I had a business trip that took me flying this week from Florida to Colorado. I had some surprises as well as expected experiences. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
Review: Andaz West Hollywood (Suite)
My wife and I enjoyed a staycation last month at the Andaz in West Hollywood. It’s a great Hyatt property in the heart of LA that I look forward to returning to. Andaz West Hollywood Review We live less...
Review: Hyatt Rosemont (Near Chicago O’Hare)
Hotels have cut back quite a bit during the pandemic, but the inability to get any sort of breakfast was quite disappointing at this otherwise-comfortable hotel just minutes away from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Hyatt Rosemont Review I checked...
Review: Hyatt Place Washington, DC – U.S. Capitol
I spent one night with friends and one night at the Hyatt Place U.S. Capitol during my trip to Washington, DC last week. I chose the Hyatt Place based primarily upon location and in that respect I still misjudged...
Are Luxury Hotels Really Just Skipping Breakfast During COVID-19?
I understand that hotels wish to encourage social distancing during COVID-19 and the breakfast buffet is unlikely to return anytime soon. But no breakfast at all? How does that make sense? Something as simple as breakfast at hotels has...
As The World Re-Opens, Remember Your Friends
As the world begins a process of calculated and careful re-opening, it’s important to remember which airlines, hotels and car rental companies were your friends through the crisis. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Loyalty Program Elite Status Winners and Losers
While elite status seems inconsequential during the coronavirus crisis, some programs came out on top while others lagged behind. This is the loyalty program elite status winners and losers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Editorial: Delta Is Living In The Future
Delta has become the airline to beat in many respects among US carriers. From pet carriers to closed-door business class suites, Delta is absolutely living in the future. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Review: Park Hyatt Saigon + Exploring Ho Chi Minh City
This week we are taking a walk down memory lane with a vintage first class trip report. I’m sharing photos and brief commentary from a trip I took in the final days of 2010 and first days of 2011...
Review: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando (Bi-Level Suite)
Orlando is flush with hotels but after trying a few out, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is among the most impressive. We were upgraded to a bi-level suite and it was extraordinary. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Hyatt’s Limited Global Footprint Finally Hits Me
For years I’ve argued that Hyatt’s limited global footprint has not mattered…that the hotel chain has enough hotels in enough places to suit my travel needs. But Israel has presented a new challenge. I’m not just blindly loyal to...
Spend Your Upgrades Early and Often
Hotels, airlines and even car rental companies give us benefits that are good all year, but sometimes we treat them too preciously. This is the year to spend your upgrades early and often! If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Loyalty in 2019, Plan For 2020
At the turn of the year (and in this case, the turn of the decade) reflection is important before forging ahead. My loyalty experience in 2019 was interesting, 2020 feels more intentional already. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Review: Hyatt Centric Honolulu Disappoints
I had a chance to try out the Hyatt Centric in Honolulu and my oh my, how disappointing it was. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you...
Caution: Refresh Underway At Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara
The Hyatt Centric in Santa Barbara is undergoing a mutli-million dollar refresh that will bring much-needed upgrades to a historic hotel. I recently took my family to Santa Barbara for the weekend and we stayed, as usual, at the Hyatt...
Review: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome – Suite
A stay in Paris should be magic, and in our case it certainly was. The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome delivered on a perfect Parisian stay. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
Bonvoyed: SPG Members Leaving Marriott, Data Suggests
Marriott Hotels purchased Starwood and replacing the beloved Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) with a new combined program, Bonvoy. Three data points suggest that SPG members haven’t stayed with the new Bonvoy program. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Lifetime Status: My Pursuits and Results
After traveling for an extended period of time, annual qualifications become a forgone conclusion, but lifetime status overtakes the annual goal. Here are my hotel and airline lifetime progressions and why I seek them. If you are considering booking...
Hyatt Globalist Room Service Shenanigans
Is consistency at a hotel too much to ask, especially at the Hyatt I frequent most often? Regular readers know that the Hyatt Regency Mainz is the Hyatt hotel I stay at most often. It’s an easy drive from...
Review: Brand New Park Hyatt Shenzhen – Suite
The brand new Park Hyatt Shenzhen perfects luxury high above southeastern China’s Silicon Valley. When given the opportunity to review the property, I couldn’t pass it up. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...