Takeoff To Travel

Review: Riverfront Relaxation at the Westin Chicago River North

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 15, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels, Reviews and Reports, Uncategorized | 0

Background: For my family’s New York/Toronto/Chicago Summer Adventure, I stumbled upon the Westin Chicago River North, and would always remember this hotel because many movies pan over the Chicago River and the Westin can be easily seen. I do also remember this hotel being destroyed in one of the Transformer movies too. A little movie fact haha. Short Review With Scores (out of 5, 5 being best) My Overall Score: 4 5: Excellent, Highly Recommend 4: Very Good, Solid Choice to Consider 3: OK, Check other options before booking 2: Below Par, Try to Avoid 1: Terrible, Run far...

Review: United Express Economy Embraer E175

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 14, 2016 | Airlines, Flight Reviews | 5

Background: I booked this flight as it was the cheapest from Toronto to Chicago. I’ve never been on a “express” flight, and I was curious to try it out. Flight Details: United Express 6039 Toronto (YYZ) to Chicago (ORD) Seat: 18D Aircraft: Embraer E-175 The Flight: Short Review (score out of 5, 5 being the best) Plane Atmosphere 4/5 Service In- Flight 4/5 In- Flight Amenities 4/5 Seat Comfort 4/5 I was pleasantly surprised when I boarded the plane and saw nice new cushions. There were only 2 flight attendants on this flight which wasn’t surprising as the plane can only hold 76 passengers. There were 4 rows of First with a 1-2 configuration. Economy Plus and normal economy had a 2-2 configuration. When I got to my seat I realized that the leg room was awesome! It felt like a train rather than a plane and it was very comfortable for the short 1.5 hr hop. There was one service for drinks, and a little cookie wafer with crème in it was served. They had my Minute Maid cranberry apple juice (yay)! And of course, I mixed it with ginger ale to make my signature drink 🙂 The cabin crew were nice and attentive. Gogo wireless internet was available on this flight, but I forgot how much it was. There was also free device entertainment streaming for movies, shows and music! Another major plus: There...

Review: Almost A Royal Experience at the Omni King Edward

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 12, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels, Reviews and Reports, Uncategorized | 0

Background: For my family’s New York/Toronto/Chicago Summer Adventure, I looked thoroughly for a place to stay in Toronto for three nights. I found the Omni at about $180 for a Premier Room, which was a great rate as all the nearby 4 star hotels were well over $250 USD a night for my dates. Short Review With Scores (out of 5, 5 being best) My Overall Score: 5 5: Excellent, Highly Recommend 4: Very Good, Solid Choice to Consider 3: OK, Check other options before booking 2: Below Par, Try to Avoid 1: Terrible, Run far away Rooms: 4.5/5...

Review: Under $100 Lie Flat Business Class Including Lounge Access

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 7, 2016 | Airlines, Flight Reviews | 0

Business Class Under $100? Tell me more! A fifth freedom flight is where one airline from one country offers service between two different countries, in this case LATAM is from South America (Chile), operating a flight from New York (JFK) and Toronto (YYZ). They have great fares in the Business Cabin, and I booked it from New York to Toronto for $89. In the other direction (Toronto to New York) it normally costs a bit more due to taxes (around ~$130). Problem is, in each direction there is only about 2-3 flights A WEEK. So it might be hard to fit this flight...

Hotel Review: Stay OUTSIDE of the INNSIDE New York NoMad

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 6, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 1

Background: Booked the INNSIDE as my base to explore New York for 2 nights. I chose it for its good TripAdvisor reviews, the fact that I have Melia Silver and a lot of points to get rid of before they expired and that it was new! It cost $150 a night including tax but I had to deplete 30,000 Melia Rewards Points. Normal rate was about $250 a night for my 2 Double Room. For the same dates, the Andaz Wall Street was only $175 a night (should have booked it, darn). NOTE: I realize on TripAdvisor it says the hotel class...

Lounge Review: Construction Takes Over Admirals Club at JFK and How to Avoid It

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Aug 3, 2016 | Lounge Reviews, Uncategorized | 0

Background: I got lounge access to the Admirals Club from my LATAM Business Class ticket to Toronto because they are both in Oneworld alliance. I remember reading online that one of the Admirals Club’s at JFK was under construction. After I cleared security, I went to the club immediately next to my security checkpoint. Problem: this was the one that was under construction. Admirals Club- Terminal 8- Concourse B- After Security: My first stop was here and it was almost soulless at 9 AM. A plus is that if you want complete silence you could chill out here. There was your average club...

Airplane Review: Delta Economy 757-200 and MD-88

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jul 30, 2016 | Airlines, Flight Reviews, Uncategorized | 0

Background: This is the beginning of my trip to New York/Toronto/Chicago. I will continue to post the rest of my trip! As I write this, I’m in my Toronto hotel room (The Omni King Edward) which is a very comfortable place to stay I may add. More on the King Edward in the upcoming weeks. The flight from Santa Ana/John Wayne to Atlanta was one of three daily nonstop flights that Delta offers. This was the only flight that had seat back entertainment. Major Plus! On a side note, I would have preferred to take a nonstop from LAX,...

Hotel Review: Hilton Madrid Airport

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jul 28, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 0

Short Review with scores (out of 5, 5 being the best) My Overall Score: 5/5 Common Areas: 4/5 Rooms: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Location: 5/5 Amenities: 4/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Sleep Quality: 5/5 Background: I needed a one night stay in Madrid before heading back to the states, and chose the Hilton Madrid Airport! They had a great rate of $150 USD a night for an Executive Room with Lounge Access! Airport Pickup: The shuttle picked us up from the airport swiftly. We only waited about fifteen minutes. The shuttles run constantly, and the only one you reserve is the one...

Hotel Review: NH Madrid Palacio de Tepa

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jul 12, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels, Uncategorized | 0

Short Review with scores (out of 5, 5 being the best) My Overall Score: 4.5/5 Common Areas: 4/5 Rooms: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Location: 5/5 Amenities: 4/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Sleep Quality: 4/5 Background: Booked the Junior Suite at the NH for my stay in Madrid. I chose it for its central location and great reviews. Exterior Street View Lobby Lobby Artwork Check-In: The outside of the hotel is just beautiful, and it was actually designed by the same architect as the Prado Museum! The check-in area was nice, boutique-like. Front Desk then asks the Question of the Day: Two Story...

Hotel Review: Melia Paris La Defense

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jun 29, 2016 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 0

Short Review with scores (out of 5, 5 being the best) My Overall Score: 4/5 Common Areas: 4/5 Rooms: 4/5 Service: 3.5/5 Location: 5/5 Amenities: 3.5/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Sleep Quality: 4/5 Background: Booked two rooms at a great rate ($100 USD per night) for my Paris base for four nights. Exterior of the Melia Check-In Lobby Check-In: The check in is on the “walkway street level” and if you are getting dropped off by a cab that’s on floor negative 4 which also has a “mini lobby” with bellhops and elevators that will take you back to the main...