by Carlo Irlitti · Published 16th November 2024 · Last modified 26th October 2025
This was our first time in a hotel run by Premier Inn and I can say I was impressed. When looking for a place to stay close to St Pancras International on Euston Road, I looked at three other Premier Inns close by but in the end opted for the more modern styled Hub, thanks also to the reviews and the price. In fact when I looked up what were the best hotels in the UK, the Premier Inns scored very well.
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 28th February 2024 · Last modified 16th September 2025
This was my third visit to the Meininger Roma Termini hotel. Like in the past I enjoyed my stay. Here are some details… Location The location of the hotel is one of the best reasons to stay here. It’s in a safe area close to many amenities. The Roma Termini railway station central to much of Rome’s public transport: fast trains, regional, suburban, metro and buses, is 5-7 mins walk away; Castro Pretorio underground station a hundred or so metres; and the CONAD City Supermarket 200 metres down the road in Piazza dell’Indipendenza where you can acquire food to be prepared and consumed at the hotel. The footpaths to and from the hotel are mostly better than other areas around the Termini station allowing...
Relaxing Stay in Mong Kok My second stay at the Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, this time without my family. I contacted the hotel direct and booked like previously. Was given a Superior Room on the 26th floor. My four night stay was in late March 2019. Getting There On this occasion I was able to catch the K5 shuttle at the Kowloon MTR station as my flight from Singapore arrived on time and during daylight hours, so there was less chance of missing out on a shuttle. There was already a good crowd in the waiting area, so had to sit, wait and then line up. The shuttle then took about 40-45 to do its round of hotels before reaching its last stop at the...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 5th May 2018 · Last modified 7th February 2023
Comfortable, Modern Hotel Stay Hong Kong This was a family trip to Hong Kong and I originally wanted all of us to stay on Hong Kong Island as I did the year before when I was there on my own, but as it worked out staying on the mainland close to Mong Kok was a good idea. During a routine doctor’s visit I mentioned Hong Kong to my GP and as a frequent visitor to Hong Kong he gave me some pointers. He prefers to stop over in Hong Kong instead of elsewhere in SE Asia or in the Gulf states when he travels to Europe and back. He said he enjoys staying in Kowloon surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the more...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 17th March 2018 · Last modified 5th February 2023
Clean, Comfortable, Modern Stay in Rome Decided to try a different hotel when departing Rome for Singapore instead of the usual Hotel Corona in Via Napoli where I have stayed several times before when leaving Italy. Smooth Hotel Rome Termini is in the opposite direction and a little farther away from the Termini Station than the Hotel Corona, but I was glad to have tried this hotel. I enjoyed my short stay. Location The Smooth Hotel Rome Termini is located opposite the grounds of the British Embassy on the corner of Via Palestro and Via Cernaia. The hotel entrance is on Via Palestro. From the Roma Termini railway station it is a 15 to 20 minutes walk. If you have heavy luggage I would...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 30th November 2017 · Last modified 5th February 2023
Modern, Comfortable, Well Located and Secure Apartment This is an apartment in Via Filippo Turati run by Hotel Siena. Situated less than ten minutes walk from Roma Termini railway station and its side entrance in Via Giolitti. It’s one of two apartments located in the same building, both on the second floor. The apartments use the same entrance to a small hallway. Our apartment faced the internal courtyard, the other Via Turati. The apartment is small, very modern and minimalist, all painted in white. It has just enough room for a family of three or four. We were four, two adults and children of 12 and 14 years old. We arrived at 12:30pm and were allowed to leave our luggage in the apartment at...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 28th November 2017 · Last modified 5th February 2023
Superb for Location, Price and Staff A family run hotel in Piazza Ricasoli, Lucca, in a prime location next to the railway station. This was our second stay here as a family, previously in June 2014. On that occasion we had the family room with the balcony, the one flying the flags of Italy, the European Union and of Lucca. This time the room was on the floor above. Same configuration with adjoining bedrooms, both with Queen size beds. The main room also had bedside cabinets, while the room for the kids had a shelf above the bed headrest. Bathroom with toilet, bidet and the shower inside the tub. We found the rooms tidy and clean. There is free WiFi for as many devices...
