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October 28, 2020
waldorf DIFC 48 800x581 - REVIEW - Waldorf Astoria Dubai DIFC : King Corner Suite [COVID-era]

REVIEW – Waldorf Astoria Dubai DIFC : King Corner Suite [COVID-era]

It's been a while since any hotel I stayed at hit every single one of the basics on my checklist and that alone should tell you something. The Waldorf Astoria DIFC is a hotel that offers a hell of a lot in a market which is arguably rather saturated already. The decor makes it a real standout amongst DIFC properties and the location makes it an ideal base of operations for a visit to Dubai...
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About this site

Welcome to TheLuxuryTraveller.com, a thorough and extensive database of my travel reviews.

I fly over 100,000 miles per year in First and Business class and have reviewed the majority of the world's top onboard products for this blog. If you think that premium cabin travel is out of reach, read on to learn the tricks I use to fly around the world.

I also love visiting luxury hotels and resorts. I have reviewed a wide variety running the range from Park Hyatts and Ritz Carltons bookable with hotel points, right through to some of the world's most exclusive brands like Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Aman.

Finally, I am a firm believer in the fact that the purest expression of a culture is in its cuisine. I love to eat and have written at length about some of my favourite restaurants around the globe.

If you want to explore our planet in style, you've come to the right place

"When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself." - Jacques Yves Cousteau.
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Jarvis Marcos
Founder and Creator of The Luxury Traveller
[email protected]
@TheLuxuryTraveller

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Flight Reviews

October 14, 2020
A350 club suites mini cabin

REVIEW – British Airways : Club Suites Business Class – A350 – London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB) and back – [COVID-era]

To be able to fly at all right now is a real privilege in the current era and BA's Club Suites present you with just about the most socially distanced product you could hope for in Business Class. If you're hungry, eat before; if you're thirsty, you'll be taken care of. Right now this is the new normal and for the time being I'm ok with it...
August 13, 2020
covid Club Europe A321 12 - REVIEW - British Airways : Club Europe Business Class - A319 - London (LHR) to Rome (FCO) - [COVID-era]

REVIEW – British Airways : Club Europe Business Class – A319 – London (LHR) to Rome (FCO) – [COVID-era]

The Club Europe hot meal was never particularly great but much like the Concorde Room, I miss it now it's gone. We can eat hot food in the lounge and at restaurants and all airline meals are individually wrapped anyway, so why aren't BA serving hot food?...
July 5, 2020
JL F Cristal etro de 2018 47 - REVIEW - JAL : First Class - B777 - Tokyo (HND) to London (LHR)

REVIEW – JAL : First Class – B777 – Tokyo (HND) to London (LHR)

Although there are some aspects of the JAL First Class experience which have changed over the years, the product as a whole is remarkably consistent. Having flown it on five occasions I'd be more than happy to recommend it to anybody that enjoys good food and wine. The service has also been excellent on the majority of my flights.
June 28, 2020
JL J sky suite III 3 - REVIEW - JAL : Business Class - B789 (Sky Suite III) - Jakarta (CGK) to Tokyo (NRT)

REVIEW – JAL : Business Class – B789 (Sky Suite III) – Jakarta (CGK) to Tokyo (NRT)

Last time we flew the phenomenal Apex Suites on JAL's 777, at the time the seat was the best I'd ever seen in Business Class (now surpassed by Qatar Q Suites and ANA's The Room) but the catering was awful. More specifically there was almost no dinner and no snacking menu on a 7h30m flight! This time I deliberately filled up in the lounge before boarding the 900 Series Dreamliner to Tokyo...
June 14, 2020
SQ new suites PVG 39 - REVIEW - Singapore Airlines : (NEW) First Class Suites - A380 - Shanghai (PVG) to Singapore (SIN)

REVIEW – Singapore Airlines : (NEW) First Class Suites – A380 – Shanghai (PVG) to Singapore (SIN)

I went into this flight with sky high expectations. Whenever I'm asked to pick a single favourite airline there's no hesitation. No possible alternative. It's Singapore. I've been fortunate enough to fly the old Singapore Suites on eight occasions in the past and honestly the experience never gets old - it is still one of the very best products in the sky. This new cabin though, is on a completely different level....
June 3, 2020
first class rock n roll

REVIEW – Cathay Pacific : First Class – B777 – Milan (MXP) to Hong Kong (HKG)

I was really hoping that neither cost cutting at the airline nor the fact that I was not flying from a major global hub, would have a negative impact on this flight. You shouldn't have to worry about whether or not you'll have a good experience in a First Class cabin but on Etihad or BA for example, this is always at the back of your mind.
May 18, 2020
QR F A380 LHR-37

REVIEW – Qatar Airways : First Class – A380 – Doha (DOH) to London (LHR)

Overall this flight firmly cemented to me the fact that Qatar First Class is a complete waste of time. Qatar's CEO famously declared that with Q Suites he was offering “First Class at a Business Class fare”. I'd say that in many ways it is actually better than First Class... at least where his airline is concerned.
May 12, 2020
qatar a350

REVIEW – Qatar Airways : Business Class – A350 – Tokyo (HND) to Doha (DOH)

The Qatar A350 fleet is a bit of a lottery. Despite being the newest aircraft type in Qatar's fleet not all of the A350s have the newest seats. In fact you have a chance of ending up in one of the three possible configurations...

