This review will be quick and easy. First, you must realize that any of the LAX properties get the living tar beat out of them. I have stayed at most all of them including the Marriott, The Westin, and Embassy Suites - just to name a few. These hotels normally have a high occupancy rate, with most travelers staying for one night. The area outside of these properties is sketchy and probably not the place for an evening stroll.
In section one, I cover the doorman, check-in process, and the lobby. I didn't use parking or require any concierge services on this stay. The lobby is pretty small, but adequate. The people at the front desk were very friendly and the check-in process went smoothly. The doormen were moderately friendly, but never greeted you upon arrival or departure. I saw one bellman toss a woman's bag in to the back of her trunk. In fairness to him, the cheapskate didn't even flip him a buck. The Embassy Suites LAX receives 49 out of 70 points in this section.
In section two, I cover the room, housekeeping, the business center, and the property overall. The layout of all Embassy Suites rooms is perfect for the traveling business person. Having a full-size table to lay your stuff out on is great. I like having two rooms and a couch to watch TV on. I will say the room was overall pretty clean, but the furniture is thrashed. Nothing disgusting, but everything in the room showed a lot of wear and tear. My bed was comfy and the sheets and towels were clean. The business center was small, yet very functional. The internet stations were very slow. The Embassy Suites LAX receives 115 out of 195 points in this section.
In section three I cover the restaurant/bar, the workout facility, and the pool. I only had beverages at the bar and didn't eat any food. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. At one point, the manager came over to chat with me. Also a very friendly and engaging person. I will say the omelet chef in the morning was fantastic. It may have been the best free omelet I ever had! Oh BTW, don't forget to tip your omelet chef. I can't stand when some business guy barks out his omelet order and the doesn't even tip the guy a buck. The gym was moderate. They actually had an indoor pool. A pleasant surprise. Although I didn't swim, the pool and pool area were very clean with ample seating. The Embassy Suites LAX received 55 out of 70 points in this section.
The last section I cover location and overall comments. The location to the LAX terminals is excellent. You are literally a couple of blocks away. The location to the 405 freeway is also very good. I would highly discourage walking around in this neighborhood, especially if you are a woman. The bottom line is the Embassy Suites LAX is super convenient if you get into LAX very late, or have an early morning flight. The rooms are functional and the free breakfast is great. The Embassy Suites LAX scored 246 out of 380 points available. This property will never be invited to a beauty contest, but it delivers good value for the price. I would recommend for a one night business traveler. I don't recommend for leisure travel unless you have an early morning flight somewhere better.
Happy Travels!
The Travel Brain
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hyatt Irvine: Things you DO NOT want to see in your hotel bathroom
Sometimes during a stay, you have a couple of major incidents that usurp any other score in any category - and this is one of those cases. First of of all I have stayed at this property numerous times and have always felt it was great for the business traveler. This property had two major problems on this particular stay. Anybody who follows my blog knows how I break down my evaluation into four sections. So here we go!
In section one I evaluated the reservation, check-in process, lobby, and doorman. I didn't use valet, self parking, or bell service on this stay. The Hyatt Irvine scored 76 out of 85 points available in this section. The drop-off area and lobby are quite nice. The lobby is open and clean. I have always had some of the nicest people help me at the front desk. This part of the experience was good.
In section two I evaluated the room, housekeeping, the property overall and the kiosks. I didn't use the business center on this stay. I was upgraded to a corner room on the concierge floor. The room was nice enough...until I went into the bathroom. There were hairs (not hair) all over the tub and the shower wall. One of the three bath towels and some type of stain on it. The rest of the room review doesn't matter. I'm a clean freak and this was gross. One stray hair is one thing this was multiple hairs. The shower and tub had clearly not been cleaned. The property is nice enough and the grounds are very well maintained. Did I mention the hairs in my tub? The Hyatt Irvine scored 129 out 195 points in this section.
In section three I cover the restaurant/bar facility, as well as the workout area and any spa type activities. Here comes whammy #two. After checking in and going to meet my colleague for a drink and dinner, we were told the main restaurant was closed for a private function. They would be happy to seat us outside or come back after 7:30. We ended up leaving the property after a long day of flying. This was a very disappointing development. The workout facility is pretty good, as far as hotel gyms go, and one of the reasons I choose this Hyatt. In this section, the Hyatt Irvine scored 35 out of the 50 points I could evaluate. I would bring this section down another 50% based on the restaurant being closed.
In section four I evaluate location, Regency Club, special requests, and general comments. The Regency Club is very nice with outside seating and a tremendous view. The hostess is very nice, but I did notice less food choices than in most of my previous stays. I will say what I ate was very good. The location is decent for driving, but nothing is within walking distance. I made no special requests on this stay. The Hyatt Irvine scored 63 out 85 points in this section.
Overall, the Hyatt Irvine scored 303 out of 415 points. This is a property I have stayed at many times and like very much. When you travel as much as The Travel Brain does you just have to realize that sometimes hair happens... and it's not the end of the world. I am actually more upset at the restaurant being closed. If the restaurant were open and the bathroom clean, it would get a strong recommend for business travel. For now they just get a "recommend". It is "okay" for pleasure travel, but the Hyatt Newport Beach may be a better location for vacation stays. I will give them another try and see if they cleaned up their act.
Until next time... Travel well!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
In section one I evaluated the reservation, check-in process, lobby, and doorman. I didn't use valet, self parking, or bell service on this stay. The Hyatt Irvine scored 76 out of 85 points available in this section. The drop-off area and lobby are quite nice. The lobby is open and clean. I have always had some of the nicest people help me at the front desk. This part of the experience was good.
In section two I evaluated the room, housekeeping, the property overall and the kiosks. I didn't use the business center on this stay. I was upgraded to a corner room on the concierge floor. The room was nice enough...until I went into the bathroom. There were hairs (not hair) all over the tub and the shower wall. One of the three bath towels and some type of stain on it. The rest of the room review doesn't matter. I'm a clean freak and this was gross. One stray hair is one thing this was multiple hairs. The shower and tub had clearly not been cleaned. The property is nice enough and the grounds are very well maintained. Did I mention the hairs in my tub? The Hyatt Irvine scored 129 out 195 points in this section.
In section three I cover the restaurant/bar facility, as well as the workout area and any spa type activities. Here comes whammy #two. After checking in and going to meet my colleague for a drink and dinner, we were told the main restaurant was closed for a private function. They would be happy to seat us outside or come back after 7:30. We ended up leaving the property after a long day of flying. This was a very disappointing development. The workout facility is pretty good, as far as hotel gyms go, and one of the reasons I choose this Hyatt. In this section, the Hyatt Irvine scored 35 out of the 50 points I could evaluate. I would bring this section down another 50% based on the restaurant being closed.