* Review / Accommodation / Apartments
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 25th November 2017 · Last modified 5th February 2023
A Few Let Downs. Overall a Pass I’m in two minds regarding this apartment. Before booking I read many reviews, the grand majority very positive. Only later did I find out that the online booking agent where I booked (which I won’t mention here), stacked all the positive reviews on the first page. Didn’t think much of it at the time, however it has made me aware that you need to read all their reviews, even those on back pages. This apartment is located about 10 minutes walking distance from Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station. It is not hard to find. Address is Via Palazzuolo, 50 (number in red). The apartment is on the third floor, up six flights of stairs. There’s no...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 22nd November 2017 · Last modified 5th February 2023
Good Marks for Location, Room and Service. Food OK A better than expected experience. Wasn’t sure of the quality of this establishment and didn’t know what kind of room we were getting for a family of four as I didn’t see one on their website. I knew it was in a prime location right opposite Milano Centrale station, across Piazza Duca D’Aosta. That was one of the reasons why I chose this hotel because it would be easy to reach from Malpensa Airport and to leave when we took the Frecciarossa to Firenze (Florence). Also having access to two lines of the Metro, M2 (Green Line) and M3 (Yellow Line). M2 for Porta Garibaldi station and trains to Lake Como and M3 for Duomo,...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 15th November 2017 · Last modified 4th February 2023
Colourful, Trendy with Great Staff, Breakfast & Handy Location A classy boutique hotel. Located in a prime position, a short distance away from Copenhagen central railway station, in Vesterbro, southwest of the city centre and close to the old “meatpacking district”, the hippest, trendiest place currently in Copenhagen. The hotel is positioned on a street corner with other hotels close by. Across the street there’s a sex shop. It’s part and parcel of Northern Europe and Scandinavia, so don’t be put off by this, it can easily be ignored. My kids had a laugh the few times we went past. Our room for four, two adults and a 12 and 14 year old, was on the fourth floor facing the internal courtyard. Windows flanked...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 26th October 2017 · Last modified 4th February 2023
Perfect for a Short Stopover A stopover organized by Singapore Airlines (SIA). My second stay at this hotel this time with my family. Basically this is a stay to recoup some sleep after arriving from Europe on an early morning flight. Our flight out was late in the evening. Singapore Airlines gives rooms out for free depending on the fare you’ve paid. Ours was included. If you are on a cheap fare you’ll need to pay a supplement if you want them to organise a stopover for you. That was the case with our kids who were on a cheaper fare. Otherwise you need to book a hotel yourself. The price seems to be reasonable for a day rate (07:30 to 20:30). We had...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 7th October 2017 · Last modified 4th February 2023
Good Modern Hotel in Prime Transport Location If you want handy public transport and don’t mind a sterile location – not in the heart of older more charming Amsterdam but in modern office surrounds – the Meininger Amsterdam West is in the perfect spot. Coming and going to Schiphol Airport, getting around Amsterdam or the surrounding countryside is easy from Sloterdijk. I chose Meininger for this reason, its location. Sloterdijk Station is a short walk (about 150 metres) from the hotel. Two stops from the airport and one stop to Amsterdam Centraal. We visited Zaanse Schans, Haarlem, Den Haag (The Hague) and Rotterdam by train from here. If we had more time we would’ve visited Utrecht and a few other places. Outside the station...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 6th October 2017 · Last modified 4th February 2023
Quick Relaxing Stopover This is my fourth visit to this hotel, this time just for a one-night stopover before heading to Europe. Also this time with my family. When I booked I actually made a terrible mistake and got the date wrong. Only finding out when we arrived. They were also fully booked. Luckily though after sorting a few things out they found two rooms for us. The only drawback, I had to pay extra, $SGD160 for the rooms. I wasn’t planing to spend that extra money on accommodation but it was a small price to pay for my error. I didn’t want to go looking for another hotel just after arriving with luggage and family in tow, especially after I had already mucked...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 30th March 2017 · Last modified 2nd February 2023
Good Choice Mid-range Hotel My third stay at this well located hotel in the heart of Bugis. This time for one night only. Like in my previous visits the staff were attentive and courteous, at check-in, check-out and when I had any questions that needed answered. The room 617, a Deluxe Twin, at the rear of the building faces the Royal at Queens Hotel. These rooms a reasonably spacious, like all the rooms in the Grand Pacific. Bed mattress was firm and comfortable. Sheets looked clean. Bathroom on the aged side, door, grout, fixtures, etc., but in general clean. The chunky furniture, as in my previous visit, is dated, but as I’m used to them now they don’t worry me. On level 5 there...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 29th March 2017 · Last modified 20th June 2024
Good Hotel Let Down by Laundry Overall had a good experience. The location of the hotel is easy to get to thanks to the free Airport Express Hotel Shuttles from Hong Kong Central. Other forms of transport all close by, tramway, buses and MTR at Sheung Wan. Everything is not far, including places to eat and drink, etc., like Soho nearby. So no dramas getting to places either walking or using public transport. The reception is on the fifth floor. Check-in and check-out was done very efficiently. Polite and attentive staff at reception and at the bar and restaurant on the sixth floor. Only had one meal there and it was good, as was the ample buffet breakfast every morning. One improvement perhaps, the...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 27th March 2017 · Last modified 20th June 2024
Pricey but Quiet, Comfortable and Well Located My second stay at the Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 3 (Changi Airport, Singapore). Previously, several years ago, stayed for a six-hour stint in a single room (double bed) with no windows. This time booked a single with the request of a view onto the tarmac, but was given a twin close to Gates B1-B4. With the second bed the room seemed a little more spacious. It looked clean but on closer inspection one of the bed covers had a small dry stain that didn’t wash out. There was also a woman’s hair. This could have belonged to the housekeeper. Hard to know. The sheets and cushion covers seemed clean so I didn’t make a fuss. The bathrooms...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 25th November 2016 · Last modified 1st February 2023
Mixed Bag: Good Location, Bad Room A well positioned hotel close to Termini Railway Station. My reason for staying here was so that I was close to the station arriving from Tuscany on the Frecciarossa and leaving on the Leonardo Express to Fiumicino Airport. I have mixed feelings about this place. It’s position, price, breakfast and staff are all fine. It was the location of my room that didn’t satisfy me. Mind you I booked when the hotel was basically full so had no option, still I have to be frank. I was given room number 10. It’s on the first floor next to the stairs and lift. It is also probably the closest to the downstairs lobby. That in itself isn’t the problem....
