On my recent European autumn trip, I flew Thai Airways business class to London to kick off the trip. I’ve flown Thai short haul business class, and First on a medium haul, and several economy class flights, but this was my first experience of their long haul business class, or Royal Silk. I always feel…
A hidden gem?: Review: Hotel Resonance Taipei, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
I made a weekend trip to Taipei during a long weekend in Singapore back in September. For this trip, I chose to stay at Hotel Resonance, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property. Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a collection of independent hotels, with each property maintaining a unique, individual character. The independent properties are supposed…
Review: Air China Business Class Lounge (No.71) Shanghai Pudong
On my recent trip to Shanghai, I flew back on Singapore Airlines A380 business class (no review since I just reviewed a HKG-SIN flight on the same product a few months back). For this flight back, I had access to, and visited the Air China Business Class Lounge. I would have had access even if…
Doesn’t Feel Like A Conrad: Review of the Conrad Shanghai
A couple of weeks ago, I made a quick trip to Shanghai. Since China had recently opened up visa-free travel for Singapore passport holders, it was an opportune time for a visit to China. The purpose of the trip was mainly to feel what Shanghai was like now that China has emerged from Covid, and…
The best business class lounge in Singapore? Review of Qatar Airways Lounge Singapore
Is the Qatar Airways lounge truly the best business class lounge in Singapore? It might well be, heck it may even be the best lounge in Singapore Changi Airport. I had the chance to stop by the Qatar Airways when flying Japan Airlines business class – they’re both members of Oneworld – and it was…
A mixed bag: Review of the Conrad Osaka
During my Japan Sakura trip in March, I stayed at the Conrad Osaka. It was a hotel I was looking forward to trying, having been lured in by the promise of stunning city views and large, modern rooms. While I had been pleasantly satisfied by the Hilton Osaka on my first trip to a reopened…
All style, no substance: Review of the new Pan Pacific Orchard
I went into this stay with fairly low expectations. Firstly, I checked-in on the second day after the hotel’s opening; hotels don’t tend to be operationally at their best so quickly. Secondly after my last experience at the sister Pan Pacific Singapore, I don’t have a high opinion of the brand. Around its opening, the…
Bring long pants: Review of the Pan Pacific Singapore
Last month, I had one of those I-want-to-get-out-of-the-house weekends. I had heard good things about the Pan Pacific Singapore’s Pacific Club lounge, and having found a somewhat decent rate for it, I decided do a quick one-night stay to check out the property. While the Pacific Club turned out to pretty good offerings wise, it…
Shiny new, sparkling service: Review of the Hilton Hiroshima
In March, I made a trip to Japan for Sakura season. It was pretty crazy, given it was the first post-Covid sakura season with tourists allowed into Japan. I planned most elements of the trip well in advance, locking in hotels as far back as July 2022. One element which was booked a little later…
Review: Hilton Singapore Orchard (King Corner Suite)
Introduction I first stayed at the then recently-opened Hilton Singapore Orchard in April 2022. A reflag of the Mandarin Orchard, the the Hilton Singapore Orchard opened in late February 2022 after an extensive renovation. This property is the largest Hilton hotel in Asia with 1,080 rooms, and replaced the dump that was the original Hilton…