That Time Of The Year!

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  • Category: Europe

    • Holiday Inn Munich City Centre – conveniently located within Munich City

      Posted at 3:23 pm by TTOTY, on July 3, 2018
      holiday-inn-munich-4878785454-16x5 (1)

      Picture courtesy of ihg.com

      My last stop in Europe happened to be in Munich.  I had a lot of trouble deciding which part of Munich I should stay in but after some consideration, I decided to settle in Holiday Inn Munich City Centre.

      The hotel is located just outside of the city centre.  I was initially keen to stay within the city centre itself (near the Hauptbahnhof).  After reading reviews that suggest the area may be a little rowdy, I decided to stay a little off it.  Holiday Inn is just at the fringe of it and it is connected to the S-Bahn via an underground connector.  This is extremely useful during winter time and makes the hotel very convenient for those arriving into Munich Airport (as the S8 line connects directly to Franz Josef Strauss International Airport).

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Europe, Holiday Inn, IHG, Munich

    • Imlauer Pitter Hotel Salzburg – Cosy Boutique Hotel just a stone throw away from the Mirabel

      Posted at 1:25 pm by TTOTY, on July 3, 2018

      My next stop after Innsbruck happened to be Salzburg.  The journey from Innsbruck was straightforward, just 2 hours direct train from Innsbruck.  I booked this hotel mainly due to its proximity to the city and within walking distance from the train station (just 500 to 600 meter from the station).  This booking was made via Prestige Concierge utilising the hotel night benefit (for the 4th night free) as Salzburg was my longest stop.

      The hotel is situated along the main street but it was far from being busy.  It only takes about 5 to 8 minutes to walk to Mirabel Palace, and probably 15 to 20 minutes to get the old city.  Most of the point of interests in the city is within walking distance, but I would recommend getting the Salzburg Card which includes unlimited use of the public transport.

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Citi Prestige, Hotel Night, Imlauer Pitter Hotel, Salzburg

    • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – a hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage town

      Posted at 12:45 pm by TTOTY, on July 3, 2018
      IMG_3235

      Semi panoramic view from the room

      My second last stop for my Europe trip (which was also the stop my other half most wanted to visit) was Hallstatt.  Hallstatt is small quaint town in Upper Austria and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Unless one is driving, reaching there can be quite a challenge and costly.  Nevertheless, it is certainly a place worth visiting.

      Being a very small town by the lake Hallstatt, there isn’t much hotel to choose from.  Heritage Hotel is probably the most convenient to reach and is situated right in the town centre (it is very small town by the way).  There are some B&B around though if one wants to consider other alternatives.

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Austria, Europe, Hallstatt, Heritage hotel, Salzkammergut, Upper Austria

    • Adlers Hotel Innsbruck – A gem in the Tirolian capital

      Posted at 8:43 pm by TTOTY, on April 21, 2018

      IMG_1980

      Moving on from London, we arrived at the picturesque city of Innsbruck.  Coming in from Munich via the OBB, the Adler is just a short walking distance from the main train station.  This would come in handy for those who have big luggage.  Staying in the old city has its charm, getting there may be a little challenging with luggage in tow and harsh weather.  It is also within walking distance to the old town (where most of the point of interests are in) and also near to many supermarkets and eateries.  Adlers is certainly very convenient.

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Adlers Hotel, Austria, Europe, Innsbruck, Tirol

    • Radisson Blu Plaza Helsinki

      Posted at 3:44 pm by TTOTY, on April 21, 2018

      IMG_9741

      Radisson Blu Plaza is situated very centrally in Helsinki.  It is within walking distance to the regional train station, the art museum is just a stone throw away and the esplanade and market hall is within walking distance.  During winter, the Christmas market is just around the corner.  Kamppi is just nearby; where the central bus station is situated in (it is a shopping centre too).  With such a strategic location, how did the hotel fare?

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Europe, Finland, Helsinki, Radisson Blu

    • Rovaniemi Scandic Hotel

      Posted at 2:55 pm by TTOTY, on April 21, 2018

      After more than 3 months in the backburner, finally some time to resume my reviews before my next travel in March.

      This is the first of my 3 hotels I stayed in Finland.  I chose Scandic Hotel as it was the most convenient, being located in the city centre (with a supermarket directly opposite it) and the price was reasonable.  I booked a Superior King Room with attached sauna.

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 4 Comments | Tagged Finland, Lapland, Rovaniemi, Sauna, Scandic

    • London Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel – a luxury that is in need of some uplifting

      Posted at 8:28 pm by TTOTY, on April 19, 2018

      For my recent trip, London was my first stop and what better way for me to use the Intercontinental Ambassador Weekend Night certificate than to use it on this top end Intercontinental property.  One of the perks of the Ambassador program is the Weekend Night where you get a free night stay when you make a booking of 2 nights over the weekend period (Friday to Sunday Night for most regions).  Depending on the property, this constitutes a big saving (in my case, 630 GBP).  Besides the free stay, you will get a guaranteed upgrade to the next level room.  I had to book the Studio Suite room as that is the lowest level room that comes with complimentary club lounge access.  For all other rooms, lounge access will cost you 96 pound per night per 2 persons (which is fairly exorbitant!).  With this benefit, we were upgraded to the 1 bedroom suite.

      The hotel is certainly well located in the up market Park Lane/Mayfair area (the most expensive plot on the Monopoly J ).  It is within walking distance to many spots such as Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Kensington Park, Piccadilly, Knightsbridge etc.  It can also connect to other parts of London easily as the Hyde Park Underground station is just at the doorstep.

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      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Club Intercontinental, IHG, Intercontinental, London, Park Lane, Suite

    • Arctic Snow Hotel and Igloo Hotel Rovaniemi

      Posted at 11:02 am by TTOTY, on March 28, 2018

      There are a 2 igloo hotels in Finland.  One is the Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen (nearer to Ivalo, further north than Rovaniemi) and the other is the Arctic Snow Hotel (the one I stayed in) which is only 27km away from Rovaniemi City Centre.

      The hotel is not very big, there are a total of less than 40 igloos (of which 5 are family igloos).  Each igloo is 20 Sq meter (houses up to 3 person) while the family igloo is 35 Sq meter (houses up to 5 person).  There is a snow hotel as well but it is only operational from late December until February.  During our stay there, the Snow Hotel is still in the midst of construction.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Europe, Hotels | 2 Comments | Tagged Arctic Snow Hotel, Finland, Igloo Hotel, Lapland, Rovaniemi, Winter

    • Posts

      • 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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