THE RITZ-CARLTON, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

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The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur targets mainly on Business Travelers. Great location and easy to reach. The best part of the hotel is their staff. Everybody is very polite and will adress you with your name every time they meet you. The service from the door man to the personal butler as well as the charming pool staff is very personal and professional. The hotel has a certain age but it is well maintained. Pools are very small but the Spa area features a nice little rest area to relax, a corner to have a light meal, a lounge with a TV to relax, a gym, a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.

A very good place to stay in KL!

INTERVIEW WITH MR. PASCAL FREI, RESIDENT MANAGER AT ANDARA RESORT, PHUKET, THAILAND

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1. How do the social media change the booking behavior of your guests?
The effect of the social media on the booking behavior I would say is not direct. But indirectly it effects in so far that the potential guest have more access on information, previous guest feedback, but especially also have a very quick and informal way to contact representatives from a hotel. Further to that, the guest sees in what way the social media is used by the resort, by followers and by previous guests. All this results in a much shorter termed booking than in the past, but also in a much more informed arrival guest.
2. How many people book online through your website? (ca percentage)
Approx. 32% in 2013. Direct bookings are the most interesting booking category and the goal of each hotel is to increase direct bookings since the cost of obtaining is the lowest. For us it became already after 5 years of operation our strongest category, but of course we still keeping going to achieve 100% occupancy and 100% of it direct.
3. How many people book through travel agents or packages?

In 2013 we had 31% of our bookings through wholesale. Wholesale is not cheap but also very important since all relies on recommendations through wholesaler.

4. How important do you think that social media / blogs are important in the future? (next generation)

This answer goes approximately in the same direction as answer no. 1. It is getting more and more important to be strongly present on social media, online articles or blogs. The new generation doesn’t get their information anymore from books, brochures or magazines but all online. Further to that they don’t decide their holidays anymore based on a description with a picture in a travel magazine. The new generation will gather as much information as possible and then decide based on recommendation of friends, circle of acquaintances or travel writers.

5. How important are the social media to “yourself”? Are you using them for work and / or privately?
Social media has quite a high importance to me privately and for work. I use it frequently for both at the same time since in this industry private and work flow a kind like together.

ANDARA RESORT AND VILLAS, PHUKET, THAILAND

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I have stayed at the Andara Resort and Villas a few times now and I remain enthusiastic about the facilities and the personalised service.

I stayed in a 3 bedroom terrace suite which is 241 sq.m. and includes well appointed bedrooms, an equally impressive living and dining area with stylish western kitchen opening to an outdoor terrace enjoying views of the Andaman Sea. Fabrics and silk custom designed from Jim Thompson are complimented by a Bose surround sound system,  55 inch LCD TV and complimentary wi-fi.

SIlk Restaurant & Bar restaurant is a Phuket favourite for hotel guests and visitors alike. With the recent addition of “La Seta”, an Italian eatery, the food variety is even wider and offers a great choice of Italian favourites including pizzas cooked fresh from an original pizza oven. The quality and taste of all meals that I had was excellent. 

The pool is 40 meters long and cold towels as well as water and face spray are provided. Andara Resort resort also offers a separate section on nearby Kamala Beach which can reached by a free shuttle service on demand. Hotel staff are on hand at the beach and offer towels, beach-mats and cold water.

The staff at the resort are very attentive and always provide a distinguished service. Management is very visible and always ready to help and assist in any possible way. 

I enjoyed my recent stay at the Andara Resort very much and would highly recommend it for the stylish traveller.

http://www.andaraphuket.com

THAI AIRWAYS

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approaching Zurich Airport

THAI A340-600

Thai Airways International - Airbus A340-642 - HS-TNF - 3657 NET

Take-off at LSZH

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cabin view C-Class

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recliner seat

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pre-dinner snacks

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main dish, beef goulash

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seating chart

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first course tray

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cheese and fruit

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small dessert

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early morning breakfast tray

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empty C-Class cabin

 

THAI AIRWAYS

ZRH-BKK Business Class

THAI Airways currently operates 6 A340-600 aircrafts. They operate flights from Bangkok to Zurich, Frankfurt and London.

