Indian Tourism and Rajputana Sheraton

Just got back from a trip to Rajasthan.Flew Jetairways to Delhi.The airport while being upgraded did not provide aerobridge-whether Jet is not paying the charges?Seems to be the case,as even when I flew out of Mumbai-there was no aerobridge.If Jet wants to be a premier airline-this is one area they have to improve upon.

The domestic airport in Delhi is very good-can they improve further?provide free internet?Reduce prices of foodstuff?

Flew Jet to Jaipur and was pleasantly surprised to see a clean and neat Jaipur airport.Stayed again at Rajputana Sheraton,which is a great hotel with good service as always.

Amazed that Indian Govt seems to ignore the tourism potential of Jaipur.They can improve amenities and ensure everyone benefits-make a walkabout,clean up the whole area,build modern toilets,ensure that the homeless are provided employment as part of the tourism set up,proper parking and eco friendly transport system.

The food in Jaipur is amazing and delicious.One destination in India which continues to attract me

Definitely not a Four Star Hotel

Stayed at the Tunga Regale in Mumbai which claims itself to be a 4 star Hotel.The staff also claim the same because of the facilities available,so how good is it?It does not go beyond the claims of its staff.I would rate it is a 2 or a 3 star property with a 4 star price.

The biggest drawback of the hotel are its front office staff who behave like 2 star hotel staff,they need training,and the trick that make every guest feel like a king!The Lobby is very small,and they do not accept Diners Club cards.I had booked an Icon room,the Booking experience was good (Courtesy Mitali Joshi)The Airport Pick up car was a sedan and in good condition,that increased my expectation.The room itself was good,but it had a torn and worn out chair which was not expected.The room size could be bigger.

The bath room is the claim to fame of this hotel and yes it is quite good and large ,the icon room has a jacuzzi bath tub and a very nice shower area.

The Laundry was not efficient,i had to chase them for my laundry,and they gave me the wrong set had to chase them again till I got my clothes back.The breakfast is not much,but is decent though the restaurant is small and they do not have enough plates or staff.

The 7th storey pool and bar area looks hip-considering it is a hip hotel.

They should have 24 hour dining.

The room itself was good,but the staff was what pissed me right from check in to check out.Especially one guy-Manjeet(He has forgotten how to smile)When checking in he said no extention of check out time,but agreed to give a change room while collecting luggage,2 days later when I reminded him -he he point blank refused -hmm!They did give me the change room though for 10 mins,the Star Room which was good as well.

I would rate the Hotel as 3 star for the room

Bath room-5 Star

Lobby and staff 2 star

Why American Airlines Need to catch up

Returned from a short trip to Arizona.The trip was in extremes good and bad.One misses the convenience of Singapore Airlines and other leading asian Airlines when you are using United or US Airways.The Star Alliance is itself a mockery where there is such a disparity!
As my ticket was booked by my client-it was on United Airlines.Had a schedule via HK and SFO to Phoenix,where I had chosen my seats and my special meal,as it was an early morning start left home by about 4 am,arrived at the check in counter to be told that they are now routing me via Tokyo and SFO.
Changi Terminal 3 was efficient and has all amenities to make one comfortable.The United flight to Tokyo had very limited in flight selection on all sectors I flew-why cant they provide decent In flight entertainment?They need to increase their movie choices,especially other languages Japanese,Chinese,Indian,as more of them travel.They can have good selection of music as well catering to customers with different needs.
My special meal was not put on the flight to Tokyo,so almost remained hungry till I landed in Tokyo.
Narita airport is good but not functional to needs of today's customers.No free internet,food and duty free shopping is expensive!I had a very small portion of fries and a Coffee for $15/-
The aiport is clean though and the toilets are good especially with backsprays!
The long flight on a 747 to SFO was tough on the economy class passengers as there are still the large screens in front,not the personal screens(United you need to improve).
At SFO-I was put on secondary processing for some reason and after an hour they let me go by the immigration-no apologies /no regret .
Just about to make it for the connecting flight to PHX-I was the last passenger before doors closed,it was empty,clean and neat.
Phoenix airport was efficient as usual.My Hotel Shuttle was not around,had to take a cab which was expensive considering the short distance.
Why cant hotels in US have placards and wait for their guests,like in Asia or even Africa?Why can't service improve?
Arizona was surprisingly cold,Stayed at the Holiday Inn Suites in Scottsdale.A small comfortable hotel with larges suites.
The Hotel is pretty affordable and clean.Decent breakfast,but spread for vegetarians is not much.
Also visited the Four Seasons Hotel,which looked good.Missed out on the Xmas shopping deals and the lighting,heard that Chrismas parties are reduced due to the economic situation.
On my return flight from PHX- to LA took a US Airways flight-the airhostess was nasty when asked for extra sugar(The comment she made was unprintable) and it took a retort for her to apologise.
LAX airport was crowded,the United staff at the counter could not recognise my Resident card for Singapore,it took a long time for her to sort it out.
SQ,Jet Airways,Cathay are setting the standards while the American ones are lagging .
Is US the new third world?