In section four I evaluate location, Regency Club, special requests, and general comments. The Regency Club is very nice with outside seating and a tremendous view. The hostess is very nice, but I did notice less food choices than in most of my previous stays. I will say what I ate was very good. The location is decent for driving, but nothing is within walking distance. I made no special requests on this stay. The Hyatt Irvine scored 63 out 85 points in this section.
Overall, the Hyatt Irvine scored 303 out of 415 points. This is a property I have stayed at many times and like very much. When you travel as much as The Travel Brain does you just have to realize that sometimes hair happens... and it's not the end of the world. I am actually more upset at the restaurant being closed. If the restaurant were open and the bathroom clean, it would get a strong recommend for business travel. For now they just get a "recommend". It is "okay" for pleasure travel, but the Hyatt Newport Beach may be a better location for vacation stays. I will give them another try and see if they cleaned up their act.
Until next time... Travel well!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South: Unremarkable
Some properties are so unremarkable that they only get a couple of quick sentences and a score. This would be one of those properties. The Hyatt Place properties I have stayed at are functional, but have a pretty low-end feel to them. It really is an AmeriSuites with a paint job. I think there is a saying about "putting lipstick on a pig"... well, you get what I'm saying.
The check-in experience took more time than it should have. The lobby is small and cluttered. The lobby/breakfast area/TV area/lounge occupy maybe 500 sq ft (no joke). The free breakfast in the morning is acceptable. Overall, out of 100 points available, the Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South scored a generous 70 points.
The next section covers the room, housekeeping, and the property in general. The room is a small functional suite. My room was generally clean, except for a fruit tray that was covered with something sticky. The bathroom is maybe the smallest I've ever seen. The bed was moderately comfortable. I do like the large, flat-screen TVs... very nice perk. Out of 170 points, the Hyatt Place MSP scored 104 points.
Section three I covered the workout area and restaurant/bar. The Hyatt scored a 60 out of 110 points. The workout area consisted of four aging cardio machines in a tiny room. I'm sure it's fine for some travelers, but not for anyone serious about fitness.
In the last section I covered the location and general comments. I gave the Hyatt Place a 24 out of 45 points in this category. The Hyatt Place MSP scored 258 out of 425 possible points. The property is low-end to average at best, but you get what you pay for. It works fine for a quick overnight near MSP airport. I really only continue to stay at this property so I get my Hyatt Gold Passport award points. The employees aren't up to the typical Hyatt standard. The Hyatt Place also gets a lot of traffic from Delta/Northwest flight crews.
Final thoughts: I wouldn't recommend for leisure travel, unless your budget dictates a low-cost option. This property gets a marginal "recommend" for business travel. Not one of Hyatt's best efforts. However, TheTravelBoss (my wife) likes to remind me that the road to amassing Gold Passport points for vacation-use is often paved with hotel stays I would rather forget. On a good note, this stay did help me earn my first "The Next Big Thing Free Night Award". For more information on this current Hyatt promotion: http://goldpassport.hyatt.com/gp/en/offers/you-choose-offer.jsp.
Happy travels,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
The check-in experience took more time than it should have. The lobby is small and cluttered. The lobby/breakfast area/TV area/lounge occupy maybe 500 sq ft (no joke). The free breakfast in the morning is acceptable. Overall, out of 100 points available, the Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South scored a generous 70 points.
The next section covers the room, housekeeping, and the property in general. The room is a small functional suite. My room was generally clean, except for a fruit tray that was covered with something sticky. The bathroom is maybe the smallest I've ever seen. The bed was moderately comfortable. I do like the large, flat-screen TVs... very nice perk. Out of 170 points, the Hyatt Place MSP scored 104 points.
Section three I covered the workout area and restaurant/bar. The Hyatt scored a 60 out of 110 points. The workout area consisted of four aging cardio machines in a tiny room. I'm sure it's fine for some travelers, but not for anyone serious about fitness.
In the last section I covered the location and general comments. I gave the Hyatt Place a 24 out of 45 points in this category. The Hyatt Place MSP scored 258 out of 425 possible points. The property is low-end to average at best, but you get what you pay for. It works fine for a quick overnight near MSP airport. I really only continue to stay at this property so I get my Hyatt Gold Passport award points. The employees aren't up to the typical Hyatt standard. The Hyatt Place also gets a lot of traffic from Delta/Northwest flight crews.
Final thoughts: I wouldn't recommend for leisure travel, unless your budget dictates a low-cost option. This property gets a marginal "recommend" for business travel. Not one of Hyatt's best efforts. However, TheTravelBoss (my wife) likes to remind me that the road to amassing Gold Passport points for vacation-use is often paved with hotel stays I would rather forget. On a good note, this stay did help me earn my first "The Next Big Thing Free Night Award". For more information on this current Hyatt promotion: http://goldpassport.hyatt.com/gp/en/offers/you-choose-offer.jsp.
Happy travels,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Park Hyatt Chicago - Perfection on Michigan Ave.
As painful as writing a bad review is, giving a good review feels great. So let the good times roll! I have already admitted my bias towards certain brands, Hyatt being one of them.
For disclosure purposes, I will mention that I have Diamond Membership status with Hyatt. The automatic benefits include: 1) the best room available including Regency Club or Grand Club rooms; 2) a suite upgrade at time of reservation four times annually on paid room nights; 3) a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay; etc.
I had a reservation at the Park Hyatt in Chicago from 11/1 to 11/3. My wife (aka TheTravelBoss) makes all of my travel reservations. She was able to redeem a suite upgrade (Diamond Membership benefit) for the stay. I was upgraded to a beautiful 900 sq ft suite on the 12th floor, but let me go back to the beginning.
In the first section of my review, I evaluate things like the reservation process, check-in, lobby, doorman, parking, concierge, and bell service. I did not have a car and did not use concierge or bell service on this stay. I had 20 data points to score - for a maximum total of 100 points in this category. The Park Hyatt scored a whopping 99 points (I probably should have given them 100, but I felt like that might have been over-the-top). When you arrive, you feel like you are at a luxury private residence and not a hotel. For goodness sake - the morning coffee is served in the butler's pantry... how nice! A traveling business man could get used to that kind of treatment. The doorman was exceptional. He went as far as to walk a block with me showing me where I was going. He always greeted me "Sir", but had a very warm demeanor. The perfect blend of manners and friendliness. The check-in process was a breeze, and the associate was very helpful at the front desk.