Hotel Reviews

October 28, 2020
waldorf DIFC 48 - REVIEW - Waldorf Astoria Dubai DIFC : King Corner Suite [COVID-era]

REVIEW – Waldorf Astoria Dubai DIFC : King Corner Suite [COVID-era]

It's been a while since any hotel I stayed at hit every single one of the basics on my checklist and that alone should tell you something. The Waldorf Astoria DIFC is a hotel that offers a hell of a lot in a market which is arguably rather saturated already. The decor makes it a real standout amongst DIFC properties and the location makes it an ideal base of operations for a visit to Dubai...
September 3, 2020
nh convento di amalfi

REVIEW – NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi : Junior Suite with Tatami bed [COVID-era]

Overall we had a very enjoyable stay in NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi and would highly recommend a stay here to anybody considering a visit to the Amalfi Coast. The hotel doesn't work with influencers in the way that Le Sirenuse, Casa Angelina, Villa Franca do and as such people aren't really familiar with its expansive grounds, outdoor gym and clifftop infinity pool. I sincerely hope that this review goes some way towards remedying this.
August 21, 2020
lupaia 58 - REVIEW - Lupaia : San Biagio Suite [COVID-era]

REVIEW – Lupaia : San Biagio Suite [COVID-era]

This stay exceeded all of my expectations, so much so that on our first morning, after having one of the best sleeps of my life, I decided to cancel our stay at Portrait Firenze. This meant foregoing a visit to one of my favourite cities in the world, in order to extend our stay here to 5 nights.
August 19, 2020
waldorf cavalieri 86 - REVIEW - Rome Cavalieri a Waldorf Astoria Hotel : Premium Rome View Room [COVID-era]

REVIEW – Rome Cavalieri a Waldorf Astoria Hotel : Premium Rome View Room [COVID-era]

It's been a long time since I visited ANY hotel that misses so many of the basics. Even 4* airport hotels which I spend a single night in will tick all but one (with feather pillows and separate shower and bath being the most 'at risk'). To visit a hotel that clearly regards itself so highly yet falls so short on even the basics is an unusual experience. Cognitive dissonance reigns supreme at the Rome Cavalieri hotel.
June 30, 2020
conrad twin suite bay view 2 - REVIEW - Conrad Tokyo : Two Bayview Suites & A Corner Bayview Suite

REVIEW – Conrad Tokyo : Two Bayview Suites & A Corner Bayview Suite

There's a reason why I've been back here over ten times. This hotel just ticks so many boxes. The location is fantastic: you can reach Tsukiji fish market on foot and eat some of the best sushi on earth (the restaurants are still open even though the wholesale market has since moved). There are numerous different JR and Tokyo Metro stations nearby, you are super close to Haneda airport and Ginza is a short walk away - great not only for high-end shopping but also some surprisingly affordable restaurants...
June 29, 2020
jarvis marcos lost in translation

REVIEW – Park Hyatt Tokyo : Park Suite (NYE Stay)

It is probably not a hotel for the first time visitor to Tokyo given the walk to the station but for those of us looking for an oasis of tranquility, the relative inconvenience of taking a taxi at the beginning and end of each day is more than outweighed by the superb experience overall. The decor is not for everyone and neither is the formality of the service. Ordinarily I'm all about modern minimalism and a hands off but friendly approach but somehow this hotel just works. Coming here feels more like a life event than a mere hotel stay. Honestly there's nowhere on earth quite like the Park Hyatt Tokyo...
June 24, 2020
komodo pink beach

REVIEW – Plataran Komodo: Duplex Pool Villa

Plataran Komodo is a rare type of resort in this day and age. The locally owned Plataran hotel group prides itself on providing authentic experiences throughout Indonesia and has yet to succumb to the temptation of building larger resorts in tall towers...
June 16, 2020
FS Singapore exec suite 49 - REVIEW - Four Seasons Singapore: Executive Suite

REVIEW – Four Seasons Singapore: Executive Suite

Upon seeing how low the room rates were at the newly refurbished Four Seasons, the choice seemed obvious. $300 USD a night for a Four Seasons hotel is already amazing but since I booked via Classic Travel I also got free breakfast and a $100 USD hotel credit thrown in for free...