That Time Of The Year!

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That Time Of The Year!
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  • Category: Hotels

    • VTL Experience Part 2 – New York City Ground Experience

      Posted at 1:51 pm by TTOTY, on November 30, 2021

      My original plan was to book a room in TWA hotel (in JFK Terminal 5) and spend my time there watching plane take off and land from my room.  After calculating the cost of stay (including late check out), it works out to be > $500 USD!  I decided to go with a more cheapskate option – 44,000 IHG points for 1 night at Times Square Intercontinental hotel (with FOC early check in and 4pm late check out) even if I were to factor in a to & fro cab to Manhattan which cost about USD 75 – 80 per trip (inclusive of tips as the fare between JFK and Manhattan is a flat fee).

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged IHG, Intercontinental, Manhattan, New York, PCR test, VTL
    • Intercontinental Hotel Bugis Singapore

      Posted at 8:49 pm by TTOTY, on December 25, 2020

      So, 2020 has been a bummer for all of us especially travel nerds like me.  For someone who is constantly scouring Singapore Airlines website for availability, I end up cancelling more trips this year than making them.  So, what have I achieved in 2020? Let’s see:

      • Flown a total of 368 miles this year
      • Spent a total of 1 night outside of Singapore
      • Came into contact with the 1st unlinked Covid-19 case in Singapore (and hence pushing Singapore from yellow alert to orange alert)
      • Spending 11 nights in quarantine in a Government Quarantine Facility (and being able to review it)
      • Countless interviews with Zaobao
      • Having the privilege to have SQ crews working with me
      • New business partners – CL who had the courage to fly on UA1 / UA2 last year in Economy and RC 
      • Dine@380
      • Inside SIA
      • Amassing more than 1.5 million miles ready to burn them!
      Posted in Asia, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Bugis, Club Intercontinental, IHG, Intercontinental Hotel, Singapore, Staycation
    • Renaissance Hotel Bangkok

      Posted at 11:45 am by TTOTY, on October 24, 2019

      CHC and I were accommodated in the Renaissance Hotel in Bangkok for our recent conference.  The Renaissance Hotel is part of the Marriott chain of hotels (Marriott Bonvoy points).  It is centrally located in Bangkok, within walking distance from Erawan Shrine (and very near to the Holiday Inn hotel which I stayed in back in 2018).

      There is a BTS station just a stone-throw away from the hotel with Central World and Big C shopping center being nearby.  This makes the hotel extremely convenient for moving around, food and shopping.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Asia, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Bangkok, Hotel, Marriott, Renaissance Hotel
    • Park Royal Kuala Lumpur – more GHA hotel review

      Posted at 9:39 am by TTOTY, on October 2, 2019

      Review by CHC

      Made a short trip across the border for a jaunt up to KUL with the family to celebrate the end of prelim exams to take a break from the drudgery of studying for PSLE.

      As expected, crossing the 2nd link was a breeze and the journey up to KUL took just short of 6hours due to various stops along the way.

      As I held the Citi Prestige Mastercard, which is a world elite master card, I had decided to stay at the Park Royal Kuala Lumpur Hotel which is part of the Discovery loyalty program, as I held Black Status.

       

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Asia, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Discovery, GHA, Kuala Lumpur, Park Royal
    • Capitol Kempinski Singapore and GHA Discovery Black

      Posted at 9:29 am by TTOTY, on September 25, 2019

      *Picture courtesy of kempinski.com

      Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is one of the lesser known hotel membership program (vs. Marriott, Hilton, IHG etc) but they do have some great properties.  Member hotels include luxury brands such as Capella, Anantara, Kempinski, Park Royal, Pan Pacific and many more!  (click here for the list of hotels under GHA).

      For those Citi Prestige cardholders, one of the less known benefit is the GHA Discovery Black (highest level) membership.

      All you need to do is to sign up for membership, call up Citi Prestige Concierge and give them your membership number and your status will be upgraded within 4 to 6 weeks.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Asia, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Citi Prestige, Discovery, GHA, Kempinski, Singapore
    • Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi, Penang

      Posted at 1:07 pm by TTOTY, on September 20, 2019

      Holiday Inn is one of the few hotels located at the northern side of Penang called Batu Ferringhi.  It is famous for its beaches making it a nice place to stay for relaxation.  Few other hotels located along the stretch are Shangri La and Park Royal – making Holiday Inn Resort the poorer sibling.  At only RM 885 (inclusive of tax) for 4 persons with breakfast, it certainly makes this resort a very budget getaway (while it cost almost RM 3000 for the same dates in Park Royal!)

