Kinglobjaw's Blog

Archive for the ‘My Travels’ Category

Currently staying at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn until Monday, before I leave for my Africa journey. In the hollywood world, one could say- this is a pre-party prior to the main event.

I’m on a $90 AAA rate which is a fantastic deal, even better than at the IC Montelucia.

We got upgraded to a room w/ a double balcony (one is actually so big’, it’s a patio/terrace).

One quirk was a resort fee which was unexplained during the booking process. A few weeks later, Marriott finally published what was included in the $25-per-night resort fee:

RATE PROGRAM FACTS **

Daily resort fee includes the following amenities ($150 value)

*High speed internet and wireless internet in guest rooms

*Unlimited local and domestic long distance calls

*Use of the resort’s recreational amenities including

-Unlimited range balls for driving range, chipping, putting

-Use of Callaway golf clubs while on the driving range

-Use of Callaway golf shoes while on the driving range

-50pct off Callaway golf club rental when buying round of golf

-$25 rounds of golf including greens fees, club and cart rental

(space available basis)

-Shuttle service from resort to golf course

-Use of 5 lighted tennis courts

-Complimentary two hour bicycle rental (upon availability)

*Complimentary breakfast, lunch or dinner for children 12 or

under with each adult ordering off the regular menu

*One complimentary dinner appetizer daily with purchase of equal

or greater value, per room, in either BLT Steak, Rita’s Kitchen

or R-Bar

*15pct off retail purchases in resort, spa and golf pro shops

Since I have my own  aircard for internet and a cell phone, I knew, I wouldn’t use the internet or calling. As for the other “offerings”, I knew point blank I would definitely NOT be using them. I just came for a little rest & relaxation and I was upset that aside from the room rate, it would cost me $25 extra per night to do that.

I was surprised how easily and without protest the front desk staff removed the resort fee and thanked me for returning to the property! Here I was, preparing a speech and a print out of how next-door brand-new competitor IC Montelucia waived resort fees, when it was a simple as asking the staff to have it removed!

A final comment! I have to say, the property looks great after the renovation! I’m heading to BLT Steak for dinner tonight- menu looks delicious. No dessert however, hehe! My only wish is for a second, larger pool.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Check out the SkyTrax 2009 Top Airport list. I’m surprised Singapore didn’t rate higher on the list! Then again, I haven’t been to Seoul’s Incheon airport yet, but it looks nice.

That said I’m pleased to report I’ll be transiting through Zurich and Munich which are voted #4 and #5 on the list.

I haven’t been to Zurich before, but I’ve been to Munich twice and I can see why it made the list. It’s a very clean airport with a simple layout and elegant design. Enough said.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I was able to hold my US Airways flights for my trip to Phoenix & Los Angeles. Those are the “positioning” flights for my African journey in July! I’ve decided to stop in Phoenix for a few days to enjoy the 120+ F temps in Scottsdale. I have to say, the outbound is a little bland in terms of creativity.

I’m on the 5:15AM nonstop from Chicago to Phoenix. It’s a very convenient flight and gives you the whole day in Phoenix, but it’s just unbearable. I have to get to Prescott, AZ by 10AM as I have an appointment there, but I detest that morning flight! The good thing- upgrades, they’re so easy on that flight!

A few days in Phoenix, then on to L.A. Again, another boring nonstop flight. Still I shouldn’t complain- there’s always Southwest to complain about. I’m taking the nonstop flight, because it’s the responsible thing to do. I really can’t afford to miss my Frankfurt connection on Lufthansa.

Saving the best for last… Return is interesting. I was able to find a ‘U’ fare through a very odd connecting city on my way from L.A. back to Chicago- Raleigh-Durham! Can you believe it? I’m flying Los Angeles-Phoenix-Raleigh/Durham-Charlotte-Chicago! Triple connect! The first two return legs are West flights, followed by two mainline East flights. I haven’t been to the Raleigh airport yet, but fortunately I hear there is a nice club there. Better check it out now before US Airways switches terminals and and finds itself Clubless. My other option is to fly L.A-Phoenix-Washington-Philly to Chicago, but mixing DC and Philly in one day is too much to handle- especially on a Republic E-170 with summer weather delays.

I have to ticket this over the phone as I’m using an old US Airways Air Check Plus (E-TUV) voucher, but a recent US Airways memo now waives fees for all voucher related ticketing both over the phone and the ticket office locations. By ticket office I mean airport counters and the Company Store ticketing location at the US Airways Headquarters in Tempe, AZ.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I’ve also found the new Hawaiian themed meals to be a much needed upgrade from the previous flights. Kudos to US Airways for this change!

Finally, KOA has no gates, which is what I love! I just love air stairs!

Kinglobjaw says Aloha from Kona, Hawaii!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got in to PHX on US180 from ORD. Aside from breakfast, I slept through most of the flight. To follow my weight loss ”regime” I took the fruit plate instead of the tasty, yet guilt tripping omelette. Glad I did.

Anyway, my Kona flight leaves from A13, so I’m staying in the lower A concourse US Club, which is the club with that horrible storm damage that took place here in August 2008.

The furniture here looks very nice and modern, but it did get crowded around 7AM. Now, it’s empty as majority of the folks left to SNA- Orange County, CA. Just looked up the flight, it’s US652, a 757 as usual!

More to come later, so stay tuned!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I was able to change some flights on my return from FRA to LAX to route myself FRA-ZRH-JFK-LAX on Swiss and United so I could enjoy the brand new Swiss First Class product on LX14 between Zurich and JFK. The flight is on Swiss’ newly delivered A333 aircraft which commences service on April 20, 2009. Then it’s PS First on United yet again- one of the very few good things United still has to offer (mainly due to the seat in this market). Unfortunately, neither JFK-CLT-LAX, JFK-PHX-LAX nor JFK-PHX-LAS-LAX were available on US in First- ‘O’ class, thus I settled for United and PS F is better than regular United First so no argument there. Who would argue anyway?

Anyway, back to the main event- new LX F class. It’s stunning. It will be by far the best transatlantic First Class offered. Surely outperforms parent company Lufthansa’s First Class. I think Singapore Air’s  New First Class on the 77W isn’t as nice as this either. Link that with award winning Swiss hospitality and you can’t go wrong!

He are some pictures courtesy of FlyerWiki.

Only 8 seats in the cabin in a 1-2-1 arrangement on this A330-300 aircraft

Passengers traveling alone: no longer worry about lack of privacy in a double seating section

Large, personal TV screen

Non-angled, fully flat bed in an suite like enclosure

I will be able to compare the new product to Swiss’ current First Class on the A343 on my way down to JNB and it may actually be my first full trip report. I’ll be taking my Mini 9 along so I could use some of my transit time to type up some drafts and keep my immediate reflections stored before they’re replaced with newer ones. Rush of excitement, I guess! Who wouldn’t be excited?

Luckily, US Airways has already “trained” me to enjoy the A333, so the ZRH-JFK flight will be on familiar aircraft “territory”.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark