I was supposed to stay in this hotel as part of my 2015 North American getaway. In the end, I did not do a Seoul stopover as I had problem breaking my SQ15 flight due to lack of availability. Fast forward one year later, here I am.
I was supposed to stay in this hotel as part of my 2015 North American getaway. In the end, I did not do a Seoul stopover as I had problem breaking my SQ15 flight due to lack of availability. Fast forward one year later, here I am.
As part of my trip, I utilized my voucher from Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Ascend card for a free stay in Kuala Lumpur Grand Millennium Hotel. I had used the Ascend Amex card before but I discontinued it as the perks were not great. I recently re-applied the card to make use of the 35,000 miles bonus for $10,000 spend (which has since been discontinued). That worked out to be about 4.8 miles per dollar spent (including the miles accelerator program) which is an excellent figure. The benefits of this card were recently changed and the current benefits are:
For my Hokkaido Trip this time, I will be traveling with my parents (both in their mid-70s). The tour group they signed up with is Organised by Parlo Tours (of Malaysia), which I will try my best to review as well. Instead of following the tour group from Kuala Lumpur itself, I chose to fly in from Singapore via Haneda instead.
I had to arrive one day earlier before the group do on October 9. After some research, I chose Terminal Hotel for its convenience as it is located inside the Domestic Terminal of New Chitose Airport. I made my booking via Expedia using my Citibank Premier Miles Card (for the 6 miles per dollar promotion). I paid about SGD $110 (inclusive of tax) and the rate comes with free buffet breakfast and entry into the airport Onsen (located at 4th floor in the Oasis Park). The entry fee for the Onsen cost about 1500 JPY (about SGD $20). The price I paid is for a single room.
This is the first of a series of articles that will feature my partner’s South American adventure which was recently concluded. His first review will focus on Cusco’s JW Marriott.
Hotel: JW Marriott Cusco
Date : 23 to 25 June 2016 (2 nights)
Price : Rack rate is quoted at USD 249 a night+, but we booked this at a corporate rate thanks to our travel agent
Type of room : Classic Inca Room (2 Double)
Hi there, this is a contribution from my friend H.C. who recently traveled to Penang in December 2015.
*Note : Pictures will be uploaded soon
Date : 22 to 26 November 2015 (4 nights)
Price : SGD $900 (including tax)
Type of room : King room
Inclusive : none
I booked this room utilizing Citibank Prestige’s 4th night free. I chose this hotel mainly for the convenience, Amtrak Thruway Bus (continuation from my Amtrak Coast Starlight trip) stops right in front of the hotel. I definitely do not want to lug my luggage around San Francisco at 10:30 pm. I had wanted to book the Club room but as I will be spending most of my time away, I decided to just go for the King Room without any additional options (including breakfast).
The hotel is located conveniently at the junction of Market Street, California Street and Drumm Street and just next to Embarcadero. The BART, Electric Street car, MUNI Metro and cable car is just at the doorstep of the hotel! This makes traveling around the city extremely convenient. The San Francisco Ferry building is just a stone throw away. Using the above transport options, one can go to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square and other places easily. There are eateries nearby with Walgreens and 7-Eleven nearby too.
Date : 19 to 22 November 2015 (3 nights)
Price : SGD $899 (including tax)
Type of room : Studio Suite
Inclusive : Breakfast
Residence Inn in Downtown LA is located at one of the newest part of downtown, named L.A. Live. The hotel building is actually 2 hotels in 1 (i.e. Residence Inn and Courtyard, both under Marriott Group). I booked this hotel via Expedia (for the 6 miles per dollar under Citibank promo) as it was cheaper than booking with Marriott directly.
Date: 18 to 19 November 2015
Price: SGD $160 (inclusive of tax)
Type of room: Queen Room
Inclusive: None
We had to stay overnight in Pearson as our flight to Los Angeles the following day (AC791) departs at 8:00 am. With the US Border pre-clearance in Toronto, I had to make sure we arrive in Pearson by 5:30 am. There are many hotels around Pearson but the 2 most convenient hotels are Sheraton Gateway (at Terminal 3) and ALT Hotel at Viscount Station.
Date: 17 to 18 November 2015
Price: SGD $239 (inclusive of tax)
Type of room: King Jacuzzi
Inclusive: None
Addition: Club Sheraton access (CAD$40) – club access with noon tea and breakfast
Date : 16 to 17 November 2015
Price : SGD $330 (inclusive of tax)
Type of room : Club Floor
Inclusive : Breakfast, Noon Tea and Evening Cocktail
After 2 excellent nights in Boston Intercontinental, we moved on to its counterpart in Toronto. Located within downtown Toronto, Intercontinental is located about 45 to 50 minutes away from Pearson International Airport (via taxi). It cost about CAD $55 (excluding tips) on a cab. Alternatively, one can take the Union Express up to Union Station which is located just next to the hotel.
That Time Of The Year! 