[AnotherUser]

BBbetter wrote:

ffwd wrote:

There goes my Holiday to Doh then DXB. Anyone got any ideas for 2 weeks in March please (apart from Isle of Wight)?

If its the last 2 weeks of March, tulips start blooming in Netherlands.

Nice time of year for sightseeing in Spanish cities. Weather in Seville or Barcelona is likely nicer than here but comfy for walking round in. Cheaper and less crowded than April-onwards

[AnotherUser]

Radisson Blu Birmingham. Upgraded from standard room to a 1br suite. Got pretzels as welcome amenity (and some bottled water). Free VIP breakfast offered – got it as room service for a £5 tray charge. Didn’t need late checkout.

Would go back! Staff v good, suite could have used a bit of updating but still a well designed, clean room with a fantastic view. Decent location – near New Street Station and Chinatown. Comfy bed and good quality bed linen. Breakfast was mixed – decent pastries and ok porridge. Didn’t have eggs Benedict on offer, though, and omelette was freshly made but quite badly made. I paid slightly less than the HIX was charging and got a suite with a great view – it was excellent value and a very enjoyable stay

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the replies about moving/shipping! Will get some more quotes

[AnotherUser]

Random question, but does anyone have recommendations for companies organising removals/shipping from London to Scotland? A relative has moved house, and they’ll need to take about 10 boxes and one piece of furniture North. It’s much less than a full lorry load, but too much for a standard courier. I’m finding fewer companies than expected doing a part load service

[AnotherUser]

I’ve been told no on a previous booking, though I think others have had more luck. IHG isn’t consistent with this!

Is the virtuoso 3-4-2 non-cancellable? In that case, I’d be very surprised if you can use a CSU on that rate

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the resort and flight suggestions! Don’t know how I missed those flights to Turkey… Fine with a LCC.

Points budget ~90k/nights, before the 5-for-4 discount. Looking at the Balearics I found Cap Rocat, with standard rewards at am eye watering 220k/night! Out of budget, albeit nice looking.

[AnotherUser]

Richie wrote:

Which are your preferred airports?

Thanks. Edinburgh or Glasgow is fine. So is Aberdeen, but rather fewer flights!

[AnotherUser]

Because it’s such an obviously too-low rate, you’re unlikely to have any legal options if they cancel it as an error. You’ll be hoping that either no-one notices or they offer you a big goodwill discount if the issue is spotted. Good luck!

[AnotherUser]

Radisson Red was nice when I stayed a few years ago, and good location. I wouldn’t pay a premium to stay there, but I’d very happily go back if price was right.

In terms of staying outside of the city centre, I would say that a lot of the fun of Madrid is in things to do in the evening – walking round the busy streets and tapas bars. Perfectly doable to travel in and then head back to the hotel late, but it can be more comfortable to have a more central room. An early morning taxi from the centre to the airport should be fairly quick and not cost a fortune

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. The mixed residential might make it work less well as a hotel?

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the suggestions! Also happy getting a LCC flight to another city if that has different hotel options. Sadly won’t be able to get babysitting for long enough for a 5 night break as a couple, though will see if I can find good Hilton/SLH resort options for a family break later in the year…

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. Those start in May/June sadly (though I had seen Iberia to Madrid, along with Finnair flights, and KLM/AF).

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. That’s a good point, but I struggle to get great value from the companion voucher at the moment 🙁 It’s useful, but not worth asking much to me as to some.

If I am approved for the downgrade and upgrade, my total spend should be retained?

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. I’ve not stayed in a Ritz Carlton before, so don’t know what brand standards should be like, but this place seemed very nice 🙂

[AnotherUser]

Thanks. I’ve asked hotel. This is London, so taxes/charges shouldn’t differ. Base rooms are this hotel (even the double ones) are quite small, so wouldn’t want to stay if voucher isn’t accepted. Hotel has a lot of ‘premium’ rooms, so it’d be unlikely (though possible) that they all sell out.

Plan B is rather less luxurious, but ok, accomodation elsewhere.

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the replies. Will look at some more hotel and Airbnb options

[AnotherUser]

Sorry – short term is just a few nights. I should have been clearer!

[AnotherUser]

From looking at other reviews, I wonder if the resort is better off season? When we went there was a high staff to guest ratio, and the retreat area felt pretty quiet and spacious. They had definitely resolved the fly problem (at least in the retreat sections) – food was cleared very quickly, and I remember saying to my partner that it was surprising that there were almost no flies or birds looking for food given all the outside dining.

The cocktail hour had freshly blended cocktails (at least some included fresh ingredients – e.g. a passion fruit one had the odd seed left in it). Quality wasn’t bad – you’d get better in a craft cocktail bar, but these were nicer than I’d expect in a typical pub. Some areas at least were refurbished during the summer, which may also have made for a better experience for us.

That’s all useful to know – our visit was good enough that we’re thinking about heading back. Will bear that on mind, though, and likely go in the office season if we do. Was it BA Holidays you booked through? Sounds like you got a good price for half board.

[AnotherUser]

We all have different preferences, but connections in the US were no fun even before this administration. If the PE flight is direct, I’d much prefer that to business class with a connection in the US, unless you can turn the visit to the US into a fun trip in itself

[AnotherUser]

Mark B London wrote:

IC in Barcelona is quite dated and not a great location, uber to anywhere.

The club room serves decent champagne all day , a great bonus. Barcelona is a fantastic city visit

I’ve not ended up trying the IC Barcelona, as other nice hotels always worked out more recently priced (stayed in the Ohla last time). Worth checking out Secret Escapes.

I know sometimes people need to stay in a particular chain, but in Barcelona you often pay a premium for an IHG hotel.

[AnotherUser]

Sadly not for an evening (was a short stay), but did do a boat tour from San Juan. Would recommend that – saw pilot whales close up, and saw flying fish both swimming and flying

[AnotherUser]

Hotel was very nice 🙂 Agree that the snacks in the retreat early afternoon are enough for a light lunch (though would not be great if vegetarian).

Drink prices after 6pm are pretty steep – was glad I brought a nice bottle from duty free to enjoy on the balcony

[AnotherUser]

Thanks!

[AnotherUser]

Thanks for the recommendations! We won’t have a car sadly (don’t drive). Are taxis to/from the resort
to places like San Juan likely to be a pain? Taberna Maritima Agua y Sal does look good! Likely worth a trip there to eat lots of seafood 🙂

Looks like there’s a regular bus from the airport to Costa Adeje (part way to the resort). If anyone has recommendations there would also be handy.

[AnotherUser]

NorthernLass wrote:

There probably are a few more traditional Canarian options around these days, but you would need to head inland or further north somewhere like Guia de Isora or Icod for something properly authentic. Many years ago when I was a student in Tenerife a friend drove us into the mountains to a place where the speciality was wonderful rabbit stew and goat cheese but I can’t remember where it was and it might not even be there now! We’ve mainly been catering to kids on our last few visits but intending to see more of Lanzarote next month and the Canaries generally in the next few years.

Some ideas here:

https://wespeakspanishtenerife.com/best-restaurants-in-tenerife/

Be aware that places where the clientele are mainly locals don’t always open for lunch and often don’t start serving dinner until after 8 pm! My OH likes his evening meal by 7 pm so gets quite exasperated, lol.

Thanks! I like a late dinner myself:)