TravelCommentator

TravelCommentator Blog

Opinion

My (Pre-) Travel Pet Peeves

And I have many…Some I’ve already mentioned in my posts regarding etiquette but the two that frustrate me the most are during preparations for travel. I do love organising trips and the excitement and expectations it brings but packing for a trip and emptying the fridge cause me undue stress. Packing for some people can be fun and I know I’ve written about it. If you go by a checklist you can’t go wrong. The only real issues are climate and the weather at the destination(s) and the activities one is going to partake in, whether it’s skiing, mountain climbing, snorkelling, trekking, etc. Pretty simple, but for me it is the decision making and time factor. It would be great to take off and...

* Review / Accommodation

Hub by Premier Inn King’s Cross London

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.

Airports / Opinion

24 Hours In Changi Not A Problem But How About 96 Hours?

This crazy idea came to me when I was thinking about my up-and-coming four day trip to Singapore. Could I perhaps forego the reason why I’m travelling there and spend that time inside the terminals at Changi Airport instead? We know there are some long layovers at airports, but for some Australian travellers, in particular those travelling to and from Adelaide with Singapore Airlines, like me, this happens quite a lot. Especially the all-day layover when arriving early morning in Singapore from Europe and then departing (on the same day) at 23:35 on flight SQ279. This can entail layovers of approximately 18 hours either spent at the airport or a quick trip to a city hotel. We know Changi is a great airport for...

Apartments / Opinion / Vacation Rentals

Clean Rentals Make For Better Vacations

If you are looking for a holiday rental (or as the Americans call them, vacation rentals) in the USA and cleanliness is your main concern then renting from a select list of properties managed by a professional cleaning company is the way to go. Many properties run by Airbnb and HomesToGo are cleaned professionally by MaidThis, a company that specialises in cleaning holiday rentals. The company employs vetted professional cleaners and applies its process meticulously from a pre-determined checklist that is strictly adhered to ensuring tasks are organised, cleaners stay on track and nothing is overlooked. Knowing hotel accommodation is cleaned on a regular basis, rooms cleaned and linen changed every day, you’d expect holiday rentals be given the same treatment. Of course this...

Opinion

ITB Asia 2024

ITB Asia is Asia’s largest business to business travel show where many deals are initiated and signed between buyers and sellers of travel related services and products. Tourism authorities, destination management companies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, travel technology companies all attend. It will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore in late October. I’m hoping to attend this year’s event, my first since 2019, again as a member of the media. My interest in the trade show lies mainly with the individual national tourism boards and with some of the DMCs. Especially if there are any new destinations, products and services that need media attention. Anything the travel consumer would find appealing and tour operators and travel agents would snap...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Anti-Bacterial Wipes a Necessity in the Cabin, Definitely

Some will be thinking, “I won’t be taking any wipes with me and do the cleaning others should have done for me”. I’ll guarantee you, you will get strange looks from other passengers if you start doing the wiping and cleaning after sitting down in your seat. They do it to make you feel out of place as most won’t bother. But there is no dodging this fact; airline pilots and cabin crew recommend antibacterial wipes. Why? Because they know their workplace and know what goes on. Do I agree with them? Wholeheartedly even though I haven’t asked them specifically. I have always suspected the airplane cabin to be a place that harboured bacteria. I can tell you this through observation. Others should do...

Apartments

An airbnb Alternative in Hong Kong: Weave Living

Since the permanent closure of the Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, a hotel I have stayed in twice and reviewed here, this hotel has been transformed into small apartments for short to long term use. The room sizes have remained the same as before with the only difference being the remodelling that’s added new fixtures, furniture and revitalised the decor. In the past when this property was a hotel it enjoyed good patronage and was very popular especially with mainland Chinese and SE Asian clientele. Those prosperous times ended when the political and social unrests of 2019 and COVID-19 in early 2020, in particular, hit the hotel hard. The property was put on the market and was acquired by investors and since has been remodelled into...

* Review / Tips & Advice / Trains / Transport

Leonardo Express

Another short review about the best way to travel between Rome’s airport at Fiumicino and central Rome at the Roma Termini railway station. I have used this service virtually every time I am in Rome and I cannot fault it. It’s not cheaper than catching one of the bus services that run the same route to Roma Termini. If time is important the Leonardo Express is the best solution as the buses take about twice as long to get to Fiumicino and traffic can be a problem depending on the time of day. Also the buses do not run as frequent. Taxis are expensive and Ubers although more competitive are still prone by those road issues. If your destination is not central Rome or...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Risks FAs Take on The Job Deserves Respect

The recent events of severe turbulence on two flights Singapore Airlines SQ 321 (London to Singapore) on the 21st of May and Qatar Airways QR017 (Doha to Dublin) on the 26th of May, has highlighted the dangers of being a Flight Attendant (FA). Yes, passengers did get hurt some severely with one elderly person dying from a heart attack, but cabin crew do this everyday with higher probability of getting injured while making sure passengers are safe. Their job is not all rosy and glamorous as some may think. They work very hard. Passengers need to understand this. Next time you fly please spare a thought for the FAs and what they have to endure while doing their job and the risks they take...

Loyalty / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Hotel Memberships and Newsletters; Their Value

Just recently one of the hotel chains based in South East Asia, Far East Hospitality, sent me an email with a discount voucher. It was a nice surprise. They valued me as a member, even though I haven’t been that loyal. My last stay with them was many years ago. It’s not because of their product, which is good, it’s just that I’ve stayed elsewhere during this time. Just after that stay I signed up to their loyalty programme and newsletter which I receive regularly and keeps me informed of their products, services, promotions and new hotels. This particular email was sent to all their members celebrating “Members’ Day”. A promotion they do every year during the month of May. A nice gesture for...

* Review / Luggage

High Sierra Access 3.0 Eco Backpack

The perfect carry-on backpack with plenty of space Preparing for my recent trip to Italy I was in two minds whether to take my current backpack, a Slavenger bought in Singapore used many times or go for something slightly bigger. The Slazenger is still going strong. It’s good quality and has plenty of compartments and pockets, including room for a laptop, tablet and smartphone(s). Because I was travelling in the middle of winter and carrying heavier clothes I thought I should go for something with extra space so I decided to look for a bigger backpack. As I am doing more shopping online I checked a few luggage places and Amazon to compare prices and delivery. I found Myer (the Australian retailer) with their...

* Review / Accommodation

Meininger Roma Termini

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...

Air Travel / Loyalty / Tips & Advice

Is Pursuing Status Worth It?

There are various perspectives to whether status is worth its weight…in Gold. It can be complicated. The simplest answer; does the individual see value in chasing status? Holding on to it is also a challenge. So the question beckons. Is it worth it?

Air Travel / Tips & Advice

Losing my iPhone at Fiumicino Airport

A moment I never thought would happen to me; losing my iPhone. Something I would dread to experience again… Like many people today we carry our lives on our smartphones. We are so dependent on them for most of our daily tasks: phone calls, messages, email, notifications, banking, air and train travel, identification, etc. To make matters worse most of the world around you requires a smart device to actually get things done. What would we do without them? This is why if your smartphone goes missing you are in a jam. The feeling of helplessness will overcome you, but, there is no place for panicking. A level head is required. As long as the smartphone is missing or lost and not destroyed there...