Different strokes

Just returned from a multi city tour to India.My Singapore India flight was on JetAirways .Stayed at the Accord Metropolitan in Chennai,a wonderful hotel in the heart of the city.Managed by a Singaporean-Mr Foo,it was comfortable and worth the money spent.Mr Foo and his wife made us very comfortable and he is bringing further improvements like wifi.Any complaints?Maybe the Breakfast spread -it can be more sumptuous or the display can be better ,did not know they offer Dosas until asked (It was available as part of the regular breakfast-just not displayed),another grouse if minor was the lack of hot water in the evenings.Though our stay was comfortable and enjoyable overall.

Went for a day trip to Tirupati by a coach through APTDC left at 5.30am and returned at 20.30 hours with a good darshan.Except for the food,the trip was comfortable and well organised darshan.

Flew Paramount Airways to Hyderabad,while the flight was comfortable,it was nowhere near Business Class-good old economy class in a full service airline!The Hyderabad airport is clean and good.

Stayed at NKM's Grand Central-it was nowhere near as good as the reviews,but still value for money.Service left a lot to be desired.We asked them for an internet card,and it never arrived even after 24 hours.The morning breakfast started at 8 am,and we could not enjoy it as we had an early morning meeting.pricewise the hotel was ok.

Took the jetairways flight to Bhopal from Hyderabad,it was on time and full load.Wonder why they can't have a direct flight to Bhopal?While the jetairways flight from Bhopal to Mumbai was a budget one with buy your own meal.

Took the jetairways flight from mumbai to Singapore-The Mumbai terminal has improved leaps and bounds.Good to see change creeping in.The lounges can be better.

Travel booking through Make My Trip

I have finally booked my forthcoming trip to India through www.makemytrip.com

Booked online at Jetairways on the International sector,and used makemytrip to book for the hotels and domestic air travel.

Am using Paramount Airways for the Chennai Hybd sector.Hotel Accord Metropolitan in Chennai and NKM Grand in Hyderabad.

Will post the reviews after my stay.Readers are welcome to share their experiences on the airways and the hotels.

Honolulu

JAL recently had good offers for visit to Hawaii and while I did not take it up,the deal was really good for travel from Singapore.Combined with gotobus offers,a visit to Hawaii can be very attractive.I have used Gotobus in the past while exploring Las Vegas,and real value for money to Asian budget Travelers.

Good site for travel in India

www.makemytrip.com and www.ixigo.com are good sites if you plan to visit India.While I have used ixigo in the past,have not used make mytrip,planning to use for my upcoming visits,as the the combined purchase gives a good deal.

The ratings of the hotels look suspect though,as many of them will not pass for any rating elsewhere,I always find hotels in India more expensive compared to International Hotels.

Also planning a trip to South Africa.

Long Halt at Mumbai Airport

If you fly International to Mumbai and have a long halt and do not want to stay over at a hotel and are without lounge access,I still recommend paying RS 550/- and using the lounge at Level1 at domestic airport.

