I spent a few nights at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands last week and came home with an unexpected souvenir…a damaged front bumper. What do you do when your car gets damaged at a hotel? Of course the immediate answer...
Would You Switch to a Suite for One Night?
Earlier today I published a review of my recent stay at the Park Hyatt Dubai. Only standard rooms were available the first night, but I was offered a suite my second (and final) night. Would you move rooms just...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 2, 2017
Greetings from over the Atlantic on a rare overnight westbound flight. The week took an unexpected turn as I found myself on a very quick jaunt to Germany and Jordan. More details on that trip are coming. In the...
Why Are Status Hotel Upgrades Tough?
Some hotel chains offer room upgrades of varying levels to their elite guests. These are typically listed as “if available upon checkin” but often moving up from a double queen room to a coveted suite seems like hard work....
Review: Ace Hotel Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city of chain hotels – which is where I usually stay due to elite benefits and point accrual – but on occasion there is sufficient cause to divert from the pattern. Ace Hotel Pittsburgh is just such a...
Park Hyatt Bangkok: Suite and Bitter
I’m pleased to announce the first contributor to Live and Let’s Fly, Kyle Stewart. Kyle and I wrote together at UPGRD and we co-founded Pen and Passport. He’ll be adding commentary on hotels, airlines, and travel products. I’ll still be...
Why I’m Opting for More Expensive Airport Hotels
On my trip to Europe last month I found myself twice at more pricey on-site airport hotels than properties with a similar star level a few miles away. Why? I’ll explain. Airport hotels always tend to be more expensive than off-site...
My Unorthodox Free Suite Upgrade at Hilton
We’ve all heard of hotel upgrades due to overcrowding or loyalty status, but yesterday’s upgrade was a first. My wife and I checked into the Hilton Munich Airport yesterday evening with little Augustine. We had reserved a standard room. With...
Am I the Only One Who Doesn’t Use Hotel Deadbolts?
Earlier this week I wrote about a rough experience I had at the Hyatt Regency Mainz. A member of the hotel staff entered the room without knocking at 3:10AM, while my family slept. In the comments section, many reprimanded...
My Hotel Dilemma in Santorini and Mykonos
I’ve set foot in 125 countries, but there are still many places I have yet to visit. In Greece, I’ve been to Athens and Thessaloniki, but not to any of the Greek Islands. Soon I’ll be departing for Germany for...
Do You Use the Hotel Gym?
A new study confirms why I often have hotel gyms to myself. Hotels are racing to build fancy gyms for their guests—but that may be an exercise in futility. Fewer than half of hotel guests who say they planned on...
Review: Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort (China)
Off the radar for most US travellers, China’s “Red Hawai’i” offered us an incredible opportunity in Sanya, China. I wanted to review the exquisite Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay and was not disappointed. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Review: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Families and Couples
Continuing our stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba, see the previous post here. This property segments the property so that it can be a family or couples resort or a mixture of both. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Take $40 Off Your $73+ Hotel Bill Instantly
MakeMyTrip, an Expedia-linked travel agency in India, is currently offering 2750 INR (~$40) off your hotel stay of 5000 INR (~$73) more. There is no minimum stay requirement, meaning this deal can be stacked quite nicely for a multi-night stay...
Dealing with Obnoxious Hotel Guests
My wife and I were at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach over the weekend for FTU – where it was great to meet many of you. If you saw me on Sunday, though, you would have noticed some...
The Sheraton Lima Stinks
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 followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. (This is the continuation of a mistake prone journey that begin with a great...
Hyatt Diamond Challenge is Back and Open to Everyone
My favorite hotel chain has been Hyatt for several years now. Service at the Park properties are fantastic but even the Hyatt House stays can offer really exceptional rooms. As seen on Flyertalk.com, a revamped status challenge promo has...
Hilton Making Moves in Myanmar
Bloomberg recently had a report about Hilton Hotels properties in newly opened Myanmar (formerly Burma). Hilton was one of the first chains to build in Southeast Asian country since sanctions have eased over the last couple of years. ...
BREAKING: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Opening Delayed
With an opening slated for May 1st, it looks like Hyatt will have to push the opening of their Bahamas property, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. There is currently no updated time frame for when the property will open for...
Two Tricks on the Last Day to Book Hyatt Awards at 2014 Rates
Today is the final day to book Hyatt Gold Passport awards under the 2014 rate chart – effective at midnight CT the 2015 chart kicks in, which will see several properties going up one category. If you are booked...
