SPOTCHECKS

RAILJET TRAIN AUSTRIA

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Railjet is a high-speed rail service in Europe operated by Austrian Federal Railways(ÖBB) and Czech Railways(ČD). Branded as Railjet Express (RJX) for the fastest services and as Railjet (RJ) for services with additional stops, it was introduced in 2008 and operates at speeds of up to 230 km/h (143 mph). Railjet is ÖBB’s premier service and operates both domestically within Austria and on international services to adjacent major cities in the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.

Railjet trains have three levels of service; economy, first and business classes.

Business class has the highest level of service, containing premium seating for 16 passengers located in the front part of the control car at the opposite end of the train to the locomotive. The seating plan is in an ‘open compartments’ style similar to a corridor coach layout, but open plan and doorless, and intended to be a considerable improvement over previous first class accommodation. A galley separates the business and first class compartments.

First class seating occupies the remainder of the control car, the second coach and half of the third coach which also contains spaces and facilities for wheelchair users. 76 seats are provided in [2+1] formation. The remainder of the third coach contains the restaurant which provides an at seat service. The remaining four coaches provide 316 economy class seats in [2+2] formation, the fourth coach also contains an area for families and children.

https://www.oebb.at/en/reiseplanung-services/im-zug/unsere-zuege/railjet

PARK HYATT, BANGKOK, THAILAND

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I visited the new Park Hyatt Bangkok on a busy weekday where it was booked with  a high occupancy of 80 %. The hotel is part of the new Central Embassy Complex which hosts many high-end brand-name stores, restaurants and more. Due to its architecture, the Park Hyatt Bangkok is anangled, irregularly shaped building and its corridors and hallways are curved and windy.

The rooms, however are large sized with most of them having a breathtaking view over the park. The bathrooms are ultra-modern, bright and have extra-large showers. (Photos show standard rooms) The design of the hotel is state-of-the-art and represents a big city hotel with timeless decor.

If you are looking for a Thai touch you will be disappointed here. But if you are looking for a downtown hotel located in the central Bangkok Sukhumvit area you will be happy with its location. Most places in Bangkok can be easily reached from here by BTS Skytrain or Underground MRT services.

I find this a very chic hotel with stunning views and a perfect downtown location.

 

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https://www.hyatt.com

PAN PACIFIC HOTEL, YANGON, MYANMAR (BURMA)

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PP Hotel Yangon

On a recent stay in Yangon, I took the opportunity to look at the newly opened Pan Pacific Hotel which had its grand opening in December 2017. The hotel is part of the new Junction City shopping complex which is a totally new experience in Yangon. The mall is a large, western-style shopping mall with brand names which have never been available in Myanmar before. There is also a western-style supermarket with many brand-name items from Thailand and around the world.

The Pan Pacific hotel is a tall building and offers a number of different room categories and several food and beverage outlets. The hotel has an executive floor with lounge. There is a gym and a swimming pool available. Room rates are still competitively  priced and will probably not increase significantly as a Kempinski Hotel will open its doors soon. A Peninsula Hotel is also due to open on the same street in the future. The hotel occupancy was only 25 % on the day I visited. Pictures show different room types and the executive lounge which was deserted that night and there was also no food on display due to lack of guests.

I found the rooms pleasantly decorated, all of them with nice bathrooms. The rooms are bigger in size than the average hotel room in Yangon and some rooms/suites offer wonderful river or city views.

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Update:

I recently stayed at the Pan Pacific Yangon Hotel in a Pacific Club room. It was a short stay of only one night. The room was spacious with the usual amenities including electric window blinds, a large flat screen TV and a large wonderful bed. The bathroom was a generous size, including a rain shower, separate bathtub, toilet and again electric roller blinds to provide extra privacy if needed. A nice little extra feature was a separate mirror light.

I would like to highlight the diligent housekeeper who checked twice a day if I needed anything. He promptly replenished the likes of towels and coffee capsules; and was always eager to help.

