Where in Europe should QF009 go for 2 nights?

[Keith009]

Who cares?

I do.

Do you really need that bowl of fruit and small champas bottle or whatever?

Champers would come in handy. But Starpoints, stay credits and upgrades are even better, not to mention essential. Or many a sleepless night awaits...

I might just go for the HH points then if the Sheraton gets delayed (which in all probability it will):
Welcome to the Hilton Prague hotel
Hilton Prague Old Town hotel

OTOH SPG has an LC property in HEL:
Luxury Collection Helsinki Hotels: Hotel Kämp - Hotel Rooms at luxury.com

I actually narrowed down the cities by checking, besides a convenient oneworld routing (all 3 are served directly by MA or AY out of BUD, and BA or AY into LHR), whether they have Starwood props, but failed to notice that the Sheraton in PRG and the LM in Bucharest are "pending" properties.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g274707-Prague_Bohemia-Hotels.html

No points or benes booking via 3rd party sites.

 

[BlacKnox]

I do.


Champers would come in handy. But Starpoints, stay credits and upgrades are even better, not to mention essential. Or many a sleepless night awaits...

I might just go for the HH points then if the Sheraton gets delayed (which in all probability it will):
Welcome to the Hilton Prague hotel
Hilton Prague Old Town hotel

OTOH SPG has an LC property in HEL:
Luxury Collection Helsinki Hotels: Hotel Kämp - Hotel Rooms at luxury.com

I actually narrowed down the cities by checking, besides a convenient oneworld routing (all 3 are served directly by MA out of BUD, and BA or AY into LHR), whether they have Starwood props, but failed to notice that the Sheraton in PRG and the LM in Bucharest are "pending" properties.


No points or benes booking via 3rd party sites.

Man..., I was trying to help. If you decide by points/ status where you stay, then you're missing out on a lot, and in my mind are often getting a bum deal. I'm THE top on most programs now and still choose to stay at boutique hotels when appropriate (read - the ambiance/ feeling/ comfort/ luxury is way better than the best penthouse of the best hotel). But I guess you haven't experienced that yet, and that's ok. Good luck with your trip.

 

[Keith009]

Man..., I was trying to help. If you decide by points/ status where you stay, then you're missing out on a lot, and in my mind are often getting a bum deal. I'm THE top on most programs now and still choose to stay at boutique hotels when appropriate (read - the ambiance/ feeling/ comfort/ luxury is way better than the best penthouse of the best hotel). But I guess you haven't experienced that yet, and that's ok. Good luck with your trip.

I never meant to offend you and if I come across as being ungrateful for your assistance then I truly apologise.

But I will not apologise for merely tailoring my holiday according to my personal needs and desires. If I didn't care about points/status etc I wouldn't be such an enthusiastic member of AFF. It's a sport, and is what the community is about. To me anyway.

I was merely trying to explain that points and status do factor heavily into where I choose to visit - and I'd rather patiently wait for a certain hotel/airline to appear in a particular city than forgo all that.

It might surprise or shock you, and it does surprise and shock many - this is why I rely so heavily on sites like this, with people who understand and enjoy the sport of loyalty programs.

And you are wrong about my not having experienced "boutique hotels" but I do not feel like I have to justify anything.

 

[BlacKnox]

And you are wrong about my not having experienced "boutique hotels" but I do not feel like I have to justify anything.

Well, I doubt we are speaking about the same "boutique" hotels. Nonetheless I agree about the worth of sites such as AFF. But often we get better at our "sports" if we play something else for a while. Anyway, understood - no bad intentions intended or received. Cheers

 

[jwak]

STOP Everything!!!! QF009 Barcelona is your city, has all that you require and more. Only trouble is two nights might not be enough. I have lived there for 2 1/2 years so if you need any advice PM me.

cheers

Jwak

 

[Keith009]

Well, I doubt we are speaking about the same "boutique" hotels.

I suspect the same, but perhaps 'please explain' so as to shed some light on the difference in our view points. There are actually certain cities in which I'd gladly give up points to stay in some truly extraordinary hotels. But I have a high threshold and they'd have to be something really different, even revolutionary according to my personal criteria - the t word "Trendy." Case in point - St Martin's Lane in London. Or anything by Kelly Hoppen. I used to be crazy about the Royalton in the 90s but it's now boring. The problem with a lot of these properties, despite the sensory OD and beautiful crowd, is a lot of the times they lack the functionality of big chains, eg understaffing and due to their small sizes their concierges usually aren't as effective as those in big chain hotels to "make things happen." The W LA was able to get me into the Badgley Mischka launch when I was in LA earlier this year - I even got seats very near the front; Suzy Menkes was 2 seats away. And they not only got my mates and I on to the list of a sold out a-list club party on Sunset but got us a mini bungalow type thingy to ourselves (but unfortunately I ended up in ER that night...). Two years ago the W Times Square's Whatever Desk agent was able to get me into Marc Jacobs' launch at the Mercedes Fashion Week with similarly great seating. The W Union Square managed to get my parents and I into Masa with barely 2 days' notice. I doubt the Night Hotel would be able to pull similar feats.

 

[Keith009]

STOP Everything!!!! QF009 Barcelona is your city, has all that you require and more. Only trouble is two nights might not be enough. I have lived there for 2 1/2 years so if you need any advice PM me.

Thanks mate. I agree - Barcelona is a very nice city. Very trendy bars and restaurants. Nice shopping too. And you can escape the Old Europe thing more than the other places. I do like the Old Europe thing from a 'let's check out the sights' perspective but it gets a bit old when even restaurants, hotels and bars resemble Dracula's mansion. My only peeve was the fact that I have to muck around till 2am for a party to really kick off as the Spanish practically hibernate in bars till then.

 

[albatross710]

This is going to sound corny but my thoughts were Prague straight away as well.

When we were there in 1993 we couldn't believe the prices. I'm sure the prices are more Western now but we were dining out every meal, living in luxury for not a lot of dosh.

The city, buildings and people have a certain style.

 

[Keith009]

Just issued my OW100F out of PRG.

 

[BlacKnox]

My apologies QF009, I've been very presumptuous and you are right - my comments reek of arrogance. Yesterday I was busy meeting with a Mr. B on the Gold Coast, and my 2IC was busy with a meeting with Mr. R in the U.S.

Some things have happened recently and I find myself increasingly negative in my contributions to this forum. Accordingly I will no longer contribute here, as I feel my contributions are more (-) than (+).

Best of luck to you and others that make AFF such a cool place to hang out.

Cheers,
Blackniox

 

[maninblack]

Prague is great....or Istanbul.

 

[JohnK]

Good to see most people here enjoyed enjoyed Prague.

Beautiful city but not one I would want to visit again....

 

[vitaminp]

QF009,

Glad to see you went with Prague!

I stayed for two nights last year and it was fantastic. Regarding nightlife, my advice is to steer well clear of 'Karlovy Lazne' or the "five storey nightclub". It's very tacky and does not offer anything too exciting (except its size). There are some great clubs near Old Town Square. 'Roxy' is worth a look if you are in the mood for a serious dance!

Alex.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks vitaminp - that's very useful advice!