In section two, I evaluated the room, housekeeping, and the property. There were 39 data points worth 195 points in this section. The Park Hyatt scored 180 points. The room itself was a spectacular two room, two bathroom suite. I had a view of Lake Michigan and the furniture was beautiful by any standard. My one major pet-peeve was also apparent in this room. The window treatments. Even though it was a terrific room, the window treatments were tattered. It is one of the few items you always look at in a room. Why are they always the last items to be upgraded? The other data point the Hyatt gets dinged for is the toilet paper dispenser. It is a very cool looking stainless-steel item that hangs in a slot by gravity. The only problem is when you go to dispense the toilet paper, the roll falls off the spool and rolls away from you. It is "ah-ha" moments like this when you realize function is much more important than form. Other than those two items, you couldn't ask for a better suite. The linens where crisp and the cleanliness was impeccable. The furniture and art work were just the right touch. With new window shades and a non-self-ejecting toilet paper dispenser, the room would have scored a perfect 195 points.
In section three, I review the restaurant/bar, workout facility, pool, and the spa. The bar/restaurant is located on the 7th floor. It doesn't have the "hotel bar" feel at all. The crowd is sophisticated, yet friendly. I played trivia with some people I met at the bar. Quick trivia question: What are the three universities where the university name is a color? I'll tell you later. Back to the review. The bartender is a guy named Nick. He was fantastic. A great bartender is very important to business travelers - especially me - and not to be overlooked. Nick is extremely professional and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. The only food I ordered was a delicious sausage plate. It was served piping hot and was very wonderful paired with a glass of red wine. The workout area is one of the better ones you will find at a hotel. In the gym, there are ample free weights and weight machines. No shortage of running and elliptical machines either. I didn't use the spa services, but the facility looked quite nice. Overall, the Park Hyatt scored 118 out of 140 points in this section.
In section four, I cover Regency Club, location, gift shop, special requests, and general comments on the property. The Park Hyatt of Chicago doesn't have a Regency Club, but the whole property effectively feels like a Regency Club. I also didn't use the gift shop or make any special requests during my stay. There were 40 points available in this section. I awarded 29 out of 40 points. The location was good, but not great.
Overall, the Park Hyatt of Chicago scored 426 out of 475 points. I would rate this property as a "strong recommend" for a high-end business traveler. The price tag would get it excluded from most travel budgets (a hefty $475 per night), but the product is first-rate. It would be an ideal option for a higher-end leisure traveler visiting Chicago. The Michigan Avenue location is perfect for shopping, sight-seeing, etc. I guarantee that if you can afford it, you won't be disappointed. Well done Park Hyatt Chicago!
Oh and the answer to the trivia question: Brown, Auburn, and Sienna. The person at the bar tried to claim a fourth university - Navy. I cried BS, as the official name is The Naval Academy at Annapolis... Just saying!
Happy travels,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
For disclosure purposes, I will mention that I have Diamond Membership status with Hyatt. The automatic benefits include: 1) the best room available including Regency Club or Grand Club rooms; 2) a suite upgrade at time of reservation four times annually on paid room nights; 3) a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay; etc.
I had a reservation at the Park Hyatt in Chicago from 11/1 to 11/3. My wife (aka TheTravelBoss) makes all of my travel reservations. She was able to redeem a suite upgrade (Diamond Membership benefit) for the stay. I was upgraded to a beautiful 900 sq ft suite on the 12th floor, but let me go back to the beginning.
In the first section of my review, I evaluate things like the reservation process, check-in, lobby, doorman, parking, concierge, and bell service. I did not have a car and did not use concierge or bell service on this stay. I had 20 data points to score - for a maximum total of 100 points in this category. The Park Hyatt scored a whopping 99 points (I probably should have given them 100, but I felt like that might have been over-the-top). When you arrive, you feel like you are at a luxury private residence and not a hotel. For goodness sake - the morning coffee is served in the butler's pantry... how nice! A traveling business man could get used to that kind of treatment. The doorman was exceptional. He went as far as to walk a block with me showing me where I was going. He always greeted me "Sir", but had a very warm demeanor. The perfect blend of manners and friendliness. The check-in process was a breeze, and the associate was very helpful at the front desk.
In section two, I evaluated the room, housekeeping, and the property. There were 39 data points worth 195 points in this section. The Park Hyatt scored 180 points. The room itself was a spectacular two room, two bathroom suite. I had a view of Lake Michigan and the furniture was beautiful by any standard. My one major pet-peeve was also apparent in this room. The window treatments. Even though it was a terrific room, the window treatments were tattered. It is one of the few items you always look at in a room. Why are they always the last items to be upgraded? The other data point the Hyatt gets dinged for is the toilet paper dispenser. It is a very cool looking stainless-steel item that hangs in a slot by gravity. The only problem is when you go to dispense the toilet paper, the roll falls off the spool and rolls away from you. It is "ah-ha" moments like this when you realize function is much more important than form. Other than those two items, you couldn't ask for a better suite. The linens where crisp and the cleanliness was impeccable. The furniture and art work were just the right touch. With new window shades and a non-self-ejecting toilet paper dispenser, the room would have scored a perfect 195 points.
In section three, I review the restaurant/bar, workout facility, pool, and the spa. The bar/restaurant is located on the 7th floor. It doesn't have the "hotel bar" feel at all. The crowd is sophisticated, yet friendly. I played trivia with some people I met at the bar. Quick trivia question: What are the three universities where the university name is a color? I'll tell you later. Back to the review. The bartender is a guy named Nick. He was fantastic. A great bartender is very important to business travelers - especially me - and not to be overlooked. Nick is extremely professional and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. The only food I ordered was a delicious sausage plate. It was served piping hot and was very wonderful paired with a glass of red wine. The workout area is one of the better ones you will find at a hotel. In the gym, there are ample free weights and weight machines. No shortage of running and elliptical machines either. I didn't use the spa services, but the facility looked quite nice. Overall, the Park Hyatt scored 118 out of 140 points in this section.
In section four, I cover Regency Club, location, gift shop, special requests, and general comments on the property. The Park Hyatt of Chicago doesn't have a Regency Club, but the whole property effectively feels like a Regency Club. I also didn't use the gift shop or make any special requests during my stay. There were 40 points available in this section. I awarded 29 out of 40 points. The location was good, but not great.
Overall, the Park Hyatt of Chicago scored 426 out of 475 points. I would rate this property as a "strong recommend" for a high-end business traveler. The price tag would get it excluded from most travel budgets (a hefty $475 per night), but the product is first-rate. It would be an ideal option for a higher-end leisure traveler visiting Chicago. The Michigan Avenue location is perfect for shopping, sight-seeing, etc. I guarantee that if you can afford it, you won't be disappointed. Well done Park Hyatt Chicago!
Oh and the answer to the trivia question: Brown, Auburn, and Sienna. The person at the bar tried to claim a fourth university - Navy. I cried BS, as the official name is The Naval Academy at Annapolis... Just saying!
Happy travels,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Venetian Vegas: Peeling the onion part 2
Let me continue my review of The Venetian. The property itself didn't score very well. However, two of the three restaurants did much better. During my stay, I dined at The Grand Luxe Cafe, Pinot Brasserie, and Bouchon. I rated each of these restaurants on 19 data points for a total of 95 points.
