Not long after lifting of electronics ban imposed on some airlines, USA is now introducing enhanced security screening for transborder flights from Canada. Although I have only taken 2 transborder flights so far (AC791 from YYZ to LAX and AC578 from YYC to LAX), I was given the special SSSS treatment on my second flight.
This is probably the highlight of our 2017 trip. As the travel period was in peak season, I paid CAD $999 (before tax) per night for my Fairmont Gold room! If I were to travel a month before, the room is as low as CAD $599 (before tax). How big difference a month made! I was deciding if I should go for the Fairmont Gold room, in the end I decided to take the plunge. What benefits will Fairmont Gold get u with the additional CAD $200?
For those planning to stay here, do book in advance. Your chances of getting a room via 3rd party booking website (e.g. Expedia) for bonus miles earning may be low.
Banff which is situated about 2 hours away from Calgary is a small town within Banff National Park. It is a small town with most of the hotels and lodges situated along the main street which is Banff Avenue. Banff Aspen Lodge is one of these lodges. Like most hotels in Banff (with the exception of Banff Spring Hotel), it is a low rise building (4 storeys, including basement). As it is situated near the town centre, it is within walking distance to many restaurants and an IGA supermarket is nearby along Elk Street. Further down Banff Avenue, you will reach the central park. The Bow River Trail and the Bow Falls Trail are situated on either side of the banks of Bow River.
Not to be confused with the luxurious St. Regis Hotels (which is part of Starwood chain), this is a standalone boutique hotel in Downtown Vancouver. The main draw for this hotel is the location. It is just next to the Granville station and just a stone throw away, Canada Place station (metro line to Vancouver International Airport and Glen-MacArthur outlet mall). There are also many bus stops nearby (you have a few direct buses to Granville Market from Granville Street). The hotel has many eateries nearby and also Canada Place, Robson Street and Chinatown are all within walking distance. There is a big Nordstorm nearby and many other shopping centres too.
After completing my reviews of my flights, it is time to write on the hotels. The first will be Delta Hotels by Marriott which is situated in Downtown Montreal. Delta Hotels is a Canada-based hotel chain founded in 1962. It was taken over by Marriott since 2015 and hence you can get Marriott points for your stay in Delta. This hotel is conveniently situated between 2 metro (Place des Arts and McGill) giving you access to various parts of Montreal. It is also within reasonable walking distance to the Latin Quarter, Chinatown and even Mount Royal Park. As for eateries (and shopping complex), Complexe Desjardins and Eaton Centre are nearby. A short walk down will bring you to Rue Peel, which is where the tourism office is situated in (you can get your Montreal Passport here, and many day trip agencies are located here too).
Looking forward to my upcoming long trip (after my last one in 2015). Will be doing the following reviews:
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
Canada was fun but a little hectic. 3 nights in 3 different locations:
We were quite lucky that the both days we were in Toronto and Niagara Falls, the temperatures were higher than that of Boston! The day we left Toronto for Niagara Falls, Toronto was enveloped in thick fog while for Niagara, it started to rain. Thanks to a clear weather, we had a magnificent 360 degree view of Toronto from CN Tower (where we had our dinner). A sunny noon in Niagara gave us opportunity for photo taking of the falls and the weather held up the following morning to allow us to enjoy Hornblower Cruise. The good weather we had in Niagara allowed us a magnificent view of the falls from our hotel, Sheraton On The Falls. Not long after we left Niagara, it started to rain pretty heavily.
That Time Of The Year! 