As promised, the hotel
So, we're staying in a Doubletree by Hilton, a downmarket hotel chain that we have stayed in before, in Melbourne, Australia. That was a pleasant and surprisingly good experience, leading to giving the chain another go in Toronto, Canada.
Its a case of chalk and cheese. Maybe it's the late hour, maybe it's my expectations, but the experience was flat, and for a chain that Hilton has put its name to, maybe it's time they started policing the hotel's standards.
Not that the over the counter experience was bad, I just didn't feel like I was welcome in the usual Hilton manner.
It's a long time since I was a Diamond HHonors guest, and I was not expecting a lot, but being a member, at whatever level you are on, should count for something.
Today, it didn't.
But it didn't end there...
The room on first viewing was a disappointment, but on reflection, I think my expectations were geared to what we have had in Australia where real estate is less expensive and therefore the rooms are larger.
This also means most rooms have double queen or double king beds, not twin double beds. I have not slept in a double bed for about 40 years, anywhere.
Of course, I should have read the fine print.
My bad.
So...
I go down to the front desk and ask if there are larger rooms. Of course, there are, if you want twin double beds, or a king bed and a fold away bed, which we do not.
I understand their dilemma, the rooms are just too small to fit larger beds.
Lesson learned for the next time if there is a next time.
On the upside...
Breakfast is included, and it's really good, and the service is above expectations.
Tomorrow, the touristy things...
Showing posts with label Hilton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hilton. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Away for the holidays - Vancouver - 2
This morning we wake up to rain. Or so we thought. Taking a closer look out the window of our room on the 16th floor, we notice the rain is speckled with snowflakes. As the morning progressed the snow got harder until there were flurries.
Later we discover this is called wet snow by the local Vancouverians, and whilst they winge a lot over the endless rain, to them rain is infinitely better than snow.
To us, by the afternoon, it was almost blizzard conditions, with lots of snow. Then the only thing is that it does not accumulate on most of the ground so there are no drifts to play in.
Because the weather is so dismal we decided not to go into Vancouver to do some sightseeing because the clouds were down to the ground and then the snow set in.
Another interesting fact is that construction workers do not go off the job if it's raining, or worse when it is snowing. Our room overlooks a new apartment complex under construction and the workers battled on through what seemed like appalling conditions.
At four in the afternoon, the Maple Leafs are playing the Ohio Blue Jackets, in Ohio. It is a game we expect they will win. Sparks is the goalkeeper, not Anderson, they're playing back to back games and Anderson's starting tomorrow.
They win, four goals to two.
Just before darkness falls, about four thirty, the snow stops and there is a little rain, which melts the snow.
Time to go up to the executive lounge to get some snacks and coffee, then sleep because the next day we're taking on the Trans Canada highway from Vancouver to Kamloops.
The forecast is for snow, more snow, and just for a change, more snow.
To us, by the afternoon, it was almost blizzard conditions, with lots of snow. Then the only thing is that it does not accumulate on most of the ground so there are no drifts to play in.
Because the weather is so dismal we decided not to go into Vancouver to do some sightseeing because the clouds were down to the ground and then the snow set in.
Another interesting fact is that construction workers do not go off the job if it's raining, or worse when it is snowing. Our room overlooks a new apartment complex under construction and the workers battled on through what seemed like appalling conditions.
At four in the afternoon, the Maple Leafs are playing the Ohio Blue Jackets, in Ohio. It is a game we expect they will win. Sparks is the goalkeeper, not Anderson, they're playing back to back games and Anderson's starting tomorrow.
They win, four goals to two.
Just before darkness falls, about four thirty, the snow stops and there is a little rain, which melts the snow.
Time to go up to the executive lounge to get some snacks and coffee, then sleep because the next day we're taking on the Trans Canada highway from Vancouver to Kamloops.
The forecast is for snow, more snow, and just for a change, more snow.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Away for the holidays - Vancouver - 1
It's raining. There should be no surprise there. And cold. It's late December and well into winter.
Perhaps not as cold as it could be, somewhere between three and four degrees.
We are staying at the Hilton Metrotown, at Burnaby. Metrotown is also the largest shopping mall in British Columbia. I agree that it is large and found it a great way to get some exercise after being in and off planes for the previous 24 hours.
The first discovery for the day was a trolley bus, something that I thought didn't exist anymore.
The second was to discover so many global brands, but how different the products are to what we can get back in Australia. This is particularly so for cars where we discover that GM-based vehicles and Mazdas are so much better than what is available for us.