Hotel in Kolkata

I stayed at Hotel Oberoi Grand in Kolkata during my earlier stay,while the room was large,the decor was old.The service was good,this time I stayed at Hotel Chrome a new boutique hotel,which is unique in every room being different.I liked the toiletteries being provided in test tubes.
Overall value for money.Aircon in lobby could have been better.

Jet Airways

Recently flew JetAirways from Singapore to Mumbai,Kolkata and back to Singapore via Chennai.
While their International flights are very good and can be compared to Singapore Air.
The movies selection and food presentation while matching SQ are of pretty high standards.
They are not as consistent in domestic travel.If they have a better loyalty awards program,then it could become my preferred choice.
In my previous flight from Kolkata to Chennai there was IFE for each seat,while during my recent flight it was missing.Being a full service airline they should have Aerobridge facility at all terminals which is not the case.

Airport Lounges

Every traveler wants access to a lounge,if you are not flying business class or do not possess a certain status -how does one enjoy the benefits of a lounge?I recommend using Credit cards . However I just returned from a Trip to India so updating changes.
My preferences-
Diners Club International-Gets you access to a lounge in Singapore Plaza Premium(T2 and T3),Nairobi,Tokyo-Haneda Airport allows Lounge access for Diners Club members.
Diners also allows access to other loungers in international airports (Keep track through DC website)
Master Card allows some access in Indian airports in Chennai and Mumbai. From my recent travel to India,noticed that Clipper lounges allow only Citibank Platinum Master card and HDFC Platinum Master Card.

Hotel in Tanzania

I recommend the Hotel New Africa in Dar,it was comfortable.They organised a Airport Pick up (US$10) each way.
Internet access is paid,they have pre paid card system for internet access for duration specified.There are a lot of eating joints nearby.
In hotel eating option is also good.The breakfast is sumptuous with choices for Continental,Indian,Chinese and others.
I do not recommend making international calls from the rooms-as they may tell you one rate and charge you another!
Other amenities include a decently priced massage,free gymn use,Casino.
They booked me a room via email,and gave me a clean room at check in around 10:am,also allowed late check out till 16:00 hours.

Kenyan Airways

Travel by this airline gave me a fixed feeling!I was looking forward to travel by "the pride of Africa".Got in at Bangkok and went to Nairobi,returned the same way.Singapore to Bangkok was via Thai Airways.
Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam was via Precision Air.
Precautions I took:Avoided checking in luggage as did not want missed baggage,so had carry on luggage.Tried to get upgraded-was not successful.
The inflight entertainment was a misnomer-as it was absent!The airhostess refused to take my jacket,finally she relented and my jacket was put in the business class section.
The personal screen system did not work !Apparently has not worked for many years.I had requested for Vegetarian meal-yes I got it!(Much better than many American Airlines).Used the opportunity to sleep through the flight-caught much needed sleep.On landing -there was no aerobridge,so had to walkdown and again up some cemented staircase.
Nairobi Airport needs a major refurbishment.Used my Diners Club card to get access to one of the lounges which had good internet access.The flight to Dar was good and on time.
Dar airport too needs a major refurbishment.
My return flights were on time.Again no complaint from Precision.The Kenyan Airways return flight had no IFE(yes the personal systems were absent).Flight was crowded,toilets dirty.
Will I fly again on Kenyan Airways?Yes-If I have no choice and can't change my travel dates!
What about Thai Airways?Yes no inflight entertainment on the flights from Sing-Bkk and return.
The aircarft looked new and clean,toilet was clean.Airhostess neatly attired.However on my onward flight service was lacking-no famous "Thai" Courtesy,the steward was more interested in chatting to the pretty women next to me than service.
My return flight was much better,with good service.

All Things Travel

I love traveling and while living in Asia,have traveled to Australia,Africa,America and Europe.I use the best hotels and best airlines while trying budget hotels and budget airlines.
The world has given me a varied and sobering experiences.This blog is an attempt to share my experiences and hopefully someone-somewhere can benefit.
Comments are welcome! keep looking at this page for new postings and articles