My flight left Zurich with a good 1 hour delay as a cargo door could not be closed properly. Info given by the captain was sufficent, while the Inflight Manager was nowhere to be seen. (This is the case on most TG flights, IM are invisible during the entire flights, and i have been flying in F,C and Y)

No german announcements were played.

Inflight Service: THAI Airways offers a solid product. Catering ex ZRH was excellent as always and the service was efficient. Food and amenties are of a good quality. The inflight service standards are good but a bit dated. There has never been a change made in the last 15 years. However there were only 10 Pax in C-class today and 6 F/A available so the service was swift and friendly.

The flight was generally very empty. TG is loosing a lot of passengers to the middle east airlines. An improvement of the website and marketing activities are urgently needed.

The A340-600 features a 170° degr recliner seat. It is comfortable but i am hoping for a flat seat in the future.

Breakfast was nice and pleasant. A hot choice would have been also available.

Fast Track cards for immigration in BKK are not been given out anymore, but the fast track channel is still available if you are able to find it.

All in all, THAI offers a good product, but little improvements or updates would be nice.

http://www.thaiair.com

Interview with Mr. Nick Yarnell, Hotel Manager @ Four Seasons Marrakech

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Here are the 5 Questions I would like to ask you to add to my blog

1. How do the social media change the booking behavior of your guests? More and more business is coming from OTAs and our Mobile site which is a direct result of Four Seasons efforts in all Social Media channels, with great actions like Pin.Pack.Go on Pinterest that are innovative and guest focused and very shareable with friends. 

2. How many people book online through your website? (ca percentage) 12% of our business came via website in 2013, up from 7% in 2012

3. How many people book through travel agents or packages? 31% of our business comes via our worldwide travel agent partners 

4. How important do you think that social media / blogs are important in the future?  (next generation) Extremely importnat to us and Four Seasons. We are the first luxury hotel company that included real time Tripadvisor quotes on each hotel's website, so it is very important for us to ensure our Tripadvisor score is high. Same with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest where we have dedicated employees at each hotel to monitor and create content. We also signed up for an ORM (Online Reputation Management) site like Revinate to monitor everything that is said about us on Social Media. 

5. How important are the social media to "yourself"? Are you using them for work and / or privately? Very important for business and personal life. Very connected with travel agents and clients on FB and engaged in all other social media channels on a regular daily basis. 

5 QUESTIONS

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THIS IS A NEW CATEGORY OF MY BLOG

IT WILL CONTAIN FUTURE INTERVIEWS WITH HOTEL/AIRLINE MANAGERS.

I WILL ALSWAYS ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS. COMPARING THE ANSWERS OF THE DIFFERENT MANANGERS WILL BE VERY INTERESTING. ALSO WE CAN SEE HOW THINGS CHANGE IN THE FUTURE..

I WILL START WITH 5 QUESTIONS WHICH I HAVE ASKED AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL IN MARRAKECH

(ONLINE SHORTLY)

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PREVIOUS STAYS

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INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FOR THE FOLLOWING HOTELS:

– SIX SENSES HIDE AWAY KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

– REGENT HOTEL CAPE PANWA, PHUKET, THAILAND

– METROPOL HOTEL, HANOI, VIETNAM

– BAYA CRUISES, HALONG BAY, VIETNAM

– LA RESIDENCE HOTEL, LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

– SALA POOL VILLA, KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

– CENTARA GRAND HOTELS, MALDIVES

– MUTHI MAYA FOREST POOL VILLA HOTEL, KHAO YAI, THAILAND

– THE CHEDI, PHUKET, THAILAND

– THE CHEDI, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

– SIRIPANNA BOUTIQUE HOTEL, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

– LE MERIDIEN, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

– THE LEGIAN, BALI, INDONESIA

– JIMBARAN PURI HOTEL, BALI, INDONESIA

– AYANA RESORT, BALI, INDONESIA

– THE MAYA RESORT, UBUD, INDONESIA

– RENAISSANCE HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

– RENAISSANCE HOTEL, PHUKET, THAILAND

– PENINSULA HOTEL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

– PLAZA ATHENEE HOTEL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

– FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

– CONRAD HOTEL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

– CONRAD RESORT, NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONIESIA

– RITZ-CARLTON, NAPLES FLORIDA, USA

– RITZ-CARLTON, ASPEN COLORADO, USA

– RITZ-CARLTON MARINA DEL REY CALIFORNIA, USA

– THE HALEKULANI, HONOLULU HAWAII, USA

– WESTIN GRAND MAUI HAWAII, USA

– HYATT REGENCY, SAIPAN, MICRONESIA

 

AND MANY MORE.. PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECLY FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REVIEWS..