The third was to discover it seems we are almost in the heart of Chinatown, where going out an exit on the second floor takes you to a Chinese food court, with all manner of food types, and, it seems, tea bars. It also explained why, in one supermarket we went in, signs were in both Chinese and English.
Being still tired from the travel, we don't venture further than the mall where we have lunch, for me, the Canadian version of KFC, which seems to defeat the purpose of trying local food. It seems most of the food that I can see in the food shops does not seem that appetizing.
Later we go out and find a Boston Pizza with a sports bar where we indulge in a 21 ounce Molton on tap, and a lime mojito, while watching the ice hockey on the big and surrounding small screens. The ice hockey is some world junior championship (but mostly north hemisphere hockey playing nations) and seems as ferocious as the NHL.
But it does raise a question, why isn't there a female NHL? I guess this wasn't the time to canvass opinions in the bar.
Something else we discover is that alcohol is relatively cheap, and get a case of Molten Canadian ale, Bacardi Black label, and maple flavored whiskey, for about a third of what it would cost at home. Of course, it must be cheaper than firewood in keeping Canadians warm in the dead of winter.
We didn't try the pizza, which kind of defeated the purpose of going there.
Meanwhile back at the room, we find the local ice hockey channel, and then to make sure we get to see the Maple Leafs, plug in the computer so that we can test it. Good to go.
That's tomorrow, tonight we watching the Vancouver Canucks.
Perhaps not as cold as it could be, somewhere between three and four degrees.
We are staying at the Hilton Metrotown, at Burnaby. Metrotown is also the largest shopping mall in British Columbia. I agree that it is large and found it a great way to get some exercise after being in and off planes for the previous 24 hours.
The first discovery for the day was a trolley bus, something that I thought didn't exist anymore.
The second was to discover so many global brands, but how different the products are to what we can get back in Australia. This is particularly so for cars where we discover that GM-based vehicles and Mazdas are so much better than what is available for us.
The third was to discover it seems we are almost in the heart of Chinatown, where going out an exit on the second floor takes you to a Chinese food court, with all manner of food types, and, it seems, tea bars. It also explained why, in one supermarket we went in, signs were in both Chinese and English.
Being still tired from the travel, we don't venture further than the mall where we have lunch, for me, the Canadian version of KFC, which seems to defeat the purpose of trying local food. It seems most of the food that I can see in the food shops does not seem that appetizing.
Later we go out and find a Boston Pizza with a sports bar where we indulge in a 21 ounce Molton on tap, and a lime mojito, while watching the ice hockey on the big and surrounding small screens. The ice hockey is some world junior championship (but mostly north hemisphere hockey playing nations) and seems as ferocious as the NHL.
But it does raise a question, why isn't there a female NHL? I guess this wasn't the time to canvass opinions in the bar.
Something else we discover is that alcohol is relatively cheap, and get a case of Molten Canadian ale, Bacardi Black label, and maple flavored whiskey, for about a third of what it would cost at home. Of course, it must be cheaper than firewood in keeping Canadians warm in the dead of winter.
We didn't try the pizza, which kind of defeated the purpose of going there.
Meanwhile back at the room, we find the local ice hockey channel, and then to make sure we get to see the Maple Leafs, plug in the computer so that we can test it. Good to go.
That's tomorrow, tonight we watching the Vancouver Canucks.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
The Trials of Traveling - Planning Sightseeing - Vancouver, again
I know, I promised to move on to Toronto, and will very soon, but I realized after I wrapped up the last post, that I hadn't dealt with transportation.
Not everyone can afford private cars or taxis.
We'll be staying at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby. From the web, I have discovered it is 20 minutes by Sky Train to Vancouver, and it is not far from Metropolis at Metrotown British Columbia's largest shopping center.
So what is the Sky Train?
My research tells me this is one of the oldest and longest automated driverless light rapid transit systems in the world and will be something to look forward to, feeding my fascination for traveling all or forms of transport like trains, planes, buses, trams, and ferries.
Our stop is on the Expo Line, and no doubt we will be using it more than once. It is useful that we will be able to purchase daily passes and they are not expensive.
There is also a SeaBus that goes from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay for a scenic crossing of Burrard Inlet by sea. Of course, in Winter, we'll have to be on the lookout for stray icebergs!
There are other ferries, but it is likely, in Winter, these might not be running.
