Warm Sunday greetings from Colombo. It has been a fabulous day of rest here as I take a break before boomeranging back to East Asia on Monday. The Shangri-La has truly impressed me. I realize I haven’t discussed my...
Honolulu Desperately Needs An Airport Hotel!
Oh Honolulu, so quaint in so many ways. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is in desperate need of a proper airport hotel. There must be an opportunity for an enterprising investment firm to construct a lucrative on-site hotel....
Rollover Credits Move My Remaining Stays to Hilton Over Hyatt
This year I have top tier status with several hotel chains but re-qualifying for next year will place an emphasis on Hilton going forward over Hyatt, my focus program. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Bangkok Hotel Comparison: Park Hyatt vs. Waldorf-Astoria
After staying in both the amazing Park Hyatt Bangkok, a favorite, and the new Waldorf-Astoria Bangkok, a comparison is in order. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t...
Review: Waldorf-Astoria Bangkok Suite Upgrade
The brand new Waldorf-Astoria Bangkok has opened and it’s incredible. Our suite upgrade and status gave us an experience that we can’t wait to repeat. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support...
Would You Use Bulk Toiletry Dispensers At Hotels?
Bulk toiletry dispensers at hotels are catching on fast. But would you use them? Yesterday I posted a review of the beautiful new Andaz Munich, a five-star property. But despite its luxury status, toiletries in both the sink and shower...
Why Must I Always Demand My Elite Perks?
Must I be the one who is forced to assert the perks and benefits I am entitled to as an elite guest if I actually want them? I’m tired of being that guy. Earlier today I wrote about my...
First Impressions: Andaz Munich
I checked out the brand new Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor this week and was very impressed. Hyatt’s eighth hotel in Germany is a beautiful stone edifice located in the heart of Munich. The lobby and other common areas are modern...
When The Hotel Concierge Comes Through
On a recent visit to Bangkok Thailand, we stayed in a number of hotels at a variety of price points. It was a pair of concierges at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit that made all the difference for our...
Review: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit – Suite
After decades of just a single property in Bangkok, Hyatt has added three in the last two years, the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit the most recent addition. We frequent the Big Mango and have stayed at more than a...
Review: Grand Hyatt Bali – Executive Suite
During a long trip through Southeast Asia, we tried a number of hotels we haven’t stayed in before. One of which was the Grand Hyatt Bali, a mega-resort in Nusa Dua. We were treated to a Globalist suite upgrade...
Confirmable Suite Upgrades Places Hilton Diamond Status Above Peers
Hilton has been trialing a new Honors Diamond perk, confirmed suite upgrades. If Hilton adds the perk to their program permanently, Honors would be the hotel loyalty program to beat and Diamond status the best in the business. If...
Leaving Marriott/SPG “Bonvoy?” Here’s Where I’d Move
The Marriott/SPG merger has not gone swimmingly for so many loyal members and some have suggested they are leaving. Where should they stay instead of the world’s largest hotel chain? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Have You Traded a Welcome Amenity?
Some hotels treat their most frequent guests to a welcome amenity waiting for them in their room. But they don’t always suit their audience. You should never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what about trading one...
My Top 10 Hotel Stays In 2018
As 2018 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on my 10 favorite hotel stays from 2018. As a reminder, this is not a top-1o all-time list nor does...
Meanwhile, I’ll Stick To Hyatt…
I read with some amusement the recent back-and-forth between View from the Wing, One Mile at a Time, and Frequent Miler over Marriott versus Hilton. My solution is simple: I’ll just stick to Hyatt. It started when Gary argued...
I Found A Needle In My Hotel Room
I stay in hotels often – as many as 200 nights every year – and I thought I had seen everything. Until the day I found a needle in my hotel room. What would you do? If you are...
Review: Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin (Suite)
As part of my United status run this year, I returned to the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin – our home away from home in Hong Kong. There was much to love and much to learn about our...
Review: Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui (Suite)
As part of my United status run this year, I decided to try the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui one last time after I hadn’t loved my previous two experiences. The third time was the charm! If...
Hotel Standards Still Lag, Updates Needed
I spend a lot of time on the road and nights away from home for work and our own personal trips. More and more, I have found that hotels have failed to update their basic standards and that needs...