      The hotel comprises 2 blocks, the Ferringhi Tower and Seaside Tower.  When coming on Grab, do specify which tower you are going to.  Even if you are dropped at the wrong side, both towers are connected by an overhead bridge and check ins can be handled both sides.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Asia, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Ambassador, Batu Ferringhi, Holiday Inn, IHG, Penang
    • Intercontinental New York Barclay – an old gem in the Big Apple

      Posted at 10:59 am by TTOTY, on July 24, 2019

      At almost 100 years old, this old hotel built by the Vanderbilt family near the Grand Central Terminal still looks elegant and classy well into the 21st century.

      How does it fair in the modern New York?

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged Ambassador, Club Intercontinental, Grand Central Terminal, IHG, Intercontinental, Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York, Park Avenue
    • Crowne Plaza JFK, New York

      Posted at 11:58 am by TTOTY, on July 17, 2019

      After my previous stays in Crowne Plaza LAX and Crowne Plaza EWR, I was not having much expectation from this hotel.  Afterall, it is just for me to stay for a night after arriving from Panama at 1230am!

      Despite being the first to disembark and the had an all clear from the arrival machine, it took us more than 1 hour waiting to clear the CBP checkpoint!

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged Crowne Plaza, IHG, JFK, New York
    • The Westin Playa Bonita

      Posted at 1:11 pm by TTOTY, on July 5, 2019

      Playa Bonita is a seaside area just 20 minutes from Panama City.  Located at the coast of Pacific Ocean, Playa Bonita is not far off from the entrance of the Panama Canal (Pacific side) and Bridge of the Americas.

      Being a seaside resort, this place is popular with tourists.  It is not far from Panama City and easy to get there (driving or Uber) yet without the city noise and congestion.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Central America, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Panama, Panama Canal, Panama City, Playa Bonita, Westin
    • Gamboa Rainforest Resort – an old gem badly in need of makeover

      Posted at 11:15 am by TTOTY, on July 4, 2019

      After 3 nights in the city, we moved on to our next destination which is Gamboa Reserve in the district of Colon.  Situated roughly halfway between Panama City and Colon, the road goes through the forest and along the Panama Canal.  Getting into the resort is easy with Uber but getting out? That can be quite challenging.

      Once there, you will be greeted by the sight of a large and majestic resort that one stood glamorously 20 to 30 years ago but now looking rather worn out.  Despite that, it still retains a certain charm for those seeking to be away from the city.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Central America, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Colon, DBS Visa Altitude, Expedia, Gamboa, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Nature, Panama, Panama Canal, Wildlife
    ← Older posts
    • Posts