And just to add to an already burgeoning tourist list, The Vancouver Police Museum, mainly because it is in the old Toronto Mourgue, no, I'm not that morbid, but I suspect it may be a prop for Murdoch Mysteries, and False Creek, for shopping and food, notably Popina Canteen, and may be accessible by sea ferry.
There's a lot more I found via Lonely Planet so it will be a hard choice when we get there.
The next post will be about Toronto.
I promise!
Friday, November 23, 2018
Venice, ships come and ships go
Through this window, which wasn’t one of those floor to ceiling, walk out onto a balcony type windows, we saw big ships, little ships, small boats, and then huge ocean liners.
And when that wasn’t enough, sunrise and sunset, or just the sight of Venice in the sunshine
The many vaporettos that came and went
It was simply a matter of watching ships go by, or watching the Venetians go about the daily business
Ferries that would arrive in the morning, and leave at night, small
and large
Small ocean liners
Very, very large ocean liners
And everything in between
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Innsbruck, Austria
On this occasion, we drove from Florence to Innsbruck, a journey of about 500 kilometers and via the E45, a trip that would take us about five and a half hours.
We drove conservatively, stopped once for lunch and took about seven hours, arriving in Innsbruck late in the afternoon
The main reason for this stay was to go to Swarovski in Wattens for the second time, to see if anything had changed, and to buy some pieces. We were still members of the club, and looking forward to a visit to the exclusive lounge and some Austrian champagne.
Sadly, there were no new surprises waiting, and we came away a little disappointed.
We were staying at the Innsbruck Hilton, where we stayed the last time, and it only a short walk to the old town.
From the highest level of the hotel, it is possible to get a look at the mountains that surround the city. This view is in the direction we had driven earlier, from Florence.
This view looks towards the old town and overlooks a public square.
This view shows some signs of the cold, but in summer, I doubted we were going to see any snow.
We have been here in winter, and it is quite cold, and there is a lot of snow. The ski resorts are not very far away, and the airport is on the way to Salzburg.
There is a host of restaurants in the old town, and we tried a few during our stay. The food, beer, and service were excellent.
On a previous visit, we did get Swiss Army Knives, literally, from a small store called Victorinox.
And, yes, we did see the golden roof.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Hotels - the number of stars doesn't necessarily classify it
Hotels can also be one of the major let downs of a holiday.
If you are going to use a travel agent to pick a hotel for you, make sure you check as much as you can because no matter how it is described, seeing it, in reality, is always completely different than the pictures in a brochure and sometimes on the Internet.
It requires research and a good look at TripAdvisor. Or word of mouth by someone you know and trust who have stayed there.
Take, for instance, staying in a five-star hotel the usual stomping ground of the rich and famous, it is always interesting to see how the less privileged fare. Where hotel staff is supposed to treat each guess equally it is not always the case. Certainly, if you're flashing money around, the staff will be happy to take it though you may not necessarily get what you're expecting.
We are lucky to be in the highest loyalty level and this gives us a number of privileges; this time working in our favor but it is not always the case. Privilege can sometimes count for nothing. It often depends on the humor of the front desk clerk and woe betide you if you get the receptionist from hell.
Been there, done that, more than once.
Then there is the room. There is such a wide variety of rooms available even if the hotel site or brochure had representative pictures the odds are you can still get a room that is nothing like you're expecting or were promised.
Believe me, there are rooms with a view, overlooking pigeon coops or air-conditioning vents.
And if you’re lucky, at Niagara Falls, it might be that six inches of window space that allows a very limited view of the falls. Still, why should I complain, you can see the Falls can you not?
A bone of contention often can be the location of the hotel and sometimes parking facilities, not the least of which is the cost Valet parking; forget it.
We are reasonably near transport, yes, if we could walk the distance (which feels like the length of a marathon) to the nearest bus or tram stop. The problem is we both have trouble with knees and ankles and walking distances are difficult at the best of times, and for us, it is a long, long way when you can't walk and that's when the hotel starts to feel like a prison. Taxis may be cheap but when you have to use them three or four times a day it all adds up.
Also, be wary when a hotel says it is close to public transport.
While that may be true in London, anywhere else and especially in Europe, you could find yourself in the middle of nowhere. It’s when you discover your travel agent didn't exactly lie but it is why that weekly rate was so cheap. In the end, the sum of the taxi fares and the accommodation turns out to be dearer that if you stayed at the Savoy.
So airline, hire car and hotel aside those front-line experiences are fodder for the travel blogger, these people who are also known as road warriors.
