Back in March I visited London for the first time. While I enjoyed my stay, at the end of my post I lamented that the visit might have been more fun to have a travel companion or a local guide. Leading up to my visit I was so focused on creating and delivering a presentation that I didn't even think about what I would do when the presentation was complete. Mix in some jet … [Read more...] about Comprehensive Guide to Staying in London
Hotels
Westin Cape Town Hotel Review
After a long and exhausting experience of flying MSP-ATL-JNB-CPT over the course of about 26 hours, we finally arrived in our first destination in South Africa. Right from the beginning, I was sure we chose the perfect hotel for our needs. The Westin Cape Town is kept in excellent shape, has some of the benefits I look forward to as a Gold Preferred Guest, and has … [Read more...] about Westin Cape Town Hotel Review
It’s Always a Good Idea to Keep Hilton or Marriott Points in Your Back Pocket
I have a confession to make. Even though I publicly denounced Hilton after their 2013 Massacre of a devaluation, I still hold points in the program and occasionally stay there when convenient. … [Read more...] about It’s Always a Good Idea to Keep Hilton or Marriott Points in Your Back Pocket
Park Hyatt Milan Hotel Review
For major cities throughout the world, status symbols are not measured in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), quantity of monuments or other quantitative measures. No, cities gain status in a much more superficial way: the existence of a Park Hyatt hotel. … [Read more...] about Park Hyatt Milan Hotel Review
Hilton Honors Invites you to Buy Something that’s Worthless to Earn Something Else that’s Worthless
For some reason I still am opted into emails from Hilton even though I publicly announced my departure from the Hilton Honors program earlier this year. Maybe it’s hope that something relevant will come through email or maybe it’s Schadenfreude from watching the program slip further and further away from credibility. Either way, I couldn’t help but laugh when I got an email … [Read more...] about Hilton Honors Invites you to Buy Something that’s Worthless to Earn Something Else that’s Worthless
Underwater Hotel in Tanzania Added to Bucket List
While we have seen several cool hotel concepts over the past few years, it’s never clear whether they will actually see the light of day or remain a concept forever. This underwater hotel in Tanzania is different, because it actually exists. … [Read more...] about Underwater Hotel in Tanzania Added to Bucket List
Four Points Asheville Downtown Hotel Review
This post is part of Random Hotel Review Month. Today we review the Four Points by Sheraton Asheville Downtown in North Carolina from my September 2013 visit. Other Random Hotel Reviews: Westminster Hotel, Conrad Istanbul, Hilton Garden Inn Mountain View. I have declared my love for Asheville in a post titled Who Needs Europe When You Have Asheville, North Carolina? Now as … [Read more...] about Four Points Asheville Downtown Hotel Review
Hilton Garden Inn Mountain View Hotel Review
This post is part of Random Hotel Review Month. Today we review the Hilton Garden Inn Mountain View, CA from my October 2012 visit. Other Random Hotel Reviews: Westminster Hotel, Conrad Istanbul. Unlike my most recent trip to see Google where I was able to stay at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, I usually find myself staying at more modest hotels whenever I am in the area. … [Read more...] about Hilton Garden Inn Mountain View Hotel Review
Hyatt Demonstrates the Proper Way to Announce a Devaluation
Yesterday evening I blogged about Hyatt’s Devaluation of 2013 and shared my thoughts on the change. Long story short is that no devaluations are good, but this one wasn’t as bad as others. Late last night I received a relatively proactive email from Hyatt announcing the devaluation, and I consider it to be a clinic on how to properly relay bad news to your customers. Here is … [Read more...] about Hyatt Demonstrates the Proper Way to Announce a Devaluation
Hyatt Gold Passport Devaluation 2013: The Losers and a Winner?
Last night Hyatt announced that they would be devaluing their award chart by increasing the number of points needed for certain awards and adding a new level of redemption (Level 7) which increases the number of points needed for an award night at 6 Park Hyatt Hotels by 8,000 points (36% increase). In addition, Hyatt is changing their valuable suite upgrades to be 6,000 points … [Read more...] about Hyatt Gold Passport Devaluation 2013: The Losers and a Winner?