February 18, 2019

REVIEW – Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Overall this was a decent stay but I'd still be tempted to look elsewhere when returning to Melbourne. The sports facilities are fantastic as is the location but the dark and noisy rooms detracted from the overall experience, as did the quality of the offerings in the club lounge. This is a city that seems to struggle with delivering true luxury. I can't help but feeling that it needs a Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton or MO to really raise the bar for the current crop of properties...
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...
November 3, 2020

REVIEW – Andaz Dubai The Palm [COVID-era]

I'm not going to lie, I've had mixed experiences with the Andaz brand in the past. I struggle to see how a hotel can be both casual and luxurious at the same time. All too often you'll find that youth oriented brands like W, Andaz and Edition are just cutting corners but still charging luxury prices...
February 18, 2019

REVIEW – Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Overall this was a decent stay but I'd still be tempted to look elsewhere when returning to Melbourne. The sports facilities are fantastic as is the location but the dark and noisy rooms detracted from the overall experience, as did the quality of the offerings in the club lounge. This is a city that seems to struggle with delivering true luxury. I can't help but feeling that it needs a Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton or MO to really raise the bar for the current crop of properties...
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...
November 3, 2020

REVIEW – Andaz Dubai The Palm [COVID-era]

I'm not going to lie, I've had mixed experiences with the Andaz brand in the past. I struggle to see how a hotel can be both casual and luxurious at the same time. All too often you'll find that youth oriented brands like W, Andaz and Edition are just cutting corners but still charging luxury prices...