During our spontaneous trip to Colombia, we had a chance to try the Conrad Cartagena. Just the second Conrad in South America, this resort offered a ton of amenities and friendly service, but it’s not quite the whole package...
Resort or City: Conrad Cartagena Makes You Choose
When putting together the last minute pieces of our spontaneous trip to Cartagena, Colombia we decided to book our four nights at the Conrad Cartagena, a stunning, secluded resort just outside of the city. But just how far outside...
Italy Road Trip Day 1: Roaming Around Rome
After an unexpected night in Zurich, I landed in Rome Fiumicino Airport to pouring rain at 8:50a, ready for a big day ahead. No time for a coffee at Mercedes Benz this morning. I had about an hour to get...
Review: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort
Navigating the Orlando hotel scene can be a challenge, even when presented with a limited set of parameters. I had a chance to review the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort on a recent Disney trip and was pleased with...
Review: Aloft Houston by the Galleria
Hotels in Houston can be a difficult nut to crack, it’s all about location and convenience. The Aloft Houston by the Galleria is well positioned, offers premiums that other full-service hotels do not, and a reasonable price point for...
Review: Westin Alexandria – Suite Upgrade
As I continue to re-qualify for Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum (and as a result, matched over to Marriott Platinum) my tour of SPG properties continues from coast-to-coast. This property, the Westin Alexandria located just outside of Washington DC, ran...
Review: Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh – Presidential Suite
Room 1101 – The Presidential Suite at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh (Airport). Hyatt’s new Globalist benefit of suite upgrades at checkin subject to availability meant that we were able to score not just any suite, but the Presidential suite...
Review: Grand Hyatt Singapore (Suite)
I enjoyed a loverly two-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, an excellent property in the heart of Singapore. Upon arrival, I was informed that I had been upgraded, though the agent did not say to what kind of...
Review: Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
With an early flight to Singapore the following morning, we chose to spend our final night in Sydney at the on-site Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel. My stay took place after the hotel first opened in June 2013. But if...
Review: Hyatt Regency (Kota) Kinabalu – Suite
During our Christmas/New Year’s trip to Borneo, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu. We were able to use a suite upgrade and it was one of the best we have had. The waterfront location, excellent service, and suite...
Review: Park Hyatt Sydney (Opera View Deluxe)
This Park Hyatt Sydney review covers my upgraded Opera View Deluxe room. For a full review of the property, its restaurants, and amenities, you can read my earlier review. The upgrade was unexpected: thank a broken thermostat in my original...
Review: Park Hyatt Canberra
Admittedly, this hotel reminded me more of a retirement home than a Park Hyatt property. But I still liked it a lot. Have you ever been in a retirement home that has a sort of musty/old smell? That’s this...
The Hilton Waikoloa: A Family Paradise
On a past trip to the beautiful Island of Hawaii, we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa. My husband previously stayed here as a teenager after his mother won an all-expenses-paid giveaway from Sargento Cheese. Yes, people really win those...
Review: Park Hyatt Melbourne
While not a typical Park Hyatt hotel, I enjoyed a relaxing three-night stay at the Park Hyatt Melbourne. Please note this review is from 2013, but very little has changed at the property since my visit. I outline my...
Review: Le Méridien New Orleans – Suite
During a business trip to the Big Easy, I stayed at the Le Méridien New Orleans, upgraded to a corner suite. It was one of the best experiences I have had as a Platinum SPG member and an excellent...
Review: Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara
Los Angeles is a great place to live, but one of the blessings of living in Southern California is weekend trips out of LA. One of my family’s favorite getaways is a two hour drive north to Santa Barbara....
Review: Magnolia Hotel Houston, Tribute Portfolio
Looking for a downtown Houston hotel near the convention center, I stumbled upon an independent brand I didn’t know SPG had acquired, Magnolia. The boutique brand commanded a premium when it was independent with midwestern locations in Omaha and...
Review: Hyatt Regency Orange County (Near Disneyland)
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel near Disneyland, the Hyatt Regency Orange County fits the bill. That wasn’t what I looking for, though. I just wanted a quiet hotel to spend the night with my wife and a...
Review: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar – Amenities
Prior to this post I reviewed a suite at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas. This second post examines the amenities of the property including the pools, dining and property more broadly – but frankly, mostly food. If you are...
Review: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar – Suite
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (and the entire resort complex) has been hotly anticipated since its originally scheduled opening in 2011, delayed until just six months ago. The hottest new destination in the Bahamas lived up to its legend...