The Club Lounge at the Pan Pacific was of a generous size with fantastic views over Yangon, including the Shwedagon Pagoda on one side, the city and the river on the other as well as a nice view of the Sule Pagoda.

The staff at the Club Lounge were friendly and helpful; and the happy hour included wines, cocktails, soft drinks and a nice choice of snacks including a small salad bar for a healthier option.

I also had breakfast at the Club Lounge. There was a small selection of fruits, cold cuts and cheese, cereals and hot items such as potatoes and sausages. I ordered eggs which were delivered from the main restaurant downstairs. There was also a selection of toast bread, but no electric toaster, and there was butter but no jam.  I found these things a bit ill-considered. Next time, I would probably have breakfast at the main restaurant to get a more extensive choice.

I had a pleasant stay at the Pan Pacific Yangon and would return to his hotel without hesitation.

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https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-resorts/myanmar/yangon.html

VIP LOUNGE ZURICH AIRPORT

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THE OFFICIAL ZURICH AIRPORT LOUNGE IS NORMALY FREQUENTED BY HEADS OF STATE, ROYALS, POLITICIANS, CELEBRITIES AND OTHER GUESTS WHICH LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA SERVICE. THE ZRH VIP SERVICE IS OPERATING INDEPENDANTLY FROM THE USUAL AIRLINE LOUNGES.

THE LOUNGE IS TOP NOTCH WITH AN IMPECCABLE SERVICE. PERSONAL SERVICE CAN INCLUDE ASSISTANCE FROM CHECK-IN TO AIRCRAFT DOOR, TRANSIT STAY OR ARRIVAL SERVICE.

MY PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICE CONSISTED OF ESCORT FROM CHECK-IN TO THE LOUNGE (VIA FAST TRACK AND SEPARATE IMMIGRATION) STAY AT THE LOUNGE AND A BMW LIMOUSINE SERVICE DIRECT TO THE AIRCRAFT.

THE LOUNGE IS VERY SPACIOUS IN A CONTEMPORARY TIMELESS DESIGN. THERE IS A BAR, RESTAURANT AREA WITH A LA CARTE SERVICE, REST AREA, SMALL OFFICES AND A WAITING AREA.

THERE ARE  LARGE SHOWERS PROVIDED IN A VERY HIGH CLASS DESIGN AND THE RESTROOM AREAS ARE MODERN AND EQUIPED WITH LUXURY BRAND NAME AMENITIES.

THERE ARE LIGHT MEALS AVAILABLE WHICH ARE FRESHLY PREPARED AND A WIDE CHOICE OF DRINKS.

AFTER THE VISIT TO THE LOUNGE THERE IS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE FLEET OF LIMOUSINES WHICH WILL BRING YOU DIRECTLY TO YOUR AIRCRAFT DOOR.

THIS LOUNGE IS A WONDERFUL OASIS TO ESCAPE THE BUSTLING ACTION IN THE AIRPORT, GIVING YOU TIME TO UNWIND, RELAX AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE FLIGHT. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.

 

http://www.zurich-airport.com/passengers-and-visitors/airport-services-en/vip-service-en#_ga=1.263160204.1486842291.1354949968

SPOTCHECK

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NEW CATEGORY:

SPOTCHECK: HOTELS WHICH I HAVE VISITED BUT DID NOT STAY OVERNIGHT. TAKING A WALK AROUND AND HAVING A LOOK AT DIFFERENT ROOM TYPES, RESTAURANTS AND LEISURE FACILITIES GIVING ME A FIRST IMPRESSION.

SHERATON PRAN BURI HOTEL, THAILAND

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The Sheraton Pranburi is advertised as a new hotel.

In fact its the former Evason Hideaway in Pranburi.

The hotel does not look in a good shape. There is a single restaurant only which rather looks shabby.

Nothing was renovated and there is no main pool available.

Pool villas and duplex villas are all in the shade, except for the 2 main double pool villas which are shown on the picture.

There are many more much nicer pool villa hotels in Thailand than this, so i would not want to go and stay there.