I wondered why until we started traveling and discovered the incredible highs and lows, of flying, yes there are good and bad airlines and the bad are not confined to the low cost, of rental cars and of hotels.
There is a very large gulf between five stars and three and sometimes three can be very generous.
And of course, l now have a list of hotels l would never stay in again, the names of which might surprise you.
If you are going to use a travel agent to pick a hotel for you, make sure you check as much as you can because no matter how it is described, seeing it, in reality, is always completely different than the pictures in a brochure and sometimes on the Internet.
It requires research and a good look at TripAdvisor. Or word of mouth by someone you know and trust who have stayed there.
Take, for instance, staying in a five-star hotel the usual stomping ground of the rich and famous, it is always interesting to see how the less privileged fare. Where hotel staff is supposed to treat each guess equally it is not always the case. Certainly, if you're flashing money around, the staff will be happy to take it though you may not necessarily get what you're expecting.
We are lucky to be in the highest loyalty level and this gives us a number of privileges; this time working in our favor but it is not always the case. Privilege can sometimes count for nothing. It often depends on the humor of the front desk clerk and woe betide you if you get the receptionist from hell.
Been there, done that, more than once.
Then there is the room. There is such a wide variety of rooms available even if the hotel site or brochure had representative pictures the odds are you can still get a room that is nothing like you're expecting or were promised.
Believe me, there are rooms with a view, overlooking pigeon coops or air-conditioning vents.
And if you’re lucky, at Niagara Falls, it might be that six inches of window space that allows a very limited view of the falls. Still, why should I complain, you can see the Falls can you not?
A bone of contention often can be the location of the hotel and sometimes parking facilities, not the least of which is the cost Valet parking; forget it.
We are reasonably near transport, yes, if we could walk the distance (which feels like the length of a marathon) to the nearest bus or tram stop. The problem is we both have trouble with knees and ankles and walking distances are difficult at the best of times, and for us, it is a long, long way when you can't walk and that's when the hotel starts to feel like a prison. Taxis may be cheap but when you have to use them three or four times a day it all adds up.
Also, be wary when a hotel says it is close to public transport.
While that may be true in London, anywhere else and especially in Europe, you could find yourself in the middle of nowhere. It’s when you discover your travel agent didn't exactly lie but it is why that weekly rate was so cheap. In the end, the sum of the taxi fares and the accommodation turns out to be dearer that if you stayed at the Savoy.
So airline, hire car and hotel aside those front-line experiences are fodder for the travel blogger, these people who are also known as road warriors.
I wondered why until we started traveling and discovered the incredible highs and lows, of flying, yes there are good and bad airlines and the bad are not confined to the low cost, of rental cars and of hotels.
There is a very large gulf between five stars and three and sometimes three can be very generous.
And of course, l now have a list of hotels l would never stay in again, the names of which might surprise you.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Surfers Paradise, or the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
It was recently topical because of the Commonwealth Games, but we have been to the Gold Coast on many occasions and nearly always stayed at the Hilton.
Nearly all of the photos here are taken from floor 13 through to 45, some close to the ocean, others facing north, and west, towards the hinterland.
Below is one of the main beaches, where the typical sun, sand, and surf pretty well sums it up. Been ion the water a few times myself, and it is amazing how warm it can be on some days, and how cold it can be on others.
And a surfer's paradise it sure is!
At the bottom, the start of the shopping centers and eateries. The is more different types of food there that can be counted on the fingers and toes together.
The beach just to the north, and where the market stalls set up at night.
Further north, through the highrises, and far, far into the distance towards Brisbane.
North, again, looking up Cavill Avenue.
South, showing highrises and the Q Tower.
South, taken from the Q Tower, the coastline to Coolangatta dotted with high rise apartment blocks.
The two towers behind the Grand Chancellor, are the twin towers of the Hilton Hotel.
From the Q Tower, looking towards the canal residential precinct.
Yes, we were looking for whales, no we didn't see any. The ocean, though, was unusually calm.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Flinders Street Station Clock Tower, Melbourne Australia
This is the famous clock tower of the Flinders Street Station (the main train station for suburban trains) in Melbourne.
We were staying in a hotel (The Doubletree) directly opposite to the station and our room overlooked the station and the clock tower. I took photos of it during the day:
and this one, at night. It came out better than I thought it would.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Hong Kong Park, Hong Kong
After arriving in Hong Kong early in the morning, we were taken to the Hong Kong Conrad Hotel where we were staying for several days. We had a short sleep, then I took the grandchildren for a walk and we found Hong Kong park, with a Fountain Plaza, waterways, a waterfall, and turtles.
