The Star Alliance Lounge at LAX offers a quiet oasis from the bustling terminal with à la carte dining and personalized service. But it also has some rough edges. First, take advantage of an escort if you are flying...
Review: Alitalia 777 Business Class Rome to Los Angeles
With Alitalia operating in bankruptcy protection, I figured this might be my last shot to sample a longhaul flight on the carrier. Let’s hope not, though, because I actually had a very pleasant 13hr flight from Rome to Los...
Review: Alitalia Lounge Rome Airport
After spending a few minutes in the pre-security lounge, I cleared security and found the closest Alitalia lounge to my gate. I had read about Casa Alitalia, Aliatalia’s new premium lounge concept, but the Alitalia lounge closest to my...
Review: Hilton Rome Airport (FCO)
After two great days in Atina, it was time to return to Rome and begin the journey home. While there are several decent hotels in the vicinity of Rome (FCO) Airport, only the Hilton is located on airport grounds....
Great Alitalia Lounge Concept in Rome (Review)
It was a simple lounge–warm natural light from the morning sun, plenty of seating, and lack of clutter. But most importantly: an Italian breakfast. And it did not even require passing thru a metal detector to reach. I’m talking...
Review: Alitalia A320 Business Class Madrid to Rome
This will be just a brief review, but I want to point out what service is like on shorthaul Alitalia flights in business class. I arrived quite early into Madrid and found the Alitalia check-in counter was closed. Unfortunately,...
Review: Puerta del Sol Lounge Madrid (MAD)
Despite Madrid being a hub, Air Europa does not have its own lounge. During my layover in MAD I used the Puerta del Sol Lounge instead. Access is granted via Priority Pass but since I was traveling business class on...
Review: Air Europa 787 Business Class Buenos Aires to Madrid
You don’t read much about Air Europa, but the private Spanish airline serves two U.S. cities and has taken delivery of several new 787-8 aircraft with lie-flat beds in business class. My 11hr flight to Madrid greatly exceeded expectations....
Review: Le Méridien Charlotte Hotel
From one of my very first posts as a travel blogger, Le Méridien has held a special place in our heart. That being said, we rarely get the chance to try the brand so when I was away for...
Review: Aerolineas Argentinas Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
This is a huge lounge, but also an underwhelming one. While you’ll have no trouble finding a seat (or dozens of seats), you will be very disappointed if you arrive hungry. You walk in and see a huge seating...
Review: American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
I found the American Express Centurion Lounge to be the best lounge in Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport. It’s worth a visit. Arriving at 8am, I had the lounge to myself for 30 minutes. Compare that to the crowded...
Review: Star Alliance Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
With an extended layover between flights, I had time to go lounge hopping in Buenos Aires. My first stop: the Star Alliance Lounge, now part of the Priority Pass network. Upon landing I followed the signs for “international transit”,...
Review: Aeromexico Lounge Cancún (CUN)
My connection turned out so quick that I had plenty of time to relax prior to my Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Buenos Aires. The airline uses Aeromexico’s Salon Premier in Terminal 2. The lounge is small, but access is limited...
Review: Saudia Business Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)
Earlier today I reviewed the Saudia First Class Lounge in Riyadh (RUH). During my long layover, I also had time to check out the business class side of the Alfurshan lounge. The lounge is subdivided into the following sections: Surprisingly, the business...
Review: Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)
The first class section of the Saudia Alfurshan Lounge in Riyadh (RUH) proved to be a very comfortable place to spend a 7.5hour layover between flights. To reach the lounge, simply follow the signs for “Alfurshan Lounge”. You will...
Review: SkyTeam Lounge Dubai (DXB)
We spent about 90 minutes in the SkyTeam lounge in Dubai prior to our Saudia First Class flight to Riyadh. The lounge was comfortable, wi-fi fast, and food decent. It’s also the best Priority Pass Lounge in Dubai (DXB)....
Review: Park Hyatt Dubai (Suite)
The Park Hyatt Dubai has not changed at all since my last visit in 2011. While the hotel is well-maintained with an extremely convenient location near the airport, I will be trying a different Hyatt property next time I...
Review: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe, Tajikistan (Suite)
Although our stay was brief, it was long enough for me to vouch for this excellent Hyatt property in the heart of Tajikistan’s capital city of Dushanbe. We arrived early in Dushanbe and negotiated a cab from the airport...
Review: Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor – Suite
Due to my United 1K Status Match/Challenge I found myself positioning in Boston ahead of a flight to Shanghai. While this is not my first stay at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, it was my first time in one...
Review: InterContinental Hotel Shanghai Ruijin
Traveling to Shanghai, the opportunities for amazing hotels are endless. Previously I had stayed at most Hyatt hotels in Shanghai proper but none of the other brands (see Matthew’s review of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai). This visit I found...
