June 26, 2020

REVIEW – Garuda Indonesia : Business Class Lounge – Jakarta (CGK-T3)

This is one of the better Business Class lounges that I've visited. Great decor, a huge variety of local food, almost unlimited seating and even some unexpected extras like the movie theatre and reflexology area. The low quality of the drinks is the only real negative. This isn't a facility that wows like the Pier Business Class lounges in London and Hong Kong but it is certainly in the upper echelon of Business Class lounges globally. You could easily pass 3-4 hours here without being bored, which given Jakarta traffic is a real bonus, since only an unhinged maniac would cut it fine when departing from this airport...
June 28, 2020

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 29, 2020

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 30, 2020

REVIEW – Conrad Tokyo : Revisited

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 26, 2020

REVIEW – Garuda Indonesia : Business Class Lounge – Jakarta (CGK-T3)

This is one of the better Business Class lounges that I've visited. Great decor, a huge variety of local food, almost unlimited seating and even some unexpected extras like the movie theatre and reflexology area. The low quality of the drinks is the only real negative. This isn't a facility that wows like the Pier Business Class lounges in London and Hong Kong but it is certainly in the upper echelon of Business Class lounges globally. You could easily pass 3-4 hours here without being bored, which given Jakarta traffic is a real bonus, since only an unhinged maniac would cut it fine when departing from this airport...
June 28, 2020

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 29, 2020

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 30, 2020

REVIEW – Conrad Tokyo : Revisited

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...