The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Yeah I feel like my experience has certainly been the outlier. I also haven't tried it in the US in awhile, either using the Centurion or just avoiding any extra airport time at all to minimize my time there.

 

Doing a week in San Juan in March. Anyone have any tips on Puerto Rico?

 

You'll have plenty of time to chill, there's not that much to actively do besides a day at and around the fort

Some of the best people watching I've ever seen is the salsa at el san juan hotel on Fridays. But just know if you're going with a SO she will be offered a dance with an attractive Latin man with fluid hips

 

It was good for what you would expect in Myanmar. Serve yourself beer wine drinks, probably 15 snack options and a menu of maybe a dozen rice/noodle dishes they would prepare in a kitchen for you. Only a few other travelers in there.

 

Also hard to not be a cunt about lounges when you regularly hit up centurion ones... They're done so well.

 

Depends on what you're looking for. The Windsor Court is the nicest hotel in NOLA and the JW Marriott is also nice. Both are downtown. If you don't want to stay downtown, I'd probably look for an Airbnb or a bed and breakfast uptown.

 

The Archangel Lucifer Suite at the Saint sounds like what you're looking for

 

I never heard of this before but please take all my Marriott points

 

In all seriousness, I stayed at the Royal Sonesta, Monteleon, Marriott, JW Marriott, Ritz, Windsor Court, and Westin before living in NOLA. The Sonesta is certainly unique given that it's on Bourbon street, but most hotels in the French Quarter besides Windsor Court and JW Marriott, in my experience, have pretty small and dated rooms. I'd start with the part of town in which you want to be, then go from there. Like a lot of things in NOLA, the non-chain hotels and restaurants are where you'll find the most character.

 

Maybe checkout the Drifter, the Jane, the Catahoula, and the Ace. Never stayed at any of them, but they're all trendy. Partied at the Drifter a good bit. It's fun for what it is

 

Big fan of the Monteleone

 

Do a night or two on Vieques and kayak in the bio bay there.***

***assuming it hasn’t been screwed up by natural disasters

 

I’ll be at the Roosevelt and the Intercontinental this weekend (don’t ask) and will let you know. Assume they’re “fine.”

Speaking of which, any recs for stuff to do? Going on a kayak tour on Friday while the wife is at a conference but mostly just walking around the rest of the weekend. WWII museum booked too but that’s about it.

 

You’re suggesting staying overnight on Viaques?

 

Yea I liked it. Different feel than San Juan.

 

I'd buy the JR pass but do it enough in advance so they can mail it to you

 

Been turned away by priority pass (LAX) and centurion (SEA) in the last few months.

I’ll be in PHX in two weeks, so I’ll get to check out the new centurion lounge there.

 

Don't know anything abt the JR pass mentioned by ohhaithur above but don't bother purchasing a day pass since there are 3 different lines that all connect so you'd have to buy a day pass for all 3 lines.

 

Just buy as you go at the station. I remember it being pretty cheap and easy to figure out. Most subway lines you'll use in Tokyo aren't covered by the JR pass so its only good if you're traveling a lot between cities in a short amount of time. Even our bullet trains we bought individually bc it was cheaper than the JR pass.

 

I spent 11 days in japan and never used a JR pass. That’s all I have to offer.

 

In that case, you're probably fine buying as you go. Just don't use google maps timing for your train connections as it assumes you change trains at Japanese efficiency. I missed literally every train

 

I had a similar itinerary. If you go to a 7-11 you can get this card that you can use to pay at some mini Mart stores, and the rail lines. Just like a reloadable debit card that way you don't have to go to the ticket machine every time you ride. It's super convenient. It's a green color, can't remember what it's called but you'll see pictures of it.

 

Lyrtch misspoke but here you go, this is it. It was super easy to do

"The Suica can be purchased in major JR EAST stations at Multifunction Ticket Vending Machines, JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi)."

 

It's impressive if you go to Japan and somehow don't go to a 7-11.

 

You just didn't go imo. The convenience stores are a trip themselves.

 

Anyone here flown United's new Premium Plus internationally yet? I just had to book a last second trip to Hong Kong for work leaving Saturday and business class was booked up on all flights that worked for me so I'm curious what I'm in for and if I should expect any sleep.

 

I'll get right on that. Are you going to lead the three day design workshop I'm supposed to do over there also?

 

Man that is really tough.... such a diversity of beauty there it was really hard to pick. I guess I would have to go with the Milford Sound. I feel like that is a pretty unique and awe-inspiring experience. Also got lucky and had really nice weather there... no rain at all!

 

I haven't flown United premium economy but I have multiple other airlines in similar seats and its definitely significantly more comfortable than economy with the better recline, added width and extra legroom. It's like domestic first class, maybe a touch better since you have a foot rest. I personally can't sleep unless I'm horizontal but most people should be able to sleep ok in them.

 

R u a bat?

 

Oops, early in the morning.

 

anything random/cool to do in Narita airport in Tokyo? got a 4 hour layover there tomorrow night en route to bangkok

 

Rip heaters in the smoking lounge

 

My folks recently did it coming back from Europe. It's mostly about added leg room obv.

 

Got a good chuckle here thanks

 

Best Chase transfer partner for flights to Thailand? Have 240k points.

 

Got bumped up to Polaris for my SFO-HKG flight.

 

There's no cookie cutter right answer to this. Look at the flight costs on the days you want

 

In the early stages of planning a trip to Australia for my anniversary. Going to Sydney, Melbourne and a nice beach resort. Any recommendations for the beach part of trip? Currently overwhelmed by how many options there are. Was hoping for somewhere relatively easy to get to so we don’t spend a lot of time trying to get there.

 

I was afraid of this. On initial search not seeing a lot of great redemptions.

 

who all has been to panama city, panama? looking like that will be part of a south american honeymoon and we'll have anywhere between 3 and 6 days there and looking for food and activity recommendations. gracias

 

What’s making you choose to spend so much time there?

 

nothing in particular to be honest. not worth it?