      • Flying once again!
      • VTL Experience Part 3 – Homecoming (SQ23 Business Class Review)
      • VTL Experience Part 2 – New York City Ground Experience
      • VTL experience Part 1 – a short getaway to NYC (SQ 26 First Class Review)
      • Intercontinental Hotel Bugis Singapore
      • SQ380 Business Class a.k.a Dine@A380 – Flight of Hope (or desperation)
      • Together, we shall prevail!
      • Review – Life in quarantine facility
      • What I fear, is the fear itself.
      • TTOTY 2020 – not a great start
      • Korean Air Business Class Second Act – The Apex Suite
      • Korean Air Business Class in pictures – KE 644 (SIN-ICN) and KE 765 (ICN-CTS)
      • Looking back at 2019
      • Air China Economy Class
      • Bank of China Elite Miles Card – my crappy experience
      • SQ 32 Business Class (SIN-SFO) in pictures
      • SQ 979 Business Class (BKK-SIN)
      • Renaissance Hotel Bangkok
      • T/G Lounge (DPS)
      • Thai Royal Silk Lounge Singapore
      • TG 404 Business Class and TG 409 Economy Class (SIN-BKK-SIN) – an ‘upgraded’ experience
      • Park Royal Kuala Lumpur – more GHA hotel review
      • Capitol Kempinski Singapore and GHA Discovery Black
      • Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi, Penang
      • TR 426 (SIN-PEN) and AK 1729 (PEN-SIN) review – tale of 2 budget airlines
      • SQ 611 Business Class (ICN-SIN) in pictures
      • NH 7 Business Class (SFO-NRT) in pictures
      • Sony WH-1000XM3 – The must have traveling companion!
      • Panama San Blas Islands & Panama San Blas Tour – Paradise in the Caribbean
      • Panama – my experience
      • Austin ATX Pass and Houston Segway Tour
      • SQ 637 Suites (NRT-SIN)
      • Intercontinental New York Barclay – an old gem in the Big Apple
      • Crowne Plaza JFK, New York
      • Changi Jewel Lounge
      • Delta One & Korean Air Business Class
      • UA 2 & UA 1 Economy Class (SIN-SFO-SIN) in pictures
      • The Westin Playa Bonita
      • Silverkris Lounge makeover …. finally!
      • Gamboa Rainforest Resort – an old gem badly in need of makeover
      • Waldorf Astoria Panama City
      • Hilton Americas-Houston
      • Lufthansa Senator Lounge (FRA) Revisited
      • Virgin Clubhouse JFK – sanctuary in a busy airport
      • Copa Club Tocumen Airport and The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network
      • Landry’s Seafood IAH Terminal C and non-lounge use of Priority Pass Card
      • United Club and KLM Crown Lounge Houston (IAH)
      • SQ 25 Suites (JFK-FRA-SIN) – my favourite cabin once again
      • CM 804 Business Class (PTY-JFK) – Good alternative connecting into Latin and South America for Star Alliance
      • CA 885 First Class (IAH-PTY) – First Air China experience
      • UA 1045 First Class (IAH-AUS)
      • SQ 52 Business Class (SIN-MAN-IAH) – my long and arduous journey into the Lone Star State
      • That Time of The Year 2019!
      • Gardens Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur
      • First Class or Business Class redemption? A simple breakdown on Krisflyer
      • Long Haul Economy Class or Short Haul First Class?
      • SQ 218 Suites (MEL-SIN) and Silverkris Lounge Melbourne in Pictures
      • SQ 217 Suites (SIN-MEL) in pictures
      • Food in Kansai
      • Wa Yamamura – a must try in Nara!
      • Holiday Inn Osaka Namba – strategically located budget hotel
      • Mikasa Ryokan Nara – a sanctuary for relaxation
      • SQ 618 (SIN-KIX) Business Class – a fairly simple sleeper flight
      • SQ619 Suites (KIX-SIN) – A Great Way To Fly!
      • OD807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) in pictures
      • The end of an era
      • IHG Ambassador Programme
      • Upcoming Krisflyer devaluation
      • Grand Millennium Hotel Hongqiao Shanghai
      • Happy New Year 2019!
      • MH609 (KUL-SIN) Business Class & MAS Golden Lounge in pictures
      • 2018 – looking back
      • SQ 830 (SIN-PVG) and SQ 833 (SIN-PVG) Economy Class
      • MI 988 and MI 985 Business Class (SIN-WUH-SIN)
      • SQ21 Business Class (EWR-SIN) – post inaugural flight back to Singapore
      • Special feature – SQ22 Inaugural (SIN-EWR) Premium Economy
      • SIN-EWR Inaugural
      • Air China First Class Lounge Shanghai
      • SQ618 Business Class (SIN-KIX) – Pictorial review of the Dreamliner
      • SQ828 First Class (SIN-PVG)
      • Holiday Inn Express Mongkok, Hong Kong
      • Holiday Inn Munich City Centre – conveniently located within Munich City
      • Imlauer Pitter Hotel Salzburg – Cosy Boutique Hotel just a stone throw away from the Mirabel
      • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – a hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage town
      • MI 986 and MI985 Economy Class (SIN-WUH-SIN) – my furthest flight on a 737
      • SQ22/21, here we come!
      • Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge, Changi Airport Terminal 4
      • CX712 Business Class (HKG-SIN) and The Deck Business Class Lounge
      • CX711 Business Class (SIN-BKK-HKG) – First Cathay Pacific experience
      • Holiday Inn Bangkok
      • Oman Air Business Class Lounge Bangkok
      • Adlers Hotel Innsbruck – A gem in the Tirolian capital
      • Radisson Blu Plaza Helsinki
      • Rovaniemi Scandic Hotel
      • London Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel – a luxury that is in need of some uplifting
      • SQ974 and SQ973 Economy (SIN-BKK-SIN) – The Dreamliner makes a debut
      • BA926 (LHR-MUC) Club Europe – a good way to use your Avios
      • Arctic Snow Hotel and Igloo Hotel Rovaniemi
      • SQ327 Business Class (MUC-SIN) – My first A350-900 XWB ride
      • AY412 Economy Class (KAJ-HEL)
      • AY533 Economy Class (HEL-RVN)
      • SQ 308 Suites (SIN-LHR) – a rather underwhelming Suites experience
      • Krisflyer Spontaneous Escapes – March Edition
      • Helsinki Finnair Business Class Lounge
      • Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Doha
      • Plaza Premium First Lounge KLIA (Part 2)
      • Qatar Airways A330-300 Business Class
      • QR849 Business Class (KUL-DOH)
      • Intercontinental Landmark 72 Hanoi (Club Intercontinental)
      • SQ 176 and SQ 175 Business Class Review (SIN-HAN-SIN)
      • KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Promotion
      • Hotel Jen Puteri Harbor, Johor
      • KLIA Plaza Premium First Lounge
      • OD 807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) and KLIA Premier Access Lounge
      • SATS Premier Lounge Changi Terminal 2 and MH614 Business Class (SIN-KUL)
      • Berjaya Time Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur
      • QR 852 Business Class (DOH-KUL)
      • Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge Doha
      • QR40 First Class (CDG-DOH)
      • Qatar Airways Premium Lounge Paris
      • South African Airways Premium Baobab Lounge
      • Bidvest Domestic Lounge, Cape Town
      • SA8651 Economy Class (CPT-SZK)
      • Enhanced security screening going into USA from Canada
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 – Part 2
      • Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
      • Hakone Yoshino Pax Hotel
      • Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome
      • LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel
      • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
      • Banff Aspen Lodge
      • SQ478 Business Class (SIN-JNB-CPT)
      • St. Regis Hotel Vancouver
      • Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal
      • SQ631 Business Class (HND-SIN) and ANA Business Lounge Haneda International Airport
      • SQ11 Business Class (LAX-NRT) and Star Alliance Lounge LAX
      • AC578 Economy Class (YYC-LAX) and Calgary Aspire Lounge
      • TS8788 Economy Class (YVR-YYC)
      • AC307 Domestic Business Class and Maple Leaf Lounge – a case of downgraded bird
      • DL 4106 Domestic First Class – A very forgettable experience!
      • SQ26 Suites (SIN-FRA-JFK) Round 2, with my first ever in-flight medical call
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 Part 1
      • Let’s talk about Avios
      • My take on the upcoming devaluation of Krisflyer Miles
      • The day we all dread …..
      • A Tale of 3 Lounges
      • Seoul Courtyard Marriott Time Square Club Room
      • MH616/66/67/607 Business Class (SIN-KUL-ICN-KUL-SIN)
      • Special! 7D 5N Parlo Tour (Malaysia) Hokkaido
      • Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
      • New Chitose Air Terminal Hotel
      • MH619 Business Class (KUL-SIN)
      • D7 551 Economy Class (CTS-KUL)
      • NH63 Economy Class (HND – CTS) – and Ninja Wifi review
      • SQ636 First Class (SIN-HND)
      • More upcoming review
      • SQ67 Business Classs (GRU – BCN – SIN)
      • Sumaq VIP Lounge, Lima
      • Premier Lounge Ngurah Rai Airport
      • ANA Suites Lounge Narita Airport
      • Changi Airport Terminal 1 Dnata Lounge
      • Upcoming review for October 2016…
      • JW Marriott Cusco
      • KL836 Business Class (DPS-SIN)
      • KL835 Business Class (SIN-DPS)
      • Next up? Bali
      • My short Malaysia getaway
      • MH628 & MH 605 Malaysia Airlines Economy (Via JAL Redemption)
      • Award redemption using Krisflyer Miles
      • Credit Cards that offer renewal miles
      • Citibank Prestige Card
      • SQ856 Business Class (SIN-HKG)
      • MH73 & MH609 Business Class (HKG-KUL-SIN)
      • SQ866 Suites (SIN – HKG)
      • The Haven by Jetquay Lounge
      • Penang Rasa Sayang Shangri La Resort and Spa
      • San Francisco Hyatt Regency
      • Los Angeles Residence Inn L.A. Live
      • Missisauga ALT Hotel
      • Niagara Sheraton On The Falls
      • Toronto Intercontinental Club Room
      • Boston Intercontinental Club Room
      • New York Residence Inn Times Square
      • Part 6(B) – SQ 15 First Class (ICN – SIN)
      • Part 6(A) – SQ 15 First Class (SFO – ICN)
      • Part 5 – Amtrak Coast Starlight, Sleeper Cabin (LAX – SFO)
      • Part 4 – AC 791 Transcontinental Business Class (YYZ-LAX)
      • Part 3 – AC 7627 Domestic Business Class (BOS-YYZ)
      • Part 2 – DL 4004 Domestic First Class (JFK-BOS)
      • Part 1(B) – SQ 26 Suites (FRA-JFK)
      • Part 1(A) – SQ 26 Suites (SIN-FRA)
      • That Time Of The Year – 2015!
      • Round The World Trip
      • SQ807 Business Class (PEK-SIN)
      • SQ802 Suites (SIN-PEK)
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