Evening 1 we dined at the Grand Luxe Cafe. I rated the quality of the food a 4 out of 5. I also gave Grand Luxe a 4 out of 5 for diversity. The food was served hot and the server was extremely friendly. I ordered a cheeseburger medium rare. To my surprise, it was served a perfect medium rare. The major downfall to this restaurant is that it is located at the entrance to the gaming floor. It was busy and I rated the service timeliness a 3 out of 5. The major distractions for this location are the noise from the casino and the cigarette smoke. If you are a non-smoker, this is a strong "Do not recommend". Overall this restaurant scored 67 out of 95 points available. The overall experience and value delivered was good, but not great. The major drawback is the location.
Evening 2 we dined at the Pinot Brasserie. This was far and away the worst dinner we had in Vegas. We had planned on dining at Valentino next door (which I've eaten at several times in LA). Although the properties shared the same wine list, that is where the similarities ended. We had 3 people at dinner. One hour after placing our order, we inquired about our entrees. We were told the kitchen was backed up, as two restaurants are now sharing one kitchen - due to budget cuts. That was too much knowledge and not our problem (except for the fact that we had no dinner, which made it our problem). I live in Portland, OR and prefer Oregon pinot noirs. Our server had little to no knowledge about wines and was completely lost in the conversation on wine. When the food was finally served, my veal was mediocre at best. Overall the food was quit unremarkable. When one of my guests asked what they were going to do to make up for the experience the server replied, "What would you like us to do?" After calling the manager over, we were comped one dessert. For the record, I just wanted to leave. The dinner was very pricey for the quality of food and service delivered. Pinot Brasserie scored 59 out of 95 points available. The wait was long, the quality mediocre, and the service was shoddy. Thank god for the almonds I had saved in my room. This restaurant gets a strong "Not Recommended"!
Evening 3 we dined at Bouchon. This restaurant is brought to us by Thomas Keller of "French Laundry" fame in Napa Valley, CA. Well - finally a light of redemption at The Venetian! The evening started with our server recommending one of my favorite beers from Europe. I can't even remember the last place that had Delirium Tremors available. We had a party of 3 dining this evening. I ordered the highly recommended lamb shank. The preparation was exceptional, as was the quality of the food. The server and sommelier were both outstanding and scored 5 of 5 points. The food was served hot and everyone at the table was raving about their meal. The ambiance is sophisticated, yet friendly. On a side note, I collect crumbers. Yes, I know it is unusual. It takes some deft and negotiation to get a server to part with his crumber. Our server played the game masterfully and garnered a 25% tip, while making us all laugh at my begging. My evening ended with a flight of ice wines for the ages. From the minute we entered Bouchon until the moment we left, the service was amazing. Bouchon scored a 91 out of 95 points. This was far and away the best thing The Venetian has to offer. While it isn't the French Laundry of Napa, it was the most memorable experience at The Venetian. Bouchon receives a very strong "Recommend"
Overall the dining options were much better than the accommodations themselves. If you go to The Venetian, don't skip Bouchon! Matter of fact, stay at Wynn and eat at Bouchon for the ultimate Vegas experience.
Safe travels!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Evening 1 we dined at the Grand Luxe Cafe. I rated the quality of the food a 4 out of 5. I also gave Grand Luxe a 4 out of 5 for diversity. The food was served hot and the server was extremely friendly. I ordered a cheeseburger medium rare. To my surprise, it was served a perfect medium rare. The major downfall to this restaurant is that it is located at the entrance to the gaming floor. It was busy and I rated the service timeliness a 3 out of 5. The major distractions for this location are the noise from the casino and the cigarette smoke. If you are a non-smoker, this is a strong "Do not recommend". Overall this restaurant scored 67 out of 95 points available. The overall experience and value delivered was good, but not great. The major drawback is the location.
Evening 2 we dined at the Pinot Brasserie. This was far and away the worst dinner we had in Vegas. We had planned on dining at Valentino next door (which I've eaten at several times in LA). Although the properties shared the same wine list, that is where the similarities ended. We had 3 people at dinner. One hour after placing our order, we inquired about our entrees. We were told the kitchen was backed up, as two restaurants are now sharing one kitchen - due to budget cuts. That was too much knowledge and not our problem (except for the fact that we had no dinner, which made it our problem). I live in Portland, OR and prefer Oregon pinot noirs. Our server had little to no knowledge about wines and was completely lost in the conversation on wine. When the food was finally served, my veal was mediocre at best. Overall the food was quit unremarkable. When one of my guests asked what they were going to do to make up for the experience the server replied, "What would you like us to do?" After calling the manager over, we were comped one dessert. For the record, I just wanted to leave. The dinner was very pricey for the quality of food and service delivered. Pinot Brasserie scored 59 out of 95 points available. The wait was long, the quality mediocre, and the service was shoddy. Thank god for the almonds I had saved in my room. This restaurant gets a strong "Not Recommended"!
Evening 3 we dined at Bouchon. This restaurant is brought to us by Thomas Keller of "French Laundry" fame in Napa Valley, CA. Well - finally a light of redemption at The Venetian! The evening started with our server recommending one of my favorite beers from Europe. I can't even remember the last place that had Delirium Tremors available. We had a party of 3 dining this evening. I ordered the highly recommended lamb shank. The preparation was exceptional, as was the quality of the food. The server and sommelier were both outstanding and scored 5 of 5 points. The food was served hot and everyone at the table was raving about their meal. The ambiance is sophisticated, yet friendly. On a side note, I collect crumbers. Yes, I know it is unusual. It takes some deft and negotiation to get a server to part with his crumber. Our server played the game masterfully and garnered a 25% tip, while making us all laugh at my begging. My evening ended with a flight of ice wines for the ages. From the minute we entered Bouchon until the moment we left, the service was amazing. Bouchon scored a 91 out of 95 points. This was far and away the best thing The Venetian has to offer. While it isn't the French Laundry of Napa, it was the most memorable experience at The Venetian. Bouchon receives a very strong "Recommend"
Overall the dining options were much better than the accommodations themselves. If you go to The Venetian, don't skip Bouchon! Matter of fact, stay at Wynn and eat at Bouchon for the ultimate Vegas experience.
Safe travels!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Venetian Las Vegas: Peeling the onion!
Here goes the first review using my new rating system. If you want to know how the system works, I have explained it in a previous blog post. Basically I rate each hotel on several data points. The ratings range from 1 to 5 for each data point. 1 is poor, 2 is fair, 3 is acceptable, 4 is good, and 5 is excellent. There will be a total # of points available and an actual score for each data point. I will only judge the services or facilities that I use on each stay.
