All posts filed under: Travel

Hotel Review: Millennium Bailey’s Hotel (London)

Published by

I am a huge fan of BBC shows that showcase 18th century London scenery. There is something ultra romantic about the ornate mansions and row houses around the city. I can imagine the Victorian ladies with their lace parasols taking a stroll around the block. For my trip to London, I decided to stay in a converted mansion instead of the usual hotel chains.  Millennium Bailey’s Hotel came up during my search and  I fell in love with the impressive 19th century London mansion that is situated in the affluent Kensington area.  Let’s find out if the interior and hospitality are just as impressive. Address: 140 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4QH, United Kingdom PROS: The hotel is perfected located for sightseeing. You can walk to the Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and of course, the Palace. It is conveniently located across the London tube Gloucester Road station. The rooms are recently renovated and has a highly stylized decor. It conveys a the hip boutique hotel vibe. There are plenty of mirrors and good lighting for girls to …

Air France (AF):  How does the AF’s premium economy stack up to other airlines?

Published by

Over the past few years, airlines have created the premium economy class to meet the demands of its customers for a class between  cramped economy and expensive business. This premium class is offered on international flights due to generally long distances traveled and customers’ desire for little bit more leg room. Air France is one carrier that recently revamped its premium economy class and we tested the offer on our recent trip from New York to Portugal. Flight: Premium Economy from NY JFK connecting at Paris-CDG airport with the final destination arriving in Lisbon on Boeing 777-300ER. Lounge Access: None. Non-business passengers do not have lounge access. Priority Line: Premium class customers have Sky Priority access which really is the only perk to the economy premium class. Sky Priority is reserved for Premium, Business and First class customers. You will enter through the expedited passport, customs and boarding line. Sky Priority is worth it if you have a connecting flight in Paris. The passport and security line is very short for Sky Priority which is necessary for going …

A Layover in Narita, Japan

Published by

On a recent trip to Asia, I decided to have a 12 hours layover in Narita to explore the city. Narita Airport is at least 40 minutes on a train from Tokyo while Narita city is only a 10 minutes train ride away. Narita city is not about the sights as there are few things to see. However the city boast an abundance of charm and a good way to observe everyday Japanese’s lives for a short duration. Narita is known for grilled eel or unagi and that is where my senses led me. I was fortunate to have a friend residing in Japan meet me in Narita for a short sight seeing break. This is the breakdown of my  adventure in Narita. I had Japan Airlines’ Sakura Lounge access so I was able to freshen up after a red eye flight and grab a quick bite in the lounge. I stored my luggage at the lounge but there are locker options at the arrival hall as well. You can inquire about the locker option at the information …

Hotel Review: Hansar (Bangkok, Thailand)

Published by

Hansar Bangkok is a unique 5 stars boutique hotel in the heart of Bangkok. Hansar’s objective is  to provide for an “authentic and unpretentious luxury experiences in an intimate environment where your privacy is achieved through our boutique size.” The hotel offers 94 rooms which are very spacious, and the rooms are the epitome of modern luxury. We had two opportunities to stay at the Hansar while in Thailand. We will be reviewing our experience staying at the urban room and the studio. Positives: Central location and step away from most activities. The rooms are spacious, luxurious and homey at the same time. The service is excellent and the staff really tries their best to get you everything you would need. Unlimited free snacks and minibar in the room. Fresh fruit plate every day. The bathroom is gorgeous and I would love to have a bathroom like that one day. Breakfast is mostly made to order and is locally sourced. Free Wifi everywhere in the hotel. Intimate feel in an international style hotel. Negatives: There wasn’t a …

Must Do’s – Local Favorite Eateries in Hue, Vietnam

Published by

Every year and a half, I will travel to Hue, Vietnam to visit orphanages as part of Orphans’ Futures Alliance due diligence trip. I am always excited to visit the kids and also to sample my family’s favorite restaurants in the city. Hue is known to have the best authentic traditional cuisine stemming from its imperial history. My family is originally from Hue so I grew up eating many of the local specialties. Locals take great pride in the food culture and I am excited to share with you some of my family’s must eats when we are in Hue. Huyen Anh (52 Kim Long Street, Hue, Vietnam) This place specializes in fresh rice rolls (bánh ướt thịt nướng) and bbq pork (thịt nướng). This is a local favorite and the people there do not speak English. Don’t be intimidated as there are only 3 items that you can order. You can always just show them a picture. I would advise bringing your own wet naps as the place can be a little grungy like …

