One of the perks that comes with the Priority Pass lounge is the non-lounge benefit in selected restaurants. This was introduced only recently, but nearer home – we already had a similar concept.
One of the perks that comes with the Priority Pass lounge is the non-lounge benefit in selected restaurants. This was introduced only recently, but nearer home – we already had a similar concept.
Over the years, my preference for my hotel bookings has slowly switched from 3rd party sites (Expedia – mainly for its 6 miles per dollar promo with Citibank previously) to that directly from the hotel. This is due to progressively less bonus promo from credit cards (DBS Visa Altitude still has 6 miles per dollar promo) and more expensive hotels (Kaligo offers 10 to 12 miles per dollar but at a significantly higher price).
My preference further changed once I signed up for the IHG Ambassador programme which then make me choose IHG properties as my first option (direct booking with IHG). There are indeed benefits one can get from booking directly with the hotel (especially when you have status with them) e.g. my stay in Holiday Inn Munich. Another of my preference (but only if I will be staying for 4 nights) will be utilizing the Citi Prestige’s Hotel Night benefit (in which the 4th night will be free!). One can occasionally double dip on this privilege (e.g. for my upcoming stay in Osaka where I managed to book on IHG for Holiday Inn Namba using member’s rate, getting the points and get the 4th night free!).
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).
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 shall switch my focus to credit card for today’s post. Citibank Prestige card is one of the best card for miles earning with many benefits that come with the card. It may not be the best card if we are to judge it based on the number of miles earned on spending alone (that accolade belongs to ANZ Travel card, among general consumer cards).
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 : 10 to 14 November 2015 (4 nights)
Price : SGD $1,600 (inclusive of tax and 4th night free)
Type of room : Studio Suite
Inclusive : Breakfast
After completing my flight trip reports, I will now turn my attention to the hotels I have stayed in during my trip.