The Venetian 10/21/09 to 10/24/09. Weather at check in was 80 and sunny. My room was 10107 on the tenth floor. The AARP convention checked in on day 2.
Alright... where to begin? For anyone who has ever been to The Venetian, its opulence can be overwhelming. Or is it just the piped in fragrance? Seriously, what is it with Vegas and the trend to permeate every building with the latest signature scent of the day. I never thought I would say this, but I miss the good ol' days when the mob ran Vegas and nobody tried to cover up the smoke.
I have decided to break this review into two parts. Part one will be exclusively about the room and the accommodations. I will review the dining experience in part two of this blog series. On this specific stay, I evaluated 80 data points with a total of 400 points available. I used no bell service, parking, room service, or spa service of any kind. I didn't use the business center, but I did retrieve a package there ($7 charge). It is a half mile walk through the property. It is so far from the hotel elevators, I would judge it as unusable. I didn't evaluate the concierge service, as there was always a line 5 or 6 deep. I also didn't evaluate the travel kiosks, as I couldn't find any. If the Venetian has travel kiosks, they are well hidden.
I broke the evaluation down to four pages on a spreadsheet. On page one I reviewed things like the reservation experience, Check-in / Check-out, Doorman, Lobby, etc. The Venetian scored a combined 63 points out of 95 points available. The doormen are generally unfriendly and never greet you as sir or ma'am. Although the check-in went smoothly (approximately 12 min), the check-out could have been better. When you come down to check out, you are faced with a very large check-in line. After a few minutes, I noticed some women holding up a placard with a "V" on it off to the side of the main check in area. I learned this was for people checking out only. Hey - how about holding up a sign that says "check out"? In what culture does the letter "V" represent the notion of paying one's bill? There is no signage to indicate you don't have to wait in the check-in line. It was cheaper to book online than through the dial-in reservation system. The lobby scored good points for being clean, accessible, and open.
On page two, I cover the room (including the bathroom), housekeeping, and the property overall. There are lots of points up for grabs in these categories. At this location, I evaluated 43 data points for a total of 215 points. The Venetian garnered a woeful 81 points in this section. The room looks beautiful on first blush. You are impressed with the two level suite, TVs everywhere, and the remote control blinds.
It takes a day before you realize the blinds have several holes in them, the handles are broken on the furniture, and the chairs in the suite appear to be stained with some type of bodily fluid.
I did rate the bed as comfortable and the linens clean. Then I realized the headboard hadn't been dusted in months. I did however give high marks across the board for the bathroom in both appearance and cleanliness.
Unlike the Hyatt and Starwood properties that I frequent, the housekeeping staff was generally unfriendly when passed in the halls. The property itself rates as fair to good. The size of the property makes it a nightmare for the typical business traveler.
On page three I covered the workout facility and the spa facility. I didn't rate the spa services, as I only viewed the facility during my morning workout. The spa and workout facility at Canyon Ranch are first rate. There were 60 points available and The Venetian scored 48 points. This was their strongest category and I may have been extra tough, as I am a workout aficionado. I highly recommend this gym and the berry smoothies at the cafe when you are done.
My last section is reserved for location, concierge level service, comments, and general opinions. There were 30 points available in this section and The Venetian scored 17.
This property scored 209 points out of 400 points available. That gives it an average rating per data point of 2.61. That puts The Venetian consistently between fair and acceptable on The Travel Brain rating system. My overall opinion of the property is mediocre. This property is not recommended for the business traveler. Everywhere you go you wait in a line. Want a cab? wait in a line. Want your car? wait in a line. This is not conducive to effective business travel. If you are a gambler on vacation this property may suite you well. The casino is one of the nicer I have been in. I personally love the sports book at The Venetian. There is no shortage of things to do on the property.
However, If you are a person traveling on business this is on my "Can't Recommend" list.
Tomorrow I will rate my dining experience in part two of The Venetian Las Vegas: Peeling the onion!
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
The Venetian 10/21/09 to 10/24/09. Weather at check in was 80 and sunny. My room was 10107 on the tenth floor. The AARP convention checked in on day 2.
Alright... where to begin? For anyone who has ever been to The Venetian, its opulence can be overwhelming. Or is it just the piped in fragrance? Seriously, what is it with Vegas and the trend to permeate every building with the latest signature scent of the day. I never thought I would say this, but I miss the good ol' days when the mob ran Vegas and nobody tried to cover up the smoke.
I have decided to break this review into two parts. Part one will be exclusively about the room and the accommodations. I will review the dining experience in part two of this blog series. On this specific stay, I evaluated 80 data points with a total of 400 points available. I used no bell service, parking, room service, or spa service of any kind. I didn't use the business center, but I did retrieve a package there ($7 charge). It is a half mile walk through the property. It is so far from the hotel elevators, I would judge it as unusable. I didn't evaluate the concierge service, as there was always a line 5 or 6 deep. I also didn't evaluate the travel kiosks, as I couldn't find any. If the Venetian has travel kiosks, they are well hidden.
I broke the evaluation down to four pages on a spreadsheet. On page one I reviewed things like the reservation experience, Check-in / Check-out, Doorman, Lobby, etc. The Venetian scored a combined 63 points out of 95 points available. The doormen are generally unfriendly and never greet you as sir or ma'am. Although the check-in went smoothly (approximately 12 min), the check-out could have been better. When you come down to check out, you are faced with a very large check-in line. After a few minutes, I noticed some women holding up a placard with a "V" on it off to the side of the main check in area. I learned this was for people checking out only. Hey - how about holding up a sign that says "check out"? In what culture does the letter "V" represent the notion of paying one's bill? There is no signage to indicate you don't have to wait in the check-in line. It was cheaper to book online than through the dial-in reservation system. The lobby scored good points for being clean, accessible, and open.
On page two, I cover the room (including the bathroom), housekeeping, and the property overall. There are lots of points up for grabs in these categories. At this location, I evaluated 43 data points for a total of 215 points. The Venetian garnered a woeful 81 points in this section. The room looks beautiful on first blush. You are impressed with the two level suite, TVs everywhere, and the remote control blinds.
It takes a day before you realize the blinds have several holes in them, the handles are broken on the furniture, and the chairs in the suite appear to be stained with some type of bodily fluid.
I did rate the bed as comfortable and the linens clean. Then I realized the headboard hadn't been dusted in months. I did however give high marks across the board for the bathroom in both appearance and cleanliness.
Unlike the Hyatt and Starwood properties that I frequent, the housekeeping staff was generally unfriendly when passed in the halls. The property itself rates as fair to good. The size of the property makes it a nightmare for the typical business traveler.
On page three I covered the workout facility and the spa facility. I didn't rate the spa services, as I only viewed the facility during my morning workout. The spa and workout facility at Canyon Ranch are first rate. There were 60 points available and The Venetian scored 48 points. This was their strongest category and I may have been extra tough, as I am a workout aficionado. I highly recommend this gym and the berry smoothies at the cafe when you are done.
