spacious …

Hotel Review – Ambassador In Paradise Resort, Boracay

June 7, 2023January 8, 2024

Ambassador In Paradise Resort Station 1 Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines Ambassador in Paradise is a non-chain hotel property located towards the northern end of Station 1 at White Beach in Boracay. The resort features a decent size pool right on the beach with an adjacent restaurant where you can dine with toes on sand. We stayed 4 nights at the resort making up the bulk of our stay in Boracay. The hotel provides transfer option for bus + ferry from the airport but we had opted for a different company. Check-in was quick and easy however one thing to …

Hotel Review – Holiday Inn Cebu City

May 23, 2023January 8, 2024

Holiday Inn Cebu City Lot 5 & 6 Block, 20 Samar Loop, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines Holiday Inn Cebu City is located 12km from Mactan International Airport and just 10 minute walk from the famous Ayala Mall of Cebu City. I booked a Grab taxi from the airport to the hotel and came out to about $8 USD one way. We stayed 2 nights at the hotel, first stay was with points (11,000 IHG points per night) and next with cash ($75 USD per night). We arrived early around 10 AM and front desk informed us that they could …

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Airbus A330-300 Premium Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Taipei – Cebu (BR 281)

May 18, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: EVA Air BR281 from Taipei to Cebu Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes Aircraft: A333(Airbus 333-300) Class: Business (Premium Laurel Class) Seat: 7C – 7D (Window + Aisle) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 62″. Seat width: 22 ” EVA Air operates Airbus 330-300 between Taipei and Cebu. The business class consists of 5 rows of seats in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration. The seats are actual lie flat and branded as “Premium Laurel Class”. We had pre-booked our entrée online. I chose “Steamed Halibut with mushroom in white wine cream sauce served with assorted vegetables and duchess …

Airline Review: EVA Air – Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER Royal Laurel Class with True Flat Beds) : Los Angeles – Taipei (BR 11)

May 12, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: EVA Air BR11 from Los Angeles to Taipei Duration: 14 hours Aircraft: B773(Boeing 777-300ER) Class: Business (Royal Laurel Class) Seat: 2D – 2G (2 Middle seats each with direct aisle access) Seat Specification: True Flat Bed, Seat pitch: 81.0 “. Seat width: 26 ” EVA Air operates 777-300ER for three daily flights out of Los Angeles, all with the Royal Laurel Class. The Royal Laurel Class differs from the Premium Laurel in that the former has flat bed seats in 1 x 2 x 1 configuration while the later is flat bed with 2 x 2 x 2. These Premium Laurel seats have direct aisle …

Airline Review: Japan Airlines – Business Class (Boeing 787-800 with Lie Flat Seats): Osaka – Los Angeles (JL 60)

April 19, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Japan Airlines JL 60 from Osaka to Los Angeles Duration: 9 hours 45 minutes Equipment: B788(Boeing 787-800) Class: Business Seat: 8A (Window) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 74″, Seat width: 25.5″ This was my first ever Japan Airlines Business class flight and so was pretty psyched. The JAL Skysuite on 787-8 features 38 APEX Suites (similar to Korean Air). The seats are in 2 x 2 x 2 configuration with all seats having a direct aisle access. The seat felt extremely private especially with the privacy divider up. For pre-departure beverage I opted for champagne and while up …

Airline Review: Malaysia Airlines – Business Class (Airbus A330-300 with Lie Flat Seats): Kuala Lumpur – Osaka (MH 52)

April 13, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Malaysia Airlines MH 52 from Kuala Lumpur to Osaka Duration: 6 hours 20 minutes Equipment: A333(Airbus 330-300) Class: Business Seat: 1K(Window) Seat Specification: Lie Flat Seats, Seat pitch: 43″, Seat width: 20″ This was my first time experiencing Malaysian Airlines business class so was looking forward to this trip. The Malaysian Airlines has 6 rows in its business class on Airbus A330-300 with some rows having 1 x 2 x 1 and some 1 x 2 x 2 seating. The seats are true flat beds and I was happy to have snagged a throne seat on 1st row. The seat …

Hotel Review – Holiday Inn Express Bangalore Whitefield ITPL

April 10, 2023January 8, 2024

Holiday Inn Express Bangalore Whitefield ITPL Plot No. 4, EPIP Zone, Krishnarajapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066, India Holiday Inn Express Whitefield is located in Whitefield locality, about 35 km from Kempegowda International Airport. My previous stays in Bangalore have all been around Marathalli area and for some reason all the hotels in that neighborhood were going much higher that week, so I decided to give this hotel a try. The room was quite small with the vanity area right next to the bed. The hotel being a Holiday Inn Express, has complimentary breakfast for all guests. Menu was mostly fixed for …

Hotel Review – DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Bangalore

April 5, 2023January 8, 2024

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Bangalore Iblur Gate Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road, Sarjapur – Marathahalli Rd, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102, India DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Bangalore is located right next to Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road on Marathahalli-Bellandur-Sarjapur Outer Ring Road, about 50 km from Kempegowda International Airport. I stayed 5 nights at the hotel using 30,000 Hilton points/night (with 5th night free for elite members). I had breakfast at the hotel for 3 out of the 5 days I stayed there. The breakfast buffet had a variety of items on rotation and I got to sample different indian delicacies. Thumbs …

Hotel Review – Alii Kane Cottages

March 28, 2023January 8, 2024

Alii Kane Cottages 11-2932 Alii Kane St, Volcano, HI 96785 Alii Kane Cottages is a collection of cottages located about 6 miles from Hawaii Volcano National Park. This property is located off of Highway 11, nestled amongst lots of trees. We stayed 1 night after booking a cottage from booking.com @ 160$/night. The owners are very responsive and they emailed me a couple of times before the stay, informing me on how to get there and providing additional information regarding the stay. When we checked in late evening, the owner came by and explained various amenities in the property. This …

Hotel Review – Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton

March 23, 2023January 8, 2024

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720 Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is an ocean-front Hilton property located just 4 miles from Hilo International Airport. We stayed at the hotel for just 1 night by redeeming 50,000 Hilton points. Check-in was very quick and it being a Doubletree brand, came with freshly baked warm cookies. The front desk agent upgraded us to a King room with Lanai and great views. He also gave us 4 drink vouchers as welcome amenity. Because Hilton has phased out complimentary breakfast for Diamond elites, we were …

Hotel Review – Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

March 20, 2023January 8, 2024

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is a beachfront hotel property located about 8 miles from Kona International Airport. The hotel is at a prime location with lots of great dining options nearby. We had booked 2 stays (1 night each) at this hotel at the beginning as well as the end of the trip. The points required for a redemption stay varies by time of the year and we paid 42,000 Marriott Rewards points for 1 night redemption stay. The bed and linens …

Airline Review: Korean Air – Business Class (Boeing 747-8 with Lie Flat Seats): Seoul – Los Angeles (KE 17)

March 17, 2023January 8, 2024

Flight: Korean Air KE 17 from Seoul to Los Angeles Duration: 10 hours 45 minutes Equipment: B748(Boeing 747-800) Class: Business Seat: 19A(Upper Deck Window) Seat Specification: Seat pitch: 75″, Seat width: 20.1″ I had already tried Korean Air Business class on A-380 and Boeing 777-300. When my A-380 aircraft between Seoul and Los Angeles was swapped with a Boeing 747-800, I was extremely happy as this is my favorite aircraft. The upper deck is not too large and only has premium cabin making for a better experience. Korean Air features 747-800 business class with 6 rows of 2 x 2 (except …