Travel
Bulletin

Flying Scoot: Singapore’s LCC Flies B777
Jun. 2, 2014

Picture
It was my first experience to fly a non-Star Alliance carrier in the past months and of course there was no lounge access for me at this time. However, the flight turned out to be pleasant, no business-style like. 

This time, I flew Scoot from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Singapore Changi Terminal 2. Over the past months, I flew this route nearly weekly to commute between the cities. So far, I have flown Star Alliance partners, Singapore and THAI, to take advantage of a lounge access and etc. 
<Continue to read - click here>

Air China CA915 from Pudong Shanghai to Fukuoka, Japan
Aug. 31, 2013

Picture
It was my unusual trip on Air China from Shanghai Pudong to Fukuoka, Japan. I flew this flight on August 31, 2013, while my final destination is Nagoya. Thanks to sold out direct flights back to Nagoya and Tokyo, I had to fly this flight followed by a connecting ANA flight back to Nagoya from Fukuoka. 

I sat on the emergency exit row seat, 19L, a little more spacious than the other regular seats. The flight took only an hour so it did not matter if you were sitting on a premium seat or not. Since it was my first time to Fukuoka from Shanghai, the passengers were different than the other CA flights to Japan. Interestingly, Japanese passengers looked a bit creepy to me as Fukuoka was probably well known as a gang city. <Continue to read - click here>

Singapore Airlines SQ826 SIN-PVG
Aug. 26, 2012

Picture
First time flew Singapore Airlines. I know I always fly United, which everyone tends to hate and so do I. It is always so exciting for me to fly on other airlines, especially in Asia. Singapore, Thai, and ANA are all my favorites. 

This flight originated from SIN and I flew a red eye back to Shanghai on Aug. 26. It was surprising that a flight attendant called my sir name all the time and I was personally escorted to my seat. I sat on 12H, the business class, in the first row of the cabin. On this B777-200 aircraft, probably the seat 12H or 12K are the best because you have extensive legroom. The personal TV screen is on the wall could be a minor drawback. <Continue to read - click here>

Conrad Singapore 
Aug. 19, 2012

Picture
Stayed two nights at Conrad Singapore. It's located nearby the Marina Bay and thanks to the Marina Bay Sands opening a few years ago, this area is becoming very popular. Now, the circle line and a green line from Changi airport allows you to get to the hotel in 30 min! Walking down to the Marina Bay Sands is very easy by crossing a newly-established steel bridge. 

The hotel service is impeccable. Even the hotel GM helped me out for a great stay. The room facing to the Marina Bay is the best. You can see the Merlinon from the room! In fact, the property is traditional compared to the newly-built 4-5 star hotels. However, the hotel maintain the rooms very well and clean. The executive lounge is gorgeous with panorama view of Singapore financial district and Marina Bay although Pan Pacific building as well as some other buildings block some views. 

Lounge attendants are so helpful throughout the stay. Food is excellent for both breakfast and evening happy hour. Nothing to worry during the stay, the Conrad Singapore staff will solve any problems you may have. 

If I have to rank this hotel in a 10 scale while 10 is exceptionally excellent and 0 is exceptionally poor, this hotel for me is 10!

Dubai: Travel and Economy 

Marriott Suzhou, China
Mar. 1, 2014

Picture
Suzhou Marriott is located in a business district of the city or 10 minutes away from the main shopping street for tourists and residents. The city itself is compact so hiring a cab is one of the easiest options to travel out of the hotel. This hotel is very identical as its 48th story building is one of the tallest buildings in the town. I stayed in the 42nd executive floor and the view from the room was decent if there was no hazy air around. One attractive function of the room is that this shower room has a window to enjoy the populous city of Suzhou. <Continue to read - click here>   

Swisshotel Le Concorde Bangkok
Sep. 4, 2012

Picture
Swisshotel Le Concorde Bangkok is becoming my favorite hotel in Bangkok. I made a short trip to Bangkok again for a few days and this time I had chosen to stay there. The location is a bit off from downtown but the MRT station is less than a few minutes away. By MRT, you will get to downtown in 10 minutes. 

I checked in midnight but hotel staff was very helpful and kind with her smile. My room was 1609 and very clean from bedroom to bathroom. There is a big bathtub along with a separate shower room. Bed was comfy but not comfy soft, like Hilton. Since I had to enjoy my home Starbucks at Central Plaza Rama 9 every morning, which has been becoming my dairy life in Thailand, I had to skip all the breakfast, and I don't know the food quality. <Continue to read - click here>

Windsor Suites Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Aug. 23, 2012

Picture
It was my first time to stay at this hotel and this hotel could be one of my best choices for my next trip to Bangkok. First of all, the location is perfect, located in the heart of downtown and only 5 minutes to BTS Asok station or MRT Sukumvit station. The nearest department store is the newly built Terminal 21 and Emporium. Both department stores offer variety of restaurants, grocery shopping, and English bookstores. 

The room is huge in the main tower, which most customers choose to stay in its Counselor Suite room. Each room has a separate living room with a minibar and a small sink. The bedroom is simple but just ask for a higher floor. You will have a great view of Bangkok. Looking at price, it’s very reasonable, depending your budget though. This Counselor Suite room cost me only $40 a night. Only negative point I can think of is that a room is a bit old; otherwise, nothing is problem. Hotel staff is very helpful, too. 

If I have to rank this hotel in a 10 scale while 10 is exceptionally excellent and 0 is exceptionally poor, this flight for me is 9. 

United Airlines UA803&804 NRT-BKK
Aug. 7, 2012

Picture
Flying to Bangkok is becoming more frequent this year. Thanks to UA’s NRT-BKK route, I quite often take advantage of this flight to Bangkok; otherwise, I fly Thai Airways. 

Used GPU to fly in a BusinessFirst class this time. My seat was 6A (on UA803, B777-200) and I think this is the best choice thanks to the cabin right behind of First class and only 16 seats in this cabin. A person sitting next to me was a U.S. government employee and we talked how bad the United’s service was. I also dislike when flying China-US routes and domestic. It is hard to expect good service or more like elite passengers have already given up to receive good service. 

However, I believe UA’s Asia Pacific flights tend to offer better services because some flight attendants are Tokyo-based and they are more service-oriented. Thus, this flight was okay and actually much better service I received on my return flight on UA 804 BKK-NRT. <Continue to read - click here>