My last section is reserved for location, concierge level service, comments, and general opinions. There were 30 points available in this section and The Venetian scored 17.
This property scored 209 points out of 400 points available. That gives it an average rating per data point of 2.61. That puts The Venetian consistently between fair and acceptable on The Travel Brain rating system. My overall opinion of the property is mediocre. This property is not recommended for the business traveler. Everywhere you go you wait in a line. Want a cab? wait in a line. Want your car? wait in a line. This is not conducive to effective business travel. If you are a gambler on vacation this property may suite you well. The casino is one of the nicer I have been in. I personally love the sports book at The Venetian. There is no shortage of things to do on the property.
However, If you are a person traveling on business this is on my "Can't Recommend" list.
Tomorrow I will rate my dining experience in part two of The Venetian Las Vegas: Peeling the onion!
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Travel Brain Rating System
In fairness to the properties and restaurants that I will be evaluating, I have developed a standardized hotel point rating system. There are 24 sections to the rating system (reservation / check in / check out, lobby, concierge, self parking, valet parking, bell service, doorman, room, room service, housekeeping, property overall, business center, travel kiosks, restaurant / bar, concierge level, workout facility, location, pool, spa, golf, tennis, gift shop, special requests, comments). There are 227 data points or questions in the rating system. Some of these data points are simple yes / no or available / NA. Some of the data points will get a 1-5 rating. 1 is poor, 2 is fair, 3 is acceptable, 4 is good, and 5 is excellent.
I will always break out the total # of points available for each property that I am rating and what the actual score was. For example, many properties don't have golf, tennis, spa, etc. - therefore there is no rating on those criteria. The average hotel property without golf and spa services will generally have 175 data points to be evaluated. If a property is judged on 175 data points, there would be a total of 875 points available in order to achieve a perfect score. I will only evaluate something if I actually use the facility or service. For example, if I don't use a bellman or valet parking - I can't evaluate the service provided. Therefore I will list the categories and services used, the total # of points available, and the actual score for each property. I will also list the room # and floor # during each stay. I will capture the weather and any special events at check in. If it is raining and the Shriner's convention just checked into your hotel, it will most definitely affect your experience at that property. If anyone is interested, I'm happy to send a copy of my rating system. Specific property evaluation data can be made available upon request at the discretion of The Travel Brain.
The Travel Brain
I will always break out the total # of points available for each property that I am rating and what the actual score was. For example, many properties don't have golf, tennis, spa, etc. - therefore there is no rating on those criteria. The average hotel property without golf and spa services will generally have 175 data points to be evaluated. If a property is judged on 175 data points, there would be a total of 875 points available in order to achieve a perfect score. I will only evaluate something if I actually use the facility or service. For example, if I don't use a bellman or valet parking - I can't evaluate the service provided. Therefore I will list the categories and services used, the total # of points available, and the actual score for each property. I will also list the room # and floor # during each stay. I will capture the weather and any special events at check in. If it is raining and the Shriner's convention just checked into your hotel, it will most definitely affect your experience at that property. If anyone is interested, I'm happy to send a copy of my rating system. Specific property evaluation data can be made available upon request at the discretion of The Travel Brain.
The Travel Brain
Monday, October 19, 2009
The secret to a relaxing vacation -- lose the rental car!
I just returned from a nine day vacation in Maui and had one of the most relaxing vacations ever. Want to know my secret? I didn't rent a car! Being on the road as much as I am, you wouldn't think I would want to hang out at the hotel for my entire vacation. Well - that's exactly what I did - and I loved it. I am the first to admit I'm not a big sightseer when I'm on vacation. However, we typically go out one night for a fancy dinner. We also run in to town for souvenirs, gifts, and sundry items during our stay. Not this time!
My wife (she's the other half of The Travel Brain) and I flew first class on Hawaiian Airlines from Portland, OR to Maui (thanks to American Express points!). If you haven't had the pleasure of flying on Hawaiian Airlines, you are truly missing out. There is a reason they are continually rated as the top US airline for customer service. The food and service in first class was excellent. Upon arrival in Maui, we went directly to the luggage pick up area and we were in a cab 10 minutes later. The cab from the airport to the hotels at Kaanapali will run you around $85 (excluding tip). The cab driver was more than happy to stop at a convenience store along the way so we could pick up a few items (need my shrimp chips!). He also made an appointment to pick us up 9 days later... and he was right on time.
We had reservations for 8 nights at the Hyatt Maui in Kaanapali. We had stayed at this property several years ago. Thanks to my Hyatt Gold Passport points we were able to redeem 8 nights using points. I used 180,000 points to book a Passport Escape. The award stay included 7 nights, daily breakfast for two, a welcome amenity, and 5 dinners for two (appetizer, soup/salad, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink). This is one of the best packages deals I've ever redeemed using points! Thanks to my Diamond Member status, we were upgraded to Regency Level with access to Regency Club during our stay. Between the breakfast each day, snacks at the Regency Club, and 5 dinners - we spent almost nothing on food. This freed up budget $'s for overpriced island drinks... Can you say Lava Flow?
The Hyatt Maui is pretty much how I remembered it. It is a massive property with an open atrium area. They have some of the coolest parrots and macaws out in the lobby. Those birds put on quite a show! Twin baby penguins were recently born, so they provided daily entertainment. The overall appearance and upkeep of the property are generally good. On my balcony, there were some pieces of wood that needed replacing, but stuff rots in the tropics. The pool area is beautiful, but get there early to find the most desirable poolside chairs. The workout facility is very good. The restaurants (Cascades and Umalu) offered ample food selections and good service. The service in Regency Club was exceptional, as was the Umalu pool bar. You should make friends with Alona, the daytime pool bartender. He is world class!
The only major mishap occurred on first day when we went for breakfast. The hostess looks up each guest by room # to check if their package included breakfast. Due to an oversight, we were not on the list and they seated several other customers while trying to confirm our package with the front desk. Only after I said I would pay for breakfast and later fix it with the front desk were we seated. This is an example of poor customer service. Other than that, the service was good and the staff very helpful. They do have golf, tennis, and a complete spa experience available (oceanside massages!). We did not partake in any of these activities on this stay. Our days consisted of an early morning workout, breakfast, pool by 9:00 AM, snack and nap from 1:00 to 4:00 (indoors, out of the sun), cocktails at Regency Club at 5:00PM, dinner, and bed. Next day - repeat. We did enjoy the live music by the pool a few of the nights. Most importantly, we never rushed to do anything. The lack of car truly slowed me down to island time. I recommend this type of vacation to all my weary fellow road warriors. You owe yourself one solid week of nothing on your schedule.