Airline Review: Bangkok Airways

Published by

Bangkok Airways is a regional boutique airline that services the local southeast Asian cities. I had a pleasure of taking a flight with Bangkok Airways from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand and the flight was much better than I expected. In this review, I will give you my assessment of my experience flying on this regional airline. ‘ Value: Above Average The price for a one way flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok varies approximately $50 to $100 for a one way ticket depending on the time and date. It is slightly higher than other regional airlines but the service and quality are much better as well. Seat: Average The seat in coach was average in comfort and seat space. I am 5 feet tall and you can see that there was still a decent amount of space left after I sat down. Boarding: Average Boarding was orderly and efficient. This is actually a plus as I’ve been on many regional flights and boarding can vary from chaos to semi-orderly. Food: Above Average I was very …

Hotel Review: Pilgrimage Village Resort (Hue, Vietnam)

Published by

Hue is Vietnam’s most historically significant city located in the central region of the country. Between 1802 and 1945, Hue was the imperial city under the Nguyen dynasty. The city is well known for historical sites such as the imperial city, the royal tombs and numerous temples. The city is still very rural compared to HCMC, Hanoi and nearby DaNang as most of the city was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War. The government continues to make progress to restore the city to its former glory but the process is slow.  Hue does not have world class accommodations that have been springing up all over the major tourist cities in Vietnam.  However, there is one resort in Hue that is worth checking out. Pilgrimage Village is an oasis on the outskirt of city center that provides a retreat from a hot and humid day of sightseeing. It is one of the few high end hotel catering to luxury jet setters. La Vie Partagee has stayed at this resort over the past few years and we …

Must Do’s: Select Local Eateries in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Published by

Ho Chi Minh City (“HCMC”) is the center of a diverse food and modern culture in Vietnam. HCMC is also the largest city in Vietnam and home to approximately 9 million people and growing. The city has gone through many iterations from an important Khmer seaport up to the 17th century to a romantic city under French colonization and now a vibrant metropolis in 2016. With its diverse history, it is no wonder that the variety of food is present in HCMC. I asked a good friend of mine to scout her favorite places to eat in HCMC and the following places are her recommendations. Ốc Đào (Seafood Restaurant) Address: 214/C84 Nguyễn Trãi St, Nguyễn Cư Trinh Ward, District 1 Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam Open: noon – 9:00 pm This is a quintessential local hangout for friends and co-workers. This restaurant serves many different types of snails and seafood at reasonable prices and has good quality. Don’t be afraid to check this restaurant out as they have pictures for non-Vietnamese speakers. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (Vietnamese Sandwiches) Address: …

Hotel Review: Hanoi Delano Hotel (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Published by

Hanoi Delano is a new hotel situated in the heart of Old Quarter in Hanoi. I had the pleasure of staying there on two occasions in two different rooms. My experience varied a lot because of the location of the rooms where I stayed. This cozy and elegant hotel should be classified as a boutique hotel. The hotel is rated as a four stars hotel on Booking.com but it is really on par with 3 stars international ratings for boutique hotels. Overall I had a good stay for the price and the location but there is still room for improvements. Website: http://www.hanoidelanohotel.com/ Address: No.52 Bat Su Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam Pros: The location is in the heart of Old Quarter. The hotel is new and has all the modern amenities. The staff tries their best to be accommodating. Breakfast option was very good for a small hotel. Cons: The rooms are very small and nothing like the size implied in the official photos. Noise insulation is very inadequate in this hotel so you can hear …

Review: Vietnam Airlines’ Business Lounge in Ho Chi Minh City

Published by

I had the pleasure of visiting Vietnam Airlines’ business lounge in Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport during my recent Asia trip at the end of 2015. Stepping into the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge feels like you just stepped back into the 1980’s. The lounge is very basic and is in need of a renovation. The lounge is also small for an international airport lounge but does have some basic necessities and free WiFi for its guests. There are power outlets in between the chairs which are convenient for those that need to recharge their electronics. The food options are adequate with choices of noodles,snacks and fruits. The taste of the food was decent but I felt that the food could have tasted fresher and better. Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge is not a bad option since you will get some peace and quiet before your next flight. The plus side is that you get to see a Hello Kitty plane which you would not see in other parts of the world. For related articles, visit the TRAVEL page. Author: Chau Hoang Featured Photo: …