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 25th November 2016 · Last modified 19th June 2024
Older Hotel Better Than Expected A hotel with an undeserved negative reputation. One of Singapore’s oldest at 45 years old. I was transiting Singapore and was allocated this hotel as part of my package with Singapore Airlines. Stayed mid November 2016 between 7am and 8:30pm and can only comment on my room and the service from the staff. I did not have breakfast as that was not part of my stay. The room was on the fifteenth floor, 1512. A nice large room. I was truly impressed considering I was only transiting. The bed was Queen size and very comfortable. The bathroom clean. Hot water was instantaneous. There was coffee and tea making facilities, large flat screen TV and a small fridge. I was...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 25th November 2016 · Last modified 31st January 2023
Old, Tired but a Winner for Price, Staff, Food and Location Located on Victoria Street in the Bras Basah district and just south of Bugis between the MRT Stations of Bras Basah and Bugis, the hotel is in walking distance of food outlets, shopping malls and cultural centres. In Victoria, Albert and Queen Streets, restaurants, eateries and hawker centres. Shopping in Bugis Village, and malls Bugis Plus, Bugis Junction and Raffles City. For arts, heritage and culture, the Singapore Art Museum, National Museum of Singapore and the National Library. Also at one block away the iconic Raffles Hotel and Long Bar, famous for the original Singapore Sling cocktail. This was my second stay at the Grand Pacific. Previously visiting in mid-June 2015 while in...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 25th November 2016 · Last modified 29th January 2023
Still a Good Hotel After Third Time My third time at Hotel Corona, staying eight nights at the end of October and early November 2016. I booked direct and was given room 512 and had WiFi included. The room is on the fifth floor and faces the internal courtyard. It’s the same size as the single in my previous visits but with a larger bed. The only real drawback I found was the location of the bedside powerpoint. It wasn’t above one of the bedside cabinets like in the Single room but above the bed mattress on the side where the built-in wardrobe was positioned. This meant smartphones and tablets had to sit on the mattress when recharging. A bit awkward. WiFi worked well...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 16th November 2015 · Last modified 19th June 2024
Friendly, clean, comfortable, stylish but unpretentious Stayed as a solo traveller for two nights during the Indian festival of lights, Deepavali (Diwali or Divali). The hotel is located northwest of Bugis and on the southern fringe of Little India a few hundred metres away from Little India MRT station on Bukit Timah Road and the SIA Hop-on bus stop on Sungei Road. Many eateries and restaurants are in walking distance, not to mention several on the grounds of the hotel. The Albert Café & Restaurant is on the first floor and is run separately from the hotel. Breakfast is served here daily. Guests have the option of purchasing breakfast from the front desk at a reduced rate. At time of this writing it was...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 23rd June 2015 · Last modified 31st January 2023
Ilisia welcoming, comfortable and well located The hotel is located in a safe suburb of Athens next to the Hilton. It is also not far away from the Metro Line 3 (Aghia Marina-Athens International Airport) and the X95 Airport bus that runs on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. Close by are the National Gallery, War Museum, National Museum of Contemporary Art and the Megaro Moussikis – The Athens Concert Hall. Other places of interest closer to the centre of Athens (Syntagma, Plaka, Acropolis and Monastiraki) can be reached by buses and the Metro. I stayed here in the second week of June for three nights. The room I had was a double (twin beds) as they had no singles. It was located at the end of...
Great Location for Stopover First time at this central hotel in Singapore. Was only for a transit stopover during the day. The hotel was organised through Singapore Airlines. Only the room was included, no meals. We arrived around 7:30am and departed approximately at 8pm. The free transfers were part of the stopover. There was two of us travelling so we got two separate beds in a twin share. The room faced the rear of the building overlooking the Hotel Royal at Queens. The bed was very comfortable and I got myself some good rest. The bathroom wasn’t the flashiest I’ve seen, but it was clean and good enough to get a refresh. My friend that was travelling with me had the opportunity of eating...
by Carlo Irlitti · Published 7th June 2015 · Last modified 29th January 2023
Better second time round This was my second stay at Hotel Corona, staying for nine nights in early June. My previous visit was in November 2014. I stayed in room 412 a standard single. These rooms are small but have a good sized bathroom. I can say my stay this time was better than last. For one thing I got to know more of the staff and got to enjoy their company. Also from what I saw they do give their utmost best to help their guests. While I was in reception many times sitting on the couch or the armchairs I never heard a bad word. So I am not sure why some guests say the staff were rude or had a bad...
From Office Chair to Open Skies: Build a Location-Free Life That Works
15th September 2025