I will say Maui is really hurting for business (see this WSJ article: "Hawaii Hotels Face Fewer Visitors, More Debt" http://bit.ly/6ZY8O). Several of our favorite spots were closed due to the economy. The world famous Johnny Burger off of Kaanapali highway was gone. The Hyatt shuttered its Italian restaurant and Umalu Market by the pool (possibly just temporary closures until business picks up). Cascades restaurant and sushi bar will go down to 5 days per week. On Day 7, we were surprised to find out they were no longer going to have the omelet bar at the breakfast buffet (the price dropped to reflect this change). When we returned to Kahului airport for the flight home, there was almost nobody there. Seriously - near empty. We went through the agriculture screening, checked our bags, and cleared security in under 5 minutes. It was unbelievably convenient and eerie at the same time.
Use this slow period to your advantage! I did a quick check today on airfares. If I went back to Maui from November 4th returning November 11th, here are my options: Hawaiian Airlines $324 roundtrip Portland, OR to Maui. Alaska Airlines $318 roundtrip for the same flights. The Hyatt Maui published room rates are $380 terrace view, $505 ocean view per day. The Hyatt website has the terrace view at $247 and the partial oceanview $328 per day for this time period. If you are a Gold Passport member, they have a special of $315 for terrace view room per day (including breakfast and car rental) or $355 per day for the same package with a partial ocean view.
The Sheraton Maui can be had for $220 for garden view and $250 for a full ocean view. The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua is offering $298 no view (no joke, no view) or $495 partial view including breakfast for 2 and your fifth night is free. Many of the local restaurants were also offering dining specials.
The bottom line: the crowds are down and the deals are hot for Maui. Grab your sunscreen and head to the islands!
I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow (going the opposite direction). I will cover that in my next blog post. Until then, happy travels!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
My wife (she's the other half of The Travel Brain) and I flew first class on Hawaiian Airlines from Portland, OR to Maui (thanks to American Express points!). If you haven't had the pleasure of flying on Hawaiian Airlines, you are truly missing out. There is a reason they are continually rated as the top US airline for customer service. The food and service in first class was excellent. Upon arrival in Maui, we went directly to the luggage pick up area and we were in a cab 10 minutes later. The cab from the airport to the hotels at Kaanapali will run you around $85 (excluding tip). The cab driver was more than happy to stop at a convenience store along the way so we could pick up a few items (need my shrimp chips!). He also made an appointment to pick us up 9 days later... and he was right on time.
We had reservations for 8 nights at the Hyatt Maui in Kaanapali. We had stayed at this property several years ago. Thanks to my Hyatt Gold Passport points we were able to redeem 8 nights using points. I used 180,000 points to book a Passport Escape. The award stay included 7 nights, daily breakfast for two, a welcome amenity, and 5 dinners for two (appetizer, soup/salad, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink). This is one of the best packages deals I've ever redeemed using points! Thanks to my Diamond Member status, we were upgraded to Regency Level with access to Regency Club during our stay. Between the breakfast each day, snacks at the Regency Club, and 5 dinners - we spent almost nothing on food. This freed up budget $'s for overpriced island drinks... Can you say Lava Flow?
The Hyatt Maui is pretty much how I remembered it. It is a massive property with an open atrium area. They have some of the coolest parrots and macaws out in the lobby. Those birds put on quite a show! Twin baby penguins were recently born, so they provided daily entertainment. The overall appearance and upkeep of the property are generally good. On my balcony, there were some pieces of wood that needed replacing, but stuff rots in the tropics. The pool area is beautiful, but get there early to find the most desirable poolside chairs. The workout facility is very good. The restaurants (Cascades and Umalu) offered ample food selections and good service. The service in Regency Club was exceptional, as was the Umalu pool bar. You should make friends with Alona, the daytime pool bartender. He is world class!
The only major mishap occurred on first day when we went for breakfast. The hostess looks up each guest by room # to check if their package included breakfast. Due to an oversight, we were not on the list and they seated several other customers while trying to confirm our package with the front desk. Only after I said I would pay for breakfast and later fix it with the front desk were we seated. This is an example of poor customer service. Other than that, the service was good and the staff very helpful. They do have golf, tennis, and a complete spa experience available (oceanside massages!). We did not partake in any of these activities on this stay. Our days consisted of an early morning workout, breakfast, pool by 9:00 AM, snack and nap from 1:00 to 4:00 (indoors, out of the sun), cocktails at Regency Club at 5:00PM, dinner, and bed. Next day - repeat. We did enjoy the live music by the pool a few of the nights. Most importantly, we never rushed to do anything. The lack of car truly slowed me down to island time. I recommend this type of vacation to all my weary fellow road warriors. You owe yourself one solid week of nothing on your schedule.
I will say Maui is really hurting for business (see this WSJ article: "Hawaii Hotels Face Fewer Visitors, More Debt" http://bit.ly/6ZY8O). Several of our favorite spots were closed due to the economy. The world famous Johnny Burger off of Kaanapali highway was gone. The Hyatt shuttered its Italian restaurant and Umalu Market by the pool (possibly just temporary closures until business picks up). Cascades restaurant and sushi bar will go down to 5 days per week. On Day 7, we were surprised to find out they were no longer going to have the omelet bar at the breakfast buffet (the price dropped to reflect this change). When we returned to Kahului airport for the flight home, there was almost nobody there. Seriously - near empty. We went through the agriculture screening, checked our bags, and cleared security in under 5 minutes. It was unbelievably convenient and eerie at the same time.
Use this slow period to your advantage! I did a quick check today on airfares. If I went back to Maui from November 4th returning November 11th, here are my options: Hawaiian Airlines $324 roundtrip Portland, OR to Maui. Alaska Airlines $318 roundtrip for the same flights. The Hyatt Maui published room rates are $380 terrace view, $505 ocean view per day. The Hyatt website has the terrace view at $247 and the partial oceanview $328 per day for this time period. If you are a Gold Passport member, they have a special of $315 for terrace view room per day (including breakfast and car rental) or $355 per day for the same package with a partial ocean view.
The Sheraton Maui can be had for $220 for garden view and $250 for a full ocean view. The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua is offering $298 no view (no joke, no view) or $495 partial view including breakfast for 2 and your fifth night is free. Many of the local restaurants were also offering dining specials.
The bottom line: the crowds are down and the deals are hot for Maui. Grab your sunscreen and head to the islands!
I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow (going the opposite direction). I will cover that in my next blog post. Until then, happy travels!
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
It's on when it comes to fees at Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines likes to say "it's on" when it comes to flying their airline. They even run ads saying, "Why do the other airlines hate your bags?" (I actually like those ads). On Southwest, your first two bags fly free (other airlines charge various fees). What they don't tell you is they plan on collecting "ancillary revenue" on their most loyal customers. These are the members of their Rapid Rewards program. New changes for the program are planned for 2010 and nicknamed Rapid Rewards 2.0.