Part of the fountain area.
Turtles resting on a rock
A turtle about to go in the water
The waterfall.
It was a pleasant surprise to find this park in such a highly built-up area.
Nearby was a multi-story underground shopping center that was huge, and very conveniently accessible from our hotel.
Part of the fountain area.
Turtles resting on a rock
A turtle about to go in the water
The waterfall.
It was a pleasant surprise to find this park in such a highly built-up area.
Nearby was a multi-story underground shopping center that was huge, and very conveniently accessible from our hotel.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Everyone has a travel bucket list, don't they?
It's time to look at the dreaded bucket list
I only say dreaded because it is a reminder of how old I am and that there are a lot of things I haven't yet done.
Does it really matter, you ask?
Perhaps not, but now seems to be an appropriate time, past the age of 60, to take stock.
We have achieved a lot in the last 15 or so years once the children had grown up and could look after themselves.
Unlike a lot of more modern couples who are doing the traveling in their 20's and 30's then having children, we chose to do it the other way around.
To me, it seemed easier to deal with teenagers when we were in our 40's rather than our 60's. With the benefit of hindsight, I can truthfully say we were right.
We were older and wiser when we traveled and more aware of the dangers around us, sometimes overlooked or ignored by a youthful devil may care attitude.
But, in saying that...
No, I don't think I'll be getting to see Mt Kilimanjaro, hunting wild animals in the
Seringhetti, climbing Mt Everest or seeing the ancient pyramids.
Which is a sad state of affairs given the world has changed so much in recent years and has pretty much ruled out going to a lot of places, and in particular, the middle east.
Given the state of the world, it is getting more dangerous to go to such places as Africa, Russia, and Egypt. Even places like Bangkok and Athens and other parts of Greece can be relatively unsafe. But, whilst I have no intention of going to Thailand, I still want to go to the Greek Islands, and,
Santorini is at the top of my travel bucket list.
We've been to London. We've been to Paris and Euro Disney. We've been to Rome and seen the ancient ruins. We've been to Vienna, and, particularly for us, a visit to Swarovski crystal world, near Innsbruck, and we've been to Salzburg, and been on the Sound of Music tour.
We've been to Florence and loved it, we've been to Venice and loved that too, and we've spent a few days in the heart of Tuscany, and want to go back for longer, much longer.
In fact, that's the second item on the travel bucket list.
We've also been to Singapore and Hong Kong, at first out of necessity as an airline stopover, but then we went back to see the city and tourist, and nontourist attractions.
I will not forget staying at the Hong Kong Conrad hotel as a Diamond HHonors member. Oh, the memories.
We've also stayed on The Côte d'Azur in a timeshare apartment in Antibes where every morning when out back you had a view of the shimmering Mediterranean if the sun was out.
Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo, the billionaire's yachts in Antibes harbor, Monte Carlo and 'that' casino, taking the same drive along the coast as Grace Kelly did in To Catch a Thief, and feeling like James Bond arriving for a new adventure, minus the half-million dollar sports car.
But, now, crashing back to earth with a very hard thump...
Travel in the future is looking difficult for both of us, not only financially but from a health aspect. We are both not as sprightly as we used to be.
Yet given the restraints and if it is at all possible, aside from the Greek Islands and Tuscany, the next items on the list are:
Germany, visiting both Berlin, from a cold war aspect, the Brandenburg gate springs to mind, and Munich at the time of the Octoberfest. As a beer drinker that is also high on the bucket list.
Scotland, more so since we've started watching Outlander, and besides being a beer drinker, I am also partial to a good Single Malt, the Whiskey Trail.
Ireland, because my wife's previous name was Murphy and at some point, in the long distant past some relatives emigrated to Australia, and she would like to visit the country of her forebears.
But with the current state of the world, our health issues, and that all-important requisite money, or the lack of it, perhaps it's time to visit other parts of our own country.
Perhaps it's time to do a culinary trip, particularly down south. It's practical and achievable and safe.
And it's a big country.
I only say dreaded because it is a reminder of how old I am and that there are a lot of things I haven't yet done.
Does it really matter, you ask?
Perhaps not, but now seems to be an appropriate time, past the age of 60, to take stock.
We have achieved a lot in the last 15 or so years once the children had grown up and could look after themselves.