QATAR AIRWAYS

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B787-8 Dreamliner

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Cabin view : config: 1-2-1 fishbone, 22 seats

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PJ and amenity kit

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Premium Terminal DOH Airport

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entry to premium terminal

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full dinner buffet

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large lounge area

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full bar, full coffee and tea bar

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table set dining area

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take off Doha

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info screen

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Iphone style handset, very easy to handle

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after take-off drink and amuse geule

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short meal – a nice cauliflower soup

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very nice desserts, 2 sorts of ice cream with fresh berries

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breakfast à la carte, opted for fruit plate

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and delicious berry crepe

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love the mood light

BKK-DOH-ZRH

I was reluctant to take a flight with transit in the middle east for a long time. But then again, reading so much about QR 5-star rating, i was ready to try.

It was a fantastic experience. (more than compensated for the 2hour stop at Doha)

Check-in reminder was sent a day before by SMS. Done so on the mobile and worked without problems for both flights.

Quick stop at the checkin desk to pick up the fast track card.

BKK-DOH: B-777-300ER with 24 C-class seats.

Nice seating 2-2-2 welcome drink quickly served.

Dinner ex BKK was very nice, but i did not eat much. Luxurious wines and 2 kinds of champagne. Comfy seat.

Unfortunately the new DOH airport is not yet open. The original date was set to be April 2013. (No new opening date known yet)

Minibus transport to the Premium terminal, very quick security and then upstairs to the huge lounge, with different seating areas for dining, relaxing, quiet, or lounging. Full dinner buffet with full bar and full coffee- and tea bar. Everything in a very good shape and spotlessly clean and maintained. It was quiet busy and full as many flights at the same time to make the hub system work.

DOH-ZRH: B-787-8 Dreamliner

Brand new aircraft. Nice fishbone seating 1-2-1 very spacious.

Swift after take-off drinks, followed by an short individual à la carte service. I chose only a soup which was very tasty and served with small apero flutes and a little breadbasked.

IFEN is great. Lots of choices and easy-to-use Iphone type handset.

Breakfast was served indivually. Nice fruit platter and a crèpe with fresh berries.

There is a big “lounge” area with magazines, flowers where it is possible to have a chat with another passenger or just walk around a bit without disturbing anyone.

The cabin crew was mixed asians, east european and an american steward. Very professional but low-key. (Guess that is company policy not the get too much involved with the Pax)

It was a pleasant, very enjoyable experience. Value for money is excellent.

Would fly QR again any time.

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Update October 2015 A380 Upper Deck and Al Mourjhan Lounge at Hamad Airport in Doha

Doh-Bkk-Doh in the A380:

Inflight service is as usual on a very high level with a large upperdeck bar where all available drinks and snacks are available. There is a lounge seating and a bar for standing. Everything is very luxury and i met only very professional and charming flight attendants.

The Al-Mourjan Business Class Lounge at Doha’s Hamad Intl Airport:

The Al-Mourjan Lounge is the biggest business class lounge that I have ever seen. Its design is absolutely stunning and the food and beverage service offers are excellent with luxury champagnes and wines and several food outlets. There is a full service restaurant, a bar, several tea/coffee and snack outlets and an area with hot sandwiches, hot soups and others snacks which are served to the table all decorated in white marble.

There is a huge lounge seating area and a more business style area where every seat has a power outlet, a bottle of water and a cookie waiting for the guest. Rest room facilities are superb and there is a gaming room for the younger generation.

 

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/lounges-al-mourjan.page