I will be the first to say Southwest Airlines has one of the richest frequent flyer programs in the industry. I have earned a Companion Pass on four different occasions. Rapid Rewards Members who fly 50 or more roundtrips (or receive 100 credits through flight and partner use) within a 12-month period receive a Companion Pass. A Companion Pass allows one person of your choice fly free when traveling with you anytime for an entire year. Brilliant perk!
What is not so brilliant is Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, talking about charging for various features in the Rapid Rewards 2.0 program. Gary says being a member in the Rapid Rewards program is a choice. Let me tell you Gary - the bigger and more important choice is flying your airline. That choice isn't yours, that choice is ours. Are you kidding me? We are the folks that have kept you in the black all these years.
Now I have a decision on my hands. Keep flying Southwest or spread my love to other airlines? I live in Portland, OR and travel almost every week. Although Southwest Airlines has a good schedule out of and into PDX, so does Alaska Airlines. On most flights both companies are competitive on fares. With Alaska Airlines, my loyalty means first class upgrades (not available on Southwest) and usually includes a meal (not available on Southwest). There are also direct flights on Alaska Airlines to many of the locations that I fly to (usually at least 1 stop on a Southwest flight). I normally buy a Business Select fare on Southwest (kudos to Southwest on creating this option). My wife is great at scoring me an A1 and the fare also includes a free drink and extra Rapid Reward credits - but an assigned seat is often most important to a business traveler. Also - on my last attempt to book Rapid Rewards travel, I could not use a Standard Award and was forced to convert two awards to a Freedom Award. For upcoming holiday travel, I could not even use a Freedom Award. That was a disappointing first!
Quick inventory turns may keep Southwest ahead of the competition in terms of profitability. However the direction of the Rapid Rewards program is starting to feel... well let's just say UNITED! Hey Gary - we appreciate the jokes and the funny songs from you flight attendants, but leave your most loyal customers (Rapid Rewards members - especially Companion Pass holders) alone. After all, what would Herb say?
One thing that I would pay an extra $10 for would be a guaranteed overhead luggage space. Since you already sold me a seat, how about guaranteeing me a space for my carry on luggage?
Respectfully,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
I will be the first to say Southwest Airlines has one of the richest frequent flyer programs in the industry. I have earned a Companion Pass on four different occasions. Rapid Rewards Members who fly 50 or more roundtrips (or receive 100 credits through flight and partner use) within a 12-month period receive a Companion Pass. A Companion Pass allows one person of your choice fly free when traveling with you anytime for an entire year. Brilliant perk!
What is not so brilliant is Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, talking about charging for various features in the Rapid Rewards 2.0 program. Gary says being a member in the Rapid Rewards program is a choice. Let me tell you Gary - the bigger and more important choice is flying your airline. That choice isn't yours, that choice is ours. Are you kidding me? We are the folks that have kept you in the black all these years.
Now I have a decision on my hands. Keep flying Southwest or spread my love to other airlines? I live in Portland, OR and travel almost every week. Although Southwest Airlines has a good schedule out of and into PDX, so does Alaska Airlines. On most flights both companies are competitive on fares. With Alaska Airlines, my loyalty means first class upgrades (not available on Southwest) and usually includes a meal (not available on Southwest). There are also direct flights on Alaska Airlines to many of the locations that I fly to (usually at least 1 stop on a Southwest flight). I normally buy a Business Select fare on Southwest (kudos to Southwest on creating this option). My wife is great at scoring me an A1 and the fare also includes a free drink and extra Rapid Reward credits - but an assigned seat is often most important to a business traveler. Also - on my last attempt to book Rapid Rewards travel, I could not use a Standard Award and was forced to convert two awards to a Freedom Award. For upcoming holiday travel, I could not even use a Freedom Award. That was a disappointing first!
Quick inventory turns may keep Southwest ahead of the competition in terms of profitability. However the direction of the Rapid Rewards program is starting to feel... well let's just say UNITED! Hey Gary - we appreciate the jokes and the funny songs from you flight attendants, but leave your most loyal customers (Rapid Rewards members - especially Companion Pass holders) alone. After all, what would Herb say?
One thing that I would pay an extra $10 for would be a guaranteed overhead luggage space. Since you already sold me a seat, how about guaranteeing me a space for my carry on luggage?
Respectfully,
The Travel Brain
Full Disclosure: For the benefit of the FTC, I did not receive any compensation directly for this blog post. All opinions expressed are strictly those of The Travel Brain.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The launch of The Travel Brain
Greetings all,
This is the initial blog for The Travel Brain. I am a traveling business person. I usually spend 150 to 200 days traveling for business travel. I also spend 15 to 30 days per year traveling for pleasure. I will try to encapsulate the good, the bad, and the ugly of my travels.
My initial focus will be on my hotel experiences. I will always try to keep my reviews accurate, objective, and fair. I am currently close to completion on a 500 data point rating system. I will display my findings in a succinct and easy to understand format. I will make the detailed overview available on a per request basis.
Overtime my goal is develop similar rating systems for airlines, airports, ground transportation options etc. You will notice many of my reviews will be of the same brands. This is part of my loyalty over the years to certain companies, as well as geographic dictation of airlines in my home city of Portland, OR.
Although I have been partial to Hyatt and Starwood properties I also spend many nights at Marriott, Hilton, and local boutique type properties. I have had good and bad incidents at every property listed. This is just inevitable with the amount I travel.
My goal is to provide real world and factual reviews of the properties I have stayed at. I will try and update the blog several times per week. I will also start tweeting some field comments.
Stay tuned
The Travel Brain
This is the initial blog for The Travel Brain. I am a traveling business person. I usually spend 150 to 200 days traveling for business travel. I also spend 15 to 30 days per year traveling for pleasure. I will try to encapsulate the good, the bad, and the ugly of my travels.
My initial focus will be on my hotel experiences. I will always try to keep my reviews accurate, objective, and fair. I am currently close to completion on a 500 data point rating system. I will display my findings in a succinct and easy to understand format. I will make the detailed overview available on a per request basis.
Overtime my goal is develop similar rating systems for airlines, airports, ground transportation options etc. You will notice many of my reviews will be of the same brands. This is part of my loyalty over the years to certain companies, as well as geographic dictation of airlines in my home city of Portland, OR.
Although I have been partial to Hyatt and Starwood properties I also spend many nights at Marriott, Hilton, and local boutique type properties. I have had good and bad incidents at every property listed. This is just inevitable with the amount I travel.
My goal is to provide real world and factual reviews of the properties I have stayed at. I will try and update the blog several times per week. I will also start tweeting some field comments.
Stay tuned
The Travel Brain
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