Unlike a lot of more modern couples who are doing the traveling in their 20's and 30's then having children, we chose to do it the other way around.
To me, it seemed easier to deal with teenagers when we were in our 40's rather than our 60's. With the benefit of hindsight, I can truthfully say we were right.
We were older and wiser when we traveled and more aware of the dangers around us, sometimes overlooked or ignored by a youthful devil may care attitude.
But, in saying that...
No, I don't think I'll be getting to see Mt Kilimanjaro, hunting wild animals in the
Seringhetti, climbing Mt Everest or seeing the ancient pyramids.
Which is a sad state of affairs given the world has changed so much in recent years and has pretty much ruled out going to a lot of places, and in particular, the middle east.
Given the state of the world, it is getting more dangerous to go to such places as Africa, Russia, and Egypt. Even places like Bangkok and Athens and other parts of Greece can be relatively unsafe. But, whilst I have no intention of going to Thailand, I still want to go to the Greek Islands, and,
Santorini is at the top of my travel bucket list.
We've been to London. We've been to Paris and Euro Disney. We've been to Rome and seen the ancient ruins. We've been to Vienna, and, particularly for us, a visit to Swarovski crystal world, near Innsbruck, and we've been to Salzburg, and been on the Sound of Music tour.
We've been to Florence and loved it, we've been to Venice and loved that too, and we've spent a few days in the heart of Tuscany, and want to go back for longer, much longer.
In fact, that's the second item on the travel bucket list.
We've also been to Singapore and Hong Kong, at first out of necessity as an airline stopover, but then we went back to see the city and tourist, and nontourist attractions.
I will not forget staying at the Hong Kong Conrad hotel as a Diamond HHonors member. Oh, the memories.
We've also stayed on The Côte d'Azur in a timeshare apartment in Antibes where every morning when out back you had a view of the shimmering Mediterranean if the sun was out.
Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo, the billionaire's yachts in Antibes harbor, Monte Carlo and 'that' casino, taking the same drive along the coast as Grace Kelly did in To Catch a Thief, and feeling like James Bond arriving for a new adventure, minus the half-million dollar sports car.
But, now, crashing back to earth with a very hard thump...
Travel in the future is looking difficult for both of us, not only financially but from a health aspect. We are both not as sprightly as we used to be.
Yet given the restraints and if it is at all possible, aside from the Greek Islands and Tuscany, the next items on the list are:
Germany, visiting both Berlin, from a cold war aspect, the Brandenburg gate springs to mind, and Munich at the time of the Octoberfest. As a beer drinker that is also high on the bucket list.
Scotland, more so since we've started watching Outlander, and besides being a beer drinker, I am also partial to a good Single Malt, the Whiskey Trail.
Ireland, because my wife's previous name was Murphy and at some point, in the long distant past some relatives emigrated to Australia, and she would like to visit the country of her forebears.
But with the current state of the world, our health issues, and that all-important requisite money, or the lack of it, perhaps it's time to visit other parts of our own country.
Perhaps it's time to do a culinary trip, particularly down south. It's practical and achievable and safe.
And it's a big country.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
From the Presidential Suite to almost walking the plank, Auckland, New Zealand
This is something you don't see every day of the week, or once in a lifetime, perhaps.
We arrived at the Hilton Auckland hotel somewhere between one and two in the morning after arriving from Australia by plane around midnight.
Sometimes there is a benefit in arriving late, and, of course, being a very high tier HHonors guest, where the room you book is upgraded.
This stay we got one hell of a surprise.
We got to spend the night in the Presidential Suite.
The lounge and extra bathroom.
Looking towards the private bathroom.
A bathroom fit for a King and a Queen
And the royal bed
There was a note to say that we should keep the blinds closed for privacy and that a ship would be arriving in the port, but I did not expect it to be literally fifty feet from our balcony.
We arrived at the Hilton Auckland hotel somewhere between one and two in the morning after arriving from Australia by plane around midnight.
Sometimes there is a benefit in arriving late, and, of course, being a very high tier HHonors guest, where the room you book is upgraded.
This stay we got one hell of a surprise.
We got to spend the night in the Presidential Suite.
The lounge and extra bathroom.
Looking towards the private bathroom.
A bathroom fit for a King and a Queen
And the royal bed
There was a note to say that we should keep the blinds closed for privacy and that a ship would be arriving in the port, but I did not expect it to be literally fifty feet from our balcony.
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